It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us in the Heartland Office by means of newsletter. I do want to catch you up on some of what we’ve been up to, as the past while has been a season of transition for the CBWC.
Rob Ogilvie is our new Executive Minister, and I’ve enjoyed working with him in this new arrangement. As part of his leadership in this new role, Rob encouraged people in our family of churches to pray. This time of prayer was focused, and people from all across the denomination, including staff and board, were part of it. The Board, along with Rob, are distilling the main themes from the season of prayer, and our work together moving forward will be rooted in these themes.
In the fall, as many of you know, Jenn Gurel stepped down from her position as administrator in the Heartland Regional Office. Cindy has taken on the responsibilities, and in the process we have moved the office from our Rae Street location into an office at Argyle Road Baptist Church. This means I still get to see Jenn, as she works part-time at the church. This is a cost savings for the denomination, and Cindy is enjoying the office space, so I think the move has made sense for everyone involved. I’m grateful to Argyle Road Baptist Church for their willingness to work with us in this.
We continue to travel down the road of reconciliation as we partner with local churches in hosting Indigenous seminars. In the fall we partnered with CBM in having two events, one in Regina and one in Saskatoon. In March, Dauphin hosted an event, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner in these ways, working towards gaining further understanding.
Our Heartland Pastor and Spouse’s Retreat was once again held in Russell, Manitoba, with attendance being very strong. We were pleased to have Rob and Sarah Patterson lead us for our time together, and it was good to worship, eat, curl, play board games, and so forth. If you haven’t attended this retreat, please consider doing so.
There has also been lots of transition in our churches within the Heartland, as churches seek pastors and pastors seek positions. I want to thank the churches that are in an interim period right now, as many of these churches are resourceful in ensuring that ministry continues and that the needs of the congregations are met. As you well know, finding the right minister for the right congregation is very important work, and I’d appreciate your prayers for these churches and pastors who are seeking positions as well.
I continue to try and find ways to connect with pastors and churches. This includes attending ministerial gatherings, and visiting churches and pastors individually. In Winnipeg, we continue to have Leadership Forums, and I’m grateful to Filipino Evangelical for hosting such events. In June, Rob Ogilvie and Colin Godwin will join me for connecting BBQ events in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Regina. Please plan to attend if you are able.
Grace and Peace, and praying for you and your churches.
Mark Doerksen
Meet Pastor Tim Coleman
Reverend Timothy A. Coleman is the Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries at Westhill Park Baptist Church where he has been part of the pastoral team since August 2016. Prior to that position, he was the associate pastor and later, the solo Pastor at Kitimat First Baptist Church, a small coastal town in British Columbia where he served for nine years. He’s also served as a Youth, Adult and Associate Pastor in Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Bristol in the UK and in East Africa.
Pastor Tim is married to Ragnhild and they have two daughters and a son: Erin (8), her younger sister Charlotte (5) and Philip (3). Tim is a civil engineer who grew up in Uganda as the oldest of eight children. Following his call to ministry, he lived and pastored in England where he pursued theological training at London Institute of Contemporary Christianity in London, UK. He then graduated with a Bachelors of Ministry degree from St. Stephen’s University, NB and later completed a Masters of Divinity Degree through Carey Theological College, B.C.
My names – why those names? Timothy Atuhaire Coleman. There are different ways we name in Uganda due to the influence of British colonization and the East African Revival from 1929 to the 1940s. People either have all English names, all African names, or a mix of both. My middle name is my family name and it’s not my father’s last name and neither do any of my siblings have the same family or last name. Atuhaire means ‘God’s grace and generosity.’
My wife: Ragnhild is a homemaker and also runs a hair product business. She loves connecting with people, is a great host and has a passion for the disenfranchised. She shares with me in the ministry at Westhill Park Baptist church as a Children’s Ministry volunteer and leads a weekly women’s small group study. However, she would tell you that her real passion is advocacy to end human trafficking. She enjoys the big prairie skies and the spectacular sunsets. She enjoys gardening, travel, good coffee, friends and board games.
Conversion: As someone famously said, “Life is what happens as you’re busy making plans.” That is more than a truism in my life. Like many, I thought I had my life all mapped out until I ran into God. God didn’t alter my plan, He welcomed me into His—a better one. It was the beginning of a major dismantling of my independence, religious strongholds in my family of origin, a major confrontation at my Catholic high school, a strange call into pastoral ministry, a radical change of career, being exiled from my home, and over 20 years of missionary work in Europe and North America.
Duties: I oversee the Adult Ministries, Marriage & Family support, Discipleship & Small Group Ministry, Newcomers Ministry; supervise some non-pastoral staff; coordinate our missions ministries & partnerships; give direction to our Sunday morning coffee & learn classes; preach occasionally as well as help design & lead our Sunday morning worship among other pastoral care and administrative duties. I love my work and enjoy being part of the team of professional, godly and passionate men and women I work with.
Hobbies: I thrive on spending time with my family, playing team sports, the outdoors, overseas travel, playing scrabble, jazz music, art galleries, golfing & fishing. I love reading & debating theology, teaching the bible & playing the piano. I enjoy intercessory prayer, justice & mercy ministries (missions), and desire to disciple and equip the church to fulfill its worldwide mission.
Rough Riders Super-fan? Still working on it. One of my personal rules is that I have to reside in a province for at least 5 years before I adopt another team. I have lived here for two years. So ask me again in 2021 and we’ll see!
Life verse: Philippians 3:13b-14: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Interview with camp intern, Annika Scheelar
When Pelican Lake Baptist Camp was sold in 2010, the money was earmarked to help Manitoba youth participate in camp leadership programs. Annika Scheelar has been a part of Willowlake Baptist Church her entire life, and last summer she applied for the Camp Leadership grant, which is offered by the Heartland Area Resource Team. She got the grant and spent four weeks in a leadership program at Camp Arnes on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I am capable of things that I didn’t think I could do. For example, during the first week of Ignite, we did a week-long canoe trip and it rained the whole first day. At certain points I wasn’t sure I could keep paddling, because I was so tired and sore. We had been paddling for hours, but we eventually reached our campsite—soaking wet, yet safe.
What did you learn about God?
I learned that you can see God in everything and everyone, that sometimes you just have to look a little closer. During the canoe trip I saw God everywhere in nature. Throughout the whole four weeks I constantly saw God in the people around me. Everyone in my group and the camp staff were so welcoming, so full of God-given joy and love for the Lord. It inspired me so much and made me, and still continues to make me want to be a better Christian.
How do you see yourself serving at your church once the summer is through?
Once summer is over I would love to be more active in helping with Sunday school and kids programs at church. I have helped in the past but after the Ignite program and shadowing a cabin leader in the final week, I know I want to do more.
Thank you for this opportunity!
Annika Scheelar
Dates
Join us this summer for BBQs with CBWC Executive Minister Rob Ogilvie, and Carey Theological College President Colin Godwin.
