Our Mission
To Experience and Share God's Love and Grace
Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Michael Vanderzwaag
In 2012 Michael felt God’s call to ministry while studying at Millar College of the Bible. In 2014 Michael graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and following his internship the following year he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Ministries.
Following his internship year at Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Swift Current, SK. Michael was hired on as the full-time associate pastor.
In June 2017 after nearly 4 years of service, God saw it fit to close the doors to Cornerstone Fellowship Church.
In September 2017 Michael was hired by the Mennville EMC as their full-time lead pastor, a position in which he continues to serve.
Michael is passionate about God’s Word and desires to grow alongside others as they journey in their pursuit of Jesus Christ.
Michael and his wife Katrina live in Riverton with their son Levi.
Our History
Mennville Evangelical Mennonite Church, located near Riverton, Manitoba, was the first Evangelical Mennonite Conference congregation established in Manitoba’s Interlake Region. In the early 1950s EMC families moved to the Washow Bay district for various reasons, including seeking freedom for their religious practice, land for farming, and to reach out spiritually to the wider area. They began a Sunday School and built a school (that was also used for worship). EMC deacon Jacob D. Friesen from Morris and minister Peter P. Friesen from Blumenort moved to the area with their families in 1952.
In 1954 David P. Thiessen and his wife Katherine became leading pastoral couple. They served till 1973. Leonard Dueck and Milton Friesen were elected as additional deacons in 1967 and 1974, respectively. Additional ministers were elected -- Harry Friesen in 1968 and Terry (and Eloa) Dueck and Roger Plett in 1985. The congregation had a period of paid leadership and also a time of local unpaid ministers who provided leadership.
The language of worship was German in the beginning and transitioned to English in the 1970s.
The church grew rapidly and by 1960 had 113 members. Church growth peaked at about 170 in the 1970s. In 1989 it had about 135 members. In 2016 its membership was 154.
When the Washow Bay post office closed in 1966, the area became known as Mennville, and the church name Mennville EMC.
The Mennville Church is a member church of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. For more info on the EMC please visit
Church Rental Info
If you wish to rent the Mennville EMC for a gathering or other event please call the church office at
204-378-2985 and fill out the rental agreement below