Michael Gordon Collison

Michael was born on May 21, 1950 to Gifford & Mona (Votier) Collison at Brockville ON. His early years were in the village of Mallorytown ON where his father was the village storekeeper and his mother was a homemaker. In his intermediate & secondary school years, the family lived in Brockville ON, where his father became a member of the Ontario Provincial Police. As a teenager, Michael overcame life-threatening injury as a passenger in a serious car accident.

It was in the nurture of Christ United Church in Lyn ON (by Brockville) that Michael’s spiritual roots were planted.

His university and theological studies were at Wilfred Laurier University, Queens University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Regent College.

Michael’s first pastorate was in North Bay & Port Loring ON, followed by Pelham Centre United Church in Fenwick ON (Niagara area). During this time Michael married Valerie Parker (of Kingston ON) in 1987. In 1989, they took a year’s exchange in Invercargill, New Zealand (South Island) in a Presbyterian congregation. In 1991, Michael & Valerie came to Vancouver BC for further studies at Regent College. Both also were active in developing Kingcrest International Neighbours’ outreach to Canadian newcomers. Sadly, Valerie passed away in 1995 following graduation with her Master of Divinity degree.

In 1997, Michael returned to Invercargill for a sabbatical, and met Christine Easton (of Seattle WA) back in Vancouver later that year – and they were married in 1999. Both completed further Master’s degrees from Regent and Michael resumed pastoral ministry at Hope United Church in Hope BC. A further call from New Zealand arose and in 2001, they were in Dannevirke NZ (North Island) at Knox Presbyterian Church.

Soon after return to Vancouver, Michael was called to Mount Lehman United Church in Abbotsford BC in 2002, the beginning of his nearly 20-year pastorate of this congregation in the Fraser Valley. He brought together his gift of preaching, love of history & teaching, deep sense of cultural & global impact of Christian faith, and sensitive pastoral care in faithful service to God and his community, in loving partnership with Christine. He served as Chaplain of ANAVET’s Unit #315 in Mt. Lehman, as well. Over these years, Michael combined his congregational ministry with service at Regent College’s theological bookstore - and its mission of providing teaching, resources and support for global Christian outreach.

Michael was most in his element when experiencing cultural context, historic places and God’s creation - especially in Europe and New Zealand. He relished sharing with family, friends, parishioners - and those who crossed his path in “divine encounters!” His creative hospitality, hands-on field trips and caring counsel brought the “hands and feet” of Christ’s love to hearts, minds and souls across all walks of life.

A Memorial Service for Michael will be held at Mount Lehman United Church on Saturday, March 16th at 1:00 PM.

Address: Mount Lehman United Church, 6256 Mt. Lehman Road, Abbotsford BC V4X 2G5

Contributions in Michael’s memory may be made to Mt. Lehman United Church, ANAVET’s Unit #315 or Kingcrest International Neighbours.