Upcoming Events in 2024!

As we each enter into a new year, we step into fresh opportunities for growth, change, relationship, and mission. Below are dates to be aware of that represent the ongoing work of the CBWC in cultivating leaders for effective ministry through retreats, training, and ordination—investing in relationship through group gatherings and events, and engaging in mission with SERVE, camping ministry, evangelism resources, and ongoing support for refugees. 

• TFTO Book Club- Jan 3 at 6 p.m. PST– We will be discussing How to Read the Bible in Changing Times: Understanding and Applying God’s Word Today by Mark L. Strauss. For more info visit www.cbwc.ca/ordinary 
• MasterClass January 16, 2024: Sharing Faith with Children and Youth cbwc.ca/masterclasses 
• Alberta Regional Retreat Feb 5-7  
• Heartland Regional Retreat Feb 5-7 
• Ordination prep workshop February 27-29 
• Save the Date: Online Assembly May 16 
• Ordination Examining Council May 13-14 in Calgary 
• New Minister’s Orientation May 14-16 in Calgary 
• BCY Pastors and Spouses Retreat June 13-14 
• BC Convention June 14-15 
• CBWC Board Meetings: January 19 online, April 18-20 in Calgary 
• Registration open for SERVE 2024! June 30-July 6 in Prince Albert 
• Many of our camps have Registration opening for summer, so don’t miss the chance to send your kids for an unforgettable experience. 
• Banff Pastors and Spouses Retreat 2024: Nov 11-14 

Light in the Darkness

By Jenna Hanger

This past month, there seems to be a theme emerging. Various conversations with friends and devotional blogs have all pointed to the phrase “light in the darkness.” The season we are in, of course, is an obvious reason. The physical darkness of winter cutting our daylight short and bringing a coldness whistling against our houses is hard to ignore. Sanctuary Mental Health recently reflected on the effect of winter in their blog written by Rachel Watson, about the darkest night of the year (Dec.21).

For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, these are cold and dark days. Today—December 21—is the darkest of them all.


I have a sort of desperate energy as I search for little glimpses of light wherever I can find them, watching out my window for pockets of sun between the clouds. But by 4:00pm, I’m mid-work project and the sun has already slipped out of my grasp, yet again. I usually resolve to white-knuckle my way through winter, closing my eyes tight until someone taps me on the shoulder to tell me that the summer months of lingering warm light have returned.


For some, these feelings are intensified due to a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The experience of less daylight, among other things, can contribute to chemical changes in the brain throughout the winter months. Perhaps your lived experience has been lumped into the general “winter blues” category, or perhaps it hasn’t been acknowledged as legitimate. This can increase the difficulty of navigating through this season.

Author Katherine May, who wrote the book Wintering, has been my personal guide as I have been learning to make my way through the dark winter months. In her book, she describes the importance of acknowledging winter as a way to equip ourselves with the tools we need to prepare for it.


“I recognized winter. I saw it coming, and I looked it in the eye. I greeted it and let it in,” she writes. “When I started feeling the drag of winter, I began to treat myself like a favored child; with kindness and love. I assumed my needs were reasonable and that my feelings were signals of  something important.”


What if instead of blocking out my current reality, I was more able to do as May suggests? What if I looked winter straight in the eyes and welcomed it in? After all, it is a gift that we can see it coming and that it can be named and marked in our calendars. We feel the natural evolution of warm to cool to cold air on our skin each day. We can use these calendar and sensory markers as a way to acknowledge our reality, prepare physically and spiritually, and care for ourselves in a difficult season.


In the early days of dating my (now) husband, we’d go for winter walks. I would show up in tennis shoes, a jacket, no hat, and shiver my way through our conversation while trying to dodge large patches of snow that could easily turn my toes to icicles. His bewilderment at my lack of preparation for winter became a form of light teasing between the two of us. But each year, he would encourage me to invest in one item that would keep me a little warmer than the last. A decade later, I have built up a solid collection of items that keep me toasty on these winter walks we still take together.


My improved wardrobe has not magically solved all my challenges with winter, though I wish that was the case. But coming to terms with the seasonal changes happening around me signaled that my physical needs were important. I began to prepare my way through winter. 
(To read the full blog click HERE)

Expanding past the physical darkness, there also seems to be a heavy feeling for many people; an uncertainty of the future, and depression watching the bleak newscasts featuring war and death. Dividers that developed through the pandemic still affect relationships and, in our own CBWC family, there have been changes that have been significant.

In one of our communication meetings, Louanne shared a devotional she read in the advent season about a family who was out camping. In the night, the mother had to take her young son to the washroom. They had to walk a little way to get there, and she was worried he would be scared of the deep darkness of the wilderness. But, instead of being afraid, the little boy looked up and was in complete awe of what he saw. The stars. Amid the darkness, there was beauty to be found—shining across the darkness on breathtaking display.

This story stuck with me because it is a perfect example of how God works. In times of seemingly bleakness, God shines through. He uses everything for the good of those who love Him. When I think about significant times in my faith journey––when God has shown up the most, taught me the most, or humbled me the most—it was in perceived dark times. There truly is beauty to be found when we are in the valleys of our lives.

If you are going through a hard time, struggling with SAD, or other mental health issues, know that you are not alone. There are resources to help.

If you have embraced this season with joy, you have a different challenge—how to help others who might need a lift. Look at those around you and ask God how you can be a blessing.

 Partner Spotlight: HopeHill

April is the cruelest month…

The above words are oft quoted from T.S. Eliot’s poem, “The Waste Land.” I’ve lived on the prairies for half of my adult life and used to quote the phrase regularly during the month of April. Snow or sunshine today? Rain or ice? Running shoes or snowshoes? Jean jacket or down parka? Any hint or sign of green? None, just more brown. It can be a cruel month.

For seniors, especially those past 80, the cruelest months can be January to mid-February. Mortality rates for people in their 80s is 16% higher during these months than any other time of the year. Psychologically, the will to live for and to Christmas is so strong that the energy to go much beyond that peters out. It’s not usually to disease or disaster that people succumb; it’s exhaustion.

I don’t know that there are a lot of preventative measures for this fact. But there are pastoral measures. When you are dealing with a senior person in your life, there is no guarantee they’ll be with us in a month’s time. How would you treat someone today if you knew they would be gone before the next calendar month comes? When you gather with an aging parent, a seasoned grandparent, or a distinguished aunt or uncle, do they know that you love them and value them? 

 We often revel in the extreme old age that some people reach. And we should. At Hopehill, a senior living society here in Vancouver, 7 of our 400 residents are over 100. 

That’s amazing. But the bulk of people are over 80. If you just use statistics, you could build a case that people in their 80s are more vulnerable to passing than people in their +100 years. Go ahead, read the obits in the newspapers. There are very few people over 100 who are listed. Much more often, it’s people in their 80s that are found there.

Every life is precious. Don’t miss the opportunity to communicate that.

 Hopehill—Living in Community, Vancouver BC

 PS.  We are adding more low-cost living spaces for low-income seniors. If you, or someone you know, is a senior and living on less than $50K a year, they would be eligible to live at Hopehill. If interested, please contact us at info@hopehill.ca. We hope to find 20 residents from the CBWC for the opening of our next building in the spring of 2025.

Rev. Jamey S. McDonald
Chief Executive Officer

Great Canadian Bible Study History

By Faye Reynolds

For many decades, Women’s Mission Circles met monthly to pray together, to educate themselves about missionaries working overseas, and then to give an offering to support their church’s missionary partners—just a dollar or two as able. At one point in our history, women’s mission circles supported over 125 women missionaries in the many countries in which Canadian Baptist Missions were serving.

As times changed, more women worked out of the home and mission circles were less convenient to attend, and mission became more of a total church focus. Women continued to gather for Bible study and prayer and leadership development but did not necessarily contribute to any particular ministry.

In 2005, the four Canadian Baptist Women’s Organizations were having their bi-annual executive meeting, discussing how we might encourage younger women to engage in missions, when we came up with the idea of offering a free Bible study for every church across Canada to use. We thought that if women could find this common connection across the country, studying a woman from Scripture, they might also be willing to contribute to a common mission project. We could demonstrate how a little from many could make a great difference. Thus, the idea for the Great Canadian Bible Study was birthed. 

At that time there was a school in Tuni, India–The Eva Rose York Technical School for girls— with which CBM was in partnership. This school helped girls whose families had little hope of raising enough dowry for them to be married and hopefully rise to a better caste. We knew this would be a great ministry to support, and the idea of “a toonie for Tuni” became our first project. We set a target of raising $50,000 over 5 years and were thrilled when that target was reached in 3 years. In 2010, a team from Canadian Baptist Women of which I was privileged to be part went to Tuni to see how our support had made an impact.

Our next project was to support literacy projects for women in Rwanda and DR Congo. Again, we were able to reach our $50,000 goal in 3 years. Another team went to visit that project, as well. Since then, we have continued to choose projects that assist vulnerable women and children, most recently supporting the Eagle Wings project in Bolivia with Tim and Kallie Hutton.

Over the 16 years that I have written the study, we have alternated studying an Old Testament and New Testament woman of Scripture to engage our stories with their stories. Last year, Dr. Melody Maxwell of Acadia Divinity College took over the writing of the studies. This year’s study is written by Rev. Sandra Sutherland. The project is “Health and Mentorship for Boys and Girls in Kenya.” The topic is “The Women at the Cross.”

With Faye’s permission, we have compiled the Bible studies she wrote for GCBS over the years into in a single, beautifully presented study guide for your personal or church use. Click here to download. 

Don’t Miss Out!

In case you didn’t see it on our December Making Connections, we have a gift for you!

The Canadian Baptists of Western Canada have partnered with RightNow Media – the largest streaming library of Bible studies and discipleship content. It has over 400 Christian publishers, tens of thousands of Bible studies, conferences, training sessions, kid’s cartoons, and much more. All pastors and/or paid ministry staff person within the CBWC, are receiving FREE personal access to this resource!

This is a gift to you to use personally and with your family. Please know that your user account cannot be shared or given away to your church. However, in addition to the free personal membership, your church now also qualifies for a significant discount for a church-wide subscription to use RightNow Media to equip families, resource small groups, and develop leaders within your local church. Note: If your church is already currently subscribing to RightNow Media, you may be eligible for a lower monthly subscription fee. To enquire, contact Graham Smith via the info below.

GET FREE ACCESS to this amazing resource with the following link –

https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/cbwc

The RightNow Media app gives you instant access to the whole media library, as well as the ability to watch content offline. Access biblical video content anywhere, anytime, for you and your family! Click here to get the free app with your membership!

You may hear from RightNow Media as they’d love to introduce themselves and help with any questions you might have, but you can also reach out to CBWC’s rep, Graham Smith, if you need assistance with anything in the meantime. You can reach Graham with the information below:

Graham Smith – Director for National Accounts, RightNow Media

(972) 560 – 4381

graham@rightnowmedia.org

Thank you again for all you do, pastors and ministry leaders!

Celebrating Rev. Jessica Lee

By Cailey Morgan

Her congregation calls her Pastor Jessica; PJ for short. And on November 18, the question was whether they’d have to start calling her RJ.  

Pastor Jessica Lee was ordained into the Gospel ministry that evening by Makarios Evangelical Church (MEC), ostensibly changing her title to Reverend Jessica—although she thinks she’ll stick with PJ.  

Around 5 years ago, Pastor Jessica planted Makarios with support from her husband Dr. Tim Ngai and the CBWC Church Planting team, as well as Olivet Baptist Church, who hosts MEC in their facility in New Westminster, BC. Built on the pillars of spiritual formation and mission, MEC has since grown to a thriving, intergenerational congregation. Jessica has a strong Elders team and Staff team around her and continues to lean into new avenues of leadership development and discipleship as the congregation grows. 

This strong foundation was apparent when we visited Makarios for their Saturday gathering, which began in the afternoon with Bible School Training. Regional Minister Larry Schram, Erna Schram, Church Planting Director Shannon Youell and I arrived in time for dinner—a lovely spread enjoyed by tables of bustling families and brothers and sisters in Christ and punctuated with apple pie. 

Post-meal and many a long conversation, the worship service began with a time to quiet hearts and prepare to hear from God together. We were led in worship in both Cantonese and English, and Larry gave a sermon on the Hebrew concept of hesed, exhorting Jessica to continue loving her congregation with this “stubborn love” and inspiring all of us to consider God’s great and steadfast love for each of us. 

Then it was time for the Ordination Service. In the CBWC, it is churches who ordain ministers. The denomination’s role is to help prepare the ordinand and to give a recommendation of ordination to the church, based in large part on the interactions with these ordinands as they appear before the Ordination Examining Council. Shannon and Larry offered encouragement and prayer for Jessica, and MEC leaders laid hands on her as well. 

You may remember that Jessica’s husband Dr. Ngai passed away this past June. He was a huge cheerleader for Jessica on the path to Ordination. At the end of the Ordination Service, we were able to hear an audio message he had recorded before his death for this very occasion. It was clear in that moment that his impact is still felt strongly at Makarios and he continues to be greatly missed.

Then it was photo time, and once the flashes had ceased, round two of dessert was served!

Please continue to lift Rev. Jessica and Makarios Evangelical Church up in prayer as they look to continue making disciples in New Westminster and beyond. And talk to us if you or your church would like to partner financially with a church plant like MEC.