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PASTOR DONOVAN DIMINYATZ LEADS EPIC
Diminyatz Family: Pastor Donny, Meghann, Avett, Emmy, and Llochlan on the way.
CHURCH NEWS
Epic, Red Deer’s second congregation, along with Red Deer Church, welcome the Diminyatz family into the community of faith!
First established in 2015 as a small group Bible study, then signing the Company charter in April 2017 and becoming a distinct church just one year later, Epic continues to cast a vision of engaging and training young leaders, community outreach, and removing barriers for people to connect with Jesus. Until May 2022, Pastor Moises Ruiz served in this growing congregation, and now, as he moves to lead the Red Deer Church (affectionately known as Epic’s “mother” church), the calling is being passed on to Donovan and Meghann Diminyatz. Both churches of this district look forward to working collaboratively with this new pastoral team to share Jesus’ love in central Alberta.
The Diminyatz family comes to Alberta from Chetwynd, BC, where Pastor Donovan recently served as senior pastor and chaplain for the Adventist school and Meghann (née Lyons) taught before focusing on full-time childcare. Their late-August transition to Red Deer was blessed with the safe arrival of their youngest child in the early hours of Pastor Donovan’s first Sabbath at Epic.
Pastor Donovan and Meghann have a strong history of service in Alberta from their time at Burman University. Together, they supported the summer ministries of Foothills Camp, and Pastor Donovan even travelled with Burman University’s touring group, Rise Above. Music ministry, family ministry, and outdoor adventures remain shared passions and necessary skills to enhance the mission opportunities of Epic Church as well as serve the youth of Red Deer.
In early January 2020, by a series of miracles, Epic purchased 18 acres of land along the Red Deer River valley. The next development phase will involve outlining the blueprints for a multipurpose worship space and campus, including a community garden, outdoor kitchen, and campsites. Pastor Donovan and his family are committed to this vision and equipped to lend their knowledge and lead in the next chapter of Epic’s history.
In Pastor Donovan’s first devotional thought for Epic, he shared that there are two things that stand out in his spiritual journey to have kept him in the Adventist Church all of his life. The first is that somebody cared enough to mentor him, and the second is that he learned to walk with Jesus. ”
In Pastor Donovan’s first devotional thought for Epic, he shared that there are two things that stand out in his spiritual journey to have kept him in the Adventist Church all of his life. The first is that somebody cared enough to mentor him, and the second is that he learned to walk with Jesus. Those who come to Epic in search of community and seeking ways to grow in their relationship with God will find precisely that as the vibrant congregation continues to live out its mission: to be a radically inclusive community where your story meets God’s story.
God has brought the Diminyatz family to Red Deer to play an important role in the ongoing story of the two churches and the spiritual journeys they facilitate. We pray a blessing over their family, ministry, and the lives that will be impacted because they were willing.
Submitted by Katelyn Ruiz Epic Founding Member
