cmAlliance.ca: Spring 2010

All覺ance

CM

A Resource for Transforming Canada and the World

HANDLE WITH CARE Riding On Faith the Cowboy Way Simple philosophy works with this unique community

Promise of a Better Future Education inspires women in Niger to improve their lives

Keeping Body, Mind and Spirit Together Parish nurses promote wholeness by integrating faith and health

SPRING 2010

A self-directed learning program for ministry development Helping you Form character that is Christ-like Increase knowledge that is biblical Develop competency that is relevant

A national initiative In cooperation with each district and Global Ministries In partnership with Ambrose University College

Watch for information from your District and Global Ministries for more details on how you can participate

Spring 2010

FEATURES Riding On Faith the Cowboy Way A simple philosophy for reaching out to this unique community

by Barrie Doyle APR with information from Tara Miller

A Promise of a Better Future

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Returning Home—The Sorrow and The Joy Anonymous

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Window of Opportunity

by Cyril Gowler

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Chaplaincy Makes Me a Better Pastor

by Ryan van Kuik

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Enhanced Passion for Global Ministries Assembly 2010 Special Report

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A Daughter’s Encouraging Words

DEPARTMENTS

Education inspires these women in Niger to work together to improve their lives

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Feeding Your Mind Turning Words into Action

by Chantelle McIver

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Impressions Living a Life of Service

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Your Church One Flame Lights Up a Nation

Bringing Christ’s Presence to Difficult Situations

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Your Church Communities in Crisis

Some insights into those who minister to people outside the reach of the church

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Practice of Prayer Prayer and Care for Pastors

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Your Church Churches Rally to Support Global Partner

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Alliance Care Helping Them Face the Wolves of Cross-Cultural Life

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Your Church God Is Crazy in Love with You!

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Your Church Sharing Your Missions Trip Experience

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Now You Know We’re Only Part of the Picture

by Catherine Thompson

Keeping Body, Mind and Spirit Together Parish nurse ministry promotes wholeness by integrating faith and health

by Ruth Ann Fraser

Cover Photo by Cassandra Carr

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Editorial

Allıance

CM

A Resource for Transforming Canada and the World

cmAlliance.ca is the national publication of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.

Founder A.B. Simpson President Dr. Franklin Pyles Editor Barrie Doyle Associate Editor Gladys Thompson Design Devon J Andrew Design Inc. Consultant Peter White All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Version © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Agreement No. 40064689 ISSN: 1918-4646 All articles are copyrighted by The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada except where indicated and can be reprinted only with written permission.

Submissions Writer’s Guidelines are available at www.cmacan.org. Send electronic inquiries or manuscript submissions to magazine@cmacan.org.

No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material.

For more information or reprint permission: contact Gladys Thompson, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, 30 Carrier Drive, Suite 100 Toronto ON M9W 5T7 Phone: 416.674.7878 ext 211 Fax: 416.674.0808 e-mail: magazine@cmacan.org Member of the Canadian Church Press

Distinctively Canadian Totally Alliance 4

cmAlliance.ca Spring 2010

What Is This Magazine All About?

O

ur slogan gives part of the answer: Distinctively Canadian, Totally Alliance. We want to tell stories and inform Canadian Alliance church members of the various ways God is using the Alliance at home and around the world, and reflect the values and Vision Prayer of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.

At the same time, we do it from a Canadian perspective, reflecting Canadian interests, places, people and things.

In this issue, we reflect on the experience of one of our youth pastors who ran the Olympic torch just before the Vancouver Olympics and tell a story about a chaplain to the R.C.M.P. Can anything be more Canadian than that? Then there is the unique story of a church plant in southern British Columbia that ministers to the cowboy and rodeo community, a church profile, and articles about the impact of chaplains and parish nurses.

Our magazine’s logo also indicates that we want to be a resource to the church. You will find articles showing how other churches and ministries across Canada function, and hopefully spur some thoughts in your own churches about how you too could do something similar. Some of the pieces in this issue look at how you can help minister to International Workers and to pastors and how congregations can leverage their strengths in preparing for a faithbased response to natural and human-caused disasters.

We also include a special insert sent directly from General Assembly in Antalya, Turkey which is underway as this issue is in final preparation. This ‘hot off the press’ section will give you a small taste of the unique meeting and its impact on the church.

Barrie Doyle

Great Edition

Another great edition of the magazine. Way to go !

—R & L Bachmann

Super issue I wanted to stop by and say THANKS and CONGRATULATIONS for the superb Fall issue of Alliance.ca. The pull-out Special Supplement was brilliant. It was also timely to create the momentum for General Assembly 2010.

Keep up the communication bonanza the C&MA is now providing.

With grace, love and joy, —T.V. Thomas Difficulty reading Greetings, Just to say my husband and I enjoy and look forward to receiving the new Canadian Alliance magazine. Our one comment would be—we are finding the font size is very small, and combining that with the shiny paper, we are having difficulty reading the articles.

God bless.

—Linda Green Correction I am sure you have had numerous calls about the error in the Fall 2009 issue (page 38). Dr. Cook was elected president in 1992, Abbotsford.

—Bert McBride

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FIRST-CLASS C&MA

CANADA

Mailbox

To submit a letter, write to magazine@cmacan.org or Alliance.ca, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, 30 Carrier Drive, Suite 100, Toronto ON M9W 5T7. Letters may be edited for space, clarity and style. Submissions constitute permission to use. Include your name, city and province.

Keeping in touch Thank you in advance for the Alliance magazine and DVD. It will be such a help as I don’t have a computer and I haven’t been able to get out to church due to some health issues.

This will be a good way to keep in touch along with my friends at Southside Community Church here in Milton.

—U. Barber Informative and helpful My name is Sandy Kondo. I receive the cmAlliance.ca magazine. In the Spring 2009 issue, I read an article entitled Kids Missions Fest on page 35. It was very informative and helpful for children’s ministry.

I am a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators in the Philippines.

My job is to help 14 different Wycliffe offices in Asia find or create children’s missions resources. Many of these national missionaries need ideas and resources to promote missions to children as it is a very new concept to most of them.

I was wondering if there was any way to make this article available to them. Do you have this article on a web site where I could direct them to read it? Or do you have it in a digital format that we could place it on our web site?

Thank you for your help.

God bless you.

—Sandy Kondo Editor’s reply: Thank you for your note and your interest in helping provide resources to others.

All the articles appearing in the magazine are presented on our web site at http://cmalliance.ca/ alliancecamagazines690.php. The specific article you were asking about can be found at http://cmalliance.ca/ kidsmissionsfestp2215.php. You are welcome to provide a link on your site.

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Marvelous resource cmAlliance.ca is by far the most attractive and interesting denominational magazine that I am aware of. The graphics are excellent; the content is superb; the editing, professional. Quite a contrast to what most think of when (or if) they think of a church publication!

Full of helpful information concerning global missions, Bible study, practical advice for churches and their leaders, preparation for the coming General Assembly, and more. cmAlliance.ca should be a part of the life of every adult member of the Canadian Alliance churches. We should all be proud to be associated with a journal of such quality.

I would urge my fellow pastors to make sure that all the members of their congregations are making use of this marvelous resource.

—W. Ward Gasque

Print too small This matter is so important to older readers of your classy magazine that I am convinced it should be in (larger print) writing. As a long-time journalist and writer, and especially as a reader, I think I have some authority for saying, bluntly and clearly, what follows.

No matter how good-looking and well-written a publication is, and the cmAlliance.ca certainly is that, it is immaterial if it is hard to read.

For older readers, whom I suspect make up a large portion of our readership, the print is too small.

—Eric Nelson

FEATURE

Riding On Fait h t he

Cowboy Wa y A simple philosophy for reaching out to this unique community

by Barrie Doyle APR With information from Tara Miller

I

t started with a simple prayer.

Faced with a growing dissatisfaction with his ministry, Blair Bates and his wife Brenda told God that whatever he wanted of them, they would do; wherever he wanted to send them, they would go. Bates admits that they wanted to stay in the Okanagan Valley where they’d put down roots, but they were serious about their prayer.

God, in turn, began leading them down an unusual path of ministry.

Seven years later, the Cowboy Valley Church is reaching out to the unique cowboy community prevalent in southern British Columbia. The venture began in a small way, following that prayer. With a daughter eager to take riding lessons, they began building relationships, first with the owner-operator of a riding school.

As with his first prayer of obedience, another simple

prayer played a part once again. As the riding-school’s owner coped with a major family health crisis, Bates offered to pray. “She knew I was a pastor, so she said yes and we prayed,” he recalls.

When God healed her husband, Bates soon found that he was being asked to pray for rodeo participants’ safety in a year when injuries abounded. “That was a door that God was opening,” he said. Within a short time he found himself asked to pray before rodeos beyond Peachland.

From those humble beginnings, the overall ministry began to develop.

Within four short years, he was holding mid-arena services at least once a month for rodeo participants.

Soon he was asked to do the same for high school rodeos throughout the region.

“It’s all about building relationships within this

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Cowboys have a very deep love and reverence for God’s creation

Photo by Tara Miller

community,” he notes. “All of them (the cowboy community) are God’s children. They don’t go to church, they may drink and carry on and they may take the Lord’s name in vain, and yet ‘church’ is a very real part of their culture.

“Cowboys have a very deep love and reverence for God’s creation. They acknowledge God as creator and they also understand that he is sovereign over his creation. There is an undercurrent of respect for God— unspoken, but it’s there.”

Throughout southern British Columbia there is, he says, a huge cowboy community. “In our area alone there are more than 1,000 ranches.” Major gatherings for this community often focus around rodeos, with 300-400 events annually.

While Bates’s focus is on the cowboy community, he notes that the same principles apply for any pastor or individual seeking to impact their own communities.

First and foremost is that initial prayer of obedience to God’s will. Then it is waiting for God to show you individuals and ways you can serve.

“Maybe your ‘culture’ is a business culture at the local Chamber of Commerce or Lion’s Club, but your approach must be the same. Learn the culture, live your life before them and understand that God loves them.”

Bates’s background as a musician and worship leader also showed rodeo conveners that he was comfortable ‘on stage’ with the result that, over the years, he has increasingly been called into action as the rodeo announcer. That too, he sees as a God thing. His visibility as the announcer leads to interest in his pre-rodeo prayer times which, in turn, leads to a deeper interest in the overall ministry.

Cowboy Valley Church now holds biweekly services.

Attendance varies. “Sometimes there are just a few.

Other times we get more.” Part of that is the fluid nature of the cowboy lifestyle—a sense of individualism and

Blair Bates

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Photo by Cassandra Carr

independence rather than spending time as a group. He also notes that some of the individuals he’s counseled and spoken with over the years may not be attending his services but are, in fact, frequenting other churches across the valley and around southern B.C. “God gives us a little bit more each year,” he says, noting that this Christmas he held a Christmas Eve service in the barns at the riding school. “It was about as close to that first Christmas as you could probably get— worshiping Christ, surrounded by the sounds and smells of the animals.” More than two dozen people showed up for that simple, but moving service and they are people who intrinsically are seeking more.

As he lives his life, Bates knows he is under a microscope. “We know that people are watching us. They want to see whether we live out God’s truth in front of them.” In his own humanness, he remains vulnerable before his community.

“They’ve seen my mistakes, heard my apologies and they accept me.” That genuineness and flawed humanity strikes a chord with the cowboy community who celebrate honesty above most values. “They don’t expect me to be perfect in front of them. I am 100 percent where I am supposed to be!”

The key, he says, is simple. “God is opening doors.”

They simply seek to respond obediently to God when he asks them to step into situations Despite the heavy costs for travel to move from one rodeo venue to the next, he is seeing God touching lives through the cowboy ministry. In 2009, Bates held services at the Vernon, B.C. championships and his 2010 schedule is rapidly filling up.

The concepts of planning and strategic thinking play no part in the development of Cowboy Valley Church.

He merely prays for the community and waits for God to open doors. He and his family reach out in practical ways as well. “We try to help and give service. We’re on the ranch fixing fences, hauling cattle or even rescuing horses during summer fires.”

He and his wife are not trying to force their way into other’s lives, he says. They simply seek to respond obediently to God when he asks them to step into situations. “God gives us the opportunity and he gives us the words to speak.” That has lead to the various roles he fills far beyond that of the normal pastoral function.

“I want people to know God’s love the way we know it. I am here because of someone’s obedience to God. Someone loved God so much they reached me and now I want to return the favour. If I don’t do it, who will?”

For many churches, congregation counts and growth are crucial. But for Cowboy Valley Church they are irrelevant. “God doesn’t worry about numbers the way we often do. He simply loves and calls one heart at a time!”

That simple philosophy and strategy is one he wishes others trying to reach different groups and individuals would follow, even when the frustrations and disappointments build. “Sure we get discouraged,” he admits, often crying out, questioning God, “What are we doing here?” Sometimes, he ruefully notes, “we’re singing a worship song . . . and I am the only one singing. But that doesn’t matter, because we’re still praising God!” This kind of ministry is, he agrees, “not for the fainthearted.” It requires him to work full-time to cover his family’s needs as well as ministry costs. During the rodeo season, the schedule itself is brutal enough without the pressures of work and the constant needs to minister to and counsel individuals. “If you don’t have the drive and the passion for this kind of ministry, don’t do it.”

In a word, he says, the key is obedience. Obedience to God’s call and a willingness to do whatever it takes to follow through on that call.

“You have to love your community,” says Bates, no matter what that ‘community’ is. “You have to love them and who they are and embrace where they’re at. It took me many years to really understand this and I am grateful that God has been so patient with me as I learned.” Quite simply, “I have to see people through Jesus’ eyes rather

than my own.”

He wonders if, in our churches, we have lost that. “Have we so isolated ourselves that we don’t see people through God’s eyes, but rather our own?” he asks. “Wherever God has planted you, you need to let his love grow.”

All of that is mitigated in his case, he confesses, by one other simple fact. He loves the cowboy lifestyle and community. “God has given us something we’re passionate about and we are able to work in it for his purposes. I feel like I am seeing things and doing things that are far beyond what I could do on my own.”

Cowboy Valley Church may be a unique ministry reaching a uniquely Canadian culture, but its dynamics and story can be repeated by many other exceptional ministries across Canada, all reaching out to unreached people in cities, towns and villages sea to sea.

For more information visit www.cowboyvalleychurch.com Barrie Doyle APR, author of the book The Media and the Message, is Director of Communications, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

Cowboy 10 Commandments 1. Just One God

2. Honor yer Ma & Pa

3. No tellin’ tales or gossipin’

4. Get yerself to Sunday meetin’ 5. Put nothin’ before God

6 . No foolin’ around with another fellow’s gal 7. No killin’

8. Watch yer mouth

9. Don’t take what ain’t yers 10. Don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddy’s stuff

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feeding your mind

Turning Words into Action Some suggested books to kick-start your education about an authentic Christian life of justice, love and peace

by Larry Thiessen

Reading exposes us to the wider minds of others

T

here are many ways that we can learn new things. As you might expect, one of my favourite ways to learn is by reading. With today’s access to information, there is really nothing that we cannot learn if we put our minds to it. Reading exposes us to the wider minds of others. As C. S. Lewis so aptly states, “In reading great literature, I become a thousand men and yet remain myself.” This applies to almost everything. By reading good books we can learn to do anything.

At the same time, some things are best learned by experience—by doing.

In my early retail days I worked at a grocery store. One day as I surveyed the large skid of boxes before me, all of which needed to get onto the shelf somehow, my manager walked by and said, “It won’t get done by looking

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at it.” I wasn’t too impressed by his astute observation but I knew what he meant.

Reading about how best to get the goods onto the shelves wouldn’t get the job done. I had to dive in and get started. The same could be said when it comes to the issues around social action, compassion and caring for others. Knowing about it, even reading about it, won’t make the difference. Only as we get ourselves into the action do we learn what we don’t know. But here’s where books come in.

In terms of social action, I have to confess that I came to the game late.

I was born in the ’50s and, without passing judgment on my particular church tradition, we didn’t talk much about it. Social justice was the world of the mainliners. I’m not sure

how we ever got that idea but that’s the way it was. Plus, in those days, before the days of constant global information, we didn’t even know how big the problem was. But that has since changed for me (and for a lot of others)!

Can you guess what penetrated my life and got me going? Books!

God in the Alley

by Greg Paul This was my first real introduction into the world of the disenfranchised in our cities. I have not been the same since I read it. Paul writes this book as an active pastor on the

…the disconnect in our lives between what Jesus says about the poor and how we actually live front lines of inner city Toronto and he captures our minds and hearts with humbling stories of real people who need our love and care. I learned to see that the image of God resides in all people, even those whom we would consider unlovely. Over the years I have literally begged people to read this one and still do today.

(Paul has written a sequel of sorts entitled Twenty Piece Shuffle in which he continues his exploration into the world of the haves and have nots.)

My next foray into the topic was: Irresistible Revolution

by Shane Claiborne This book proved to be more daunting than the first as this was not so much about the disenfranchised among us, but about the disconnect in our lives between what Jesus says about the poor and how we actually live. This was a penetrating and disconcerting book. So much so that I had to call a friend of mine who works in an inner city church to help me process what I was reading. It’s a radical read but worth it if you are not afraid to dig into your own notions about what it means to be ‘Jesus with skin on.’

After reading these books I felt that I needed to dig even deeper; try to find the theological underpinnings for social justice and for that I was lead to:

The Prophetic Imagination

by Walter Brueggemann By tracing the Old Testament lines from the radical vision of Moses to the consolidation of royal power in Solomon, our focus lands on the critique of that power with a new vision of freedom in the prophets.

Here is the broad sweep from Exodus to Kings to Jeremiah to Jesus. The prophetic vision not only embraces the pain of the people but creates energy for action based on the new thing that God is doing. It’s difficult to stay neutral when we see God’s desire for the ‘least of these.’

Truth be told, I feel like I am in pre-school when it comes to real involvement in compassion ministries, but reading good books on the subject has kick-started my education. And it can for you too. There are many more titles available on the topic than the ones I reference here. We’ve come a long way since the ’50s and ’60s. The fact is, the subject is now somewhat in vogue with more and more materials coming out every year.

This is where the danger lies. If we don’t move from reading about social issues to doing something about them, we will likely be prone to move onto the next thing that comes down the line. This would be a great tragedy and keep us from fulfilling God’s vision for this world. I’m

nowhere near where I need to be, but my apprenticeship has begun.

It’s always easier to read about something (or tell someone about something) than to actually get involved. As one poet writes: Broken lives covered with broken skin No resolution on the video screen And half a world away, somebody does our bidding Because we like to pray with our fingernails clean.

Jesus knew this, too, which is why he made sure the disciples followed him to the lepers and poor of their world.

No academic exercise would do. It had to be experienced.

No matter where you are, when it comes to social justice, you can get started. Get a book on the subject and then get some ‘grime under your fingernails.’

Read on . . .

Larry Thiessen lives in Calgary, Alberta and is the former manager of Christian Publications bookstores

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FEATURE

A Promise of a

Better Future Education inspires these women in Niger to work together to improve their lives

by Chantelle McIver

I

n a dusty neighbourhood of Niamey, the capital of Niger, West Africa, sits a group of women in a straw hut, learning to read and write and working together to improve their lives. This Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) project began in March 2009 when members of the local Tuareg community expressed a desire for a place where they could hold classes to educate their women and children.

After working with the community group, helping them to write their own project plan and budget, the C&MA funded the actual construction of the classroom and all the set-up materials.

The classroom is a simple 25-foot square hut of straw that sits in a sandy courtyard beside another hut that is home to one of the families involved in the literacy program. The dirt floor is swept before each class and woven mats are laid out for the students to sit on. The room is equipped with one blackboard and four dim solar lights. Because there is no electricity and the lights are dim, classes can only be held during daylight hours.

There are classes for men, women and children, all taught by volunteers. The three Tuareg teachers are semieducated people who care deeply for their community.

They give back of their own time to help others get a basic education. As our gift to these teachers, we help them toward their own educational goals by paying for tutors, tuition and textbooks to complete their own studies.

The most active group is the women’s class, with an average attendance of about fifteen, ranging in age from 14 to 45 years, most of them being in their upper teens. These women meet faithfully twice a week for 2.5 hours each time. We are working our way through a literacy booklet that teaches them to recognize each letter of the alphabet, learning its sound and how it is written. They are learning to spell common words and piece sentences together in

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both their own language (Tamasheq) and in French.

Many of the young women in this class were raised believing that education was out of their reach and that it wasn’t important for girls, who often marry around the age of fifteen. One of them recently said she was so excited to realize she could learn to read and write.

An older woman with three children thought it was

Many of the young women in this class were raised believing that education was out of their reach and that it wasn’t important for girls

One of them recently said she was so excited to realize she

Photo by Paul and Chantelle McIver

too late to gain any education. She, too, is excited about the hut class and is also learning valuable counting and money management skills. We have recently assisted her and her husband to open a small store and she is using her new skills daily to help improve the life of her family.

The hut class doesn’t just teach literacy, but also focuses on teaching the women health education that will benefit their entire families. We are integrating training in malaria prevention, use of mosquito nets, exclusive breast-feeding for newborns, nutrition, and prevention of common childhood illnesses. One quarter of Niger’s children will die before reaching their fifth birthday and many of these deaths are from preventable illnesses.

We are also teaching the women about natural family planning. Niger has the highest birth rate in the world, with an average of 7.29 births per woman! Large families and children who are very close in age put further stress on the finances of these poor families.

The women have also started their own savings and loan program. Every woman brings about twenty-five cents each time the class meets, which is put into their community account and entered into a ledger. As the balance grows and a need arises, a woman can borrow from this collective pot and must repay with 10 percent interest. Several loans have been given and, so far, they have a repayment rate of 100 percent. They are saving money for a group project and I am working with them as they are discussing their desire to start a sewing/tailor training centre and shop to sell their work.

Another class that is offered twice a week is for children who are also attending the national school system. These classes serve as review and homework time where the children are tutored in subjects in which they have difficulty. One-on-one help is also offered to each child, increasing their chances of success in their school work.

The goals for this program are simple. I want to see each woman learn how to write her own name, and to believe that she can learn to read and write. Our focus on women is based on the philosophy that if a girl attains a Grade 5 education equivalent, everything changes.

The girls are the ones who stay home and pass on what they have learned to their families. In order to change bad habits, combat ignorance, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls and women. The women who attend our class have the desire to learn and improve their lives, and it is a joy to be able to partner with them to make that happen.

While the hut class ministry focuses on education, a

Photo by Paul and Chantelle McIver

could learn to read and write

very important part of this project is the amount of time I get to spend with these beautiful women. Our classes and conversations are interspersed with real-life events, sharing our struggles and joys. In these times together I am weaving in stories of God’s faithfulness and love. Jesus walked with the poor and reached out his hands to them and I am learning more every day the challenges that brings, but also the great joy.

Niger is the poorest country in the world and the simple homes and dusty roads make me think of how people lived in Bible times. The physical needs of the people I work with are overwhelming, but by partnering with them to meet these needs, I have seen many doors open to relationships.

I believe God has a plan for these women, a desire to draw them near and give them hope and that, in the midst of their poverty, they will know there is a promise of a better future.

Chantelle McIver and her husband Paul are Canadian International Workers serving in Niger

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FEATURE

Returning Home—The Sorrow and The Joy Some insights into the mixed emotions surrounding the process of leaving the field

A

group of friends gathered at the Spice Island Airport to say farewell to us. I wasn’t looking forward to those final moments. We had managed to keep our emotions at bay throughout the weeks of preparation for our return to Canada. Now the time had come to say goodbye.

The Sorrow A heartbreaking thought pierced my mind —“Would this be the last time I would see these people?”

We had served a very resistant people group in Asia for seven-and-a-half years. Now we would transition to Home Assignment in Canada.

Our national team members held onto us tightly. We had experienced many challenges together. Their lives had often been threatened, but they had stood strong.

We had grieved deeply with them when their beautiful baby boy died at birth. They loved the people so much but their dedicated lives were constantly under attack.

How we would miss these dear servants of the Lord.

Our team members had walked together with us through so much. Would they be safe? Would they be able to endure all the challenges of living among a resistant people group? The most difficult question that confronted us was: how do we say goodbye to friends who had not yet

Caring for Returning International Workers Canadian Alliance International Workers (IWs) return to Canada on a regular basis (usually every four years) for Home Assignment to share their stories among Canadian churches and help raise funds for their ministry.

It is a time for personal refreshment, renewing home ties, reporting on how the Lord is building his Church overseas, retooling and preparing for further crosscultural service.

For many IWs, especially those with young children, returning to Canada for this one-year assignment can be a challenging experience. All kinds of changes have occurred in their home church and home town. They have also changed, having absorbed a new culture and now seeing things from a different perspective than most Canadians.

Some of our workers are confronted by difficult family situations—aging parents, ill health, and education for their

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children. Some may struggle with finding accommodations or vehicles and they may wonder how to squeeze so many visits into their year. And Third Culture Kids are often apprehensive about relocating—some of them having never lived in Canada or gone to school here.

These workers attend a Home Ministries Seminar, hosted each year by our Global Ministries Department, which provides them with debriefing and counsel on re-entry to Canada. Alliance church members can also help make the transition easier by giving a warm welcome so these IWs feel accepted and appreciated.

By loving and caring for your International Worker, Home Assignment can be a time of rich friendship and learning together. Enhancing personal relationships between the sender and the sent is essential if we are to maintain our focus on world evangelization into the next generation.

become followers of Jesus? The pain grew deeper as we saw their tears when we parted.

We mounted the plane with heavy hearts. We had been looking forward to our return to Canada, but amidst all the joy, there was also a deep sense of sorrow. I quietly lifted my thoughts to Jesus. He was my Comforter and would prove to be faithful again. I must trust him to look after all these people whom we loved.

Little pricks of fear began to gnaw at my mind concerning our re-entry to Canada. Would we be able to share effectively with our friends back home? Would they be interested in hearing about a people group so remote from their world? Most important, would the church feel the burden to pray?

The Joy We finally landed safely after a 33-hour flight. We felt so blessed to be back in Canada. No more rumbling earthquakes every month or two, no more electrical shortages multiple times a week, and no fear of malaria, dengue fever or typhoid. We could now speak openly about loving Jesus and going to church.

There was a joyful freedom that filled our hearts.

We rejoiced in the wonderful privilege of serving our Lord in this far-off country. Now Our hearts were we could share with our family and friends about God’s awesome deeds overwhelmed and many answers to prayer.

How good it was to reunite with with gratitude our children and grandchildren.

We had missed them deeply. Our hearts were overwhelmed with gratitude.

Another marvel, our friends still remembered us and kindly welcomed us home. People we barely knew said they had prayed for us weekly, some daily. Many pastors and mission groups invited us to speak at their various church functions. We could finally share our burdens with others.

A beautiful 92-year-old lady who had ministered to me so deeply just before we returned to the field, had faithfully prayed and sought God for us. She had taken the time to write, to call us to faithfulness, to listen to God for his comforting words, and to weep on the phone as she shared her love for us.

We had finished well because we had a strong group of intercessors standing in the gap for us and for the people of our island. This had been a work of God, and we stood in awe. In our weakness, he had been strong. In our time of sickness and spiritual attack, he had stood by our side. Through the tears and the joy, he had been faithful. God’s people could greatly rejoice.

Written anonymously by an International Worker who served in the Asian Spice Region

Making Re-Entry Easier Here are some practical ways to show you care: Several months in advance, find out if your workers need help in locating suitable housing. Church members may have an in-law suite or a vacation home available. Check with your Seamless Link Advisor (formerly known as District Missions Consultant) who may have access to helpful information.

Help them obtain a dependable vehicle.

Give them a quiet transition time. Before coming home, they have had to complete many projects, turn over responsibilities to coworkers, prepare presentation materials, set up itineraries for their time in Canada, and pack. They will arrive here physically, emotionally and sometimes spiritually drained. Encourage them to take time to rest during their first few weeks back.

Stock their pantry upon their arrival.

Treat them to special activities such as a spa experience or massage. Take them to a sporting event or something else they may be interested in. Give the woman a gift certificate and a day of shopping with a woman from the church who can take her to the best places for bargains and help with current styles.

Treat their children to special church activities such as Vacation Bible School, youth retreats or a church camp.

Have the pastor or a counselor from the church listen to them and their personal needs. Encourage them and pray for them.

Help them make their time home as productive as possible.

Help them explore college options for their children; help them with health-related appointments. Assist them in finding suitable living arrangements for elderly parents.

Encourage them in their educational pursuits.

Foster personal ties by matching them with a small group coming from the same stage of life.

Discover their spiritual gifts and use them to enrich your local ministry. Use their expertise in reaching out to immigrants in the area. Consider them to be an integral part of the pastoral team.

Develop friendships with them. Encourage members of your congregation to really get to know them. Hold a picnic or backyard barbecue so members can meet them in a relaxed atmosphere.

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impressions

Living a Life of Service Local car dealer is widely recognized for giving back to his community and industry Alex Baum

by Kim Follis

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n the town of Cochrane, Alberta, located 20 km west of Calgary, Alex Baum is highly respected for his success in business. As the Dealer Principal of Cochrane Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep and Cochrane Toyota, he has received the Cochrane Employer of the Year Award and the Alberta Better Business Bureau’s Ethics Award. He sets a standard of excellence in business, not only in Cochrane, but also for Chrysler— winning the President’s Chrysler Dealers Award in 2008.

Baum has driven a bobsled in support of the Cochrane Humane Society’s capital campaign, been involved in Special Olympics Alberta and advocated for the homeless through the Calgary Homeless Foundation and by leading the effort to find housing for displaced residents of the Cochrane Trailer Court.

Nationally, he was at the forefront of the lobby to open the U.S. border to Canadian beef exports during the BSE crisis.

. . . his staff are also involved by volunteering in their communities in a surprisingly big fashion His business acumen is recognized by the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association who recently elected him as their Secretary-Treasurer. Baum is slated to serve as the Chairman of the national association for the 2012 – 2013 term.

What defines Baum however, is the way he has used his success to help make his community a better place. His involvement in the local community is truly exemplary.

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However, it is Baum’s ability to inspire the staff at his dealerships to volunteer that caught the attention of Denis Ducharme, President of the Motor Dealers’ Association of Alberta.

Ducharme is struck by the fact that not only is Alex Baum personally committed to giving back to his community through a myriad of important causes, but even more striking is that his staff are also

involved by volunteering in their communities in a surprisingly big fashion.

“In the business world, we often talk about ‘leading by example,’ to the point that it becomes cliché,” says Ducharme. “But Alex’s leadership of ‘walking the talk’ has instilled this volunteer spirit in the people surrounding him. The community of Cochrane is a much better place as a result.”

His community service has led to his recognition as Cochrane’s Citizen of the Year and Rotarian of the Year as well as receiving the Alberta Centennial Medal.

Baum’s community involvement extends to Ambrose University College where he has served on the Board of Governors since 2005 and as Chair since 2007. He led the Board during the merger of the schools that formed Ambrose, the fundraising and construction of the new campus and the election of the current president, Howard Wilson.

The Baums attend Foothills Alliance where Alex has served as Elder. His service to the church extends to the Canadian Western District including both the District Finance Committee and Dexcom.

Baum’s extraordinary service to his community and industry were recently recognized by the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, receiving their Ambassador Laureate Award for 2009.

When asked, Baum said he sees himself as just another example of what “the Lord can do when we make him the centre of our lives.”

Kim Follis is Director of Annual Giving at Ambrose University College and Editor of the campus magazine Anthem

FEATURE

Catherine Thompson brings cheer to a patient in Oakville

Bringing Christ’s Presence to Difficult Situations Some insights into those who minister to people outside the reach of the church

by Catherine Thompson

A

question we commonly ask one another when getting acquainted is, “What do you do?”

When I tell people I am a hospital chaplain, most just say “Oh” and never inquire further. As a friend recently put it, saying you are a chaplain can be a ‘party buster,’ like saying you work at a funeral home. There is old, deeply engrained, stereotypical thinking about chaplaincy, and I sometimes encounter it while visiting patients in the hospital.

The look of concern that comes over people’s faces when I introduce myself as the chaplain tells it all. Some are bold enough to verbalize what their face has already revealed. “Is there something I don’t know?” or “Am I dying?” Another response I encounter is the perception that the chaplain is there to ‘push religion’—not.

To help clarify matters, here are three of the most frequently asked questions about chaplaincy ministry and my brief responses. For additional information, please see the sidebar at the end of this article.

What is a chaplain?

A chaplain is typically a religious or spiritual leader such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, imam, etc., ministering to people outside of the ‘church’ who either don’t have a religious affiliation or are unable to attend a place of worship for various reasons such as health, confinement, military duties, etc.

If churches were the blood vessels in a body, then chaplains would be the lymph system that reaches all the other parts of the body that blood vessels don’t reach.

Though ‘chaplain’ was originally a Christian term, it now applies to people in other religions filling the same role. While there are some chaplains who remain denominational in their ministry, the majority of institutional chaplains are required to function in a multi-faith manner, meaning they are responsible for the spiritual and religious care of people of all faith groups.

How does a Christian chaplain do that? When possible, working collaboratively with clergy of

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Association of Alliance Chaplains Since 1995, the C&MA has had an Association of Alliance Chaplains which is supported by the National Ministry Centre and District Offices.

Those working in chaplaincy automatically become a member of the Association, which now has 55 members and is growing and changing to better support its chaplains.

Rev. Bruce Rushton, Chaplain, Emergency Services, Vancouver

non-Christian religions, engaging all people with the love of Christ, accepting our limits and trusting God’s limitlessness.

What do chaplains do?

It is difficult to explain exactly what a chaplain does because the role and scope of duties are very diverse depending on the context in which they work. Even among chaplains, although they share things in common, there are a number of differences. For example, it is difficult for a military chaplain to fully understand the world of a nursing home chaplain.

That being said, some common duties of chaplains would include leading worship, funeral and memorial services; officiating at weddings and baptisms; providing spiritual and life counsel; providing emotional support for those in crisis and those who are hurting, grieving, lonely, frightened, confused, etc.; being a trustworthy presence in the secular workplace; being an ambassador for Christ; providing resources; being a moral voice; advocating; and responding to needs as an opportunity for ministry and witness.

Our God of grace does provide opportunities to speak about Christ to those ready and needing to hear Although chaplains may not be able to openly evangelize or proselytize in the workplace, it is possible to model Christ in all that we say and do and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Our God of grace does provide opportunities to speak about Christ to those ready and needing to hear, so it is not as limiting as some may think.

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How does one become a chaplain?

There are vocational chaplains (professional career chaplains) and those who volunteer in chaplaincy positions.

Those interested in becoming a career chaplain would typically require a Masters degree in theology, training appropriate to the institution’s standards, relevant pastoral experience, and Official Worker licensing and endorsement as a chaplain with The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (C&MA). Ordination is not always required to become a chaplain.

In later years, many non-ordained people have received professional training in chaplaincy and work as chaplains in schools, hospitals, prisons, the corporate sector, military, nursing homes, hostels, Emergency Response Services, outreach centres, and much more.

A growing number of Alliance pastors are volunteering as part-time chaplains with their local police and fire departments, nursing homes, or veterans’ organizations.

For those who have a compassionate heart and want to support others without going through all the requirements stated above, many institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, hostels, corrections, etc. are open to volunteers.

Catherine Thompson, Hospital Chaplain Coordinator at the Halton Healthcare Pastoral Services Dept. in Oakville, Ontario, is also National Coordinator of the Association of Alliance Chaplains and a member of First Alliance Church in Toronto For Further Information If you are interes ted in learning more about chaplaincy minis tr y or have specific ques tions, please contact Catherine Thompson, the National Coordinator of the Association of A lliance Chaplains at cthompson @ haltonhealthcare.on.ca or 9 0 5 -8 4 5 -2 571 ex t. 6767 and /or your A lliance Dis trict Of fice.

FEATURE

Window of Opportunity As a corporate chaplain he offers care to employees dealing with personal and professional issues

by Cyril Gowler

E

arly in 2006, the ministry God was shaping for me took an unusual and exciting turn. By then several years into church ministry, I questioned God as to why he had allowed me to ‘languish’ in a fast-paced, productionoriented environment where people would come to me with family, marital, or personal difficulties. I soon found out how God would use these experiences. One People need to know that day I had a visit from someone genuinely cares several owners of All Weather Windows Ltd. in Edmonton. The story they shared fascinated me!

Prior to their visit, one of the company owners, Gord Wiebe, had been searching for what the Lord had for his life and his company. He learned that an effective way to influence positive morale and employee stability, and to stimulate continuous potential for increasing employee satisfaction in a faith-friendly company could be achieved, in part, by hiring a corporate chaplain.

A chaplain could reach out to those of other faiths and to those who did not embrace any faith. With unobtrusiveness and a relaxed, confident sincerity, together with a genuine desire to connect and relate, the chaplain could potentially meet every employee in the company on some level.

Working in an environment with over 1,000 employees representing more than 46 countries, speaking in excess of 20 different languages and dialects, I was in for the challenge of my life! I realized too, God was answering an old question for me. All the time I believed I had

‘languished’ for 24 years in the secular world, the Lord helped me realize those years had undeniably great impact, value, and influence, not only then but also in the present.

I learned quickly that one key to reaching people is through responding to felt needs, providing the immediate as an investment to earn the right to share the way to the eternal. People need to know that someone genuinely cares.

I have the privilege to serve in a capacity that weaves the truth of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, (“hungry and you gave me food”) together with the loving imperative of Matthew 28:19 and 20, (“Go therefore…!”). Chaplaincy work, whether institutional or marketplace, military, police or hospital, is work grounded in truth, trust, respect and a genuine caring relationship with and for people in need. Chaplains bring a reflection and substance of God’s love, an extension of the Church (ecclesia) the way God intended, to a world of lost people right next door or in our daily places of work or learning.

A recent article quoted a Barna Group research statistic that many churches in North America have up to 95 percent of their activity and energy happening internally! It greatly concerns me that only about five percent of what we do in our churches today is considered external! This fact alone should motivate us all to be involved strategically in getting out of our buildings and into the community in a tried and true, effective way—chaplaincy!

Rev. Cyril Gowler is the corporate chaplain for All Weather Windows Ltd., headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta

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FEATURE

Chaplaincy Makes Me a Better Pastor Providing spiritual support to law enforcement personnel is a unique gift from God

By Ryan van Kuik

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od called me to be a pastor to smaller rural churches.

So where did this chaplaincy thing originate? I never saw it coming, but God was in it from day one!

It was during a discussion in 2006 on how the local ministerial could serve the R.C.M.P. that the concept of chaplaincy was first mentioned to me. The word ‘chaplain’ stuck out to me more than anything else that day and I

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began to ponder what it might mean.

As I investigated and realized the potential for me to pursue this volunteer role at our local detachment, the idea grew on me. My wife, Juanita, liked the idea and encouraged me to pursue it further.

The outgoing Sergeant (who happened to be a Christfollower), the Chaplain Coordinator for K Division of the

Photo by John Crawford

R.C.M.P. and my Board of Elders all expressed support.

All signs were saying, “Go for it!” I began in January 2007 and by that Fall I was installed as Chaplain Ryan van Kuik of the Three Hills R.C.M.P. detachment.

A very exciting component of this was that our church totally got behind it. The members play a key role by releasing me to perform my chaplaincy duties; they have made it a part of my pastoral responsibilities.

I have the privilege of serving as chaplain in a six-member detachment, so my Swearing in Ceremony chaplaincy focuses on these six members, plus two civilian employees and all their families. With the small size, there is time to interact and enjoy relationships with each of them.

With their strong community focus, the church envisions me as an extension of them; chaplaincy is one way they are serving and being a part of our community.

Often I have members of our congregation coming up to me and suggesting ways we can reach out to the members and civilian employees of our detachment.

They regularly encourage me and ask for updates on the chaplaincy ministry.

In the world of law enforcement, police most often deal with people when they are at their lowest, frequently causing cynicism towards the general public.

I believe, as a Christ-follower, I am called to bring the human perspective—to demonstrate love in places where there is so little love. Chaplaincy benefits the police detachment by providing pastoral care to its members but also encouraging them to deal with the public in a humane and loving way.

The detachment gets to see a church that is interested in them, and a congregation willing to release their pastor for several hours each week in order to serve, encourage, and spend time with them. I find myself often bragging about our church to these Mounties.

The church benefits from chaplaincy because it sees a ministry role that is not always clouded by the often ‘neat’ ministry of the pastorate. As a chaplain, I tend to face the nitty-gritty of lives lived without Christ.

Chaplains are able to bring the love and wisdom of God to people who are searching. The church benefits by being actively involved in its community.

The church also benefits by having a better pastor.

I am convinced that God has grown me through these activities. Chaplaincy has refocused me, keeping me from getting side-tracked by non-issues—keeping the main thing the main thing.

It has forced me to take a new look at the gospel, reigniting a passion in me to not only understand the

Chaplaincy benefits the police detachment by providing pastoral care to its members gospel as Jesus intended it, but to also know the depth of my sin and therefore the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice.

It is exciting to serve in a denomination that validates and supports the ministry of chaplains and parish nurses.

As an Official Worker in the Western Canadian District, I have had opportunities to meet with the many other chaplains serving in various capacities around Alberta. We even have one of our Church Effectiveness Coaches assigned to us, and he has overseen the establishment of proactive networking among the Alliance chaplains of our district.

I encourage you to see chaplaincy as a valid ministry and one in which your church can become involved.

Chaplains from your congregation can be an extension of the church. Plan to explore how a chaplain can fit in as a member of your church staff or as part of your missions/outreach programs.

Rev. Ryan van Kuik, Senior Pastor of Bethel Fellowship Church in Three Hills, Alberta, is the volunteer chaplain for the local R.C.M.P. detachment

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your church

One Flame Lights Up a Nation Participating in the Olympic torch relay has special meaning for this pastor

By Tyler Rody

n the summer of 2009, I noticed commercials on TV advertising opportunities to carry the Olympic torch. I thought this would be an awesome chance to be a part of a worldwide historic tradition, so I applied. I encouraged many people to sign up for this adventure of a lifetime. They seemed excited, but I was surprised how few took the small amount of time needed to sign up.

I received an email inviting me to submit a short essay focusing on active living and being environmentally friendly. Involved as I am in youth ministry helped me in my response since we host many activities encouraging kids to live active lives and to be respectful of God’s beautiful creation.

I anxiously awaited an answer,

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games were held in Vancouver and Whistler, BC. And as is tradition, the Olympic torch relay began in preparation for the games. It started in Olympia, Greece and travelled through Canada in what would be the longest torch relay in the history of the Olympic Games. Starting in Victoria on October 30, 2009 it travelled up the West Coast, across Northern Canada to the East Coast, made its way through to Ontario, the Prairies, and ultimately arriving in Vancouver on February 12, 2010. The torch relay took place over 106 days, was carried by more than 12,000 torchbearers, linked in excess of 1,000 communities and travelled over 45,000 kilometers.

but as September came and went I assumed I had not been accepted.

Much to my surprise, I received a congratulatory notification just before Thanksgiving.

I was extremely excited! Not only would this be an amazing and rare opportunity to be involved in the Olympic Games, but I also anxiously anticipated how I would be able to let my light shine in our community and give God all the glory for the great things he has done in my life. For me personally, the Olympic torch relay has an extra special meaning.

When I was four years old, I was very sick and weighed only 24 pounds. My body was unable to keep food down and my condition was serious. During this time, the Olympic torch passed through my

Photo by Michelle Rody

I

hometown of Lloydminster, Alberta.

However, because of my potentially terminal condition, I was unable to attend the torch relay.

But now, 22 years after the Calgary Olympic Games and torch relay, I truly thank God that I am alive and was able to take part as a torchbearer for the 2010 Olympic Games. I carried the torch on January 7, 2010 in Roland, Manitoba. This experience opened up the opportunity to utilize my relationships I’ve been building in our community over the past five years, to share my story with all the Jr. High and elementary kids (about 500) in our community and to be a part of our community celebration.

Many people describe carrying the Olympic torch as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and “so amazing it cannot be put into words.” I would definitely agree it was a great and monumental occasion. And WOW, was it cold—minus 42 with the wind chill! However, the indescribable rush of carrying the Olympic torch doesn’t even compare to being forgiven from sin and following Christ.

I know quite a few people who, after realizing how easy it was, were regretful they hadn’t applied to carry the torch. The truth is many people sit idly while life passes them by and they miss out on other monumental opportunities. I hope and pray the Olympic Games will continue to live on, not because of the medals won or lost, or because of the Olympic torch, but because men and women around our country were able to let their lights shine and give glory to God for his great love for us.

Rev. Tyler Rody is Associate Pastor at Virden Alliance Church in Virden, Manitoba << Tyler Rody carrying the Olympic flame

Assembly

Sp

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lR

ep

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t

T端rkiye . . . the first General Assembly ever held outside the country brought together 778 delegates

Enhanced Pass for Global Mi Results of the bold and unprecedented decision to hold Assembly 2010 in Turkey

F

or nearly 800 delegates it was one of those unique moments in time—the ability to look forward and back in the same instant!

On the shores of the Mediterranean and surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Taurus Mountains, Canadian Alliance representatives were able to understand, in dramatic fashion, the challenges facing the Apostle Paul and Barnabas as they arrived in the Antalya region and prepared to preach and teach the gospel in Asia Minor. The size of the mountains was and is daunting; and the apostles did not have modern luxury coaches to help them cruise over to Pisidian Antioch and the towns and cities of the interior plains.

At the same time, delegates looked ahead—considering new strategies for global outreach and church planting in Canada through the Sea to Sea initiative. In all, the first General Assembly ever held outside the country brought together 778 delegates— approximately 678 from Canada and 100 from international fields.

More than 160 of them also engaged in road trips to meet with their cluster International Workers across the Desert Sand, Silk

Praising the Lord

I sure hope they don’t stand

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up!

Arie Verduijn, sident, Alliance World FePre llowship

Mark Bailey brings greetings

sion inistries Franklin Pyles makes a point Aspendos A queduct

. . . the ability to look forward and back in the same instant

Sami Dagher shares his passion

Perspective of Perge

Cemel Tekkanat says “Welcome to Turkey!”

Now playing at the Aspendos Theatre ...

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Road and Asian Spice regions to experience, first-hand, the challenges and potential of closer linkages between local churches and field workers.

For numerous delegates, stepping into Turkey was, in many ways, stepping outside their comfort zone.

‘Awesome’ was a word heard frequently as delegates interacted in a fresh manner with International Workers and experienced the challenges of living and working in a country that was in many ways ‘different’ from home.

One delegate said the experience “exceeded my expectations 100-fold.” Another shared that the opportunity gave a fresh appreciation for international ministries.

While business occupied the days, evenings were replete with rich worship services. The integration of global work, personal spiritual growth and communitymindedness was all woven into the fabric created by the evening services.

The imperative of continuing international work was highlighted during a stirring message from Rev. Sami Dagher, president of the Alliance church in Lebanon on Wednesday evening. His evident passion for introducing people to Jesus set the backdrop for the week and the road trips that followed.

Formalities were not forgotten either. During the Friday evening healing and communion service, Mr. Cemel Tekkanat of the Ministry of Culture brought greetings and a welcome to Assembly from the Turkish government. Mr. Mark Bailey, Canadian Ambassador to

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Turkey, also welcomed delegates with wishes for a good meeting from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Outreach and justice and compassion took a very real and practical turn during the Assembly when a special cash offering was collected for victims of the earthquake in eastern Turkey that hit just before Assembly began.

In all, some $7,500 was donated during the offering and Ambassador Bailey was asked to receive the gift and ensure that it was given to the Turkish people on behalf of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.

Highlighting the Assembly for many was the opportunity to visit the ruins of the Roman city of Perge, where Paul first landed for his missionary journey. As they walked the ruins of the colonnaded streets and visited the Agora, or marketplace, where Paul interacted with the citizens, the freshness of Paul’s vision to reach the unreached became real.

In less than one week, the Assembly theme had become reality. The opportunity to ‘retrace’ led delegates down the main marble-covered road leading out of Perge toward the mountains and the unreached peoples; together delegates were able, through worship and stirring messages, to ‘renew’ their passion for worldwide ministry; and through information-filled seminars and presentations they were able to ‘rebuild’ some of the roads to global outreach and set foundations for even more.

The imperative now is to ‘move beyond Antalya’ and bring the power and impact of Assembly 2010 back to the local church and into the pews.

FEATURE

Keeping Body,

Mind and

Spirit Together Parish nurse ministry promotes wholeness by integrating faith and health

By Ruth Ann Fraser

Rev. John Olivera looked over the proposal that lay on his desk. Among the priorities that the Elder’s Board had given him the responsibility to fulfill—solid biblical preaching that would disciple the church to spiritual maturity, renewing the church’s evangelism effort and reaching out into the community—this proposal about Parish Nurse Ministry, he thought, was likely more related to pastoral care.

But while pastoral care was also important to the local church—no church leader would deny that—the question in his mind was, “Could Parish Nurse Ministry also be an effective and integral part of the plan to meet his top priorities?” Pastor John considered the ministries that Community Alliance Church offered . . . an enviable children’s and youth ministry, and solid adult and seniors’ ministries. These were the traditional and well-recognized ministries that would help the church meet its primary objectives.

So, would Parish Nurse Ministry be a ‘nice to have’ or ‘must have’ for Community Alliance? And where would it fit?

A thought skirted at the edge of John’s conscious mind . . . the fourfold gospel . . . and he recalled that hand-in-hand with the spiritual healing ministry of the early Christian and Missionary Alliance, was a ministry of practical care—homes of rest and recuperation, homes for orphans, rescue homes for women, and medical missions. Those ministries were begun because A.B. Simpson recognized that meeting people at their point-of-need opened their hearts to the good news of Jesus Christ. John wondered if it was still true today.

This fictional story illustrates an all-too-real way of thinking among many of our churches today.

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Parish Nurse Ministry is a vivid way to illustrate the concept of practical caring for those in our community

D

r. Franklin Pyles, President of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, has introduced the concept of ‘parish’—caring for those in our community.

He suggests that, “within the church community, there is a tendency to support a ministry if it will lead to evangelism or people coming to the church. All this is good. But there are things we should do to help people just because they are people and God loves them, and perhaps that will show up as people coming to Christ and maybe it won’t, but we will keep on doing it anyway.”

This is ministry—this is bringing the presence of Christ to people in very practical ways. Parish Nurse Ministry is a vivid way to illustrate the concept of practical caring for those in our community.

Rev. Bill Dyck of Toronto Alliance, a church that serves in downtown Toronto, tells of the time when the Saturday night worship service opened up to a larger perspective with a meal, clothing, food bank . . . and a Parish Nurse.

He recalls a certain young man stumbling in off the street and when he heard there was a Parish Nurse doing foot care, he stayed.

The Parish Nurse, Isla Ghent, stripped his wet, dirty socks off and washed and cared for his much wounded feet. The young man said, “I think I just died and went to heaven!” But Dyck says, “It was one thing as a pastor to talk to him about his soul, but when Isla cared for his feet—that is what gave credibility to our message.

“Ministry is also caring for the body—God cares about that—even with people who care little for the spiritual message. Over time, we see their hearts change and warm

. . . we see their hearts change and warm to the message as they see the loving care

Isla Ghent, Parish Nurse at Toronto Alliance Church, washes the feet of a visitor

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to the message as they see the loving care.”

Since 2003, Isla Ghent has volunteered her services at Toronto Alliance Church and has been an effective witness to the practical ministry of ‘loving one another’ beyond their own church borders. Because of the nature and vision of their church, Dyck says he expected this outreach component when they began their Parish Nurse Ministry.

What surprised him was how extensively their own core people drew on Isla’s knowledge . . . and he recognized that his members had a level of need that he was not able to address or, at times, was not even aware of. He acknowledges how their overall congregational health improved and the quality of their caring for one another within the church was strengthened when they had a registered nurse to offer health education and counsel, coordinate health referrals and offer health-focused spiritual care.

Jayne Burnham is Parish Nurse and Director of Compassion and Care Ministries at Southview Alliance Church in Calgary. This is a church that is deeply involved in justice and compassion issues. Jayne and the in-house team, with the strong support of Southview’s Senior Pastor, Dr. Clyde Glass, have multiplied the ministries of Southview to care for and help people in very tangible ways by recruiting, equipping and supporting many lay volunteer ministries.

Yes, they target people from all walks of life with the usual Christmas and Easter food hampers, the Baby Bottle Drive for the local Pregnancy Care Centre, the marriage preparation courses, the GriefShare and other support group programs, but they also provide opportunities to work at Inn from the Cold or Southview’s one-day Take It or Leave It event. More recently, Southview Alliance joined a new venture called Bridge My Community—a program that facilitates people sharing material resources with others. (For more information, visit www.bridgemycommunity.org.)

Meeting people at their point of need often does open their hearts to the good news of Jesus Christ. But more importantly, it is being obedient to Christ’s command to ‘love your neighbour’ and it provides a tangible witness of the discipleship to which the Lord calls us. Jesus did not say “By the way you teach, by the way you worship, by the way you pray, by the way you evangelize, all men will know that you are my disciples.” He said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

When people face very real needs, especially those that are critical or chronic physical or mental health needs, how does the church respond in loving care? Nurturing a ministry of wholeness and healing and expressing compassion, care and hope for the future through all stages of life is what Parish Nursing is about.

Photo courtesy Toronto Alliance Church

So whether the Parish Nurse is involved in assessing the health, emotional and practical needs of new moms, promoting general health through health education seminars, organizing a flu vaccine clinic for the community or providing blood pressure screening and referrals for seniors, Alliance Parish Nurse Ministries are at the forefront of creating a sustainable response in rebuilding and revitalizing our traditions of healing ministries and practical care, giving in a way that is culturally relevant, safe and workable for today’s church.

I also believe a very significant part of our outreach in days to come will be ministry to newcomers to Canada, many of whom come as refugees. They may be given basic medical care from government services, but few find appropriate or timely help because of lack of information on how to access the systems, a generalized lack of trust in the government, non-existent or poor English language skills, or even the lack of ongoing community support.

This will present a huge door of opportunity to serve others in the name of Jesus.

The challenging truth for Parish Nurse Ministries is that without senior pastors or Boards of Elders catching a vision for the potential of Parish Nurse Ministry, whether volunteer or paid staff, Parish Nursing will continue to be one of the things that is often viewed as ‘nice to have’ but ‘not necessary’ to the fulfillment of the mission of the local church. And in so doing, they will miss the opportunity to do what Jesus did. It is from Jesus’ words and works that we understand his full plan for redemption and his proclamation for the Kingdom of God. The gospels portray the ministry of Jesus as being threefold—preaching, teaching and healing (see Matthew 9:35). One-third of the ministry of Jesus was about healing. It is time for the Alliance to coordinate our theology of Jesus as Healer with a practical means and method of Parish Nurse Ministry in order to build and strengthen healing ministries into the everyday life of the local church. This is an essential part of the Gospel that we are commanded to preach, a part of ‘the faith . . . once delivered unto the saints’ (see Jude 3).

Ruth Ann Fraser is National Coordinator of Alliance Parish Nurse Ministries and can be reached at rafraser@sympatico.ca

Resources For more information, investigate web sites such as: http://cmalliance.ca/parishnursesp51.php or http://cmalliance.ca/frequentlyaskedquestionsp1927.php n http://www.capnm.ca/ n http://ipnrc.parishnurses.org/ n http://www.ichm.ca/ n

How Can Your Church Develop a Parish Nurse Ministry?

Pray n

That God will bring the right person—the right registered nurse who has felt the call of God for ministry and is willing to share his or her gifts, skills and faith n That God would reveal his perfect will as to how this ministry is to be founded and funded n That this will be a good match for the needs of the congregation n That others of like-minded interest will support this initiative for health and healing ministries n That there would be good communication between the pastoral staff, the Board of Elders and the potential parish nurse

Plan n

Become better informed. See ‘Resources’ for more information n Contact the National Coordinator of Alliance Parish Nurse Ministries at 416-225-9940 or by email at rafraser@sympatico.ca n Form a small committee around the ministry—it could be called Health Ministries, Health and Wellness, Parish Nurse Ministry, Compassion and Care Ministries n Put out the call for a Parish Nurse n Arrange for Parish Nurse education for the potential candidate n Ensure that the registered nurse who is the potential candidate has adequate liability and malpractice insurance coverage n Assess the health needs of the congregation—this should include body, mind and spirit

Pray n

Watch to see how God answers!

FEATURE

Many adult missionary kids face the emotional task of sending parents overseas. Here a young woman, whose parents returned to Asia to reach those of the ‘majority religion,’ expresses what was on her heart.

Dear Mom and Dad, As I have tried to find the words to articulate my feelings about this mission God has laid before you, my parents, only one word has come to mind—inexpressible. How can I express an emotion that joins both awe and excitement for the magnitude of the task now before you that I know God has called you to, as well as the deep sadness of losing my two best friends to a country that is both remote and dangerous?

As I have pondered this tension over the last few months, both the joy and the sorrow have deepened as we have realized the need of the people to whom you are going to minister, as well as the sacrifices we will make as a family in being separated.

What I want you to know today is that in coming to this time of letting you go, God has done a sufficient work in me to allow me to say, in all honesty, that I am grateful for this privilege of making a personal sacrifice to further his Kingdom. Andy and I feel that we are partnering with you in your ministry just by being the ones at home who will carry you in our hearts and in our prayers every day that you are away from us.

Dad preached a sermon many years ago about why the two of you went to the mission field. I will never forget this sermon as it clarified for me the true reason for missions. Yes, it is true that people around the world need and deserve to know about Jesus. Yes, it is true that the poverty and social injustice so prevalent in your new country cannot be ignored by our community which is so blessed. Yes, it is true that it is exciting and rewarding work to see people who are so desperate for truth and light come into relationship with Jesus, the Truth and the Light.

But on those dark and lonely days when it seems that no one is interested in this Truth that you hold, when the injustice of this society overwhelms you, when the heat and dirt and sickness of a country that is not your home make you long for the comforts of family and familiarity . . . this is the time when the true reason for your ministry becomes evident. It is obedience.

God has called you to this place, and as his beloved children, you will

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carry out this vision he has placed in your hearts, because many years ago, you chose to obey him. And I am so proud to have been a part of your obedience to Christ.

In so many ways we have experienced, as a family, the rewards and blessings because of your obedience. By your obedience to God in serving him here in Canada for a number of years, you were able to help put me through university, be a part of Andy’s and my wedding, as well as enable us to be in full-time ministry. And now that we are home and resettled, it is our turn to send you out, commissioning you for this ministry.

Thinking through God’s perfect timing and provision for us, I came to Ephesians 4, which is the prayer that Andy and I would like to bless you with: “When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.

“And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Mom and Dad, as you re-enter the culture and heart of the Asian people, I know God’s Spirit will be heavy upon you, bringing you the fullness of life and power from God. We join with you in this mission. We are struck by its immensity, but we commit to partnering with you in prayer and in support.

We love you!

Your loving daughter,

Megan

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your church

Communities in Crisis How congregations can leverage their strengths in preparing for a faith-based response to disasters

by Gladys Thompson

T

he rain pounded as the lightening lit up the night sky. Recognizing us as people who were there to help, the police officer waved us on past the flashing lights and flurry of activity, right up to the hospital.

We were stunned by the sight— elderly patients in their nightgowns and bare feet, scrambling around, thinking war had erupted. It wasn’t war, it was a fire—the hospital had been struck by lightning.

About 30 members of the Alliance Church congregation in Terrace, B.C. helped Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Rapid Response teams during the flood in June 2007.

They put in 776 hours of volunteer time, helping homeowners clean up the mess left by the flood waters, ministering to the emotional and spiritual needs of people affected by the disaster, and helped cook meals and host out-of-town volunteers.

God helped Noah Many denominations today to be well-prepared disaster are setting up guidelines for before struck. How prepared preparing for disaster are we to face community crises?

This was just one of many crisis Are our congregations ready should events that led me to believe faith disaster strike? communities can share the love Many denominations today of Christ by complementing and are setting up guidelines for enhancing the duties of emergency preparing for disaster. These could services organizations. As we work include anything from hurricanes, together, the impact of disasters on earthquakes, wildfires, and ice individuals and communities can be storms to terrorism, hazardous significantly reduced. material spills, a pandemic, or a host A number of our Alliance of other things. As a part of these churches have responded to all sorts guidelines, the suggestion is made of emergencies, from fires in the that each church should set up an Okanogan to floods in places like Emergency Response Committee to Peterborough and Winnipeg. Just develop a disaster plan for the staff over a year ago, a young woman and members of the congregation to became the second in Portage la follow.

Prairie to go missing in a short time.

A disaster plan will help to The Manitoba Search and Rescue protect church property, help the provided organizational skills for church continue its services, care the hundreds of local people who for its members, communicate braved the cold, wet weather to help information and help in the recovery in the search. The Portage Alliance from disaster-related damage. It Church staff and teams of volunteers will be relevant and useful if it is opened their hearts and shared their developed by concerned people, space, without hesitation, to help tailored to the community and needs where they could. of the church members; if it includes

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training of those responsible during an emergency; if it’s tested before disaster strikes, and if it’s reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

The church should be available to help during the three stages of a crisis: n

Rescue – in helping to provide safety and preservation of life.

Respected leaders, including clergy, can help survivors deal with the reality of the situation and guide them to assistance. Others may serve at shelters, feeding centres and clean-up sites, and may respond to the needs of people who are suffering injury or families who are mourning a loss. n Relief – begins in the days following a disaster when congregations may offer shelter, provide food or help with distribution of clothing, etc.

Members may help those affected to apply for assistance. n Recovery – can take years, as we have witnessed following Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake in Haiti. Often support diminishes as the event becomes old news, but the needs are still there long after the media have left.

Putting lives back together requires care, compassion, hope and love.

Who can offer these any more than a person who loves and serves Christ?

We must coordinate our efforts with government and other emergency organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross, The Salvation Army, St. John’s Ambulance, etc. Otherwise,

we could end up being more of a hindrance than a help.

In Calgary, the Regional Faith Community Emergency Preparedness Coalition has linked local churches with emergency agencies so Christians will be part of the primary response to any disaster. More than 25 Calgary churches completed an assessment identifying resources they can provide in the event of an emergency.

Brent Trask, Senior Pastor at RockPointe Church, in a letter to members of the Calgary Evangelical Ministerial Association, wrote: “There is great wisdom and need for us as community leaders to use this season as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the situation.

One of those actions would be to plan and prepare how each of our ministries will respond should an emergency crisis of some sort hit our city.”

Many churches have kitchens and volunteer staff who can prepare meals whether it’s for a tragic event, or for people shut-in because of a flu virus. Some churches can be used as temporary shelters, especially those who host ‘Inn from the Cold’ programs and have beds and bedding already available.

Congregational phone lists can be used to help communicate with seniors, low-income families, single parents and the disabled.

Helpful documents are available from various web sites such as the Public Health Agency of Canada with information on ‘Helping Children Cope,’ ‘Self-Care for Caregivers,’ emergency lodging,

supplying food, clothing, etc.

Much has already been written about preparing for a pandemic or other emergency situation, which includes the impact they can have on your staff, members of your congregation and people in the community you serve. Plans should be in place to help defray the impact such events can have on your church and its mission.

Sometimes a disaster may affect the church facility itself. You can prepare for such an event by posting emergency numbers by each phone, knowing how to cut off utilities, making sure exits are well marked, lit and free from obstruction. Ensure smoke detectors and extinguishers are maintained and checked regularly and that combustible materials are not stored in the church building. Have a plan in place for a quick evacuation.

Church records should be kept

in a fireproof safe and computer back-ups kept off-site. Staff and members of the congregation should be trained in first aid and CPR. Before it strikes, decide on a suitable place of worship should disaster bring havoc to your facility.

Generally, disasters strike without warning. Each one is different. People react differently and local authorities are often in need themselves to manage the impact of disasters on communities.

If churches link forces with government and other emergency agencies, they can play a crucial role in the event of any community crisis.

They can share the love of Jesus in a very practical way, providing his hope and compassion to those who so desperately need it.

Gladys Thompson is Communications Coordinator, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

For further information Check out these resources on the Internet: n

Church Response www.churchresponse.org Bridges of Love www.bridgesoflove.net n Canadian Red Cross www.redcross.ca n Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov n Public Safety Canada www.psepc-sppcc.gc.ca n Church World Service www.cwserp.org/training/guidebook/sec01.php n United Church of Canada www.united-church.ca/files/handbooks/ emergplan.pdf n The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada http://cmalliance.ca/files/PandemicInfluenzaPlan_499.pdf n Church Pandemic Resources www.churchpandemicresources.ca n Public Health Agency of Canada www.phac-aspc.gc.ca n United Methodist Committee on Relief http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ work/health/birdflu/churches n

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practice of prayer

Prayer and Care for Pastors Finding ways to express gratitude and appreciation to your chosen shepherd throughout the year

F

ollowing the Sunday morning worship service, many people in our congregations gather round their table for their Sunday dinner— roast pastor!

Honouring the pastor through prayer and care reveals more about a congregation than it does about the pastor. After all, if we continually ‘roast’ our pastor, we will never convince others of God’s grace and mercy. Showing care and appreciation are the signs of a healthy church, one that wants to exemplify the love and mercy God has shown to us.

Pastors and their families live under incredible pressures, often described as living in a fishbowl, with the entire congregation and community watching every move they make. They’re expected to be the ideal family, perfect in every way, always available when needed, always cheerful and always ready with just the right answer!

Those are pretty high expectations, and we are disappointed if a pastor becomes overwhelmed, discouraged, or completely burns out. A word of encouragement could make a huge difference, showing our love and support of the person chosen to lead the congregation. It is an expression of gratitude to God for him.

Appreciating your pastor is more than just an annual event on the

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calendar. It is more than giving him gifts—although that is a lovely act in itself. You might want to consider actually listening to your pastor’s sermons. Apply the truth to your life and then thank him for helping you spiritually. You might want to say ‘Amen!’ when he makes an important point. You might want to give a good report about him, even bragging in such a way that your friends and relatives might want to attend church just to meet him!

We don’t realize how simple, thoughtful gestures can minister to a pastor. Daily he may be dealing with angry, critical or demanding people.

His heart is often broken as hurt, disappointment and tragic news are poured out to him. To be the recipient of acts of kindness can be almost overwhelming.

Franklin Thomas is the Pastoral Care Provider for the Eastern Canadian and St. Lawrence Districts of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. We asked him to share with us how others have cared for him. Here is what he wrote: n My father had just died. It was my first day back to work. I was swamped! Elmore called and requested an appointment. I asked if he could wait until next week.

He could not, but said, “It’s OK, Pastor. I will just come and wait

until you are free to see me. This is very important and I won’t take much of your time.” That’s exactly how it went down. Elmore walked into my office and hugged me.

He explained that he understood this was my first day back and he wanted to pray for me. His prayer was thoughtful and beautiful. I stood enfolded in his arms and wept as he prayed. As quickly as he had come, he was gone. I had never felt so ministered to in my life. n Ben arrived mid-Sunday afternoon.

He said, “Pastor, your sermon this morning was so meaningful to me.”

He plunked a lovely gift basket in my hands and left. n Sunday noon after the service, my wife and I were having lunch at Swiss Chalet. A number of church people were also present. As we prepared to leave, the waitress said, “Your meal has been paid for and they left the message, ‘Thanks for all you do.’” We have no idea who did that. n The entire youth group sat in the very front two rows in one church in which I served. They invited new attendees to come and sit with them. Newcomers would say, “When I saw the youth sitting at the front, I knew this was the church for me!” They were a constant source of encouragement

A word of encouragement could make a huge difference

to me every Sunday. Their supportive presence never wore off. n When I was going through a particularly rough period, someone came up to me and said, “Pastor, I believe in you, I support and appreciate you.” I have had similar encouragements in anonymous letters. Usually only negative people speak up. n The first Sunday after vacation, the song leader said, “Let’s dedicate this song to the pastor and let him know that we are glad he is back from vacation and we love him.” n One individual went to the Church Board and arranged for me to have an unexpected weekend off. He put

keys in my hand to his luxury condo at a beautiful resort. He gave the instructions to go, relax, and forget about us!

By expressing gratitude to the pastor, we demonstrate grace.

While our pastors do not demand appreciation, showing them love and forgiveness demonstrates to the community around us that we are a church that wants to follow Christ’s example in loving and caring for others.

With information from Rev. Franklin Thomas, Pastoral Care Provider, Eastern Canadian and St. Lawrence Districts

Our International Workers in Quito have a vision to give women second chances.

The 2009-2010 National Women’s Ministries humanitarian aid international project is based in Quito, Ecuador.

“Casa Blanca” is a property in Quito which will be a centre for two developing ministries, a teen pregnancy centre and a sewing factory.

The pregnancy centre will give young women a second chance to carry their babies to full term and learn how to be good mothers. The sewing factory will help women released from prison earn an honourable income and give them hope for a future.

Thank you for your support to reach our goal of

$150,000 “. . . for some girls you’re their only hope.”

Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart Proverbs 27:9 (Amplified)

If due to unforeseen circumstances the funds cannot be dispersed in accordance with the project goals, funds will be re-designated to another approved project. Please note that 80% of project funds go directly to the field while the remaining 20% is used for video production Spring 2010 cmAlliance.ca 35 and administration of National Women’s Ministries.

Praying for Your Pastor Those who are called to shepherd God’s flock are commissioned to be servants of Christ’s Church. Through the surges and strains of church life, pastors need to know they are supported by the prayers of God’s people. Continued intercessory prayer releases God’s empowerment in the life of the pastor, strengthening and enabling them to persevere in the ministry to which God has called them.

Here are 12 scripture-based prayers to offer up on behalf of your pastor.

1. Lord, I pray that would be strong in you and in your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

2. May ’s wisdom begin with an awesome fear and reverence for your holiness and power (Proverbs 9:10).

3. I pray that would stand firm against the enemy’s schemes to sabotage the work that you are doing through him (Ephesians 6:11).

Appreciating your pastor is more than just an annual event on the calendar

4. Father, please continue to renew daily in your holiness. Keep him from growing weary, reminding him that his labour is not in vain (Isaiah 40:31, 1 Peter 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:58).

5. Lord, set your angels around and his family, guarding them in all their ways, that no harm will befall them (Psalm 91:10, 11).

6. Lord, I pray for to have men of faith who would come alongside him, giving him wise counsel and providing accountability (1 Peter 5:5, James 5:16).

For More Information Check out these web sites

n www.my-pastor.com/pastor-

appreciation-workbook.html n http://plentyoflove.info/results/

pastor-anniversary-poems n www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/

clergy/features/honor.html n www.focusonthefamily.ca/pastors

7. Bless with a rich study time, opening the eyes of his heart to your wisdom and knowledge, that he would never compromise your truth (Ephesians 1:18).

8. Father, keep pure by obeying the truth, so that he would have a deep love for his flock, a love from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).

9. Bless with fruit from the words you speak through him, Lord. May his words be anointed by the power of your Holy Spirit, reaping a bountiful harvest of people coming to know your salvation (John 15:16).

10. Give a bold vision as he leads his flock to reach out to spiritually needy people in this community (Isaiah 40:11).

11. Lord, allow and this church to be a beacon of hope in the midst of the darkness, that the lost will be drawn to the Light of the world (Acts 13:47, John 8:12).

12. Thank You, Lord, for the gifts of wisdom and spiritual insight that brings to the church. Raise up a bastion of prayer warriors from within this church who will surround him with prayer (James 5:16b).

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your church

Churches Rally to Support Global Partner

Filling a shipping container bound for Africa full of compassion and supplies

by Cindy C.

C

ompassion paints many pictures. Some obvious, others not so obvious.

Some may imagine compassion as a bowl of food given to a hungry child, or a well splashing up fresh, clean water. Still others may see wounds tended to and medicine given to end an illness.

What do you see?

How about a picture of a 40-foot container 9.5 feet high and 8 feet wide?

Does that conjure up pictures of compassion in your mind?

That’s exactly what one person saw as an absolutely perfect picture for people in Africa.

“I had met our global partner from Africa in 2000 and was captured by her passion and commitment to serve the Lord wherever he asked her to go,” says Carol, a long-time supporter of Alliance global partners and leader of the African Container 2009 Project

at Sherwood Park Alliance Church in Alberta. “As I watched her follow God and obey his leading, even though she had NO IDEA at the time about running her project in Africa, I realized that all God wants us to do is be obedient and he will provide the way and the resources.”

Their friendship grew, and just as our global partner was listening to God in Africa and venturing ahead into unknown territory, Carol was listening to God in Canada and venturing into a slightly different type of unfamiliar territory. One was pioneering a project in Africa; the other was gathering people and resources to support this venture.

The first container was sent in 2006, with the expertise and help of Roger C., followed-up by a short-term ministry team visit to Africa to assist and help with her project.

Then, in the Fall of 2008, God laid new projects on the heart of our

global partner. Once again, the plan was to collect and send supplies to help resource two new significant projects—an infant rescue centre and a women’s cooperative.

Carol says, “In November 2008, our global partner gave us a ‘wish list’ of all the items she could use for these new endeavours and then we added some additional items, knowing the resources we had available to us here.”

The first thing that needed to be done was an application for a donor

What had once only been a dream now had hands and feet to carry out the work to cover the container shipping costs.

That was completed in December 2008 and it went to potential donors through an Alberta relief agency

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Packing a container is just as important as collecting the items to fill it

Photo courtesy Sherwood Park Alliance Church

in Sherwood Park. This agency would eventually play a major role in the packing and shipping of this container.

In May 2009, Carol began by personally inviting several people to be part of the core team responsible for the container and its contents. “I had no idea who would be willing to help with this project. I sent out an email to many prayer partners and to the previous African team and about 10 people came out to pray for and lead this project. Roger C. and the team from Heartland Alliance Church joined the project and were critical partners in its success.”

The first meeting of the core team included much prayer—prayer for God’s anointing on an endeavour that had more value than any in that room would ever really know and prayer for guidance in the practical aspects of choosing items for the container. Carol remembers, “I

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. . . prayer for God’s anointing on an endeavour that had more value than any in that room would ever really know worried as I wondered if enough people would know about this project, if they would support it and if we would get the items that were most important to be shipped.”

And so the process began.

What had once only been a dream now had hands and feet to carry out the work.

Over the next several weeks, individuals researched suppliers of many items from the ‘wish list.’

Items such as generators, inverters, solar panels and solar cookers were investigated. Carefully, decisions were made as to what was most useful. Many phone calls and emails ensued between Canada and Africa.

Others from the team began to shop garage sales and value markets

for reasonably priced but ‘good as new’ baby items such as clothing, blankets and furniture. As well, shopping for new items like welding units, electrical supplies, laptops and industrial tools began. Cost mattered. Most of the new items purchased were on sale while many others were donated.

Flyers went out to our church congregation as well as other partnering churches. Emails were sent to prayer partners.

Announcements were made in services. An African Container 2009 information centre was set up in the foyer of the church where people signed up for items they would donate. The word was getting out and excitement was beginning to grow.

The word was getting out and excitement was beginning to grow During the last two weekends of June, donations were collected after the church services. A large trailer was in the church parking lot and many from our congregation dropped off items from the ‘wish list.’

One man from the church had a dream the week before the Container Project was mentioned. It was about diapers and that someone needed some. After the project was introduced, he called Carol and asked if diapers were one of the items on the list. She said they were and he proceeded to donate 3,992 diapers!

Another item on the list was ringer washtubs—a rare commodity in Canada. A lady from the church just happened to have a 1935 vintage set from her mom that she was keeping but didn’t really know why.

God knew that Africa needed them more than the garbage dump.

In the end, donations were collected from more than six Alliance churches in Alberta including Sherwood Park, Heartland, Grande Prairie, Barrhead, Edson and Fort St. John.

Carol recalls, “People gave from their hearts and it was such an encouragement to see how they wanted to bless our global partner, her colleagues and the women and children of Africa with the items that they brought.”

Soon everything was collected and sorted and then delivered to the relief agency’s warehouse.

Packing a container is just as important as collecting the items to fill it. Every square inch must be secured so there is no shifting of contents during transport, which would result in damaged items.

Any possible space, like drawers and cupboards, must be filled, then wrapped with plastic. All items are put together, like a 3-D puzzle, on square wooden pallets. The pallets

are wrapped in plastic and placed in the container by a forklift. Then, every space between the pallets must be filled with smaller items and ‘stuffers’—plastic bags filled with clothing, blankets, and towels.

Once a container is properly filled— nothing moves! in Africa on “There was exhilaration when September 14. the seal was put on the container, Thanks soon knowing that everything sent could arrived from Africa. be used and would be very helpful.”

“Praise the Lord for Carol remembers. the arrival of the container. We are That is what the relief agency is feeling really spoiled! It was full of master of—packing and shipping good quality, beautiful things that containers. will be a great help in our efforts to The director of the agency and provide for the children and advance his team made all the transportation God’s Kingdom in this place.” arrangements, brought in the And that’s what it really was all container, led our team of volunteers about. Two women on either side of in making the pallets of donated the world listening to God in order to items and packing the container, and advance his Kingdom. then sent it to its destination. They also looked after all the paperwork Cindy C. served as a core team member required to accompany the shipment for the African Container 2009 Project. She and the interim financing for the shipping costs. This project would not resides in Sherwood Park, Alberta with her husband and three teenage children have been completed without their support.

Shipping costs are one of the most expensive aspects of sending a container.

Fortunately, the $8,000 price tag was covered by a generous donation from Alliance Women’s Ministries.

Carol remembers, “The shipping costs Is God nudging you about serving outside ended up being of Canada? We will help you listen to $1,000 less, so this God's call, hear what others see in money also covered the port fees in you, examine your gifts and Africa. This was a preparation, and then match huge help!” them with current needs.

On July 8, the container left Sherwood Park along with many prayers Visit for the safe arrival of its contents. It was cmaconverge.com trucked to Montreal for more details and put on a ship.

The container arrived

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alliance care

Helping Them Face the Wolves of Cross-Cultural Life

The critical role of member care in meeting the special needs of International Workers and their families

by Judy Wiebe

I

n responding to Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all nations,” our International Workers are choosing to leave the relative safety and security of Canada to live among the least-reached peoples of the world.

Many are in places where there is political instability, terrorist activity, religious intolerance, high rates of crime and corruption, environmental hazards, poor medical care, diseases for which they have no immunity, etc.

Embracing such risks is part of responding to God’s call. It is not humanly possible to eliminate all the stresses and challenges that accompany the cross-cultural call.

But what is our responsibility, as a family of Alliance churches, to come alongside and provide the extra support and care that our International Workers and their families need?

Caring well for our workers and their families begins long

Caring well for our workers and their families begins long before they go to their field of ministry Home Ministries Seminar

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before they go to their field of ministry. Comprehensive medical and psychological screening and assessment allows the Global Ministries Department to place people in a context where they can thrive.

Following appointment, new International Workers attend a two-week pre-field orientation where they learn more about Global Ministries administration and financial services, partnering with their home and cluster churches, transition issues, and other challenging topics. We ask each new worker to develop a personal Wellness Plan, and establish growth goals in each area of their walk with God and with others.

Our International Workers have wonderful resources available to them through the professional staff at International Health Management in Toronto. Physician Dr. Ken Gamble and psychologist Dr. Duncan Westwood are available to provide advice and support for workers and families on the field.

Those facing a medical emergency are assisted to find the best possible care locally, or in some cases, to evacuate to Canada for care.

During every home assignment, each International Worker meets with Drs. Gamble and Westwood for a personal debriefing.

We are grateful for a growing network of member care specialists who can support our workers, such as the Mobile Member Care Team (MMCT) located in Ghana, West Africa.

In the case of a crisis such as a kidnapping, political unrest, etc., MMCT specialists can respond immediately and be anywhere in West Africa within 24 hours to provide the critical on-site debriefing and support necessary. We also have a number of counsellors and psychologists across Canada who provide excellent care for workers during home assignment.

The Greatest Commandment One pitfall which many vocational Christian workers face is the temptation to focus all their energies on working for God, to the detriment of their relationship with God. This is also true of International Workers.

The extra time needed to attend to the practical realities of life and ministry in a third-world country can crowd out the need for quality time and intimacy with God. The leadership of Global Ministries wants to be very intentional about modelling and communicating the importance of Great Commandment living. Jesus tells us that the most important thing is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . . . love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).

So, a critical part of caring for International Workers is to provide encouragement, resources and training to empower them to live out the reality of the Greatest Commandment as they go about their ministry of reaching the leastreached peoples.

Global Ministries Member Care Model In 2001 Global Ministries established the office of Alliance Care to provide oversight to the physical, emotional, spiritual and vocational well-being of our International Workers and their families. There are five ‘spheres’ we focus on in providing them care.

Master Care: care from and for God—this is the heart of member care Self Care: the responsibility of individuals to provide wisely for their own well-being and that of their family Mutual Care: the support, encouragement, correction and accountability we give to and receive from others (friends, colleagues, families) Sender Care: care from sending groups, such as the Global Ministries Department, the home church, cluster churches Specialist Care: care from specialists which is professional, personal and practical. Examples would include medical and psychological professionals, financial planners, pastors, educators

Sending churches play a critical role in supporting and encouraging their International Workers How can you help?

Sending churches play a critical role in supporting and encouraging their International Workers, not just through financial support, but also through their ministry of encouragement and accountability.

These days, there are so many ways to keep in close touch with people living halfway around the world—through Skype, Facebook, Twitter and so on. Knowing that friends and family at home can keep up on what is happening in their lives and ministry overseas is a huge encouragement to International Workers and their families.

Participating in a short-term missions trip with your local church or cluster of churches is another way to encourage International Workers.

Being able to come alongside to assist them in their ministry, see the context in which they live,

experience some of the joys and challenges they face . . . all these things go a long way to increasing your understanding of their lives and in helping you pray for them with deeper insights.

A growing area of need is for spiritual intercessors who can partner with us in reaching out to the least-reached people groups. Our people live in places where there is significant spiritual opposition which can manifest itself in the form of sickness, discouragement, loss of visas, and in some cases, attrition.

Our International Workers want to identify gifted intercessors who can partner with them in bringing the light of Christ into some of the darkest places in our world.

greatest resource is our people, whom we seek to develop and care for with consideration of their giftedness, uniqueness and call.”

We acknowledge our dependence upon God to walk alongside our International Workers in such a way that we cooperate with the work God is doing to transform each one to the likeness of Christ through their cross-cultural journey.

We also gratefully acknowledge our partnership with the Alliance family of churches who identify and nurture the call of God on the lives of their people to serve him cross-culturally, and then continue to encourage and support them throughout their service.

Our greatest resource One of the convictions which shape Global Ministries is that “our

Judy Wiebe is Director of Alliance Care, Global Ministries, with The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

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your church

God Is Crazy in Love with You! Building a church family that influences and encourages one life at a time

by Charlene de Haan

G

“

od is crazy in love with you,” Senior Pastor Doug Doyle informs his congregation and the community. Through sports, barbeques and street parties, members of Redwood Park Church seek to make their city a better place to live. As the arms and feet of Jesus, they stretch out a hand to the poor in their neighbourhood.

“Thunder Bay (Ontario) has fewer people in church than other cities,” states Doyle, increasing the challenge to connect people from all walks of life to a life-transforming relationship with Christ, and to inspire a church family to impact their city with the life of Jesus.

congregation because they don’t see themselves influencing from a protected Christian environment.

“Following Jesus is not riskfree,” asserts Doyle. Children bring parents and grandparents. Alpha and Celebrate Recovery groups address specific needs. Redwood Park is all about connecting people from all walks of life to a life-transforming relationship with Christ.

Sixteen months after Redwood Park relocated to a renovated school and new worship auditorium, their original facility was transformed into the Redwood Park Opportunities Centre, serving the poor, addicted, discouraged and hungry of Thunder

Redwood Park is all about connecting people from all walks of life to a life-transforming relationship with Christ

Senior Pastor Doug Doyle

Loving the Neighbourhood Incredibly, others in the community refer seekers to Redwood Park.

Rough language, messy divorce, high alcohol consumption—all are welcome in this grace-filled

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Bay. Hundreds of families benefit from the food bank each month and every family that comes has a brief conversation with a caregiver and an invitation to pray.

A portion of the sales proceeds from Threads, their used-clothing store, provides income to help stock the food bank. Some congregants serve 20 hours-a-week shopping for food, stocking shelves or working at the centre. The Christmas dinner theatre sells out quickly—all 2,400 meals—as parishioners buy tables and invite their neighbours.

First Nations people account for about eight percent of the Thunder Bay population. Some worshippers house young people from the reserves while they attend school in town. Redwood’s youth ministry offers a coffee drop-in centre at local area high schools. A First Nations presence is growing in the Sunday

evening student ministry service while Doyle dreams even larger, envisioning an aboriginal worship service at the Opportunities Centre.

Doyle’s vision is that every believer will be empowered for missional involvement. “Knowing God and chasing after his ways is anything but boring!” he exclaims. It is truly an experience of ‘life, passion and adventure’ made possible by God’s Spirit. Redwood Park is “a loving community of Christ-followers who together are stumbling forward in this God-led missional journey.”

While some shy away from numbers, this community of passionate, adventurous believers has grown from 100 to 900 at some services, with 1,600 identifying Redwood Park as their ‘home.’ At least half bring no evangelical background.

There are those who are excited and those who were aghast as Redwood Park has intentionally transformed its vision over the past decade. “Our environment is always in transition; the culture changes. It takes time to become missional,” reflects Doyle.

Loving the City As a reflection of how this family of God-followers serves the city, the Catholic Teachers Association invited Redwood Park members to assist them in distributing thousands of winter coats. Partnering in ministry, Stoney Creek Alliance Church contributed hundreds of boots.

Confederation College (Thunder Bay) requested a partnership with Redwood Park’s three-year pastoral apprenticeship program, a collaborative ministry with Briercrest’s Distance Learning and Continuing Education Centre.

One Redwood Park apprentice was invited to live on the Confederation campus to positively influence the residence, not through proselytising but through building caring relationships in the dorm.

Doyle believes God has placed a unique call on the Redwood Park church family to shape the future of their city with the life-changing power of God’s love. God has called them to be a church with city-wide influence, a ‘missional cathedral’ of acceptance, wholeness and transformation where people find love, hope, encouragement, forgiveness and healing.

Outside the city, Doyle mentors other pastors. A Barrie church was in decline when Doyle was asked to offer a hand. Sending a student minister, supported by sermons on DVD, the Redwood Park Church, Barrie Campus has grown.

Commissioned pastor, Nathan Barnes builds relationships in the local community while being

mentored from Thunder Bay. Video feeds now enable sermons to be shared in either direction. Doyle encourages this multiplication of resources where other larger congregations can get involved in mentoring smaller parishes.

Loving the World Internationally, Redwood Park members regularly join denominational teams to come alongside International Workers on an Asian island where 95 percent are Islamic militants. A few years back, every church on the island was burned to the ground.

Now Redwood Park couples give a-month-a-year to encourage a church battered by persecution, following the example of Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ hands until the battle was won (see Exodus 17:8-13).

In practical terms, that means working on water pumps, offering literacy classes, teaching English-as-aSecond-Language, offering wholistic

Baptism—Thunder Bay Style

education and reversing the hostile environment through positive action until the face of Jesus is revealed.

Doyle concludes, “We are agents of God’s re-creating work wherever we live and throughout this planet. We are people who simply bless our neighbours and enhance the reputation of our God here and around the world.” It’s a foretaste of heaven on earth!

Charlene de Haan, a freelance author in Toronto, writes a regular column for Faith Today magazine. More information at www.stepUPtransitions.ca

Serving the city and beyond with joy L-R: Jim Peterson, Jane Doyle and Betsy Peterson

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your church

Sharing Your Missions Trip Experience Practical and effective ways to enhance the impact of your stories

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oing on a short-term missions trip can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your Christian walk.

Being able to share what you experienced with others upon your return will not only serve to inspire them but will also help you process what has happened and apply all that you’ve learned to your everyday life at home.

To make things easier for you and more meaningful for others requires some planning and thinking on your part before you leave, while on your trip and when you return.

Before you leave Talk to your Senior Pastor and/or Missions Coordinator to let them

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know that when you return home, you would like to be able to share about your trip with as many people in the church as possible. Ask them to help set up a schedule for you to speak to different groups.

This could include any of the following: the entire congregation for a few minutes during a worship service or perhaps at an annual dinner or special missions event; one or several of your home groups where you could have more time to share; a Sunday School class, youth group, men’s breakfast, women’s luncheon, senior’s meeting. You may even want to invite a group to your home to share your story.

Also, read the article in the Fall 2009 issue of Alliance.ca entitled

Tell Your Story With Power and Impact. You can also find it at http:// cmalliance.ca/storytipsp2482. php. This will give you suggestions on how to take photos and videos that can be used in a variety of ways among the Alliance family.

While on your trip Be thinking about what you would like to tell members of your church when you get back, especially thinking about the age groups you will be speaking to. Try to anticipate what they would be most interested in and would want to know.

Write in your journal what you did each day; what you saw, felt, tasted.

Ask questions like: What kind of games do the children like to play?

Go through your journal and pick out relevant information for the various groups you will meet What foods do they like to eat? What do teens do for fun? What is school like? What types of jobs do people do?

When you return As soon as possible upon your return, share as much as you can with your Missions Coordinator, Senior Pastor and Seamless Link Advisor (formerly known as District Missions Consultant). Let them help you determine what kinds of things to share with various groups.

Choose photos suitable for the type of presentation you or your missions team will be making. This may mean preparing one presentation for youth, and something totally different for an adult group.

Go through your journal and pick out relevant information for the various groups you will meet.

Then decide how you will present your information: PowerPoint, video, passing around your photos, setting up a display, etc. Whatever you choose, make sure it is well done and something people will be interested in seeing. If you need help, ask around to see who could design the PowerPoint for you, or assist you to set up equipment, etc.

In advance of a church presentation, provide the church office with a couple of favourite photos they can use to help announce your upcoming presentation through a church bulletin, newsletter or PowerPoint.

Ask people to pray for you as you prepare and give your presentation, that what you do will bring glory to God and speak to the hearts of those who listen.

Before your meeting begins, you may want to play music from your host country to help set the mood.

You may want to bring a taste of the food from your host country as well as curios or souvenirs.

Tell your audience why you went

on the trip, what you learned about the culture there and what the trip meant to you. Share any amazing testimonies of things you heard or saw. Before giving information from sensitive areas, be sure to follow the Communications Guidelines available from your Missions Coordinator or Seamless Link Advisor.

Depending on the age group of your audiences and the time you are allotted, you may want to play some international games, or have the youth bring their laptops (if there is a wireless connection) and have them check out various web sites you have found to be helpful.

At the end of your presentation, and with the International Worker’s approval, you might ask if anyone in the audience would like to receive regular prayer letters from the worker, and then make arrangements for that to happen.

Be sure to stay within your time limits, but be open to talk to anyone further about your experience following the meeting. Also, be prepared to talk to anyone who may be interested, on a one-on-one basis, before or after any church service, or in a chance meeting in a coffee shop, or through social media.

Don’t forget to say ‘thanks’ to your supporters—both publically as a group and privately through individual thank you letters.

Determine to keep in touch with the International Worker and/or some contacts you made while in the host country and follow up on the progress being made there. Continue to do research on the area and keep up with the prayer requests.

Find an international student or someone in your neighbourhood from that part of the world and establish a relationship. You may even consider having an exchange student live in your home for a year.

Get involved in prayer

opportunities for missions and unreached peoples. Help others in your church to go on a short-term missions trip too, by encouraging them, helping to raise funds or helping to organize a trip.

Share your story beyond the scope of your local church by sending it to the National Ministry Centre, along with photos and/or video, for use in their publications that go out to all our Alliance churches across Canada.

Your short-term missions trip can be much more than just a dot on the timeline of your life. Sharing your stories with others will help ensure your experiences have eternal impact.

WANTED: Your Photos

We have an ongoing need for good quality photos of individuals and congregations in action at home and around the world. See your work displayed on our web site, in brochures, on posters, etc.

Send identified high resolution images (300 dpi or 5”x7”) in JPG format as an e-mail attachment to thompsong@ cmacan.org or on disc (CD or DVD) to: ATTN: Communications The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada 30 Carrier Drive, Suite 100 Toronto ON M9W 5T7

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now you know

We’re Only Part of the Picture T

he Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada is a denomination with churches across Canada—427 of them to be exact. And on any given Sunday, about 120,000 people are in our churches worshiping God. Our Sea to Sea initiative also reaches out to new communities, immigrant groups and other unreached peoples from coast to coast.

churches (members and adherents) on any given Sunday. n There are more than 5,700 ordained ministers and over 28,000 workers, ministering in those churches and to those people. n Many of them come from the 116 full-term theological schools supported by the Alliance around the world.

You can add to that, the fact that we have approximately 230 International Workers ministering in the Four S regions—Silk Road (Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia); Caribbean Sun (Latin America); Desert Sand (Africa) and Asian Spice (Asia).

But ‘the Alliance’ is more—much more—than that!

Around the world n There are Alliance churches in 81 countries with more than 14,500 churches, unorganized church groups and preaching points.

Of those, more than 10,000 are officially organized churches. n There are almost two million baptized members. n There are approximately four million attending Alliance

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Uniting this vast number of churches, peoples and nations is the Alliance World Fellowship (AWF).

Rev. Arie Verduijn, President of the Alliance World Fellowship, is from Holland and has spoken at General Assemblies in Edmonton (2006) and at Antalya (2010). Canadian Rev. Wilson Kaan currently acts as AWF treasurer. The AWF Quadrennial Conference is held every four years, bringing together the nations. The next Quadrennial is scheduled to be held in Canada in 2012.

Arie Verduijn, President, Alliance World Fellowship

SPRING 2010

Stories for Life Keep informed about Alliance happenings across Canada and around the world Alliance Alive (formerly known as Family Snapshots) is a DVD magazine sent to your church each spring and fall. Now you can receive your own copy at home simply by requesting it!

See the impact the Canadian Alliance family has ministering in your community or amongst some of the least reached people. See stories that will move you, and stories that will make you think. Each edition features a mix of local and international stories suitable for individual, small group or congregational viewing.

Order your FREE subscription today: orders@cmacan.org

cmacan.org

30 Carrier Drive Suite 100 Toronto ON M9W 5T7 Canada

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