Christianweek names new publisher

Changes afoot at Canada’s national Christian newspaper

Canada’s national Christian newspaper has new management. David Visser, operations manager of the Essence Communications Group of Belleville, Ontario, is the new publisher of Christianweek. The changes, which received final approval from the CW board of directors on February 23, took effect March 1.

“Essence is dedicated to furthering the work of Christ through the written word,” says Visser. “We want to expand the reach of Christianweek, to market the newspaper more aggressively and generate more subscriptions.” Known primarily for their success as book publishers, the Essence Group comprises a series of print and multimedia companies “working closely together to provide a wide array of communication solutions” (www.essencegroup.com).

Visser intends to keep Christianweek in Winnipeg for at least one year, with most staff members staying in their current positions. But significant staffing changes are being introduced immediately.

CW editor Doug Koop moves into a new role as associate publisher and editor-at-large. While he continues to write for the newspaper, he will also work more intentionally to raise the profile of CW throughout the broader Christian community.

Maxwell Ryan, who held several top editorial positions in a long career with the Salvation Army and has served as one of CW’s editorial advisors for the past four years, becomes editor, assuming responsibility for the news and editorial content of the newspaper.

Gus Henne, marketing director for Essence Publishing, will take on the same responsibilities for CW.

Outgoing publisher Bramwell Ryan, who nursed the operation to financial health during his three years at the helm, tendered his resignation last November in order to concentrate his attention on his own company (Tundra Lights Communications). Formerly a freelance journalist, Ryan also welcomes the time he will gain to do more writing of his own.

“The last three years have been a time of tremendous change at Christianweek,” says Ryan. “Today the newspaper is healthier than ever and poised for new growth. David and his team bring the marketing muscle that will ensure an even brighter future for CW.”

Outgoing publisher led CW in tough times

Bramwell Ryan brought paper back from the brink

DAN BURTON
FPW Board Chair

Changes are taking place at Christianweek. As you have already read, Bramwell Ryan is stepping down as publisher and David Visser and Essence Publishing are taking his place. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the board of directors, to thank Bramwell for the excellent job he has done at Christianweek.

Bramwell has a real heart for the Christian community and he loves the written word. When we approached him about becoming publisher we did not have a lot to offer. The paper was in financial difficulty, we had lost staff and we couldn’t offer a salary that was commensurate with the task at hand.

Bramwell saw the potential of the paper and rose to the challenge. With Bramwell came his company, Tundra Lights Communications, which often supported Christianweek when the paper couldn’t afford equipment or staff. Bramwell was instrumental in solving the paper’s financial difficulties. Many of our readers supported us, and for that we are always grateful, but it was Bramwell’s diligence in finding cheaper ways of running the paper, generating more advertising revenue and negotiating contracts that allowed us to become debt free.

Those years were not easy, but the hard work paid off. Financially, Christianweek is the healthiest it has been in many years. Bramwell also wanted to update the look and structure of the paper in order to attract new readers. He enhanced the profile of CW by moving it to a broadsheet format. The paper is now ready for the next stage. We look forward to the focus that Essence Publishing will bring to the paper.

Bramwell is a good publisher. He loves good writing, demands good work and doesn’t like to lose money. He loves the Lord’s work and is committed to communicating the truth to God’s people and beyond. He is honest, trustworthy and a creative thinker and it has been our privilege as a board of directors to have served with him in the work of Christianweek. God bless you Bramwell in your future endeavours.

Dan Burton is a Winnipeg businessman and chairman of the board of directors of Fellowship for Print Witness, which publishes Christianweek.

CW publisher bids farewell

Bramwell Ryan Publisher

Running two companies for three years can be a grind. There are many moments of joy and accomplishment but there are many, many hours of hard slogging. That's been my life since early 1998. It's been fun. It's been a challenge. It's been rewarding. But it's also been tiring.

During this time one of the necessary sacrifices I've made has been the opportunity to write. For many years prior to taking over Christianweek I wrote for magazines and newspapers across the country. I miss such writing and hope to be able to spend more time at it in the future. Although I'm leaving the leadership of

Christianweek my passion for it remains unchanged. It is a vital national institution in Canada. Where else do believers rediscover that they have more in common than is often remembered? Where else do Christians get to speak to each other unfiltered? Where else can we draw the savour for our salt or a match for our light?

Preserving and strengthening this publication has inspired me for the past three years. And now it's time for someone else, who shares that dream, to take over. All the best in your future adventures.