Rev. Dr. Elias Mutale

Rev. Dr. Elias M. Mutale, a native of Zambia in South Central Africa, is the current lead pastor of South End Baptist Church in Dartmouth. He is one of the seven children raised by the late Gabriel Mutale Chilasa and wife Jennifer (nee Chewe). He is married to Sheena, and the couple have raised four children. They are the happy grandparents of three. Rev. Mutale came to saving faith in 1975 during his final year of high school.

Over the next three years, he became a ministry leader in multiple places as varied as a military training camp. intervarsity fellowship group, and team leader of the young people’s leadership team at Lusaka Baptist Church. By the end of the seventies, he was an established Christian leader participating in significant church planting ministries.

Education and Training

Rev. Elias trained in journalism in 1976-78 and worked briefly in the print media. In 1979, he turned to Human Resources and Operations Management and served as the first Operations Director for World Vision Zambia. He entered Theological school in 1987 in Zambia and completed the bachelor of theology studies at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville Nova Scotia. He was ordained in October 1991. Rev. Mutale went on to complete the Master of Divinity in 1995 and the Doctor of Ministry in 2014.

Ministry in Canada

Rev. Elias bring over twenty-five years of pastoral ministry experience and ten years on the senior leadership team of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. He just completed a term as the head of the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia. Other pastorates in Canada include Billtown/Woodville, Victoria Road and Timberlea United Baptist churches.

In March 2013, Rev. Elias and wife Sheena joined the Serving in Mission Canada missionary team. In this missionary capacity, Elias and Sheena developed the Culture Connections portfolio in Metro Halifax while working to strengthen Christian leadership development programs for pastors in Zambia.

Mutales long history of Christian and community service includes many varied roles including serving on a city wide festival leadership team (2003-04) and preaching the farewell service for former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, her Honor Mayann E. Francis in March 2013. Rev. Elias is a member of the Jesus to the Nations team preparing for the 2025 J2N festival in Moncton New Brunswick.

The Mutales have also assisted to settle numerous family members in Canada and carried on an international host family ministry which has prepared them well for the current missionary duties. Rev. Elias enjoys soccer while Sheena fancies sewing.

It is a high privilege for Mutales to serve God and his people. Please pray for strength of body, mind and soul in the hallowed service of God.

Steffan George-Wegner, Music director

Steffan studied and sharpened his gift and skills on piano in his native province of British Columbia.  He is an accomplished and sought after solo pianist, accompanist, piano teacher, choir director and conductor of worship.   Steffan is gifted with a passion for music which he blends into artistic and technical brilliance.  One of the many highlights within our weekly worship services is the special selection Steffan prepares and delivers during the time of our offering which is a much anticipated piece by the congregation for the way it engages the listener in prayerful reflection and meditation in our worship.

Janice Wile, Administrative Assistant

Jan grew up in Truro, NS where she came to know the Lord while attending Camp Pagweak.  After graduating from high school, Jan moved to Halifax to attend N.S.I.T. where she met her husband Dan.  Jan has worked in the field of Dentistry for over 20 years primarily as an accredited Dental Assistant.  Active in the Girl Guiding movement for 25 years, Jan went beyond her years as a member to serve as a Leader, District Commissioner and on the Provincial Executive Council.

Jan and Dan joined South End in 1981 and have raised two children (Evan and Sarah) while remaining active in many aspects of the church family.  Jan completed the Lay Pastors training program with the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and holds an Association Church License with our Halifax Region United Baptist Assoc.  Beyond her work as administrator, Jan sings in the choir and chairs two other committees.    In their spare time, Jan and Dan enjoy taking road trips (to visit their children and grandchildren), camping trips (especially to Kedji), and their Black Lab (Gus).