Our preaching elder (or "pastor") is Joe Haynes.

Joe was brought up in a Reformed baptist family tradition, mainly in Maple Ridge, B.C., where his grandfather had pastored Maple Ridge Baptist Church for over 40 years. Joe felt called to Christian ministry as a teen and served as a missionary with Emmanuel International for one year in the Philippines. He went on to study at Prairie Bible College and then Northwest Baptist Seminary, where he earned a Master of Arts in Christian Studies. In 2019, Joe started a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching at The Master's Seminary in Los Angeles and aims to graduate in 2024. 

Joe has served as a pastor in ministry for over 20 years, alongside his wife, Heather, in Baptist and Mennonite churches in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Joe & Heather moved to Victoria in 2011 for the purpose of planting a new church. 

Heather has a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Northwest Baptist College & Trinity Western University and is now a full-time foster-mom. They have five grown children and two foster children. 

From day one, the whole Haynes family was instrumental in planting and establishing Beacon Church. From hosting events in the home, to setting up equipment, to leading music, every member of the family helped shoulder the work of starting this church. The five Haynes kids are now grown and scattered across Canada. Two of them are now married! While the older kids now attend and serve churches from Vancouver to Ottawa, Joe and Heather remain grateful for their hard work during the early years of planting Beacon Church.

December 2021 marked ten years since the first meeting was held in which Joe shared his vision for a new church to a small gathering of fellow believers--a gathering out of which came the team that helped get Beacon Church started. The first public worship service was held on Easter Sunday, 2013! 

Joe says, 

"The years serving Beacon Church, especially since God raised up the men I now serve with as a elders, have been the happiest, most fruitful years of my ministry. The elders and members of this church are a constant source of encouragement. These people I am honoured to call 'brothers and sisters in Christ' are among the richest blessings in my life and are truly family. I am so thankful for this church!"