Out of India

Victoria native Barry Mackey and his wife Anne have retired to the capital, after most of a lifetime in or around India. Barry began his career as a literature distribution missionary in New Delhi. He and Anne were married in India. After  a stint with Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, Barry became program director in India for Habitat for Humanity. The Mackeys officially retired last summer from their work in New Delhi, then spent six months in Nepal, setting up a Canadian-financed Habitat project.  

Pastor and Imam

Those who have seen The Imam and the Pastor will be able see the two Nigerian religious leaders, once bitter rivals, who eventually worked on peace-making initiatives in their homeland. Pastor James Movel Wuye and Imam Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, the film’s major subjects, will give an informal presentation February 2  during a fund-raising luncheon at the Embassy Inn, 520 Menzies Street. The two men once led opposing armed militias, but laid down arms to work at reconciliation. They are now directors of the Inter-Faith Mediation Centre in Kaduna, northern Nigeria. Call 250-474-5452.

Why Israel?

Joe Campbell, development director for Christians for Israel Canada is the keynote speaker at a breakfast February 5, 8 am in Gateway Baptist Church. His presentation, titled ‘Why Israel?’ will offer teaching materials that will help pastors as they prepare Easter sermons. “This information,” says Campbell, “will include insights from a biblical and Hebrew perspective not commonly found in most Christian commentaries available today.” Also at Gateway, February 3, 7 pm, will be an event celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary. Info: www.c4i.ca

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Calvary Baptist restored

The restorations are done at Calvary Baptist Church in Chemainus, and the congregation is back to worship in the church’s sanctuary. We are not sure what was behind the restorations, or where the group has been meeting. But the January 18 posting on the church’s website did announce they were home again. Archives of CBC’s sermons, studies and other items are at: calvarybc.ca.

Safe Harbour closes

Safe Harbour Christian School, enrolling about a dozen students, has closed its doors. The school, serving the Victoria West and Esquimalt areas of the community in recent years, had been operating out of the Salvation Army Community Church hall on Fullerton Street. Before that, it was in the Esquimalt Church of the Nazarene on Craigflower Road. Indications are the closure relates to staff retirements.

Elijah here

‘Live the Difference . . . at all times’ is the theme at the Colwood Pentecostal Church conference, set for February 22 – 24. Expected speakers are Colwood’s own Ira Parmenter and Elijah Waters from Generation Church in Kirkland, Washington. Music by Mayflower. Info at 250-478-6376.

               – LM

February 2008