Atlantic Connexion

Last week Global Partners held a retirement celebration in honour of 42 years of the career missionary service of Rev. Dr. Bob & Brenda Bagley. Bob’s leadership as Africa Area Director provided a wise transition to National leadership. The Bagley’s have provided key senior-level influence through many roles as GP has adapted and embraced 21st Century models of missions. Their laureate service alongside the International Wesleyan Church spanned the GP leadership of five executive directors of Global Partners – Dr. Robert Lytle, Dr. Wayne Wright, Dr. Don Bray, Dr. HC Wilson, and Dr. Dennis Jackson (picture above with Gwen Jackson).

• Bob shared, “[This] final season of our missionary career was deeply fulfilling. We are hoping to make it up for the second half of Beulah this summer.”

Pastoral Transitions

• It was announced at Connection (Matt Forrest) that Sheryl York has been appointed Interim Lead Pastor for one year beginning in July. Sheryl & Dwayne will be present for a day of ministry with the Connection Church family on March 17th.

Since bringing Souls Harbour into the facility in October, Connection (Matt Forrest) is doing community ministry in the building 18-20 hours a day, 7 days a week. Matt shared, “We have seen 1200+ individual faces come through the doors that have not been through our doors prior. All of the new congregational growth in Connection is an overflow of that ministry. Since Pleasant Street Mission has opened its doors it has already provided shelter for 22 individuals at a 15-bed capacity.”

• This provincial government partnership with Connection Church through Soul’s Harbour may open the door for other NS Wesleyan churches to with community need to offer funded shelters next winter. This is the first time in this capacity the NS Government has partnered with a church instead of just renting it.

• It was Leap Day and Tanya Nace (CEO of World Hope International Canada) shared, “Today will go down as one of the top 10 days of my life.” CLICK HERE to find out why!

World Hope staff, Tanya Nace and Natalie Gidney, are currently serving alongside the International Wesleyan Church in Sierra Leone. The picture above features the first Wesleyan Missionary sent from TWC of Sierra Leone. Ali Conteh is standing next to Tanya (on her left) and will be leaving soon as a missionary to Gambia. Everywhere to everywhere!

General Superintendent Emerita Dr. Jo Anne Lyon blessed the Framework (Jason Blaikie) family this weekend as she closed out the “Pursuit of God” series. She spoke about what God can do if you pursue Him and shared about how God is moving in other churches and nations to inspire faith in what God can continue to do in Presque Isle Maine.

• Jason shared, “We heard testimony after testimony from Dr Lyon of how God can take what we offer, however small and use it for His Glory. Such an amazing weekend and we are so grateful for this Global Kingdom Leader as she inspired our Church to step out in faith with what God has already given us.”

World Hope’s Hope Garden project leader, Jenny Gaines-Rattray hosted Scott and Penny Richardson (Houlton Wesleyan) on the island of Grand Bahama to serve in education, food distribution and discipleship. Transformational development is holistic and they were able to provide food for ongoing food programs for children, volunteered at the Grand Bahama Children’s home to cook meals, assist with a discipleship program, and provided encouragement to the staff and children. They also served meals at a local church-run preschool and volunteered in the community of 8-Mile Rock with Lighthouse Wesleyan Outreach Ministries to run a youth night. They also visited the Beacon School which serves children with disabilities and planned for some future and long term projects.

• Scott and Penny shared, “We were very privileged to serve with Hope Garden Project in Freeport, Grand Bahama for the last week! We have met and worked with some special and godly Bahamians who are doing great work for the Kingdom. We have been especially blessed to serve alongside our Team Leader, Jenny Gaines who is a special blessing from God! Thanks to all who supported our project with money and prayers, we plan to return and bring some of you with us!”

KIngswood University partners with Cornwall Wesleyan (Larry Blaikie) as students, Isai and Andrea Calderon focus on ministry to new Canadians! CLICK HERE for the full story published in WesLife this week.

• Speaking of Kingswood… Know someone who’s looking for a job that’s really a calling? CLICK HERE for details on current opportunities to join the team!

• The ideal level of challenge in your leadership is where you think your best thoughts, pray your deepest prayers, discover great ideas and solutions, your relationships are solid, and you are making measurable progress. (Dan Reiland)

• Not only did Wesley reach the masses; he made leaders of thousands of them. (Howard Snyder) #MeducticMandate

Wesleyan Publishing House is happy to inform you that the Wesleyan Pastor’s Manual has been updated to reflect the language used in The Discipline of the Wesleyan Church 2022. This useful resource and planning guide has been used by Wesleyan pastors for years and is suitable for use in ceremonies and rituals. It contains articles, sermon outlines, prayers, service planning tools, pastoral care resources, and contemporary service forms.

The Wesleyan Pastor’s Manual comes in three formats:

• Binder & Insert: The binder is an attractive, low-profile black binder with The Wesleyan Church logo imprinted on the cover. (Binder 7.25” x 9”)
• Insert only: The insert comes as loose-leaf pages wrapped in plastic (Insert: 8” x 5.5”)
• E-book: The e-book is especially useful for pastors who use tablets when performing ceremonies and rituals.

Pastors may use the discount code DS40 at checkout for 40% off the e-book format ONLY. This is a limited-time offer, now through March 14, 2024.

WPH is dedicated to communicating the life-transforming message of holiness through publication. We are committed to providing you, Wesleyan leaders, pastors, and congregants with excellent service and resources to meet your unique needs.

CLICK HERE for details and registration. This year Kings (Brent Ingersoll) will be hosting this event @ Moncton Wesleyan.

• Need an incentive to invite someone new from your church or an unchurched friend? Just pay their registration in full and send a copy of the receipt to office@atlanticdistrict.com. Include their name and the email to use for an etransfer reimbursement. The Atlantic District will reimburse $50 of the total registration per new attendee or unchurched friend you invite up to the first 50 submissions.

Since 2009, Tyndale Seminary has gathered local scholars, students, and church leaders for an annual Wesley Studies Symposium. The symposium exists to highlight and foster scholarly work on the Wesleyan tradition, as well as research on related topics undertaken by Wesleyans, with a particular focus on Canadian contributions.

• There are registration options for online or in-person attendance on April 24th, with generous discounts for students. The early-bird deadline is March 31. CLICK HERE for registration information and more details.

CLICK HERE to visit Kingswood Learn and enroll for FREE high-quality, engaging, and practical micro courses.