Staff & Leaders | Fort City Church

Meet Our Staff Team

Here's a little about each of the staff team here at Fort City Church.

Doug Balzer - Transition Lead Pastor

Teri Balzer - Transition Associate Leader

Doug & Teri Balzer pastored two churches for 14 years (including Fort City!) and then served out of the Alliance Western District Office (Calgary) for 15 years. During this time they worked with dozens of churches and a variety of denominations to catalyze spiritual renewal across Canada and internationally.

Doug completed his undergrad at Canadian Bible College, his M.A. in Leadership and Ministry at Ambrose University, and earned his Doctor of Ministry at Alliance Theological Seminary, New York. He was the founding director of reKindle.tv and has published several books. Doug is licensed and ordained with The Alliance Canada.

Teri, in addition to catalyzing renewal in local churches, has served in a variety of church leadership roles for years, as a Kairos Course facilitator, and with church planter assessment centers. Teri is a powerful discerner and is frequently sought out for her teaching, wisdom, insight and words of knowledge.

Doug & Teri reside in Calgary, Canada and have two grown sons, two daughter-in-laws and a very fuzzy Australian Labradoodle.

To learn more about them and their ministry, check out balzers.ca

Lucas Welsh - Team Development Pastor

Lucas Welsh is passionate about building community at Fort City. He grew up in Fort McMurray and has been a part of Fort City from a young age. He loves this city and this church.

Emily Forster - Children’s and Family Director

Emily Forster leads Kid City, one of Fort City’s largest ministries. Together with the Kid City team, she ensures all kids have a safe, fun, & powerful worship experience every Sunday.

Brun Sawatzky - Office Administrator

Brun Sawatzky has a gift for administration, and because of her skills, Fort City’s ministries are able to thrive. She creates a warm, welcoming environment where people feel at home and cared for.

Our Partnership with YWAM

YWAM Fort McMurray is a trusted partner in ministry at Fort City. Their focus on youth mentorship, family support, and community programs aligns with our commitment to serving the people of Fort McMurray.

Learn More

Fort City is built on traditional Treaty 8 and Metis territory. Like Indigenous people across Canada, the Indigenous people in this area have been subjected to mistreatment at the local, provincial, and federal levels of Government, which amounts to attempted cultural genocide. Too often, misguided Christians were part of that maltreatment. The Holy Angels residential school in Fort Chipewyan was only closed in 1974, around the same time Fort City was planted. Despite this mistreatment, the Indigenous people in this region have a rich history and culture, which enriches our communities. At Fort City, we have committed to learning the truth and being advocates for reconciliation.

101 Spruce Street

Fort McMurray, Alberta T9K 1E2

connect@fortcitychurch.ca

(780) 791-2434