Meet our staff
Peter Watt has been working with men and women to deepen their relationships with Christ for the past 20 years by leading small groups through church, and actively involved in organizing retreats that change lives. God’s call on his life led him to take Crossways to Life’s Advanced Training course and graduate in November 2018. This commitment was made while he was living in Ottawa. God’s call led him to continue his training as an intern and eventually move to Kitchener to become a full time Discipleship-Counselor with Crossways.
Peter’s desire to share the freedom he has experienced while taking the Advanced Training has inspired him to teach lessons outside of Crossways with recovering addicts, homeless people and friends he’s known for years. The turning point for him was understanding that during his physical birth, he was “IN” Adam and as such, born a sinner; but when he accepted Christ as his saviour, he became “IN” Christ and a saint who sometimes sins. Christ’s work on the cross has done it all, he just needed to accept that truth and learn to live in that truth.
Peter married Anita in 1994 and they have two grown boys, Christopher and Justin, and a youthful dog aptly named Trinity. Peter and Anita were both raised Catholics and followed that faith until 1997, when they were introduced to a personal relationship with Jesus and a desire to experience more of His freedom.
Will Feenstra has been involved in youth ministry for over 17 years, working with 10-20 year olds both in the community and as a youth leader in church. In April 2017, Will received his ordination as a pastor with Anchor Ministerial Fellowship. Will completed Crossways to Life’s Advanced Training course in November 2017, and has worked as a discipleship counsellor since 2018. Will has a passion to teach believers the truth about who Christ is and who we are as a result of what Jesus has done, so that they may experience freedom and the abundant life.
Will is of Dutch descent and immigrated to Canada in 1988 at the age of 10 with his parents and 9 siblings. Growing up in a large family has taught Will a lot about the family dynamic. Will was brought up going to church and reading the bible, however it wasn’t until the age of 21 on April 7th 1999 that He began a personal walk with Jesus. Life has truly never been the same since. Scripture that was locked away in memory became alive and God became someone to talk to and hear from. The words of David in Psalm 23:5, “You have set a table before me in the presence of my enemies” and 1 John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful”, have become very real to Will, knowing that in life there will be storms and trouble, however in the midst of that, God is our peace.
Will is married to Laura, and together they are blessed to have four of God’s finest children, Lillian, Morgan, Destiny and Dominic.
When Shelagh Balfoort was in university, God placed the desire in her heart to be a counsellor. She completed her Bachelors degree in Family and Social Relations with the intent of pursuing a career in marriage and family therapy. However, as a result of her lack of understanding her identity in Christ she abandoned her dream. Fast forward 15 years…God brought her to Crossways to Life. God used the circumstances in her life, combined with the teaching at Crossways to Life to help her experience freedom and life in Jesus.
Shelagh completed Crossways to Life’s Advanced Training course and graduated in November 2019. It was during this time that she could see God was calling her into ministry as a counsellor, a desire He placed in her heart so many years ago.
Through many difficult seasons God has shown her that we have a loving Father who is able to meet us exactly where we are at. He is not worried about our performance or waiting for us to have our lives together before we can come to Him. He just says, “Come. Will you trust me and allow me to bring beauty from your pain?”
Shelagh is so grateful to be part of the ministry at Crossways to Life and is passionate about sharing with others about grace and experiencing life in Christ as a new creation. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
She is married to Greg, and together they have three children.
Nate Arena has been a pastor since 2009, working primarily with students in grades 7-12. After spending most of his life feeling like he never measured up, and wondering if God was disappointed in him, Jesus showed him the amazing truth of his identity in Christ and the life and freedom it brings. Now, his passion is helping other believers see themselves the way God does, so that they can finally experience the rest, love, peace and wholeness Jesus offers them.
Nate graduated with a Bachelor of Religious Education from Heritage College in Cambridge Ontario, and has worked in a number of churches across Southern Ontario. He continues to serve as a guest speaker helping Christian’s understand who they are in Christ and Who Christ is in them so that they can experience the life of Jesus through them.
He and his wife Hannah love camping, canoeing, hiking, snow, and winter (yes, he knows the last two makes them weird). Nate also loves retro videogames and other “nerdy” things.
Jody Braun comes from a Mennonite background. She currently serves on the worship team at her church and really enjoys playing the piano and drums at home. She loves being creative and crafty and has a background in interior design.
She came to Crossways for counseling in 2020. Having dealt with anxiety and depression for most of her life, she was desperate to find answers. She had come to a place in her life where she felt completely hopeless and abandoned. It was through the Exchanged Life teaching at Crossways that she learned who she was and what Christ did for her. This completely blew her mind! Through Crossways, Jesus has led her into a deeper relationship with Him, one that she never knew was possible. She began to experience hope and freedom, even through her trials. She now knows that she is treasured, accepted, and so very loved.
Shortly after, she attended the Exchanged Life Advanced Training (ELAT) course, having a passion to walk with others who are struggling and help them find freedom and experience the abundant life that Christ offers. Letting them know that they are not alone and Jesus really is the answer.
Jeremiah 29:11
She has been married to her husband/ best friend for 15 years and together they have a 13-year-old son. Some of their adventures include kayaking, quadding and game/movie nights
Renée Ledford has over 15 years experience working with various client groups with an emphasis on women and adolescents. Her vast background includes youth and women’s ministry, as well as community and social services, life coaching and counselling.
Renée was raised in the Catholic faith. However due to various challenges that she experienced as a child, she experienced depression and anxiety throughout her adolescence. It was through hearing the reading of Matthew 11:28-30 that she had her first encounter with Christ. She came to understand the grace of God and she experienced the healing He had for her.
After attending her first Psychology course Renée felt that she was being called to counselling. Although life presented many detours she continued to follow the call and attained recognition as a Registered Social Service Worker as well as a certified Life Coach.
Renée was blessed to be introduced to Crossways to Life in the summer of 2024 and is grateful for the opportunity to witness the impact of sharing the abundant life with others. She started as a Discipleship Counsellor with us in September.
Renée has been married to her husband Anthony (Tony) for 18 years and has been blessed with two beautiful girls. She enjoys reading, listening to podcasts/music, and dancing.