About Us

✝️ Rev. Dr. Bruce Sweet has devoted his life to faith, service, and community.

Bruce grew up on a farm in Essex County near Harrow before moving with his family to Windsor, where he attended Walkerville Collegiate and the University of Windsor. Following this, he and his wife, Viki, relocated to Toronto, where Bruce studied at Emmanuel College. During this time, he completed a Summer Field Mission in Ma-Me-O Beach, Alberta, and served as a student minister at Islington United Church and later at Mono Mills near Orangeville, Ontario.

In 1976, Bruce was ordained in the London Conference and settled in Pense, Saskatchewan, where he and his family lived for three years. He then joined the Canadian Forces, serving faithfully for twenty years as a military chaplain. His postings included Petawawa, Ontario; Bagotville, Quebec; Gagetown, New Brunswick; Base Kingston; and the Royal Military College. While with the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Petawawa, Bruce also participated in United Nations peacekeeping service in Cyprus.

After retiring from the Forces, Bruce accepted a call to Glenburnie United Church, and later to Emmanuel United Church in Waterloo. During this time, he completed his Doctor of Ministry degree through a joint program between Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio and Iona College at the University of Windsor.

Although he briefly retired, Bruce soon returned to ministry, serving for three years as Pulpit Supply at West Montrose United Church near Kitchener.

In March 2021, Bruce and Viki who will celebrate fifty-three years of marriage in February—moved to Barrie. Their family includes daughter Jasmine (Kingston), son Jacob (Midhurst), and daughter Melodie (Barrie). They take great joy in spending time with their grandchildren, supporting them in school activities, basketball, and competitive swimming.

Today, Bruce serves under a three-year contract with the Coldwater-Eady Pastoral Charge, where he looks forward to deepening his pastoral relationships and continuing his ministry among the faith families of this community.