Capital Campaign Appeals Team

Campaign Chair

Executive Director/Campaign Manager

Irina Shesterova and her family immigrated from Israel to Canada in 2006. Both her husband and she are working for an IT company. They are members of Southside Baptist Church and have 2 kids, Jasmin and Sasha. Jasmin graduated from BCCA in 2021 and Sasha is a Middle School student at BCCA. BCCA is not only a school; it is a real community that takes care of each other, and Teachers are great! BCCA Teachers not only think about the academic development of the students but also help to show students who they are in God’s eyes and helping them to grow spiritually. BCCA is a Christ-centered community where we can be friends, help each other, and our kids can grow in knowing God as well as grow academically. BCCA – the community where we can serve other people and show them God’s love.

It has been over two decades since our son attended BCCA (class of 2000); the impact and experience of those years are still seen today.  I served on the board of BCCA in the early years; chairing through a bumpy season of growth while transitioning from Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship to Coquitlam Christian Centre.   My heart swells to see God’s hand at work supporting families in the Tri-Cities area.  Kids Club and Christian education are a key part of “the village” it takes to raise a family.

Teresa is a partner in the wealth advisory firm RGF Integrated Wealth Management.  She has served on several boards, most recently Union Gospel Mission (Chair) and FP Canada.  She attends Westside Church in Vancouver.  Teresa and husband Lee Hughes enjoy travel, biking, golf, and spending time with their granddaughters.

Calvin Gray lives in Port Coquitlam with his wife Bruna and daughters Savannah and Summer. BCCA is a big pillar in his family and it was an answer to prayer that his two children could attend a school that represents and protects their faith and family values. Calvin has worked in the construction industry for nearly 2 decades. He currently serves as the VP of Construction for Houston Landscapes. Calvin came to Christ 10 years ago, he currently serves as an elder at Grace Community Church in Pitt Meadows where he has attended with his family for the past 5 years.

As the grateful uncle of two well-bred BCCA graduates, Gabriel and Nathan, Geoffrey Ko has been a keen supporter of the British Columbia Christian Academy since 2004. A trained musician and lifelong learner, Geoffrey has, by God’s grace, taught a great variety of subjects and served as the Music Director, Educational Administrator, and Head of Experiential Learning in several schools in Hong Kong and Canada as well as a university guest lecturer in conducting, music education and music administration. He further extended his vocational horizon by serving as the Assistant General Manager with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and Marketing Manager and Director of Training with Outward Bound. An alumnus of Regent College, he is an honorary Bible teacher and preacher at the Pentecostal Tabernacle Vancouver. Passionate about experiential learning, Geoffrey continues to devote himself whole-heartedly to human development and character-building as a voluntary educational consultant with conviction and zeal.

Geoffrey is the Consultant to the BCCA Experiential Learning Program.

Don Nam first came to Canada in 2018 and originally planned to stay for 1 month and return to Korea. Don and his family fell in love with the charm of Canada and have stayed in Canada since. It was only for a short time that Don’s kids were enrolled with BCCA before they moved to West Vancouver. While at BCCA, Don and his family enjoyed the interactions and friendships with Teachers, classmates, and families of BCCA. Although they have move away from BCCA, Don and his family are still closely connected with BCCA community and are continuing to support BCCA in Christian Education. Don Nam has 24 years experience in the financial/investment industry and is always looking for opportunities to partner with BCCA. Blessings!

Braden Smith is father to two young boys and when he found himself new to the Tri-cities area he instantly felt a connection to BC Christian Academy when his youngest son first attended their daycare program in 2017. Over the past five years Braden and his wife, Kayla have been involved with BC Christian Academy in different volunteer capacities with Braden most recently joining the Capital Campaign Committee and Kayla the secretary for the Parent Communication Team. Braden and Kayla entrust the education of their children to BC Christian Academy because it is Christ focused, thriving on a foundation of committed staff, and the support system every family needs. Professionally Braden works in commercial construction management and hopes to contribute his learned skills and leverage his business relationships to advance this important campaign God has called this community to embark on.

Natalie Yu’s Daughter, Jessy, graduated from BCCA in 2017. Natalie and her family immigrated to Canada in 2013 and was in search of a suitable secondary school for Jessy. She was introduced to BCCA by Natalie’s ESL classmate at Douglas College and attended the C our story tour at BCCA. The 3 C’s (Christ, Community, Compassion) attracted Natalie and her family as well as the family-like atmosphere in the school. Natalie got connected to BCCA and started volunteering as a Parent Volunteer and gotten to know more about Christ and has accepted Jesus as her personal Savior. BCCA has changed her personal and family life. Natalie was a member of the Sustainability Team focusing on fundraising for the school in 2017/2018. Natalie is currently serving on BCCA school board member.