Monday Again
As of July 12, 2018, the next National Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Canada (TWCC) was officially declared to be the Rev. Dr. Stephen D. Elliott. This appointment by the National Board to a four-year term expiring at the rise of the 2022 National Conference was ratified by the aggregate vote of both the Central Canada District Conference and the Atlantic District Conference without dissenting voice. This broad-based mandate for our new leader in the Established National Conference of TWCC will commence on August 1, 2018. A word of deep appreciation to our inaugural National Superintendent, Dr. HC Wilson, as his mandate by appointment of former GS Dr. Jo Anne Lyon to establish the preliminary organizational structure of this new conference is now complete. Congratulations NS Elliott – and we also welcome Helen as the new first-lady-to-be of TWCC!
- Yesterday, new Lead Pastor Joanne Ozon (Hope) led four believers into the waters of baptism.
- Shawn Craven (Havelock, NS) experienced in his words, “…a pretty sweet Saturday morning. Baptized four people – three generations of one family. Parents, daughter and grand-daughter.” O happy day!
- Caton’s Island just completed the largest week of registrations in its 32-year history. There were 170+ campers split between Jr. Teen and Boy’s Adventure camps. Hats off to the 52 full-time staff and the near 30 volunteers who provided a seamless week of camp and did a fantastic job sharing the Good News of the Gospel message. Praise God for the 62 first-time salvations and recommitments to Christ in this one week of summer ministry!
- A couple of promised Beulah Family Camp retro-references: The record attendance (119) for the Caton’s Island Saturday Men’s Breakfast was a powerful time of challenge by Padre Ray Smith. Love that visionary Don Ingersoll is enjoying this event (lower right-hand corner). He saw all this happening when he spoke in favour of this acquisition on the floor of district conference in 1985.
- My DS Report from District Conference is now available for your review – please make sure you also take time to peruse the Core Values (Exploration Essentials) section of the district website as well.
- An exciting update this week from Aaron Birtch (Metro): “After much prayer, and even more searching, Metro Wesleyan has finally found a new facility in the town of Timberlea (a suburban community, on the southwest fringe of Halifax). On August 19th, immediately following our regular service at the Bayer’s Lake Cinemas, we will be loading the trucks, and moving to Timberlea. Our first service in the new facility will be August 26th. We will be sharing facilities with the Halifax Christian Academy, where they presently run a daycare. We will now have full use of their school on the weekends, as well as occasional use in the evenings for our Jr. Youth, etc. They are also very open to our increasing the amount of use, for an additional cost, as we grow. Everyone is very excited about the move, and are already throwing suggestions into the ring, on how we can engage the community further.”
- The picture above was taken at the Church Christmas Banquet in this facility as part of an intentional process to include the congregation in the early consideration of this move. Aaron continues, “Perhaps the greatest blessing in all this, is that we will now be centered in a vibrant, young family community, with little-to-no evangelical presence to be found. Over the next month or two, we have several events planned in the community, including: prayer walks, door-to-door invitation campaign, and Back to School/Back to Church carnival…as a way to say, ‘Hey everyone – we’re here!’ Investment and commitment have jumped way up, as every is excited to be a part of all that’s going on. We continue to pray, and invite you all alongside us in those prayers, to see this community come to know Jesus.”
- Naomi is 7 and Natalia is 5. As PK’s of Brad & Tracy Eisen (Faith), they have big hearts for ministry. They recently decided to have a lemonade stand to raise money for their Operation Christmas Child boxes. They sold lemonade for 50 cents a glass and cookies for 25 cents each and will use all $28.50 raised to purchase everything they need in addition to the two bags of items they have gathered already. Well done young ladies!
- I enjoyed spending the majority of this past week as the evangelist at Zion Hill Family Camp in Ontario. So grateful for the heritage of spiritual foundations that are bearing fruit in future generations! This camp has deep roots for all those on our district who share history with the pre-2004 merger of the Standard Church and like Riverside is a zone camp which has great benefit for the spiritual growth of several area churches.
Congratulations to Mike & Kate Agrell (Maple Ridge) on the July 17th arrival of Nathaniel Michael Agrell (8 lbs. 9 oz). As many of you know from the time of special prayer at District Conference, he requires special surgery to address a health issue with his lungs. The surgery is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow. The proud Papa has this to say, “Thank you all so much for praying, sending encouraging notes, and supporting us in so many different ways. These folks at the IWK are superheroes. We’re in the best hands in so many ways. God is good.”
Thot: God always equips the called, but God rarely blesses the unprepared – dig ditches in the desert so that when the rain of His Spirit comes it won’t run off but can run through. (Mike Hilson)
For those who enjoy the summer ministries of Riverside Wesleyan Camp 2018 registrations are open and filling up quickly. Elementary School Camp is July 9-13, High School Camp is July 15-21, and Middle School Camp is July 22-28. Make note of the new Family Camp schedule, which is now Sunday through Wednesday starting July 29th (Mel Norton is Camp Evangelist). Visit www.riversidewesleyancampground.com for more information and to register online.
January 9-12, 2019
Orlando, Florida at The Caribe Royale
More than a minister’s conference. The Gathering is a reunion of ministry family and friends. A sabbath for our souls. Coming together to stop, rest, pray, play and thrive. A chance to celebrate what God is doing in our lives and ministry through meals, stories, inspiration and worship. We know this will be a gathering you won’t want to miss!
Wesleyan clergy & spouses are invited to register this summer. Registration opens June 1, 2018.
What an opportunity we have to partner with Craig Groeschel, John Maxwell, Erwin McManus, Danielle Strickland along with a truly impressive and diverse faculty of 15 speakers on what’s shaping up to be another amazing GLS. We believe that, as in the past, God is going to powerfully anoint and inspire through this event once again this year. So, if you’re looking for some fresh inspiration and highly actionable learning for you and your team this summer, I’d love to have you join us!
- Moncton (Hillside Baptist) on Aug. 9-10th
- Lower Sackville (Rock Church) on October 18-19
Kingswood Extended launched on May 1, 2018 as the newest initiative for ministry education from Kingswood University. Aimed at providing quality online ministry education at the certificate, undergraduate, and graduate levels, with the flexibility to accommodate the unique demands of work, life, and ministry, the program is proving to resonate with churches and districts across the Wesleyan denomination. In the first six weeks, over fifty students have enrolled in the certificate-level Flame and Correspondence Courses, which are ideal for those looking to further their ministry training or are pursuing ordination through The Wesleyan Church.