The Rev. J. Ivan Gregan, BA, MDiv.

“Ivan” came to Port Wallis in 1988 when he saw both challenge and opportunity in what was then a small, struggling suburban Pastoral Charge. It has been a wonderful journey.

Ivan loves music and dabbles at playing the piano, organ and guitar as well as singing and introducing new World Christian music to our congregation.

A Linguist at heart, he converses in many languages but especially English, French and Gaelic.

His special interest Revolves around Celtic Theology, History and Biblical Interpretation with a keen interest in translation and composition of the Celtic Liturgical Texts and religious poetry.

Ivan has studied at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, the Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax and furthered his studies in Jerusalem and Princeton. His travels have taken him to Scotland, continental Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America and across Canada.

He has served as President of Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada and Chair of Halifax Presbytery. Nationally, he has served on the United Church – Muslim Relations, Chair of the Gospel Ecumenism and Theology Committee of Maritime Conference, the Board of Directors for the United Church “Observer” (national magazine), and presently is on the Board of Directors for “Gathering Magazine” a national worship publication. Locally he has chaired the Pine Hill Board of Governors and taught a course at Atlantic School of Theology on Worship Foundations.

His favourite Biblical Passage is from the Gospel of John, chapter 21. His favourite book of the Bible is the Revelation to Saint John.

Ivan is the father of one child, William, his joy and light.

For relaxation, Ivan gardens on his family farm, growing grapes, fruit and vegetables. He reads gardening books, historical novels, takes photos and dreams of traveling!

Ivan’s “quest in life” is to make Worship glorious and the Gospel relevant by helping people see through the many layers of meaning in the Biblical Texts.