Ordination
Event Details
Event Description
Ordination Program Brochure
Ordination Candidates
Donovan Diminyatz
Donovan Diminyatz grew up near Kelowna, British Columbia where his parents, Randy and Vicki raised him and his sister Danielle to love Jesus. From the early days, their love of Jesus often came out in song. From bluegrass with Danielle and dad, to worship music with the Palipane’s, to southern gospel with the Freedom Singers and Rise Above, music ministry kept Donovan grounded in faith, and growing in worship.
After losing his dad to cancer, Donovan began to see Jesus, not as just a story, but as a very real father figure. This has inspired a life-long love and desire to continually be discipled by the One who loves us so. This is what has given strength and direction in his ministry, first in Northern BC where he chaplained at Peace Christian School and pastored in Chetwynd, and now in Alberta where he works with Epic, Red Deer, and South Side Christian School.
In 2012, Donovan married his best friend Meghann, and they are the loving parents of four children; Avett, Emmy, Lochlan, and Aoife. Donovan loves, above all, spending quality time with his young family. He also enjoys time in nature, cooking, cycling, film photography and creating music.
Marc Leslie
From an early age, I felt a deep tenderness toward the Church. As a product of Seventh-day Adventist Christian education, I not only embraced our beliefs but intentionally questioned why we believe them. I immersed myself in church life— serving as Sabbath School Teacher, Superintendent, AY Leader, Music Director, Elder, and spearheading various ministries and community events. I thought God was pleased with my service and content to let me minister in this way. Yet, deep down, I sensed His call to something more. Still, I chose instead to pursue a career in Information Technology, believing it to be my true passion. But after a few years in what I thought was my dream job, one particular day I was overcome by a profound sense of emptiness and purposelessness. I knew what it was—God calling one last time. That very night, I wrote my resignation letter, and the next morning, handed it in. Weeks later, I applied to Burman University, packed up my life, and drove out from Ontario to Alberta. My journey through theology school and into my first ministerial assignment at Calgary Bridgeland SDA Church has been filled with growth, healthy challenge, and confirmation. Through it all, I remain humbled and thankful that God continues to affirm the sacred call He placed on my life.
Grant Lottering
Grant Lottering is from South Africa and is currently serving as a district pastor. He began his theological training at Helderberg College of Higher Education, graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology.
In 2020, Lottering commenced his pastoral ministry as associate director of the Ellen G. White and SDA Research and Heritage Center for the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, while also pastoring churches within the Cape Conference. During his time at the Research Center, he compiled a new Ellen G. White booklet, contributed several articles to the Encyclopedia of Seventh- day Adventists and trained pastors from several unions on aspects related to the life and prophetic ministry of Ellen G. White.
In 2022, he married Sahana and relocated to Canada in May 2023. Since February 2024, Lottering has served as the pastor for the Bonnyville-Lloydminster District under the Alberta Conference. In 2025, he completed a Master of Religion degree at Andrews University. His thesis focused on the Doctrine of the Trinity in early Adventism and its acceptance within Southern African Seventh-day Adventism.
Lottering enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to Gaither Gospel Music, reading, and river rafting. He is passionate about preparing and preaching biblical expository sermons and finds his greatest fulfillment in leading individuals into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Keith Richter
Keith Richter grew up on a small farm in north-western Saskatchewan, part of a large family with nine children. Raised by a praying mother and a spiritual father, Keith was deeply influenced by Colporteur books, despite not knowing much about Seventh-day Adventists at the time. He gave his life to Jesus at an early age and was seen as a future candidate for Church ministry early on.
Keith moved to Edmonton to attend NAIT, where he pursued a Business and Marketing program. It was in Edmonton that he met his lovely wife, Lorraine, with whom he has shared 45 wonderful years. Together, they have two sons: Derek, who is well-known as a Pastor in the Alberta Conference, and David, an Emergency Department Physician.
Although Keith felt the call to ministry early in his life, he finally gave in to God’s call in 2006, becoming the Associate Treasurer in the Alberta Conference. In 2011, he advanced to the role of Treasurer. Keith has always embraced the treasury role as a sacred ministry—an extension of his calling to serve, much like his roles as a parent, Elder, local church treasurer, and Sabbath School teacher. Since he and Lorraine were baptized in the spring of 1985, with their son Derek newly dedicated to the Lord, Keith has seen each responsibility as an opportunity to honor God and steward His blessings with faithfulness and humility.
Keith and Lorraine are humbled by the consideration for ordination and wish to praise the Lord Jesus for all He has accomplished in their lives.
