It’s Monday Again
There is no church on the Atlantic District with greater proportional community impact through contextual effectiveness than Digby (Andrew Maves). Maves is… well, Maves – one of a kind in all the right ways! He and Allyson are in their 15th year with this vibrant church family and God’s favour in the community and in the lasting fruit of changed lives is a rising tide.
Last week a combined total of ten decisions for Christ were made at the Sunday morning and Tuesday Biker services – PTL! The Labour Day Weekend Wharf Rat Rally has created a slipstream for the development of new and ongoing initiatives to reach out into the community. Longevity is not a determining factor in itself, but can be a powerful contributing one when Kingdom leaders like Andrew continue to keep their passion for the lost fresh and their vision for the future God-inspired. And speaking of longevity…
After attending the service in Digby, I had the privilege of participating yesterday afternoon in a rather unique celebration. Scott Prime has served 21 of his 27 years of pastoral leadership at New Hope. He was Ordained 25 years ago this July and his church family went all out to honour both he and Shari in a 1.5 hour celebration which concluded with a beautiful banquet. The church was packed, the emcees (Jedie & Tree) were entertaining, the gifts were generous (including a signed Boston Bruins jersey), and the speeches were moving.
Each speech given identified how Scott has fulfilled his Ordination covenant is specific ways with congregation members. At the request of the staff, I was present to conclude these comments on behalf of the Atlantic District and to lead the Primes through a renewal of the Ordination vows. It was a first-class event for a first-rate and deserving Kingdom leader. Just don’t expect him to be available this Wednesday night – his prayers will be focused toward Boston!
And speaking of Ordination… the South DBMD convened this week completing the interview of Atlantic District prophets-in-process. This was originally scheduled in April but was postponed out of respect for Mrs. Kay Ingersoll’s passing and in support of the family. Special thanks to DBMD Chair, Dale MacDonald, for coordinating the approximately 50 interviews conducted this year with the North, Central, & South DBMD sessions. Seven candidates (pending District Conference approval) will be Ordained on July 12th during Beulah Family Camp.
This year’s Ordination Service will be a first-ever opportunity to honour the 70 years of ordained ministry of Rev. Arnold Stairs! There will also be two 50 year and two 60 year ministers honoured. We are so blessed by the spiritual foundations of our heritage.
Ken Nash continued his cohort training for satellite campus multiplication by Zoom this Thursday for 11 churches (8 Atlantic District) in two cohorts. His experience, wisdom, and focus is a great gift to the Church.
Joanne Ozon (Hope) shared this exciting report, “There’s joy in the house…another sinner has come home! Had a soul saved [last night]…with a full house of 65 people.”
And so it begins. Yesterday evening, representatives from seventeen Cornerstone families got their first look at the Cornerstone Windgate building and heard Denn Guptill and Rob McDowell share their heart and vision for the communities of Sackville, Beaver Bank and Fall River. There was an air of excitement as people asked questions and offered suggestions as to how Cornerstone would fulfill its vision of providing a home for the spiritually homeless in these three communities. Cornerstone Windgate is situated between three high schools and will serve a population of more than seventy thousand people. With recruiting, training, and renovations to the building, the tentative launch date for Cornerstone Windgate is October 2020.
On Saturday, June 8th, Kingswood University held their 23rd Annual Golf Classic at the Sussex Golf and Curling Club. 66 golfers along with about 30 volunteers and friends gathered for a beautiful time on the course and some wonderful fellowship during the banquet. $43,000 was raised for student scholarship and financial aid. Kingswood wishes to express their thanks to all the businesses, golfers and friends who made this year’s tournament a success.
Caton’s Island first-ever women’s retreat (Refresh) had over 30 in attendance, many of whom were attending camp for the first time! The theme of refreshment addressed mind, body and soul along with relationships. A great start and plans are already in place to expand this opportunity next year.
SUMMER RELOCATION: The District Office opens today at Beulah Camp (229 Beulah Road) and will move back to Moncton after Labour Day.
A Great idea for Father’s Day from World Hope International (Canada)
In Kompong Cham, Cambodia, men have been unable to provide for their family as a result of crops crashing and values decreasing. They watch as their families split up, children are sent to live with relatives in far-away cities, and wives and daughters become vulnerable to being trafficked in an effort to bring in money and food.
Through World Hope’s mushroom cultivation project, the mushroom house is a way for the whole family to work together and empower the entire community with food, finances and health. Through this program, family reunification takes place, trafficking is decreased, families are restored, and fathers no longer need to think about where the next meal will even come from. Rather they can concentrate on building a profitable business in partnership with their spouse.
In honour of the fathers at your church, give a gift to World Hope that will empower men in Cambodia: A video to share on Fathers’ Day
Congratulations to Mark & Liz Brewer (Crosspoint) on the final and formal adoption this past week of their son Oliver Mark James Brewer! Oliver was born on August 11, 2015 and their 1248 day journey of adoption began on December 30, 2015.
THOTS:
- Are you Kingdom minded or are you building castles in the sand? (Andrew Maves)
- What is Jesus saying to you or asking of you? If you have a pulse you have a purpose. How are you obeying Jesus? (Ken Nash)
- Modern religion focuses on filling churches with people. The true Gospel emphasizes filling people with God. (A. W. Tozer)
Director Dean Stephenson reports that as of May 31, Caton’s Island is up 139 registrations from this time last year online. Make sure to register early to guarantee availability at your preferred camp option.
Beulah Family Camp – Evening on the Boulevard Opportunity
One of the many highlights of Beulah Family Camp is our Wednesday Evening-on-the-Boulevard. This year will offer expanded opportunities to be involved to raise funds for worthy ministry projects. If your church or group is interested please contact Rob Trafton for more information (506.434.1445 or rob.trafton@gmail.com). Some new delights would be greatly appreciated to enhance this time of fellowship for our district family.
The 2019 Camp Evangelists, Lenny Luchetti and Moe Diggs, will serve alongside another inspiring year of worship ministry under the leadership of Kelly Jay (July 5-14). Check out this line up for Super Saturday kick-off for Beulah Family Camp on July 6th – don’t miss the opportunity to have your family and friends enjoy this packed day. Feel free to print this poster for your church bulletin board.
Every weekend between Beulah Family Camp and Labour Day has scheduled family activities to enjoy for those who have a cottage / RV site. Download this schedule HERE.
A Word from Caton’s Island Overseer – Brian Murray!
A call to carpenters and those handy with tools! Caton’s Island has become a shining light on our district. Throughout the years, hundreds of young people have received Christ as their Saviour and have continued on to become great leaders of this ministry.Caton’s Island is now preparing to embark on its largest and most ambitious project; to extend the present kitchen and dining room to seat 400 people and to make a fully equipped restaurant quality kitchen. The Choate Dining Hall Expansion begins this spring.
We ask our pastors to present this project to the congregation and to set up teams that will coordinate with Brian Murray who is overseeing this effort. Formal plans for all required equipment, electrical, plumbing, and other materials are near completion and we have presently raised $232K+ towards the total cost of $250K for Phase ONE which will be completed this summer. We do not wish to go into debt for this project, therefore we shall build in phases beginning with the structure this year. Then trusting those who see the great potential of Caton’s – to pray and donate time, expertise and finances. We have presently hired on-site manager and he will be developing and planning the work schedule along with Brian as project manager and Caton’s Overseer.
Pastors, if you would, please share this good news with your church family! Send your people and their questions for how to get involved to Brian Murray (spencerbrian@xplornet.com, 506.375.4330).
Dr. Lenny Luchetti serves as Professor of Proclamation at Wesley Seminary. He is known as an “insightful professor with a pastor’s heart.” Lenny is the author of Abingdon’s Preaching with Empathy: Crafting Sermons in a Callous Culture (Fall 2018) as well as Preaching Essentials: A Practical Guide, which has been nationally recognized by Outreach and Preaching magazines as one of the best books on preaching in its publication year.
This summer at Beulah Family Camp, Lenny will serve as our first Evangelist. In addition to preaching Sunday through Wednesday, he will be offering an afternoon workshop on Wednesday, July 10th, entitled Practices for Preaching with Empathy in a Culture of Apathy. The first 50 pastors to register by clicking HERE will receive a complementary copy of his book courtesy of the Atlantic District.
THE GATHERING RESOURCES are online and include full videos of General Sessions and all Seminars. We thank God for being in a denomination which cares so deeply about investing in our leadership.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The 877-REVCARE helpline has changed. Beginning June 1, the new number to is 800-53PASTOR. Also, the new service provider is Full Strength Network. FSN is one of our key premiere ministry partners whose sole purpose is to strengthen pastors and their families. They have access to a growing national network of vetted counselors, caregivers and service providers and are passionate about helping pastors and their families thrive in ministry life.
- It’s completely confidential with a coast-to-coast network of professional counselors and clergy care providers with coverage across all time zones
- 24/7 secure voicemail with confidential call back