About the Team

 MERRIE EIZINGA
Retreat Speaker

Merrie and her husband Marshall pastored in Ontario for 32 years before moving to Alberta in 2016 to become the directors of Kerith Creek, a ministry of Focus on the Family Canada devoted to caring for pastors and missionaries. They had the immense privilege of directing over 65 week long retreats and ministering to over 500 Canadian leaders. They retired from full time ministry in June of 2024. They have a son and a daughter in law and two adorable grandchildren in Calgary and a daughter who is a paediatric nurse in Phoenix Az. Merrie is a sought after speaker who loves to travel and share from God’s word.

 "EMILY"
Retreat Speaker

*Emily is a Christian from a hostile African nation who fled persecution with a few of her family members in 2013. She lived as a refugee in North Sudan and Uganda for nearly six years before immigrating to Canada in 2017 with her mother and two brothers. Her father, a Christian pastor, was arrested for his faith, and today – more than 20 years later – he continues to be held in an horrific prison without charge.

Emily currently works in public service as a Legislative Analyst. In her free time, she enjoys playing music, writing songs, serving a youth ministry here in Canada, and supporting an underground youth ministry in a persecuted country in Africa. She also volunteers with the refugee sponsorship program of her church in an administrative capacity.

*Names have been changed for security purposes.

VANESSA BROBBEL
VOMC's Manager of Special Projects, Event Organizer & Speaker

Vanessa has served the Voice of the Martyrs Canada and those connected to this ministry for the better part of 24 years. She has spoken across Canada for VOMC at homeschool conferences and women's retreats with the goal of equipping the church domestically to stand boldly for Christ, while faithfully coming alongside our brothers and sisters internationally. She has witnessed and experienced the deep waves of life and, through them all, discovered that God is faithful – ALWAYS!

KAY LEIGH
VOMC's Special Projects and Engagement Assistant, Vanessa's right-hand gal

Kay Leigh has been serving with the Voice of the Martyrs Canada since early 2023.

She attends to details related to coordinating, planning, and ensuring the success and fruitfulness of events run by VOMC, with the goal of communicating the message to stand boldly for Christ.

Kay Leigh is passionate about seeing people begin to experience God in a new way, grow in their relationship with Him and ultimately find who God has made them to be.

 SUZANNE HERRISON
Worship Leader

Suzanne is a woman of God, wife, homeschooling mom of two, and worship leader. She felt the call to worship from a young age while listening to her mother sing praises from the sanctuary platform and harmoniously in the church pew. Today, the Holy Spirit compels Suzanne to worship in freedom, and so she prayerfully leads others to do the same. He also prompts her to share the original worship songs that she has been inspired to create to further bless and encourage them.

 BETTY TIRUNEH
Worship Leader

Betty is a passionate guitarist, pianist and vocalist. With a heart for ministry, she enjoys leading worship and serving as the worship coordinator of the youth group at her home church. She also actively ministers to children and young adults. As a recent university graduate, Betty hopes to pursue a research career in the field of immunology. Outside of her musical and academic pursuits, she loves spending time with friends and family!