Dr. Rev. Fred Penney grew up in Conception Bay South (Topsail) and attended the Long Pond Pentecostal Church. His grandmother, Mary Penney, attended Elim for many years. Fred’s Dad, John Penney and his wife Georgina became followers of Christ at Elim in the early 1960’s. As a young boy, Fred gave his heart to Christ at the
altar when Elim was still located downtown on Casey Street. At age 11, Fred was baptised in water at Elim, then located at Empire Ave and Ropewalk Lane.

Fred attended Memorial University, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. While in university Fred had a strong sense of call to ministry. In the Fall of 1982 Fred enrolled in Eastern Pentecostal Bible College (Masters College and Seminary), in Peterborough, Ontario. While there Fred met and married Valerie and they have 4 adult children and one adorable granddaughter.

After graduating from EPBC, Fred enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Wycliffe College. After he graduated in 1987, he and Valerie planted a church in Toronto, Harvest Pentecostal Assembly, where he pastored for 14 years. During that time, Fred earned a doctorate from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, in the field of preaching. That opened the door to become part-time faculty at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto and to teach overseas periodically.

In 2001 Fred was invited to become pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Port Perry, Ontario where he served for 17 years. Fred’s hobbies include gardening and riding his 2001 Yamaha V-Star, recently completing a 4-day ride through northern Ontario. Fred and Valerie also enjoy hiking, badminton and a good laugh.