Hopefully Making Connections
By Mark Doerksen
I grew up in a farming community, and prefer green coloured machinery, based purely on nostalgia. My dad and his brother owned a John Deere 4020 in the early 70’s (and a brother of mine owned one too), so that admittedly influenced me. Negatively, some might suggest.
Nevertheless, I am interested in agriculture—in all sorts of it. I am interested in conversations around Community Supported Agriculture. I am interested in large grain farms, and how that works. I am interested in what people plant in their gardens, and I look forward to planting season coming up in Manitoba. Mary and I have taken to raised garden beds. We appreciate the process of growing our own food. We’re not good at canning but would suggest that there is nothing better than a sun-kissed tomato, ripened on the vine.
In the Heartland, as you might imagine, there are a variety of expressions of agricultural interests. If you go to Asquith, SK, you might find people in that congregation who are well versed in Massey Ferguson equipment. If you head to Moose Jaw or Ormiston, you’ll find people who are involved in the production of beef. Some folks in Dauphin also have a long history of working with cattle. Broadway First Baptist has done some work in planting a community garden.
So, with all these expressions of agriculture, you might not be surprised to discover that there are all sorts of opinions about things like soil conditions, plant care, weed control, and so forth. I truly am grateful for opportunities to talk about such matters, and especially so when the people I speak with help me understand their contexts, concerns, and practices.
In addition to this interest, I am also engaged in reading theologically about stewardship. Trust me, some of the material is difficult to read! One fellow I read suggested that every lawn should be turned to a vegetable growing area. I was ‘offended’. I like to use my John Deere JS28 to mow in straight lines, altering the pattern each time, and I’ve even attached a homemade striping kit to it. Turns out I may have a problem, but I do come by it honestly.
All this to say two things. First, springtime planting season is upon us, and echoes of Ecclesiastes 3 are in mind here. I am grateful for the changing seasons and was ready to trade in winter for spring some time ago now. Second, how does faith inform whatever agricultural practices we participate in? What does it mean to steward our animals well? What differentiates a Christian grain farmer from others? What does it mean to understand stewardship in our own backyards? Is there a theological reason we might hang a planter from our urban apartment balcony and maybe grow a few vegetables?
I readily admit that I am naive about a lot of this. I’m trying to learn more; through books, resources at the JMN website, conversations, and farm tours. I am also hopeful; hopeful that I can make some changes personally to better understand stewardship and care for the resources that I am responsible for. I look forward to connecting with others who want to continue this conversation.
The Peace of Christ,
Mark
The Hand of God over a Lifetime
Personal testimony from Swift Current, SK
Greetings! My name is Karie Godthjaelpsen. I am the Children’s and Family Ministries Director for Community Baptist Church in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
I was born into a Christian home in 1966. We lived in a small rural farming community called Riverhurst, SK–which is approx. 50 km from Swift Current. My family moved to Saskatoon when I was 7 years old, for my dad to pursue a career in heavy-duty mechanics. My mom was an elementary school secretary. After we moved to Saskatoon, we began attending a small Baptist church called Emmanuel Baptist Church, which sat a block around the corner from our home. I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was 9, during VBS in 1975.
That church became our permanent church family, and the relationships from that congregation have continued for more than 50 years (even though the church outgrew its original building and eventually built a new facility further away from our home). I was baptized in the new church in 1979.
I was an active teenager and was always involved in Sunday school and youth group. I spent a couple of summers as a camp counselor at Christopher Lake Baptist Camp. After high school graduation, I set off to attend Carleton University in Ottawa, ON in hopes of becoming a journalist. Unfortunately, those dreams didn’t come to fruition, and I returned home to Saskatoon in 1989 to work as an international chemical buyer for a large, worldwide chemical company. I spent over 15 years working for that company. I wasn’t living a very godly life during that time, and I became pregnant with my first son who arrived in November 1990. I married his dad the following spring in May of 1991. My second son arrived in July of 1993. In 1996, I divorced my husband after living through a physically abusive and violent relationship with him (for which he was incarcerated). Although I wasn’t pursuing my relationship with God at that time, I knew God was pursuing me! Today, my favourite painting is the one of Jesus running after that lost, dirty lamb…
In 2007, I had an opportunity to move to Swift Current and work as a purchaser for a farm implement manufacturer. I was anxious to leave Saskatoon as it didn’t feel like I belonged there, and I didn’t like city living. I had recently started seeing a coworker (Chris), whom I’d known for many years, and I was unsure if he would be interested in moving to Swift Current. Still, I was ready to move and so I did. Chris did eventually join me in Swift Current, and we married in 2009. Upon arrival in Swift Current, I felt Jesus calling me more strongly than ever. I felt Him leading me back to my faith, and it was during this time that I began attending Community Baptist Church. Chris started attending as well. He accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized in 2008. I joined the mission’s team, became active in our church and was invited to speak on occasion. I discovered my love for public speaking during this time. I know that’s weird because most people are terrified of doing that, but for whatever reason, it has come natural to me. God opened this door for me by enabling me to speak His truth and offer His love to others using my personal testimony and experiences.
In 2012, Chris and I decided to move to BC thinking we would enjoy our retirement there. We purchased a property, but our kids rarely came to visit due to travel costs and time availability. We finally came to our senses in 2021, sold the property, and moved back to Swift Current where our kids and grandkids live. We came home to Community Baptist Church as well.
PRESENT:
Fast forward to the present…our boxes were barely unpacked before our church moderator approached me about filling the Christian Education Team Leader position on church council. At first, I was a bit apprehensive because it involved overseeing Sunday school etc., and I felt inexperienced in that area. But God nudged me, and I accepted the position. I worked hard on developing Sunday school curriculum, putting volunteer schedules together, coordinating VBS and teaching Sunday school. I worked in this position as a volunteer for 2 years until the opportunity to apply for the Children’s and Family Ministry Director position came up. I applied for it and the church voted in favour. On August 1st, 2024, it became my new, part-time job.
I also sit on an active working board of directors for our affiliate church camp, Admiral Family Bible Camp, and I spend one week there every summer teaching lessons to junior youth and senior youth. This past January, I started up our church youth group, which hasn’t been in place since 2014. We have 5 regular teens, sometimes as many as 12, every Thursday evening.
In January 2025, I started my “other part-time job” with the Swift Current Ministerial as the Community Resource Coordinator for the “People at Risk” (PAR) Project. This project is in the infancy stages of eventually establishing a transition house for homeless male individuals 19+ years in Swift Current. I have spent the past 3 months doing research on homelessness—interviewing agencies involved in outreach programs and developing friendships/trust with some of our local homeless individuals.
In conclusion, I can say God has blessed me beyond belief! I never thought in a million years that I would be working in not only one, but TWO purpose-driven jobs that are helping to further the kingdom of God!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
This regional newsletter is published quarterly within the CBWC’s monthly newsletter, Making Connections. Have a story idea? Email our senior writer, Hannah Hamm: hhamm@cbwc.ca