Vermilion River Pastoral Charge Welcomes New Minister

The United Churches in Vermilion, Kitscoty, and Mannville, under the umbrella of the Vermilion River Pastoral Charge, officially welcomed their new minister, Reverend Doctor Lloyd Nyarota, on May 3. Bringing with him decades of ministry experience, international leadership, and a passion for community connection, Reverend Nyarota is looking forward to becoming part of life in the region.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Reverend Nyarota was born in Chitenderano village and grew up in the small town of Rusape in Eastern Zimbabwe during the country’s war of liberation. He spent his school years between Rusape and his grandmother’s village, navigating life during difficult and uncertain times. He completed both his primary and secondary education in Rusape before eventually beginning a journey that would lead him into ministry and around the world.

Reverend Nyarota said his path into ministry began as a young boy after hearing a sermon in a United Methodist Church. Remembering the preacher’s message about prayer and faith, he prayed for help passing his high school examinations and promised that if successful, he would dedicate his life to serving God as a minister. When he passed, he honoured that promise and began his journey into ministry.

His educational journey has been extensive. Reverend Nyarota holds a Ph.D. in Missiology with a research thesis : The Mission of Reconciliation: Message of the Church in Zimbabwe 2000-2009 from the MF, Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society in Oslo, Norway, where his research focused on reconciliation and the role of the church in society. He also holds diplomas in Theology and Religious Studies, a Bachelor of Divinity, and a master’s degree in Peace, Leadership and Governance. Throughout his studies, he developed a strong interest in how churches can serve communities through peacebuilding, reconciliation, justice, and advocacy.

Reverend Nyarota has served in ministry since 1999 in both Zimbabwe and Canada. His work has included serving rural and urban congregations, mission centres, schools, and leadership positions connected to community development and church outreach. Before coming to Vermilion River Pastoral Charge, he served in several Alberta communities including Pincher Creek, Sedgewick, Lougheed, Manning, Deadwood, Fairview, Berwyn, Grimshaw, and Wetaskiwin.

He and his wife, Reverend Tazvionepi Nyarota, are both ordained ministers. His wife currently serves as a missionary responsible for organizing and pastoring Zimbabwean Shona-speaking United Methodists in Canada. Together they have two children, a son working in Leduc and a daughter studying social sciences at The King’s University in Edmonton. He also explained that because his work in Canada has him working away from home they create time to spend together as a family to balance work and family life. “We always try to create times we spend together as a family. We have road trips and family times. We take special days like birthdays seriously in our family moments and that we should be together to celebrate together.” “I try to take a full week every month to have time with family and during that time off I am always fully present and have full attention to my family,” he explained.

When asked what drew him to the Vermilion River Pastoral Charge, Reverend Nyarota said he was inspired by the churches’ commitment to community and unity.

“The United churches in the communities of Vermilion, Kitscoty and Mannville are community churches,” he said. “When I saw that these were churches who came together from different histories, I was attracted to them because that showed they are church communities geared to tolerate differences and work towards reconciling whatever differences that may be there in order to be in ministry together.”

Since arriving in the area, Reverend Nyarota said he has already noticed the welcoming spirit of the communities.

“The people are friendly and welcoming,” he said. “I just felt the vibe of togetherness and communities that love and care for each other.”

As he begins his new role, Reverend Nyarota hopes to support both the congregations and the wider communities through connection, cooperation, and service.

“Building relationships and being a place where people can find hope and support” is one of the most important roles churches can play in small communities, he explained.

Outside of ministry, Reverend Nyarota enjoys reading history, golfing, curling, travelling, and sightseeing. He also shared that many people may be surprised to learn that he is a farmer and rancher in Zimbabwe and has even helped cowboys at rodeos working with steers.

Looking ahead, Reverend Nyarota said he hopes to become an active part of community life while helping congregations grow and encouraging young people and families to reconnect with church life.

“I am praying for young people to be part of the church because they are the hope we are looking for. I am hoping we can have parents and grandparents bring their children to Sunday school and have young people come to youth groups because this is where the future and the hope of our world is. I challenge our society that we have tried all other things, and they have not given us hope, it is time to try God, and he will lift our societies again,” he said.

“I am excited and looking forward to the unfolding days ahead,” he said. “The greatest of all things is God is with us.”