ADC Today - Summer 2005

Preparing Christian Leaders for

Divinity

ADCTTODAY Acadia

College

MAY 2005

and for the Future

VOL. 2, NO. 5

of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches ACADIA TODAY The S DIVINITY TODAY New Professor of Practical COLLEGE TODAY ACADIA TODAY Theology: Dr. Lionel Moriah DIIVINITY TODAY N T HIS E DITION COLLEGE TODAY A ACADIA TODAY DIVINITY TODAY COLLEGE TODAY ACADIA TODAY DIVINITY TODAY COLLEGE TODAY What’s New in Theology?

TODAY TODAY TODAY I TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY EMINARY

Rev. Dr. Lionel Moriah Welcomed to ADC 1 What’s New in Theology........................1 From the Principal ..................................2 Obituary - Byron Fenwick......................3 Passing the Torch....................................3 2005 ADC Graduates..............................4 Hayward Lectures...................................4 Faculty Whereabouts .............................5 Challenging Transitions .........................6 New Opportunities to Learn..................6 Book Pic...................................................6 Obituary - Vernon MacFawn .................7 Israel 2005 ..........................................7 New Beginnings Apohaqui Story....................8

cadia Divinity College is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Lionel Moriah to the position of Associate Professor of Practical Theology, beginning July 1, 2005. Dr. Moriah earned his Bachelor of Arts in English with Honors and Distinction from St. Thomas University, his Master of Divinity degree and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Acadia University. He was ordained into the Christian ministry in the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches in 1986. Dr. Moriah has served as a minister in our region for nineteen years in both rural and urban churches and also has served as president of our CABC churches.

We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Moriah to the ADC family!

You have made a difference in the training of leadership for our churches. Our annual fund objective was $285,000 - with your help we reached $277,772! ADC says “THANK YOU.”

By Jonathan Wilson

n one respect, one hopes for nothing “new” that would take us away from the truth once for all delivered to God’s people. At the same time, the good news of Jesus Christ becomes continually “new” as we see it at work in new settings and as we rediscover neglected treasures of our heritage.

In theology, one area of renewal is reaffirmation of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a world of religions. The first disciples came to know Christ and testified to him in a highly pluralistic religious environment. For many centuries that same experience challenged missionaries, but in North America we have been less exposed to other religions over the past three centuries.

Now we find our own cultural context becoming more pluralistic. So we have a

lot to work on, to continue believing in and witnessing to the uniqueness of Christ.

Another doctrine that we need to retrieve is the doctrine of creation. Again, over the past three centuries, Christianity has surrendered the study of the material world to science and reserved the inner life of humans for theology.

This has left the church without a lot of mature thinking about the material world from which to address the environmental crisis, scientific materialism, technological hubris, and the significance of human embodiment.

Turning to biblical studies, one of the growing trends is the desire to close the gap between biblical studies and theology. Two new commentary series are under way that have as their purpose the closing of this gap: the Theological Exegesis of the Bible series for (continued, Page 2)

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Acadia Divinity College

From the Principal…

Lee M. McDonald

Warm greetings to you from your ADC family of faculty, staff, and students! We are just now concluding a very good year at the seminary. We had one of our highest enrollments in the history of the school and I am very pleased with the quality of students that you are sending our way. I believe that the future of our churches and their ministries will be left in good hands with our next generation of ministers. It is a privilege for us to meet and teach and mentor these special servants of Christ.

I am pleased to announce the recent appointment of Dr. Lionel Moriah, our recent president of the CABC churches and pastor of the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church in Halifax, as Associate Professor of Practical Theology. Dr. Moriah brings many excellent talents to our faculty along with eighteen years of experience in our region. He earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry at Acadia Divinity College, is a graduate of Acadia and now returns as a professor! Dr. Moriah is a gifted preacher who has a wealth of ministry experience and practical wisdom for Christian ministry and he is a very able servant of Christ. We are excited that he is joining our faculty. He will be teaching, preaching, worshiping, and directing our supervised field education, as well as our chapel services.

As most of you already know, Dr. Byron Fenwick went home to be with the Lord on March 7. He died peacefully at home with his family, and his funeral service was a time of celebration for his ministry among us and for the joy he brought to all who knew him. Many students were blessed by his teaching and practical counsel. We, on the faculty and staff, were blessed by his love of life and commitment to the ministry of ADC. Byron was a special blessing to us and his service to the College extended over many years. He served as a Trustee on our Board and ultimately as its chair before he resigned from the Board to come to serve in the College as the director of development and recruitment, then as dean of students and director of supervised field education. We miss him a lot around here because he was our friend as well as colleague.

Please continue to pray for Lorraine, his lovely wife, and his family.

As I write this letter, we are preparing for graduation and again we have a terrific collection of graduating students this year. Many of them already have found placement following graduation and others are considering their places of service. They are the reason we exist and they make us very proud. We are going to 2

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miss them, but you are going to be blessed by them. Our incoming enrollment for September is far from being finished, but at this point we have received and accepted more applications than we have in recent memory. Those who have been accepted are a very talented group and we are excited about their arrival this summer!

The faculty and staff continue to do a great ministry here and I am always amazed at the selfless work that they do to advance the ministry of the College. Please pray for them as they are all caught up in the very busy closing weeks of this academic year. You will be happy to know that our faculty are all involved in our churches and they are preaching and teaching in our churches more now than at any time in the history of the school. Not only that, besides their teaching and mentoring of our students, they are also producing significant amounts of literature that serves more than our seminary community. Last year the faculty produced twelve books and many articles and essays and this year looks like another terrific year for faculty publications. Be sure to express your appreciation for them.

Without such dedication, we could not exist, let alone accomplish our mission.

As you remember the College in your prayers, please remember that most of our students are facing significant financial hardships to be here and many will carry large debts with them into the ministry. Please pray for them and, if you can, please consider helping them by helping us to reduce the amount of tuition that we have to charge. Gifts for bursaries and scholarships for our students would be most appreciated.

Thank you for being there for us and may God continue to bless you, your churches and their various ministries that continue to proclaim the Good News to the people in our region!

God bless you and I’ll see you in church!

Come and visit us when you can.

New in Theology

Finally, running through all of this is the growth of “missional” thinking about the church. With very significant changes taking place in our society, we can no longer take for granted the place, the role, and the mission of the church. We need to think about the church and the gospel in Canada the way missionaries have been thinking for centuries. Such missional thinking is represented by the work of Lesslie Newbigin and others who have followed in his wake. It is represented in different ways in the examples of Willowcreek, Saddleback, and the emergent church movement. Each of these will have its place in the work of the church; more important is the recognition of the “missional” character of the church and our mutual commitment to finding ways to be faithful to that mission in our setting.

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which theologians are writing commentaries on the Bible; and the Two Horizons Commentary for which biblical scholars are writing theologically-oriented commentaries.

In our culture, we will continue to debate the character of our actual situation.

Postmodernity is the dominant concern right now in Western societies. The church must grapple with international concerns like globalization and the project for a new American century. In its own history, the church is entering an exciting time in which the South is now more Christian than the West and North. In that shift, the encounter between Christianity and Islam is a dominant reality, as it has been twice before: in the 8th century and in the 12th century.

Lee M. McDonald, Principal

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Byron W. Fenwick Much Loved Pastor and Faculty

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n Monday morning, March 7, our friend and colleague in Christian service at Acadia Divinity College, Byron W. Fenwick, went home to be with the Lord. He battled cancer for the last year and a half of his life and did so with remarkable poise, dignity, and even humor. I called on him in the hospital and his home on several occasions and always found his spirits up, and his honest and forthright way of dealing with his impending death to be an encouragement to those of us who remain. Byron’s family were with him in his final days and assisted Lorraine in caring for him.

They were all a special blessing to those of us who came to pay our respects and express our appreciation for him at his funeral service at the Kentville Baptist Church on March 11. Our prayers continue to be with his lovely wife,

Lorraine, and his family, who continue to need our prayers as they cope with Byron’s absence.

Byron was unique in many ways, including his passionate faith and love for people. Everyone who met him was warmed by his friendly smile and roaring laughter. His students saw in him not only an example of how to live for Christ, but also how to die in the Lord. We at the College saw him as our friend and we can all recount many stories of his kindness, wit, humor, and care for us. He will be missed at ADC. Byron served for years as a Trustee of the Board of ADC and was its chair when he

Passing the Torch - 2 Timothy 1-8

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ecruitment is a vital part of every Christian leader’s mandate. We are to recognize and affirm the call of God upon those within our circle of contacts.

Recently a grandmother pointed to the spiritual leadership gifts of her grandson. A retiree has been wrestling with God’s call to serve in mission for some time – affirmation by Christians has led him to seriously begin the journey. A local pastor points to several people in his parish who are considering Christ’s call.

Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, reminds us of the value of recruitment. As his final missionary moments draw near, he is focused on future leaders who will carry the torch. He sets out some priorities for us to consider in the task of finding and developing new leaders for the church.

1) Confidence in the call: “I give you this charge: Preach the Word” Paul was emphasizing the importance of truth and Good News being announced in a society that was confused and corrupt. Western society, and the world, needs men and women who can proclaim with clarity the Gospel of

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Jesus Christ. The call to “preach the Word” is both an inner call and an outward confirmation.

On the road to Damascus, Paul struggled with the inner call and it was confirmed by Ananias at the home of Judas on Straight. St. Paul recognized the spiritual gifts of young Timothy and the believers in Lystra and Iconium confirmed his call to missionary service (Acts 16:2).

It has been my privilege over the past seven years to witness the call of God, upon the lives of men and women, to leadership in the church in many cultures. It was breathtaking when I stepped into a classroom at ACTC seminary in Hydrabad, India, last November. Over a hundred Baptist students were preparing for the exhilarating task of leading the church in the 21st Century. A healthy number of students have already made application for study at ADC next fall – their stories are unique and captivating.

2) Carefulness of the preparation: “ be prepared in season and out of season;” Paul was always calling people to serve with excellence. Earlier in the letter he charged Timothy to be “thoroughly equipped for every good work (3:17).” Pastoral leadership calls for

resigned to come here and serve as Director of Development and Recruitment and also to oversee our supervised field education program.

Sadly for us, we only had him on the seminary staff for just under two years, but in that short time he did much to inspire students and prepare them for the ministry to which God has called them. His presence and influence are still felt here and we honor this dear friend and colleague.

Of all the things that I could say about him, the most important by far was that he was my friend and he demonstrated that to me during some trying and stressful days. He was also the first to rejoice when things were going well. We will all miss him at ADC. Byron was truly our friend!

Lee M. McDonald, Principal

people who are willing and able (prepared) to serve in a variety of ways – worship leadership, administration, preaching, teaching, counselling, handling conflict, etc.

It is the mandate of Christian Leaders to encourage and support those who are called to serve, to get the best training possible. It is the responsibility of ADC to provide the tools that will enable the student to continue on a lifelong journey towards excellence.

3) Complexity of the task: “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

A question often asked today: “Is pastoral ministry more difficult today than when you first began?” I answer with conviction, “Yes.” The brokenness of the family, the speed of life, the lack of respect for values, the pressure in Western society to follow “other gods” makes the pastoral leadership of the local church a complex task. One thing this points to is the need for careful preparation.

Rev. Rik Berry, at a recent ADC chapel service, took us on a journey with Paul through some of the unwelcome cities of the Bible. Rik (continued, Page 4)

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Acadia Divinity College

2005 ADC Graduates Colin Cook

Shane Flanagan

M. Div.

MA Th.

Leo Gallant

Solomon Gunapalan

Mark Hunter

June Keddy

Jonathan London

Adam MacGregor

D. Min.

M. Div.

M. Div.

Dip. In Prison Ministry

M. Div.

M. Div.

Lois Mclean

Thelma McLoed

Joseph Mitchell

Peter Moore

Mueni Mutinda

Gail Noel

M. Div.

M. Div.

M. Div.

M. Div.

MA Th.

MA Th.

Photos Missing

Jeff Crabtree D. Min

Roger Smith M. Div.

Jennifer Riley

Matt Walsh

Philip Woodworth

B. Th.

M. Div.

M. Div.

Passing the Torch

Dr. Roger E. Olson Oct. 24 - 26, 2005

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4) Character of the communicator: “correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction”

his successors to be patient and careful in the way they teach and lead. ADC seeks to provide the environment where students can develop the vibrant spiritual character needed to communicate the Gospel courageously in dark and difficult places.

There is no success without a successor. As Paul passes the torch to young Timothy, he instructs and encourages us to be alert to where God is working in the hearts of those around us.

In closing, we invite you to partner with us at ADC as we seek to provide the Biblical teaching and practical training needed to graduate quality leaders for our churches.

These words speak to the importance of character formation in the life of those being recruited to leadership in the church. The task of correcting and rebuking people does not come easily. One writer reminds us that “the sheep” are not all fluffy little white lambs! Paul instructs

There is no success without a successor.

had recently returned from a visit to Greece and Turkey – a walk in the steps of Paul. One overwhelming impression he shared was the courage of the early Apostle to proclaim the Gospel and plant churches in such hostile territory. We were reminded of the model and ministry of Christ and his early disciples, which puts our call to serve Christ and the church in Canada in a good perspective.

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Hayward Lectures

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oger received his M.A. (North American Baptist Seminary) and his Ph.D.(Rice University) both in Religious Studies.

He's taught at Oral Roberts University and Bethel Seminary and is currently a professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary (Baylor University). He's an author and contributor to various magazines, past president of the American Theological Society (Midwest Division) and chairman of the Evangelical Theology Group of the American Academy of Religion.

The general title of the lecture series will be “Reformed and Always Reforming: The Postconservative Mood in Evangelical Theology.” Lecture one will be “Post-conservative Theology is Pilgrim Theology.” Lecture two will be “Knowing God through Narrative and Imagination.” The third lecture will be “New Horizons in Evangelical Thinking about God.”

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Faculty Whereabouts CAROL ANNE JANZEN May 28 Sunday School Consultation Jeddore Baptist Church, NS Restructuring and Revitalization ANDREW MACRAE July 31 - August 6 Speaker at Malagash Family Camp August 20 – 26 Speaker at 25th Anniversary Camp at Long Lake Camp September 3-4 Biennial Dinner of the Black Watch of Canada Memorial Service on Sunday September 11 97th Anniversary Service Nuttby Baptist Church, NB October 22-23 Wittenburg Baptist Church Missions’ Conference LEE MCDONALD May 10-12 Board of Ministerial Standards ABU, NB May 14 AU Board of Governors May 15, 16 Graduation, Baccalaureate service and Spring Convocation Acadia University May 19-20 ADC Board of Trustees May 22 Emmanuel Baptist Church Hammonds Plains, NS May 29 Second North River Baptist Church North River, NB June 3-4 Wesleyan Church Moncton, NB

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June 10-11 AU Board Retreat June 13 First Baptist Church Alhambra, California June 26 Mulgrave Park Baptist Church Halifax, NS July 4-8 Cambridge Rountable for Evangelical Seminary Presidents Tyndale House, England August 22-23 Examining Council for Ordination, ABU August 31 AU Board Meeting JONATHAN WILSON May 14 AU Board of Governors and Academy for the Environment.

July 3 Clementsvale United Baptist Church, NS July 18-20 Ekklesia Project Gathering Chicago August 14 New Hope Wesleyan Church, New Minas, NS August 19 “Worshiping God with Our Minds” Converge Moncton, NB October 16 Wentworth Baptist Church, Wentworth, NS September 25 Regal Road Baptist Church Dartmouth, NS ROBERT WILSON May 24-28 Church History Course in Fredericton May 29 Tracey Baptist Church, NB

June 6-10 Church History Course in Fredericton June 9 New Pastors Orientation Saint John, NB June 12 Waterville Baptist Church, NS August 24-27 CABC Centennial Moncton, NB August, 26 Address at CABC Assembly Moncton, NB “Community and Continuity” September 22 New Brunswick Centennial Service Main Street Baptist Church, Saint John, NB October 16&23 “Baptist History and Identity” Falmouth Baptist Church, NS October 23 Anniversary Service Falmouth Baptist Church, NS November 20 Shelburne Baptist Church, NS DAVID WATT May 22 Annapolis Royal Baptist Church, NS June 4-5 Digby United Baptist Church, NS June 12 Sunny Brae United Baptist Church, NB July 31 Bath United Baptist Church and Willow, NB October 16 Middleton Baptist Church, NS October 23 Kingston United Baptist Church, NB October 29&30 Geary Baptist Church, NB

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Acadia Divinity College

Challenging Transitions

By Bryan Hagerman, Pastor, Regal Road United Baptist Church

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y wife Janine and I, combined, have lived in over 25 places in our lives she a little more than I. So, moving is something that we know a bit about, having lived in; Garissa, Nairobi, Kijabe in Kenya, Goma and Nyankunde in Zaire, the Honduras, Paris, Toronto, Brampton, London (Ontario), Montreal, Quebec City, Edmonton, Moncton, Woodstock, Fredericton, Meductic, (NB) Dartmouth, Wolfville, to name a few. And our children, Liam-Patrick and Christianne, ages 4 &7, are quickly adapting to this unusual phenomenon. They have already lived in Moncton, Toronto, and now Dartmouth.

What we are learning in all of this, is that it’s never easy to move, and being married with children makes it a bit more complex every time.

What sustains us, however, is the knowledge that at every turn, God has been at the center of the process. Take, for example, our most recent transition. We loved Toronto, a concept foreign to many Maritimers. The Toronto Zoo was just down the road, Grand Ma and Grand Pa 40 minutes away, our daughter’s school a five minute walk, the Royal Ontario Museum, and The People’s Church, where we attended, a matter of a few subway stops away. And……

Tim Horton’s was just across the street!

Life is good!

So why move down east? At this stage, a mixture of God’s intelligent design, and our

ability to know and accept his good plan. With this particular transition, as in all the others, there comes a further dynamic - his later confirmation of the decision in a number of powerful ways to each of us as a family.

So, no, we are not gypsies, although some may argue the matter. Spiritual nomads perhaps!

Where next? Let us unpack our boxes first!

New Opportunities to Learn at ADC

By Robert Wilson

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heological Education is changing rapidly in emphases and means of delivery. At ADC we are seeking to stay current and meet student needs. Several years ago we reinvented our Bachelor of Theology degree for second-career people God is calling into Christian ministry and who have been affirmed by their churches and denomination. This program requires one year of arts and two years of theology and has operated as a cohort system with all the people taking their classes together. This coming year we are integrating the program’s practical courses with the Master of Divinity Courses to allow the students more flexibility and more contact with the remainder of the student body. The courses will have different course requirements but the teaching will be at the same time. This will provide more flexibility to the students in the program.

Flexibility is increasingly important for today’s students. We are offering more courses in blocks, especially in the first week of January and the spring courses. We aim to have at least 10 courses a year available in this way. In addition we have five online courses and plan to add at least two a year until it will be possible to take the equivalent of one year of a three year Master of Divinity program online. Residential students can take their 10 courses each year in a variety of

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configurations any time from September to the end of June providing the courses are on offer.

We have moved the majority of electives to the second year of the three-year program so there is a maximum of flexibility.

The emphasis is also changing with leadership as a key theme and a wider variety of courses being offered. Each student now must take at least one youth ministry course as well as advanced Biblical studies and advanced preaching in addition to the core courses. Technology is increasingly integrated into the learning process where it can enhance the student’s preparation for ministry. Partnerships are also important and we are working with the Atlantic Baptist Mission Board to cooperate in offering courses which help meet the long-term leadership development goals for CABC. In addition, we are offering some courses, particularly in youth ministry, in which students examine some of the latest trends in youth culture so they might minister more effectively.

Another new initiative at ADC is the evolving approach to continuing education. In addition to our Hayward Lectures in the fall and Simpson Lectures in the winter, we invite people who have degrees, for a nominal fee, to come and audit courses. Spring courses and January term courses seem to be especially useful for people in ministry and we have had over forty

pastors and other church leaders come to take these courses in the past year.

We continue to seek ways to meet the needs in our churches and among their leaders, as we see ourselves as servants and equippers of leaders for the church.

Book Pic Craig Evans

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astors and Bible students will be happy to know that the first two volumes of the Bible Knowledge Background Commentary appeared in 2003 and 2004 (Cook Publications). The third and final volume will appear in the summer of 2005. Volume one treats the Synoptic Gospels and is authored by ADC Professor Craig Evans (who also serves as the editor of volumes two and three). Volume two treats the book of Acts and Paul’s letters.

Much of this volume was authored by ADC Principal Lee McDonald. Volume three treats the remainder of the New Testament. This distinctive commentary provides important historical information and relevant parallels that bring the New Testament to life in exciting ways.

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Israel 2005

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s I reflect on the ‘pilgrimage’ to Israel in which fifteen university students from the College & Career Group of First Baptist Church Dartmouth participated from February 19th to the 28th, I am at a loss for words that express what the study trip meant to us as a team and as individuals.

We went to Israel not only to read about where Jesus and his early followers lived, preached, were persecuted and, in Jesus’ case, ultimately died to save the sins of his people, but to see it for ourselves, wade in the waters Jesus once calmed and to learn more about his Word.

After having spent one month in Israel, and hearing the many stories of my wife and her family who lived in Israel for six years, I was moved by the Spirit to bring fourteen others with me this time.

We landed in Tel Aviv and visited Joppa (just next door), the ancient sea port where Jonah set sail in disobedience to God and where Simon the Tanner’s house is. The next day, we headed for the Galilee region and spent time in Capernaum where Jesus lived out much of his ministry; Cana, where Jesus performed the miracle of changing the water to wine, and Nazareth, where Gabriel revealed to Mary that she was pregnant with the Messiah. We also explored Caesarea, where Paul once stood before Felix and Festus. Six of our group members were baptized in the Jordon River in response to their renewed life in Christ. It was a powerful time with people from other nationalities singing, ‘How Great Thou Art’ with us in

their own languages. A boat ride on the Sea of Galilee while reading Scriptures of Jesus calming and walking on the water before his disciples was a perfect conclusion to our time in this region.

We then spent our fifth night by the Dead Sea exploring Qumran, the location of the Dead Sea scrolls, and Massada, the last Jewish stronghold against the Roman Empire. Our last three nights in Israel were in the Jerusalem area. Once there, we visited the Garden Tomb and Church of the

Holy Sepulchre, both sites thought to be the possible locations for Jesus’ death and resurrection. The team had a communion service at the Garden Tomb and walked the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gesthemane where Jesus prayed the night before his death. After experiencing the history and culture of Israel one can understand why Psalm 122: 6 states to, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”. Israel is a land that is politically complicated and, yet, a place that is so beautiful and rich in it’s charm, hills, desserts, valleys and waters that Jesus was familiar with in his time on Earth. Our group was led by the

Vernon MacFawn Home With the Lord Rev. John Wilton Pastor, Birch Cove United Baptist Church

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n April 4, 2005, a good friend of Acadia Divinity College went on to be with his Lord. Vernon Gordon MacFawn had taken great interest over the years in Acadia Divinity College’s work of preparing men and women for Christian ministry. Vernon took an active role in the life of the college serving with fundraising committees and on the Board of Trustees. All who worked and served with Vernon will remember a steady, committed,

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thoughtful man, faithful to his Lord and to the mission of His Church. Together with his interest in the College, Vernon was active in the work of the Halifax Regional United Baptist Association, serving in various capacities and as Moderator for a time. He was committed as a teacher and deacon to the ministry of his local church, Birch Cove United Baptist in Halifax.

Vernon was a respected leader who modelled the faithfulness and humility of Christ in his ministry work as well as in his professional work as an architect with MacFawn & Rogers Architects

Holy Spirit to have a taste of the Promised Land that God chose for His message of life, forgiveness and eternal salvation to emanate from and to be spread to the rest of the world. We went back in time to the place it all began to assist us in going forward into future understanding and devotion to the very Savior who brings light and love to all the nations.

During the whole process, the team experienced much spiritual warfare, including one of our people having four seizures the second to the last evening of the trip and having to spend one night in the Haddassa Hospital in Jerusalem. After being released, she began experiencing further symptoms one hour prior to our departure home. In desperation and with the leading of the Spirit, our obedience to Him in prayer led to her healing that night. She reports a dark oppression being lifted from her and a white shield of protection covering her. God truly revealed Himself to us in numerous ways through this Israel journey.

The Study Tour was a time of growth and bonding within our group. As a group, we saw how God changed each of us as we worked hard to prepare to go, experienced the pilgrimage together and, now, reflect and share with others what God is still teaching us through this spiritual journey. We wish to thank the people and friends of First Baptist Church for their support in all aspects of this venture.

With thankfulness to Christ, TIM MACKINNON Youth Pastor of First Baptist Church Dartmouth & Student at Acadia Divinity College

Ltd. in Halifax. Vernon MacFawn will be missed by many, but together we are thankful for one who lived well and pointed us toward Jesus through whom we have life eternal. In your prayers, please remember Vernon’s wife Ann, as well as his children Jeffrey, Janet, Lori and their families

A steady, committed, thoughtful man, faithful to his Lord and to the mission of His Church.

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Acadia Divinity College

New BeginningsApohaqui Story Rev. Kevin Vincent Pastor, Apohaqui Community Church

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ADCTTODAY Acadia

Divinity

n 1873 a small group of passionate visionaries planted a church in the beautiful Kennebecasis Valley in Apohaqui NB. With energy and a clear call from God, they set out to transform their community with the message of Jesus Christ.

One hundred and twenty-seven years later it happened again. Same community. Same message. Different day. In the fall of 1996, another small group of passionate visionaries re-planted that Apohaqui Church. The “Original Six”, as they have become known, re-started the church to meet the changing needs of a new generation.

Since that September day in the fall of ’96, God has chosen to do some incredible things in this beautiful Valley, just outside of Sussex, NB. From the original core came a clear vision to develop a family-friendly ministry in a more contemporary style. The good news? Families started to come.

It wasn’t long before the congregation outgrew the Apohaqui School in which they were meeting. In February of 2000, the church moved into a new multi-purpose worship and family-centre facility. The growth continued. So in the fall of 2004, ACC constructed a wonderful Children’s Centre to meet the growing children and youth needs.

College

and for the Future

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CALL: (902) 585-2217 Fax: (902) 585-2233 EMAIL: adcinfo@acadiau.ca

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The Apohaqui Community Church now works with over 350 children and youth each year. The church has over 200 adults involved in small groups.

And Sunday morning worship sees new faces every Sunday. In fact, because of the exciting growth, on Easter Sunday 2005, the church added a second Sunday morning worship service.

Kevin Vincent, the Senior Pastor of ACC says, “More than anything else, we hope that our little story can serve as an encouragement to other Atlantic Canada churches. We hope that in seeing what God has done in this little community will signal to others that God can do it anywhere. He is still in the business of changing lives and transforming communities.”

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