Michael Reid has served on the MCEC Executive Council since 2023. He and his family attend Hamilton Mennonite Church, and Michael’s engagement with the wider church is shaped both by congregational involvement and by his professional vocation.

"I care about the future of the Mennonite church in Canada."

For 27 years, Michael has worked as a Union Representative with the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), where he advocates for workers, supports healthy labour relationships and seeks fairness in the workplace. His work reflects a strong alignment with Anabaptist values of dignity, peace and concern for the well-being of others and it informs the way he approaches leadership and discernment within the church.

For Michael, leadership is about accompanying the church through seasons of discernment, change and faithful decision-making.

When asked why he chose to serve on the Executive Council, Michael speaks candidly about his love for the church and his desire to offer his gifts during a time of challenge and opportunity. “I care about the future of the Mennonite church in Canada,” he says, “and I appreciated the offer to do some of the work of helping us navigate challenging times—and perhaps strengthen our witness as a result.” For Michael, leadership is about accompanying the church through seasons of discernment, change and faithful decision-making.

Michael’s hopes and dreams for MCEC are rooted in a longing for spiritual depth and meaningful connection, especially for emerging generations. He hopes the church can “strike a chord in the hearts and minds of people of this generation who are looking for something” and that they will come to see that what they are seeking is “being in closer relationship with God and a community of believers that seek peace and truth.”

He approaches his role with humility and care, grounded in his faith and hopeful about how God continues to work through MCEC.

Beyond his professional life and council responsibilities, Michael brings a refreshing sense of humour and humanity. One fun fact that many may not know is his love for McIntosh apples. He has eaten as many as eight in a single day! As someone who enjoys running, Michael explains that apples are good for the lungs. He quips that maybe “eight apples a day keeps the respirologist away.”

Through his service on the Executive Council, Michael offers careful listening, thoughtful engagement and a genuine commitment to the life and witness of the church. He approaches his role with humility and care, grounded in his faith and hopeful about how God continues to work through MCEC.