Alumni Profile- Paul Branan

I graduated from Heritage (LBBC) in 1992 with a Bachelor of Religious Education – Church Ministry Minor, then again in 1995 with a BRE – Christian School Education minor. Like Jeff, I married a fellow graduate, Elisa (nee Huibers, LBBC/S 1993), and we have four children. We have both worked in Christian schools throughout Southwestern Ontario and, although Elisa still teaches at a local Christian school, I am currently the Advancement & Development Director at Woodland Christian High School in Breslau ON. We live in Kitchener ON and attend Westheights Community Church.

One of my favorite memories from my days at LBBC/Heritage is when Mrs. Zala Brubacher marched down to the front of the chapel to stop Elisa and me from hugging only to find out I was scratching my own back. I have many more wonderful memories but primarily I recall sitting under the instruction of several men who opened the meaning of God’s Word to me in new and fresh ways. I still refer to my notes when studying or teaching.

Christmas is a special time for our family. We have intentionally created new traditions with our own children and I recognize their family significance when I try change something – the children revolt, so we add new traditions rather than trying to change the old ones. One of my favourites is Christmas breakfast. The kids open stockings in the morning but are not allowed to touch presents until after breakfast. Sometime shortly after the first expressions of “Oh wow, look at this!” I get up and begin the sunrise feast. For some reason, nothing tastes as good as that first cup of coffee on Christmas morning. It might be the flavoured cream, but I prefer to think it is the joy of being a husband and father at this special time of the year.