Dr. John Neufeld is a Canadian pastor, Bible teacher, and author known for his expository preaching. He has served in pastoral ministry since 1976, working as both a church planter and senior pastor across Saskatchewan, California, and British Columbia.
He spent 15 years as senior pastor of Willingdon Church in Burnaby, BC, the largest Mennonite Brethren congregation in Canada, before resigning in 2014.
ince 2015, Neufeld has served as the national Bible teacher for Back to the Bible Canada, a radio and media ministry heard on dozens of stations across the country.
Dr. John Neufeld at a Glance
| Personal | |
| Full Name | Dr. John Neufeld |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Spouse | Kathy Neufeld |
| Roots | Prairie background (Saskatchewan) |
| Education | |
| Bible College | Columbia Bible College (Biblical Studies) |
| Undergraduate | University of Saskatchewan (B.A.) |
| Graduate | Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) |
| Doctorate | Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (D.Min.) |
| Ministry | |
| Current Role | National Bible Teacher, Back to the Bible Canada |
| Denomination | Mennonite Brethren roots; Back to the Bible Canada is non-denominational |
| Ministry Since | 1976 |
| At Back to the Bible Canada Since | 2015 |
| Previous Role | Senior Pastor, Willingdon Church, Burnaby, BC (1999-2014) |
| Career | |
| Books Authored | 3 |
| Preaching Style | Verse-by-verse expository teaching |
| Website | backtothebible.ca |
Early Life and Background
Dr. John Neufeld comes from prairie roots. Back to the Bible Canada describes him as having “prairie blood, a farming work ethic” and a mind built for hard, patient work.
That background shaped the way he approaches ministry: steady, unhurried, and rooted in the text of Scripture rather than trends.
He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Saskatchewan, which points to early life connections in Saskatchewan before his ministry eventually carried him west to British Columbia.
He has said his call into ministry came early and stayed constant. He has now spent close to five decades preaching, teaching, and training other believers.
Education
Neufeld’s academic path reflects his focus on expository preaching, the kind of teaching that walks through Scripture verse by verse rather than jumping between topics.
He studied Biblical Studies at Columbia Bible College, earned his B.A. from the University of Saskatchewan, completed his Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary in California, and finished his Doctor of Ministry at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
That combination, a Canadian prairie college, a west coast American seminary, and a doctoral program built around ministry practice, gave him both academic depth and practical pastoral tools.
He later returned to Columbia Bible College as an instructor, teaching the next generation of pastors before he became one of Canada’s most recognized Bible broadcasters.
Ministry Journey
Church Planting in Surrey, BC
Early in his ministry, Neufeld planted Peace Arch Fellowship in Surrey, BC, a congregation that has since grown and is known today as Gracepoint.
Church planting from the ground up gave him firsthand experience in building a congregation’s culture, not just preaching to one that already existed.
Teaching and Pastoring in Abbotsford
Neufeld taught at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford and served as preaching pastor and later lead pastor at Bakerview MB Church, also in Abbotsford.
This period placed him firmly within the Mennonite Brethren (MB) denomination, a Christian tradition with deep roots in Western Canada.
Willingdon Church and His Resignation
In 1999, Neufeld moved from Bakerview to Willingdon Church in Burnaby, BC, taking over the senior pastor role from Carlin Weinhauer.
Willingdon is considered the largest Mennonite Brethren church in Canada, and under Neufeld’s leadership the church continued its practice of planting and supporting new congregations, including Westside Church in downtown Vancouver.
Neufeld spent 15 years as Willingdon’s senior pastor. He preached his final sermon on September 7, 2014, and resigned effective immediately.
He told the congregation he felt it was best to leave “because of the church’s vision and future direction.” He did not go into detail beyond that statement, and no scandal or controversy has been publicly documented around his departure. He simply believed his season at Willingdon had come to a close.
Following his resignation, Neufeld kept a blog called “Meticulously Sovereign,” a title that reflects a theme running through his entire ministry: the belief that God’s sovereignty governs every detail of life, including career transitions that don’t come with easy explanations.
Back to the Bible Canada
Within months of leaving Willingdon, Neufeld was appointed Back to the Bible Canada’s first Canadian-born Bible teacher, a milestone role given the ministry’s decades-long history.
His teaching began airing on January 19, 2015, across more than 49 radio stations in Canada, along with internet streaming and podcast platforms.
He took over from Woodrow Kroll, who had been part of the radio ministry from 1990 to 2013. Back to the Bible Canada positions Neufeld as continuing a legacy that runs back to founder Theodore Epp and through respected teachers like Warren Wiersbe.
The ministry describes itself today as non-denominational, even though Neufeld’s own pastoral background is Mennonite Brethren.
He has since described his path into radio ministry as something that felt almost accidental at the time. When Back to the Bible Canada’s leadership first reached out, Neufeld was teaching at a Bible college in Germany, taking a break after 35 years of pastoral work.
He was exhausted and uncertain about his next step. It was his wife, back home in Canada, who encouraged him to take the opportunity while he figured out what God wanted next. That “in-between” decision turned into a decade-long calling.
Neufeld’s role has since grown beyond Canadian radio. Back to the Bible Canada’s teaching now reaches listeners in more than 130 countries, with Neufeld’s voice becoming part of Back to the Bible teaching ministries internationally, including in Jamaica and India.
His ministry roots trace back to Canada’s prairie provinces, and events tied to his work, including a 10-year anniversary celebration held at Winkler EMMC in Manitoba, keep him connected to the prairie and Winnipeg-area church community that shaped his early life.
Personal Life
Dr. John Neufeld is married to Kathy Neufeld. The two have been married for more than four decades. Kathy has her own connection to the ministry Neufeld now leads.
As a little girl, she used to receive Back to the Bible Sunday school material and mail her completed lessons back in, long before she ever imagined her husband would one day become the voice of that same ministry in Canada.
Neufeld has said his wife played a direct role in one of the biggest decisions of his career. When he was uncertain whether to accept the Back to the Bible Canada role, it was Kathy’s advice, take the position until his next calling became clear, that pushed him to say yes.
Ministry Philosophy
Neufeld is known for verse-by-verse expository teaching. Rather than picking topics and searching for supporting verses, he works straight through books of the Bible, letting the text set the agenda.
He has taught extensively through books like 2 Peter, walking listeners through subjects such as recognizing false teachers and understanding the connection between what believers hope for and how they’re called to live.
Sovereignty is a recurring theme in his teaching. His blog title, “Meticulously Sovereign,” captures his core conviction: God is not distantly in control, he is precisely in control, down to the smallest detail of a believer’s life, including the disruptions that don’t make sense in the moment.
“Eschatology and ethics are tied to each other. What we hope for will establish how we live.”
Books and Teaching Resources
Neufeld has authored three books, each built around helping readers understand biblical truth more clearly and see its impact on how Christians live.
His teaching has also been released through audio series distributed by Back to the Bible Canada, covering topics ranging from the mission of the ministry itself to deep dives into individual books of the Bible.
Influence and Legacy
Neufeld’s influence runs on two tracks. First, his 15 years at Willingdon Church shaped one of the largest Protestant congregations in Metro Vancouver, helping it plant additional churches and expand its reach across the region.
Second, his decade-plus at Back to the Bible Canada has carried expository Bible teaching into homes across Canada and into international audiences through radio, podcasts, and video.
He is often described as a bridge figure, connecting the legacy of earlier Back to the Bible teachers like Theodore Epp and Warren Wiersbe with a distinctly Canadian voice for a new generation of listeners.
His consistent daily teaching has made expository preaching accessible to people who may never set foot inside a megachurch but tune in every morning for verse-by-verse instruction.
Interesting Facts
- Neufeld didn’t set out to become a radio broadcaster. He accepted the Back to the Bible Canada role almost as a stopgap while figuring out his next step, and it became a decade-long calling.
- He was Back to the Bible Canada’s first Canadian-born Bible teacher in the ministry’s history in the country.
- His wife Kathy has a personal childhood connection to Back to the Bible material, decades before Neufeld ever joined the ministry.
- He kept a personal blog titled “Meticulously Sovereign” after leaving Willingdon Church.
- His teaching now reaches listeners in more than 130 countries through Back to the Bible Canada’s broadcasts.
Timeline
- 1976: Begins pastoral ministry.
- Early ministry years: Plants Peace Arch Fellowship in Surrey, BC (now Gracepoint) and teaches at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford.
- Pre-1999: Serves as preaching pastor and lead pastor at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford.
- 1999: Becomes senior pastor of Willingdon Church, Burnaby, BC, succeeding Carlin Weinhauer.
- September 7, 2014: Preaches his final sermon at Willingdon Church and resigns after 15 years.
- December 2014: Announced as Back to the Bible Canada’s first Canadian-born Bible teacher.
- January 19, 2015: Begins daily broadcasting on more than 49 radio stations across Canada.
- 2015-2025: Expands Back to the Bible Canada’s international reach, including ministry connections in Jamaica and India.
- 2025: Celebrates 10 years with Back to the Bible Canada with an anniversary event at Winkler EMMC, Manitoba.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. John Neufeld’s wife?
His wife is Kathy Neufeld. They have been married for more than four decades. Kathy encouraged him to accept the Back to the Bible Canada role in 2014 when he was unsure of his next step.
How old is Dr. John Neufeld?
Neufeld hasn’t published his exact birth date. Since his ministry career began in 1976 and he describes himself as having completed 35 years behind the pulpit before joining Back to the Bible Canada in 2015, he is likely in his early-to-mid seventies as of 2026.
What denomination is Dr. John Neufeld?
His pastoral background is in the Mennonite Brethren (MB) denomination. He served MB churches including Bakerview MB Church and Willingdon Church, the largest MB congregation in Canada. Back to the Bible Canada, where he now serves, describes itself as non-denominational.
Is Dr. John Neufeld an author?
Yes. He has authored three books focused on helping readers understand biblical truth and apply it to daily life, alongside numerous recorded audio teaching series through Back to the Bible Canada.
What is Dr. John Neufeld’s role at Back to the Bible?
He has served as the national Bible teacher for Back to the Bible Canada since 2015, delivering daily expository teaching by radio, podcast, and video to audiences across Canada and internationally.
Why did John Neufeld resign from Willingdon Church?
He resigned after 15 years as senior pastor, preaching his final sermon on September 7, 2014. He told the congregation he felt it was best to leave because of the church’s “vision and future direction,” without giving further public detail.
What is Dr. John Neufeld’s connection to Winnipeg?
Neufeld comes from a prairie background rooted in Saskatchewan, and his ministry has stayed connected to Manitoba’s church community. Back to the Bible Canada marked his 10-year anniversary with the ministry in 2025 at an event held at Winkler EMMC, near Winnipeg.
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