Rev. Daniel Herbert Reinhardt, a leader who dedicated his career to strengthening the health of Christian ministry, died Feb. 3 at age 71 after a four-year battle with cancer.
Reinhardt founded Crest Leadership Academy to help pastors and ministry leaders navigate midcareer challenges and avoid burnout. The Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada honored his legacy, noting his influence on the spiritual health of the denomination.
“He lived a life marked by a deep love for God and a tireless commitment to the growth and well-being of others,” the church said in a tribute.
That commitment began during his childhood on mission fields in South India, where he attended boarding school 250 miles from his parents and learned to rely on his faith at a young age.
After returning to North America, Reinhardt married his wife, Anne, and pursued academic preparation for pastoral ministry. He studied the history and geography of ancient Israel in Jerusalem, bringing that scholarly background to his 22-year tenure at Hillcrest Church in Medicine Hat. He served as associate pastor and later as lead pastor, mentoring staff and guiding the congregation through decades of growth.
Reinhardt later identified a pressing need within the church: many leaders faced deep exhaustion in midcareer.
After earning a doctorate from Asbury Seminary, he launched Crest Leadership Academy in Three Hills, Alberta. The academy operates as a training center providing Christian men and women with tools to reflect on their life stories and refocus their calling.
Over 22 years, Reinhardt personally trained more than 300 leaders, helping them move from burnout toward renewed and sustainable ministry. He structured the academy as a bridge for those who felt stuck, offering a curriculum aimed at restoring long-term ministry effectiveness.
His work extended beyond his local pulpit as he equipped leaders from various denominations to remain in ministry. Even while directing the academy, he pastored Bethel Evangelical Missionary Church in Three Hills for five years. He described his primary calling as restoring those serving in ministry.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Anne; four children; and 15 grandchildren.
A celebration of life will take place Thursday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. at Mount Olive Evangelical Free Church in Three Hills, Alberta. The family requests that memorial donations be directed to Crest Leadership Academy to continue his work in leadership development and pastoral care.
