The Board of Directors of Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) has announced that Rev. Sam Chaise has been appointed as its next General Secretary for a five-year term, effective October 1, 2010. 

In her announcement, Board President Brenda Halk said, "I am delighted that Rev. Sam Chaise has accepted this appointment. Sam brings leadership and ministry experience at both the denominational and organizational levels. He has a keen understanding of the international and Canadian context of our work and partnerships and is passionate about integral mission. We look forward enthusiastically to his leadership as we move into the future of this dynamic organization."

The role of the General Secretary is to act as chief executive officer, overseeing operations and providing leadership in setting the strategic direction for the organization. This includes serving as the liaison between CBM's Board of Directors and its staff to ensure the organization’s ends are met.

Of his new role with CBM, Sam states, “I have been an enthusiastic observer and occasional participant in CBM’s journey over the past decade and am excited to be able to be a part of where God is leading this organization in the future. I appreciate CBM’s value of mutuality as it seeks to partner with others to participate in what God is doing in various parts of the world.  At the same time, I believe that there is much cross-pollination that can happen globally, as we see and learn what God is doing in places other than where we live.”

Sam has been involved in Canadian Baptist life for many years. He served as Associate Pastor at Kitsilano Christian Community Church in Vancouver and then as Pastor of Worship & Outreach at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Saskatoon. From 2002-2007 he was the Lead Pastor at Olivet Baptist Church in New Westminster, BC.   Just prior to his appointment at CBM, Sam served as Director of the newly formed Carey Institute at Carey Theological College in Vancouver, which was launched to provide accessible and relevant training and education to the churches of Canadian Baptists of Western Canada.  Aside from these roles, Sam has also been deeply involved with Canadian Baptists in volunteer capacities. This includes stints as the Board President of the Baptist Union of Western Canada and as a CBM Board member from 2007-2009. 

Though much of his adult life has been spent ministering in Western Canada, Sam was born in England and grew up in Sudbury, Ontario. After obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan, he obtained a Master of Divinity from a program cooperatively taught by Carey Theological College and Regent College, receiving his degree in 1989.

Sam has been married to Cindie since 1990. She teaches Art History at Trinity Western University.  Cindie played a key role in the discernment process that has led Sam to his new position. Says Sam of the process, “Cindie and I have been on an unanticipated and thoroughly engaging journey over the past several months. As a result of this journey, we are on the verge of a new season in our lives, much as CBM is on the verge of a new chapter in its story.”