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Vote once, pray often
PrayBC is an initiative to build a network of 10,000
people across British Columbia who will pray for five minutes a day for
God’s blessing on the May 12 provincial election. The campaign is a
project of Leading Influence Ministries. Veteran pastor Tim Schindel
founded the ministry in Victoria in 2006 to offer a chaplaincy ministry to
political leaders. PrayBC held an election prayer rally April 26 at Central
Christian Assembly in Burnaby. The next one is May 3 at 7 pm in Church of
Our Lord, Victoria. praybc.com/index.html
Late Christmas for sailors
Tom Walker, visitation director for Fraser River
Sailors Ministry says that, even beyond the Christmas season, he has been
called to perform more than 90 ‘Christmas Services’ on ships.
During this time, more than 1,200 presents have been donated by 20
churches. Walker, a retired Baptist minister, has been going onto ships for
31 years. He is now doing a prolonged series of Easter services. “The
very nature of their jobs means the men are at sea for long periods of
time, 6–12 months – and they miss many of the important events
and their celebrations. Even a late Christmas celebration with accompanying
presents is much appreciated,” he says.
To Russia with love
Daystar Ministries is holding their annual ‘Take
Me Back’ Concert at Christian Life Assembly in Langley May 30. Their
special guest this year is international singer Dan Burr, along with Young
Street Vocal Band and the Royal Heirs. The latter group recently
celebrated 47 years of performing together. A freewill offering will be
taken, with all proceeds going towards Daystar’s ‘To Russia
With Love’ tour. This is becoming a very popular event, with more
than 1,100 people in attendance last year. www.daystar.org
Victory now relating
A well–known Surrey church, led by John and Helen
Burns is changing its name to Relate Church. Victory has planted two
churches, one in Vancouver’s downtown core, the other in East
Vancouver. The church has been very involved in Mercy Ministries and is
facilitating the upcoming Life|Women conference May 7 – 9 at Chandos
Pattison Auditorium. www.familyvictory.com
Give us the shirt off your back!
After the recent Sun Run, participants were encouraged
to donate jackets, shirts and other clothing to the Salvation Army. Some
15,000 pieces were given. According to theVancouver
Sun, before the run the Salvation Army had asked
runners to wear better quality, non–tattered clothing. Salvation Army
spokesperson Jonny Michel told theVancouver Sun, “I think the message really got out there.”
Grand March for Housing
On Saturday, April 4, thousands of people from
communities across BC joined in a ‘family–friendly’ Grand
March (see photo). The purpose was to demand immediate government
action to end homelessness, build social housing, protect rental housing
and raise welfare and minimum wage rates. The march was organized by the
Citywide Housing Coalition. www.citywidehousingcoalition.org
A place to get clean
‘A year of showers’ may sound like the
weather forecast for Vancouver, but on the Downtown East Side, it refers to
the first anniversary of The Lord’s Rain, a project undertaken by
Gospel Mission. Since it opened April 30, 2008, The Lord’s Rain has
provided more than 500 showers, countless ‘washing up’ times at
the sinks, and thousands of cups of coffee.
TWU players make the grade
Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) has announced the
20 players who will represent Canada in women’s soccer at the 25th
Summer Universiade (World University Games) July 1–12 in Belgrade,
Serbia. Five players from the reigning CIS champion Trinity Western
Spartans were named to the team, while the University of British Columbia
and University of Alberta had three each. TWU’s Graham Roxburgh will
serve as Team Canada head coach
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Goat Canucks Goat
Joel Nagtegaal, a member of The Bridge Community Church
in Langley, decided to combine social justice and hockey by raising money
to buy a goat to assist third world development every time the Vancouver
Canucks won a playoff game. The idea took off, and his Facebook group now
has hundreds of members, and his website (www.goatcanucksgoat.com) has had
thousands of hits from around the world. See Goatometer.
Take me out to the golf course
Wagner Hills Farm Society’s third annual Charity
Golf Tournament will be held May 30 at Ft. Langley Golf & Country Club.
Registration begins at 10:30 am with tee off at 1:00 pm and banquet at 6:00
pm. Cost is $150 per golfer, $550 per foursome. To register, call
604.856.9432. Wagner Hills is also hosting its Annual Meeting, BBQ,
Assault on Addictions and Open House May 17. This community and family day
will feature food, and music, praise, a powerful message and a mass choir
of men and women who have overcome addictions. (www.wagnerhills.com)
Good neighbours
Kingcrest International Neighbours , a ministry to
newcomers and refugees, is celebrating its 20th anniversary May 30 at Peace
Mennonite Church in Richmond. The event will include testimonies, a message
from Pye Chew and the Cuddefords, music by: Michael Hart& Band,
multicultural music & entertainment, and an international dinner.
Doors open at 5:00 pm, and dinner will be will be served at 6:00. Tickets
are $15; special rates for couples, families, students and groups.
Contact 604–327–6262 or www.kingcrest.org
Speakers doctored
Vancouver School of Theology will have a convocation
ceremony May 11, at 7:00 pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver. The
speakers will be Peter Elliott, dean of the cathedral, and Keith Howard,
executive director of Emerging Spirit, an outreach campaign of the United
Church of Canada. Both speakers will receive Honorary Doctorates of
Divinity.
King’s School has class
King’s School in Langley celebrated the
dedication and opening of its new classroom block April 18. The new block
is part of The King’s School 23–acre campus in Willoughby. It
will house the school administration, several new classrooms, and science
and home economics labs.
– Jim Coggins
May 2009
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