Welcome our new Canadian Seventies: Lisa Neudorf and Gwyn Beer!

At the Canada West Mission Conference in Chilliwack, BC, Gwyn Beer and Lisa Neudorf were ordained to the office of Seventy during the Beyond the Walls service. In the testimony below, Gwyn reflects on how an unexpected call became a source of deep joy, how she and Lisa are stepping into this ministry, and their hopes for serving communities across Canada and beyond.

By Gwyn Beer

The CWM Conference, September 12–14, 2025, was held in Chilliwack, my home congregation. On Sunday, September 14, during the Beyond the Walls service, Lisa Neudorf and I were ordained to the office of Seventy.

For me, the call to Seventy was unexpected and came at a very busy time (but is there ever a “right time”?). Unprepared, and asked to respond within a week, I prayed. I also looked up the role of the Seventy in Community of Christ. In my deliberation, I pondered my call to Elder and now to Seventy. My heart sang out to me that Seventy is where I should be! This felt more “right” than Elder had. I had an immediate sense that I needed this, perhaps even more than those I hope to serve need a Seventy. About 12 days later (past the seven asked for, as I am often late), I called Seventy John Glaiser back. I accepted the call and began to work on my studies.

I later heard that Lisa Neudorf had also accepted the call to the office of Seventy during the week leading up to conference. God works in wonderful ways! With Shirley Smith, we now have three Seventies in the western provinces of Canada—BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan each have a Seventy. I feel we three will move forward together.

Shirley Smith and Linda Klughart began a project to reach out to non-residents in the four western provinces. I want to keep reaching out to those who live outside a congregation. For me, this was the beginning of what I see as my chosen outreach.

We will develop our own plans, and with Karin Peters and Joelle Wight to guide and advise, we will step forward in faith. Lisa and I, along with Shirley, will be opening our hearts and using our heads to serve all in Canada as we move out in faith, hope, and love.