I am Jeff Martin, married to Leanne Thorarinson Martin. Our blended family has 5 children, 4 ½ grand-children, and 4 sponsor kids. I have been attending Grant since the week I was born, which is almost 60 years ago! I’ve been blessed to grow up in a Christian home, surrounded by a strong family of faith. For more than 37 years, I have been working as a CPA at Deloitte, serving most of the time as an Audit Partner who works with private companies, not-for-profit organizations and large public sector entities. I continue to learn from smart people around me every day, and I regularly work with owners and boards of directors to make businesses better. I have also previously served as the Chair of the board for Southwood Golf Club, the Winnipeg Football Club, and the Valour FC soccer team.

Over my life-long history at Grant, I have served in many roles, including my current roles on the Finance Committee and in co-leading a wonderful Small Group. I have also enjoyed previously volunteering on the LCS Board, Nominating Committee, 13 years on the Grant Finance Committee, with children’s ministry, acting in 5 Living Christmas Trees, Let it Glow, Christianity 101, Love Winnipeg and even worked in the accounting department at Grant during summer sessions while in university under Doug Cook – a long time ago. I appreciate the breadth and size of Grant that allows us to reach out to our community and the world in so many different ways.

God has gifted us all with skills and abilities that we have a passion for and can use to further His kingdom. My gifts center around Administration, Discernment and Leadership. I am very comfortable helping leaders make decisions and understanding the potential implications of those decisions. I admire the church’s pursuit of excellence and strive to be like that in my own activities and actions. I want to promote the positive, good things that are happening at Grant and help address the areas where we can be better.

I start each day by reading my bible and believe it is the primary book from which I should learn and receive inspiration and guidance. I love making notes in my bible from things I learn and want to remember and apply. It is the only “thing” I would take if my house was on fire. I look forward to reading more when I retire in 2026. As I am planning my transition after a long career, I think God is teaching me about patience and contentment, and about how I am valued in His eyes, from just being His child rather than anything we do on this earth. And yet, I am incrementally inspired to especially look for opportunities to invest in matters of eternal importance as I start phase two of my adult life journey. I believe there are many opportunities to help with impactful eternal matters in serving at Grant. I have a real desire to reach out to neighbours and friends who need to hear about Jesus, and I want to be more consistent in my prayer life for all of these people, and use the time I have to regularly engage with those currently outside of the church.