Meet Our Team

Executive Director

Vacant

Ruth Hare
Director of Operations

Ruth has been involved in the community in various capacities over the last 25 years. Doing everything from coaching youth soccer, to leading the Parent Advisory Council, she has given her time and energy to people and their families. Ruth loves making a difference. With her background in child and family counselling, she brings experience, skill and a heart to help others. Being able to connect available volunteers with people in need of help brings her much joy. She sees how facilitating this connection has the power to transform their lives, bringing hope and providing tangible acts of love.

Becky Metz
Field Coordinator

Becky brings to our organization the perfect blend of experience in ministry and healthcare.  She has a strong administrative background and a big heart for those who struggle in our community.  Originally a Saskatchewan farm girl, Becky is not afraid of hard work. Becky and her husband moved to Kelowna in 2007. They love spending time with their two kids and connecting with friends and family. Becky is thrilled to be part of a team that helps enhance quality of life in our local community.

Pam Watland
Field Coordinator

Pam brings over 40 years of experience in healthcare, including both professional and volunteer capacities. She has experience in cardiology, orthopedic, neurologic and vascular surgical nursing, as well as experience in an addiction treatment clinic and a methadone program. Pam’s passion is to assist individuals in finding a healthy balance in their lives, physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally and spiritually. Healthy people create healthy communities and by training and encouraging volunteers to support clients, whose needs are diverse, she sees that passion fulfilled.

Joyce Hahn
Office Administrator

Connie Burgher
Board Chair & Prayer Team Co-ordinator

"God's plan for my life included Graduating as a Physiotherapist from University of Cape Town in 1968. I had a varied work experience in South Africa. In 1985 God led me to emigrate to Canada with a job offer from Kelowna General Hospital where I worked in the outpatient section first and then became section head of the in -patient Physiotherapy staff until my retirement in 2011. I have been on numerous education and fundraising committees and we hosted 2 successful national orthopedic conferences in Kelowna. I have been involved with Sunday School and Youth Ministries at my local church. I host a ladies bible study and I am in a prayer ministry for Hands in Service."

Lester Mesenbrink
Board Member

Pastor Lester earned his B.A. in Bible/Theology and his Master of Human Services degree. Lester is an ordained minister, serving sixteen years as Pastor of a local church and became the Chaplain of Kelowna’s Gospel Mission in 2009. His ministry provides a wide variety of church, social, family, financial, mental health experience and understanding. Lester has been on the Board of Kelowna Evangelical Ministerial Association, Kelowna General Hospital Spiritual Care Committee, NeighbourLink Kelowna, and many years on the Board of Hands in Service. Lester’s strengths: an ability to hear others' life stories, encourage people to see God in their story, sharing hope and change through positive life choices. He was awarded the Capital News Community Leader Award for Mentoring in 2019. Lester has completed extra training in Mental Health Works, Trauma Care, and Mental Health First Aid and is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

Matthew Brinton
Board Member

Matt grew up in Alberta and moved to Kelowna in 2021. He has been attending Trinity Church ever since – he loves the heart of the church…and it shows!  Matt accepted Christ when he was 19 and immediately felt a desire to serve others. He has spent his life serving – you can often find him in the church kitchen, kids’ classrooms, and even on missions trips (the most recent being to El Salvador where he builds connections and homes.) Matt began serving with Hands in Service Energetic Hands program in 2023, so he understands the importance of what we do. If Matt isn’t travelling to visit his two sons, he is an adventure junkie, so you will find him skiing, boating, hang gliding, or on his motorcycle. Matt loves being part of the Hands in Service volunteer team and Board as it fits in perfectly with his desire to outward, see people as image bearers of Christ, and served them well. He has a heart to value individuals, meet needs, and build relationships.

Cathie Harden
Board Member

Cathie was born and raised in Vancouver, graduating from UBC with a BEd in 1974. She taught in Elementary Schools in BC and Alberta for 5 years before starting a family. While raising her three sons with her husband, she volunteered at church, kid’s schools, Meals on Wheels, and the Kiwanis Music Festival. She’s worked on fundraising campaigns with her boys’ High School, Church Youth and Community Sports Teams. She was a leader of ladies' bible study groups and after-school youth programs at her church in Alberta, in addition to being a board member. Since moving to Kelowna in 2005, she’s been involved with Ladies' Bible Study Groups and Church Music Ministry. She enjoys gardening, quilting and scrapbooking.

June Forman
Board Member

June moved to Kelowna with her Family in 1974, graduating from KLO High School in 1986. June went on to complete her BSW from Okanagan University College. Some years ago, circumstances led her to MCC Thrift Shop where she now works as the store manager, overseeing over one hundred volunteers. MCC thrift store raises funds for relief, development, and peace both locally and abroad. She has two wonderful children and joined the Hands in Service board in 2021.