Category: Mountain Standard News

Mountain Standard Regional Newsletter 2019

Mountain Standard Regional Administrative Associate Changes

It is with significant regret that I say goodbye to my Administrative Associate, Sue Hunter. She continues to take chaplaincy training, but others have seen her talents in that role. She finishes her office work for the Region as of December 21st and is privileged to begin in an esteemed role as a full-time chaplain at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton in the New Year.  

Kathy and Sue

Sue has been excellent in her role, diligent with the plethora of responsibilities of the office, able to work on her own, and responsive both to the requests of our churches and the numerous ones that came from me. She has been a creative writer and has set up systems that will continue long after she leaves us. We wish her well in her new work, now joining an ever-growing list of chaplains serving in the public sphere but supplied and supported by the CBWC.

A new hire was found rather quickly in order to facilitate some crossover time with Sue.  Our new Administrative Associate is Kathleen (Kathy) Brown. Kathy has a Bachelor of Applied Information Systems & Technology degree from NAIT, a Masters of Divinity from Taylor Seminary, and is also in the chaplaincy training track. She has worked in business and in church ministries as well. One recent role she held was in the area of employment counselling. We welcome Kathy to the team of those serving the churches and ministers of the CBWC!

Please pray for Sue and for Kathy as these new adjustments are sure to be challenging for a season.

-Dennis Stone

Zion Baptist Church of Edmonton celebrating installation of solar panels

Nathan and Chelsey Friedt FBC Peace River at Banff

Faith Community Baptist Church in Claresholm -Induction of Joseph Steeves

How to Pray for the Mountain Standard Region

In your bulletin, please place a rotating list of CBWC churches from the Region among your listed prayer concerns.

  • Pray for the Regional Minister with regard to safety in travel and for wisdom and insight into the situations he faces.
  • Pray for our pastors: for authentic spirituality, for balancing responsibilities with their family’s needs, for an ability to build team and community, for tact and wisdom as needed, and for supportive collegial connections.

Hugh Fraser and Dennis Stone – Oilers fans

Jeffrey Cardejon of FCCC

Recent Mountain Standard Region Issues

  • Our Banff Pastors Conference was well received by all who attended. Our region brings the most attendants.
  • A church grieves over the suicide of one of their young people.
  • A rural church wrestles with the prospect of having satellite churches with other rural CBWC churches.
  • A few churches are wrestling with growth… lack of building, parking and staffing.
  • A few pastors are considering transitions.
  • Pincher Creek, Awaken, Fort Saskatchewan, and Braemar are seeking full-time lead pastors.
  • Longview Bible Fellowship and Filipino Community Christian Church of Calgary are continuing through latter stages of recognition as churches within the CBWC.
  • Technical issues: a phone reset, internet bandwidth, etc.
  • Credentialing, orientation, and ordination processing for pastors.

Regarding Developments of the Canada Summer Jobs Program

There have been changes from last year’s application limitations. To get an update, look at the following EFC statement of response.

Faith Community Baptist Church in Claresholm -Induction of Joseph Steeves

Stained glass cross at Leduc Community Baptist Church

Settlement Report

  • CBWC: Shelby Gregg stepped down from her position as Administrative Associate at the end of December.
  • John Estabrooks will be the interim minister at Awaken, Calgary.

This regional newsletter is published quarterly within the CBWC’s monthly newsletter, Making Connections. Have a story idea? Want to tell us how great we’re doing? Or how terribly? Email our editor Zoë: zducklow@cbwc.ca or the Heartland office: heartland@cbwc.ca

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Mountain Standard Regional Newsletter October 2018

A Dying Church Reborn

It was back in April 2016 when our Bonnie Doon Baptist Church in Edmonton decided to end services and pass their building on to the CBWC. The pastor and much of their small congregation were in their eighties at that point in time. A quick study shows the church’s rich 104-year history and recalls the influence of many highly regarded CBWC pastors and ministers in its wake. At the last meeting of the church, they appointed Dennis Stone, Sam Breakey, and Sue Hunter as trustees of the church.

The church building is situated in the French section of Edmonton. With a developing Haitian church in the area, there was a French-speaking congregation in need of a building, without the financial resources to obtain one. The CBWC does not wish to lose its inner city buildings because once they are gone, they are truly gone. Therefore, the CBWC board agreed to take a loan against the value of the building in order to make some necessary repairs. The CBWC would then rent the building out at a reasonable rate to the Haitian church and possibly another CBWC church plant in order to repay the loan. To date, the building has received a new roof, new windows, drainage work, and interior paint. Further repairs will mean new steps, new carpet, improved parking, and more.

Another significant step has also been completed. This new Haitian congregation has adopted the constitution of the existing Bonnie Doon Church. On September 8th Dennis, Sam, and Sue witnessed the church bring 52 new people into membership. The congregation is Haitian and French speaking. That night they appointed deacons and other officers to take over the functions of the church. They also appointed a new pastor, Jonas Seide (pronounced “saw-ee-de”). Dennis, Sue, and Sam were also voted out of their trustee positions as new ones were appointed.

Now this church on a Sunday morning has vibrant music, numerous kids, and excitement about the way forward. It is a church plant that has not had to take the tedious steps required to gain recognition by the CRA. It is now, in fact, part of the continuing story that is Bonnie Doon Baptist Church. Praise be to God!

FBC Calgary Manse Fire Rebuild

The manse at First Baptist in Calgary experienced a fire some months ago. As you will see in the accompanying pictures, it has now been newly refurbished. The manse will become the new office spaces for the church staff and will fulfill some other useful purposes. The rebuild maintains the classic and historical look of the building on the outside, but much of the inside also has the bold and sturdy wood look of the architectural period. Pictures show some of the CBWC Calgary ministerial looking through the facility, which is scheduled to open in just a few weeks.

MS OCT—Reconstruction 3 manse at first Calgary
MS OCT—Reconstruction 1 manse at first Calgary
MS OCT—Reconstruction 2 manse at first Calgary
MS OCT—Reconstruction 4 manse at first Calgary

Photos

Executive staff met for an annual retreat at Gull Lake in early September

This September, Clinton Pigeau started as Trinity Baptist’s new Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults in Sherwood Park, AB.

Dennis and Sue packed up their worldly belongings … well, the ones they had in their old office anyway… and moved to the Taylor Seminary campus as of July 1, 2018. Come visit Dennis in his new office!

Ministerial meetings: Central Cluster, Edmonton and Calgary

Settlement Report

To see open positions, visit our Careers page: https://cbwc.ca/careers/

New Hires
  • Rebecca Thornber, Minister of Discipleship and Community, FBC Vancouver, BC
  • Brian Munro, Senior Pastor, Kitimat First Baptist, BC
  • Brian Carnahan, Senior Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Sechelt, BC
  • Don Oddie, Interim Pastor, FBC Brandon, MB

This regional newsletter is published quarterly within the CBWC’s monthly newsletter, Making Connections. Have a story idea? Want to tell us how great we’re doing? Or how terribly? Email our editor Zoë: zducklow@cbwc.ca or the BCY office: bcarea@cbwc.ca

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Mountain Standard Regional Newsletter July 2018

No, I Don’t Agree with You, But …

In life we cannot go very many minutes without running up against someone who has an opinion contrary to our own. We might see it in the paper, hear it on the radio, watch it on the television, possibly absorb it from our kids, sense it in advertisements, or glean it from clerks at the store. The feeling of wanting to stop the world and set others straight is a common experience, especially when we feel like we are in touch with the heart of God.
I, too, have to cool myself down on minor or even major confrontations to my values. The verses of 1 Peter 3:15-16 have had special meaning to me lately. You may have it memorized, but hear it anew: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (NIV) Historically for me, I have placed these verses as a shield about me for when I feel formally attacked for my beliefs. It can certainly be applied that way, but more often in my spirit, I feel attacked by informal encroachments upon my values. I think there is something here for me in terms of how I handle myself in those moments.

The part that sticks out to me is: “…Do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.” If, in my spirit and attitude or words, I fight back hoping to dominate as though I have an argument to win, then I lose. I need first to have gentleness, respect, and a clear conscience. The verse says I am to be ready to give a reason, but it is not my duty to convince an opponent. My opponents are ultimately accountable to God themselves. If my words convince them of my position, I will indeed be pleased. But if my words are void of gentleness, respect and a clear conscience, then something is truly wrong. Dare I forget the challenge to “love your enemies”? The internal attitudes reflecting the fruit of the Spirit in the inevitable challenges of opponents speaks volumes for the Kingdom.  

Another challenge in these verses is to be sure our behaviour does not give others the privilege of slander against us or against the Lord Himself. The moments we feel challenged are the very times we need to breathe, pray, request the Spirit’s filling, then respond with godly attitude, and then think of what words God might give. The truth sets us free, but it does not set us free to release attitudes that reflect badly on His name or His work within us.

May God help us all to be known for shining forth “love, joy, peace, patience …”

Your co-worker, Dennis

Recommended Reading

It’s All Your Fault!: 12 Tips For Managing People Who Blame Others For Everything by Bill Eddy

This book comes recommended by Paul Spate and a friend of mine, Alan Simpson. It speaks about ‘high-conflict people.’ The book gives some practical guidelines on how to understand and approach this difficult type of personality. Everyone comes in contact with these personalities from time to time, but those in ministry can find them especially awkward to handle within a church context. You can read an excerpt here.   

-DS

Canadian Baptist denominational leaders (CBWC, CBOQ , CBAC, and L’Union d’Eglises Baptistes Francaises au Canada) met in Guelph in May 2018. One of the projects they are working on together is the development of a new Worship and Service Manual.

Coming Up: Alberta Women in Focus Retreat

October 12-14, 2018 Canmore, Alberta. Get more information and register here.

Bonnie Doon Baptist Church is undergoing a transformation. In addition to some renovations of the building (a new roof, flooring, etc.), a growing Haitian group is holding weekly Sunday services in Creole. Bonnie Doon is a French neighbourhood in Edmonton, AB. We’re thrilled to see the ministry of Christ thrive in this place.

We’ve Got a New Name!

As promised, in our April newsletter, our region has agreed on a new name. Thank you to many who submitted suggestions. As of now, we are no longer the Alberta and Northwest Territories Region. The CBWC Board approved our new name in April 2018: Mountain Standard Region. This name is now inclusive of our AB, BC, and NT churches. Our corresponding new email address for our Edmonton office is msregion@cbwc.ca. 

Speaking of the Edmonton office, we’ve also moved! As of July 1st you’ll find us on the Taylor Seminary campus. Our phone number remains the same: (780) 462-2176.

11525 – 23 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T6J 4T3

We are planning to host an open house sometime in September so you can drop by and see the new space. Stay tuned for the date.

Obituaries

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Faye Webber. She died suddenly on the afternoon of May 29. Faye had a passion for mentorship and was involved in various ministries including marriage retreats and worship leadership. She had been involved with the Alberta Regional Advisory Group and with Gull Lake Camp. Along with her husband, Bob (a former CBWC staff member), Faye was actively involved in her home church, Brownfield Baptist Church, AB. The funeral was held at Brownfield Community Centre on Monday, June 11.
John Easter passed away on Sunday, June 17 after battling cancer for quite some time. He is survived by his three children, Martha Jean, Ian and Elizabeth. Along with his late wife Martha (who passed away in January 2017), John was a missionary in India for 19 years. They worked at First Baptist Church in Victoria and then settled into retirement and served at Laurier Heights Baptist Church in Edmonton. John’s love for God and gregarious positivity will be remembered by all who knew him. The celebration of life was held on Tuesday, June 26 at Laurier Heights Baptist Church.

New Ministers Orientation

We had 23 participants this year for New Ministers Orientation (NMO) at the end of April. Each year we hold the NMO at Carey Theological College in Vancouver. It’s proven to be a helpful orientation, and in fact, it is required that all of our pastors and chaplains attend an NMO within the first few years of their ministry. 

It’s a 2-day orientation, with lots of interaction between staff and participants. CBWC covers the cost of transportation, accommodation and meals at Carey.

Brenda and Everett Budd (pastor, First Baptist Church, Peace River) celebrate the birth of their son David James Budd. Congratulations to the new parents!

Sam Breakey (CBWC Church Health Strategist) facilitates discussion Fort Saskatchewan Community Baptist Church. If your church is interested in participating in this initiative, please contact Sam at sbreakey@cbwc.ca.

Settlement Report

New Hires:

  • Joseph Steeves, Senior Pastor, Faith Community Baptist Church, Claresholm, AB
  • Dick Schonewille, Interim Pastor, Virden Baptist Church, MB

Moving on:

  • Bill Christieson, Senior Pastor, Awaken, Calgary, AB
  • Barry Breker, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Pincher Creek, AB
  • Paris Perry, Interim Pastor, Sonrise Community Baptist Church, Calgary, AB

Retiring:

  • Al McPhedran, Senior Pastor, Fort Saskatchewan Community Baptist Church, AB

Alberta Regional Newsletter April 2018

This is the April 2018 regional newsletter from Alberta & N.W.T. We’re trying out a new format, instead of sending a PDF via email. Let us know what you think! You can give feedback to editor, Zoë Ducklow, regional administrator Sue Hunter, or regional minster Dennis Stone.

Let us go out of our way to be encouragers

Baptists have many wonderful qualities, but our independent streak can breed a cynical attitude. We may surmise the music could be different, the sermon could be more electrifying, the coffee much stronger and the attendance better. Without realizing it, our internal thoughts become judgments on others: on the coffee brewer, on the people who don’t attend, or on the people leading the service.

I know I can judge with the best of them. In fact, it’s not that I can, but that I do. Certainly there are times to judge, but the trails that lead to gossip or a non-cooperative spirit are easy to enter.

So last Sunday I sat through church and thought the music was excellent and the sermon was top notch—and I kept those thoughts to myself. Perhaps I perceive that these individuals are merely doing their job and they ought not to do less. Perhaps I quietly understand that they know they have done well with their gifts. But what, in fact, happens to me if I am quiet?

Hebrews 3:13 states, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Wow, encouragement helps resist sin’s deceitfulness!

At our recent Gull Lake Ministers Retreat, we had Joel Thiessen share with us statistics about how evangelicals are perceived by others. I gathered from what he presented, that we are generally thought of as judgmental, difficult, and unpleasant people. It was pointed out that those who declare themselves of no religion have the least interest, among other main religious groups, in evangelicals. My conclusion is that we are seen as the most judgmental.

Jesus “grew in favour with God and men/mankind/people.” Why is his church seen as a people from whom you keep your distance? Even the story of the woman at the well started with a positive, “You are right when you say you have no husband.” Why is it that people would so often look at evangelicals as negative and unfriendly? Yes, we have to discern and judge certain things, but our tendency is to “speak the truth” rather than “speak the truth in love”.

How we deal with people outside the church will take work, but let us start within the church. Let us go out of our way to be encouragers. When people take responsibilities, when they step up and speak or sing publicly, when time has been taken to prepare a message—all of these actions are worthy of our thanks and encouragement.

Let us be swift to listen and slow to speak. Let us listen for the heart of God. I think if we take time to encourage, God doesn’t just do a ministry to those we speak to; He does a work in us. Let’s seek that work too!

Your co-worker in Christ,

 

Dennis Stone, CBWC Alberta Regional Minister and Settlement Coordinator

dstone@cbwc.ca 

Follow Dennis on Twitter @Rockpileca or on his blog www.rockpileca.wordpress.com 

Rare and special time of connection at the Gull Lake Ministers Retreat

The annual Gull Lake Ministers Retreat was held February 5-7, 2018. On the first afternoon, Paul Spate led a number of people through a time of spiritual reflection. Our guest speaker was Joel Thiessen, a Christian sociologist at Ambrose with a long relationship with the CBWC. It was also a privilege to have our new Executive Minister, Rob Ogilvie, join us for two sessions. Activities included floor hockey (of course), ice hockey, table games, snowshoeing, and a few of us went out to a movie one night.

The privilege of this collegial connection is rare and special. Although our numbers were normal, let me speak candidly to those who chose not to come: this annual event is an elective, to be sure, but your absence means that your colleagues miss gleaning who you are and what you offer. True, those in the city have greater access to training and retreat events, but this unique event grants you opportunity to give of yourself to others. Some wrestle in ministry and some do not, but this time together provides us with a bonding opportunity. This is a place you can come and give encouragement and prayer with others travelling a similar road. You and your ministry experience and gifts were missed. I warmly invite you to consider joining us next year.

-Dennis Stone

New Church Joining CBWC

It is a privilege to be in dialogue with a church in Longview, Alberta that has expressed an intent to join the CBWC. It was once a Canadian Sunday School Mission church, and the CSSM churches later came under the canopy of One Hope Canada. With the blessing of One Hope, several of these churches are now affiliating elsewhere.

Longview is an hour south of Calgary in a beautiful spot near the mountains with plentiful fishing in Kananaskis country. Pastor Gilbert Kidd, formerly from the CBOQ, is semi-retired but 100% engaged in the Lord’s work. He and his wife Andrea are very gifted musically. Gil and his church family have already organized much of what the church needs for CRA recognition. Gil is looking ahead at whomever may be the next pastor of the church to take them to a new level of positive outreach in this region.

Occasionally churches look at affiliating with the CBWC because of our protocols, our practices, our resources, our beliefs and our history. Please pray for this church and others that enter this process.

Changes in the Alberta Region

We’re changing our name! Our office lease us up at the end of May, so we’re looking for a new space. Since this means we’ll have to get new stationary & signage, it’s also a good time to rename the Alberta and Northwest Territories Region to something shorter and that will be more inclusive of our east-of-the-Rockies B.C. churches.

Many of you submitted suggestions for this name change and you’ve been entered into a draw for a $50 Tim Horton’s card. Some of your more creative ideas were: “Western Canadian Middle of Western Canada for the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada Region” (WCMWCCBWCR for short), “The West of Us for the Rest of Us Region”, the “Too Big to be Named Region”, “God’s Country Region” (because Heaven is already taken), and the “Stoney Region” (named after Dennis Stone, though the timing is somewhat premature for a memorial designation!).

The CBWC board will choose the name shortly and we’ll let you know the results!

Photos Left-Right:

  • Israel: On the edge of the cliff site in Nazareth where an attempt was made to throw Jesus off. Mt. Tabor, the site of the transfiguration, is the hill in the background. Jeff Logan (Southgate Community, Calgary), Jodi Spargur (Healing at the Wounding Place), and Jason Johnson (High River Baptist) were part of a group who travelled to Israel in February to study the Holy Land. Jason Johnson led the group on a tour ranging from northern Golan Heights to as far south as the Ein-Gedi desert, bordering the Negev. “Much of our time was spent surveying the region around Jerusalem and Mt. Zion. It was a joy to fellowship and see scripture come to life as we shared in this as a small community of pilgrims. The next trip is tentatively targeted for the winter of 2020.  For any CBWC pastors or ministry workers who would like to be a part of the team, a limited number of discount clergy rates will likely be offered.”
  • Cluster Calgary: Pastors near Calgary met in March for a regular ministerial meeting with Dennis Stone.
  • Cluster south: Pastors in the southern area gather for a regular ministerial meeting with Dennis Stone.

 April Settlements 

Some extra news:  Former CBWC Executive Minister Jeremy Bell was appointed the General Secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship (a regional organization for the Baptist World Alliance) in January. Congratulations Jeremy!

test test

Dean Eisner is the new Interim Minister at Braemar Baptist Church

Gord King is the new Interim Pastor of Community Outreach at Westview Baptist Church in Calgary

Alberta

New Alberta Pastors:

  • Dean Eisner, Interim Lead Minister, Braemar Baptist Church, Edmonton
  • Sarah Wipf, Interim Worship Leader, Westview Baptist Church, Calgary
  • Gordon King, Interim Pastor of Community Outreach, Westview Baptist Church, Calgary
  • Natalie Wong, Children and Family Ministry Leader, Crescent Heights Baptist, Calgary
  • Josh Goetz, Lead Pastor, Charlie Lake Community

Moving on in Alberta

  • Amanda Strain, Children’s Minister, FBC Edmonton
  • David Reed, Interim Pastor, Community Baptist, Cold Lake
  • Cliff Gonzales, Lead Pastor, Greenhills Christian Fellowship, Calgary

Retiring in Alberta

  • George Neily, Chaplain, High River Hospital
  • Geri Redekop, Senior Pastor, Braemar Baptist, Edmonton

Available positions in Alberta

  • Trinity Baptist, Sherwood Park, Youth Pastor
  • Braemar Baptist, Edmonton, Senior Pastor
  • Sonrise Community Baptist, Calgary, Senior Pastor

Heartland

New Heartland Pastors

  • Mat Lortie, Lead Pastor, Willowlake Baptist, Winnipeg
  • Noel Dwarika, Pastor, Faith Community Baptist, Souris

Moving on in the Heartland

  • Dwight Holditch, Interim Minister, FBC Brandon
  • Dean Lentini, Pastor, Fairmont Baptist, Saskatoon

Available positions in the Heartland Region

  • Asquith Baptist, Senior Pastor
  • FBC Prince Albert, Lead Pastor
  • FBC Brandon, Lead Pastor
  • FBC Moose Jaw, Senior Pastor
  • Strathclair Baptist, Pastor
  • FBC Portage la Prairie, Pastor

BCY

New BCY Pastors:

  • Gordon Patterson, Interim Associate, FBC Nanaimo
  • Ted Veal, Interim Minister, Kitimat First Baptist
  • Clark Taylor, Co-Pastor, FBC Penticton
  • Les Clark, Co-Pastor, FBC Penticton
  • Axel Schoeber, Lead Pastor, West Vancouver Baptist
  • Doris Kung-Poon, Associate Pastor, Trinity Baptist, Vancouver

Moving on in BCY

  • Jeremy Bell, Interim Minister, Kitsilano Christian Community
  • Randy Baker, Associate Pastor, FBC Nanaimo
  • Shane Wiebe, Lead Pastor, Southwest Community Baptist, Kamloops
  • Keith Boschman, Outreach and Evangelism Pastor, FBC Vancouver

Available positions in the BCY Region (with active search committees)

  • Southwest Community Baptist, Kamloops, Provisional Pastor
  • FBC Vancouver, Senior Pastor
  • Joy Fellowship, Vancouver, Pastor of Women’s Ministries
  • Grace Community Baptist, Vancouver, Associate Pastor for English Ministry
  • Kitsilano Christian Community, Vancouver, Senior Minister
  • Kitimat First Baptist, Senior Pastor

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Bill Toller

flower #5September 1 — It is with sadness we announce the death of Rev. William (Bill) Ernest James Toller on Aug 19, 2016.

Bill was married to Gwen and had four children, Gerry, Anne, Jim, and Rob. He was pastor for over 50 years in various churches including 3 small churches in rural Quebec, Clive Baptist Church in Clive, and Zion Baptist Church of Kensington in Edmonton.

Bill was a warm and friendly pastor, always ready to greet you with a handshake, a smile, and a pun. He loved people and was gifted with a generous sense of hospitality. Bill also loved the Lord and enjoyed teaching from the Bible. He led a vibrant Bible study for many years. Bill was deeply loved by Zion Baptist Church and will be missed.

Please pray for Bill’s family and friends during this time of loss.

Brian Stelck

crocusflowersAugust 20, 2016 — It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of our dear friend and Past President Rev. Dr. Brian Stelck.

Carey Theological College, Institute and Centre was led by Brian’s vision and care from 1994 – 2013.

There will be two memorial services. The first will be held in Edmonton, Alberta at First Baptist Church on Friday August 26th at 12 noon. The Vancouver memorial service will be held at Olivet Baptist Church 613 Queens Ave, New Westminster, BC on Wednesday, September 7th, 2016 at 10 a.m..

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Olivet Baptist Church information:

http://www.olivet.bc.ca

http://www.carey-edu.ca

Please remember Brian’s wife Caryn, his family and his friends in prayer during this time of loss.

Fort McMurray Relief Fund

The CBWC is working with Canadian Baptist Ministries to provide immediate emergency relief and assistance on the ground in Fort McMurray, Alberta.  Together, we are working with the Salvation Army, the local Fellowship Baptist Church in Fort McMurray, and others supporting evacuees.

The unpredictability of the wildfires that began this past Tuesday have led the province of Alberta to call a state of emergency, and all of its 80,000 residents have been forced to flee with the fires having burned through about 85,000 hectares of land already.  Mass convoys and airlifts are now getting thousands of evacuees to safety further south.

We continue to pray for the safety of all those impacted by the fire, who have lost their lands, homes and communities, as well as for all the emergency personnel on the ground, including the fire crews, military, RCMP officers, EMS workers, and all those who are working tirelessly to control the fires and keep residents safe.

Make a donation to the Fort McMurray relief effort in Alberta today. Your donations will automatically be designated to help people in need during this crisis. We thank you for your crucial support in caring for those in need in times of emergency.

Donate Now

Joint CBWC/CBM Facebook Page

 

Fort McMurray Crisis Relief

Late Wednesday, May 4, the province of Alberta declared a state of emergency as wildfires have completely consumed Fort McMurray, an urban service area in northeast Alberta that is surrounded by boreal forest, in the middle of the Athabasca oil sands. 

All 80,000 residents have been forced to flee, with more than 1,110 firefighters, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 air tankers being used to battle the flames, according to CTV News.  The fires have burned through about 85,000 hectares of land so far, and the unpredictability of its path and the weather have sent the displaced to communities of Anzac, Lac La Biche, Edmonton, and some as far as Calgary. As evacuees try to flee in the midst of crawling highway traffic, fuel and food is becoming scarce, leaving cars stranded. We thank God that there have been no reports of fire-related injuries or deaths.  Many evacuees are now being airlifted or sent by convoy to new locations in the south for their safety and long-term accommodation.

The CBWC is working with Canadian Baptist Ministries  to provide immediate emergency relief and assistance on the ground in Fort McMurray, Alberta, working with the Salvation Army, the local Fellowship Baptist Church in Fort McMurray, and other churches and individuals that are in our network that are supporting those who have left the city.  

We continue to pray for the safety of all those impacted by the fire, who have lost their homes and communities, as well as for all the emergency personnel on the ground, including the fire crews, military, RCMP officers, EMS workers, and all those who are working tirelessly to control the fires and keep residents safe. 

MAKE A DONATION to the Fort McMurray relief effort in Alberta today. Your donations will automatically be designated to help people in need during this crisis. We thank you for your crucial support in caring for those in need in times of emergency.

David Holte

Flower #6May 4 — The CBWC was saddened to learn of the passing of David Holte, a long-time member of Bonavista Baptist in Calgary and former member of both the CBWC’s Board and the Board of the CBWC Foundation, on April 29.

David graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1968 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration. He was hired by Proctor and Gamble in Toronto and acquired his MBA in 1972 from York University. In 1973 Proctor and Gamble moved him to head office in Cincinnati  for two years. In 1975 the company moved him (and his wife Mary and daughter Merydth) to Helsinki, Finland where he was VP Finance. Whilst in Finland David and Mary both became active in establishing what today is known as the International Evangelical Church of Finland.  After three years in Finland he was transferred back to Toronto where after a year he was head hunted and moved to Brantford, Ontario to become the VP Finance and Secretary- Treasurer of S.C. Johnson and Son (Johnson’s Wax). He was with them for ten years. While in Brantford, the family attended Queensway Baptist Church.

He was then head-hunted again and in 1988 the family moved to Calgary Alberta where he became the VP Finance of Palm Dairies. Eventually he met his long time business partner, Brian Foster, who is now the president/director of Operation Eyesight in Calgary. He and Brian established  their own business and for 12 or so years ran Murray Axsmith Western. They eventually sold the business and Dave spent the last ten years of his working life coaching CEO’s. In 2009, he and Mary retired and moved to Vancouver Island.

David became a Christian during his university years and and served the Lord with his whole heart since he was baptized in 1963.   The family attended Bonavista Baptist from the moment they moved to Calgary.  He was a much loved member there and served as an Elder and Chair of the board for quite a few terms. Together with Mary, his wife of 50 years, he was active in the Alpha program.   He also served on the board of Trinity Lodge, the Alberta Executive and the CBWC Foundation for many years.  We would also like to thank Mary for her dedication as a long-time member of Women in Focus who was instrumental in developing the Gifted and Called workshops.

Since moving to the Nanaimo area of Vancouver Island, David and Mary have been actively involved in St. Mary’s Anglican Church. David often advised the Parish Council and was Envelope Secretary for seven years. Mary is  currently the People’s Warden.

David was a gentle man with many gifts least among them his wisdom and his ability to vision long term. He was an incredible mentor to those both in the church and many in the business community. Throughout David’s long life, the Lord was able to do much through David, His willing servant.

The CBWC’s Executive Director, Jeremy Bell, recalls David as “a lovely man and a valued, wise and kind presence”.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 2600 Powder Point Road on May 24th at 11 am.

David was much loved and will be much missed.  We are deeply grateful for his service to God and His people.  Please remember David’s family in your prayers during this difficult time.