We’re Your Pastors—And We’re With You

Yep, that’s us in the photo—laughing, loving, and doing life together.

We’re a diverse crew: different ages, different stories, different experiences. Some of us come from corporate backgrounds, some from the classroom, some straight from the streets of life. But we all landed here at EC for the same reason—we love Jesus and we love people.

We’re not perfect (far from it), but we’re passionate about seeing lives changed by the Gospel, and we’re committed to serving this church with authenticity, humility, and joy.

Pastoral Leadership

Akil Thompson

Senior Pastor
Akil is the visionary voice behind EC—husband, dad, preacher, chai tea enthusiast, sports fan, and lover of a good book. He leads with faith, grit, and a heart to see people live out the extraordinary life Jesus promised.

Sarah Thompson

Worship Pastor
Sarah leads worship with passion and purpose, helping people encounter the presence of God in a real and powerful way. She’s full of joy, loves to laugh, and carries a deep love for the Word and the local church.

Barry DeGrasse

Connections Pastor
Barry makes people feel like they’ve been part of EC forever—even if it’s their first Sunday. He’s all about helping others feel seen, welcomed, and ready to take their next step in faith and community.

Debra-Lee Minto

Youth Pastor
Debra-Lee brings energy, authenticity, and straight-up fire to our EC Youth. Whether she’s preaching or just hanging out, she’s passionate about helping this generation know who they are in Jesus.

Campus Leadership

Patricia Sokolowski

Life Studies
Patricia is a passionate teacher of the Word with a heart for discipleship and helping people go deeper in their walk with God. She brings clarity, energy, and grace to every conversation—and she’s just getting started.

Andre & Cassandra Powell

Family Ministries
Andre and Cassandra are fun on steroids—with big laughs, even bigger hearts, and a gift for making families feel right at home. Cass will have you singing before you know it, and together, they’re building strong families who love Jesus and love life.

Abigail Mendez

Community Outreach
Abigail is unstoppable when it comes to loving people and reaching the city. She lives to make a difference and sees every moment as a chance to share the Gospel and bring hope to someone’s story.

Nadine DeGrasse

Connections
Nadine is joy in human form. Whether she’s greeting guests, leading teams, or lighting up a meeting with her smile, she brings the joy of the Lord into everything she does. Simply being around her is refreshing.

External Board of Directors

At Extraordinary Church, we believe in accountability, spiritual covering, and wise counsel. That’s why we’re grateful for the leadership and support of our external board of directors—seasoned men of God who provide spiritual direction, wisdom, and oversight as we pursue all God has called us to.

These men help ensure that EC remains committed to Biblical doctrine, Spirit-filled demonstration, and a Jesus foundation. They speak into our pastors' lives, leadership, and the broader EC Network.

We are blessed to have these faithful men of God walking with us—cheering us on, keeping us grounded, and calling us higher.

Bishop Doug White

Apostolic Overseer
Bishop Doug White is not only Pastor Akil and Pastor Sarah’s pastor—he’s been a trusted elder and spiritual father in their lives for many years. A man of prayer, power, and deep conviction, Bishop White is a respected voice in the body of Christ. He’s an international speaker, a renowned author, and a spiritual covering for the EC family.

Allan Shalm

Board of Director
Allan Shalm has spent a lifetime planting churches and raising up leaders across Malaysia, Pakistan, and South Asia—thousands of them. A veteran missionary and apostolic leader, his heart beats for the Gospel and, uniquely, for the city of Mississauga. He brings a global perspective and deep wisdom to the EC board.

Mike East

Board of Director
Mike East is a passionate voice in the Kingdom—serving as a former pastor and now a sought-after evangelist. Known for his heart for the local church and a message that both convicts and uplifts, he adds immense value to EC through his preaching, counsel, and Spirit-led insight.