Mervin Kenneth Peterson

Pastor Mervin K. Peterson went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 1, 2010, in Wenatchee, WA. He was born to Eugene and Hazel Opheim on July 2, 1942, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Merv and Georgia met in Alberta while on a hike in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. They shared a mutual attraction and were later married in Santa Ana, CA on December 27, 1963. He was a graduate of Northwest Bible College in Edmonton, Alberta. Merv was ordained in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in 1965. He received his Master of Ministry degree from Trinity Western University in Langley, BC in 1992. Pastor Merv was most recently a resident of Blaine, WA. Pastor Merv completed 50 years of ministry, beginning his service by starting a new church, "Highway Chapel", in Edmonton, Alberta with his mother, Hazel. Following the establishment of this new congregation, he served as senior pastor for Lewistown Assembly of God in Lewistown, MT. He and Georgia also served First Assembly in Wenatchee, WA, Richmond Pentecostal Tabernacle in Richmond, BC, Connaught Heights Assembly in New Westminster, BC, Word of Life World Outreach Center in Lynden, WA, and Warehouse Community Church in Entiat, WA. Besides these senior pastorates, the Peterson's had other ministries such as associate pastor at Calvary Temple in Bellingham, WA. Merv was Chaplain for the Vancouver International Airport, Instructor at Christ For The Nations Bible Institute in Langley, BC, and was involved for 25 years with India Mission. His last assignment was assisting in the establishment of Freedom Church in Bellingham, WA. Pastor Merv's life was rich and full with a variety of ministry experiences that he shared with his wife and sons. He worked with troubled youth in Richmond, BC, where he directed a Teen Challenge Center, seeing many drug addicts rehabilitated through the power of Christ. He traveled world-wide with David Wilkerson Crusades. He became involved in overseas missions in the Fiji Islands, beginning by taking work teams to help in the construction of a Bible training school in Suva. He later moved his family to the Islands, where they shared many unique experiences. Merv taught at the South Pacific Bible College and upon returning to the U.S., continued to travel back for occasional speaking engagements and taking work teams for future construction. His last trip to Fiji with his wife was in February 2007. His legacy in the Islands will live on. He fell in love with the people and had a wonderful connection with the friends he made there. His work in India began to take shape in the mid 1980's, when he became involved through support of a new Bible School that would be built in Bihar, Northern India. Throughout 24 years, Merv traveled to India for speaking engagements and involvement in that needy country. He was thrilled to share his experiences with his wife as they traveled there together in the fall of 2008. He loved the congregations he pastored in Canada and the U.S. and had a 'shepherd's heart' for them. Many whom he pastored stayed in touch with him throughout his years in ministry. Merv was also a family man and his wife, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren have a lifetime of wonderful memories. Pastor Merv is survived by his wife and partner in ministry, Georgia; his sons, Greg and wife, Margi, Scott and wife, Kari and Paul and wife, Lisette; six grandchildren, Coulter, Spencer, Joshua, Nate, Annika and Tyler; and two sisters, Pat Argue and husband, Don and Vangee Wallace. He loved his wife completely during their 47 years of marriage, and proudly enjoyed his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. He was full of life, fun-loving and generous, exemplifying a passionate love for God and a pastor's heart for people. Merv will be remembered as a man who felt privileged to serve his heavenly Father and had a desire to share the love of Christ with all whom he came in contact. Pastor Merv Peterson impacted thousands of lives over the years for the kingdom of God, and was greatly loved by his family and friends. His presence will be missed, his life honored, and his legacy of love will live on. A Memorial Service to Celebrate Pastor Merv's Life will be held this Saturday, November 13, 2010, at 1:00 p.m., at Warehouse Community Church, 14916 Highway 97A, Entiat. Arrangements by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Mervin Kenneth Peterson

July 2, 1942 - November 1, 2010