Leading Minister
David Driedger joined the ministerial team at First Mennonite Church in 2010. David was ordained in 2011 and became Leading Minister 2022.
David grew up on a farm south of Altona and as a young adult moved to the West End of Winnipeg where he commuted to Providence College and Seminary completing a BA and MDiv. During this time David met and married Chantal.
In 2005 they moved to Hamilton, Ontario where David studied briefly at McMaster University and began pursuing ministry in Mennonite Church Canada. David’s first pastorate was on a pastoral team at Hillcrest Mennonite Church in New Hamburg, Ontario. During this time he also finished an MA in spiritual care and psychotherapy at Wilfrid Laurier University.
When their child Salem was born in 2009 they looked to move closer to family and started working here at First Mennonite.
When time and energy allow David works to help build mutual support and understanding among religious and secular organizers working for a more just and caring society.
David enjoys reading and writing and has published articles in Canadian Mennonite, Leader, Anabaptist Witness, Rhubarb, and The Conrad Grebel Review.
In 2025, David published his first book, Nothing Will Save Us: A Theology of Immeasurable Life. It can be purchased on Amazon as well as at CommonWord.
“David Driedger is a local Christian leader worth listening to and reading, and a person I gain a lot of hope for reconciliation from.” – Niigaan Sinclair, Anishinaabe writer, editor, professor, and activist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Author of Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre
David is on Sabbatical until June 30th, 2026.
204- 772-2419
david@firstmennonitechurch.ca
Karissa Durant – Associate Minister
Karissa Durant is an Associate Minister on the ministerial team at First Mennonite Church. Originally from Southern Alberta, Karissa moved to Winnipeg in 2011 to study Human Rights at the University of Winnipeg and has made Winnipeg home ever since. After completing her undergraduate degree, Karissa has been invited into various roles with church and parachurch organizations. These experiences led her to have more questions about theology and ecclesiology, motivating her to pursue her Master of Arts in Theology at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU). Karissa is passionate about the unity of the Church, meaningful liturgy, and seeking hope and justice in her community.
Karissa has a deep value for joy and celebration, which has resulted in fun surprises to celebrate with her friends, spontaneous road trips to amusement parks, organizing a (mostly) annual bicycle brewery crawl, and what her friends describe as a ‘spiritual gift’ of gift-giving. When she isn’t plotting a celebration, she is most often spending cozy, quality time with people, from exchanging stories over coffee to laughing with friends around a campfire. Karissa doesn’t have any dedicated hobbies; she likes collecting memories. Some of these memories are best found cycling around the city, canoe tripping in the White Shell, going to concerts, movie marathons with friends, or grabbing a meal at one of her favourite local restaurants.
In 2025, Karissa received her Licensing Towards Ordination from Mennonite Church Manitoba.
204- 772-2419
karissa@firstmennonitechurch.ca
Karis Wiebe – Music Minister
Karis Wiebe’s love for music blossomed early, nurtured by her father’s passion for church music. Growing up, she actively participated in youth choirs and took on music leadership roles at Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, and Camps With Meaning. Her musical journey extended beyond Canada, reaching places like the Frankfurt Mennoniten Gemeinde in Germany. Closer to home, she served as a church music leader at Arnaud Mennonite Church and Home Street Mennonite Church in Manitoba.
With a Master’s degree in Music, Bachelor of Music/Education and a Bachelor of Church Music from Canadian Mennonite University, Karis is a skilled educator who has taught at the university level and in private studios. She currently shares her passion for music as the Director of the Choral and Singer Songwriter Department at Grant Park High School on a part-time basis.
Karis received Licensing Towards Specific Ministry from Mennonite Church Manitoba, deepening her commitment to serving her church community. She is blessed with two sons who also share her love for music. As Associate Minister of Music and Worship at First Mennonite Church, she is dedicated to preserving the Mennonite tradition of four-part harmony. She fosters congregational singing, introduces new hymns, and conducts the FMC Choir, FMC Trebles, and the former FMC Junior Children’s Choir, producing inspiring, biblically-based musicals.
Karis Wiebe’s life exemplifies the power of music to glorify God and enrich lives. Her unwavering faith and passion for music make her a true inspiration.
204- 772-2419
karis@firstmennonitechurch.ca
Office Administrator
Sashira Gafic officially joined the team at First Mennonite Church in 2025. Sashira has been a member at FMC since 2007.
Sashira grew up in Winnipeg’s Wolseley neighbourhood and now resides in the West End. She has attended FMC since birth.
Prior to having her three children with her husband Joel, Sashira was an elementary and junior high school art teacher in the Winnipeg School Division. After the birth of her second child, Sashira resigned from teaching to be home with their kids full time. In 2016 Sashira started to make her personal art more seriously, joining the Winnipeg maker community and participating in pop up sales as well as running local Etsy sales.
When her eldest son was diagnosed and treated for a brain tumour in 2020, Sashira founded an online non-profit shop called Orelia, where proceeds go directly towards childhood cancer research.
Sashira loves humour and is always keeping an eye out for things of beauty like art and music. When she isn’t managing her children’s chauffeuring schedule, she is enjoying her time at home, planning new art projects, and dreaming up community events.
204- 772-2419
office@firstmennonitechurch.ca
Caretaker
John Samia
204-955-8241