Meet Your Elder Candidates

Martin Canell was born and raised outside of Erie, Pennsylvania. Due to the prayers of a faithful grandmother, he gave his life to Christ in 1973 (9 years old) at Camp Li-Lo-Li, a Christian Camp in the Alleghany Mountains of New York state. His grandmother secured a sponsorship for him and his two older sisters to attend. As a result, Christian Camping became a significant part of his early Christian life. While in high school and college, he remained very active serving in ministry at various Christian camps. 

Following Jesus Christ has always been a deliberate act of faith for Martin. Growing up in a non-Christian family made him search to know God’s word on his own. Desiring to know more, he decided to formally study the Bible at Emmaus Bible College for 2 years prior to regular college. After Emmaus, he attended Trinity International University where he finished his B.A. in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Theology and added a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. 

Martin served as an interim youth pastor at the end of college and continued as an active layperson in his local churches while working in the Digital Manufacturing Industry for nearly 40 years. In 2005, Martin married his wife Lenni and raised their blended family of 5 children in Chanhassen, MN. In 2020 they bought a vacation home in Lakeside, Montana, thinking it would be a great place for the kids, spouses and grandkids (4 and 1 more on the way) to enjoy the outdoor life of Montana. However, God had other plans. In early 2021, they felt God’s call to make Lakeside their home and sold their house in Minnesota. This is when they began attending and serving at Crossroads Christian Fellowship. The many blessings that Martin and Lenni have received at Crossroads Christian Fellowship makes it a humbling honor and joy for Martin to serve as an Elder.