Hi, I’m Randy Coates
I am married to my best friend, Elaine.
We have two grown daughters, both married with one child each.
I love reading, working on the house, and spending time outdoors, but my favourite thing is being with our unbelievably beautiful and intelligent grandchildren.
We are initially from Southern Ontario and moved to Thunder Bay Feb 2020, just in time for the lockdown.
Becoming a licensed minister is my 2nd career. I was a paint chemist in my previous life.
I currently serve as a part-time assistant minister with my church.
I desire to serve people where God puts me.
I desire to serve engaged couples by assisting them with a biblical, God-centred ceremony they are comfortable with and in a setting that suits them best.
My Approach to weddings
Jesus, early in his ministry, took time out to attend a wedding of family friends. It was at this wedding that he performed his first miracle of turning water into wine. Right from the start, God showed his approval and blessing on marriage.
Weddings, whether in Jesus’ day or now, have always been one of the most meaningful and monumental occasions people participate in.
It doesn’t have TO be ‘churchy’
It is simply a ceremony that recognizes God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the sure foundation on which your marriage rests.
A God-focused ceremony can be as simple as a spoken prayer that acknowledges the God of the Bible as a source of strength in the marriage. It could be as simple as the reading of scripture during the ceremony. The ceremony does not have to be long or elaborate.
it is more than a contract or a party
A God-honoring, Christian-focused wedding is a public declaration of love and commitment to share the rest of your life together.
A wedding ceremony is a covenant spoken between you and done in the presence of God. The biblical picture of marriage is significant because it also symbolizes the love of Christ for his church.