Assembly 2025 Workshops

Coming together at Assembly gives delegates, visitors, and pastors a unique opportunity to easily access resources by browsing the many ministry information tables onsite, as well as by attending a workshop. This year, two workshop sessions will be offered featuring a selection of four topics.

View Workshop Descriptions→

Workshop Registration will open online on April 18 for all registered delegates and visitors.
For general information on Assembly 2025, click HERE.

New Minister’s Orientation

Thank you for praying for our New Minister’s Orientation that took place March 10-12. We had a wonderful time getting to know one another over the three days, as we worshipped with, prayed for, and learned together what it means to be part of this family of Baptist churches. Thank you for making the trip to Calgary. What a fantastic class of participants! 

Is Discipleship Your Church’s Core Mission?

By CBWC Director of Church Planting Shannon Youell 

This year I am reading the New Testament with an eye towards answering this question: What does Jesus teach us about disciplemaking? Even more so, keeping the final command of Jesus to His followers at the forefront of this question—What does Jesus teach us about the core mission of His church, and what can we learn from how Jesus made disciplemakers who would carry on this core mission?

The Big Picture
Most of us who read the story of Jesus in the gospels can note that Jesus’ public ministry began with His “reveal” (baptism, announcing God’s kingdom is now present), followed immediately with His calling disciples to Himself, very much in the tradition of a Rabbi in His day. And the majority of what happens wherever Jesus finds Himself is with those disciples learning, observing, experiencing, interpreting, and engaging in whatever Jesus was teaching and doing.

Nearing the day of His arrest and death, Jesus spends a significant amount of time pouring into those disciples. and after His resurrection He spends all His time with them, right up to “graduation” when He commissions them to repeat what He has done: to make disciples, teaching them to obey all the teachings of God as taught to them by Jesus.

Translators and Bible editors have long labelled that passage “The Great Commission” of Jesus to the Church, meaning that it is of the utmost importance in vision and task; it is the core mission of the Church. Core implies that everything we do is to fulfill and flourish the value; the mission. According to Jesus’ example, that mission was to make disciples.

How Do We Execute and Measure Disciplemaking?
Of course Jesus’ disciples were not to make just any kind of disciples. They were to make disciples based on Jesus’ teaching and demonstration about how the presence of the kingdom of God produces His Shalom, and how, then, to live into it. Furthermore, they were to make disciples who would do likewise. This was the expansion plan of the kingdom of God permeating every person, place, and culture in the world.

None of this is news to us. The gathered church, as we know it, generally recognizes discipleship as “something we are to do” and disciples as “something we are to make.”

Our challenge is that most churches today struggle with how to both execute and measure disciplemaking. I’ve heard some pastors say that their pathway to disciplemaking is by osmosis; in other words, if the pastor teaches on it enough and encourages people to spend time together, then disciples will be made. Others have fantastic learning programs designed to draw people deeper into understanding God’s Word, solidifying belief, with behavioral modifying implications of living a life as Christ’s image-bearers here on earth.

These same pastors tell me they are discouraged that they haven’t seen real deep fruit and transformation happen in a way that extends the reach of God’s kingdom into the world in which His kingdom exists. Mainly, our discipleship efforts are focused on spiritual formation practices such as Bible studies, preaching, prayer, worship, service in the programs of the church—such as Alpha, men’s and women’s groups, youth and children’s ministries. Pretty much every church I’ve ever been in practices these in various ways. The church community is formed around them. I’d refer to that as the “gathered church” —practices we do when we are together, mostly in a particular location. Most of these practices and activities occur primarily on a weekend or weeknight service- type environment. When these practices are intentional, they have historically been quite good at forming church attenders around belief and some commonality of those beliefs, resulting in volunteers who serve the programs and activities of the gathered church. These practices are beautiful, comforting, encouraging, and an important part of what the Church does.

While there are certainly important and necessary aspects of disciplemaking incorporated, (information through teaching, experience through singing and praying together, fellowship and care of others within our community), having our primary focus on the gathered programming moves the core mission away from disciplemaking, towards creating and maintaining a worship service and activities. In other words, it expands the gathered practices of disciples but rarely makes it out the door into the community spaces we all live, work, and play in—the space where not-yet-believers are most often found.

While some will read this and say it’s semantics, I will argue that it usually only takes a subtle shift in priorities or direction to take the call of Jesus to the Church to a focus that inadvertently misses the core mission He calls her to, while still engaging in elements of what a gathered church does together. We have been quite successful in the past in moving people from outside the church to inside the church, but we’ve too often left them there.

When Jesus called those first groups of disciples, He walked, lived, ate, partied, and ministered with them outside the synagogue. These were the practices Jesus incorporated in disciple-making that occurred outside the more formal aspects of His teaching in synagogues, on mountains, and beside lakes.

These practices were often spontaneous as He and His disciples encountered the spaces and places inhabited not necessarily by good church-attenders, but by those who were outside the church for various reasons.

They took the belief they were growing in understanding to into how they lived, worked, and played in a way that demonstrated the love, compassion, and care of Jesus right into an organic way of relationships. While we’ve often referred to this aspect of embodying Jesus and disciplemaking as the latter of the terminology of gathered and scattered, we are finding that a better term for scattered is sent.

Scattered can be interpreted to mean random, unintentional, and un-cohesive, while sent has the implications of being purpose- driven with an intentionality to engage, as a whole, the world outside the more formal practices that occur in the church building itself. Sent is also the common term missiologists use for moving belief into embodiment; from knowledge into behaviors lived outside of our worship services and into everyday life, encounters, experiences, and relationships.

Refocusing the Mission
With the practices of both our gathered community and our sent communities, we must always be alert to mission-drift. We can just as easily become too outward focused on going out into the world as we can become too inward focused on formational practices and experiences in our weekly services and church activities.

Disciple-making that produces the fruit of making disciples who can do likewise requires, as Matt Lake describes in his book Crossing the Discipleship Chasm, a healthy tension between gathered and sent.

To put it in simpler terms: if the majority of our time, talent, money, energy and activities are primarily focused around our Sunday gatherings—or, if the majority of our time, talent, money, energy and activities are primarily focused on serving the outside community on matters of injustice and outreach—then we have drifted from the core mission of disciple-making that Jesus calls the Church to.

Healthy, reproduceable disciplemaking requires both/and. Healthy, reproduceable disciplemaking requires a healthy culture of disciplemaking that is not an optional course, activity, or mission of the Church, but is actually what the Church does to fulfill the job -description, the mission, that Jesus gave the Church.

As Matt Lake states, “Commitment to discipleship means a congregation-wide intentionality and alignment.” This type of disciplemaking journey is for communities of believers and unbelievers; of deep spiritual formational practices individually and corporately; of hearts of compassion and hospitality to all peoples; of both belief and behavior aligning with being Christ’s image bearers wherever we are. Healthy churches that thrive and continue to thrive, have cultures of healthy disciple-making as their core mission.

The rest is what God can and will do in that kind of environment.

We’ve been wrestling through these questions over the past months in our Making Disciplemakers Cohort. Follow along on our blog: cbwc.ca/church-planting or contact my Assistant Cailey Morgan at cmorgan@cbwc.ca to find out how to join the conversation. Lake, Matt. Crossing the Discipleship Chasm: How To Turn Crowds Into People Who Follow Jesus (Invite Press, 2024): 67.

Over the next 6 months we will be journeying through these reflections on the Lord’s Prayer, used with permission, by Carolyn Arends. If you missed the introduction, you can find it in the past two issues of Making Connections.  

The Lord’s Prayer will be the theme of our Assembly in May, and we invite you to use these monthly reflections in preparation. For more info and to register for Assembly, click here). 

The universe in 57 Words–Part THREE

PETITION ONE  

Hallowed be thy name . . . in earth, as it is in heaven.  

A man I met on a plane told me a story. He and his wife, a piano major at a local university, went piano shopping. The saleswoman led them straight to the entry-level models. “She had us pegged exactly right,” the man told me. “We were going to have to borrow the money to get the cheapest instrument there.”  

Everything changed, however, when the name of the prospective buyer’s mentor—a world-renowned master teaching at the university—came up in their conversation.

The saleswoman was panic-stricken. “Not these pianos!” she exclaimed, herding the couple away from the economy section and into a private showroom of gleaming Steinways. “I’m so sorry,” she kept repeating, horrified at the thought of the teacher finding out she’d shown one of his students an inferior instrument. Try as they might, they couldn’t persuade her to take them back to the pianos they could afford. Once the master’s name came up, only the best would do.  

When I think about the reverence that flustered saleswoman had for a teacher’s name, Jesus’ first petition begins to come to focus.  

REVERENCE . . . AND REVELATION  

What does it mean to “hallow” God’s name? Maybe you, like me, were raised to flinch whenever someone uses God’s name as a mindless exclamation or curse. Perhaps you’ve heard about the extreme care taken in some branches of Judaism: Pages containing Yahweh, the covenantal name of the Lord, are never thoughtlessly discarded, but rather buried or ritually burned. When we pray this first petition, we’re invited to cultivate reverence for God’s name— especially while living in a world prone to profane it.  

But as important as it is to use God’s name with care, if we live inside this first petition for long we’ll begin to see that Jesus is inviting us not only to cultivate reverence, but to pray for revelation.  

Names are a big deal in the Bible. From Abraham (“Father of Many”) to Jacob (“Heel-grasper”) to Peter (“Rock”), monikers don’t merely identify—they reveal. Moses understood this. So he asked God (whom he knew by the generic deity designation Elo him) for his personal name. “Yahweh,” God told him, offering Moses the kind of intimacy that only comes on a first-name basis— and revealing his covenant with his people in the process. 

 As we learned from the invocation, every name we have for God is a revelation of his character. So, when Jesus teaches us to pray for the hallowing of God’s name, he’s really teaching us to pray that God’s character will be revealed here on earth, just the way it is in heaven.  

Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, he is constantly encountering people who have distorted pictures of his Father. If we pay much attention at all to his teaching in the Gospel accounts, we’ll notice that more than anything he wants us to be able to see God for who God really is.  

Jesus seems convinced that the coming of God’s kingdom hinges on the hallowing of God’s name—the revealing of God’s character. He knows that we become like the God we worship, and if our God-picture is distorted, then the more religious we be 16 come, the worse off we will be. So the first, foundational thing Jesus teaches us to pray for is a clear revelation of God’s character. Tom Smith helpfully translates hallowed be thy name as “help us draw healing pictures of You.”  

ONLY GOD CAN DO IT  

None of the six petitions Jesus teaches us are things we can obtain on our own. In fact, the verbs in two of the first three petitions are imperative, but passive. This means that this first request is not so much “Let us hallow your name” as it is “Father, do what we can’t— make your name holy throughout the earth.”  

Only God can reveal himself to the world. But if we pray as he taught us, our reverence and care for his name will grow, right alongside our capacity to behold God’s goodness and beauty. Which gets me thinking about that piano saleswoman again. Because the more we see the glory of God’s love, the more we’ll begin to exchange our cheap instruments of self-interest and power for the costly cross of Christ—the only instrument worthy of our master’s name.  

Suggested song: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”  

To download the full resource: https://renovare.org/books/the-universe-in-57-words 

Excerpts used with permission from a book entitled 

the universe 
in 57 words 
SEVEN DAYS INSIDE THE LORD’S PRAYER 
By Carolyn Arends 

 This resource has been influenced by more authors, preachers, teachers, and fellow pray-ers than I can credit or even remember. But I am particularly indebted to the following works: Fifty-Seven Words That Change the World, by Darrell Johnson; The Lord and His Prayer, by N. T. Wright; The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard; Prayer, by Richard Foster; and Eugene Peterson’s “Jesus and Prayer” lectures for SPIR 604 at Regent College. 

Emmanuel Baptist’s Award-winning Documentary

Greetings from Pastor Joshua at Victoria Emmanuel Baptist Church. I’m excited to share about our documentary, Thanksgiving Emmanuel. The film is a testament to the transformative power of faith and how it has changed the lives of many immigrants in Victoria. This video project aims to celebrate these blessings and inspire the Emmanuel Mandarin Ministries as we move into the post-COVID chapter of our journey. Thanksgiving Emmanuel was selected for the 2024 Great Lakes Christian Film Festival (GLCFF) in New York, held from October 17 to 20. The film reflects on God’s grace in the Emmanuel Mandarin Ministry over the years. Supported by the Paulin Memorial Opportunity Fund, it was nominated and awarded “Most Creative” in the Best Documentary Feature category. To view the film, please see link below.  

Emmanuel held its first preaching service on August 8, 1890, under Rev C.W. Townsend, and is now celebrating 135 years of ministry in Victoria.  

 In 2006, Emmanuel embraced the vision of Pastor Joshua Wang and began a ministry to Mandarin Chinese speakers.  After an original partnership with a church from Vancouver, Emmanuel has adopted a multicultural identity.  The Mandarin worship service has seen steady growth over the years and this documentary was created to celebrate their 15th anniversary in 2024. The Mandarin and English congregations meet together for Sunday worship once a month.  

纪录片《感恩以马内利》见证了信仰的转化力量，以及它如何改变维多利亚以马内利教会中新移民的生命。这个电影旨在庆祝这些祝福，并在我们进入后疫情时代的以马内利国语事工新篇章时，激励大家继续前行。《感恩以马内利》入选了2024年10月17日至20日在纽约举办的大湖区基督教电影节（GLCFF）。这部影片回顾了神在以马内利国语事工中多年来的恩典。在保林纪念基金（Paulin Memorial Opportunity Fund）的支持下，该影片获得了“最佳纪录片长片”类别中“最具创意奖”的提名并最终获奖。 

 Here is the public bilingual YouTube link to the documentary. Thanksgiving Emmanuel documentary【感恩以马内利】记录片 – YouTube 

 In Him  
Joshua Wang 

 Partner Spotlight

The Power of Food Security

Food security is more than just having enough to eat. It’s the ability to have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. Something that is a growing concern for an increasing number of people, both globally and here in Canada. 

 For many families, food security initiatives can mean the difference between struggle and stability. Two inspiring Kenyan women, Margery and Mary, show us how learning Conservation Agriculture methods from our partner ACC&S, has transformed their lives. 

Margery’s Story: From Scarcity to Abundance

Margery Gaturi, a 64-year-old farmer from Karwagi Village, knows the pain of failed harvests. She once leased two acres of land, only to harvest a single maize cob. Years of effort and investment yielded little in return. 

With training and support through her local church’s Conservation Agriculture program, Margery tested a small demo plot using sustainable farming techniques. The results? A staggering 54 kg of maize—compared to just 10 kg from her traditional methods. 

“I no longer have to till my land. It’s less labour-intensive and more productive,” she shares. 

Today, she farms her own land, grows diverse crops, and stores her harvest to sell at the best market prices. With her surplus, she even purchased a goat for additional income and nutrition. 

Mary’s Story: A Dairy Goat That Changed Everything

Mary Wambui, a 77-year-old from Riandu Village had always depended on her cow for milk, but despite her efforts, it produced very little. 

“I used to spend so much time and energy feeding that cow,” Mary recalls. This situation left Mary struggling to maintain a consistent supply of milk for her household. The cow required a lot of labour, yet the returns were minimal, making it increasingly difficult for her to manage. 

Through the ACC&S Embu Food Security Project, Mary was introduced to dairy goats, which require less feed but provide more milk and essential manure for farming. “Now, I drink milk from my goat every day. It’s much healthier for me, especially at my age,” Mary shares. 

With her goat thriving and multiplying, Mary no longer buys milk, saving money that she now invests in her Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). This simple shift has improved her nutrition, reduced her workload, and increased her financial stability. 

Why Food Security Matters 

Margery and Mary’s stories highlight the transformative impact of food security projects. When communities have access to sustainable farming techniques and resources, they can move from struggle to stability. As partners, here’s how your generosity is transforming lives: 

• Boosting Harvests: Farmers are learning new techniques that produce more food with less labour and lower costs. 

• Improving Nutrition: Families now have diverse and nutritious food sources, leading to better health. 

• Breaking Dependency: By reducing reliance on costly farming inputs, families and individuals can grow food sustainably and increase their resilience. 

• Building Financial Stability: With higher yields and savings programs, participants can invest in their future and support their families. 

For more information, please visit: cbmin.org/food.

(Over the next 7 months we will be journeying through these reflections on the Lord’s Prayer, used with permission, by Carolyn Arends. If you missed the introduction, you can find it in the February issue of Making Connections.  

The Lord’s Prayer will be the theme of our Assembly in May, and we invite you to use these monthly reflections in preparation. For more info and to register for Assembly, click here) 

The Universe in 57 Words—Part Two

By Carolyn Arends

THE INVOCATION 

Our Father which art in heaven . . . 

The first thing Jesus teaches us is an invocation—pointing us toward the right address, in multiple senses of the word. 

Whom are we addressing? Our Father. 

Where is His address? In heaven. 

Dallas Willard argues that “addressing God is what distinguishes prayer from worrying out loud.” As soon as I speak or even think the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer, I’m pulled out of my internal echo chamber and into a two-way conversation. 

Jesus could have taught us to address THE GREAT I AM or THE LORD MOST HIGH. Instead, He invites us to use highly– relational, parental language. If God is Our Father, then we are His children. Fathers—good ones, anyway—are accessible to their kids, and delight in giving them good things.  

It’s worth pausing here to reflect on how our earthly dads color the canvas of our picture of God as Father. Especially for those with father wounds, the image is easily distorted. Thankfully, Jesus shows us the heavenly Father in His person and in His parables.  

Picture the father in the parable of the prodigal son. There is nothing a wayward child can do to “unfather” that father; it’s impossible to change his character or out-sin his love. This, Jesus tells us, is the kind of Father to whom we pray. 

Do you see the beautiful efficiency of the Lord’s Prayer so far? It takes Jesus only two words to reveal something seismic about the heart of God and His desire to act for our good. And with those same two words, He gives us our own identity in the equation. We’re not needy, anonymous blips in an indifferent universe. Rather, we are needy, beloved children of a God who takes Fatherly delight in caring for us. 

Addressing God as Our Father gives us the basis for all the petitions to follow, because it assures us that God has the desire to act on our behalf. But how do we know that God also has the power to act? This is where the second part of the address comes in. 

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,” writes the psalmist in Psalm 103:19, “and His kingdom rules over all.” By teaching us to pray to “Our Father in heaven,” Jesus is reminding us that the God we are addressing is on His throne and in charge of the universe. 

Yet even as God’s heavenly address reminds us of His sovereignty and transcendence, it also assures us of His proximity and immanence. The biblical writers pictured the heavens not as a remote location but as the dimension where God reigns—the invisible realm that extends far beyond the farthest galaxy but is also as near as the atmosphere surrounding our bodies. 

‘Our Father which art in heaven’. With this brief address, Jesus gives us “the configuration of the reality from within which we pray.”  

 THREE IMPLICATIONS OF THE INVOCATION 

We need to recapture a bit of the shock that Jesus’ first students would have experienced when they heard this address. They were likely startled on at least three fronts. 

Intimacy 

First, Jesus signals an astonishing level of access to God. We know Jesus addressed God as Abba—an Aramaic word that carries perhaps a touch more respect than the English term daddy, but no less tenderness. In teaching us to pray Our Father, Jesus is inviting us into that same sort of intimacy with the God of the universe. 

For Jesus’ first listeners—Jews who had been taught all sorts of prohibitions related to addressing God with the proper reverence—the invitation to address Him as “Father” or “Abba” must have been mind-boggling. Something about the way humans are able to relate to God has shifted dramatically, and it has everything to do with Jesus. 

Theologian Baxter Kruger tells a story that cracks open a bit of the miracle on offer. Baxter was in his office one Saturday afternoon when his young son and a playmate appeared, decked out in camouflage, evidently embroiled in a game of Army. “My son peers around the corner of the door and looks at me,” Kruger remembers, “and the next thing I know, he comes flying through the air and jumps on me. We start wrestling and horsing around and we end up on the floor. Then his buddy flies into us and all three of us are just like a wad of laughter.” 

In the middle of their play, Kruger felt the Lord prompting him to pay attention. He realized he’d never met his son’s friend before. “I re-wound the story and thought about what would have happened if this little boy would have walked into my den alone. . . . Would he fly through the air and engage me in play? . . . Of course not. That is the last thing that would have happened.” 

“Within himself,” Kruger continues, “that little boy had no freedom to have a relationship with me. We were strangers. . . . The miracle that happened was that my son’s knowledge of my acceptance and delight, and my son’s freedom for fellowship with me, rubbed off onto that other little boy. . . . He participated in my son’s life and communion with me.” 

When Jesus invites us to call His Father our Father, he is offering us intimate participation in the life of the Trinity. 

Community 

In the invocation, Jesus teaches that our connection to God is very personal, yet it is also not private. The address, after all, is not My Father, but Our Father. And all the personal pronouns that follow in the prayer are plural. 

From the first word of the prayer forward, Jesus invites us to begin to understand our story within the context of a much bigger story. To pray this prayer is to find our individual lives situated within the body of Christ, within humanity, and within all of creation. 

Vocation 

There is a third, rather cosmic dimension of the invocation that is easy to overlook unless we receive Jesus’ teaching in the context of Israel’s backstory. N. T. Wright points out that the first occurrence of the idea of God as “Father” comes during the dramatic scene, captured in Exodus 4, when Moses thunders to Pharaoh on the Lord’s behalf: “Thus says the Lord: Israel is my firstborn son. . . . Let my son go that he may worship me” (Exodus 4:22–23). 

From that iconic confrontation forward, to refer to God as “Father” is associated in the Jewish mind with the promise of liberation—freedom from slavery and oppression. By the time King David comes along, God is explaining that eventually there will be a new king, a Messiah, descended from David’s family—and the God-as-Father motif continues. “I will be a father to him,” He says of the promised Messiah, “and he shall be a son to me” (2 Samuel 7:14). 

When Jesus arrives on the scene, Israel has been waiting for this Davidic Messiah, the hope of Israel, for a very long time. They’ve suffered under the oppression of one regime after another, longing for the day when their Lord, Yahweh, will enact a new exodus and finally set His people free. When Jesus starts referring to God as His “Father,” it’s a signal, loud and clear, that He is claiming to be the long-awaited emancipator. 

And then, do you see what He does? It would be one thing if He taught His followers to pray to His Father. But instead, He teaches us to pray to our Father—which is to include ourselves in the mission. 

Right here, in the invocation, Jesus is inviting all who will pray this prayer to self-identify as participants in the Father’s great project of setting every captive free and overcoming evil with good in every corner of the universe. To pray to “our Father” is to find our life’s ultimate vocation. It is to sign up for the revolution. 

And our participation in this revolution means that we are invited to embody God’s kingdom everywhere we go—at home, at work, at church, shopping for groceries, posting on social media, interacting with our neighbors. We’re invited to live aware and expectant—growing in our capacity to detect all the subtle and overt ways the people around us experience oppression and learning to pray and act for their liberation. 

When I look back on my church upbringing, I’m grateful there was a strong emphasis on the possibility of a personal, intimate relationship with God. But I must confess that I somehow missed the communal, cosmic, revolutionary side of the beautiful coin Jesus offers us. 

“Spiritual depth and renewal come, as and when they come, as part of the larger package,” observes N. T. Wright. “But that package itself is about being delivered from evil; about God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.” 

Whom are we addressing? Our Father 

Where is His address? In heaven. 

Where is OUR address? Intimately centered in the life of the Trinity, communally situated within the body of Christ and all of creation and thrillingly placed on the frontlines of the revolution. 

 Suggested song: “Who You Are”  Renovare.org/universesongs 

To download the full resource: https://renovare.org/books/the-universe-in-57-words 

Excerpts used with permission from a book entitled 

the universe
in 57 words
SEVEN DAYS INSIDE THE LORD’S PRAYER 

By Carolyn Arends 

 This resource has been influenced by more authors, preachers, teachers, and fellow pray-ers than I can credit or even remember. But I am particularly indebted to the following works: Fifty-Seven Words That Change the World, by Darrell Johnson; The Lord and His Prayer, by N. T. Wright; The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard; Prayer, by Richard Foster; and Eugene Peterson’s “Jesus and Prayer” lectures for SPIR 604 at Regent College.

New Ministers Orientation: The Art of Reciprocal Relationship

By Louanne Haugan

This month, the Calgary Head Office will (once again) open its doors for three days to welcome the 2025 class of pastors new to the CBWC. We call this time together New Ministers Orientation (NMO), and it is a wonderful opportunity to meet the staff, make new friends, and learn not only what it means to be Baptist—but also what sets us apart as Canadian Baptists of Western Canada.  

One of the ‘serendipity exercises’ we engage in is going around the room to identify what church tradition we come from. It is always incredibly varied; most pastors are not born and raised in CBWC churches. These Christian men and women bring with them rich faith narratives and a willingness to learn and grow together as a larger body—all while ministering in the context of their individual home churches and communities. It is beautiful to hear their stories as we get to know each other better! 

Besides learning about the various ministries that Executive Staff are responsible for, some of the topics covered during NMO are Baptist History, Leading Through Change and Conflict, Spiritual Ethics and Boundaries, Ordination, Longevity in Ministry, Governance, and Clergy Resources.  

It was during one of the sessions last year that a participant commented, “I wish my Board were here to listen to this, too. Is there a way for you to get this information to them?” That comment was impetus to creating our Board Development Essentials Video Series!  

Over the next several months, we had various staff write and record 5-minute informational videos on topics such as writing a good employment contract to creating a Church Rental Policy. Our hope is that pastors will include these short videos as an educational piece during monthly Board meetings. We intend to add relevant content each year. The Board Development Essentials Video Series can be found on our website under Church Tools.  

We say that attending NMO is a bit like drinking from a firehose—lots of information over a brief period of time. But this information does not only flow in one direction. You can be assured that our staff are always listening for feedback on how to provide better resources for those serving as CBWC pastors and lay leaders.  

We have 20 pastors attending New Ministers Orientation this year from March 10-12th. Please pray for CBWC staff as they prepare to welcome and encourage our pastors making the journey to Calgary to attend. May long-lasting friendships be made, and ministries strengthened. 

Partner Spotlight—CBWC Foundation

Announcing the CBWC Kingdom Builders Fund

The CBWC is pleased to announce the launch of the Kingdom Builders Fund. It’s a way for CBWC churches and ministries to loan funds to the CBWC Foundation, earn market competitive interest and increase our ability to loan to churches and ministries who are building or refurbishing ministry spaces in the CBWC.  

• Currently you can receive 2.75% annual interest for funds that are accessible throughout the year with a ten-day redemption period.  

• For funds locked in for a year, the rate is currently 3.75%. Two years is 3.50%. 

• The fund can only accept funds from CBWC churches and ministries and not individuals at this time.  

To join the fund, please email Chris Reid  creid@cbwcfoundation.ca or call her at 403-930-7004. You can also read more information on our website.  

A Little History:  

Many of you will recall that in years past the CBWC had a very successful program that most simply knew as the ‘Deposit Fund’. 

With the Deposit Fund, CBWC Churches and individuals could deposit funds with the CBWC Foundation, earn a competitive return and the CBWC would then use the funds to loan to CBWC Churches and Ministries. The fund enabled a lot of good work in the CBWC over many years. A small portion also supported the ministry of the CBWC. It was a win-win-win situation! 

In 2018, changes at the Alberta Securities Commission tightened rules for non-profit investment funds and the Foundation Board was concerned that the Deposit Fund was potentially non-compliant with the new rules. We sent back all the money to both churches and individuals. 

After working closely with the Alberta Securities Commission for the past three years, we have received an Exemption that allows us to once again offer the program to our community in a modified form that fully meets all requirements. As well, BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have all joined the Exemption under their passport agreement. 

For the exemption, ASC asked that we call it a loan program rather than a deposit program to make it clear that the fund is not analogous to a bank saving account. Also, as with all investment vehicles, they require more documentation with the application to provide clarity for all involved. We will be limited with these funds to loans to CBWC churches and CBWC Ministries. Finally, we will report annually to the ASC our audited financial statements. 

We, at the Foundation, are grateful for the chance to once again partner with you in this way, and we look forward to what God will do with these funds that ultimately all belong to Him.  

Submitted by Bob Webber 

The CBWC Foundation is hiring! Learn more at cbwc.ca/careers.

A Story of Two Churches Becoming One

A story of 2 churches sharing a building who chose to become one congregation, by Hannah Hamm in consultation with Tyler Graftaas and Nahri Hong.  

Consider a Baptist church in the city of Calgary that’s been there for over a hundred years. Now consider a modern-day church, predominantly 2nd generation Asian, planted in the same building, only 17 years ago. Would these two very different congregations co-exist well? Time would tell that they would more than co-exist. In fact, they were destined to become one.  

In the Fall of 2024, I sat down with pastors Nahri Hong and Tyler Graftaas, in Banff, to hear the story.  

First, a little history. Crescent Heights Baptist Church began in 1907 as a Sunday School in the Crescent Heights real estate office of A.J. McArthur, with young pastor Archie Gordon. The church building followed in 1909.  Fast forward to the mid-1990s when a teenage 

Tyler Graftaas began attending. By 2016 that same young man would become part of the pastoral team.  

In 2007, a congregation planted by the Calgary Korean Baptist Church and blessed by the CBWC would move into the building. ‘GoodTree Christian Fellowship’ enters the stage. (It’s worth noting that two other congregations also meet at Crescent, a Chinese fellowship called Blessed Christian Church and a Filipino congregation called Greenhills Christian Fellowship. This place has a history of sharing and making space for the diverse Kingdom of Jesus).

In March, John Huh, founding pastor of GoodTree Christian Fellowship had concluded his pastoral ministry to go full-time with the Canadian Armed Forces as a Chaplain Major in Borden, ON. As such, GoodTree Christian Fellowship was in a pastoral search under the direction of Ken Nettleton, who was the interim senior pastor at the time alongside pastor Nahri, who was a part of the original GoodTree Christian Fellowship plant in 2007. Nahri  joined the pastoral staff team in 2019 after serving as a lay leader in various capacities over the years. Later that summer Tyler, who had served pastorally in both congregations over the years, began chatting with a couple of the leaders at GoodTree Christian Fellowship.  In one conversation someone said, ‘maybe you could be our pastor!’ In early 2023 the search committee interviewed Tyler simply to see if the two visions could align, but Tyler wasn’t planning to leave Crescent. GoodTree Christian Fellowship interviewed a few candidates, but none seemed the right fit. Everyone knew Tyler and that he was uniquely gifted with what they were looking for, but the fact that he came with a whole other congregation made things complicated.  

As 2023 continued the leadership at GoodTree Christian Fellowship began praying for discernment about the potential of merging with Crescent Heights considering that their vision for the church included diversity and discipleship. After much prayer and discussion, the team felt that the time was right to consider emerging from their comfort zone and moving toward a more multi-ethnic and multi-generational context that better reflected the diverse Kingdom of God.  

In the meantime, the leadership team at Crescent Heights had discerned that this could be a really good next step and were giving GoodTree Christian Fellowship the time to discern.  

In May of 2023 GoodTree CF held a town hall meeting about the potential merge. Many contentious issues arose and were worked through. Addressing previously undisclosed concerns and having leadership respond effectively was a very positive experience. Nonetheless, the concept of the merge was challenging for some of the congregation. 

Nahri describes this time of discernment well: 

“After our recent leadership retreat, we felt that God was calling us to diversity and the importance of discipleship. This was a difficult shift because the foundation of the church was built on our identity as a second-generation Asian context. We had to redefine; maybe God was calling us into a new season; and maybe this new direction was more Kingdom like?  

There was a strong emotional response. We had to push out of our familiar comfort zone. Yet everyone agreed that there was already a wonderful working relationship with Crescent, and we all loved pastor Tyler. We wondered if we were ready to let go of what we were.” 

(Tyler interjected that there was some fear of a ‘takeover’ by Crescent, which was curiously flipped on its head later, but that’s for a few paragraphs from now. Back to Nahri’s reflection.) 

“We were a small congregation; all genuinely friends. We wondered what it would be like with a whole other congregation in the mix. How would we do life together? I also don’t think we could remove the racial component of it. A lot of people feared being the minority. They had experienced hurt in this area and the church had been a place where their kids could feel safe. Pastor Ken had been doing some teaching on the question ‘What is the church?’ Is the church there to serve your needs? To make you feel comfortable? Frankly, GoodTree was a safe space where the people didn’t have to worry about things they dealt with in the outside world.” 

Ironically, it was Crescent Heights, the older and predominantly Caucasian congregation who’d been together for over a hundred years, who were up for the challenge comes with change.  

In June, members of leadership and staff of both churches gathered together. Both groups were more excited and convinced it was worth exploring the idea of merging the churches, and by early September of 2023, the leadership of GoodTree Christian Fellowship would gather and feel unanimous in moving forward together. 

Both churches held a vote at the end of November and the count ‘in favour’ was nearly unanimous! The two churches gathered together for worship throughout December, and in January 2024, both congregations held their final individual services to mark the transition. After this, except for some legalities, everything merged.  

Was it all smooth sailing right away? Not quite.  Several more ‘town hall’ meetings ensued during that first year, and this time, it was mostly Crescent congregants who were struggling. The term ‘takeover’ was in the air again, only this time from a different perspective. The original GoodTree folks had already done the hard work of discussing potential difficulties and addressing concerns and were fully on board.  

 One innocent but unfortunate circumstance that brought about concerns was that Crescent’s main worship leader went on a month’s long trip right at the time of the merge. As a result, the musical worship appeared to be predominantly in the GoodTree Christian Fellowship style and form – though musicians from both churches were involved. As time progressed, everyone has learned to love and appreciate ‘new’ music styles, although the conversation is not over. 

 Choosing a name for the newly merged congregation was another necessary adaptation. Here’s what Tyler had to say about that decision.  

 “The whole naming process was good but bore no fruit. No strong new name emerged (a few things no one wanted!) When it came down to it, I had always loved the GoodTree name. Something alive, bearing good fruit, straight out of Jesus’ description of what it means to follow him. GoodTree, in its very name, is representative of planting churches which is a huge part of our vision.  Officially the name is becoming GoodTree Church. We hope in the long term the working name for this location will be GoodTree @ Crescent Heights and that many more GoodTrees will be planted around the city.” 

Hear these encouraging final thoughts from Tyler and Nahri. 

‘God has been really confirming that His Hand was in this. Since the merge we have been experiencing, on both sides, the goodness and the fruit of following His path. Children being in the mix has brought life to the Crescent congregation. GoodTree folks have been commenting on how good it is to worship together in a more diverse way.’ 

‘God is blessing the process and it has been beautiful to watch. It’s all been very intentional, for everyone, to merge together. We’ve seen surprising growth in both the children’s ministry and through regular newcomers (and new believers) joining the church each Sunday. New discipleship life groups are gaining traction as the congregation is learning and practicing how to love one another in intentional ways. We are thankful.’ 

Tyler writes that ‘with the help of a lawyer, by November 2024 new Bylaws and an Amalgamation Document was drawn up. It was presented to the church with a final vote on the Amalgamation document at the end of that month to another unanimous vote in favour. Paperwork has been filed with the government and at the time of this newsletter coming out we are waiting on everything becoming official/legal.’ 

I hope you’ve been encouraged by this story of two churches who listened to the prompting of God, pushed through discomfort, and have found goodness and blessing together. May this be an example to us all as we seek to hear His voice, follow His lead, and bear good fruit. 

Active in Mission: What Next?

For the past two years, we as CBWC churches and Staff have been invited to join Canadian Baptists across the country in a simple, practical initiative to address the food security issues in our country and around the world. CBM quarterbacks Active in Mission, or AiM, where individuals, churches, and youth groups raise money by committing to an activity of their choice: running, paddleboarding, volleyball, and more! 

Once the money is raised, it is distributed partly to food security programs taking place within Canadian Baptist denominations, and partly to CBM’s projects around the world that address hunger through farming, food distribution, meal programs or income-generating projects. We are happy to announce that the CBWC grant recipients for the funds raised in 2024 have been selected: 

• Calgary Chinese Baptist Church‘s Steppingstones Food Club takes an innovative approach to addressing the material and social needs of low-income families by providing healthy, fresh food within the context of a supportive community. All members of the food club, alongside church members, are expected to actively participate in the sharing of food that is purchased in bulk from a local grocery store partner. Each member also receives the privilege that comes with knowing that they contributed to the program and to helping their own neighbours. 

• Calvary Baptist Church’s Jubilee Community Garden began over a decade ago as a tangible way for the church to bless the local community of Gibsons, BC. Rooted in the biblical concept of Jubilee, the garden reflects the values of community, abundance, and blessing. The grant will enable Calvary to transform a currently unused strip of land, covered in weeds and brambles, into a productive extension of the Jubilee Garden via soil enrichment, landscaping, irrigation and fencing. 

• Dauphin First Baptist’s Community Meal supplies 200 hot, nutritious meals every two weeks to families accessing the Food Bank, operating alongside, but independent of, the Good Bank. Coming out of COVID, the congregation decided that they needed to a) spend more time together and b) engage more deeply in the neighbourhood. When a neighbouring church who had started the Community Meal around 15 years ago needed to step down from the ministry, it seemed like a perfect chance for the folks at FBC to step up and meet their objectives at the same time!  

• Faith Community Baptist’s Grocery Gift Card Ministry addresses a direct need in Claresholm. Folks come to the church facility asking for help feeding their families, and the church is able to give them an IGA gift card for groceries. Sometimes, this interaction can lead to prayer or spiritual conversations. 

• First Baptist Church Saskatoon’s Food Pantry is a way that the church can reach out to their neighbours with a message of God’s love, while filling a real need. They stock a selection of non-perishable food items, frozen bread/buns, cheese, and lunch meat. Neighbours can come and select the items that they need for themselves and their family.  

• Trinity Baptist Church, Sherwood Park runs a community garden and is developing a community orchard. It is a neighborhood garden, where garden plots are rented to community members who don’t have their own gardening space. The garden has become an integral part of Trinity’s commitment to enhancing their welcome, giving back to the community and providing a space for service. One quarter of the garden is reserved for providing produce to the local food bank, women’s shelter and refugee families that the church sponsors. 

• Trinity Baptist Church, Winnipeg’s Food Bank runs biweekly, providing a chance to connect with 30 families, many of whom are Ukrainian immigrants. Some food is provided by Harvest Manitoba, but the Active in Mission Grant will help add bread and meat to the offering. 

How inspiring to know that these and many more food security initiatives are happening in our churches across the CBWC! If you didn’t get a chance to participate in fundraising for Active in Mission last year, worry not. AiM 2025 is just around the corner. The fundraising website will go live on May 1, so start brainstorming with your crew how you’ll get active in mission! 

Baptists Across Our Nation Together

An Introduction – by Cailey Morgan 

Have you ever wondered why we, as CBWC, refer to Canada twice in our name? There’s actually a great reason why the Baptist Union of Western Canada became the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada.  

 The answer is that we’re better together.  

BUWC was willing to submit to the occasional jab about our new name “being developed at The Department of Redundancy Department,” because it meant making a statement about unity among Canadian Baptists nationwide. According to Rev. Dr. Callum Jones, we secured the “Canadian Baptists of…” name in 2007, becoming the first denomination to formally make the change. In 2008 the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec became the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec. Soon after, the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches became the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada.

If you were to travel across the country and visit the CBOQ, CBAC or L’Union d’Églises Baptistes Francophones du Canada, some things would seem very familiar: leadership development, mercy initiatives such as refugee sponsorship, and the gathering of members at assemblies, retreats and ministerials. You’d hear church planting conversations, see youth being encouraged in their faith, and witness thoughtful, prayerful people wrestling with the big questions of our culture.  

But beyond recognizing a similar Baptist vision, history, and identity, CBWC and our sister organizations are intentional about developing partnerships that bring us from working in parallel to, in fact, working together. 

Together, we number over 900 Baptist churches. Small and large, urban and rural, these churches are better served by their denominations resource teams because of the partnerships extending from coast to coast. Here are a few of the ways we work together:   

AiM is the main initiative done nationally as Canadian Baptists (and we think it’s pretty exciting that it’s a justice issue both at home and globally). While Active in Mission initially started as a CBM-specific initiative during the pandemic, it has transformed into a joint initiative by all 5 Canadian Baptist partners. Together over the last 2 years, we have focused on food security. Hunger is not only a global crisis but is a fast-growing concern in Canada as well, with rising cost of living limiting access to adequate, nutritious food. It has been evident that Canadian Baptists care about this issue. We are excited to continue partnering together to encourage people to get active and raise awareness and funds for food programming in Canada and around the world.

CBM (Canadian Baptist Ministries) engages with CBWC in a variety of other ways which you may already be aware of:

1. Dennis Shierman is the CBM Rep for Western Canada, and he engages with churches to help them partner with CBM’s work.
2. Many from the Church Engagement at CBM team attend CBWC and the Banff Pastors Conference.
3. Josh Smith, CBM’s Coordinator for Youth Engagement, attends SERVE each summer (and many of their staff have enjoyed attending these in the past as well).
4. Many CBWC churches have STEP partnerships with CBM, and many travel with their SENT program to meet international partners and serve alongside them. Following are the inspiring CBWC partnerships planned with SENT for 2025:
   – KURIOS to Guatemala (In fact, they are there even as this issue is being published.)
   – Lethbridge to Cuba
   – Gateway Victoria to Philippines
   – Ponoka to Bolivia
   – White Rock to Kenya (enthusiastically accompanied by Carlee Turner from FBC Kelowna)
   – Westview Calgary to Rwanda

A Few Words From our Baptist National Convenor 

Harry and his wife of 50 years, Gail, make Kentville, Nova Scotia their home. Together they have two children, Rebecca (Jonathan) and Adrian (Nicole) and four grandchildren Elijah, Grace, Ethan, and Winston.

I’m Harry Gardner, your National Convenor. The invitation to serve as Canadian Baptist National Convenor among a people I have loved for decades is a great privilege! 

To belong to Christ is to belong to His Body, the Church. And, Canadian Baptists have realized for many years that when our churches and organizations across this country partner together, the capacity for making disciples of Jesus grows! 

In the fall of 2023, the executive leadership of the CBWC, CBOQ, French Baptist Union, CBAC, CBM and leaders from two of the Women’s organizations (ABW and CBQOQ), gathered at Crieff Conference Center in Ontario to identify priorities and strategies for our national ministry partnership. A renewed Crieff Commitment emerged that focused on five key spheres for missional collaboration. At various times in our history, Canadian Baptists have articulated our expressed desire ‘to learn from one another, support each other’s ministries, collaborate on meaningful initiatives, and have a unified voice on significant issues–always respecting our diverse backgrounds and perspectives.’  

Five key areas were identified: 

1. Centralized Functions to continue such as Pension and Benefits, and appointment of representatives to serve on the Interfaith Committee for Military Chaplaincy, as well as the Interfaith Committee on Prison Chaplaincy. 
2. Leadership Development including the priority to cultivate young leaders and to provide encouragement and support to the Canadian Baptist Youth Partners Network. 
3. Resource Creation and Provision:. A spectrum of church life resources will be identified. An example of this is a disaster preparedness resource. 
4. Public Presence:. In collaboration with one another, a Canadian Baptist perspective on public policy will be developed from time to time and shared with our churches.   
5. Strategic Mission:. Partnering together to facilitate the growth and development of congregations with diverse backgrounds and languages is prioritized.  A focus on urban church planting and renewal in major urban centres recognizes the realities of rapid globalization. Supporting the efforts of the French Baptist Union in reaching French Canada through missional initiatives has been highlighted.  Opportunities will be sought to facilitate the recruitment and placement of international pastoral leaders for ministry in Canada. 

It was determined that a National Convenor should be appointed to work closely with the executive leadership of CBWC, CBOQ, CBM, the French Union and the CBAC to facilitate these priorities and to develop future initiatives.

As the Convenor, I have the privilege of gathering affinity groups across the country. One group brought together by Zoom focused on pastoral leaders who are serving multi-cultural and multi-ethnic congregations. More than 20 leaders from Newfoundland-Labrador to Vancouver engaged in dialogue. I also met with regional representatives of the Canadian Baptist Youth Team, as well as Regional Staff who work directly to support pastors and churches.

In the past, I have served as a pastoral leader, the Executive Minister of the CBAC, the President of Acadia Divinity College, and a past Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance.  Bringing people together for collaboration on joint mission initiatives, as well as supporting churches and pastoral leaders, has been a major focus in ministry for many years.  I am grateful the privilege of serving in this way.

The CBWC has partnered with Right Now Media to provide a 100% free membership to RNM for the personal use of all CBWC Pastors and/or Paid Ministry Staff. 

Right Now Media has an online library of over 400 Christian publishers, tens of thousands of Bible studies, conferences, training sessions, kid’s cartoons, and much more.

This is a gift for CBWC ministers to use personally and with your family. Please note that your user account cannot be shared or given away to your church, however, through the partnership with RNM, yearly membership for church use is available at a discount and can be a cost-effective way for your ministries, small groups, and families to access these resources.   

 Note: If your church is already subscribing to RightNow Media, you may be eligible for a lower monthly subscription fee. To enquire, contact Graham Smith at graham@rightnowmedia.org

If you are a current CBWC Pastor and/or paid ministry staff, click the link below to sign up for your free membership to Right Now Media  https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/join/cbwc

CBYouth Team 

The CBYouth Team is made up of the NextGen Leaders from our Canadian Baptist Associations across the country:  Peter Anderson (CBWC), Matt Wilkenson and Alvin Lao (CBOQ), Dan Pyke (CBAC), Rici Be (French Union), and Louise Hannem and Josh Smith (CBM).  This team works together to facilitate national NextGen gatherings, initiatives, and partnerships that would not be possible alone.

The Church and A.I. Webinar Series 

In 2025, Canadian Baptist partners across the country are coming together to host a series of webinars to help the church think about the emerging realm of artificial intelligence and its implications for the church.  The first of these FREE webinars is on February 13th. For more information and to register, visit https://futuringhub.ca/discovery-series/ 

An Inspiring Story from a Sister Church in Atlantic Canada: ‘We Are the Church’

Just as we in the west witnessed wildfires ravage the town of Jasper, AB in 2024, Bridgetown Baptist in Nova Scotia celebrated their 223rd anniversary without their church building. Here is an introduction to their story, submitted by Gordon Dickinson from the CBAC. 

‘For Bridgetown Baptist Church, its 223rd year of ministry has been one for the books–to say the least. When the congregation’s historic building was lost in a fire on April 26, the church rallied with the phrase “WE ARE THE CHURCH.” This phrase was a way to remind themselves that the building wasn’t everything, and that God’s ministry among them had not stopped. Since then, they have striven to move forward in new and wonderful ways. 

The church was quickly offered long-term space at the Bridgetown Legion, which is conveniently located in town and large enough to accommodate the congregation. It is fully accessible, features a side room for the children’s programs, and a kitchen for church events. Yet, as their anniversary Sunday approached, they learned that the Legion would not be available on that day. So, the church once again got creative.’ 

To read more of the story, visit https://atlanticbaptist.ca/news/church-news/church-in-focus/bridgetown-be-the-church/ 

Introducing Brian Louw–BCY Regional Minister

With gratitude to God for guidance in the search committee discernment process, the CBWC Leadership is pleased to announce the hiring of the new BCY Regional Minister: REV. BRIAN LOUW.  

Brian will begin his new role on February 15, 2025

Brian was born and raised in South Africa. After completing his schooling, he entered the corporate world as a consultant. It was during his time working in this environment that he married his wife, Cindy, and together they volunteered in their church as Sunday school teachers and youth leaders before Brian was called into ministry as youth pastor in the same church. Brian and Cindy’s two children, Kristen and Dylan, were born during this time of ministry.

In 2016, Brian was called to White Rock Baptist Church in beautiful British Columbia—a move of almost 17,000 kilometers—but one they made firmly believing and trusting that God was guiding their steps. In his time at WRBC, Brian has seen the church become a vibrant and diverse multicultural congregation that worships God first and foremost and serves the community in a variety of traditional and innovative ways. (Ask him about drive-thru communion during Covid!)

Brian completed his Bachelor of Ministry degree through the Cape Town Baptist Seminary, and most recently completed his Master of Divinity through Carey Theological College.

Brian has always had a heart for the local church and truly believes the local church is still God’s plan for proclaiming the gospel and serving the community. Brian’s focus is on church health and vitality. He believes that local churches are stronger when they partner together within an interdependent association of churches. Brian sees his role as BCY Regional Minister as one of coming alongside local churches and asking, “How can we serve you?” To that end, Brian intends on visiting and connecting with our BCY churches as often as he possibly can and hopes to see our churches fulfill God’s purposes for them.

Welcome to the team, Brian!

The Universe in 57 Words–Part One

By Carolyn Arends

(Over the next 8 months, we will be journeying through these reflections on the Lord’s Prayer, used with permission, by Carolyn Arends) 

INTRODUCTION 

I can recall rattling through the Lord’s Prayer—and singing “God Save the Queen”—as a Canadian kid in public school. (Those memories seem surreal in today’s post-Christian Canada.) Even though I was already developing a prayer life of my own, the Lord’s Prayer seemed archaic and starchy. I was oblivious to the power and beauty within the words I mumbled. 

Now I know better. 

When Jesus’ friends asked Him how they should pray, He gave them—and us—the brilliantly succinct guide we call the “Lord’s Prayer.” In a feat of cosmic engineering, Jesus managed to gather the entire waterfront of human need and the vast ocean of God’s plans for His universe in just 57 Greek words. We can pray those 57 words (or their English equivalents) for a lifetime and never exhaust them. 

AN INTENTIONAL JOURNEY 

However well acquainted you are with the Lord’s Prayer; I invite you to use this booklet to go on a seven-part journey into the heart of the Trinity. Each section consists of a reading, a reflective prayer exercise, and a suggested song. You may wish to take a section a day and live inside the prayer for a week. Or you may prefer to savour your exploration and take seven weeks . . . or seven months. 

Whatever timing you choose, let’s take a moment to look at the prayer as a whole before we begin. 

THREE GIFTS 

Far from a hollow ritual, the prayer is freighted with remarkable gifts. 

A Road Map 

The Lord’s Prayer consists of an invocation and six brief petitions. To pray these petitions in the order Jesus gives them is to travel from the way we view the world to the way God sees it. In N. T. Wright’s insightful language, these petitions move us “from paranoia to prayer” and “from fuss to faith.” 

The prayer is so expansive, so aligned with God’s heart for his world, that it establishes the terrain for all other prayers. If we find ourselves praying something counter to the Lord’s Prayer, we’re heading off the map. That’s not to say we should stifle even our most wrong-headed prayers. Whatever is in our hearts must be prayed out or left to fester. But as we pray things out in the company of Jesus, we will find that our longings gradually migrate into the territory of the Lord’s Prayer. To quote a tongue twister from P. T. Forsythe, “Petitions that are less than pure are only purified by petitions.” The petitions in the Lord’s Prayer are landmarks by which we can orient our prayers and our lives. 

A Window 

Even better than a road map, the Lord’s Prayer is a window into the very heart of God. In a world of injustice, poverty, bitterness, and evil, Jesus teaches us to pray for justice, bread, forgiveness, and deliverance. To pray this prayer is to discover what the Father, Son, and Spirit really care about. 

An Invitation to Causality 

In teaching us the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus offers us a thrilling invitation to participate in God’s ongoing plan to redeem and restore all things. Embedded in this prayer is the conviction that praying it somehow changes the course of history. The Lord’s Prayer gives us “the dignity of causality.”  

Exactly how our prayers and God’s plans intermingle is incomprehensible, but Jesus assures us that our lives and prayers truly make a difference. New Testament scholar George Beasley-Murray writes,  

“It would seem that God has willed that the prayers of His people should be part of the process by which the kingdom comes. The interaction between the sovereignty of God and the prayers of the saints is part of the ultimate mystery of existence. Faith is called on to take both seriously.” 

POWERFUL COSMIC ACTION 

To pray the Lord’s Prayer is to participate in the transformation of the world. But we should acknowledge at the outset that there are times when that transformation is barely perceptible to the naked eye. It might help us to think of the Crab Nebula—an exploding star in the constellation Taurus. If you peer at this supernova through a telescope, it looks like a colorful smudge. Photographs taken from earth of the Crab Nebula fifteen years ago will look identical to images taken today. But here’s the thing. Every day the Crab Nebula expands by 70 million miles. Powerful, explosive, cosmic action is taking place all the time, but it’s imperceptible from our perspective. 

Jesus teaches us that something similar is going on when we pray. Sometimes, the answers to our prayers are swift and obvious. Other times, nothing much seems to be happening from our vantage point. Either way, powerful, explosive, cosmic action is taking place. The Trinity’s radiant, consuming, transforming love is blazing at the center of the universe. And Jesus is inviting us in. 

To access the songs offered for each segment, visit renovare.org/universesongs.

To download the full resource: https://renovare.org/books/the-universe-in-57-words

Excerpts used with permission from a book entitled

the universe
in 57 words
SEVEN DAYS INSIDE THE LORD’S PRAYER
By Carolyn Arends

This resource has been influenced by more authors, preachers, teachers, and fellow pray-ers than I can credit or even remember. But I am particularly indebted to the following works: Fifty-Seven Words That Change the World, by Darrell Johnson; The Lord and His Prayer, by N. T. Wright; The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard; Prayer, by Richard Foster; and Eugene Peterson’s “Jesus and Prayer” lectures for SPIR 604 at Regent College.

Carey Grads 2024

Congratulations to Carey Theological College’s Class of 2024!

Training CBWC Pastors for Ministry in a Changing World
by Rev. Dr. Colin Godwin, President, Carey Theological College 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). These words, read at Carey Theological College’s recent graduation ceremony, reflect the heart of our vision for ministry: to empower faithful Christian leaders for every generation, culture, and community. 

This year, our graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of 19 students. Among our graduates were four CBWC students–Ryan Emmons, Lee Boehm, Carlee Turner, and Brian Louw–who earned their Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation or Master of Divinity degrees while actively serving their local churches. Ryan has already begun applying his studies in areas like conflict resolution. Carlee and Brian have similarly shared how their courses deepened their faith and preaching, expanded their leadership capacities, and enriched their ministries. 

Carey’s innovative approach to theological education ensures that students can remain rooted in their ministry contexts while studying. With fully online programs, accessible resources such as a digital theological library and generous grants and scholarships, Carey empowers pastors to grow academically and spiritually without leaving their communities.  

As Carey looks to the future, we remain committed to partnering with the CBWC in raising up faithful shepherds and disciplers. This year’s graduates were commissioned with the words of John 15:16: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” As we continue this mission, we invite you to pray for our graduates as they step into ministry; serving as shepherds, teachers, and ambassadors of Christ in a rapidly changing world.                           

Learn more at https://www.carey-edu.ca/theological-college 

Notices of Voluntary Disaffiliation

Looking Ahead Together to 2025

As we reflect on 2024, we, at the CBWC, are grateful for the ways we, as churches, ministries and partners, walk alongside one another—grateful for each person those groups represent. Looking ahead, we invite you to continue to connect both online and in person through these upcoming events: 

Kurios Gratitude Gala 

This online event is a celebration of all that God has done and is doing through KURIOS. Join us January 26 for:

• LIVE from Guatemala with this year’s participants
• Musical Performances
• Prize Draws
• Partnership Updates and Opportunities
• Kurios House Art Installation Reveal
• Alumni Testimonies
• And much more….

Learning from One Another, Online!
The Theology for the Ordinary Book Club continues to meet several times a year via Zoom, and the invite is always open for new participants! The next meeting is Wednesday, January 8 at 6pm PST, discussing Lucy Peppiatt’s The Disciple: On Becoming Truly Human. RSVP to heartland@cbwc.ca.

Making Disciplemakers, a 5-session practical Zoom cohort designed as a place to bring your stories, roadblocks, listening ear, and hard questions about how to make disciples who make disciples, kicks off January 14, hosted by the Church Planting Resource Team.

On January 28 at 5:30pm PST, we are pleased to invite Jodi Spargur (Red Clover/CBM) and David Nacho (FBC Vancouver) for Doctrine of Discovery: Exploring Its Hidden Roots. This free webinar will provide an hour of teaching on the Doctrine of Discovery, its historical arc, and what it has to do with us as Baptists. We will also hear from Indigenous voices speaking on the impact the Doctrine of Discovery still has on them today. Register here. 

Using Ai Basics and Why it Matters to the Church. Watch for more details soon on a webinar coming February 13th about using AI in ministry. 

And speaking of online resources, we’ve got a growing series of free 5-minute videos to play in your Board or Elders meeting to help with various important aspects of leadership and administration of a CBWC church. Download or stream Board Essentials here. 

Ministry Retreats
Heartland ministers and spouses, you have until next Monday, January 6, to register for this year’s retreat taking place January 20-22 in Russell, MB, with guest speaker Layton Friesen. Get the details here. Ministers in the Mountain Standard Region, your retreat is taking place February 3-5 at Gull Lake Centre with Dr. Cory Seibel—and you’ve got until January 10 to sign up.  

Ministers and Spouses across CBWC can save the date for Banff 2025 Retreat: November 10-13 at the Banff Springs Hotel.  

CBWC Assembly: In Person in 2025
Our association of churches enjoys face-to-face time with others every second year at our Assembly in Calgary, AB. On May 22-24, 2025, we’ll connect through meaningful worship, engaging keynote speakers and workshops, meals and free time, while also participating in the annual business meetings. Shaped around the Lord’s Prayer, our 2025 Assembly will feature keynote speaker Dr. Carmen Joy Imes, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. 

Online Registration opens February 1, 2025. More information: cbwc.ca/assembly 

SERVE Whitehorse 2025 

Each summer, youth groups from all around CBWC descend on a community for a week. The goal is to demonstrate the love of Jesus through active service, in partnership with a local CBWC congregation. Past locations have included Yellowknife, Flin Flon, High River, Kamloops, and Prince Albert. SERVE is like the best parts of summer camp combined with the best parts of a short-term service trip. During the day the youth engage in service projects and in the evenings, they gather to share stories, worship, play wild games, and hear from a dynamic speaker.

This year, SERVE is taking place in Whitehorse, YT. Join us July 6-12 for this unforgettable event! Registration is now open: cbwc.ca/serve 

Visit our website for details on these events and more! We look forward to seeing you. 

A Time to Pause and Reflect with Tim Warkentin

By Hannah Hamm

A new year has begun, and with it perhaps mixed feelings. Traditionally, January is a good time to reflect on your patterns of living; how do you feel about your work/ministry/relationships? This is a time for “choosing what you did not choose,” to borrow a phrase from Skye Jethani. No matter where you find yourself, whether it is where you would have chosen to be or not, how can you choose to flourish there?

Are you willing to take a few moments and ask yourself: What gave me LIFE this past year? What did the opposite? What can I STOP doing in order to embrace true life this year?

At our Banff Pastors and Spouses retreat in November, Tim Warkentin gave a TIMtalk on something he calls a Sacred Pause. There is increased expectation in the world to achieve more with the time that we have, and even in the church we are always pushing ourselves to do ministry more efficiently and with greater results. Tim (and our other 2 main speakers) challenged us to pause and reflect, release what is holding us back, rest in the acceptance we ALREADY have from our Creator and then return to the work of the Kingdom with open hands.

The arrival of January 2025 affords us a window of time to do just this. The Advent and Christmas busyness is behind us. The lights, decorations and bling are put back in the church basement. Is there a brief moment here where “all is calm?”

About a month after Banff, Tim and I met to consider how to support you in this. Our desire is that you could welcome God into where you actually are. Let go of what’s distracting you. Rest comfortably in His Presence. Experience God’s full embrace.

Some of you likely know what works for you already—what brings you to this place we are describing. Let this be an encouragement to lean into those patterns that come to mind.

Others may appreciate this invitation into practices you didn’t have to research or prepare for someone else. Our prayer is that you will look at the following ideas with an open, prayerful heart and see what might jump off the page for you. Think of these as ways to tend your own garden, or at least to prepare the soil for the Spirit to bring life to you.

Please accept this invitation to consider your physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual health and perhaps embrace (or release) one thing for the year ahead.

Physical:

• Assess your physical health. What’s working and what isn’t? Go see a doctor, book that physical exam, don’t ignore that symptom…
• Ask yourself, what is one thing you may want to stop or start consuming?
• Move your body regularly (if needed, choose a reward that might actually motivate you).
• Think about something active your friends do that you could join. Or perhaps joining an activity will be a way to make a friend outside of your congregation.
• Intellectual:
• Spend a bit of time with someone outside of your demographic. Learn about what matters to them, stretch your mind.
• Get a recommendation for a blog or a podcast from someone “younger.”

Emotional:

• Write an appreciation note to someone.
• Think of the three strongest feelings you’ve had in the past 24 hours.
• Write a letter to your past self. What would you say to yourself when you were just starting ministry about how to care for your interior world?
• Read the opening chapter of Scazerro’s Emotionally Healthy Pastor.
• Consider viewing the Sanctuary Course.
• Consider using your extended health therapy benefits.

Spiritual:

• Ask Jesus how He sees you and wait for His answer.
• Experiment with a new prayer practice.
• Consider a daily Scripture podcast or reading plan. Maybe try a different translation than you’re used to?
• Book a retreat at a local retreat centre (anywhere from a few hours to a few days away).
• Write out your own Beloved Charter (as Carolyn Arends encouraged in Banff), exploring specific Scriptures and making them personal.
• Ask God to show you where His script might be more flexible than yours (as Skye Jethani showed using the story of Moses and Jericho in the wilderness).

We heard an unexpected theme emerge in Banff through Carolyn, Skye and the TiMtalks, about living and ministering out of a place of grace and belovedness. What would it look like to explore this further? The point of this article is not to motivate us to add another item to our to-do lists. The point is to engage living well, where we are. What does this mean for you? Is it time to release something on the to-do list in order to make space for something that brings life? Or time to explore a fresh practice which will help you sense the movement of God in your life? Regardless, this is about engaging in something that is helpful, that opens up room to encounter God in a fresh way and that takes all of us deeper into God’s love. May you find a new sense of God’s unique, full life laid out before you this year.

Contact Tim at tim@timwarkentin.com 604-562-4906

 Partner Spotlight: Hopehill

She’s more than a happy renter. She volunteers at our weekly teatime, and she talks to people about how happy she is to be with us. If someone is curious about Hopehill and wants to talk to a resident I send them to Marie. Why? Because we are more than just low-cost rent for low-income seniors. We are a community building trajectory. How can we help low-income seniors live well? Body, soul, and spirit. It’s what we do.  

We open our next 64 unit building in March 2025. We are looking for 4 young couples who want to live as “floor hosts” to interact with seniors, helping to build the Hopehill community, and in turn, be blessed for their service. If interested, please contact office@hopehill.ca. Move-in date would be March 2025.   

Here is our latest update on our building project for December 2024. View video update.

Rev. Jamey S. McDonald
Chief Executive Officer

CBWC Camp Spotlight

Our CBWC camps are a valuable extension of the local church. Not only do summer camps offer lifelong memories, but they serve as a place of interactive discipleship for our church members. Camp has always been a beautiful gateway to the church and to a life in Christ. Here is a little spotlight on what’s going on in our CBWC camps heading into 2025.

Katepwa Lake Camp, SK

Originally founded as Katepwa Baptist Kamp in 1949, KLC has become a place to belong. Some people call it home, others call it family, some call it their legacy. We celebrate with KLC that they have reached the milestone of 75 years of ministry!

Registration is now open for KLC Winter Camp, February 17-21, 2025.

Mill Creek Camp, AB

This Spring, Mill Creek is embarking on a large scale renovation of their electrical and water systems. Their fundraising campaign is called “Love the Lodge” and can be accessed at https://millcreekcamp.org. Also consider participating in their Travelling Book Sale!

Gull Lake Centre, AB

Gull Lake summer camps and leadership programs were full in 2024, and they also launched a second leadership training program high schoolers called Faith, Experience, and Discipleship, as well as a leadership program in Kenya. They’re rolling right into 2025 as well, with Winter Camps January 31-February 2 for Jr. and Sr. High students, and February 21-23 for grade 4-6 students.

Summer Camp registration for Gull Lake opens January 9. They increased prices by $100 for most camps, but they have a $50 early bird discount, and a $50 CBWC discount. So, if you attend a CBWC church you can attend camp for the same price as last year. Register here.

Keats Camps, BC

Keats Camps, which is entering its 99th year of ministry, recently welcomed Cheri Tubbs as Camp Director to oversee the summer and shoulder seasons. They also upgraded one of their staff accommodations and added a Wibit play structure to the waterfront.

Keats summer hiring is already in motion. Staff applications are open, and the first round of interviews will take place in the first few weeks of January. Camp registration and LEAD applications will open on Saturday, January 11. Register here.

The Quest at Christopher Lake, SK

The Quest was founded in 1945, giving it over 75 years of ministry and camping experience. Every year Quest has a variety of employment and volunteer opportunities in order to run facilities and summer programming. This is a great way to learn new skills, while having fun and making a difference in the lives of kids! Staff positions will be filled beginning in February. Summer camp registration opens January 2: questcl.ca/summer-camp

Camp Wapiti, AB

Camp Wapiti, south of Grand Prairie, is all about connecting with God in nature, operating since 1963. They strive to provide quality programs—encouraging growth, great community, and a lot of fun!

This past summer, Wapiti had over 300 campers attend camp. They have begun the process of gearing up for summer 2025. First on the list is to hire a director: fulltime, May-August with the possibility of staying parttime in the fall. Summer registration will open February 1: campwapiti.ca.

HeartSmart HR: New Year, New You!

By Louanne Haugan

I always find the beginning of a new calendar year an opportunity to get my literal and proverbial house in order—purging that which is unnecessary and getting back on track that which is life-giving and helpful. I am reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians where he wrote, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 

I am not sure if issuing charitable giving receipts and maintaining good record retention practices are the first things that pop into your mind when you think of noble or lovely, but striving to be excellent in all we do should be. 

Issuing Charitable Giving Receipts 

Providing timely donation receipts is crucial for good donor stewardship, as it shows appreciation for the gifts received from your donors. Most donors expect an immediate receipt without requesting one and failing to provide one can negatively impact your relationship. If there is a situation in which you do not provide a receipt, you should make sure your donors are fully informed.  

Your church must issue charitable giving receipts to donors so they can claim tax credits or deductions on their annual income tax returns. To facilitate the process, the CRA recommends issuing receipts by February 28 of the year following the donation. You can issue receipts periodically throughout the year or provide a cumulative receipt for all cash donations at year end. Each non-cash donation requires a separate receipt. A general practice is to issue a receipt for one-time gifts within 30 days (including any securities and other gifts-in-kind) and to issue a receipt for recurring/pre-authorized gifts once a year.

Receipts for cash gifts must have the following:

• a statement that it is an official receipt for income tax purposes
• the name and address of the charity as on file with the Canada Revenue Agency
• a unique serial number
• the registration number issued by the CRA
• the location where the receipt was issued (city, town, municipality)
• the date or year the gift was received
• the date the receipt was issued
• the full name, including middle initial, and address of the donor
• the amount of the gift
• the amount and description of any advantage received by the donor
• the eligible amount of the gift
• the signature of an individual authorized by the charity to acknowledge gifts
• the name and website address of the CRA

Record Retention 

January is a great time to go through your files/records to determine what can be destroyed and what must still be held by law. The following chart provided by the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC) provides some common examples of records and suggested retention periods. They have made every attempt to give accurate information in this schedule. You may wish to check with your lawyer or other professional advisor for information specific to your situation. 

CRA Retention Periods for Financial Books, Governance, Operations, and HR Records

For more information on other subjects related to good governance and operations, please visit our Board Essentials page, or contact the following: Victor Ku (Finance), Jerry Wang (Operations), and Louanne Haugan (HR & Benefits).  

Happy New Year! 

Banff 2024—A Invitation to Rest

By H. Hamm

A trip to a historic castle in the Rocky Mountains. A collection of over 200 Kingdom servants, all seeking the goal of restoration together. If those old walls (and chandeliers) could speak, they would say the attendees are well on their way to the REST that was sought (and also that which wasn’t).

With lovely accommodations, nutritious and enticing meals, many available options for physical relaxation and views to deeply absorb, guests couldn’t help but receive some measure of restoration.

The gifts received went beyond what the eye could see and the body could feel.

Many hearts, hands, and minds went into filling up the proverbial “reservoir” so that guests could, in turn, return home with gifts to offer from the overflow.

Carolyn Arends and Spencer Capier gave the gift of music, both in performance and in shared worship. Their talent is undeniable and speaks of their many years making music together. Carolyn also gave the keynote address on Tuesday morning, encouraging guests to live as “Reservoir Christians” rather than “Channel Christians.” This was based on a quote from Bernard of Clairvaux which encourages us to let the ministries we receive fill us up before we begin channeling out to others. Many are quick to do the latter. May we sit with the idea of our belovedness until we believe it and then move from that place into ministry. Too often we serve FOR acceptance rather than FROM acceptance.

Each morning there was an opportunity to receive encouragement from within our own CBWC pastoral team. Tyler Graftaas (Calgary), Scott Simpson (Calgary), and Rebecca Thornber (Vancouver) shared beautifully and with insight from the 3 “lost & found” parables on the unexpected nature of God.

Another guest presenter was Skye Jethani, a pastor/theologian/comedian/podcaster/ family man from Chicago. Many listeners of his podcast, the Holy Post, were already accustomed to his wit and passion as a teacher. Over three sessions, he challenged everyone to make space for God to do the work, even if that means God going outside God’s own script. The invitation was to let go of the outcomes, to carefully consider why we do what we do in our lives and in our churches, and to simply answer the call to be the presence of Christ wherever we find ourselves—whether we specifically chose that situation or not.

Daily worship with Craig Bosnick and his team was like a taste of heaven. There’s nothing like singing with multitudes of church leaders; encompassing race, gender, age and perspective all together in one voice of praise to God.

Many took in other opportunities for enrichment including the Kairos Blanket exercise with Jodi Spargur and TiMTalk presentations from Bryana Russell and Tim Warkentin.

A collection of ordinary and extraordinary moments graced our visit and will remain in memory. The castle-sized fireplace brought ambiance to the hall, along with a bit of extra smoke that caused a stir one evening! A special dessert which must not be named, but rhymes with Leaver Snail, delighted our taste buds on a dark, cold evening. We bid a fond farewell to one of our regional ministers, Larry Schram, with a prayer and a Tilley hat fit for adventure. A collection of youth leaders took down Peter Anderson at glow-in-the-dark bowling, even as he gifted them with pizza.

Perhaps most significantly, the Holy Spirit met everyone present in agreeably sacred places like Stillpoint, and also around meals, in the pool, and on the hiking trail. May the ministry received be multiplied, both within the recipients at Banff and to those met along the way in the aftermath. Hope to see you there next year! Mark your calendars Nov 10-13, 2025.

A Tribute to Larry Schram

upon his retirement from the position of Regional Minister in the BC/Yukon region

Larry, God has gifted you in unique ways (including football in college, who knew!?) 

You are a wise discerner. You are someone who, after you listen to someone, can discern quite quickly what the real underlying issue is. You’re also amazingly good at giving the three action steps that are needed to address the issue.  

Larry, we rejoice, and thank God, for what you have been to us. We rejoice, and look forward to, what that next adventure might hold.  

CBWC Staff Christmas Traditions

My First Advent

By Grace Wulff

It was 1982, a year of change.

I was a young mom with two incredibly active toddlers. We were anticipating moving from our small townhouse to a bigger house in a neighbourhood where we would raise our kids.

My husband was not often around, a busy paramedic working long hours—and in the midst of this season, I received the call that my beloved Grandma had died. We were close. It was my first close encounter with death, and I was shaken. To add another level of complexity, my husband’s brother came to live with us. He was a missionary in South America coming home to prepare for his wedding and we wanted to make it special.

So, when I was overcome with nausea, I put it down to grief, and nerves, and exhaustion. But alas, to my surprise, I was pregnant with our third child.

While some women glow with pregnancy, I suffered with severe morning sickness that lasted months. Gone were my plans to prepare wonderful meals for my brother-in-law. It rather became a summer and fall of survival-mode.

Dad often said, “This too shall pass” … and so it did. I found myself in our new house, creating a home, while resting a great deal of the time. I wanted to be excited about the pregnancy, I truly did.

And then something happened to shift my thoughts; to change my focus. I don’t remember who gave me the book, but it was a simple activity book to prepare for Advent. Back then, Advent was foreign to me—something practiced by other churches, not mine.

But here was an invitation to enter into a sacred time of waiting; a time of change. As I began to think about it, I started to relate to Mary.

Heavy with child.

A world of unknowns.

Praying for her baby.

Advent became real to me. We, too, could embrace this time of waiting with anticipation and hope; each day focused on preparation for our new baby. This was wonderful to teach my children, and we began an advent adventure that has now repeated itself over forty years.

It was simple, really. Each day as we waited for Jesus’ birthday, we could choose an activity to help us prepare. The kids helped me make cards and cookies, gifts we gave away. One day we made homemade “snowballs” out of cotton and sent them to their uncle who was serving in the army overseas. Of course we had a “snowball” fight first, before we packaged them up with our love.

One day we turned on our outdoor Christmas lights, making it a celebration of light. I can’t remember every activity, but I remember the joy we shared that made the waiting so much easier. And it was joy that we could share with others.

On Christmas day, we served birthday cake for Jesus and sang. It was very meaningful, and we knew that soon we, too, would welcome a new baby into our home.

My third child arrived weeks later, in early February. This daughter, now a busy mom of four, celebrates Advent each year with her children, and I delight in finding resources for my grandchildren to think about in this season of anticipation and preparation.

Advent has become so commercialized, associated with cheap chocolate calendars or other treats, but I keep coming back to the simple truth of this invitation.

To wait with hope.

To focus on the coming of Jesus.

To quiet my heart in the midst of busyness and receive the gifts in the waiting.

Doctine of Discovery: Exploring Its Hidden Roots

We are pleased to invite Jodi Spargur (Red Clover/CBM), and David Nacho (FBC Vancouver) for an hour of teaching on the Doctrine of Discovery (DoD), its historical arc, and what the DoD has to do with us as Baptists. We will also hear from Indigenous voices speaking on the impact of the Doctrine of Discovery on them today.  

To register for this webinar, click HERE. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered emails 24 hours in advance of this event. 

 Partner Spotlight: Carey

Letter from our Dean of Student Residents
By Rafael Franco, Dean of Student Residents, Carey Theological College

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has prayed for and supported Carey’s student residence program over the years. In my role as the Dean of Student Residents, I have the privilege to spend time with these young UBC undergraduates. I get to watch them pursue their dreams, build community, and form bonds that will last a lifetime. 

I think this is the fruit of the faithfulness of God’s people.  

 From the steadfast prayers of parents who have entrusted us with their children, to the generosity of partners who trust our mission,

God has blessed us through the Body of Christ; people who care immensely about the ministry we serve in.  

 Let me share what two of our students, Grace and Kristina, have said about their experience of living at Carey:  

  “I’ve developed a consistent prayer life this year… and it’s because of how I’ve grown in my relationship with God at Carey. I also feel like I’ve become more confident and sociable this year as I’ve been getting to know more people at Carey.”  

— Kristina, Carey Student Resident 

 “The most valuable thing about living at Carey has been making friends with loving people who are not afraid to call me out when I am wrong. The Carey community has truly helped me understand Proverbs 27:17, ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.’”  

— Grace, Carey Student Resident 

 Their testimonies reflect Carey’s heart: a place where students are not only learning but also being shaped as leaders to serve out God’s calling for their lives.  

Carey staff touring the 2-bed unit of Timothy Hall

Looking to the future, I am excited about the growth resulting from our new building. We have a new student residence building slated for completion in late Spring 2025. The building will welcome an additional 104 beds to our current capacity of 44, bringing even more opportunities for students to grow and flourish in our community. 

The vision we have for this new student residence, Timothy Hall, is inspired by a passage beloved by our president, Rev. Dr. Colin Godwin:

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

 — 2 Timothy 2:2

We want Timothy Hall to be a place where students are ministered to and built up, ultimately leaving as Christian men and women, capable and mature in their faith, able to teach and disciple those around them. 

Drawing closer to Timothy Hall’s opening, I cannot wait to meet the students God will bring to our doors. Many of us who are passionate about student ministry at Carey are busy envisioning programming that will shape and point our community to Christ. We do not take lightly the grace that God has given us to be a beacon of light on UBC campus. Carey is filled with hopeful expectations of great things from God.

Timothy Hall will be completed late Spring 2025

Currently, applications to our student residence for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic year are open. If in your churches there are UBC students, current or prospective, in need of on-campus housing, please share the exciting news with them. Invite them to take a look at our webpage or fill out an application form. Carey is grateful for the partnership with CBWC, and over 15% of the students in our program are part of the CBWC denomination.  

 Thank you for listening to our story. I hope you are encouraged, as I am, in the work God is doing in our community. If you want to support our ministry in Timothy Hall, please take a look at this page to see what our needs and prayer items are as we take this next step forward. What we are achieving is only possible because of many faithful prayers and supporters in our mission.  

 In Christ, 

 Rafael Franco  

Standing Shoulder to Shoulder

By Military Chaplain Troy Dennis

Serving communion while deployed in Latvia 2019

Remembrance Day forms one of my earliest memories. While in Beavers, I was chosen to bear a flag and followed the careful instructions to “dip the colours” at the appropriate time. I wasn’t old enough to understand what giving the supreme sacrifice meant, but the solemn nature of the ceremony was impressed on my mind. Since then, I have almost always attended a Remembrance Day event. I am compelled by a sense of duty, that being a good citizen means honouring those who serve our country. I have always held this in equal priority with praying for our leaders; that “we may lead a peaceful and quiet life…” (1Tim 2:1-4). After all, the cost for a peaceful and quiet life is often paid in blood.

Since joining the Canadian Armed Forces (CF) in 2014, Remembrance Day has taken on a whole new depth of meaning, mainly because it has become much more personal.

My role as a CF chaplain puts me shoulder-to-shoulder with our amazing military members. While I conduct religious ceremonies and give prayers or reflections at important events, I am primarily an advisor at all levels on compassionate and ethical matters, as well as moral and personal issues. I am fully embedded. I go where my unit goes, and I “eat the same dirt.” Together we train, live in austere conditions, eat, attend meetings, exercise, bunk down, do tasks, etc. In 2019, I deployed to Latvia for six months. I get to know a lot of our members and walk with them through life’s ups and downs.

As a result, I know people who have been injured or died while serving. I have visited in the hospital, done funerals and unit memorials, comforted loved ones, and listened to their stories. On Remembrance Day, the names carved in stone remind me that these soldiers, sailors, and air crew were spouses, children, parents, and friendsjust like the comrades I serve beside today. Remembrance Day is very personal, not only for me but for every CF member.

We live in a day and age when many customs and traditions are being set aside. Many are uncomfortable with parts of our history. Anything that smacks of institution can seem suspect.  Some crave the open road of new experiences, not rearview reflection. And so, many people are simply “moving on” to establish lives disconnected from the past.

It would be a shame to forget the people who gave their lives serving our country. I’m all for building new traditions when the old don’t make sense, but Remembrance Day has to be a keeper. The price for a peaceful and quiet life is just too high.

This Remembrance Day, I invite you to attend in person or tune in to a ceremony. And most of all, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the people willing to pay the price for a world where we might live peaceful and quiet lives.

(Major Troy Dennis is a chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces, serving at CFB Edmonton. For 20 years he was a pastor with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada before becoming a chaplain in 2014.)

Baptists on the Move: Active in Mission Update

Thank you to all the churches and individuals who participated in Active in Mission this past summer.

From White Rock to Winnipeg, CBWC folks laced up their shoes and opened their wallets, joining Baptists across the country to address issues of food security in Canada and around the globe. Riverdale Baptist in Whitehorse and Argyle Road in Regina both blew past their fundraising goals, garnering over $1300 each in donations. The national donation count has not yet been finalized, but close to $38,000 has been confirmed so far with more on the way.

CBWC’s Staff Team worked together to travel 3877 kilometers. Executive Minister Rob Ogilvie and his wife Bonnie participated during their holidays in Europe, cycling 300km in 5 days. Heartland Regional Minister Mark Doerksen walked in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Washington State, and BC, while Communications and Church Planting Assistant Cailey Morgan preferred moving on the water—paddleboarding in lakes, bodyboarding in the ocean, and even going for a river paddle on a rainbow pool floatie.

CBWC Foundation VP Chris Reid stuck closer to home—getting her miles in on the spin bike and treadmill—as well as chasing her new puppy, Murphy. “We spent a lot of time walking, hiking and playing with baby Murph!” Chris says. “We honestly never stopped moving!”

Louanne Haugan, Peter Anderson, Victor Ku, Tim Kerber, and Esther Kitchener rounded out the team with running shoes, bikes, golf clubs, and kayaks.

Watch for details in the coming months on how the funding will be distributed to ministries addressing food insecurity.

 Partner Spotlight: CBM

A Story of Hope

Lily comes from a small village in Nagaland, India. Because her parents struggled financially, they sent her and her siblings to different homes, where they worked as domestic helpers. Lily’s vulnerability led to her being abused, which cause emotional and mental trauma. “I felt my life was without hope and meaning,” she says.

CBM’s partner, Miqlat Ministries, came alongside Lily and invited her to take part in tailoring training. “I am very happy that I am undergoing training, and I want to stay at Miqlat,” she says. “I am exploring my potential. Besides the tailoring training, I am learning to cook, socialize with others, to read the Bible, and manage my temper.” Her participation in the program has helped her develop holistically, and since coming to Miqlat, she’s received love, support, encouragement, and friendship.

This is just one of the many stories featured in this year’s Hopeful Gifts for Change catalogue.

As the Christmas season approaches, we will all inevitably feel the pressure to find the “perfect gift” and be inundated with endless options of what that perfect gift could be. As decision fatigue sets in, we may even be tempted to think of gift catalogues in the same way we do any shopping tool, asking ourselves “What can I buy for the person I love?”

But what if we shift our mindset from “What can I buy?” to “What can I give?”

Through Hopeful Gifts for Change, you can help girls like Lily build brighter, more hopeful futures through rehabilitation and spiritual care. Children in Rwanda with disabilities and their caregivers can receive much-needed support and education to improve their quality of life. As the church continues to grow in the Middle East, passionate church leaders can be equipped through mentorship and training to share the gospel in their unique contexts and communities.

Giving Tuesday Tackles Food Insecurity in 2024

December 3, 2024 marks the third year in which CBWC has actively participated in the National Day of Giving, known as Giving Tuesday. The first year, we raised funds for our Ukranian church in Manitoba to help with the influx of refugees. Last year, our focus was on collecting donations to go towards disaster relief.  This year, we are excited to support three churches—one from each region—with their Christmas food programs!

Dauphin First Baptist Church provide meals twice a month through their hot meal program. As part of their program, they make a large Christmas meal with all the fixings and feed around 300 people.

The North Okanagan Community Chaplaincy, in partnership with Vernon First Baptist Church, has a regular street ministry. On December 15, they will host a Christmas dinner and hand out “Blessing bags” with food, personal hygiene items, toques, mitts, socks and hand warmers.

With the devastating effects of the fire in Jasper, AB, we have decided to support the work that Jasper Park Baptist Church will be doing in helping those struggling with food shortage come December. 

Speaking of Jasper, we’ve raised over $3000 in fire recovery funding, but they could still use more help.

To support either of these important initiatives, visit cbwc.ca/donate and follow the Designation Fund dropdown menu to GivingTuesday Take Steps to End Hunger or Jasper Fire Recovery. Together we can make a difference!

Introducing our new Editor & Writer, Hannah Hamm

I’m honoured, and thankful, to have started in August 2024 with the CBWC as the Senior Editor/Writer, following the lovely Jenna Hanger. The Communications team has been very welcoming.

I’ve been a BC girl for most of my life, having grown up in Kamloops where my dad, Rev. Ray Parker, was the prison chaplain. My stint in Alberta began when I studied Education and Theology at Prairie Bible College, receiving my BRE in 1995.

And yes, for those of you who’ve guessed by my last name, it was there that I met a certain Albertan, Randy Hamm. We were married in 1996 and, after a couple of years of full time camp ministry at SABC, we moved to Vancouver to study at Regent College.

During our time in Vancouver, we had 3 kids who are now 14 (Lucia), 19 (Miranda), and 20 (Brendan). I started a music business out of our home and taught 100 kids a week—in parent-participation/group classes—for 15 years. Randy was pastoring and doing ‘freelance marriage ministry,’ and we were both very involved in church, as well as being intentional about taking time for spiritual retreat. Rivendell Retreat on Bowen Island became an integral place in our journey, as well as Barnabas Landing on Keats Island.

It was in 2011 that we found ourselves settling into lay leadership in a lovely Vancouver CBWC church for the first time (after a work transition) and we have been blessed to be part of this denomination ever since.

In 2017, we felt the timing was right to move to the interior of BC, to simplify the life of our family. Randy began seeking out a small CBWC church for us to serve in, and God clearly led us to First Baptist in Vernon, BC. We’ve been serving here for seven years now. I am especially thankful for friends and co-ministers at FBC, Dan & Sharon Watt who pastored there just before us, Grace Wulff, Laurie MacKay and Chuck Harper. As well as ministering in the area of worship and music at FBC Vernon, I work as a teacher at a local school. Most recently, in Kindergarten! (Pray for me).

I look forward to new and continued relationships in this denomination which I love. I’m pleased to be able to serve in this new way.

Dwelling in the House of the Lord

This is the final installment of the Psalm 23 reflections we’ve been offering as a way to reset our focus on the Kingdom of God and His invitation to each of us to enter His shalom. These articles are adapted with permission from CBWC Pastor Deborah Judas’ book Cultivating Shalom. We invite you to purchase the book for use in your personal devotional practices or as a group study. This reflection is brought to you by CBWC’s Banff Pastors and Spouses GIVE and GO campaign, a clergy care initiative to help as many pastors as possible join us at the conference. If you’d like to participate, visit cbwc.ca/clergycare.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing… and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23:1,6)

These two bold statements frame Psalm 23. They are like bookends with all of life lived in between. We have examined life with God through the metaphor of a Shepherd caring for His sheep, traversing all sorts of terrain, and encountering different circumstances in an effort to give His sheep the best possible life. He does all of this because of His goodness and love for us.

Now we come to the end of Psalm 23 and read the psalmist’s final statement of hope, the culmination of a life lived closely with his Shepherd.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

David makes both his opening and closing statements with confidence. The Psalm 23 picture is not only for the future but also for today and for all the days of our lives. We, too, can live with the same confidence as the psalmist when we begin with the belief that we lack nothing because God is with us. This is our baseline from which everything else flows and overflows!

What a beautiful and good life we have been given. It is not always an easy life, but it is one that is encompassed within God’s goodness, love, and mercy. When all is said and done, we have a choice before us. We can keep Jesus at an arm’s length, understanding that He is necessary for our salvation but not actually desiring Him as someone we walk closely with. Or we can begin to see our life through “God with us” eyes and discover the beauty of traveling the road with Jesus, enjoying the green pastures and still waters, and committing to the right paths. We do battle, trusting that the Lord is at our side as we grind through the dark valleys and face our enemies with confidence. And we feast at the table as we celebrate all of life.

Now, we face the biggest leap—from theory to action. We must choose to move from knowing to doing, living out this life while trusting that God is with us in all things. You might be wondering how one gets started. The best place to begin is with who you are and where you are right now. It’s appropriate to start with your true self because this is who God created and whom He wants to bless.

From there, we embark on the journey to transformation. We don’t merely drift into transformation. Life with Jesus is an intentional life, uniquely given to each of us for a particular purpose. Again, through awareness, disciplines, and practices, we create the conditions where the Holy Spirit can transform us.

It is also a journey of discovery as we give the Holy Spirit our attention. There is so much to learn and experience and enjoy! We know that not everything is certain. However, we have a good life not because of what does or does not happen but because God is good, and our souls are intimately connected to Him. This is how we step wholeheartedly into our lives. This is how we embrace all aspects of life and live it to the full! This is how we are sure to discover that God’s goodness and love does indeed follow us all the days of our lives.

This is an ordinary life filled with extraordinary power.

May the fullness of shalom be upon you today and every day until Lord’s return, when His glory will fill the whole earth. May you flourish in all you are and everything you do.

May you feel the welcoming delight of God over you. May joyful wonder flow out of your spirit inspiring the world around you.

May you be faithful to your calling and experience the joy of serving and loving others.

May you live confidently in the goodness and love of God, and may you be restored to wholeness as you walk with your Shepherd. Amen.

Join us in prayer for rest, restoration and shalom for all our clergy, and especially those joining us at BPC November 11-14. Watch for highlights from the conference in next month’s Making Connections!

HeartSmart HR: Year End Updates & Reminders

It is hard to believe that we are closing in on the end of 2024—the year has flown by! Last November, I wrote an article about how a good compensation package rooted in Christ-like attitudes demonstrates how well churches care for their staff, and in turn, how this impacts the church’s effectiveness and reputation. As churches are now gathering to approve 2025 budgets and wrap up the end of the fiscal year, here are a few updates and reminders for consideration:

• Last year, the CBWC joined forces with CBM and the CBOQ to create customized accounting software that could be utilized by all partners, allowing us all to operate more cost effectively. We are joining forces again in 2025 by bringing the administration of our Canadian Baptist Group Insurance Plan in-house. AGA Benefits Solutions (formerly J&D Benefits) and in particular, Linda Bissonnette, has done a wonderful job enrolling, invoicing, and caring for our churches and members since we moved to the national plan in 2017. We are thankful for their many years of service to us. By collectively hiring our own benefits administrator, we are able to bring our plan administration costs down while adding “exclusive” member service. Details of these changes will be shared in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

• This fall, our Regional Administrators emailed the updated 2025 Salary Guide along with the COLA Letter to churches. The CBWC provides churches with an annual recommendation for cost-of-living adjustments to salaries in keeping with Canada’s rate of inflation. The salary grid assists our churches in determining fair compensation for their pastor(s).

• Preparations should be made to issue new Clergy Residence Deduction (CRD) forms, the T1223, for ordained or credentialed pastors and staff. For those requiring deduction at source, the T1213 must be issued. The T1213 should be completed by mid-November each year, as it may take the CRA up to 4-6 weeks to approve applications.

• As soon as the fiscal year ends, T4 slips must be issued to staff. Please remember to include taxable benefit amounts for staff enrolled in our Canadian Baptist Benefits Plan who have group life insurance. AGA Benefits Solutions will be issuing a taxable benefit report to each church along with the December billing, with each member’s benefit amount to be included in Box 40 of their T4.

• If your church uses a third-party payroll company, you will need to reconcile any special payments or adjustments that were made to staff payroll with the payroll system. Also, please check to ensure that the year-end (YTD) payroll and statutory deductions for CPP, EI and federal taxes reconcile with your payroll journals. You want to make certain that accurate T4 information is correctly filed with CRA to avoid a PIER notice (Pension and Insurable Earning Review) being issued. As always, please be sure that T4 and T4A slips are filed on time, preferably by the end of January.

If you have questions or need clarification related to Human Resources or closing out your church’s year-end, please contact the CBWC office for assistance. We remain incredibly grateful to those of you who minister to and serve the church by carrying out these critical duties.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

What’s Happening in September

• Theology for the Ordinary Book Club is THIS WEDNESDAY, September 4 at 6 pm PST using zoom. We will be discussing Forgive by Tim Keller. Contact Cindy to register: heartland@cbwc.ca 

• National Day for Truth & Reconciliation is September 30. Resources available for your September 29 church service: agoodway.ca 

• Banff Conference: November 11-14. Make sure to sign up before Earlybird Deadline September 10! cbwc.ca/bpc 

• Board Development Essentials Video Series has launched! We hope you’ll use these free, 5-minute primers in your Board or Elders meetings this year. cbwc.ca/boardessentials 

VBS Rules!

So many of our churches ran awesome VBS programs this summer, and a few of them shared photos with us! Check out some of the fun that was had these past couple of months. We love to see it!

 Partner Spotlight: Hopehill

Intergenerationality at Hopehill

Some of you know Hopehill. We are a ministry of the CBWC providing low-cost affordable housing to low-income seniors in the Vancouver area, “in Jesus’ name.”. Close to 400 folks call HH home. The average age of our residents is 79 years old. That’s a lot of wisdom. And to that wisdom we like to add some energy (of youth), and our seniors love it when it happens.

1. This summer, for July and August, we were glad to take on 2 students as interns. Georgia is a 2nd year University of Victoria student. Luciano is a first year Simon Fraser University student. Both return to full- time studies this fall.

2. In July, we were thrilled to have a youth group from the Summerland Baptist Church spend a day with us.  They were on a mission trip to the Lower Mainland.   On the day with us, they met seniors, participated in group activities, and served our residents by “sitting and listening.”.  We were impressed by this group of young people.  They were amazing.   

3. In the fall of 2024, we look forward to having the KURIOS cohort spend a week with us in their learning cycle.  They learn about gerontology (seniors) in the mornings, and in the afternoons get to put into practice what the morning hours taught them.  Our residents LOVE them being with us.  Win-Win. 

Jasper Update

Submitted by Rev. Roy Nickel

Dear friends,

On our return to Jasper late afternoon Friday, there was a flurry of activity coordinating with ATCO to restore gas service to both church buildings, Kurios House, and to our home (through this we learned our antique furnace in the manse needs to be replaced!)—assessing them for visible damage. Then, with hunger haunting us, I couldn’t keep from driving around town to see the aftermath. Words fail. Maybe a few don’t—Slave Lake, Ft. McMurray. You’ve seen the devastation on TV. It’s worse. Friends’ homes, historic character houses, iconic church buildings (Anglican, United). The fickle nature of the fire, sometimes taking all in its path, sometimes a single home standing, sometimes just a single home burnt! But 70% of Jasper seems to be in the same condition we left it. Surreal!

God has us here “for such a time as this” (cf. Queen Esther). Social media helps us keep in touch with our church family. A couple of single young adults won’t be back. We’ve posted personal & church updates, offering help to our friends and neighbours who have lost everything, expressing love and care for our neighbours. On Sunday, we had a “non-service”—opening our church doors for people to come for a cup of coffee or a bottle of water, hugs, prayers, conversation. While only a few came, it caught the attention of many, and we received messages of gratitude. Our prayer is that through this event the community will see Jesus in us. Some already have. We will resume services sometime in September. Steve and Ingrid are moving ahead with plans to start Kurios—we are thankful for their leadership, their contributions to our church, and their friendship!

Insurance says the ceiling insulation in the brick church and in Kurios House needs replacing. Ash and even soot were found in all four buildings. We will be out of our home for a couple more weeks as it undergoes a professional deep clean. What we thought was unconscionable delays (selling the old church) has turned out to be a blessing. We are serving as a dormitory for a couple of weeks for Team Rubicon, who is on site to help people sift through the ashes. Later, we will use the sanctuary for a donation site and help the United Church resume their thrift store. We are offering the use of our new church to the United and Anglican churches to meet. The Sunday school rooms, washrooms, kitchen, and lounge will be temporary residences for a couple of families. God knew!

THANK YOU for all your phone calls, e-mails, and messages of love, encouragement, and offers of support!! Please pray that we will have patience, courage, strength, and wisdom. There is great trauma that affects us all, especially those who have lost everything. We ALL grieve over our wounded town, but there’s a sense of resolve to band together and rebuild. Jasper WILL be back!

With a grateful heart, on behalf of Jasper Park Baptist Fellowship and our town,

Rev. Roy Nickel

Shalom in Enemy Territory

This reflection is brought to you by CBWC’s Banff Pastors and Spouses GIVE and GO campaign, a clergy care initiative to help as many pastors as possible to join us at Banff Pastors and Spouses Conference this November. Early bird deadline for BPC registration is September 10, so make sure the clergy in your life are signed up to join us! cbwc.ca/bpc

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5).

Imagine being invited by a really close friend to a dinner party.

You’ve been looking forward to it all week because you know your friend is a fabulous host and wonderful chef. It promises to be an amazing evening. When you arrive at the gathering, your friend welcomes you and ushers you into the dining room, only to discover all the other guests are people who have caused you hurt, betrayal, and disappointment in life—and they are sitting at the table! Your host sees the look on your face and, in a weak attempt at reassurance, tells you not to worry and promptly invites you to sit down and eat.

Why would your friend do this to you?

Or perhaps more perplexing, why would the Good Shepherd invite David’s enemies to the celebration in Psalm 23?

We all know our world is broken, and we realize that we ourselves are broken. In some ways, it feels like we are living in enemy territory every day. Our values feel attacked. The pressure and competition of the world is on us. We put on airs of confidence and don our false masks in order to convince people we are worthy of their employment, recruitment, and even friendship. Our enemies often include people we cannot forgive. However, more often than not, our enemies are also more vague and illusive things like thought distortions, temptations, and strongholds—those worries that plague us night and day in the aftermath of life-changing events. All of this can leave us haggard and worn out.

And yet… there are still those moments when the kingdom of God breaks through, and we catch shalom sightings. For me, the simplicity of sitting at a farmers’ market on a beautiful day in the midst of great uncertainty evoked a sense of peace and joyful wonder. In fact, I have decided to rename this farmers’ market moment and call it a kingdom moment, because in this time of unsureness, it gave me a glimpse of a beautiful world that felt whole and right, where everything was as it should be. It was within this ordinary life occasion where goodness crowded out the anxiety, and I received a gift of shalom from God to me.

God is in this broken world. He has gone before us already and scouted everything out. Nothing catches Him off guard, not even a pandemic. Not even a war. He knows where the predators are even when we can’t see them. Psalm 23 reminds us more than ever, to stay close to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and not wander off on our own. It urges us to pay attention to the quiet ways in which God shows up and reassures us that He is indeed with us. Shalom guides the soul back to God and points us to the hope of Christ in a broken world.

He Anoints My Head with Oil
In the midst of grazing in the alpine meadows, enjoying the best grass and the freshest water, sheep are still surrounded by predators and often tormented by unwanted pests. However, the shepherd is always watching for parasites of this sort, and at the first sign of infestation, he immediately applies a remedy which is a linseed oil concoction. This oil is applied to the sheep’s head, and there is an immediate transformation. The sheep’s fear and agitation give way to lying down in peaceful contentment.

Oil has a very symbolic meaning in the Bible. It represents the presence and power of the Spirit of God. Jesus was often referred to as the Anointed One, using oil as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit being present and acting in Christ.

So it is within this backdrop—remembering that David had been shepherd himself, that Psalm 23:5 is written—giving a picture of an extravagantly set table filled with an endless buffet of gourmet food, yet surrounded by the presence of enemies. The Good Shepherd knows David’s fears and immediately puts him at rest by anointing his head with oil, symbolically declaring the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

But here’s the startling revelation. If you notice, the enemies are sandwiched in between the feast (joy!) and the anointing of oil (power!). The enemies don’t stand a chance.

We can feast with joy and rest in the truth that the Lord is our Shepherd, and we lack nothing. We sit in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Congratulations Trinity Baptist Preschool!

By Jenna Hanger

Yesterday marked an exciting milestone for Trinity Baptist Church in Sherwood Park, AB, as they cut the ribbon and celebrated the grand opening of their new preschool building.  

The preschool has been a meaningful ministry for the church and community for the past nearly three decades. After running for a few years out of the church basement, it was moved into what was planned to be a temporary building in the parking lot in 1999. Now, 24 years later, the new building is open and ready for the 30 three- to four-year-old registered preschoolers this fall.  

“The preschool means a lot to members of our church, and it means a lot to people in the community. My own son was a student at the preschool years ago,” says Ashley Winkel, the Children and Family Ministries’ Pastor and Director of the preschool.  

“Even now I meet young adults with ties to the preschool from twelve to fifteen years ago. It’s really neat to see a ministry with this kind of longevity and to see it set up so well now. It feels like there are no limitations to this ministry and to how it will impact our little world around us.”  

An exciting feature of this building, which CBWC was honoured to be a part of via the C2 grant, is inclusion accessibility. The long, outdoor ramp and some bathroom features will allow every child access to the building and programs.   

“Our building now doesn’t have hinderances or barriers. Every child can come and be a part of our playground. It actually brings a tear to my eye,” Ashley said. “I am excited to have kids who are a part of our program just be able to get in and out of the building when before, it was such a struggle.”  

The theme for the preschool comes from Zechariah 4:10: “Do not despise these small beginnings”—a reminder that this phase in the lives of the little ones starting school and their families is such a special, significant time. Ashley shared that they love and take seriously the opportunity to be a part of such a formative part of life for these families. 

When asked what practical tips she had for parents with first time preschoolers, Ashley shared one of the most helpful things to do is to have intentional conversations at home.  

“If you have the ability to go to your preschool ahead of time, that is great. Put pictures of teachers up on the fridge. Talk about it at bedtime, and include it in your prayers together,” Ashley said.  

“I think as parents, when we talk about these things, we might be feeling more anxiety about it than the kids are feeling. So, to be calm and joyful about this big milestone really helps them feel like, ‘Oh this is an okay thing. It’s big and important but it’s okay too’.”   

Banff: A Personal Perspective & What to Bring When You Join Me

By Hannah Hamm

Maybe this sounds familiar— “When through the woods, and forest glades I wander… When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur…then sings my soul to Thee!” This could be an excerpt from my journal the last time I was at the CBWC pastors & spouses retreat in Banff, AB.

My husband and I, with the full support of our church council—which we do not take for granted—have made it a priority to be at this gathering for several years now. All aspects of this retreat are a feast for your physical and spiritual senses. The VENUE is unparalleled, and you will have ample time to explore both the castle, the grounds, and the town of Banff. The catered MEALS will more than satisfy your hunger, delighting your eyes and imagination just as much as your stomach. Another gift during mealtimes is long, unhurried CONVERSATION time with just a few table mates—maybe a new connection or maybe someone you haven’t seen since the last retreat. The SESSIONS are packed full of meaningful worship (well-led and planned by someone other than you), prayerful blessings, and directly relevant teaching. I have consistently found myself moved by one or all of these elements each day at the retreat. A favourite place for me—and others with a smaller social battery like myself—is the spiritual formation area, Stillpoint. Take TIME TO BE ALONE with your Maker, and the Maker of all the splendour framed by the huge windows. Maybe do some art, or pray in a new way, or just sit and listen for the voice of Love.

If you’re still not convinced this is worth asking your church council for, maybe consider the natural, spring-fed outdoor pool just outside an epic, historic indoor aquatic centre. I can’t even count the hours or the deep conversations I’ve had while floating there, surrounded by mountain grandeur during the day and brilliant stars by night.

So, now that you’re asking your church council to consider sending you, here’s what you should plan to bring.

– Comfortable clothes and your bathing suit
– Exercise clothing if you’d like to use the hotel facilities (these are generously offered on loan by the hotel, if requested; ask Randy Hamm how to access this perk)
– Walking shoes or boots for unforgettable outdoor exploration
– Weather depending, you may need winter gear for outdoor warmth
– Notebook or journal
– Your own access to the Scriptures

All linens and many toiletries are provided by the hotel

Come find me if you are attending with an extroverted pastor spouse and need coping strategies! Hope to see you there and may your soul sing. ~Hannah Hamm.

Jasper Update

From Rev. Roy Nickel of Jasper Park Baptist Church

Esther 4:14 ” For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Since writing this month’s MSR newsletter article, a “monster” wildfire (300+ foot wall of flames) swept up our picturesque Athabasca Valley and destroyed 30% of the town of Jasper. We feel so fortunate – the flames did not reach the center and north parts of town, so the original “Little White Church in the Rockies”, our manse, as well as the brick church deeded to us by the Lutherans survived the fire. Kurios house was also undamaged – we are SO grateful, and KURIOS will go on this fall! One of the main couples of the church lost their home, yet their generous hearts are already looking for ways to give to bless others! We’ve been absolutely floored by the generosity of people around the world, with their gestures of caring, support and prayer.

Our members’ meeting last night was SO encouraging as everyone was enthusiastically looking for ways to serve our community! We’ll offer the churches who lost their buildings (Anglican and United Church) the use of our building. We can provide some space in the white church for accommodation. We can offer the old sanctuary as a place to donate/receive donations of furniture, clothing and other essentials of life (not everyone carries home or tenants’ insurance). There are other possibilities for ministry and service. Please pray for wisdom for us as we move forward. Pray that the fire (still out of control) doesn’t double back on the town. Pray for physical, emotional and spiritual strength – the road ahead will be daunting! Thank you for your generosity, prayer and encouragement! Clearly, God brought us to this position “for such a time as this”!

Upcoming Events

Theology for the Ordinary: September 4 at 6 pm PST using zoom. We will be discussing Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?  by Timothy Keller. All welcome!

Earlybird Registration for Banff Conference: September 10

CBWC Board: September 19-21

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation:  September 29

Banff Conference: November 11-14

Coming Soon—​Board Development Essentials Video Series! We hope you’ll schedule a few minutes into each of your 2024/2025 Church Board Meetings to engage these brief primers on practical elements of church leadership and administration.

Creating “A Community of Belonging”

How Active in Mission helped one church bring dignity and connection to its community

You may have been hearing a lot about Active in Mission from us over the past few months and be wondering what all the fuss is about. Active in Mission 2024, Feeding Hope, is in full swing to raise funds for ministries like The Neighbourhood Church’s community pantry, which we’ll hear about below. Help us address food insecurity in Canada and through CBM’s global partners by donating at activeinmission.ca!

For many years, The Neighbourhood Church (TNC) has been running a food hub for those in Burnaby, BC, who are food insecure. With help of several grants, including a 2023 Active in Mission grant made possible by the hard work and fundraising of churches and individuals across the Canadian Baptist family, TNC recently transitioned from a food bank to a community grocer-style ministry.

Now, people come for more of a scheduled shopping experience, giving them dignity and worth and avoiding the long lineups that they’re used to at the food bank.

Some who come for food are altogether homeless, and others are just struggling to make ends meet. Many are from war-torn countries or are new to Canada. And at the pantry, they are finding not only physical support, but emotional and spiritual support as well. TNC Outreach Coordinator Shelley Roxburgh explains, “One of the really beautiful things is that someone in the church built the extra-long table where we can sit and be with one another, and hear a little of their story as they wait to go into the pantry.

“We are now providing food for about 750 to 800 people per week,” Shelley says. “Obtaining food for that many people is really challenging. And so, we are constantly looking for donors and using our financial gifts and grants to secure more food. And we just thank God for people that He brings to us each week. Our goal is that this pantry will really help create a community of belonging.”

Our aim is to raise $100,000 across the country. Won’t you join us in Feeding Hope? Activeinmission.ca

 Partner Spotlight: Carey Theological College

Guided by Faith: Carey Builds to Expand Community and Discipleship 
Sam Nakai, VP Operations & Registrar, Carey Theological College

“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides Me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know Me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides Me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.” This passage from Isaiah 45 vividly tells the story of Carey Theological College’s current building project.

Our story began over two decades ago when Carey’s main building was constructed with the intention of further developing the campus on the northeast corner of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. There were numerous attempts to initiate the current building project with various uses and partnerships proposed, but none succeeded in moving forward. As time went on, Carey faced financial strain due to the changing landscape of theological education, that almost brought Carey to bankruptcy. The urgency to construct the new building to generate revenue and “save Carey” became critical, especially as it started borrowing money to meet payroll obligations.

Throughout this challenging period, the board and management team at Carey remained faithful, trusting that God is Lord and that His good and purposeful plans would, in time, come to fruition.

A new management team was brought in, and they embarked on a journey to alleviate the financial strain independent of a new building. This helped to ensure that when the new building was constructed, it would be based on a stronger foundation of financial stewardship. Initial positive results encouraged the board to make the bold decision to take time and raise the necessary funds for Carey to construct the new building on its own to solely support its mission. With the support from key donors, including the CBWC Foundation and board contacts, Carey was introduced to a stellar team of project managers, a lead architect, financing advisors, and up to 30 consultants to tackle the monumental task of designing and constructing the new building amidst rapidly rising interest rates and skyrocketing construction costs post-pandemic. Despite these immense challenges, God equipped Carey’s dedicated consultants. The work which the team is doing beautifully illustrates how God moves in the hearts of those who know Him and those who do not. I believe it’s because every person working on this project set aside their egos, allowing God’s invisible hand to move through the project—patiently waiting at times, actively overcoming at others, and systematically softening hearts when needed.

Construction progress since July 2024

But for what end? Carey’s ministry throughout its 65-year history has focused on one single goal: that people may know from the rising of the sun to the west that there is none beside God; that He is Lord, and there is no other. Thousands of student residents have been impacted by God through Carey’s student residence program. Each year, they speak about the community they are proud to be a part of, the lifelong friendships they are forming, and the spiritual growth they experience living with other Christians. Ultimately, they sense God’s presence when they walk through Carey’s doors. This story continues as the all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present God brings people together from all walks of life to fulfill His purpose for His people to relate towards others so that they commit to live for Christ and to live like Christ—the Great Commission.

Carey asks for your prayers as it approaches the completion of construction in the spring of 2025. We request that you prayerfully consider donating to provide a welcome package for students, sponsor a Bible verse for a prayer path, or furnish a student room or community space. You can contribute by following this link. Thank you for your generous prayers and support.

Carey’s original prayer path located outside our building. The verse reads: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” – Joshua 1:9

Resources for Observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024

By Jodi Spargur

Canadian Baptists across Canada are marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in their Sunday services this September 29^th. A national working group has been hard at work to make your job in planning for that Sunday as easy as possible. 

There is a whole service outline available online with prayers, songs, and even a couple of recorded message options from Ray Aldred or Terry LeBlanc. There are resources for children’s and youth engagement, as well as ideas for learning in your own communities. 

Often, when I am speaking with pastors or parents, they will say something like, “Our kids are learning so much about the legacy of residential schools in school. They are learning way more than I ever did. But I am afraid that they will grow up to hate the church because of what they are learning.” One of the best responses to this fear can be ensuring that we talk about this legacy in church. We need to teach children the tools of our faith that equip us and them to face hard things. 

What are those tools, you ask? There are many, but let’s start with three:

Lament: Learning to lament what has gone wrong. To allow our hearts to break with the things that break God’s heart. (Jeremiah 9:20)

Solidarity: In Jesus’ parable answering the question, “Who is my neighbour?”, He tells the story of the Good Samaritan, who saw the suffering of the man beaten and left on the side of the road. The Samaritan cared for the injured man and went to great expense to see him returned to health. (Luke 10)

Justice: Where oppression is still ongoing, or has maybe changed shape slightly, the prophets remind us to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8) Doing justice might look like loosing “the chains of injustice.” (Isaiah 58:6)

Over the past few years, I see more and more people wearing orange shirts to church on the Sunday closest to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A year ago, I was standing outside of a church after the service had wrapped up, and I noticed an Indigenous woman who had stopped on the sidewalk and was watching people come out, many had on Orange shirts. “What is that group?” she asked me. “That is a church that meets in that building,” I said. “And they are wearing Orange shirts?” she asked. “Looks like it,” I replied. “Hmm, there might be something to this reconciliation thing after all,” she replied, and walked off with a smile on her face. 

The path of healing and justice is more than a day and more than an orange shirt or the affirmation that “every child matters.” But what we do on the one day, of September 30^th, might make a bigger difference than you realize. 

Check out the website: www.agoodway.ca and share with us a story of what your September 29^th worship service looked like. 

Lament and Comfort in the Valley

 This reflection is adapted with permission from Pastor Deb Judas’ book Cultivating Shalom in order to bring attention to CBWC’s Banff Pastors and Spouses GIVE and GO campaign, a clergy care initiative to help as many pastors as possible to join us at Banff Pastors and Spouses Conference this November. Support clergy care today: cbwc.ca/clergycare 

 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) 

How do you tend to respond to the dark valleys of life? 

Psalm 23 provides us with a different lens through which to view life. We have already established that David seemed to have accepted that stuff happens, and his response to hardship was to place his trust in his Shepherd who was leading him.  

So many of the writings are a crying out to God, questioning Him, and wondering where He was in the pain and suffering. The beauty of Psalms and Lamentations is that they are vulnerable and raw—but then consistently and remarkably turn a corner, moving from lament to praise. They give us a template of sorts with which to work through our own pain. 

Looking at Psalm 23 in particular, we see that hardship is a normal part of life and that the dark valley, though extremely difficult, is also a necessary part of life. It is not easy to hear this, but the reality is that there is some growth and learning that can be accomplished only in difficult times. It is in the dark valley that trust is deepened, resilience and spiritual muscle are built, and wisdom is gained if we remain open to the work of the Spirit in our life. Through the analogy of sheep in Psalm 23, we discover that the valley is where the richest nutrients in the grass and the freshest water is found. It is where sheep are most vulnerable, but are also most closely watched by their Shepherd.  

Grief and lament are necessary for healing. Our pain, left unchecked, will consume us. Prayers of lament are an invaluable way of placing our fears and disappointment in front of us and before God. This allows us to address the issues that threaten to take over. Placing our anguish and grief before God stops them from hovering in the background and tormenting us. Lament is a practice that releases us from the power our fears and emotions hold over us. The dark valley and how we respond to it is all part of our formation, for better or for worse. Importantly, it is also another invitation to deepen our relationship with Jesus by growing our faith and developing our confidence in God’s trustworthiness. Lament helps us grieve in a healthy way, moving us forward through the valley to the other side of pain, grief, and suffering. 

The prayer of lament is also a way of reaching for God, drawing closer to Him, and finding words to articulate our pain. Sometimes there are no words at the beginning, only emotion. When we offer a genuine response to what has happened to us, the layers are peeled back and laid open and raw before the Lord. In this way, we can enter into an authentic conversation with God, as well as experience an unearthing of what we actually believe about Him.  

For Christ followers, this means the dark valley is where profound intimacy can grow between us and the Lord. 

Maybe you are reading this now while you’re in a dark valley. I would imagine that these words cut to the core. I get it. It is not my intention to make light of a situation or downplay the pain and suffering anyone is experiencing. We cannot sugarcoat the fact that suffering hurts. It can be devastating and has the capacity to overwhelm and destroy us. The wounds that suffering leaves behind can stay with us for years. I think it’s important to state that our great hope in Jesus does not take away the pain and anguish, but hope does provide the strength to get through one more day when we are hanging on by a thread. 

For David, it was in the shadow of death and during times of suffering and failure that he discovered the compassionate and gracious love of God. The same is true for many of us when we look back on our most difficult seasons in life.  

Let’s be honest. When we are at the end of our rope, all we have left is God and ourselves. If we are going to come out the other side, then we have a choice to make. Will we trust that God will come through even when we can’t seem to find Him in the darkness? 

Shalom awaits us in the presence of the Lord. 

Questions for Reflection 

• What are the places in your life where you feel God is silent? 
• If God is actually walking with you through the valley, how will you know where He is? 
• How do you cultivate shalom in times of disruption? 
• Where have you experienced God’s peace that passes all understanding? 

Summer Recipe Ideas

By Jenna Hanger

After complaining for all of May and June about the cold, windy days, the summer heat as landed with a heavy, relentless thump. While I am thrilled to finally be able to use our little pool and put away the sweaters, I am less thrilled to be struggling to keep my house at a liveable temperature!

I don’t know about you, but the last thing I feel like doing in a sweltering house is cooking, and there are only so many times a person can eat a hot dog! For my own sanity and yours, I have compiled a few recipes that are easy, quick and BBQ and camping friendly!

Tinfoil Dinner

Take your large piece of tinfoil (you will be folding it over and sealing it to cook, so make sure you grab enough). Smear a generous amount of butter in the middle of it. Take some ground beef, and smash it down. Beside the meat, place potatoes, carrots, and onions (these can be placed together). Put a little more butter on the veggies. Season the whole thing with seasoning salt. Fold the tinfoil over, and roll the edges to seal in the food. Make sure it is sealed—you don’t want the juices falling out as you flip it on the fire or BBQ. It is also important to keep your food as flat as possible to make cooking faster. It is better to make a couple, instead of making a lot in one.

Let it cook on one side for a few minutes, and then flip it once to cook again. As soon as the meat is cooked, you’re good to go—but keep it on the heat for a few minutes to crisp up potatoes. Open, add ketchup if you like, and enjoy!

Some people like to add egg, onion soup mix, BBQ sauce, etc. to the meat. Think of a meatloaf recipe. I personally think it tastes awesome with just seasoning salt and butter. There’s something about how it all cooks together with the juices that makes everything very tasty.

Shrimp Wrap with Sweet Chili Mayo

This is a great meal for a hot day. It also can be made ahead of time and brought on a camping trip.

You will need:

-Shrimp (I like the already cooked, tail off shrimp to make it fast and easy)
-Coleslaw
-Wraps
-Rice Noodles
-Lime juice
-Rice Vinegar
-Sweet Chili Sauce
-Mayo
-Sesame oil
-Salt pepper

Essentially, what you will do is combine your shrimp, coleslaw, and sauce ingredients in a bowl, then mix it all up, and serve it in a wrap with rice noodles. Some recipes call for cooking your shrimp first, with cornstarch and oil to make them crispier. You will want raw shrimp for that. If your shrimp is already cooked, you can crisp it up quick in a pan with a bit of butter or oil, pepper, and garlic salt. Don’t overcook, or the shrimp will be rubbery. For measurements of the sauce, I like to use this recipe for reference: https://whiskitrealgud.com/shrimp-lettuce-wraps/

If you are packing for camping, I would combine your sauce ingredients in a Tupperware. Then, combine it with the shrimp and coleslaw right before serving, so your coleslaw doesn’t get too mushy. Leftovers are good for a couple days, though. It tastes great cold!

Marinated Chicken Thighs

My sister started making this, and it’s honestly so tasty and amazing. It’s a recipe for smoking chicken thighs, but we have BBQ’ed them too, or popped in the oven—and they were delicious. My sister lets them marinate for a full day or overnight—the longer the better.

You will need:

-Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (you can use other types, but this is my favourite)
-Honey
-Soya Sauce
-All Spice
-Cayenne Pepper
-Cinnamon
-Ginger
-Onion
-Garlic Cloves minced
-Brown Sugar
-BBQ Rub
-Cornstarch

The recipe she uses is here: https://ohsweetbasil.com/marinated-smoked-chicken-thighs-on-the-traeger-recipe/ . These are great to serve with fries, salad, potatoes, rice—whatever you want! If you serve with rice the extra sauce is amazing to use on top.

Peanut Butter Chicken Wraps

This is another great summer recipe and my husband’s favourite meal. You can cook the chicken and make the sauce ahead of time if bringing camping.

You will need:

-Chicken breast
-Lettuce or coleslaw
-Rice noodles (or rice, I like rice noodles best)
-Peanuts (optional)
-Green onion (optional)

For sauce:
-Peanut butter
-Honey
-Oil
-Rice Vinegar
-Soya sauce
-Sesame Oil
-Pepper and salt
-Crushed red pepper flakes (add depending on how spicy you like it)
-Grated ginger (recipe says fresh ginger, I just use ground and put in less than what I would if it was fresh)
-Garlic cloves, minced

Cook your chicken and cut into small cubes. Combine sauce and whisk well. I like to pour the sauce in with the chicken on a pan and heat up quick, but you don’t have to do that. You can just combine with chicken. Then you make your wrap with your rice noodles, lettuce or coleslaw. Throw some peanuts on for crunch, and green onion because green onion is good on pretty much everything. For the sauce, I like to use this recipe: https://www.simplywhisked.com/asian-chicken-wraps/ . They make their wraps a bit different then I do, combining the sauce with the coleslaw—but I like combining it with the chicken. You can also add bell peppers if you like for more veggies. It’s a flexible wrap!

Watermelon Salad with Cucumber, Mint and Feta

My mom just introduced this salad to us at a family BBQ. It is so refreshing and different, a perfect addition to any summer meal!

You will need:
-Watermelon
-Cucumber
-Mint and Basil Leaves
-Feta
For Dressing:
-Honey
-Lime Juice
-Oil
-Salt

This is a very fast, straightforward recipe. Found here: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/watermelon-salad-with-cucumber-feta/ Perfect for camping or as an addition to any of the shared recipes above!

Attention All CBWC Retired Pastors: You are invited to BPC!

We are getting very excited about the upcoming Banff Pastors and Spouses conference taking place this November. We are still accepting gifts to our Give or Go campaign to help subsidize conference costs so as many pastors as possible can attend. Donations will be matched up to $25,000—this due to a generous gift from a CBWC supporter earlier this year who understands the role this conference plays in promoting clergy health & wellness. To learn more about this initiative and to donate to Give or Go, please visit Clergy Care – Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (cbwc.ca)

We are also excited to announce, for the very first time in the 50-year history of the Banff Pastors and Spouses Conference, that we are offering all CBWC retirees an invitation to attend this year’s conference at a substantially reduced rate–- 30 percent off! For many, retirement has provided new opportunities to encourage our body of believers. Like Barnabas who recognized the grace of God at work in the church and stayed to cheer on those in the faith, our retirees bring with them a lifetime of experience and godly wisdom to be shared. We look forward to welcoming them as an act of ongoing clergy care and an extension of our deep appreciation for their faithful ministry. To receive the discount code and for more information, please email Esther Kitchener at ekitchener@cbwc.ca.

Active in Mission Campaign:

Feeding Hope

Our CBWC Staff team is getting active AGAIN this summer to help raise funds across Canada for those grappling with food insecurity both locally and globally. Our team goal is to walk/run/bike/golf/kayak the distance across Canada—7,560 kilometers—by the end of August!

Last year, we were able to raise $110,000 collectively, and of that, 11,000 of those dollars were granted to CBWC churches engaged in food security programs here in Western Canada. We want to make an even bigger difference this year! It’s not too late for you to get on board and get Active in Mission with us and other Canadian Baptists from across the country to help feed people around the world.

If you or your church would like to register to join the 2024 campaign—Feeding Hope—click on the link below for instructions.

https://www.facebook.com/TheCBWC/videos/440941895554155/

To learn more about Team Staff CBWC and to encourage them with your donation, visit CBWC Staff (activeinmission.ca) and let’s see how far across the country we can get by the end of the summer!

 Partner Spotlight: CBM

The Power of a Few to Inspire the Many

On the outskirts of Cochabamba, Bolivia, a small 25-member church serves 75 children every day. A church of 600 in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon serves more than 4,000 refugees. And in Nagaland, India, a local Baptist denomination is helping victims of human trafficking by providing job skills training for a better future.

Amidst the volatility and uncertainty in our world today, CBM’s global partners are making an impact in their communities. God is present and active in places of instability, tragedy, and human suffering.

And they aren’t doing it alone. Part of CBM’s long history in mission has been to make connections among our global partners to help fulfill their desire to extend their reach and impact by partnering and networking with other churches and organizations. The Gisenyi Africa partners have brought together other partners in East Africa to learn from and support one another. Groups like the Baptist Forum for Aid and Development, the Global Baptist Mission Network, and the Ascent Network have reached out to collaborate further for greater Kingdom impact.  

These types of networks have been key in responding to recent tragedies and unexpected crises. With feet already on the ground, our partners are able to identify and deliver what’s most needed. In recent months, there have been flash floods in Kenya, continued unrest in DR Congo, and the war in Ukraine still rages on. Because of your support, we have been able to respond quickly.

We celebrate the ability to reach people in need when they need it most. Thank you, CBWC family, for your part in allowing us to ensure we’re ready to respond again when the next crisis or unforeseen tragedy occurs.

Carolyn Arends at BPC 2024! 

Anticipation is building towards welcoming CBWC Clergy, Chaplains, and Spouses to Banff 2024! Come and invest in rest, expansive time without ministry demands, deep conversation with others in ministry, worship that you don’t need to plan, and thought-provoking sessions geared towards transformation and growth.

There is something deeply refreshing and comforting about having long, unhurried, undistracted conversations with fellow pastors in a beautiful place.

– BPC Attendee

FEATURING CAROLYN ARENDS:

Monday Evening Concert

Following a shared dinner together, our Monday evening concert will be filled with the inspiring and uplifting music of Carolyn Arends and Spencer Capier!

Carolyn Arends has released 14 albums (including two brand new projects, Recognition, and In the Morning) and is the author of 3 critically-acclaimed books. 15 of Arends’ songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts. Arends has earned 2 Dove Awards, 3 Juno Nominations, and was recognized as the West Coast Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year. Her prose has been recognized by The Word Guild, The Evangelical Press Association and The Canadian Church Press Awards.

In addition to her busy touring and speaking schedule, Carolyn has been a regular columnist for Christianity Today, Faith Today, and CT Women, and has served as an adjunct professor at a number of universities. She has a degree in Psychology and English from Trinity Western University and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Regent College. She lives in Surrey, BC, with her husband, Mark, and their young adult children, Benjamin and Bethany.

Carolyn is currently the Director of Education for Renovaré, a far-reaching organization that encourages and nurtures spiritual renewal. She continues to be available on a select basis for speaking, retreat facilitation, concerts, worship leading, and songwriting and performance seminars. Connect with Carolyn by visiting carolynarends.com and be sure to sign up for her Weekly Digest. You can also find her on Instagram (@carolyn_arends), Facebook (@CarolynArendsOfficial), Twitter (@CarolynArends) and Spotify.

Tuesday Morning Session: Worship and Keynote

Living in the Overflow: The Cycle of Grace

Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-39)

As we pour out our lives for others, are we continually replenished or constantly drained? Are there some things we can do to co-operate with God in His desire to fill us with living water? On Tuesday morning, Carolyn Arends will lead us in song and also help us explore “the cycle of grace” and its connection to a sustainable way of life in ministry.

TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BANFF PASTORS AND SPOUSES CONFERENCE CLICK HERE.

TO DONATE TOWARDS CLERGY CARE CLICK HERE.

HeartSmart HR: Understanding Clergy Communication Privilege

By Louanne Haugan, Director of Communications and Development

Clergy communication privilege in Canada is a legal concept that protects confidential communications between clergy and individuals seeking spiritual guidance or counseling.  Individuals often turn to the Church for guidance in matters that are deeply personal or sensitive in nature. Understanding the level of privacy can be confusing at times. While preserving trust between clergy and parishioners is paramount, are there circumstances that require pastors to divulge what they have been told? The Canadian Centre for Christian Charities provides helpful information on this.

In Canada, clergy communication privilege varies across provinces and territories—there is no federal legislation. Instead, it is primarily established through common law principles and may be subject to interpretation by courts on a case-by-case basis.

The last time the Supreme Court of Canada discussed this matter in detail was in 1991 concerning the case of R. v. Gruenke. In that case, Ms. Gruenke confessed to a pastor and of her involvement in the murder of an elderly man. The pastor went to the police and gave a statement outlining what he was told.

Ms. Gruenke’s legal counsel made the argument that the information given to the pastor was privileged and could not be disclosed during the trial. The matter made its way to the Supreme Court of Canada, where seven out of nine judges determined that religious communication between a parishioner and a clergy member does not warrant special status unless if fits the “Wigmore Test” (John Henry Wigmore, Evidence in Trials at Common Law) as determined on a case-by-case basis. There are four elements of the test:

1. The communications must originate in a confidence that they will not be disclosed.
2. The element of confidentiality must be essential to the full and satisfactory maintenance of the relation between the parties.
3. The relation must be one which in the opinion of the community ought to be sedulously fostered.
4. The injury that would inure to the relation by the disclosure of the communications must be greater than the benefit thereby gained for the correct disposal of litigation.

When it comes to the welfare of children, there is no situation for which a pastor or religious leader can legally refuse to report suspected or actual abuse. In some provinces, it is also required to report elder abuse. A church cannot say that the refusal to report was because they planned to deal with it as a matter of internal discipline. If there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child may be in need of protection, then you are required by law to promptly report the suspicion and the information upon which it is based to the authorities. Many tragic incidents of child abuse continue because of the failure of informed individuals to report the ill-treatment to the police and other government agencies. The church, including its directors and officers, may be liable for failing to report suspected abuse if such reporting would have curtailed the abuse.

Overall, clergy communication privilege plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rights of individuals seeking spiritual guidance and support without fear of disclosure. While it is not absolute, it reflects Canada’s commitment to respecting the privacy of individuals in matters of faith and personal conscience. It is important for clergy to understand the importance of maintaining clergy-parishioner confidentiality while also understanding when that confidentiality may be overridden legally or in the interest of public safety. In cases where a pastor may be called upon to give confidential evidence—for instance, in a court case—it would be prudent to consult legal counsel before doing so.

Churches may wish to develop policies as to how they will handle such communications. At the very least, they should consider adopting a policy in which any confessions that pose a “risk to public safety” will be reported, and individuals who may be undergoing counseling by pastoral staff should be made aware of this policy in advance.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

¹R v. Gruenke [1991] 3 S.C.R. 263

Developing a Vision for the Future

Westhill Park Baptist Takes Advantage of Gov Grant

By Jenna Hanger

It is common knowledge that society has shifted a lot over the past 30 years. The ever-expanding use of technology, changing demographics in communities, inflation rates rising, significant social-cultural changes, and a growing number of young people who don’t identify with faith or moved away from it, have all led to new needs that churches have to confront.

When the pandemic hit, churches were significantly affected within a short-time frame, leaving many in a place of uncertainty. Westhill Park Baptist Church in Regina, SK, felt these pressures. One of the most noticeable changes for them was the number of people choosing to engage online instead of in-person. Pre-pandemic, around 5% of the congregation took part online. After the pandemic, about one-third of the church had moved to online, creating a need to figure out how to still care for and pastor the people who weren’t attending physically.

On top of the shift brought on by the pandemic, Westhill’s pastor of twenty-two years retired. These circumstances led to an opportunity to sit and evaluate their priorities, and to refocus the mission of their church.

When Westhill received an email from CBWC alerting them of an opportunity to apply for the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery, they moved quickly to fill out the lengthy application with a unique vision in mind—to hire a third-party company to guide them in developing a “Strategy Map.” This map would clearly lay out their hopes and dreams, as well as mission statement and goals that their church would strive to follow and be held accountable to.

With funds from the grant, Westhill was able to hire Praxis Consulting who, over the course of a few months, held many spirit-led discussions, prayer meetings, and conversations. They talked with people from all parts of the church—from leadership down to the youngest children.

The process was very affirming––bathed in prayer and worship together. The congregation was fully engaged with God and each other as an expert guided them in meaningful conversations.

These meetings led to the development of a document which articulated their vision, mission, hope and dream for the world. They were then able to develop some deliverables, aspirations, and goals—as well as a tangible plan to achieve them.

“With God’s direction, we now have a 5-year strategy map that will inform, contextualize, and guide our ministry goals, priorities, programs, activities, and staffing. This is a very exciting time for our church, and we want to continue to transform lives, families, and our community in ever-increasing ways,” Pastor Tim Coleman shared.

One thing that came out of the sessions was a clear focus to reach the next generation. This desire led to a priority to hire a Next Gen ministries youth pastor, which was achieved.

The timing for a refocus was also unique for Westhill as they just celebrated their 100^th anniversary. As they reflected on this milestone, there was a lot of thoughtful discussion in what they want to lay as groundwork for those who will be here to celebrate the next 100 years.

Special note from Westhill Park Baptist Church:

The strategic planning initiative was funded by the Government of Canada’s
Community Services Recovery Fund. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a
$400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support community
service organizations, including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing
bodies, as they adapt and modernize their organizations.

We are grateful for this support in enabling us to put together our Strategy Map.

He Refreshes My Soul

Do you long to rest in the character of God, release the things of this world that we cling to, and reset our focus on the Kingdom of God? Then join us in this fourth devotional from Psalm 23, seeking to follow Christ’s invitation to each of us to enter His shalom. These reflections are adapted from Deb Judas’ book Cultivating Shalom and are used with permission.  

He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3) 

Rest. Drink. Restore. Repeat. The imagery the psalmist uses to describe the restoration of our souls opens up our imagination to the wonder of what rest could look like. 

It is stunningly beautiful. Will we allow ourselves to be led by our Shepherd, giving ourselves permission to stop for a while and receive a much-needed break from our schedules and the chaos of life?  

The purpose of spiritual disciplines is not as a means to control our sin. Their purpose is to help us open our hearts to God. This is not drudgery. It is freedom.  

To spend time with the Lord is to let your guard down and rest in Him. To sit in His presence without having to fill the silence, without having to accomplish something, and without having an agenda to bring to God is not only a soul thing—it’s also a heart, mind, and body thing. It is all interconnected. Our whole being longs to be filled with the shalom of God. We simply don’t always recognize our restlessness and discontent as a lack of resting in God’s presence. The connection between soul care and wellbeing is undeniable. 

Are you struggling to make decisions in life? Has feeling anxious become a way of life? Do you find yourself filled with negativity (critical of others, negative thinking, gossip, judgmental, tense and short tempered)? Do you have unexplained pain, headaches, or digestive issues? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by small and trivial things, or do you feel out of gas? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be your soul telling you it is in need—and not only your soul but also your heart, mind, and body. 

There is a collective fatigue and yearning for something more. There is a desire, whether conscious or not, to connect with God and people at a deeper level. And there is a longing to live at a pace that is sustainable and life-giving. For years, we have worn busyness as a badge of honor. Lately, though, there seems to be an underlying sadness attached to it. We feel trapped by our busyness. 

What will it take for us to exchange fast-paced productivity and efficiency for a slow, deep, and meaningful way of life? 

The truth of the matter is, it is a question of lordship. Who gets the final say on our health and well-being—the world or Jesus? As a shepherd tends to his sheep making sure all their needs are met, we too are invited to experience the same kind of care from the Lord. Are we willing to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, for the sake of His Name? 

By allowing ourselves to be guided by Him into the best places where will we grow and thrive, we will find the spiritual sustenance to strengthen our souls, enabling us to go out and participate with God in redeeming the whole earth. 

The Gospel is far more than merely “coming to Jesus” and securing our salvation. It is an invitation into the kingdom of God where there is no sacred and secular divide. Jesus is Lord of all, and when we submit to His lordship through righteousness and repentance, shalom is cultivated in us and the world around us. 

Righteousness cultivates shalom. As we allow the Lord to guide us along the path of righteousness, giving ourselves away to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we open the door to receive the abundant generosity of the Shepherd. We lack nothing. But we also become less fragile. Our relationship with Jesus is strengthened because we are building spiritual muscle. Rest and responsibility lead to renewal and righteousness. 

Repentance cultivates shalom by turning us back toward Jesus and giving us a fresh and renewed presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

Questions for Reflection 

• Where have you gotten off track from the path of righteousness?  
• What cultural voices are drowning out the voice of Jesus and work of the cross in your life? 
• What is going on in your soul?  
• Where do you see the Holy Spirit in this situation? Will you allow your Father in heaven to guide you back along the path of righteousness? To gather you to Himself and let the longing of your soul be met with His intimate love? 

As He heals and restores us, He is shaping and forming us into new creations in Christ. While we rest, we grow, becoming the people God both imagined and created us to be. 

This reflection is brought to you by CBWC’s Banff Pastors and Spouses GIVE and GO campaign, a clergy care initiative where your donation can make double the difference helping as many pastors as possible attend Banff Pastors and Spouses Conference this November. Learn more: cbwc.ca/clergycare