Keith Elford to Receive Honourary Doctorate
In May 2017 Tyndale Seminary will confer the honourary title Doctor of Divinity to Keith Elford, the Bishop of the Free Methodist Church in Canada.
Keith Elford is completing a twenty-year tenure as Bishop of the Free Methodist Church in Canada. During his tenure the General Conference of the denomination has elected him to six consecutive terms in office. He is also recognized as an important leader in the global Free Methodist church, serving on the Executive Committee of the Free Methodist World Conference.
Dr James Pedlar, Assistant Professor of Wesley Studies and Theology and Chair of the Wesley Studies,
reflects, “Bishop Elford has led the church with integrity and deep pastoral sensitivity, earning him the respect of church leaders from across the country.”
Before he became bishop in 1997, Bishop Elford served as a Free Methodist pastor for 24 years. His pastoral experience includes service in Calgary, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Whitby, Ontario; and a church plant in Willowdale, Ontario.
Bishop Elford earned a B.A. from Spring Arbor University in Michigan and an M.A. from Canadian Theological Seminary (now Ambrose). He has also served on Tyndale’s Wesley Studies Committee throughout his time as bishop, and has been a member of Tyndale’s Board of Governors.
He has been married to Donna for 43 years, and they have two adult children. Rebecca and Adam Schnell and their children, Abby and Levi, live in Calgary, Alberta. Their son Greg and his wife Erin, are parents to Obi and Eden. They live in Mission, British Columbia where Greg is Lead Pastor of New Heights Free Methodist Church.
The degree will be conferred at the Spring Convocation of Tyndale Seminary, May 13, 2017, 10:00 am, at Richmond Hill Christian Community Church.