VISSER, Bert and Wilma

Bert and Wilma, from Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, married in 1983. They lived in PEI, where Bert practiced law and Wilma focused on their three children. Having had an interest in Wycliffe since Bert attended Urbana in 1981, they joined in 1996.

In 1999, the Visser family of five moved to Cameroon, Africa. Bert served in public relations and partnerships, director of church relations, and as general director. Wilma was involved in health care for the missionaries and in human resources (HR). Bert and Wilma returned to live in Halifax, NS in April 2018.

They started new assignments in January 2019, working remotely from their home in Halifax. Wilma is HR systems administrator for SIL Francophone Africa Area, a Wycliffe partner doing Bible translation. The purpose of this job is to assist and to train and mentor the people in HR in French-speaking African countries to use a database program. Bert is SVP Church Partnerships and Director of Prayer Ministries for Wycliffe Canada. The goal is to provide leadership to the Church Partnerships Department to produce opportunities and resources for the Church in Canada so that they strategically participate with Wycliffe Canada and its field partners in ending Bible poverty. This includes working with the Wycliffe Canada prayer team in order to encourage prayerfulness within Wycliffe Canada and to mobilize the Church in Canada to pray for the work of Wycliffe Canada around the world and for the remaining Bible translation needs.

The Vissers’ three married children live in Germany, Manitoba and Halifax. Bert and Wilma have been blessed with nine grandchildren.