Monday Again
Exciting Camp Ministry News!
In preparation for the coming leadership transition at District Conference, the Atlantic District is pleased to announce our new Executive Director of Camp Ministry – Andrea Gunter! Her half-time leadership role is effective May 1st as responsibilities are transitioned from our Assistant District Superintendent. She is Graduating in June with an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Jack Welch Management Institute and is eager to invest these new skills.
Andrea and her husband Derrick have been married 23 years and they have four children – Josh & Laura (students at UNB) and Hannah & Jonathan (teens at home). She will continue to serve as part-time Executive Pastor at Sussex Wesleyan where she served as Children’s Pastor for more than 15 years.
A word from Andrea: “I am humbled by the opportunity to work alongside our camp ministry leadership team to continue to develop the Kingdom impact of these camps. I am convinced there are very exciting days ahead and I’m looking forward to working with all who want to be part of them!”
Last Thursday, I was privileged to be present at a banquet sponsored by the Buckingham Leadership Institute that filled Wesley Hall at Kingswood University. The table where I sat was a microcosm of the audience as it included a pastor, KU faculty, staff and students. In addition to a number of very positive testimonials, the keynote address by Carey Nieuwhof was a winner and he connected strongly with the audience. His understanding of the Canadian culture and the Canadian church gives his presentation a high value-added reality. Congratulations of “Pastor B” for his passion for the church in Atlantic Canada and for the work of the BLI.
- Compassion Sunday was observed in 8 of our churches yesterday. I just got word that over 100 children were sponsored in these churches and the final count is not yet in – well done!
- Amherst held a special One Big Day last weekend and had 133 present (LYA 84) with many new faces and high energy in the atmosphere. Congrats!
- Tony Stevens received and accepted a 4 year recall from the church at Easton.
- Kevin Myers received and accepted a unanimous extended call from the church at Brazil Lake.
- Gloria and I were at Sussex Wesleyan yesterday morning. Great service and message from Pastor Don Ingersoll.
- Jay Guptill received and accepted a unanimous 4 year recall from Dartmouth Hillside which was then amended to an extended call.
- Peter and I were on Grand Manan last week conferring on pastoral leadership matters at The Lighthouse. We will return this weekend and have a further report next week.
- Kings Church had their largest normal weekend attendance ever this past weekend – 1490.
- The mother of Scott Wood, staff pastor at Fredericton Journey, passed away over the weekend. Our sympathy is expressed to Scott and the extended family.
The Maple Ridge church held a farewell celebration for Nick and Beth Graham and their daughters yesterday. The church there has been amazing during Nick’s long and torturous medical journey as he now awaits a third liver transplant. The new Lead Pastor Mike Agrell sent this note: “There was laughter, there were tears and Michael Jackson was quoted as we honoured the Graham’s ministry today. There’s a very nice video Justin McGuigan did for the Graham’s on our website and Facebook page also.”
“Saturday we had our second “South Shore Leadership Event” at YWC. The focus was a worship Workshop. Some 50 people from multiple churches from 4 different denominations were present. We worshipped together, plus had sessions on soundboards, worship leading, church drumming, and leading volunteers. It was a great event to pull leaders together and for churches to learn from each other.” – A J Plaizier
Statistics Note
I was on a Zoom conference last week with our General Superintendent and several DS’s. In the wrap up of the meeting, the GS mentioned that study had recently been done on stats as they relate to size of churches in our denomination in North America. After hearing the numbers, I decided to see how Atlantic measured up with the denom stats.
Our churches here in the district are larger overall than the denom stats – good news – much more to do – onward and upward!
THOT: “Don’t underestimate the power of simply reading the Bible every day.” – Kirk Winters
ON SECOND THOT: “I wish Christians understood that the way we love our neighbour carries a lot more weight that how much Scripture we can quote.” – Dave Anderson
BONUS THOT: “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Pastors! Send your Children Ministry team to The Huddle, a children ministry leaders training event. It’s a one-day, affordable event for your entire children’s ministry team. Sunday school teachers, nursery workers, VBS helpers, children church leaders and volunteers experience the excitement and energy of discovering practical, new ideas they can use NOW from a team of passionate and dedicated leaders.
Get ready for a time of growth, renewal, and fun! Join us at a location near you.
Discover practical ideas and connect with other leaders!
NS Huddle – May 13 – 9 am – 12:30 pm – $10/person
Yarmouth Wesleyan Church – Yarmouth NS
To register contact Linda Lamos at: linda.lamos@kingschurch.cc