Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year

In the Fall of 2025, the ‘Society to End Homelessness’ received the honour of receiving the Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year award in the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards. Congratulations! It is so good to see the Society seen and recognized for the honest, generous work being done to support “the least of these”. Click to read the news flash. 

I recently spoke with Carol-Ann Flanagan, soon to be the Society’s Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement. She told me that she ended up at what was then called Southside Community Church while walking a shortcut in 1994. She had recently moved to Burnaby from Montreal with her husband and small children and hadn’t attended church in a long while. She heard the music while passing by and stepped in to listen. (It was Dan Bennett on the piano.) Although she didn’t stay that day, someone handed her an invitation to the church’s “Moms of young children” ministry.  

Carol-Ann began attending the Southside moms’ group on Wednesday mornings and was drawn in by the community of young children and parents—including a young Cailey Morgan! She also started volunteering with their foodbank. This felt like a nice fit since Carol-Ann worked for the Vancouver Food Bank.  

The church had also begun offering a meal for the unsheltered and otherwise vulnerable folks in the area. The ministry has grown a lot since then!  

 In 2005, a taskforce in Burnaby began assessing the need for services, housing and adequate income amongst the unhoused and those at risk in the area. Fast forward to 2015 when the Task Force to End Homelessness in Burnaby formed the charitable non-profit “The Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby” to build sustainability for the Task Force and its activities. 

The Society works in tandem with all levels of government, the health authority, social service agencies and other non-profit organizations, businesses, faith communities, and concerned citizens.  

 Currently, Carol-Ann tells me that 12 service providers (at least) come to volunteer every Thursday morning. When she started in 2018, they saw around 40 to 60 people coming by, and now they see more like 150 to 200.  

  Here are some of the services offered: 

• the CRA and Services Canada help with taxes up to 10 years in arrears at no cost.
• Haircuts are offered once a month. 
• Foot care is offered weekly with a registered nurse. 
• Progressive housing is made available. 
• Spirit of the Children supports indigenous guests. 
• PCN, the primary care network, tries to match guests with a family doctor. 
• Veterans Affairs assists unhoused or vulnerable veterans to access benefits. 
• Mosaic is a mental health support group that works with newcomers, refugees, and those seeking asylum.  
• IHART, which is the Integrated Homeless Action Response Team, gives varied medical help to unsheltered visitors.  
• Mobile shower unit (the only one of its kind in the whole Vancouver area!) 
• A complimentary clothing and shoe service. 

These are only the services Carol-Ann described to me while we were talking, but I know there’s even more going on than this—including the Neighbourhood Pantry which offers a very well-run food bank service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please check out their Society’s website, or even stop in if you’re local, to find out more. Perhaps get involved in the new year! They can always use volunteers and/or donations.or even stop in if you’re local, to find out more. Perhaps get involved in the new year! They can always use volunteers and/or donations. 

When I asked about how this award from the Burnaby Board of Trade came about, Carol-Ann also mentioned that last year she received the King Charles medal which is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada. Wow! Congratulations! It was after she received this honour that someone nominated the Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby for the Non-Profit of the year award. (This was the 2nd year they were nominated.) Carol-Ann was quick to mention that all of the non-profit organizations nominated are doing excellent work in the city.  

The Society takes over much of the Neighbourhood Church’s Edmonds Town Centre Campus on Thursday mornings, and they plan to move with the church to their new location when it’s ready. We’d like to congratulate them on this award, and even more, thank them and stand with them in this vital work of the Kingdom.  

Please consider supporting their involvement in the CNOY (Coldest Night of the Year) fundraiser in February, or something similar in your area. http://burnabyhomeless.org/our-events/ 

https://cnoy.org/home 

Kuris Discovery Weekend

Nov 28-30 was Discovery Weekend in Jasper with the Kurios crew, attended by 8 youth from Alberta and BC who were interested in getting a taste of the Kurios experience. The activities were created to give a sense of the rhythm that we follow in our days and included: 

• Morning and evening prayer times
• Worship time
• A session on the incarnation
• A hike
• Church service
• Games
• Great food 

At the end of the time, friendships were formed and we look forward to hosting more potential students in the future!  Some of the responses were: 

“I appreciated that it was a very welcoming atmosphere and centred around Christ. I enjoyed the morning and evening prayer, the walk/hike, as well as the food and other activities. It was also great to have time to relax, hang out and play games.” – Isaac 

“My experience at Kurios was full of learning and full of amazing experience surrounded by God’s glory in Jasper. This has really given me a grip on what Kurios is and if it might be a good fit for me. Thank you to the Kurios Team and students for such an amazing opportunity!” – Cooper 

“I had a wonderful time in Jasper and getting to know Ingrid, Steve, and the rest of the Kurios crew. I loved experiencing the program and seeing what you guys do day to day.” Alexis 

 Another event that we look forward to hosting online is our annual Gala scheduled for Sunday, March 15 (6pm MST) – save the date and keep an eye out for further details!

Meet Our Regional Administrative Assistants

Hi, my name is Cindy Emmons, and I work as the Administrative Assistant for the Heartland Region of the CBWC.  I have worked for the CBWC since 2012 and have had the privilege of working with and for Mark Doerksen, Heartland Regional Minister, for most of those 13 years. My office is in Regina, SK. 

I started in this role just after my son’s first birthday and while pregnant with my daughter. It has been a gift to work in such a supportive environment and with a flexible, part-time schedule while raising my family. My son is now 14 years old and started high school in the fall, and my daughter is 12 and in grade 7. My husband Ryan and I have been married for 18 years, and he has pastored at Argyle Road Baptist Church for most of that time. If you come visit the church during the week, it is likely you will hear us “yelling” back and forth across the hall from our individual offices about what is for supper and who is on kid pick-up duties that day. 

Before landing here, I took a two-year Bible course, and found work as a seamstress, legal secretary, and as admin support in a school, among other things. 

I enjoy playing games, reading, drinking tea, and planning projects of some sort. Some of my favourite projects have been refinishing a piano and dining table, and reupholstering living room chairs. I’m always researching something, and my heart is to intercede for the health and wholeness of my family, friends, and those who God puts in my path. I work out some of life’s frustrations at a taekwondo class a couple of times per week. Every few years our family spends a week at a cottage in Manitoba, and we look forward to doing that again this summer. 

Throughout the year I support Mark in resourcing and connecting with pastors and churches. My role also includes: 

• Planning and hosting the Heartland Retreat in Russell, MB in January 
• Running the media at the Banff Pastors Conference and at in-person Assemblies, along with my co-worker Sherisse 
• Assisting Mark with Theology for the Ordinary, which includes a book club, book reviews and a podcast, 
• Being part of the Ministerial Protocol Manual (MPM) committee. 

I was asked to take on the Ordination Coordinator portfolio in 2019. That includes helping organize the Ordination Preparation Workshop and Ordination Examining Council, ensuring that all requirements are met by each candidate, church and regional office before candidates appear before the council, and answering many questions that come up throughout the process. I enjoy many aspects of my work, but watching candidates successfully appear before the council is one of my favourites. 

Hi! I am Sherisse White, and I work as the Administrative Associate for the Mountain Standard Regional Office, the Pastoral Settlement Office, and as Assistant to Tim Kerber, MS Regional Minister. I started the role in 2022. Prior to this position I did admin work for a mortgage broker and my community league, and was a lunchroom supervisor at my kids’ Elementary School. Prior to having kids, I was a Registered Nurse in a hospital. I live in Edmonton, Alberta and work from an office but also can work from home when I need to.  

Family is very important to me. I have been married to my incredible husband for 20 years and we have two kids—a 17-year-old daughter who will graduate high school this year and a 13-year-old son who is in grade 8. We also have a Sheltie/Collie dog who is living her best life in her senior years.  

My work as a the MSR Admin has regular routines but also changes with the seasons each year. I work to connect with churches in the Mountain Standard Region and provide resources and connections with each unique question. As the year rolls out, I take on other roles such as: 

• oversee the planning and hosting of the MSR Pastors Retreat at Gull Lake Centre each February  
• participate in New Ministers Orientation by running media for the presentations and worship times 
• fulfil the role of recording secretary for Ordination Examining Council 
• work with Cindy, the Heartland Admin, to run all the media at in-person Assembly and Banff Pastors and Spouse Conference 
• assist with the Ordination Preparation Workshop (new for me this year) 
• work with Tim to organize local Ministerial Meetings throughout the year, and I attend the Edmonton meetings.  

I am part of a few committees within CBWC—including the Mountain Standard Regional Advisory Group (MSRAG) which handles credentialling processes and the regional retreat, and the Ministerial Protocol Manual (MPM) committee that works to keep the MPM and other CBWC documents up to date.  

The Pastoral Settlement Office is my special portfolio. I work with Tim Kerber to assist in  the connection of churches seeking pastors and pastors seeking churches. We provide guidance, advice, and resources through the search process. We keep lists of churches searching and pastors who are looking and try to match them up. While it is the local church which hires the pastor, we are here to make the process as easy as possible.   

A bit about me personally…. As a mom of teenagers, I spend a lot of time in my car driving them where they need to go. My daughter recently got her driver’s license and that has helped. My hobbies include going to the Rec Centre to workout, listening to audio books while working on a puzzle, and going to our small cabin by the lake in the summer to relax. I love to travel and dream of visiting Europe again someday. Once the craziness of the teenager stage has passed, I plan to get back into archery with my hubby. 

Hello, my name is Joyce Rebman, and I am blessed to be the BC & Yukon Administrative Assistant. I have been working for the CBWC since 2020. I started out in the MSR Regional office in Edmonton, then transferred to the BCY Regional Office. I live in Vernon, and my office is also located here. I have been privileged to have worked with Regional Ministers, Dennis Stone, Larry Schram, and currently Brian Louw. 

A bit about myself… Over the years you would have found me working as a church secretary/bookkeeper, a site manager for several not-for-profit seniors housing societies, and as a preschool administrator and volunteer coordinator for a church. In my free time I enjoy walking, reading, visiting with friends and family, enjoying the great outdoors, and spending glorious days at a lake—on the beach or in the water. 

Our two adult children and their spouses have blessed my husband, Gordon, and I with three of the cutest grandchildren ever! Our grandchildren give us much joy and keep us on our toes as we spend time with them on a weekly basis. They are 1, 2 and 4 years old. There is never a dull (or quiet) moment when we are together. 😊 Living in the beautiful Okanagan has enabled us all to be geographically close , which has not always been the case. This is a huge blessing to us as a family. 

As the BCY Administrative Assistant, I fulfill a variety of administrative tasks supporting our pastors and churches under the direction of Brian Louw. This includes communication surrounding Ministerial meetings, pastoral credentialling & interviews, gathering articles for the BCY newsletter, maintaining accurate records for the Sunergo database, administrative duties for the BCY Regional Advisory Team, and assisting at both the Banff Pastors Conference and the CBWC Assembly. I also attend scheduled admin meetings. 

Other responsibilities include: 

• Applying for permanent and temporary marriage license/registrations for our pastors and chaplains as appropriateand cancelling them when necessary. Submitting a yearly report for each Provincial Marriage Unit. 
• Tracking vacation/sick days for all CBWC staffto submit to the Director of Operations annually. 
• Lead organizer/coordinator for the New Ministers Orientation event held annually.

On occasion, I have had the opportunity to hear a story or the testimony from one of our pastors. This always encourages my soul and spirit as I see how we all work together for the glory of God and for the furtherance of His Kingdom. I have witnessed how God has laid a special mantle on those He has called to full time ministry. I would have to say this is personally the most rewarding aspect of my work. God is at work through the ministers of the CBWC! 

Heart Smart New Year Reminders

I trust everyone had a wonderful Christmas season and, like me, are looking forward to a hopeful 2026. A new year brings with it both possibility and promise, and for the believer, Jesus’ words in Mark 9:23 should ring true for us: “What do you mean, ‘If I can?’” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” I love that.  

As an association of churches, we want to be mindful of our obligations as employers and charitable organizations operating under Canadian and provincial law. 

As Christ-followers, we should be compelled to hold to an even higher standard of leadership and interaction within our church community.  

In a recent letter to CBWC churches, Treasurers and Board Chairs, I outlined some reminders and resources that may be helpful as many of our churches begin a new fiscal year. I thought I would share a few of these same reminders with our readership, as well as an update from the EFC related to the charitable status of religious organizations with the government of Canada and Bill C-9.  

From the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada:   

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada recently sent out a bulletin confirming that the Finance Department of the Canadian government has no plan to remove advancing religion as a charitable purpose under the Income Tax Act. To read the EFC’s full article, click HERE. 

Bill C-9 Combatting Hate Act was introduced by the Federal government last September in response to the alarming rise in antisemitism and anti-religious threats in Canada. The bill’s intent is to help ensure that people can worship freely, safely, and without intimidation. 

On December 9, the Justice Committee passed an amendment to the bill that removes the good faith religious belief defence from section 319(3) of the Criminal Code. This defense remains an important safeguard for religious communities. Its removal would not create new crimes or make sharing faith or Scripture illegal, but it could have unintended consequences for people of faith. The committee is still working through changes to the bill, including the definition of hatred, and will resume discussion in late January when the government is back from a 6-week break. 

We encourage pastors and leaders to stay well informed, and if you have concerns, to communicate respectfully to your local Member of Parliament. If enough MP’s hear from their constituents, they can oppose this change. The EFC has provided helpful resources which are linked here. Find your MP here. The EFC’s talking points with sample wording can be found at TheEFC.ca/C-9.  

CBWC leadership will continue to engage with our national partners and the EFC leadership on this important issue.  

 
Plan to Protect Policy Template Now Available:  

Churches must have an abuse prevention policy in place to protect the most vulnerable members in our congregations. We are pleased to make available to you a downloadable version of the Plan to Protect® policy template for the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada, as well as the other appendices from the Plan to Protect® manual. While all churches must have a protection plan in place, the use of this resource is optional and is intended to help churches craft a policy customized to their own church setting. If you did not receive an email with instructions on how to access the Plan to Protect® policy template, please contact your Regional Office or lhaugan@cbwc.ca.

Reminders:   

Canadian Baptist Benefits launched a new Health & Dental Plan effective January 1. Enrolment in the Plan was completed in late November. We now offer Standard coverage to all members with 2 additional options requiring member-paid top-up premium. Added to this, the Plan has moved to a Canada-wide premium amount, doing away with varying premiums by province. For more information, visit our dedicated CB Benefits website at cbbenefits.ca or click HERE. Group insurance questions can be sent to our Benefits Administrator, Alexandra Bridi, at benefits@cbbenefits.ca.  

The deadline for issuing charitable giving receipts to your church’s financial supporters is February 28, 2026. Charitable giving receipts must include certain information to be valid/official. To view the CRA’s checklist for issuing complete and accurate receipts, click HERE.   

For churches whose fiscal year ends December 31, you have six months to submit your T3010 to CRA. For more details including a fillable pdf form, click HERE.  

As we step into a new year, may we be reminded of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, and may His joy strengthen us all for the ministry He has called us to as a community of churches.  

Louanne Haugan 

Standing Firm on the Journey Ahead
–Carey Theological College

As we step into 2026, many of us sense both opportunity and uncertainty in the world around us. Here in Canada, the cultural landscape continues to shift, often rapidly, and Christians must consider what faithfulness to the gospel and perseverance in the Truth looks like today. For believers around the globe, especially our brothers and sisters in places like Nigeria where churches face persecution, violence, and deep instability, the call to perseverance is very real and often comes at a high cost. 

Their witness reminds us that Christian hope has always been forged on the pilgrim road. One of my favourite books is The Pilgrim’s Progress, written in 1678 by John Bunyan. Bunyan began the work while imprisoned for violating laws in England that prohibited the holding of religious services outside the Church of England. In the book, Bunyan beautifully captures this truth of the pilgrim’s journey that all Christians are called to walk. The story focuses on the journey of two pilgrims, named Christian and Hopeful, on their way to the Celestial City. At one point in the story, weary from a series of trials, Christian and Hopeful are welcomed to the Delectable Mountains, where a group of Shepherds refresh, strengthen, and prepare them for the dangers still ahead on their journey. The Shepherds tell Christian and Hopeful, “The Lord of these mountains hath given us a charge not to be ‘forgetful to entertain strangers;’ therefore the good of the place is before you.” The role of the Shepherds in the story was not to offer an escape from the pilgrims’ trials, but rather to re-orient them; offering truth, clarity, and godly counsel. Through this, the pilgrims gain renewed strength and direction along their journey. 

In many ways, this is the work entrusted to pastors, ministry leaders, and seminaries: to act as those Shepherds in a time when many Christians are growing either weary and lukewarm, or reactionary and authoritarian. At Carey Theological College, we have felt this call with renewed clarity. In a season when it’s so easy to drift from the Gospel, and when standing in conviction can feel costly, we remain committed to forming resilient leaders who won’t lose their footing. 

In October 2025, Carey’s Board of Administration approved a new strategic plan and mission for our seminary. 

Our renewed mission is to form resilient leaders marked by wisdom, courage, and meekness; firmly anchored in the truth of God’s Word. Our focus is training leaders who won’t drift; equipped with theological clarity, pastoral strength, and lives anchored in the unchanging truth and wisdom of Scripture, for faithful service in the Church and the world. 

This posture is not about retreating from the world and its trials, nor about adopting an offensive stance. Instead, it is about preparing leaders to walk faithfully into a world that desperately needs clarity, compassion, and courage. Christian and Hopeful left the Delectable Mountains and the care of the Shepherds not with the illusion that the hard parts of their pilgrimage were behind them, but with a renewed understanding of what lay ahead and a deeper confidence in God’s guidance along their way. 

Today, Christians face similar terrain. Whether here in Canada or abroad, the challenges to our faith are very real: cultural confusion, theological shallowness, and rising hostility toward the Christian faith. All these forces threaten to test our faith. This is why pastors and church leaders have such an important role to play: giving Christians courage that is rooted in Christ, who strengthens His people to remain steadfast under pressure. 

Like the Shepherds on Bunyan’s mountains, the role of pastors and those working in ministry is to point pilgrims toward the truth, to warn against the dangers, and to remind them of the hope that anchors the soul. This is why Carey is committed to walking alongside pastors and leaders, offering theological depth, spiritual nourishment, and steady guidance. 

Hebrews 12:1–2 calls us to this very vision: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” 

As we look to the year ahead, may we run with this endurance—eyes fixed on Christ, strengthened by His Word, and committed to shepherding God’s people with wisdom, courage, and meekness. May God bless you and yours in 2026. 

Notice of Voluntary Disaffiliation