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Mercy needed
After seven years of hard work, the first home for young women operated by Mercy Ministries Canada will have its opening celebration from 1 to 4 pm May 29.
The keynote speaker will be Nancy Alcorn, founder and president of Mercy Ministries. The home is located on 4.3 acres in south Surrey, and contains residential space for 20 young women, as well as classrooms and counselling offices. The facility has been completely renovated, and is debt free.
Mercy Ministries Canada exists “to provide opportunities for young women to experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness and life-transforming power.”
Contact: 604.535.1983.
They grow men and women
Wagner Hills Ministries is holding its annual general meeting, barbecue and open house May 16, and its fourth annual fundraising golf tournament May 29. The ministry leads men and women “beyond recovery to discipleship.”
Wagner Hills Farm is currently at capacity with 50 men, but the ministry wants to expand capacity to accommodate 100 men. The Campbell Valley House of Hope currently serves 14 women, but the ministry wants to expand capacity there to 50. Info: 604.856.9432 or wagnerhills.com.
Living water
The third annual Run for Water will take place May 30 at Mill Lake in Abbotsford. The run was created by Abbotsford runners Ken Baerg and Randall Mark to raise money to provide clean water and other necessities to people in the developing world, through Hope International. In 2008, 700 people took part and raised $20,000. In 2009, 1,700 participants raised more than $90,000.
Contact: runforwater.ca.
To Russia with more
International Russian Radio/TV (IRR/TV) has changed its name to Great Commission Media Ministries (GCM Ministries). The new name more accurately reflects the expanded scope of the B.C.-based organization’s work.
The ministry was founded in 1976 when a Russian student named Laura, married to a Canadian named Hannu Haukka, began Christian radio broadcasts into Russia from Finland; it has since expanded to broadcast programs into Israel, China, India, Iran, Ukraine, Guyana, Egypt and some 20 other countries in the Middle East and central Asia.
Contact: www.gcmediaministries.org.
City of God
‘The City for God’s Sake’ is the theme May 15 at Richmond Chinese Alliance Church. Koinos Seminars, Missions Fest Vancouver and City Scape are hosting an Urban Mission Seminar with renowned author and speaker Ray Bakke.
Author of The Urban Christian and A Theology as Big as the City, Bakke has long challenged Christian leaders to think strategically about the urban contexts where the majority of the planet’s inhabitants now live. He is founder of International Urban Associates.
For further information, contact Ward Gasque at wardgasque@gmail.com or 604.271.9333.
Grief Support
Elim Village is offering a Drop-In Grief Support Group May 6 and 20. Free of charge, it is open to those from the community who are struggling with grief and loss.
It will be facilitated by professionals who have training in these areas. Participants will explore issues such as anger, depression, anticipated loss, sudden loss and the acceptance of loss. Registration is required.
Contact pastor Gordon Fryer at 604.808.0351 or elimvillage.com.
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Youth volunteer guilty
Chad Blaine Mossing has pleaded guilty to 11 sexual offences against eight victims aged 6 to 16; seven of the victims were male. The offences occurred from 1988 to 2007 in Mission, Merritt and Oliver, where he had served as a youth volunteer in several churches – and also ran a skateboard shop. Mossing received a seven year sentence.
A gay area
Shaun Eadie and Brian Thomas have filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal after Les and Susan Molnar refused to rent them a room at their RiverBend Bed and Breakfast in Grand Forks, because the two men are gay.
Les Molnar has told the tribunal that to “allow a gay couple to share a bed in my Christian home would violate my Christian beliefs, and cause me and my wife great distress.”
He argued that their “private dwelling house” is protected by the freedom of religion provisions of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 2005, the B.C. tribunal ruled that the Catholic group, Knights of Columbus, was justified in refusing to rent their hall to lesbians for a wedding reception.
– Jim Coggins
Extreme trip
Broadcaster Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson has just left for Africa to do a documentary on a ‘Uganda Extreme Home Makeover.’
She told BCCN:“We will move a woman and children from a dilapidated dwelling in the bush to a beautiful brick home with cement floor, windows, tin roof, three bedrooms, latrine, water tank, solar lighting, beds, a goat and a bicycle.”
Tyler Thompson was born in Uganda, and wants to “give back to this country that showed me so much love as a child missionary.”
Miracles over?
The Salvation Army has begun the process of winding down operations of Miracle Valley in Mission.
A press statement noted that, for 50 years, men from across B.C. have stayed at the facility “to beat their addictions, enjoy the majesty of the surroundings and to be transformed.”
However, the statement noted, “for the last several years, the Salvation Army, its funders, supporters and government officials have struggled to maintain an aging infrastructure, a declining number of participants and escalating costs.”
The statement concluded: “We do want to highlight the miraculous changes in the lives of those who have experienced this sacred place.”
The Lord Rains
The Lord’s Rain, Gospel Mission’s ministry to provide showers to people in the Downtown Eastside, has just marked its second anniversary.
The Lord’s Rain was built by a group of volunteers with support from a variety of sources. It has become more than a showers facility: it’s a morning gathering place for coffee and conversation.
The ministry plans to install a video link from the Mission to The Lord’s Rain downstairs – which is wheelchair-accessible – so that people with disabilities who want to take part in worship services may do so.
– DFD
May 2010
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