CLF Staff

Ruth AM Ross
Executive Director - General Legal Counsel

Ruth Ross is the Executive Director and General Legal Counsel for Christian Legal Fellowship (Canada). In this capacity, she overseas and coordinates court interventions and provides consultations and submissions to government on a wide variety of issues from a Christian perspective. After completing her B.A. and LL.B. from Dalhousie University, Ruth practiced law in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Ontario and is currently a member of the Ontario Bar. Ruth served on the Executive Board of Directors of Christian Legal Fellowship (Canada) from 1993 to 1996 and was appointed Executive Director in October 2000. While living in the "outback" of Australia from 1996-2000, Ruth was active in ministry-related work with the Christian Revival Churches of Australia. Ruth’s desire is to promote, train, equip and provide opportunities for lawyers to serve the Lord in Canada and beyond. Ruth is the editor of (and writes regular commentaries for) the Christian Legal Journal addressing the legal issues of the day from a Christian perspective. Ruth has lectured for lawyers in Africa, South America, Central America, and North America on a broad number of issues including building strategic and influential alliances shaping public opinion, legislation and advocacy.

Listen to CLF Executive Director Ruth Ross in a radio interview. Listen to Ruth share her healing testimony.

Calvin William Beresh
Student Ministries Director

graduated with a BA from Oral Roberts University in 1975 before obtaining his LL.B from the University of Western Ontario in 1978. During his final year at law school, he hosted the student law conference at Western during which the Christian Legal Fellowship was founded and was a member of the steering committee for incorporation of CLF. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and an even stronger desire to take Christ into every man’s world, he began his own law practice in 1980. He joined with another CLF member, Ashley R. Gnys, and, together, they took over a practice established in 1894 to form the firm of Sharpe, Beresh & Gnys in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The firm now has three lawyers and fifteen support staff. Cal’s emphasis is on Wills, Estates and Wealth Management. Cal, and his wife of 29 years, Janet, have three children, Melanie, 25, Ben, 23, and Stephen, 20. All three children followed their father’s footsteps in choosing Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma for their post-secondary education. Cal has a passion to share his vision of Law as a ministry particularly to students. He enjoys meeting with law students across the country.

Tim Stonhouse
Regional Director - Western Canada

Tim Stonhouse has been practicing law for over 13 years. He articled in a well-known criminal law firm and then opened his own office. He specializes in criminal, divorce, family mediation and wills and estates. Mr. Stonhouse has been trained as a mediator and in collaborative family law and is a member of The Association of Registered Collaborative Family Lawyers - Edmonton Chapter. He has served on the Alberta Learning Attendance Board (dealing with truancy issues) and is a part time Justice of the Peace in Edmonton. Tim is very committed to his church and is actively involved with student ministries. In addition, Tim is committed to working with law students locally and nationally in a manner that meets their unique needs while in law school and assists in their future as ministers of Christ in the legal profession. As well, he has been involved in several national litigation seminars charged with maintaining Christian values in society and has been an active member of the Christian Legal Fellowship for close to ten years. Tim has been married to Marija for almost thirty years and is the father of three children, Matthew, 24 years old, Benjamin, 22 years old and Danica, 18 years old.

Reid Cooke
Chaplain

Reid joined CLF as chaplain in February, 2008, and is loving his new calling. After 35 years of pastoral ministry, Reid hung up his hat in December, 2007. Reid was born and raised in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, a member of a family with 6 siblings. God called him to the ministry when he was just 21 years old. He studied at Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale College, Toronto) graduating with his B.Th. He completed a second degree through Mount Allison and Waterloo University. Reid and his wife, Esther pastored in New Brunswick for 19 years, moving to Redeemer Bible Church in Niagara Falls in 1991, where they enjoyed 16 years of ministry. He and Esther have 2 children. Joel lives and skis in Austria and is married to a beautiful Austrian girl, and Jodi is a journalist with CTV News, in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Reid’s wife, Esther, is a worship leader and keyboard musician. In his spare time, Reid loves to sail, and has owned over a dozen sailboats in his life.

Helen Stephenson
Administrative Assistant

Helen was born and raised in St. Thomas, Ontario. In 1960, she moved to North Bay and worked until she retired in 1995 from the Ministry of the Attorney General as a court reporter for 16 years. Prior to that she was Executive Secretary to the District Director, Ministry of Community & Social Services, for 11 years. After retiring she and her husband moved back to London where they are now situated. She has one son who lives in Brantford with his wife and two children, Joshua and Molly. Helen began assisting CLF in 2005 in a volunteer capacity and joined CLF staff in 2006. As a part time staff member, Helen provides support with bookkeeping and various administrative tasks including general correspondence, new member packets, events and conference coordination. 

Lisa McManus
Director of Conferencing

Lisa grew up in Essex, Ontario, attended UWO and graduated with an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa. She was called to the bar in 1996 and practiced law in Essex until 2001 when she commenced an extended parental leave of absence. She is the wife of Greg who pastors Grace Community Church in London. Lisa serves in her church as Administrator & General Counsel. Lisa served on the CLF Board of Directors in 2005/2006 and is now on staff with CLF working part time as the Director of Conferencing & Ministry Relations. Greg and Lisa home educate their five children.

Aaron AM Ross
Webmaster

Aaron recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario. Aaron's heart is in ministry, a passion he realised during his time at UWO where he was actively involved in leadership at outreaches and services both on the university campus and at his church. Aaron is now en route to obtaining a Master of Divinity at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto. Aaron works part time as webmaster for Christian Legal Fellowship.

---