Under Sail

Joanne and I were at Scarborough Coastal Community Wesleyan Church on January 16^th for the two Sunday AM services.  Pastor Dwayne Hopkins is leading the congregation in a 113-day “Challenge to Change” titled “I’m In” which started the first Sunday in January and will go through Easter Sunday (the last Sunday of Lent).  The challenge includes: ‘How healthy can we be spiritually, physically, numerically, and financially?’ with specific direction under each category.  The benefit will not only be for individuals and families, but for the church family as a whole.  There was a good attendance on this holiday weekend in the U.S.  The church continues to take specific strides to pay down the current church indebtedness, and position itself strategically for future growth and possible re-location.
Halifax – Metro Wesleyan celebrated its 10^th Anniversary Sunday, January 23^rd, with 110 people present.  The church’s official launch was 10 years ago, under the leadership of Pastor Dean and Rosalie Brown.  Several people formerly associated with the church but who have moved away, sent greetings.  This included Metro church planters Dean & Rosalie Brown, and also Darren and Janel Clark who left to plant a church in St. John’s, NL – Avalon.  Three or four of the families that sent greetings came to Christ while at Metro.  The fruit of this church’s ministry has now reached out well beyond the HRM.  The service was packed with good and meaningful things.  I brought greetings on behalf of the District, and Senior Pastor Kevin Wilson brought a challenging message focused on their mission statement tag line: Get connected; Be connected; Stay connected.
I was in Havelock, NS Wesleyan this past Sunday.  There were 85-90 people present in the AM service.  The main floor was comfortably full and there were people in the balcony.  There is wonderful spirit of ministry in this congregation.  I brought greetings in the AM service and Pastor Peter Hayes brought the message.  He introduced a new family series that will begin next Sunday.  I met with the LBA following the church service for a meal and for a time of discussion related to ministry and the challenges and needs surrounding their current building.  It was a good time of interaction.

Pastor Perry Ingersoll resigned from the Sandford Wesleyan Church this past Sunday morning.  He and his wife, Jean, are going to retire from the pastorate.  Though the congregation is saddened, this was not a total surprise.  I met with the active membership this past Sunday evening for supper, and then for a meeting afterwards regarding Sandford Wesleyan’s future.  After a frank and open discussion, they made the difficult and courageous decision, by unanimous concensus, to close the church following Beulah Camp 2011.  It was agreed to have a final celebration service in honour of its 122 years of ministry.  This service will happen most likely in August (date to be determined).
Jordon LeBlanc, Assistant Pastor at Perth-Andover Wesleyan resigned February 6^th.  Keep Jordon and Jennifer in your prayers as they transition to whatever God has next, and as the church determines their staffing needs going forward.
A.J. Plaizier, Pastor of Community at Yarmouth Wesleyan, resigned January 23^rd.  He will be candidating at Fredericton – Corbett Ave. Wesleyan (CAW) this coming Sunday (Feb. 6^th) for the Lead Pastor position.  Pray for CAW, and for AJ and Julia, as they seek God’s direction for this next chapter.
Global Partners is happy to announce the appointment of Holly Churchill from the Atlantic District as a Go Netter Employee (GNE) to Haiti. Holly is planning to serve for a period of two years.  Holly attends Halifax – Deep Water Wesleyan and is finishing her coursework at St. Mary’s University which will give her a Bachelor of Business Degree in Marketing.  She is originally from Yarmouth, NS.  She made the connection with Deep Water when she started school in Halifax.  She was in the first group that church planter, Pastor AJ Thomas, baptized in April, 2008.  Congratulations Holly!
Halifax – Deep Water launched 41-days of prayer and fasting for their church on January 17^th.  It involves: (1) being willing to pray once/day (2) fast once/week (3) set aside a solid block of one hour for prayer once/week 4) attend a prayer gathering once/week.  Pastor AJ Thomas says 96 people have signed up to do this journey.
Lead Pastor Jim Agrell, says there is much excitement at Kings Valley Wesleyan Church in Quispamsis, NB.  They have been running 70 over last fall’s average prior to Christmas, and since the new year they have been running approximately 100 over last year at this same time.  KVWC is currently doing a relationship/marriage series in their weekend services and have had over 650 people attend the first two Sundays for this series.  Pastor Jim says the “regulars” have been doing a great job of inviting new families to the series, and many new people are showing up!  January 23^rd, five people accepted Christ, and dozens of people made recommitments.  Folks are excited about this new wave of God’s Spirit moving in their midst!
Today I received word that Fredericton – Crosspoint Wesleyan is providing a Womens Event at their church and is extending an invitation for anyone and everyone to attend!  The event is called “Uprising” and the dates are February 4^th– 5^th.  The Speaker is Natasha Erskine with music by Crosspoint’s John Sherwood.  This event is for Grade 9 and up (they say grade 9 to 109!).  Ladies, this is a great opportunity to deepen and strengthen your faith.  The cost is $35, and it runs Friday night 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, and then Saturday 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.  There will be snacks Friday night after service, breakfast Saturday morning, and lunch on Saturday as well.  For more details and information, contact Ruth Woodworth at ruth@crosspointchurch.ca or (506) 452-7110.
The dates for Beulah Camp are July 1-10, 2011. The speakers are Rev. Lane Loman and Dr. Steve Lennox.  Lane Loman is a native of Greensboro, NC. He currently serves as a pastor, and has been an itinerant evangelist in the past.
Lane is returning to Beulah for the second time.  He was one of the camp evangelists in 2008.   Steve Lennox has taught Bible at Indiana Wesleyan University for eighteen years, and prior to that, pastored three churches in the Penn-Jersey District.  He is a sought after speaker.  This is his first opportunity to be at Beulah.   Scott and Elizabeth Rhyno will be serving as our worship leaders.  The Rhynos ministered through music and worship at Presque Isle Wesleyan, and also led its large youth ministry.  Most recently, the Rhynos have returned to Bethany Bible College in Sussex, N.B., where Scott is Vice President of Enrollment and Communications, and Elizabeth is Director of Worship.    More details to follow in the next few weeks.  Protect the dates!
“The signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change.  The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency.”  – Jim Collins (How the Mighty Fall, p. 92)