Meet the Pastoral Staff

Rev. Paul Johansen, Interim Pastoral Leader

Rev. Paul Johansen has been a congregational pastor in the GTA for 22 years. Most recently, he served as a Lead/Teaching Pastor at Chartwell Baptist Church in Oakville. Prior to that, Paul was a pastor at Good Shepherd Community Church in Scarborough for 16 years (13 years as Senior Minister) where he was ordained to pastoral ministry. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Karen, to whom he has been married for 25 years, and their two children, Sam and Kate. Paul studied religion, scripture and theology at the University of Toronto and went on to pursue these passions through graduate studies at Tyndale Seminary (Pastoral Ministry) and Wheaton Graduate School (Historical/Systematic Theology). For several years, he served as adjunct faculty at Tyndale, teaching courses in scripture, church history and spirituality. Paul continues to teach, lead retreats and provide spiritual direction/pastoral counsel in various settings, while maintaining strong interests in the areas of theology, literature, spiritual formation and creative writing. He remains committed to understanding the life and mission of the church of Jesus Christ in complex and challenging times. He is currently working on two writing projects in the areas of preaching and the theology of community. Paul enjoys a long-time relationship with Muskoka Woods, a Canadian youth development ministry, based in Toronto and Muskoka. Paul loves living in Toronto.

Rev. Dr. Wayne Hancock, Associate Minister
(Pastoral Care and Counselling)

Wayne came on staff at Knox in 1997 after serving in several congregations. His area of specialty is pastoral care and counselling. He also supervises many pastoral staff and works with the team to enhance and facilitate Christ centred ministry at Knox. When he’s not leading worship, counselling, visiting or meeting with others you can find him at the sound board some Sunday evenings, a hobby he also enjoys.

When not at Knox you may find Wayne cycling, canoeing, camping and walking with his wife Helen and their adult children

Alvin Kim, Director of Family Ministries

Alvin joined the Knox team in February of 2009. He loves ministering to youth, and is excited to have the opportunity to expand that vision to ministering holistically to families. Alvin enjoys building youth leadership, and has a deepening passion for seeing our overall family ministry help grow lovers of Jesus.

Alvin loves playing, and watching, the majority of sports (basketball, soccer, hockey, rugby, baseball) ...except for ones he doesn't understand... like cricket (Why can a match last three days?). He is married to Esther, and they have two children, Kingsley and Brooklyn.

Dr. Roger Bergs, Music Director

Dr. Roger Bergs joined the staff of Knox as Music Director in 1995. He directs the senior, junior and intermediate choirs, plays organ and piano, and works with a broad array of soloists and instrumentalists. He uses his skills as a composer to create original music, arrange existing music and attempt to unify worship planning. Outside Knox, he is an active composer and college-level music instructor (teaching primarily at UofT). He is married to Lisa, and the father of Clara and Claudia, and lives in the Annex.

Samantha Harding, Interim Director of Univeristy and Young Adult Ministries

Sam has spent the last 10 years of her life downtown Toronto exploring life in university ministries, pursuing graphic design, exploring theological studies, working to understand community development and most of all, in passionate pursuit of Jesus. Prior to that, she led a humble life in the heart of Thunder Bay, whose forests she still pines for. In this transient, sometimes soul-less and fractured feeling place of Toronto centre, Sam loves the challenge of growing intentional community in the seemingly rocky soil. Engaging in conversation about what our loving God is up to through all the light and dark spaces of the city and actively joining in this love is so far the best thing she can imagine doing. Meditating on Isaiah 61:1 is her recent favourite pass time alongside endless side projects of gardening, music, making beautiful things, and enjoying fair-trade double-long espressos with neighbours.

Ken Michell, Worship Team Leader

Ken works at Knox as the Worship Team Leader for the 5PM Service. Ken has a Masters of Theological Studies from Tyndale and many years of experience in music playing in bands and being involved in worship leadership. He currently serves in two churches in worship leadership (Knox & Bridlewood Presbyterian Church). As well, he was recently appointed the Dean of Worship in the Music Department at Canada Christian College.

Myrna Talbot, Director of Equipping Ministries

In 1982 Myrna Talbot moved from Saskatchewan to downtown Toronto to study at the University of Toronto, and she never left the neighborhood. She and her husband, Les, have been active members of the Knox congregation and leaders in Open Circle/Prime Time for 25 years. Currently, she is serving as the Director of Equipping Ministries; in this capacity she strives to achieve the goal of “worship plus two” in our congregation – i.e. that everyone will participate regularly in worship, plus one activity in which their faith and fellowship can be nurtured, and one ministry in which they can use their gifts in service. In addition to her responsibilities at Knox, Myrna is a small business owner. As President of the Talcon Corporation, she has provided social research and consulting services to all levels of government since 1983. Two years ago, Myrna and Les incorporated a new company – Capstone Tours – and began leading tours in Italy, with a focus on art and church history. In her spare time, Myrna enjoys hosting parties, sewing, baking and rollerblading.