Raymond Dueck grew up on a farm in Mexico where his father had a
very successful implement dealership selling up to 30 tractors a month.
His father served as mayor of the settlement, founder of the coop
cheese plant, and with Ray's mother, started the local hospital and
the mission work among the natives.
When Mr Dueck was 13 years old, his family moved to Manitoba, where
he got his high school and college education. He accepted the Lord
as his Saviour and was baptized on his confession of faith at the
age of 16. He has carried a burning desire to serve the Lord and to
do his part in fulfilling the Great Commission ever since.
In 1971 he entered into a wonderful marriage with his
high school sweetheart, Martha Reimer. They are the parents of 6 children,
of which 2 are deceased in childhood. 2 daughters required bone marrow
transplants in New York, and are now healthy and growing. Their family
is very important to them.
Raymond & Martha were active members of the Mennville Evangelical Mennonite
Church for 30 years. They have both served as Sunday School
teachers. Over the years Mr Dueck has been very busy serving his church
of 120 members, as member and chairman of the Mission Board, member
of The Mennville Christian School board, as Founder and President
of Mennville Holdings Inc., a senior citizens housing project, as
a member and Chairman of the Church Council, as chairman of the Brotherhood,
and serving for 20 years as member of the Board of Directors of Beaver
Creek Bible Camp Inc, operated by the Interlake Churches, and for
12 years as the chairman of Beaver Creek Bible Camp. He served as
Treasurer of BCBC for several years. Mr. Dueck served as Treasurer
of the Interlake Janz Team Crusade and has served his conference of
6,000 members as a member and chairman of the Nominating Committee
for 9 years. He has served 5 years on his Conference’s Board of Trustees
responsible for Conference finances.
During his years as chairman of BCBC he was able to set a tone so
that the churches involved, the camp board and staff worked together
in unity and harmony so that camper enrollment climbed some 500 percent.
Seventy-five percent of the campers come from unchurched homes, and
the work is carried on as a mission outreach to children from the
Interlake.
Mr. Dueck has served his conference of 6,000 members as a member and
chairman of the Nominating Committee for 9 years. He is currently
serving on the Board of Trustees who are charged with all the financial
responsibilities associated with the Conference.
Raymond and Martha joined the Gideons almost 15 years ago and have
served in various capacities in their camp including Treasurer and
President.
Raymond and Martha joined Eastview Community Church in June 2003,
and got involved in the ministries of that church.
Mr Dueck has more than 20 years experience as shareholder of more
than a 1/2 dozen companies and as president has proven his ability
to negotiate the best course and to manage his employees effectively.
Mr Dueck is committed to the Scripture ministry and is available and
willing to serve to help the LifeLight grow. He has a real
heart for the ministry.
Mr Dueck is highly qualified. As a business man he has spent 25 years
in various successful ventures. He grew up on the farm and watched
his father operate a successful farm and implement dealership. In
1970 he joined his father and brother in starting a successful lumber
yard and construction business. Vidir Lumber, later renamed Dueck
Builder Mart, became the largest Ready-to-Move homes builder in Manitoba
under Mr Dueck's Presidency. In 20 years the company built more than
700 homes and commercial buildings in Manitoba.
In 1985 Mr Dueck started a computer company that became known as ProfitMaster
Canada. Under his Presidency, it became the largest company of its
kind in Canada, with more than 180 building supply stores from sea
to sea (in Canada) using his computer system to generate and record
more than five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000.00) a year in
Retail Sales. This business required Mr Dueck to travel more than
a million air miles from coast to coast. He was as familiar with Moncton,
Toronto and Vancouver as with Winnipeg.
In early 94, Mr Dueck sold his shares of ProfitMaster to his brother,
and with his wife Martha assumed ownership of Dueck Holdings Inc,
a commercial properties owner/operator. In January 97 Mr. Dueck and
2 partners purchased Vidir Machine Inc from his father, Willie B Dueck,
a company manufacturing and marketing carpet handling equipment worldwide.
Since then, Vidir Machine has grown from 16 employees to 150 employees
in 2 plants in Manitoba. They have broadened their product offerings and are
shipping product around the world. Customers include Wal-Mart, Home Depot
and others.
Products range from carpet carousels and cutters, to rug lifters and displays,
Moveable storage bases, bike display systems, biomass fired green house
gas displacement systems, composters, and fertilizer and grain storage bins.
Besides active continuous involvement in their church, Mr Dueck as
chairman of the Church Mission Board, founded the Grindstone Vacation
Bible school, the Riverton Public School Christian Education Program,
and chaired the area wide Here's Life Campaign.
He served as founding President of Canadian LifeLight Ministries Inc
and is committed to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God through
Scripture distribution. Under his leadership, CLLM has seen revenues
grow to more than $400,000 per year with a goal of achieving
$5,000,000 in 5 years.
