cmAlliance.ca: Spring 2012

All覺ance

CM

A Resource for Transforming Canada and the World

Celebrating Our

Heritage Robert Jaffray Missionary pioneer revered by others but unknown in Canada

Old Ways New Again Remaining relevant to the real needs of the inner city

12 General Assembly 20 Momentous decisons made here will have significant ramifications

SPRING 2012

WINNIPEG Meeting people wherever they live

Visit

ALLIANCEASSEMBLY.com

Contents Photo Robert Jaffray

Features 8 125 Years—Celebrating the Impact

Canadian Christian leaders share their personal insights into the influence of the Alliance

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Effective local strategy to open up communication and strengthen connections among those in missions

12 Heritage Rooted In Values

Personal insights into key contributors to the growth and development of the Alliance

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15 History of Alliance Missions

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18 Women Ministers of the Gospel

A few examples of those who played a significant role in the history of the Alliance in Canada

21 Our Best-Kept Secret Revealed

Shunning fortune, he was a missionary pioneer in some of the largest mission fields of the world

Kingdom Continuity Leadership Discontinuity

Biblical examples to inform and inspire during potentially stressful times of transitional change

A Backward Journey Forward

This unique approach helps understand the past and move into the future with hope

Having a Heart for International Workers

General Assembly Perspective from the Pew What attending means to this individual

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General Assembly Perspective from the Pulpit What attending means to this individual

24 Old Ways Are New Again

Returning to the inner city creates opportunities to meet the real needs of an ever-changing community

Significant Anniversaries in 2012

30 A Solemn Covenant

The Dedication of Myself to God

31 First in North America

How this Chinese Alliance church came into being

32 Preserving Your Church’s History

How to make the past a living and useful resource for members of a faith community

36 The Jaffray Legacy Lives On

Nurturing new ideas and fresh ways to bring hope and healing to a dying world

38 Challenges Facing the

Church in Canada

Several strategies to help Christian leaders deal with some pressing issues

Departments Feeding Your Mind

6 Our Story Is Worth Remembering

Impressions

34 Putting All Her Trust in God

Now You Know

54 Electing the New President

Personnel

50 Personnel Updates

Perspectives

40 Doing Church Differently SPRING 2012

28 Canadian Alliance Churches

Practice of Prayer

48 Pray for Us!

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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.cmalliance.ca. 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 2012

Celebrating Our Heritage

T

wo years ago, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada met for General Assembly in Antalya, Turkey.

Among other things, we were reminded, very forcefully, that our view of “history” is controlled by our optics. When you stand in the ruins of Ephesus or Perge and realize that they were historic places when Alexander the Great roamed through the region, you get a totally different perspective of what is historic and what is not.

All of that to say, 125 years is a miniscule drop of water in a massive ocean of history. Yet, 125 years is what The Christian and Missionary Alliance celebrates in 2012.

This issue piques our interest and demonstrates how our heritage has changed lives and impacted society. It shows how our mandate from 1887 remains unchanged and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, aligned with the concepts of justice and compassion, is just as valid now as it was then.

Included is an article on one of Canada’s Christian “heroes” who, in typical Canadian fashion, is much better known outside the country than he is at home.

Robert Jaffray, recognized internationally as one of the great missionary leaders, gave up a privileged life to serve overseas. His story deserves to be shared.

Also in this issue, we tell about the man whose efforts gave Toronto the nickname “Toronto the Good” and about several of the women who pastored Alliance churches on the Prairies in the early years of the 20 th century. We give some insights into how churches should identify and protect their own history for future generations. And that’s just for starters!

This is also an Assembly year. It’s a notable session because delegates will choose only the fourth president The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada has ever had. Who will follow Mel Sylvester, Arnold Cook and Franklin Pyles?

Several articles look forward to Assembly in Winnipeg. Plus, we look outside ourselves, outside the Alliance and put up a mirror to see how the non-Alliance Christian world looks at us.

Happy reading.

Barrie Doyle

Mailbox

To submit a letter, write to magazine@cmacan.org or cmAlliance.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.

A Refreshing Exception I have never really been a fan of denominational magazines for a number of reasons. Of the publications I have read ...

Most content had very little to do with the real issues people face or honest questions they are asking. n Most flood us with information about ministries so numerous we cannot possibly keep up with them. n

Yesterday I received the newest copy of cmAlliance.ca and was really impressed!

I found it to be a very refreshing exception to what I’ve observed in the past.

If this is any indication of future issues—keep ’em coming!

Great job!

—Joe Rioux

Letter Shocked Me The very negative submission from B. Camper that appeared in the cmAlliance.ca Fall 2011 magazine shocked me.

Was I in the same service? Yes, thank God I was.

My heart rejoiced to see and hear the Ambrose students praising God and leading us in a powerful worship experience. It is exciting to know that the new generation of saints has responded to the Lord’s

call to use their gifts to praise and glorify God. I pray that the dear group of students who worked hard to be with us for that service will not be discouraged by this criticism.

—Irene Draper

Need More Copies My name is Albert Chan, Site Administrator at VCAC—Fraser

Two Thumbs Up Getting back to biblical discipleship is long overdue in most local churches! In the latest issue of cmAlliance.ca, I appreciate the double emphasis and expectation— neither can any believer graduate from the school of discipleship nor can one neglect discipling others in the journey of his/her life transformations.

With grace, love and joy, —T.V. Thomas

Lands Church (part of Vancouver Chinese Alliance Church in B.C.).

We wanted to inquire about the recent Fall 2011 issue of cmAlliance. ca. Our English congregation will be focusing on discipleship in 2012 and we wanted to provide copies of the magazine to our members.

We were wondering if it’s possible to order more copies of this issue. If so, would we be able to get 100 copies? Thank you.

—Albert Chan Great Magazine Great magazine! I love the quality.

—Ruby Stobbe

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feeding your mind

our story is worth remembering

T

Driving home the critical importance of keeping history alive

By Larry Thiessen

his issue of cmAlliance.ca celebrates the 125th anniversary of The Christian and As one can imagine, it Missionary Alliance, and that overarching topic fits well for this column. When is difficult to know how you get right down to it, celebrating an anniversary is really all about remembering to best commemorate an the many stories that make up our history. overwhelming event as tragic That is one of the great benefits of books. If we take the time to read and as the Second World War. research, we can learn just about anything about how it all started—including This is history that one might the people, places and culture that make up the past. just as easily intentionally forget.

In the beginning, long before there were any books, there were stories, But the German people are doing passed along orally from one generation to another, keeping the history their best to remember appropriately. alive. And it wasn’t only the bards that told these stories. Artisans kept To do this, they are turning to the the history visual by drawing important scenes on walls and on the arts community to create memorials that pottery that was used in palaces and homes alike. are both moving and timeless. Much like Our ancestors went to great lengths to preserve the heritage the artisans of old, their creations help us that can so easily be forgotten. We do well to remember this remember. as we look back at the past century of C&MA experience, One such event happened on May 10, 1933, insisting that nothing be lost along the way. when the Nazis set ablaze thousands of books The critical importance of keeping history alive was that they considered to have contained un-German brought home to me a few years ago when I visited Berlin. ideas. Today, in a square in East Berlin, a simple

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Our ancestors went to great lengths to preserve the heritage that can so easily be forgotten glass plate lies flat on the spot where this burning took place.

At first, this inauspicious plate doesn’t appear to be anything more than a record of the event. Yet, when one comes close and looks down into the glass plate, one sees what looks like empty bookshelves—the amount of shelves needed to hold all those lost books.

As a book lover, this memorial had a profound impact on me as I realized that when we censor books—essentially removing our history of thought, ideas and events from the people—it is only a short step to burning books. Or as Heinrich Heine, a German-Jewish poet, had stated over a 100 years earlier, “Where books are burned, human beings are destined to be burned too.”

This reminds us that we should never be afraid of our history, no matter how painful it all might be. If and when we forget where we come from, we are certainly more apt to lose our bearing. And like these creative memorials, books keep our stories alive. So, when was the last time you read some history?

For something a little different, consider this book.

A People’s History of Christianity

by Diana Butler Bass For too long, the history of Christianity has been told as the triumph of orthodox doctrine imposed through power and hierarchy. In this book, we see an alternate history that includes a deep social ethic and far-reaching inclusivity.

“The other side of the story” is not a modern phenomenon, but has always been practised within the Church. Butler Bass persuasively argues that corrective, even

subversive, beliefs and practices have always been hallmarks of Christianity and are necessary to nourishing communities of faith.

She brings to life the personalities and spiritual disciplines that have always informed and ignited Christian worship and social activism. This is completely in line with the kind of Christianity that A. B. Simpson practised so many years ago.

In keeping with the C&MA anniversary theme, here are four books that will give you an overview of the early days of A. B. Simpson and the C&MA. In some cases, you might find that a book is listed as “out of print,” but you can get digital copies and, with a little digging, you might find a used copy around somewhere.

New York

by Edward Rutherfurd This book is historical fiction, tracing the wild and amazing history of New York City. And while it has nothing to do with the Alliance per se, it will give the reader an inside look at the culture in which A. B. Simpson lived and planted his first church. If you like historical fiction, Rutherfurd is one of the best.

Wingspread

by A. W. Tozer

Whether you read one of these suggestions or others like them, the main point is that we dare not ever stop reading and talking about the past. Our history is very precious and each time we celebrate another anniversary, we should pause and remember.

After all, the day will come when someone will hopefully be writing about us and the exploits of our lives, keeping the story alive and informing all those who come after us that we, too, lived and made the contribution that God called us to make.

Read on.

And for something completely different you may want to try the following.

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

A. B. Simpson: His Life and Work

by Albert C. Thompson A. B. Simpson and the Pentecostal Movement

by Charles W. Nienkirchen Genuine Gold

by Paul L. King

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125Years 125 Years

The Impact C e l e b r at i n g

THE Impact

Canadian Christian leaders share their personal insights into the influence of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Compiled by Patricia Paddey

1887.

It was a year of celebration (Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee), innovation (Coca-Cola, the electric elevator and the gramophone were patented), and inspiration (the classic hymns Leaning on the Everlasting Arms and Trust and Obey were written).

It was also the year in which God moved the hearts of two men—Canadian Presbyterian minister Albert Benjamin Simpson and a young Scottish pastor named John Salmon— to do a new thing, to launch a missionary society they dubbed “The Christian and Missionary Alliance.”

Much has happened in the 125 years since. The society—which was birthed out of a sense of urgency to

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take the gospel message to all nations—has become a denomination that today has more than 13,000 churches with over four-and-a-half million members and adherents in 81 countries and territories.

But the impact of The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) can be measured in more than just numbers; it can be measured in the words of those whose lives have been touched through its ministry, including many who don’t worship under the C&MA banner.

Here, and throughout this issue, you will find personal insights on the unique impact of the C&MA as seen through the eyes of a number of well-respected Canadian Christian leaders.

. . . a happy and memorable celebration of the Church’s service to god

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faith

This striking and aggressive form of outreach helped establish . . . a voice of evangelical faith

Voice of Evangelical Faith

In the 20 th century, the Church in Canada was greatly influenced by The Christian and Missionary Alliance in two important ways: one personal, the other cultural.

The C&MA provided a middle ground for evangelicals, especially those who wanted distance from ethnic or doctrinal emphasis, specifically, Mennonites and Pentecostals.

Mennonites, wanting a more central cultural environment not shaped by their ethnicity or pacifism, found in the C&MA a home compatible to their faith and sense of community.

Pentecostals, looking for a church home unmarked by an emotional form of service yet revivalistic in tone and emphasis, and wanting an evangelical faith without being pressed to accept glossolalia (speaking in tongues), found the C&MA to be what they were looking for: evangelical with enough energy and enthusiasm to satisfy.

On the cultural side, its leadership, learning from American forms, built large churches (campuses) of ministry in communities across Canada, with special success in the western provinces.

This striking and aggressive form of outreach helped establish, in many towns and cities, a voice of evangelical faith which eventually found itself in many sectors, not the least of which was civic leadership, including local and national politics.

While serving as president for The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, I was particularly enabled and encouraged by C&MA pastors and national leadership, specifically Dr. Mel Sylvester.

Refusing to be trapped into a narrow fundamentalism, and deciding that an agenda not tied to a particular political edge is more in keeping with the Gospel, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada has greatly assisted the wider church to give witness to our risen Lord while learning how to engage in the wider world as Christian servants.

Congratulations on this historic moment. May it serve to position you for even greater vision as you rely on the Spirit of Christ to empower you in your witness of the Lord we love and serve.

—Brian C. Stiller, Global Ambassador, World Evangelical Alliance

mission

Distinctive Energy for Mission

Wherever you find evangelicals gathered in Canada, whether in ministerials, working in collaborative ministries or participating in consultations and dialogues, you will find The Christian and Missionary Alliance present and active.

Though its churches come in many shapes and sizes, and its members in all walks of life, there is a distinctive energy for mission and desire to express the Gospel in relevant and life-changing ways.

Birthed out of a zeal for the marginalized and difficult to reach, both in the city and foreign lands, Alliance churches and workers are often at the forefront of experimenting with new ways of engaging their neighbours and communities.

May God continue to bless you and continue to give you passion and creativity in your witness to Jesus, our Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King.

—Bruce J. Clemenger, President, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada

Years 125 125 Years The Impact C e l e b r at i n g

THE Impact

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. . . Alliance churches and workers are often at the forefront of experimenting with new ways of engaging their neighbours and communities

accomplishment Great Accomplishment

Abraham pitched a tent but he built an altar! A tent is temporary. An altar is forever!

Even at 125 years, the C&MA tent (that is, the organization) is a great accomplishment. Congratulations!

The C&MA’s participation in building the altar (the Church) is its greatest accomplishment.

At 10 and 11 years old, I attended a Sunday afternoon C&MA Sunday School at the Gospel Tabernacle in Ottawa. I’ll never forget going to services there to hear George Beverly Shea sing. There was a preacher there we’d never heard of before by the name of Billy Graham. The year was 1947.

The first C&MA pastor I worked with was Rev. Bill Newell. His leadership to the whole Church was outstanding, not only as Superintendent of the C&MA, but also in the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and then in the major expansion of World Vision. He served with distinction as a Director of Crossroads Christian Communications.

I will forever be indebted to one of Canada’s greatest churches, The Christian and Missionary Alliance.

—David Mainse, Founder, Crossroads Family of Ministries, Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. and 100 Huntley Street

passion

Deep-Rooted Passion

My first real encounter with The Christian and Missionary Alliance came in the early 1980s when I was serving as a missionary to Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

I remember being deeply impressed with the holistic work of C&MA Services as I visited refugee camps in Thailand. I observed in C&MA leaders a real commitment to sharing the love of Christ and to providing services with professionalism and excellence.

Since that first exposure to the C&MA, I have had the privilege of meeting many of its leaders and visiting many of its churches. I am profoundly grateful for the deep-rooted passion of the C&MA and its members for the Gospel of Christ in all its dimensions.

Patricia Paddey, a freelance journalist, is grateful for the impact of the C&MA on her own life. Since 1988, she and her husband, Doug, have attended Sheridan Park Alliance Church in Mississauga, ON, where they have been baptized, taught, nurtured, given opportunities to serve and dedicated their three children to the Lord

I am also very thankful for its commitment to the unity in the broader Body of Christ demonstrated by its active membership in the World Evangelical Alliance.

So when my own local congregation in Richmond, B.C. decided to affiliate with the Alliance in Canada, I was extremely pleased.

On this special occasion, it is my real honour to extend to the C&MA in Canada a warm congratulations and God’s continued blessing as you celebrate this important milestone.

—Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, Chief Executive Officer/Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance

. . . very thankful for its commitment to the unity in the broader Body of Christ

125Years 125 Years

The Impact C e l e b r at i n g

THE Impact

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FEATURE

Heritage Rooted In Values Personal insights into key contributors to the growth and development of the Alliance

By Ken Draper

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This is the 125th birthday of a denomination that was not supposed to be a denomination

B

irthdays are times for both looking back and looking ahead. In our family, we have lived this out with a birthday tradition of thanksgiving and blessing.

On birthdays, members of the family express their thankfulness for what each has brought to the family in the past and then ask for God’s blessing in a particular area of their life for the coming year. The results have not always been spiritually profound.

Responses like “I thank God for my little sister because she’s cute” or “God bless you with better marks than last year” didn’t quite reflect the full depth of God’s grace or our thankful response. Yet, there was anticipation as we went around the circle and our laughter and joy in one another evidenced the Spirit’s presence.

In thinking about the quasquicentennial (pronounced kwos-kwi-sen-ten-ee-uh’ l and meaning 125th birthday) of the Alliance, our family tradition came to mind. I want to suggest three things I believe are central values within the heritage of the Alliance family and for which I am thankful.

An Alliance First, I am thankful for the Alliance propensity to be an alliance. This is the 125th birthday of a denomination that was not supposed to be a denomination. In the 1887 founding constitution, the Alliance vision is expressed in terms of what it hopes to accomplish as well as what it hopes to avoid.

“The Christian Alliance is designed to be a simple and fraternal union of all who hold in common the fullness of Jesus in his present grace and his coming glory. It is not intended in any way to be an engine of division or antagonism in the churches, but, on the contrary, to embrace Evangelical Christians of every name who hold this common faith and life.”

Even though we have clearly become a denomination, bringing people together for Kingdom work is still central to the Alliance identity.

The story of Ambrose University College illustrates a recent episode in bringing people together. From the beginning, in 1941, Canadian Bible Institute was a co-operative effort of a pastor, district superintendent, and educator with a shared commitment.

As the educational needs of the church changed and developed, so did the school. First serving the western districts, then all of Canada, it achieved accredited, degree-granting status and then moved to seminary training. Changes of name and location accompanied its broadening educational mandate.

By the mid-1990s, the Alliance was revisioning and refocusing, particularly in its missions program. In this context, Canadian Bible College/Canadian Theological Seminary (CBC/CTS) needed to transform.

Developing a Christian university that could provide preparation in disciplines that would open new doors to ministry was resource intensive.

The co-operative relationship between CBC/CTS and Nazarene University College eased the transition into Calgary, allowed a fuller expansion of programs, helped provide needed resources and was very much an expression of the Alliance founding vision.

While continuing its Bible college and seminary focus, Ambrose now offers arts and science degrees as well as business and education programs—all grounded in a commitment to prepare people for the work of the Kingdom.

Person-Centred Ministry A person-centred philosophy of ministry is another value for which I am thankful. This philosophy ensures that the person we intend to reach will hear the Good News at their point of need and in a way that engages his or her heart and life.

Ride 2012 This approach was put into expresses practice on the Canadian Prairies the Alliance when John Woodward sent out college students on a summer commitment mission from Beulah, with a horse to innovative and a bed roll, to evangelize the ministry scattered homesteads not served by any church.

It is exemplified in A.B. Simpson’s ministry, which was always focused on addressing the particular conditions that allowed someone to see Jesus.

Simpson tells the story of attempting to witness God’s love to a woman who claimed she had never experienced anything of love.

If no one had ever loved her, how could she really believe that God could? With deep pastoral insight, Simpson perceived that she “was perfectly sincere and responsive but utterly helpless to understand the Gospel.”

At this point Simpson says, “I ceased preaching to her.”

Instead, he had a number of women from his congregation befriend her. Once she believed she was worthy of love, she believed that God loved her and became a devoted follower of Jesus.

Ride 2012 expresses the Alliance commitment to innovative ministry. The ride east and west from

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General Assembly in Winnipeg “seeks to raise awareness for our inner-city church plants and provide much-needed resources so they can deliver compassion and justice to people in the inner city.”

Missional Spirituality The third value for which I am thankful is the Alliance’s deep commitment to what might be called “missional spirituality.” This is the important insight that our spiritual connection with Christ leads to missional action in the world while, at the same time, our missional action in the world deepens and strengthens our spiritual connection with Christ.

A.B. Simpson expressed this insight in an 1899 sermon intended to “state the distinctive principles of the work of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.” The first principle was “a deeper and larger faith,” a transformational encounter with Jesus that brings the character and love of Christ into the centre of our being.

This first principle leads to the second: missional encounter.

Simpson said, “No soul

Missional spirituality provides a pattern for a rich and sustainable relationship with Jesus rooted in love of God and love of neighbour

can receive this deep, divine and overflowing life and then live for themselves.” The life of Jesus flows through his people to bring grace and truth to those around them.

Indeed, if this outflow does not happen, deep spirituality cannot be sustained. Simpson underscores his point with an image from nature. “The body of water that only receives the inflow of its tributaries and has no outlet from which to discharge its overflow necessarily becomes a stagnant swamp or Dead Sea.” Missional spirituality provides a pattern for a rich and sustainable relationship with Jesus rooted in love of God and love of neighbour.

I realize these values may not be that profound.

But I hope that as signals of grace, they can help us to see how the Spirit is working among us and to ask for God’s blessing as we move forward together.

Ken Draper, PhD, is Professor of History and Director of Planning and Assessment at Ambrose University College

Alliance Trivia

A dozen things you should know about the Alliance . . . but probably don’t n

Mr. Christie not only made good cookies, but also was an early leader of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.

Cookie manufacturer William Christie was a strong Christian who insisted that his company follow Christian principles of business, including employee devotional time.

Christie was a strong supporter of John Salmon, A.B. Simpson and the Alliance in Toronto. n Canada’s largest city got its nickname “Toronto the Good” thanks to Toronto Mayor William Howland’s efforts to meet the practical social needs of his city out of his profound Christian faith and firm links with John Salmon, A.B. Simpson and the Alliance (see sidebar, page 26). n The first missionary ever sent out

by The Christian and Missionary Alliance was a Canadian medical

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doctor, William Cassidy.

Dr. Cassidy was assigned to China but died en route, never actually arriving at his field. n An early Alliance leader and teacher at the Missionary Training Institute in New York was “Daddy” William MacArthur. He was the father-inlaw to the stage and screen actress Helen Hayes, who was renowned as the “First Lady of American Theatre.” n “Book it, Danno!“ MacArthur was also the grandfather to James MacArthur, better known as “Danno” in the original television series Hawaii Five-0. n The precursor of our Alliance school, Ambrose University College, was founded in the basement of the Regina Gospel Tabernacle in 1941. n The first Canadian church associated with The Christian and Missionary Alliance was founded in Toronto

in 1897 by Rev. John Salmon.

Avenue Road Alliance Church in Toronto was pastored by both the Alliance “heretic” Charles Templeton and the Alliance “saint” A.W. Tozer. n The Alliance was founded in 1887, but the movement actually launched its first overseas ministries three years earlier, in 1884, in the Congo, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. n The Alliance’s first church and headquarters was in New York City.

It now houses John’s Pizzeria. n A.B. Simpson resigned from New York’s prestigious Thirteenth Street Presbyterian Church in 1881 to begin a new work to reach the “unchurched masses.” A grand total of seven people attended that first meeting. n The first Christian powwow was held by Regina First Nations Alliance Church in 2002. n

History of Alliance Missions

A Backward Journey Forward This unique approach helps understand the past and move into the future with hope

By Ray Downey

Spring 2012

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U

pstreaming is tough. I learned that lesson the hard way as a novice kayaker, trying to navigate on the Gorge in Victoria, B.C. Beginning in a downstream direction, great progress was made with minimum effort by paddling with the current.

But suddenly I found myself facing a series of rushing rapids as the waters of the Gorge dump into the Pacific.

With great difficulty, I managed to reverse direction by upstreaming against the current. After making little progress, however, I was forced to beach the kayak and, embarrassingly, admit defeat.

The real experts in upstreaming are Pacific salmon.

Salmon derive their name from the Latin term salmo, meaning “leaper.” They hatch in fresh-water streams, but spend the better part of their life cycle in salt-water oceans.

After a lifespan of several years that includes

and in an oscillating rather than linear manner.

When it comes to the availability of empirical data, the past trumps the future every time. Listening to our past is critical to understanding how institutional vision is able, not only to survive, but to thrive and be renewed over time. In his treatise Crisis and Renewal, David Hurst suggests that “Renewal is how we need to go backward in order to go forward—to travel back to the future” (2002:4).

1980-Present Using the upstreaming process, one begins by describing in broad strokes how the Fourth Generation (1980-2012) has engaged in their mission. A logical reference point is the current Mission Statement of Global Ministries of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada: “To glorify God by developing indigenous movements of reproducing churches among least-reached people groups.”

Random clips from International Worker newsletters provide a fieldlevel indication of how this purpose statement has impacted practice. Without the mention of names or places, here is a sampling of recent excerpts.

When it comes to the availability of empirical data, the past trumps the future every time thousands of kilometres of ocean navigation, they fight their way back upstream, swimming and leaping over rocks and rushing current to the very river beds where they were born.

Upstreaming is also a term used to describe a simple ethnohistorical methodology that can help one review 125 years of Alliance mission history. It is a participant observation process that links observed data from the present with recorded or orally transferred data from the past. It does this in a direct sequence, but against the flow of history.

A.B. Simpson founded the Movement in 1887, and maintained an active role in leading the society until his death 32 years later.

Assuming that a new generation begins approximately every 30 years, using the upstreaming approach means going back at least four generations. A few of our current International Workers have direct family connections with former Alliance overseas personnel, going back all four generations.

Living and working in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 1969 to 1996, our family gained an appreciation for African traditional thinking with regards to the worldview category of time. Many oral cultures share a similar perspective—that time moves backward rather than forward, from the present back into the past,

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n

n

n

n

n

Over 100 people from five Alliance churches joined together to worship and celebrate at our first joint service on December 31. We were excited to see people from each of the congregations. We praise the Lord for the work that he has done in this city and we pray that we will see an even bigger harvest in 2012.

Chinese New Year outreach event: Over 620 people attended. Praise our Lord that brothers and sisters served in unity and in love, and that 52 new friends received the greatest gift that evening.

Even though the breakaway movement came twice to try to disturb the conference (once dispersed with police gunfire), we met together for an uplifting time.

Folks from 27 districts felt the support of International Workers because of the written notes of blessing from former pioneer missionaries.

Though our work involves a variety of above-ground humanitarian and relationship-building activities, our real purpose is to see the community of faith (believers in Jesus) increase in numbers, strength and maturity. As this work expands, additional national workers are needed.

We had the most exciting weekend of our lives as we celebrated the 20 th anniversary of God’s work through us here! We had a full church for three nights and we had a baptismal service Saturday afternoon. Eighteen

people (including eight ex-drug addicts) shared what Jesus did in their lives and were baptized. n Harry and I met in a village with a group of men interested in finding out more about Jesus. Over 20 showed up! They listened to Harry talk for over two hours. He started by quoting some of their familiar prayers in Arabic, brought out what is good in Islam and asked them what happens when they fall short of the ideal and are left wondering if they can make it to heaven.

Then he went to the Old Testament and explained how it points to Jesus. They asked lots of questions!

(1975) and the DRC (1991), all of which experienced exponential church growth after missionaries were forced to leave.

1887–1920

The First Generation (1887–1920) was obviously shaped by the lengthening shadow of the founder. Simpson’s Christocentric message was simple but profound, popularized as the Fourfold Gospel: Christ as Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King.

Simpson gave priority to pioneer missions that targeted unoccupied or neglected fields. He believed that all missionary enterprise must have its source in deeper Allow me to make some personal observations in regard spiritual life. to this fourth generation of Alliance missions in Canada.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance began as an They have ministered during a period of dynamic inter-denominational movement. Gerald McGraw notes transition at every level, meeting changes directly that “As the society grew and more organization became related to the fact that the Alliance in Canada gained its inevitable, it finally accepted denominational autonomy in 1980. status more than half a century after Autonomy has been more of a process Simpson’s death” (1995: 39). Matthew 24:14 than an event, and a long and stimulating Autonomy and 28:18-20 were defining texts for Simpson journey at that. Major players in that has been and are even more relevant today. journey, with names such as Sylvester, Cook more of Challenges and questions remain. How and Albrecht, could fill you in on the details. has the passage of time affected the original It is beyond the scope of this article a process vision of the founder? Has that vision been to comment extensively on how much than an sustained or has it suffered periods of ebb Global Ministries has been reconfigured event and flow leading to the need for renewal and as the result of autonomy. Terms such as reconfiguration?

Redeployment, Diaspora, Seamless Link, Has discontinuity or continuity prevailed?

Four “S” Regions, International Churches, Has the past provided any hints of a preferred future?

Short-term Internships, Marketplace and Compassion Ministries and Creative Access Countries are samples of How have obstacles been addressed? Are we better placed today than we were 30, 60 or 120 years ago? Each of us the new lingo that deserves further description. must provide answers.

1920–1980 Change has been inevitable, but the vision remains.

Allow me to briefly comment on the Third (1950–1980) Upstreaming enables us to take the journey backward, and Second (1920–1950) Generations of Canadian identify the links to our past and move forward with hope Alliance missions. These periods were characterized for the future. by developing Mission-Church relations, described Rev. Ray Downey is a former missionary

by Harold Fuller as consisting of four stages— and Vice-President of Global Pioneer, Parent, Partner and Partnership.

Ministries for The Christian and Some of us had the fortune of experiencing all four Missionary Alliance in Canada stages during our careers. It was a time of mission stations, where nationals and missionary lived and worked together. I recall arriving for our first term in 1970 at the Kinkonzi Station, which hosted a Bible Institute, hospital, dentist, pharmacy, primary school and district regional church.

Many of us found our major fulfillment in discipleship and leadership training ministries. It was a period when one quickly learned that nationals make far better evangelists and church planters than expat missionaries.

Often, this is most apparent after crisis circumstances force the evacuation of missionaries.

Cases in point include China (1950), Vietnam

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the Gospel

Women Ministers of

A few examples of those who played a significant role in the history of the Alliance in Canada

By Barbara Howe

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ne Sunday morning following worship service, a Sylvester remembers: “The impact they had on that friend and I were visiting in the church lobby, and community and on my family was significant. They were the subject of women in ministry came up. My friend, in the first to suggest that God might call me to a ministry the course of the conversation, said, “Some of the best role one day.” pastors I ever had were two women.”

Twenty-seven years before Marion Hull and With a dismissive wave of my hand, I replied, “Oh, but Marguerite Railton arrived in Denzil, another woman, that wasn’t in an Alliance church.”

Margaret Connor, felt the call of God to minister on the “Oh yes,” she answered, “it was in a little Alliance prairies of mid-western Saskatchewan. church in Lamont, Alta.”

She arrived in April 1918, and in a short time she Alliance women established services in pastors? Really? The at least four different little Alliance history locations. In 1923, I had read had centred these small churches largely on the lives became united with and exploits of male The Christian and pastors and leaders.

Missionary Alliance The conversation and, thus, Margaret with my friend became an important percolated in my Alliance worker. thoughts for some In 1924, she time until I decided I became Assistant would try to discover Pastor in Edmonton’s if Marion Hull and Beulah Alliance and Marguerite Railton was one of the original (the pastors in teachers at the Great Lamont) were the only West Bible Institute.

Marion Hull and Marguerite Railton women who had been Margaret returned in ministry in the to the prairies of . . . these women opened the West to the Canadian Alliance, or Saskatchewan in if there were others.

1926, where revival Gospel and, in turn, to the Alliance My search shows broke out. Soon, that many women there was talk of the have served in Canada need for a suitable as evangelists, church-planters, pastors and teachers. In building where the various districts could meet as one fact, these women opened the West to the Gospel and, in congregation. turn, to the Alliance.

Prairie Gospel Of these women, current Alliance President Franklin Tabernacle was built Pyles writes, “They endured poverty, cold and criticism, and officially opened on but were not deterred. They planted churches, brought aid the last Sunday of 1928. to the suffering and won converts to Christ.

Margaret returned to “They discipled and baptized, and their labour was Beulah as Assistant Pastor not in vain in the Lord, as churches grew, families were in 1931 and remained in strengthened and workers stepped forward to join the office until 1944, when ranks. We are privileged to have had these anointed she retired. women among us and we are blessed to hear their stories.”

One of the many lives Hull and Railton met at Prairie Bible Institute and Margaret influenced upon graduating in 1935, they were assigned by Rev. J. D. was that of Cecil Smith, Williams, C&MA District Superintendent for Canada, whom she counselled and Margaret Connor to Denzil, Sask. They would subsequently pastor at four encouraged, and for whom other Alliance churches in Alberta: Hythe, Daysland, she prayed. Cecil and his Lamont and Mirror. wife, Eunice, served as The heart of their ministry was visiting in the homes of Alliance missionaries for their people, quietly and gently counselling, encouraging 40 years in Ecuador and Mexico. and helping. Former Canadian Alliance President Mel The original four churches that Margaret Connor Sylvester’s family attended the Alliance Church in Hythe. founded had, by 1935, consolidated into two: Denzil

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Union Church, where Hull and Railton served, and Prairie Gospel Tabernacle, in the Hearts Hill District of Saskatchewan.

Here, Edythe Gant (Rees) took the pulpit in 1942, in her first pastoral assignment. The impact of her ministry was clearly remembered by Columbian missionary Ross Clemenger.

“The arrival of the first woman preacher has a special spot in my memory. Miss Edythe Gant accepted the Prairie charge and immediately added new life and sparkle to the church services. Her stories, told for the children, enthralled the adults and kept the young people on the edge of their seats.

“I feel a great deal of gratitude to Prairie Gospel Tabernacle, its Sunday School teachers and pastors, but especially to Pastor Edythe Gant, who spent hours with the teenagers at skating parties . . . these few examples and sleigh rides, provide a small window and who took into the rich heritage of time around the bonfires, after the the Canadian Alliance fun and sports, to drive home principles of life and service that have influenced my personal life and service ever since.

“That was when I began to establish priorities and values that took me from Saskatchewan to Columbia, South America. Prairie Gospel Tabernacle is the main reason I am here.”

More stories of many other women ministers of the Gospel could be told, but these few examples provide a small window into the rich heritage of the Canadian Alliance. What should be our response to the contributions of these ministers?

Rev. Francis Pearson, District Superintendent of the St. Lawrence District, says quite clearly that it is an immense privilege to be associated in our Lord’s service with these gifted women who, by their visionary, courageous and sacrificial service, have joined hands to build the Christian and Missionary Alliance family.

The echo of those voices must constantly resound in our hearts and inspire us to trust God’s leading and to see that our lives can influence countless others.

We thank God for the incredible ministry contributions of the amazing pioneer women who have played such a significant role in the history of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.

Barbara Howe lives in Calgary and is a member of Southview Alliance Church, where she formerly served as part-time Pastor of Adult Ministries. Her recent book, Forgotten Voices: Women in Ministry in The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada is available at www.forgottenvoices.ca

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Celebrating Global Christianity The Christian and Missionary Alliance is the denomination in which my faith was formed and nurtured. Its gifts to me have been many, including fine expository preaching, exuberant sense of mission and focus on children and young people.

I became an adult in a church that celebrated “global Christianity” and preached that the church, by its very nature, was “missional.” The model of women as church-planters and missionaries opened my mind to the full potential of women as “fellow-labourers in the Gospel.”

A. W. Tozer’s editorials in The Alliance Witness introduced me to the art of thoughtful Christian writing, and my first column was in the C&MA youth magazine, Compass.

I thank the Lord for the Alliance and send warm congratulations on this historic anniversary.

Maxine Hancock, author, Professor Emeritus of Interdisciplinary Studies and Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver BC and her husband, Cam (whom she met at an Alliance youth camp in Alberta and married in Beulah Alliance Church, Edmonton) live in Nova Scotia

I thank the Lord for the Alliance and send warm congratulations on this historic anniversary

Our Best-Kept Secret

Revealed

Shunning wealth and power, he was a missionary pioneer in some of the largest mission fields of the world

By Barrie Doyle

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I

t is an all too typically Canadian story: an individual achieves monumental impact on a society, only to be almost totally ignored at home.

Robert Jaffray is for many Christians in Canada— even those in Alliance churches—a relatively unknown missionary leader and teacher. Yet, in those countries he impacted, he is a respected and revered man who gave unselfishly to bring the Gospel to their people.

His name conjures up descriptions such as “missions pioneer,” “Bible teacher,” “missionary strategist,” “missions statesman” and “man of the maps” in the hearts and minds of Christians across a swath of Asia. The list of countries and peoples he influenced sounds like a roll call of nations in today’s news: China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Robert “Rob” Alexander Jaffray was born December 16, 1873 and was raised in a wealthy, powerful Toronto home.

His father, Robert Sr., was a successful businessman whose business and political influence permeated the story of Canada in the late Victorian era. Jaffray was a prominent Liberal, working for and supporting the early Liberal government of Alexander Mackenzie, our second Prime Minister.

He was one of Canada’s builders, involved in everything from early Canadian railroad investment to the vice-presidency of the Imperial Bank of Canada (now CIBC). He parlayed that power and influence into a fortune and ownership of Toronto’s The Globe, forerunner to The Globe and Mail of today.

As publisher and president of the newspaper, his influence and wealth grew even larger, culminating in his appointment as a Liberal Senator. Robert Jaffray Sr. had money, influence, power and prestige—all of which he intended to pass along to his young son, Robert Jr., whom he’d targeted as his successor at the newspaper.

But God had other plans.

At the age of 16, young Rob Jaffray gave his life to Christ and soon came under the teaching of A.B. Simpson. A passion for missions began to burn and it brought conflict into the Jaffray home.

Disturbed by his son’s determination and concerned over his health—young Rob had heart problems and diabetes—the newspaper magnate cajoled and pleaded with his headstrong son. The arguments and pleas were to no avail. Rob was determined to enter the New York Missionary Training Institute (now Nyack College) and prepare for overseas service in China.

Enraged, Rob’s father gave an ultimatum. If Robert persisted with his wild dream, he would be cut off without a penny. Indeed, the father declared, if the Alliance wanted to send him to China, they would have to pay all the necessary expenses, for Jaffray Sr. would not!

However, if at any time young Robert realized his mistake and wanted to come home, his father would pay for his return.

Undeterred, Jaffray worked his way through school

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and in 1897, was sent by the Alliance to Wuchow (now Wuzhou), in south China, where he spent the next 35 years serving God and the Chinese people. He flung himself passionately into his field, learning to read, write and speak fluently in Chinese.

Jaffray began directing an everexpanding program of gospel outreach and mission extension.

Within a year of his arrival in Wuchow, for example, Jaffray set out on his first exploratory trip to French Indo-China, now the countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

But Jaffray was not only busy establishing himself in mission work. Soon after his arrival in China, he met a pretty missionary who’d preceded him to the field. On August 7, 1900, Robert Jaffray married Minnie Donor, a woman who became his life partner in mission as well as mother to their only child, Margaret.

His prayerful work led to his reputation as a “man of the map,” a sobriquet that has since been extended by many to include the Alliance worldwide as “people of the map.” Almost daily, he pored over maps, praying for the lost and carefully studying to see where next the Gospel should be proclaimed.

The list of countries and peoples he influenced sounds like a roll call of nations in today’s news

In 1911, Jaffray launched a mission into Vietnam at Da Nang. Adhering to his established model, the ministry was soon a bona fide church, ministering to the Vietnamese. What followed was an explosion of faith across Vietnam. In time, more than 100 Alliance missionaries trailed Jaffray into that nation.

In 2011, Vietnamese Alliance churches in Canada, Vietnam and around the world celebrated 100 years of the Alliance in their country and recognized the part played in their growth by a humble Canadian. Today, the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (Christian and Missionary Alliance) has almost 300 pastors and 340 churches; the church also operates elementary and secondary schools, hospitals, seminaries and a printing house.

Back in China, his workload was increasing, even while he plotted new mission strategies and locations. He led the Wuchow Bible School, still existing as the Alliance Seminary in Hong Kong, preparing Chinese Christians for ministry.

Plagued by diabetes and heart issues, he had a special desk constructed that lay across his bed. That way, even while bedridden by illness, he could still write, prepare and study his precious maps. His daily routine often had him up at 5 a.m., praying and writing on his special desk.

Determined to provide the Gospel and training materials in Chinese, he created the Chinese-language Bible Magazine. To publish it and many other training materials—most written by Jaffray himself—he established the South China Alliance Press. Many of his lectures from the Bible school were rewritten as articles that were distributed wherever Chinese people worshiped at home or abroad.

In the late twenties, Jaffray proposed a move into the Dutch East Indies, today’s Indonesia. A 1928 island-hopping expedition confirmed his plans, and he established a base at Makassar on Sulawesi. Jaffray applied the same pattern to this work by establishing a Bible school and printing house that still flourish today. A decade later, missionaries from North America and China were active and working with Indonesian Christians to minister on every major island in the archipelago.

In 1938, Jaffray returned to Canada for furlough. He was now 65, had achieved a great deal and was able to point to prosperous ministries and churches flourishing in most parts of South East Asia, Indonesia and his beloved China.

That year, with war looming, he and his family were pressured to stay in Canada. Jaffray, however, was concerned. “If I do not go back now, there is little likelihood I can ever go back at all. I must return to the Far East. I want to die out there where my life has been.”

Back in Makassar, with war literally on the doorstep, Jaffray’s concern for fellow workers was first and foremost in his mind. “You may be much safer in the interior than you would be at the coast, but the Lord will direct you.

You may know that Hong Kong has surrendered to the

Japanese and things in Manila look rather serious,” he wrote ominously to his colleagues.

When Japanese troops invaded the Dutch East Indies in 1941, Makassar soon fell, and the Jaffrays and other civilians were imprisoned. Minnie and Margaret were sent to a women’s compound while Robert went to a Prisoner of War camp 150 miles north of the city.

His age excused him from heavy Almost daily, labour, so he kept busy translating his Chinese language works into he pored English, so that when the war ended over maps, they could be re-translated into Indonesian. praying for As the war progressed, camp the lost and conditions deteriorated, and Jaffray’s carefully health began to fail. By 1945, Allied studying to troops were fighting on the northern islands of Indonesia, and American see where bombers were hitting Makassar. The next the prisoners were moved higher into Gospel the interior Toradja Mountains. should be Jaffray was thrust into a bamboo and thatch pig sty converted into a proclaimed hastily created infirmary. Survivors reported that everyone was on starvation rations, often not eating for 24 or 36 hours, and that when they did get a daily ration, it was only a half-cup of rice. A fellow prisoner, F. Randall Whetzel, reported that the diabetic Jaffray needed both salt and sugar, “but none was to be had.”

Dysentery ravaged the camp and guard brutality increased. Whetzel’s account continued: “I got dysentery again and was put in the infirmary about four beds from Jaffray. Day by day he grew weaker. The male nurse was instructed to call me if he detected Jaffray slipping away.”

On July 29, 1945, just weeks from the war’s end, Robert Alexander Jaffray passed into the presence of his Lord.

A funeral service was conducted in the late afternoon on what Whetzel called “a cold and blustery day,” and a united choir of Protestant and Catholic prisoners sang “Nearer My God to Thee.”

Minnie and Margaret did not learn of Robert’s death until they were freed. After the war, Jaffray’s body was moved to Makassar, where a memorial now stands.

Moved and impressed by the example of Robert Jaffray, Whetzel returned to Indonesia in 1948, assigned

by The Christian and Missionary Alliance. He served as Jaffray’s successor as field director from 1957 to 1963.

The churches in Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam and China, as well as the diaspora churches from those countries, continue to grow. Robert Jaffray’s legacy lives on.

Barrie Doyle, APR, author of the book The Media and the Message, is Director of Communications, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

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Old Ways Are New Again Returning to the inner city has created opportunities to meet the real needs of an ever-changing community

By Bill Dyck and Jim Foster

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hose who live in or near cities have often both loved and hated the inner city.

We are drawn to the downtown core as a place of work, entertainment, shopping, arts and other noble pursuits. But the dark side of the city centre—the poverty and homelessness, drugs, sex trade, poorer neighborhoods and broken lives—are all things we might prefer to stay away from. But should we avoid them?

When thinking of starting a business or a career or establishing the first family home, many naturally want to avoid the inner city. But if someone wanted to start a ministry or a church community of faith, how would they best define the ideal place for its location?

And what would be its intended objective, related to the people in the city?

The Apostle Paul defined one approach to starting a ministry, saying that it was his “ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known, so that [he] would not be building on someone else’s foundation” (see Romans 15:20).

Paul’s approach was to start on new ground, in places where others had not yet built or succeeded.

This kind of focus requires change—leaving the old to establish the new.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (C&MA) has held a focus on the people of the inner city over the last century, even while most established church groups slowly moved out to follow the flight of individuals and families to the suburbs. This focus has required great sacrifice and the willingness to adapt to the needs of the inner city and its people.

Soon after this ministry began, Salmon, Howland and their small church community rented Wolseley Hall, on Gerrard Street just east of Yonge Street, and held weekly services to teach the Word. They sought to reach out to the unsaved and to anyone who wanted to receive prayer for divine healing and the power of God in their lives.

Attendance was not great, so Salmon continued to go out to where the people were, thinking that if the needy

The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada has held a focus on the people of the inner city . . . even while most established church groups slowly moved out

The Alliance in Toronto Then The history of the Alliance in Toronto demonstrates this out over the past decades. The founder of the C&MA in Canada, Rev. John Salmon, worked among the poor of the city, especially in the slums of that day, without fee or salary. It was on those streets that he met William Howland, Toronto’s great reform Mayor and champion of the poor.

Together, pastor and mayor, sometimes in the dead of night, walked through the back lanes and alleyways feeding the poor, praying over the sick and counselling the broken. Along with his wife, Eliza, Rev. Salmon collected discarded clothing and remade garments for hundreds of otherwise destitute people. This became her career for the next 20 years, and she often worked until after midnight to provide for the basic needs of the poor.

would not come to him, then he would go to them.

Early Alliance people believed that the needs of the poor were the responsibility of not only the clergy, but also every believer. And so some very significant outreach efforts, led by non-ordained people, resulted in great ministry and church growth at this point in our history. n

Dr. Jennie Trout, a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of women’s ailments, established Canada’s first medical clinic at the corner of Jarvis and Gerrard Streets, where she treated the needy and poor people free-of-charge. n William Christie, founder of the biscuit manufacturer, was also an early leader. He gathered all his employees for daily devotional services and used his wealth to help launch and support many ministries. n Rebecca Fletcher founded Bethany Home in 1890.

Having been healed of a large tumor and intense headaches, she opened this home at 30 Maitland St. (later relocated), where people with hungry hearts and broken bodies, surrounded by Christian care, found a refreshing atmosphere and healing. n John Hamilton was a fruit buyer and hopeless drunkard until he met the Lord; and became a completely changed man. Hamilton opened Bethany

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William Howland 1844-1893

Mayor of Toronto the Good William Howland was deeply committed to the poor, sick and neglected of Toronto. At his own expense, he built a special school for children expelled from public schools for misconduct and later established a Home for the Aged and Homeless Poor. He visited this home almost daily, counselling and encouraging his dependents.

With his own money, he bought 50 acres of land in Mimico, in present-day Etobicoke, and erected a reformatory for young delinquents rather than seeing them thrown into prison with hardened criminals. Today, this is the site of a large, government-run detention center.

Howland also founded Toronto Mission Union, which operated five mission halls, one senior citizens home, one convalescent home and Toronto’s first home nursing service.

On Sundays, he was in constant demand as a speaker in the pulpits of just about every Christian church in the city. It seemed that every waking moment of his life was devoted to Christian work, despite his extraordinarily heavy business responsibilities.

In 1885, Howland was elected as Mayor of Toronto, and it was under his leadership that the city came to be known as “Toronto the Good.” He was also the founding president of the Christian Alliance in Canada, a forerunner to what became The Christian and Missionary Alliance. When he died suddenly of pneumonia at the age of 49, he was honoured with the largest funeral procession ever witnessed in Toronto up to that time.

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Workingman’s Home at 59 Frederick St. to rescue others from the grip of alcohol. Supported by the generosity of Bethany Church members, at its zenith, the home housed and fed 90 men each night, and the Gospel was preached nightly. n Annie Mellick, a crippled woman, was healed under Alliance ministry. She felt a call to start an orphanage for boys in a needy area. She rented an empty house at 82 Hayter St. and took possession of it with only her Bible and hymnbook. Completely lacking furniture, orphans and money, she waited six weeks. Then a group from the Bethany Chapel gathered in the empty house for prayer, asking God to send needy children and their sustenance.

From then on, it was one miracle after another. Within a few days, two little homeless boys were deposited at the empty house, then another and yet another. No one except God was ever asked to provide support. Furniture, money and food trickled in when needed. Neither Annie nor her orphans ever went without necessary clothing or missed a single meal. The home continued for 35 years until it was forced to close down when the city took ownership of the land in order to build Toronto General Hospital. Annie died shortly thereafter, having had her heart broken by this action.

These stories of early Alliance saints show how courageous people, whether in full-time vocational ministry or not, altered the face of a city when they adapted to the real needs of the ever-changing community while maintaining their core calling to lead the unsaved to Christ.

The Alliance in Toronto Today Since those early days, several Alliance churches have returned or been planted in the inner city of Toronto. One of them, Toronto Alliance Church, is located on Queen Street West near Bathurst Street, a community where many of the neediest people in the city gather. One by one, people are being restored in spirit and body by ministries of this and other inner-city What began churches. slowly, with After being planted in 1991 as a ministry of First Alliance Church in Scarborough, a few Roma and through the assistance of many children churches through the years, several attending a important decisions have greatly served summer camp, their vision of “restoring broken lives.” For example, the leaders themselves moved has quickly into the downtown core in order to know grown to the “weight of the need” in their immediate nearly 100 neighbourhood, rather than commuting in people from a distance to minister part-time.

The Roma people, who are arriving in large numbers as refugees from Eastern Europe, have provided a significant outreach opportunity. What began slowly, with a few Roma children attending a summer camp,

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has quickly grown to nearly 100 people. Both adults and children come to a weekly program that serves ONTARIO LAKE their unique needs and to a worship service held in their language. These people are opening their hearts to Christ. This new opportunity has expanded into a partnership with like-minded Hungarian churches.

But reminiscent of earlier years was a decision to establish ministries that serve the street-involved residents of the neighbourhood. As a result, although the Toronto Alliance fellowship meets in a small rental space above a furniture store, their outreach ministries include drop-in services, community dinners, food banks, clothing cupboards and parish nursing services to name only a few, serve upwards of 500 street-involved people weekly. These ministries have also led to partnerships with outlying churches that send teams, clothing, food

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and health resources to assist with ministries to the poor Forestry and needy in the innerIsland city.

Recently, the church has participated in the funerals of eight street-involved people, most of whom came to faith in Christ through these ministries. The funerals have become significant opportunities to minister to the helpless, hopeless and homeless of the city, again bringing Christ as the solution.

But, like in the days of Salmon and Howland, all this is only possible because the church has remained relevant to the real needs of those who live in the inner city. Isn’t it strange how old ways can become new again?

Bill Dyck is Lead Pastor, Toronto Alliance Church. Jim Foster is Vice-President, Global Ministries of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and a member of Toronto Alliance Church

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Canadian Alliance Churches

Significant

/// 15 years

Timbers Alliance Prince George BC (CPD)

/// 20 years

Valley View Alliance Newmarket ON (ECD) North Richmond Alliance Richmond BC (CPD) PACIFIC COMMUNITY CHURCH Surrey BC (CPD)

/// 25 years

L’Eglise de l’Alliance de Ste-Foy Ste Foy PQ (SLD) Drayton Valley Alliance Drayton Valley AB (WCD) Paramount Drive Alliance Stoney Creek ON (CCD) Kentwood Alliance Church Red Deer AB (WCD)

Note: CCD – Canadian Central District CMD – Canadian Midwest Di

Begun in Faith—Continued in While we celebrate Alliance churches holding significant anniversaries in 2012, there is one church in Canada that predates the Alliance.

Truro Alliance Church in Truro, Nova Scotia, had a long history with the Alliance—before the Alliance was even founded—and yet it did not become an official Alliance church until the late 1940s!

In 1885, two years before A.B. Simpson established the organization, two

FEATURE

in 2012

/// 30 years

/// 65 years

/// 35 years

/// 70 years

Hinton Alliance Hinton AB (WCD)

The Pas Alliance The Pas MB (CMD)

Vegreville Alliance Vegreville AB (WCD)

McDiarmid Drive Alliance Brandon MB (CMD)

/// 40 years

Glencairn Alliance Regina SK (CMD) Calgary Chinese Alliance Calgary AB (WCD)

/// 45 years

Sheridan Park Alliance Mississauga ON (CCD)

/// 50 years

Portage Alliance Portage La Prairie MB (CMD) Strathmore Alliance Strathmore AB (WCD) Drumheller Alliance Drumheller AB (WCD)

/// 75+ years

Crossroads Church Medicine Hat AB (WCD) Parkview Alliance Vermilion AB (WCD) Circle Drive Alliance Saskatoon SK (CMD) Wimborne Alliance Wimborne SK (CMD) Midland Alliance Midland ON (CCD) Beulah Alliance Church Edmonton AB (WCD) Leader Alliance Leader SK (CMD) Truro Alliance Truro NS (ECD)

77 77 79 85 87 90 100 127

istrict CPD – Canadian Pacific District ECD – Eastern Canadian District SLD – St. Lawrence District WCD – Western Canadian District

Determination sisters, Louise and Elizabeth McCully, were greatly influenced by Simpson’s teachings and New York City work. On their own, they opened Baracha Mission in the town of Truro.

Under the sisters’ leadership, Baracha Mission grew rapidly. They built their own building, and within a decade, in 1897, burned the mortgage. That was a momentous year for both the sisters and the Mission, because that was also the year Louise departed for the mission field in China. Her sister, Elizabeth,

joined her on the field, in Korea, in 1909.

Baracha Mission continued its work in Truro, soldiering on to influence the town and Central Nova Scotia. As the work matured, they contacted The Christian and Missionary Alliance in 1930, and the process of integrating their work into the Alliance began.

The discussions and negotiations continued, despite the heavy burdens of dealing with the Great Depression and the Second World War. In 1946, Baracha

Mission formally joined The Christian and Missionary Alliance as Truro Alliance Church.

It’s a long and momentous local story that mirrors the larger denominational story: ministering to the local needs, particularly to the disadvantaged, while sending workers—including their founding leaders—out into the world.

It’s also a story that reflects the town’s motto: Begun in Faith, Continued in Determination.

FEATURE

A Solemn Covenant The Dedication of Myself to God

By Albert Benjamin Simpson Saturday, January 19, 1861

Thou everlasting and almighty God, Ruler of the universe, Thou who madest this world and me, Thy creature upon it, Thou who art in every place beholding the evil and the good, Thou seest me at this time and knowest all my thoughts. I know and feel that my inmost thoughts are all familiar to Thee, and Thou knowest what motives have induced me to come to Thee at this time.

I appeal to Thee, O Thou Searcher of hearts, so far as I know my own heart, it is not a worldly motive that has brought me before Thee now. But my ‘heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked,’ and I would not pretend to trust to it; but Thou knowest that I have a desire to dedicate myself to Thee for time and eternity.

I now declare before Thee and before my conscience and bear witness, O ye heavens, and all the inhabitants thereof, and thou earth, which my God has made, that I accept the conditions of this covenant and close with its terms.

These are that I believe on Jesus and accept of salvation through Him, my Prophet, Priest and King, as made unto me of God, wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption and complete salvation. Thou, O Lord, hast made me willing to come to Thee. Thou hast subdued my rebellious heart by Thy love.

So now take it and use it for Thy glory.

Whatever rebellious thoughts may arise therein, do Thou overcome them and bring into subjection everything that opposeth itself to Thy authority. I yield myself unto Thee as one alive from the dead, for time and eternity. Take me and use me entirely for Thy glory.

Ratify now in Heaven, O my Father, this

O

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Covenant. Remember me, O Lord, in the hour of temptation, and let me never depart from this Covenant. I feel, O Lord, my own weakness and do not make this in my own strength, else I must fail.

I have now, O Lord, as Thou hast said in Thy Word, covenanted with Thee, not for worldly honours or fame, but for everlasting life, and I know that Thou art true and shalt never break Thy holy Word.

Give to me now all the blessings of the New Covenant and especially the Holy Spirit in great abundance, which is the earnest of Give to me my inheritance until now all the the redemption of the purchased possession. blessings May a double portion of the New of Thy Spirit rest upon Covenant and me, and then I shall go and proclaim to especially transgressors Thy the Holy ways and Thy laws Spirit in great to the people.

I am now a soldier of abundance the cross and a follower of the Lamb, and my motto from henceforth is ‘I have one King, even Jesus.’ Support and strengthen me, O my Captain, and be mine forever.

Now give me Thy Spirit and Thy protection in my heart at all times, and then I shall drink of the rivers of salvation, lie down by still waters and be infinitely happy in the favour of my God.

A. B. Sim pson Part of Albert Simpson’s 900-word covenant with God, written shortly after his conversion when he was 18 years of age

First in North America How this Chinese Alliance church came into being

Working Together

By Dr. Francis Tam

By Gershom Ng

T

he first Chinese Alliance church in North America was started more than 50 years ago in Regina, Sask.

But the ministry, which was officially organized in January 1961 as the Regina Chinese Alliance Church (RCAC), actually began 29 years earlier through the efforts of a young Christian woman, Ruby Johnston.

In 1932, she realized there was no Gospel work being done with the Chinese people in the city.

With a vision from God, Ruby ordered tracts and posters from China and had the youth of the Alliance Chapel help distribute them. There were only two Chinese families in Regina at the time. However, there was an unknown number of men employed in restaurants, laundries, shoe repair shops, etc.

Over the years, the ministry had its ups and downs. Then in 1955, with the help of some committed Christians, the Regina Chinese Christian Fellowship was established. As the ministry grew, the participants prayed for a full-time pastor.

God answered their prayers in June 1960 with the arrival of Rev. Augustus Chao from Hong Kong. He came with a vision for the Chinese of North America, and while he was in Regina, Chinese Alliance churches were started in a number of cities in Western Canada, including Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Swift Current and Lethbridge.

In 1966, RCAC bought their first church building; Rev. Chao resigned and left Regina to plant a church in Vancouver.

Several pastors have provided leadership to the church family since then. A new church building was built in 1988 to accommodate 500 people.

Today, RCAC is a church of two congregations and three languages—an English congregation and a Chinese congregation, with the latter holding services in Cantonese and Mandarin.

The vision is to continue to grow, with autonomous Cantonese and Mandarin congregations eventually joining their English counterpart.

Rev. Gershom Ng is Senior Pastor, Regina Chinese Alliance Church, SK

Since the founding of the first Chinese Alliance church in Regina, in 1961, Chinese churches have experienced spectacular growth in Canada.

In 1967, the predecessor of the Canadian Chinese Alliance Churches Association (CCACA) was established, also in Regina. It began with four Chinese Alliance churches in Regina, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Saskatoon and two gospel sites in Swift Current and Victoria.

Today, CCACA is a fellowship serving Chinese Alliance churches, pastors and co-workers.

It promotes co-operation with the national and district offices and enhances Chinese ministries through church planting, missions and theological education.

Since 1961, with God’s blessing and the co-operative efforts of Caucasian and Chinese co-workers, CCACA has grown to about 90 affiliated churches and congregations. More than 230 pastors now serve over 22,000 members.

Canadian Chinese Alliance churches have sent in excess of 40 International Workers to serve around the world. In addition to meeting the needs of an ever-growing Chinese Diaspora, CCACA continues to place special emphasis on promoting second-generation cross-cultural work.

CCACA has also worked closely with our denominational school in the training of Chinese workers. In 2004, the Chinese Ministry Certificate program was coordinated between CCACA and the Canadian Theological Seminary.

In September 2011, the Canadian Chinese School of Theology was officially inaugurated at Ambrose University College and Seminary.

Dr. Francis Tam is Executive Secretary, Canadian Chinese Alliance Churches Association of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and a sessional instructor at Ambrose University College and Seminary

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Preserving Your Church’s History How to make the past a living and useful resource for members of a faith community

By Sandy Ayer

G

eneral Assembly 2012 will include a celebration of the 125th anniversary of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Will your church soon be passing a significant milestone that you’d like to celebrate? Has your church ever considered writing a congregational history?

If your answer to either of these questions is “yes,” you might want to consider starting a church archives, if you haven’t already done so. The archives can serve as a repository for the materials that you’ll likely use in the project. . . . collecting Where to start? Well, before and preserving I mention the dreaded word historical “committee,” let me say that collecting and preserving materials can historical materials can be a lot be a lot of fun of fun. Ask any scrapbooker. And scrapbookers will likely prove to be a great resource in this whole enterprise, because they already know something about key archival activities: arrangement, preservation and presentation.

However, the best comprehensive starting point is A Manual for Small Archives (see Resources). It was developed by the Archives Association of British Columbia (AABC) to assist people with limited access to time, financial resources, and training. In addition to the manual, the AABC website also includes a number of other resources that might be of interest.

Back to the committee concept. I’m taking it for granted that your church board will appoint one if it considers the preservation of your church’s historical documents to be worthwhile. The committee’s first assignment could

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be to compile a timeline of your congregation’s history, including significant dates, events and people. Now the collecting can begin.

Here are the types of material that you should consider bringing together: board minutes and the minutes of other church committees; church newsletters; planning documents; any documents describing significant persons or events; newspaper and magazine articles; deeds, mortgages (unless, of course they’ve been ceremonially burned!) and other official documents; photographs; recordings of significant addresses and sermons; and memorabilia of all kinds, such as commemorative T-shirts, plaques and mugs.

I’ve been deliberately vague about format. Recordings, for example, could take the form of anything from Super 8 movie film, reel-to-reel tape, DVDs, CDs, cassettes, LP records and all manner of digital formats.

You’ll need the equipment to play them, a place (physical and virtual) to store them and, especially for the paper documents and photos, acid-free containers (boxes, file folders, mylar sleeves for photographs) in which to house them.

You should be able to acquire the containers you need from library and archival supply companies such as CarrMcLean, Brodart and Gaylord, or from a scrapbooking supplier such as Creative Memories.

Of course, your church will likely want to ensure that materials relevant to its history don’t end up in the recycling bin. The first step in facilitating the retention of essential records is to develop a records retention policy that specifies what sorts of materials will be preserved

in the church’s archive and what sorts ought simply to be discarded. You’ll also want to specify the length of time each sort of material should remain in active storage before being recycled or sent to the archives.

The United Methodist Church has developed a useful set of records management guidelines that includes a section on local church records (see Resources). Your church administrator should oversee the implementation of whatever records management policy your church ends up developing.

And considering all of the supplies I just mentioned cost money, you’ll need a budget. Keep in mind also that processing and inventorying your archival collections will take time, so you may want to be selective in what you acquire and retain.

Since much valuable unrecorded history probably resides in the minds of the older members of your congregation, you might want to tap this resource by interviewing them. Your local public library should have books on how to conduct an oral history project.

One of the best, according to Ambrose historian Ken Draper, is Donald A. Ritchie’s Doing Oral History: A Practical Guide (see Resources). Paul Thompson’s The Voice of the Past: Oral History (see Resources) has a good set of sample interview questions.

You might want to film your interviews and include them (with the interviewees’ permission, of course) in a digital documentary of your church’s history. You should also transcribe them and print them off, considering digital media do not yet provide effective long-term storage of data.

This isn’t the place to talk about the actual writing of the history or the compiling of a commemorative display, but I hope you’ll consider digitizing it as much as possible and posting it on your church’s website.

And keep in mind, history is ministry. Collecting and preserving historical materials can be an important part of your church’s ministry as you help it record and remember its service for Christ.

An Urgent Request If you end up publishing a paper or digital copy of your church’s history, please make sure you pass on a copy to me at Ambrose, as I’m the archivist of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (C&MA). We only have about a dozen congregational histories in the archives at the moment, and I know there must be hundreds more out there.

Also, does your congregation include retired C&MA pastors or missionaries? If so, the archives would be interested in receiving their personal papers.

For more information, please contact me

Sandy Ayer Director of Library Services/Archivist Ambrose University College and Seminary 150 Ambrose Circle SW Calgary AB T3H 0L5 Email: sayer@ambrose.edu

Sandy Ayer is Director of Library Services/Archivist, Ambrose University College and Seminary

Recommended Resources

A Manual for Small Archives, Archives Association of British Columbia http://aabc.ca/media/6069/manualforsmallarchives.pdf Records Management Guidelines, General Commission on Archives & History, The United Methodist Church http://www.gcah.org/atf/cf/%7B9FFCD624-0CB2-4EB69D68-68E9775A36DA%7D/ConfRetSched.2009.pdf Ritchie, Donald A. Doing Oral History: A Practical Guide, Second Edition. Oxford University Press 2003 Thompson, Paul. The Voice of the Past: Oral History, Third Edition. Oxford University Press 2000

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impressions

Putting All Her Trust in God Prompt obedience grounded in faith is a key characteristic of who she is

By Peter White

J

ust for a moment, imagine you are a young woman on the cusp of graduating from high school.

Prom night is a special evening on which to get dressed up, look your best in a glamorous gown of your choosing and share the spotlight with your peers.

Then imagine that before this ultimate coming-of-age event arrives, God gives you a really crazy idea about what to do with your prom night.

That is exactly what happened to Kerri-Jo Fehr, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student born and raised in the northern British Columbia city of Fort St. John.

One quiet Sunday evening, she and her family were visiting at her grandparents’ home. Suddenly, as if she had been struck by lightening, Kerri-Jo jumped off her chair and shouted, “I know what I am going to do. If people donate $10,000 to a charity of my choice, I will wear a gunny sack dress to my prom.”

A gunny sack dress? A dress

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made of the rough burlap commonly has the gift of administration and is used to store potatoes? To my prom? very good at mobilizing people.

A very public event popularly The charity she chose to support considered a vital rite of passage to was the Niger Vocational Training adulthood?

School. Niger is the second-poorest Sounds a little like country in the world, Noah, when God asked him according to the Human Sounds a to build an ark. Or when Development Index.

God asked Abram to take This school provides free little like everything and move to education to girls at risk.

Noah, when The 60 students an unknown territory. Or enrolled God asked when Jesus approached in the program receive each of the apostles and him to build instruction in sewing, told them to give up all they literacy, math, health and an ark were doing to “Follow me.” life skills.

Prompt obedience This wasn’t the first time grounded in faith is a characteristic Kerri-Jo put all her trust in God. In Kerri-Jo shares with Noah, Abram 2010, shortly after the devastating and the apostles. earthquake in Haiti on January 12, That night, the room went silent she got the idea of a campaign to for awhile. Then she and her family raise money for the victims. began to pray. They sought God’s Not only did her school support confirmation of this idea. They asked her, but the idea was embraced by him to give Kerri-Jo the courage to all the other schools in the district. obey, the strength to deal with all the The one-week project was an pressures that would soon come and inspiring success. the perseverance to see it through.

In her early teens, each festive Then she began to plan. Kerri-Jo season she packed Operation

Christmas Child shoe boxes with gadgets, school supplies and personal hygiene products for children in other countries.

When she turned 16 years old, she raised her own support and went on a missions trip to Nicaragua.

All these projects came to her like a flash of lightening and with such a force of conviction that she was not deterred.

Kerri-Jo is known as a shy and reserved person. That is, until God tells her what to do. The boldness she exemplifies then is only from God. She is the oldest of three children.

Her mom, Emily, is a teacher, and her dad, Peter, is a skilled carpenter.

She loves soccer, singing and photography. She enjoys spending her Christmas holidays serving at a camp for international students operated by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.

For the summer, she volunteered at a Bible camp instead of trying to earn money for school. And God provided her with the funds she needed without student loans.

Once things started to come together in her head, she shared the idea with some of her friends. They and other peers were behind her 100 percent and began to support her with donations, some as large as $100.

Soon the story was all over the newspapers and radio. Headlines read “Local Teen to Wear Gunny Sack Dress to Prom.” The pressure was on. Everyone wanted to know her reasons for doing what she was doing.

Kerri-Jo learned a lot about dealing with publicity and the press.

She prayed a great deal about the interviews and took them all in stride, even though she often felt panicky at home.

To her, it didn’t matter what the outcome was or even if she thought she messed up an interview. She kept going, trusting that God would help her with the next one.

One of the greatest pressures that having a public profile placed on her

“It is about the girls in Niger and about recognizing that there are less fortunate people in the world, that we can help them and that we can make a difference.”

Now 19 years old, Kerri-Jo is in her first year studying at Peace River

All these projects came to her like a flash of lightening and with such a force of conviction that she was not deterred was to remain true to God’s call on her life and not become proud or selfish.

Throughout this project, she asked her family to pray that she would be humble and let God use her and teach her to trust him more and more each day.

Many non-believers donated to the project. Some wanted to meet with her.

Her deep concern was to bring people closer to Jesus. She continues to strive to learn how to tell people the real motivation behind her ideas and why she behaves the way she does.

By prom night in June 2011, Kerri-Jo had exceeded her goal of $10,000. In the end, “KerriJo’s Gunny Sack Prom” raised $14,498.69.

When her success became known, someone from Calgary called and wanted her to lead other fundraisers.

This made her feel sad.

“That’s not what this is about,” she said. “It is not about raising money, but about serving God and the call he has placed on my life.

Bible Institute in Sexsmith, Alta. She is enrolled in general Bible courses with the opportunity to study in a specific strand next year.

Kerri-Jo doesn’t know what her future holds, but she knows who holds her future. And she is putting all her trust in him.

Peter White is an independent communication, media and adult education consultant

K e rri-Jo

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FEATURE

The

Legacy Lives On Nurturing new ideas, collaborative initiatives and fresh ways to bring hope and healing to a dying world

By Charles Cook and Ronald Brown

I

n 1897, Robert Jaffray Jr. left a privileged Toronto life and landed in Wuzhou, Guangxi, China. There he began his 35-year task of discipling leaders before paying the ultimate price of his calling—he died of illness and malnutrition in a concentration camp at the end of the Second World War. By then, he had founded what is now the Alliance Seminary in Hong Kong, engaged in ministry throughout Southeast Asia and trained countless leaders through his writings.

To link Jaffray’s name with an entrepreneurial Kingdom effort going on at Ambrose University College and Seminary in Calgary makes perfect sense. Jaffray was all about establishing the Kingdom by training leaders using local and distant education.

The Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives reflects this same passion and, like its namesake, engages in creative project development, training and research.

Jaffray’s life and legacy continue as the Jaffray Centre seeks to use a variety of methods to integrate new ideas and technological advances for service to God’s people. Through this process, the Centre seeks to affirm the mission and purpose of Ambrose while making a difference in the lives of its students and contributing to

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The Jaffray Centre’s primary objective is to collaborate with strategic partners in order to facilitate new and creative solutions to many of the issues that confront us at this moment the influence of the Church in both its local and global context.

The Jaffray Centre’s primary objective is to collaborate with strategic partners in order to facilitate new and creative solutions to many of the issues that confront us at this moment. It does this by launching relevant new initiatives that are both sustainable and reproducible.

Here are a few of the initiatives currently underway.

angExchange The Ang International Educational Exchange, angExchange, provides an opportunity for globalizing the teaching and learning experience of qualified professionals. Ambrose professors Tim Moore and Bernie VanDeWalle recently broadened their

The Jaffray Centre works in partnership with Ambrose University College and Seminary to facilitate quality international experiences for students perspectives by teaching in the Philippines.

Upon returning, Dr. VanDeWalle said, “Having travelled to the Philippines and Vietnam it was more firmly impressed upon me that the cause of Christ will be best served when his disciples, from many nations, are provided the opportunity to interact with one another, to learn from one another, to encourage one another and, ultimately, to celebrate the progress of the Gospel with one another.”

onSite and inSight The onSite (undergraduate) and inSight (graduate) studyservice-abroad programs provide Ambrose students with an opportunity to integrate their academic studies with international ministry and service.

The Jaffray Centre works in partnership with Ambrose University College and Seminary to facilitate quality international experiences for students. As a informal and service-learning stream at Ambrose, Jaffray studyabroad programs facilitate personal, professional and intercultural development.

Former onSite participant Heather Woon wrote, “God used this experience to remind me of my passion for children and teaching and to call me to minister to the poor and oppressed and proclaim the Light in unreached places.”

globaLearning The Global Online Learning Initiative, globaLearning, currently offers five 10-hour courses developed by former International Workers. These online learning experiences are designed for learners interested in developing skills and knowledge for intentional service in today’s globally interconnected world.

Maria, a Spanish International Worker of the Colombian Alliance who recently redeployed to Europe, said, “I had the privilege of taking the Jaffray online Resiliency class. My life was deeply touched by the examples and living testimonies of God’s people around the world spreading the Gospel.”

local and global issues affecting their world.

Ashley, a participant, said that one highlight for her was being given the opportunity to do service work on a farm in Quebec. Another was learning how to pray for others, even if they seemed angry or unlovable.

getReal getReal is an initiative that focuses on the promotion and proclamation of the Gospel by examining the connection between holiness and mission. Through getReal, Jesus followers are encouraged to speak up and live out the reality of the Gospel, make a difference in society and ultimately contribute to packing heaven with worshippers.

keeperCare keeperCare is a Vocational Resilience Network of the Jaffray Centre that brings people together around issues facing International Workers in the 21st Century. The new global reality calls for a more intentional examination of the issues related to service and ministry in today’s interconnected world.

diasporaNet The Diaspora Research Network, diasporaNet, explores a variety of issues associated with the various global diaspora.

Diaspora refers to people on the move—those dispersed from their homeland and who have relocated to another part of world. The diasporaNet brings together practitioners and professionals from numerous disciplines and walks of life to examine common concerns that affect these people.

Friends of Jaffray Friends of Jaffray is a growing group of globally connected people, coordinated by Joan Sylvester (Foster), who provide prayer support for Jaffray initiatives.

God’s Spirit, which motivated and empowered Robert Jaffray to invest his life in advancing the Kingdom, is still at work today, empowering a new generation of students and globally connected Canadians to bring hope and healing to a dying world.

eMerge eMerge, Global Leadership in Action, is a summer youth experience, and a global leadership development and personal formation program. Participants between the ages of 15 and 18 (Grades 10-12) consider how they might be used to address some of the

Charles Cook is Executive Director of the Jaffray Centre and Professor of Global Studies and Mission at Ambrose University College and Seminary. Ronald Brown is a Sessional Instructor in Intercultural Studies at Ambrose. For more information on these initiatives, visit www.jaffrayglobal.com

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FEATURE

Challenges Facing the Church in Canada Several strategies to help Christian leaders deal with some pressing issues

By Peter White

I

n 1965, the late Pierre Berton published a highly controversial book called The Comfortable Pew. It was a blistering critique of Canada’s churches, which he viewed as “irrelevant” to mainstream society.

In the 47 years since then, a broad cultural shift has been reshaping Canadian society’s attitude toward Christianity. By 2000, its tide would be so strong that no matter how “relevant” churches became, their institutional future was thought to be in question.

This tide is most often described by one word: secularization. It has numerous definitions and applications, but is often used to denote a loosening of ties between people and organized religion.

“For many,” says Emmanuel College church historian Phyllis Airhart, “belonging to the Church is no longer central to their personal or social identity.”

In fact, many Canadians find community in workplaces, book clubs, sports teams and on Facebook.

Church simply is not on their radar.

A dramatic illustration of the secularization of Canada’s public culture came in 2001 following 9/11, in which almost 3,000 Americans and 24 Canadians perished. In New York, a large interfaith service was

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held. But in Ottawa, Canada’s observance had no religious dimension.

It was against this backdrop that cmAlliance.ca recently interviewed Dr. Franklin Pyles, President of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. As a well-respected Christian leader in this country, we asked him to share his insights into some of the important challenges facing the Church in Canada today.

S o m e d e n o mi n atio n a l l e a d e r s wo r ry t h at t h e i r o rg a ni z atio n s h av e b eco m e di n os au r s a n d t h at t h e fu t u r e b e lo n g s to i n d e pe n d e n t m eg ach u rch e s, pa r ach u rch o rg a ni z atio n s o r s ecu l a rit y. W h at d o yo u t hi n k is t h e fu t u r e o f d e n o mi n atio n s?

Denominations are structures whereby a common heritage is maintained, a common accountability is enforced, future leaders are trained, and, perhaps most importantly, wide-ranging ministry is carried out nationally and globally.

Even though Willow Creek responded to Hurricane Katrina by going to Waveland Mississippi, the Alliance in Canada was able to give a more robust response that

lasted for over five years. The reason—we are many churches working together.

The Prime Minister told me that the Alliance is the most diverse organization in Canada. Why would that be?

Because we are many churches working together to reach newcomers to Canada with the Gospel. There is nothing more powerful than missional-minded churches moving forward together in mission.

W it h t h e cu r r e n t eco n o mic m e lt d ow n a n d t h e p ossi bi lit y t h at g row t h m ay b e fl at fo r m a n y y e a r s to co m e, h ow d o e s t h e Ch u rch a dj us t i n t h e way it c a r ri e s o u t m i nis t ry?

These are difficult years, but also years of opportunity.

Many people are continuing to examine their personal finances and being more strict with how they spend their own money.

The Church, both local and the Family of Churches, has to do the same. Currently, as a national organization, we have conducted severe cost cutting. Everyone should understand that.

We use technology to conduct many meetings that once required travel. We use Skype to communicate around the world. These are only examples.

But, at the end of the day, we are mandated to preach the Gospel to the nations, and we intend to continue doing that with God’s help.

be that we have failed to address answers to these questions in ways that can be clearly understood. Let’s begin again.

R e s e a rc h s u g g e s t s t h at b i b l i c a l l i t e r ac y i s d e c l i n i n g s i g n i fi c a n t ly a m o n g C h r i s t i a n s, r e s u lt i n g i n t h e o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y a n d i n co n s i s t e n c y. W h at i s yo u r p e r s p e c t i v e o n t h i s?

This problem is extremely challenging to pastors. It is the reason we feel, when we preach, that we must spend much of the sermon explaining stories or passages that previous generations already knew about.

However, it is the problem that pastors have faced for centuries when addressing audiences that were fresh to the Bible. We have to copy them.

W h at c a n b e d o n e to r e v e r s e t h is t r e n d?

First, a big time enhancement of the training of people when they first come to Christ is needed. We call this discipleship, but we have been drawing down that part of discipleship which is training in Scripture. It is time to ramp that up.

Second, we need to redevelop programs that draw people into Scripture and its understanding. We have given up on adult Sunday School with its weekly lessons. What is taking it’s place?

Third, we must enhance the teaching of the Bible to children and teens. In the Alliance, we have Quizzing, which, for those churches involved, provides the finest tool in existence for teaching the Word. But quizzing is not enough, because it does not reach all the youth, and all must be taught how to feed themselves.

And it is the same for children. Our national children’s leaders see this need very clearly but they need the wholehearted support of every pastor and every parent to again inculcate our children with Bible lessons.

I have hope rather than optimism

I n a cu lt u r e t h at is g row i n g i n cr e a si n g ly n o n - Ch ris ti a n, h ow d o w e m a k e t h e G os pe l cu lt u r a l ly acce ssi b l e w it h o u t co m pro misi n g it?

By continuing to speak the Gospel as Good News. Anything that compromises the Gospel is not the Gospel.

For example, if the reality of sin or judgment is compromised, then there is no Good News of deliverance, for there is little or nothing to be delivered from.

If the reality of the cross is compromised, then there is no Good News, for the way of deliverance has disappeared. We must always keep our eyes on the cross: what is it, why was it necessary, what happened there?

And then proclaim it. This is the Gospel.

M a n y peo pl e fe e l Ch ris ti a nit y is i r r e l e va n t.

W h at c a n b e d o n e to ch a n g e t his?

That they think it is irrelevant is a shame to us, for nothing is more relevant than the great narrative of the Bible which answers the foundational questions: How did I get here? What went wrong? How can that be remedied? What lies in the future? And what is the purpose of my life?

If Christianity is considered to be irrelevant, it can only

H ow o p ti mis tic a r e yo u co n ce r ni n g t h e fu t u r e o f Ch ris ti a nit y i n C a n a da?

I have hope rather than optimism.

The Protestant consensus in Canada has collapsed and church attendance is dropping across church communities.

We must, as I mentioned earlier, rise to the challenge with renewed energy from the Holy Spirit, teaching and proclaiming the Gospel to everyone and seeking a renewed filling of the Holy Spirit.

I have hope that Christ will have mercy on Canada and on the Church in Canada to again call out a people for himself.

Peter White is an independent communication, media and adult education consultant

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perspectives

Doing Church Differently How they are structuring themselves to see their community touched by the heart of God

By Charlene de Haan

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n September 2001, the world changed forever. For three years prior to the 9/11 disaster, almost everything the Clarington Community Church did turned to gold.

Back in 1997, Dr. Dave Fowler, long-time pastor with The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (C&MA), along with two Alliance congregations in Ajax and Oshawa, formed a core team of eight families.

Meeting for six months of prayer, they envisioned what God would have them do before they launched public meetings early in 1998.

Unique from its inception, they met in a community centre, sat around tables with donuts and coffee and listened to a live band and messages relevant to everyday living.

Known as “the flyer” church, they blitzed their community with announcements for events and services, growing from one Sunday service to three, then adding a Saturday evening meeting, reaching total numbers around 600 people.

Soon they partnered with others,

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forming The Durham Church Network, with multiple services throughout the Greater Oshawa area.

After the 9/11 attack, Canadian culture shifted. In some areas, people flocked to church. But Fowler, pastor of The Durham Church Network, noticed just the opposite.

He compares 2001 to dropping a highly radio-active neutron bomb on their neighbourhood, scattering church people, many dying spiritually, and leaving vacant church buildings abandoned in spiritual ghost towns. In this secular area of Canada, people left local churches in droves.

According to a 2003 Statistics Canada report, the city of Oshawa, just east of Toronto, experienced the fastest, deepest drop-off rate in Protestant church attendance in Canada following the 9/11 tragedy.

This cultural swing in Canadian spirituality required a significant modification for ministry. Failed attempts at 20 different outreach strategies left this shrinking network reflecting inwardly. Five years ago

the vision became clear. All the church plants assembled back into one location.

From 2008 to 2010, The Durham Church Network retooled their philosophy of ministry, focusing on a vision of something much bigger than themselves, and emerged as Life Point Church.

Intentionally viewing themselves more as a community centre with a church than a church hosting community activities, their goal is to spiritually impact their neighbourhood. Since March 2011, their new location places them at one of the busiest intersections in Oshawa. They have grown again to about 200 members.

“The diversity of services, programs and venues for children, youth and adults makes it a dynamic addition to the Oshawa region,” states Fowler.

Harmony Creek Community Centre not only hosts Life Point Church, but also houses before-andafter-school care, a neighbourhood daycare facility with slides, castles

and climbers for the kids, an upscale music studio, dance school, karate classes and food bank.

This renovated multi-use auditorium is now a highly soughtafter performance venue ready to host music recitals, art shows, corporate training events and other community activities. An on-site café offers beverages and small food items.

The Breakfast Club is an opportunity to invite family, friends, neighbours and co-workers to a free breakfast and life-story presentation from well-known personalities.

Belief in the power of spiritual lifechange drives this initiative.

Reel 2 Real addresses cultural expressions through movies—and popcorn—just as the Apostle Paul spoke with the social commentators of his day, wrestling with issues of faith, morality, purpose and meaning.

Spirituality on Tap, an occasional Saturday pub-like experience for members of the community, is an opportunity to ask questions and

seek biblical responses. returned visibly upset.

While hosting many programs Learning that her mother was in their new facility, Life Point also dying and her father needed to make operates from community rooms some difficult choices, Fowler asked in high-rises in this economically her permission to pray. The next challenged region. day, her assistant phoned Children’s, youth and to say “Yes, we will pursue parents’ programs operate Living the the plan under discussion, incarnationally within one incarnational but the Executive Director of the roughest areas of would like you to know presence of the city for a demographic that the most amazing that will never come to any God in the part of your visit was your church. prayer.” community “The new measure Living the incarnational is a daily of success is no longer presence of God in the how many people attend responsibility community is a daily church programs each responsibility. Fowler’s week” states Fowler, “but experience with several how many community people’s lives C&MA churches in Ontario are being touched by the heart of reminds him that God isn’t finished God.” In early 2012, the estimate with Life Point Church yet! has reached 1,200!

Charlene de Haan, a freelance writer in At a meeting with two senior Toronto, has a regular column in Faith staff of an adult daycare program Today magazine, is the executive director of considering relocation to Life Point, CAMINO GLOBAL (formerly CAM Canada) the Executive Director was called and founder of StepUPtransitions.ca out to take an urgent phone call and

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FEATURE

Having a Having a For International Workers An effective local strategy to open up communication and strengthen connections among those in missions

By Peter White

2007, members of Southgate Alliance Church Schleindl knew he could not eliminate all of these in Edmonton, Alta. realized that a number of challenges, but felt that certain things could be done to International Workers (IWs) were returning make the transition easier. on Home Assignment the following year.

So in 2008, Southgate took the initiative and organized a Klaus Schleindl was one of the congregants. He retreat for these returning International Workers. recognized that for many IWs, returning from the field According to Schleindl, the original concept was to doesn’t always feel like “coming home.” create a safe, secure and relaxed environment where IWs For one, since they left, all manner of things may have would have opportunities to get to know one another and changed in their once-familiar surroundings. share their needs openly and honestly.

For another, they themselves have Attendees were very enthusiastic about the The retreat changed. Living for a period of time in a outcome of the first retreat. So much so that they is a source different country has enabled them to absorb requested it be repeated the following year. It of constant a new culture and to see things from a has been ever since. This year, 2012, will be the inspiration different perspective. fifth retreat.

As a result, International Workers can face a The Heart for International Workers Retreat to IWs and wide range of challenges upon their return. is held in the fall (October-November) at the the friends Some are confronted by difficult family Alliance Camp Nakamun. It is a two-night of missions in event that begins Friday evening and ends situations. Others are unsure of their ability attendance to meet all of the different expectations of Sunday at noon. churches, supporters, family and friends.

Churches within the Western Canadian Those who serve on the front lines, challenging Satan’s District are arranged into seven clusters, and the 80+ territory, are regularly the target of his attacks. So it is International Workers who call this part of the country not unusual for some IWs to return with spiritual and home are all connected to one of these clusters. Southgate is emotional pain. part of the Edmonton and South Cluster.

Some wonder if they can honestly reveal ministry Retreat attendees include cluster-based International discouragements. Others are anxious about future Workers on Home Assignment, friends and supporters, assignment decisions. Children of IWs are often district staff and clergy. apprehensive about relocating.

The numbers have been steadily rising and are now

In

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a Heart a Heart International Workers return to the field with renewed energy and confidence

in the mid-to-high 60s. Interest in the 2012 retreat has been expressed by several other district clusters and the Canadian Midwest District.

As Schleindl explains, the retreat now serves a threefold purpose.

First, it provides IWs with the opportunity to meet with their peers, to get acquainted with each other and their work on the field and to build relationships with friends and supporters and members of the churches within the cluster.

It also gives them the chance to share their challenges and victories with a group of people who have taken the time to come, listen and seek to understand the feelings that lie behind their words.

Schleindl says, “IWs are very glad that we take a deep interest not only in their work and ministries, but also in their lives.”

And when they are on the field, they know their representatives will report in their absence.

Second, it gives members of the church community the chance to really get to know them as people and create a warm and welcoming environment where their IWs feel heard, accepted, appreciated and cared for.

“Many of our people have a rather limited knowledge of Alliance missions,” said Schleindl. “Some even believe that they and their churches are not equipped to engage in missions. It is clear that the whole story of missions needs to be better communicated.”

Attending this retreat allows people to become

more aware of the physical, spiritual, emotional and financial needs and concerns of IWs. They come to better comprehend the realities of their daily lives and the sacrifices they make for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. And it encourages them to pray together over the requests the IWs share.

Third, says Schleindl, “The retreat allows laity and pastors to gain a deeper understanding of the value of the “cluster” and “Seamless Link” concepts and of the magnitude of the responsibilities we have to our IWs as members of local churches.”

The retreat is a source of constant inspiration to IWs and the friends of missions in attendance.

International Workers return to the field with renewed energy and confidence. They go with lasting friendships and the assured support of people engaged in prayer, giving and their Seamless Link Covenants.

Participating church members are energized by new-found vision, passion and intentional relationships with their International Workers. People come alive to missions and see ways to become active in their home churches.

Concludes Schleindl, “We have even commissioned two new International Worker couples who have come through the retreat to go into overseas ministry.”

Peter White is an independent communication, media and adult education consultant

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Kingdom Continuity Leadership Discontinuity Biblical examples to inform and inspire during potentially stressful times of transitional change

By Ron Brown

O

ne Sunday morning, many years ago, my beloved pastor got up to speak. My mind filled with grief and dismay when I realized what he was saying—he was resigning.

What would happen to resolve some of the troubling events continues currently plaguing my church?

Who could ever replace this man with his amazing expository gifts?

How would this church ever survive this leadership loss without a tremendous hemorrhage of people?

As things turned out, my beloved pastor went on to extremely fruitful ministry elsewhere. God healed the rifts, and today my church exhibits great spiritual health and vitality.

leaders come and go but the Kingdom of God

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The fact is that discontinuity in leadership is inevitable in every church. How are we, as followers of Christ, to respond when we face these inevitable but sometimes stressful transitions in leadership?

The one sure way to emerge from these potentially turbulent times is to be informed and inspired by biblical examples of continuity and discontinuity in leadership.

As we read Scripture, we can be reminded of one absolute certainty—leaders come and go, but the Kingdom of God continues.

Moses, Samuel, John the Baptist—each of these biblical leaders and many more—experienced the moment when their leadership was discontinued and another leader carried the baton forward in Kingdom continuity.

They each ended their tenure differently, and their followers found themselves in transition as they adjusted their expectations and learned to follow a new leader.

FEATURE Think of Moses and his followers. leadership and to those of us who follow. . . . their Moses had always been there. For a First, wilderness experiences often followers generation, he was the only leader seem to be part of leadership continuity known to his tribe. When he died, his and even discontinuity. Different found baton was passed to Joshua, a leader leadership purposes can be achieved in themselves whose image must have paled in the desert. For Jesus, it was the place of a comparison to that of the giant Moses. It spiritual battle and preparing himself for in transition would be easy to imagine the insecurity his final triumph. For Moses, it was first as they Moses’ followers could have felt. a place of preparation for ministry. Later, Moses had been such a great leader— for both Joshua and Moses, it was a place adjusted their he had held his rod out over the Red of proving God’s faithfulness. expectations Sea, he hit the rock for water, he brought Second, we see that the call to tablets down from Mount Sinai, twice. leadership comes while these men were and learned to Yet, despite all these successes, perhaps involved in the natural course of their follow a new some of his followers were always aware occupations—Joshua as military leader, that the Promised Land goal had not David as shepherd, Jesus as carpenter and different been achieved. and some disciples as fishermen. Could leader Moses did things Joshua could never this fact serve to remind us to place an do and Joshua did things Moses had equal value on the origins of all our never done. In fact, Joshua even succeeded leaders? Should not affirmation be our swift where Moses had failed—Joshua led the tribe across the response when we see the non-traditional paths some Jordan and achieved the Promised Land goal. people take to leadership positions?

Long before that goal was achieved, the children of Third, we note differences in length of leadership. John Israel could easily have thought, “God has so far always and Jesus have brief, high-impact ministries and then face spoken through the great leader Moses. Would God speak discontinuity. Moses, Joshua, David, and most disciples through another?” served until old age. Although we rightly celebrate We see early in the book of Joshua that God did choose productive longevity in Christian leadership, let us value to speak through another, and tribal loyalty began to shift no less the leaders who faithfully serve for shorter periods from Moses to Joshua as people witnessed a confirming of time. miracle—crossing the Jordan took place under the new Today’s church faces continuity/discontinuity on a leader’s direction. regular basis. Pastors and leaders come and go. We have A less amiable baton-passing event happened between examples of both brief, high-impact and longer-term Samuel, Saul and David. Each of these men was a leadership. Even wilderness or desert experiences can be compelling leader to be sure. And while there seemed to seen to have a purpose and place in ministry and leadership be an uneasy transition between Samuel and Saul, real formation. The Bible also shows God’s sovereignty in hatred existed in Saul and David’s transition. But despite calling leaders from non-traditional career paths. this dysfunction, God’s Kingdom prevailed, and it was the In the light of Scripture’s examples, it is abundantly Son of David who became our Messiah. clear that God’s Kingdom continues to come, despite many John the Baptist and Jesus are two leaders who met in and varied examples of continuity and discontinuity in transition, but in terms of stature, they stood very different church leadership. in influence. John the Baptist foretold and baptized while In our 32-year history as The Christian and Missionary Jesus incarnated the very Gospel John proclaimed.

Alliance in Canada, our Movement has been well-served Expectations were high that Jesus would usher in a by three leaders: Melvin Sylvester, Arnold Cook and new political kingdom, but after three short, impactful Franklin Pyles. ministry years, the continuity of the movement was put As we assemble in Winnipeg, we will participate in into the hands of the Twelve as the physical presence of another continuity/discontinuity event. One leader’s role Jesus was discontinued. will be discontinued as we, the people, guided by God, Jesus had closure in mind from the beginning. He will hand the leadership baton to another. prioritized. He didn’t heal every sick person, he didn’t visit As we witness this leadership transition, we joyfully every home. What he did was invest heavy allotments of anticipate that the Movement we long to be will continue time in the training of the Twelve, his chosen successors, its transforming work in Canada and around the world. who would carry on the leadership of the movement.

Dr. Ron Brown, who worked for three decades in Africa with Global These biblical examples not only illustrate continuity Ministries, is a missions coach with The Christian and Missionary and discontinuity in leadership, but also contain three Alliance in Canada, based in Calgary nuances which deliver timeless counsel to those of us in

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General A Perspective From The Pew What attending means to this individual

By Ken McKay

H

aving attended Bayview Glen since it relocated from Workers were able to join us and where fellowship the old Avenue Road site in 1976, I have had the flourished for all. privilege of serving as an elder for a 15 years and as a lay It is so easy for a layperson, even for an elder, to pastor for almost ten years. see the local church’s impact as strictly local, dealing Under the ministry of a number of pastors—Arnold with financial and attendance problems, staffing of the Reimer, Kenn Opperman, Nelson Annan, church and all the other matters that Robert Gould and Steve Irvin—I have occupy our meetings. been encouraged to become involved in However, meeting with folks the larger The Christian and Missionary Alliance from other churches broadens our community in Canada (C&MA) at more than the local understanding of our shared local within and church level. problems, but even more importantly, I have been privileged to attend many of the global purposes for which our beyond our gatherings of C&MA church leaders over churches come together into this family borders these 35 years. I have also been privileged we call the Alliance. that needs to learn, grow and at a delegate level, Individually, we can minister to to be contribute, as issues of organization, our own communities. But the larger policy, finance and other matters arose community within and beyond our reached and were dealt with in a democratic and borders also needs to be reached, and it is efficient manner by wise and capable through our joint efforts that we can do moderators who wielded their gavels and, this and do it well. at times, shared their wit.

By attending Assembly, I see the I have made friends with pastors broader perspective, the needs and the and others from all parts of Canada and have served on triumphs of our official workers and our International committees and met with other delegates from across the Workers, the challenges that face us in this modern country. I have seen this organization grow and develop, society and the vital role we can and must perform as foster the development of new initiatives and promote Christ followers. the cause of missions and the service of our churches for I look forward to seeing more of our people at General Christ in both Canada and around the world.

Assembly 2012 in Winnipeg.

It was a special privilege to attend the 2010 Assembly Ken McKay attends Bayview Glen Church, Thornhill, ON in Antalya, Turkey, where more of our International

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FEATURE

Assembly Perspective From The Pulpit What attending means to this individual

By Kirk Cowman

G

eneral Assembly 2012 is quickly approaching and I workers in natural disaster areas, celebrate the birth of a can’t wait for it to start! new church amongst an unreached people group, or hear To some, Assembly is only a series of business and about an exciting ministry in another district. committee meetings—and while that’s definitely part of All of these connections and stories remind me that my the experience —General Assembly is so much more! local church is not in this alone. We are part of something There are vibrant worship experiences, bigger than ourselves, when we pray, times to connect with old friends, “Lord, repeat your deeds in our day,” opportunities to network with fellow God is answering that prayer. God is at Assembly gospel labourers, forums to speak work around the world and in our own connects into issues that affect the future of our backyard. me and movement of churches and chances to I always come away from General listen to many great speakers.

Assembly encouraged. When I hear how my local But for me, the highlight of every God is working around the world, it church General Assembly is getting to hear what inspires me, builds my faith and fires me with the God is doing around the world. up for what is next in my ministry. The global As a pastor in a local church, it’s very encouragement I come away with from easy to become consumed with the things Assembly isn’t just for me, though. church happening right around me. Often, as As I relate the stories I have heard at I focus on the ministries of my church, Assembly to my church, they, too, are I quietly echo the prayer of Habakkuk: revitalized. Stories from workers for whom “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in we have prayed encourage us to pray awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our more fervently, stories about projects to day, in our time make them known” (see Habakkuk 3:2). which we have given inspire us to give more and stories General Assembly helps me see beyond me and my of unreached people finding Jesus stir up a passion in our community and realize that God is at work in our day, both hearts to even more fervently join Him on his mission. locally and globally.

Why do I love to go to General Assembly? Because it’s Assembly connects me and my local church with the best place to hear and share in what God is doing! the global church. It helps me see the big picture in the Kirk Cowman is Associate Pastor, Living Hope Alliance Church, mission of Jesus Christ. At Assembly, I can connect with friends in limited-access countries, hear stories from relief Regina, SK

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practice of prayer

Pray for Us! The involvement of Alliance intercessors is critical to every aspect of General Assembly

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O

ne of our guiding principles as The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada is that we do nothing until we first pray.

General Assembly is no different. Especially in a year when momentous decisions are to be made.

The past few assemblies have benefited by the undergirding prayer from prayer intercessors—individuals who committed themselves to praying for every aspect of General Assembly.

Many were actually sent to Assembly by their churches. Instead of attending and participating in the business sessions, these people spent a minimum of four hours a day in prayer in the special prayer room set up onsite.

Others prayed from home or from their church, again spending hours a day seeking God and blanketing the meetings in prayer.

Either way, church leaders attribute the success of previous assemblies to the support of those faithful prayer warriors.

Winnipeg is no different. It does not have the unique challenges of holding Assembly off-shore in a nation whose state religion is different from Christianity. But our

Winnipeg Assembly does have some will undergird delegates as they unique properties that cry out for consider the various options, prayer support. motions and amendments that debate First, we are electing a new will bring out on this major issue. president—only the Third, whatever fourth in Canadian decisions are made, we . . . church Alliance history. need intercession so that Outgoing President leaders attribute the Alliance family leaves Dr. Franklin Pyles has Winnipeg unified around the success completed his three a new leader and united of previous four-year terms of office. in the various other Prayer support for decisions that will have assemblies to wisdom for delegates in been made. the support of assessing and voting for Each local church the candidates is vital can assist in this prayer those faithful if we are to listen to the prayer warriors project. will of God rather than Identify individuals choose on the basis of in your church body who popularity. will commit to praying for Assembly.

Those who put themselves Send them to Winnipeg. You can take forward as candidates for the advantage of a special intercessor presidency need prayer as they rate (www.allianceassembly.com/ grapple with the onerous task they register). are seeking to embrace. They need If you can’t attend Winnipeg in prayer to guide them in visionperson, identify those who will stay setting as well as for physical at home and pray. strength, wisdom and safety.

Use the special “Fifty Days of They need spiritual protection as Prayer” materials that were sent to they undoubtedly will come under all churches. satanic attack in the days and weeks Check the updates on Twitter, leading up to and after Assembly.

Facebook and the national website Second, Assembly will tackle as guides to prayer while Assembly issues such as the ordination of is on. women. Again, prayer intercession The challenge is there. Pray for us.

General Assembly 2012

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personnel updates

Personnel Updates

The following personnel changes are as reported by the district offices for the period from August 1, 2011 – January 31, 2012 (deaths from July 1 – December 31, 2011)

Field Assignment n Taiwan: My and Dao Nguyen, Church Ministry. n Spain: Kurt and Kim Peters, Church Ministry. n Venezuela: Kelly Dyer, Church Ministry. n Venezuela: Chris and Angela Hiebert, Church Ministry. n Costa Rica: Andrew and Claudia Martens, Language School.

Concluding or Retiring from the Field: n Finnemore, Bill and Diane concluded their service with Global Ministries September 30. n Zub, Stephen and Audrey concluded their service with Global Ministries December 31.

Home Assignment n On six-month Home Assignment: n Guinea: Lizette Lavoie in December. n Germany: Ralph and Ruth Shareski in October.

On one-year Home Assignment: n Mexico: Heather Hahn in August. n Mexico: David and Donna Wintemute in January. n Guatemala: Joseph and Helen Lee in January.

New Workers Aitken, Cam, Community Youth Pastor, HarbourView Alliance Church, Victoria, BC n Au, P.K., Pastor of Chinese n

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Ministry, South Gate Alliance Church, Edmonton, AB n Baptist, Kim, Children’s Pastor, Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK n Baran, Shawn, Associate Pastor of Worship and Arts, Southview Alliance Church, Calgary, AB n Barron, Andrew, Ministerat-Large, ON n Beh, Andy, Children’s Pastor, Tenth Avenue Alliance Church, Vancouver, BC n Boldt, Wayne, Senior Pastor, Moose Jaw Alliance Church, SK n Boyd, Dwayne, Pastor of IT, Graphic Arts, Information and Creative Arts, Vernon Alliance Church, BC n Brochu, Benjamin, Lead Pastor, Gospel Light Church, DeBolt, AB n Bundy, Craig, Impact Pastor, First Alliance Church, Calgary, AB n Chalmers, Kristal, Director of Worship Arts, Fort St. John Alliance Church, BC n Champagne, Rodger, On loan with Outreach Canada as the Western Canada Chaplain Representative n Chan, Tim Wai, Lead Pastor of Petra Plant, Toronto Chinese Alliance Church, ON n Chan, Victor, Cantonese Pastor, Emmanuel Alliance Church, Nepean, ON n Chui, William Chung-Lam, Lay Pastor, Toronto Chinese Alliance Church, ON n Comeau, Kendra, Director of Kids Church, Gateway Church, Caledonia, ON n Cyr, Scott, Assistant Youth Pastor,

Coquitlam Alliance Church, BC Dailly, Cameron, Pastor of Middle School Youth, Coquitlam Alliance Church, BC n Davenport, Elise, Children’s Ministries, Heritage Alliance Church, Abbotsford, BC n DeBartolo, Andrew, Pastor of Community Life and Student Ministries, Kingston Alliance Church, ON n Dorn, Gerry, Campus Pastor at Calahoo Chapel, Spruce Grove Alliance Church, AB n Dunfield, Tim, Pastor of Worship and Arts, Kamloops Alliance Church, BC n Ebanks, Fernando, Small Groups Pastor, Southview Alliance Church, Calgary, AB n Fitchett, Amy, Developer of Kids Programs, Vernon Alliance Church, BC n Freeman, Bill, Interim Pastor, Orillia Alliance Church, ON n Froese, Blair, Interim Children’s Pastor, Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK n Goodbrand, Mark, Senior Pastor, Wimborne Alliance Church, AB n Gooding, Bill, Minister-atLarge, Cranbrook, BC n Hamel, Randy, Pastor, New Life Community Church, Red Lake, ON n Han, Dong, Assistant Pastor, Richmond Hill Mandarin Alliance Church, ON n Hardy, Kevin, Youth Ministry, Fort St. John Alliance Church, BC n Hilson, Ben, Assistant Pastor, The Way Community Church, Richmond, BC n

personnel Ho, Anh Ngoc, Edmonton Vietnamese Alliance Church, AB n Ho, Suzette, Children’s Ministry Director, Emmanuel Alliance Church, Nepean, ON n Hodson, Bill, Intern Pastor, Moose Jaw Alliance Church, SK n Jacobs, Josh, Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, Erindale Alliance Church, Saskatoon, SK n Kadun, Nick, Campus Pastor for Next, Airdrie Alliance Church, AB n Kinniburgh, Carmen, Kindergarten to Grade 5 Developer, Vernon Alliance Church, BC n Kokura, Jacob, Youth Pastor, Yorkton Alliance, SK n Kowalko, Triana, Pastor of Children’s Ministry, Southview Alliance Church, Calgary, AB n LaRonde, Mark, Senior Pastor, Wellesley Alliance Church, ON n Lee, Kristen, Assistant Children’s Ministry and English Ministry, Chinese Evangelical Alliance Church, North York, ON n Leung, James, Ministerat-Large, ON n Lo, Ricky, Assistant Pastor of Cantonese Service Ministry, Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church, ON n Madden, Barry, Associate Pastor of Discipleship, Mission Creek Alliance Church, Kelowna, BC n Mangham, Ed, Lead Pastor, Deer Park Alliance Church, Red Deer, AB n Nawtowhow, Kelly, Associate Pastor, New Life Indian Alliance Fellowship, Prince Albert, SK n Nordstrom, Clayton, Senior Pastor, Devon Alliance Church, AB n O’Neill, Byron, Senior Pastor, Surrey Alliance Church, BC n Onggomuljono, Sam, Associate Pastor of Teens and Young Adults, Vancouver Chinese Alliance Church, BC n Patton, Aaron, Youth Pastor, Calgary Chinese Alliance Church, AB n Phan, Hung, English Ministry Pastor, Burnaby Vietnamese n

Alliance Church, BC Raine, Joshua, Pastor of Worship and Spiritual Formation, Valley View Alliance Church, Newmarket, ON n Reimer, Duane, Youth Pastor, Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK n Reimer, Kenda, Children’s and Women’s Pastor, The River Church, Squamish, BC n Rioux, Joe, Lead Pastor, Kentwood Alliance Church, Red Deer, AB n Roberts, Ernie, Senior Pastor, Fort Nelson Alliance Church, BC n Son, Chong Ho, Senior Pastor, The Korean Mission Alliance Church, North York, ON n Stone, Glenn, Youth Pastor, Rocky Mountain Alliance Church, Rocky Mountain House, AB n Van Essen, Dan, Church Planter, Halifax Alliance Missional Community (New Venture), NS n Van Kesteren, Roy, Associate Pastor for Visitation, Gregory Drive Alliance Church, Chatham, ON n Willems, Rod, Executive Pastor, Grande Prairie Alliance Church, AB n Wong, Jeremy, Youth Adults and Community Outreach in English Ministry, Calgary Chinese Alliance Church, AB n

New Churches n Langley, BC: Langley Vietnamese Alliance Church n Red Lake, ON: New Life Community Church Personnel Changes n Albiston, John, No credentials n Artavia, Ruben, No credentials n Bacon, Candice, Unassigned n Baker, Teri Lynn, Unassigned n Brown, Gord, Pastor of Group Life, Heritage Park Alliance Church, Windsor, ON n Campbell, Jack, Unassigned n Carter, Matthew, Senior Pastor, Revelstoke Alliance Church, BC n Chan, Grace, Unassigned n Chan, Kaman, Pastor, Zion

Alliance Church, Markham, ON Cheng, Brian, Former Worker n Chu, Anna, Unassigned n Chu, Joseph, Senior Associate Pastor, Vancouver Westside Alliance Church, BC n Coutts, Stu, Worker Emeritus n Davis, Rev. George, Pastor, Rossburn Alliance Church, MB n Defries, Joel, Pastor of Congregational Care and Seniors, Peace Portal Alliance Church, Surrey, BC n Dirk, Bruce, Unassigned n Fehr, Tom, Unassigned n Finnemore, Rev. Bill, Church Planting Pastor, Pathway Church Kanata (New Venture), ON n Freeman, Rev. Rob, Unassigned n Fritzke, Beverly, Director of Children’s Ministries, Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK n Froese, Blair, Pastor of Community Life and Mission, Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK n Gould, Rev. Shane, Senior Pastor, Burlington Alliance Church, ON n Gray, Ernie, Worker Emeritus n Halstead, Kyle, No credentials n Hamm, Randy, Unassigned n Harback, Brad, Senior Pastor, Bethel Fellowship Church, Three Hills, AB n Hawes, Steven, No credentials n Hill, Rick, No credentials n Ho, Brian, Interim Lead Pastor, Crucible Church, Richmond, BC n Hoffman, Steven, No credentials n Kim, Brian, Unassigned n Klassen, Carol, No credentials n Klix, Waylon, Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, Estevan Alliance Church, SK n Koop, Robert, No credentials n Lee, Jones, Young Adult Ministry, Scarborough Chinese Alliance Church, ON n Lee, Terry, Lead Pastor, Okotoks Alliance Church, AB n Leung, Stanley, Mission Overseer, Scarborough Chinese Alliance Church, ON n Leppington, Mark, Former Worker n Li, Selwyn, Minister-at-Large, ON­ n

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Liske, Cam, No credentials Maney, Mark, Former Worker n Mapa, Ben, Lead Pastor, Fields of Harvest Christian Fellowship (New Venture), Scarborough, ON n Marlatt, Cyril, Transition Pastor of Congregational Care, Cranbrook Alliance Church, BC n McAlpine, Tim, Associate Pastor, Mission Creek Alliance Church, Kelowna, BC n Morrison, Jon, Unassigned n Naismith, Rev. Gordon, Unassigned n Paton, James, Unassigned n Read, Don, Lead Pastor, Mountain View Alliance Church, Kitimat, BC n Rysavy, Julaine, Unassigned n Saeki, Samuel, No credentials n Thorlakson, Cath, Unassigned n Toovey, Marsha, No credentials

Torio, Manuel, No credentials Tran, Rev. Minh, Unassigned n Veitch, Shawn, ECD Youth/ Fusion Point Person, Emmanuel Alliance Church of Ottawa, ON n Vetro, Bob, Community Pastor, Georgetown Alliance Church, ON n Walter, Bryan, Associate Pastor, Hinton Alliance Church, AB n Wartman, Paul, Unassigned n Yang, David, Pastor of Family and Community Ministry, North Point Community Church, Calgary, AB n Zacharias, Jeremy, Unassigned

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Ordinations n Arseneau, Rev. Steeve, Spruce Grove Alliance Church, AB n Bruno, Rev. Gonzalez Garcia, Spanish Alliance Church, Surrey, BC

Carroll, Rev. Nathan, St. Albert Alliance Church, AB n Chui, Rev. Alfred, North Edmonton Alliance Church, AB n Freeman, Rev. Rob, Unassigned n Friesen, Rev. Reg, Cranbrook Alliance Church, BC n Halden, Rev. Stephen, Hamilton Chinese Alliance Church, ON n Hamm, Rev. Randy, Tenth Avenue Alliance Church, Vancouver, BC n Hardy, Rev. Ralph, Sevenoaks Alliance Church, Abbotsford, BC n Ku, Rev. Jeffrey, North Richmond Alliance Church, BC n Martens, Rev. Andrew, Sevenoaks Alliance Church, Abbotsford, BC n Tuck, Rev. Ryan, Beulah Alliance Church, Edmonton, AB n

With the Lord Deaths from July 1 – December 31, 2011

Colley, Rev. Theodore (Ted), August 22, 2011 Ted Colley served with the Alliance for 54 years. His ministry began in Medicine Hat, AB where he and his wife Mardelle started a new church in a house.

Throughout their ministry, God led them to several churches across Canada and the U.S. most recently as Assistant Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey, BC. Ted is survived by two sons, Dan and Jim.

Lilian Downey announces her passing from this life into the presence of her Lord and Saviour.

Mrs. Downey served with the Alliance for 45 years. She was predeceased by her husband Murray and is survived by her children, Deane (Margaret), Raymur (Viola), Neil (Angela), Lois (Ken Westerlund), Stanford (Patricia), Luci (Bruce Rushton) and Glenni (Dean Tweedle).

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Downey, Edna, August 4. 2011 It is with a mixture of joy and sorrow that the family of Edna

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Hooge, Valerie, September 24, 2011 Valerie and her husband Doug served as International Workers in Germany, 1991-2000. They began

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their ministry with the Alliance in 1988 in Kitchener, ON and Doug is currently Associate Pastor at Kamloops Alliance Church in BC. Valerie is survived by her husband and daughters, Jocelyn Hooge and Amanda Henke (Doug).

Kuglin, Rev. Robert (Bob), October 10, 2011 Robert most recently ministered as an evangelist in the Canadian Midwest District. After serving with the Alliance for 58 years, Robert went to be with the Lord.

His ministry began in Patricia, AB and included working as Senior Pastor at Lake Windermere

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personnel Alliance Church in BC, Truro Alliance Church in NS, and Waterdown Alliance Church in ON. He is survived by his wife Gwen and children, Brian, Garry, Bonnie and Ross.

Moreland, Anna, October 20, 2011 Anna served with the Alliance for 25 years. She was predeceased by her husband Rev. Bill Moreland.

They began their service with the Alliance in the U.S. and came to Hamilton, ON in 1953. They served at Waterdown Alliance in ON from 1958-1963 and at Orillia Alliance in ON from 1963-1966. Anna is survived by her children, Martha (Weston), Stephen (Linda), Ruth (Michael) and Wesley (Laverna).

From 1960-1963 Bill ministered at Avenue Road Church in Toronto with Dr. A.W. Tozer.

He is survived by his wife Pearl and children, Darlane Jespersen (Keith), Heather Newell, Philip (Ali) and Japhia Cowling (Brian).

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Penner, Rev. Albert, September 5, 2011 Albert served with the Alliance for 38 years in several churches across Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. After his retirement, Rev. Penner went on to serve as interim pastor at seven Alliance churches. He is survived by his wife Ruby, daughter Terri Regier, sons Neil and Ross and daughter Cheryl Regier.

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Stoesz, Rev. Dr. Sam, October 12, 2011 Rev. Dr. Stoesz served as a professor at Canadian Bible College/Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina, SK from 1967-1972 and from 1977-1988, prior to his retirement. He is survived by his daughters,

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Newell, Rev. Dr. Bill, November 12, 2011 Over a span of 24 years, Rev. Dr. Newell served the Lord in various churches across Ontario and served as District Superintendent for the Eastern and Central Canadian Districts.

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Rhoda Erickson (Ken) and Gloria Wessner (Marcel), stepdaughter Judy Cash and step-sons Dwight Carlson (Georgina) and Dennis Carlson (Debbie).

Ting, Daniel, October 26, 2011 Pastor Daniel Ting served at the Halifax Chinese Alliance Church after graduation until the end of September, 2011. He had a love for people and was loved especially by the university students. Daniel (43 years old) was on his way to Suriname to attend a mission conference but was involved in an accident in Florida and passed away. He is survived by his parents in Hong Kong, Wo-Cheung Ting and Sau-Lin Leung.

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Tsang, Pauline, October 10, 2011 Mrs. Tsang served alongside her husband, the late Rev. Richard Tsang, for 17 years. They ministered at North Edmonton Alliance Church in Alberta as well as Tai Po Alliance Church in Hong Kong. Pauline is survived by her son Patrick and daughter Grace.

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They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

– Jeremiah 17:8

Spring 2012

cmAlliance.ca 53

your you now church know

Electing The New President Steps in a process that culminates at General Assembly 2012

by David Freeman

T

he President of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada is elected for a four-year term, with the potential of serving three consecutive terms, for a total of 12 years. Rev. Dr. Franklin Pyles is completing his third term as President and, thus, is not eligible for re-election in 2012.

The Alliance in Canada uses a prayerful nomination and election process to determine its next president. A Committee on Nominations has been established.

The Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary were elected at General Assembly 2010. Three members from each district were elected at District Conferences in 2011. Three International Workers were appointed by the Board of Directors, for a total of 24 committee members.

The Board of Directors prepared a report for the Committee on Nominations regarding the needs of the C&MA in Canada in this, the next season of our life. That

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and who have decided to remain on report was based on an extensive the ballot. The election is scheduled survey of the constituency for Friday afternoon, July 6. conducted by the Board.

Prior to the election, A Call for Nominations was issued in December The Alliance in each candidate will speak, and delegates will have 2011 through the C&MA Canada uses a time of prayer and website and through a prayerful consideration prior to communication with casting their ballots. each church and official nomination In order to be elected, worker. Candidates and election a candidate must receive submitted nomination at least 50 percent plus papers as required by the process to one of the votes cast. If committee prior to the determine its no candidate receives committee’s deadline, next president the required majority March 15, 2012. on the first ballot, the The Committee two candidates receiving the on Nominations will review all most votes in their favour on the candidates’ nominations and first ballot shall be the only two will report to General Assembly candidates on the second ballot.

2012. The first reading of the Report The new president will of the Committee is scheduled take office August 1, 2012. for Wednesday morning, July 4.

The Report will identify the Rev. David Freeman, BRE, MEd is person being recommended by Vice-President, Strategic Interface for The the committee, as well as all other Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada candidates who are eligible to serve

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