Our Team

One Family, Many Parts

At C!C, we believe that no ONE person makes up the church.  

Everyone who comes to our services and everyone who calls C!C their “church family” is a special part of this church.

Further, we believe that those of us that have a relationship with Jesus also have a unique connection with each other. We are like a body where Jesus Christ is like the head and we are all the other parts held together, supporting each other, growing together, and building each other up in love “as each part does its work”.

Within our church body, we feel that God calls us all to be leaders, but has placed certain people in positions of unique leadership. Our formal leadership consists of the Lead Pastor, the Pastoral Team, and our MinLead Team (ministry leaders).

“So Christ himself gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people iin their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:11-16

Jason Byers
Lead Pastor

I’m Jason Byers, the pastor of Celebration! Church. Born and raised just outside Atlanta, Georgia, I’m a southern boy through and through (which mostly means I like fried chicken, boiled peanuts, being bare-foot, and SEC football)—but don’t hate me because I say “y’all.”  

By God’s grace, I was raised in a wonderful home, the oldest of three siblings … a family that I love dearly. I gave my life to Jesus as a child, then as a teenager I felt God calling me into vocational ministry leadership. That started a fantastic journey of faith. God took me to Berry College in Rome, Georgia, where I majored in Religion and Philosophy but more importantly met my bride. While at university God took me to Durban, South Africa, where He began teaching more about life in ministry. After graduation, He led me to spend a couple summers living in Malawi, Africa, and now He’s brought me and my family to the capital of Canada. I’m married to a beautiful lady name Carrie, and she’s a fantastic teammate.

Since moving to Canada (in 2006) God has blessed our family with SIX kids: Caleb Jackson, Lillie Catherine, Hannah Leigh, Canaan Rose,  Judson Hunnicutt, Joshua Robert Daniel. They are just one indication of God’s blessing on us here, and they are a wonderful source of joy and encouragement for us … not to mention lots of life-lessons! We are the #ByersClan.

Having worked with many different churches in the U.S. and around the world, it is such an inspiring privilege to see how God is shaping both my family and Celebration! Church here in Canada. It seems abundantly clear to me that God is doing something special here as we all celebrate His greatness by knowing Christ and by making Him known to all peoples.

I really appreciate early mornings and pour-over coffee. I enjoy playing, watching, and talking about pretty much any sport. I like to hike, camp, climb trees, take pictures, cycle and lots of other things. I’ve even become hooked on very “Canadian” things, like maple syrup, Tim Horton’s, hockey, and … snow. I’m glad to make Ottawa “home” as our church really focuses on growing and ministering effectively in Canada’s National Capital Region.

Feel free to email me at: jason.byers@celebrationchurch.ca 

Skyler Schaap
Administrator 

In many respects, Skyler is the "sous-chef" behind much of what's going on at C!C and CNBC Ontario-east. He helps manage our facilities, renters, and a whole host of other things. Many people "know of" Skyler before meeting him, which suits his introverted side well. But make no mistake, he's got a warm-cuddly, too, despite his tough-guy exterior.

Along with his lovely wife Jenny, they enjoy most outdoor activities, good food, and their little buddy Oliver, a handsome golden doodle. In fall of 2022, they welcomed little Baylor into their family.  When not administrating at C!C you'll likely find Skyler in the garden with his hands dirty, building something out of wood,  in the garage tinkering with a tool, or on flat-water somewhere with a paddle.

Reach out to Skyler at skyler.schaap@celebrationchurch.ca