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By Steve Weatherbe
JOHN Stewart was youth pastor at the Western Communities Baptist Church in
Colwood – when he felt God calling him to something different.
Coincidentally – not that he believes it was a coincidence – a mid-year vacancy suddenly opened up at Pacific Christian School (PCS), in the
very field he had trained in at Biola University in Los Angeles: health and
physical education.
“My wife Jennifer, who was already teaching there, came home with the news. It’s very rare for openings in mid-year,” he told BCCN .
That was 11 years ago. This spring, his efforts were recognized by PHE (Physical
and Health Education) Canada, with the national organization’s Teaching Excellence Award for British Columbia.
PHE Canada’s B.C. board representative, Irene Wallace, commented: “I don’t think I have ever known anyone who is so creative, willing to push the edge,
willing to give – yet so humble.”
The award cited Stewart’s promotion of a “lifestyle of fitness,” designed to empower his students to make healthy choices and work as good team
members.
Left out of these official commendations, inevitably, were Stewart’s evangelistic endeavours.
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His approach to witnessing for Jesus Christ has resulted in informal encounters
he believes are hugely important – in and out of class, in casual lunchtime conversations, and coaching PCS’s senior volleyball and basketball teams.
“A big part of our vision is life lived in joyful service,” said Stewart, who was caught completely by surprise by the award.
Someone who got the message in a big way is recent PCS grad Erin van Wiltenburg,
whose recommendation of her former coach formed part of the nomination to PHE.
She said Stewart encouraged his students to “find themselves and dream big.”
Van Wiltenburg dreamed big – and found herself running across several African countries last year, with
another PCS grad. Their ‘See Them Run’ trek raised money for education initiatives in Africa.
Stewart also started triathlon classes for both juniors and seniors – with an end-of-year race which includes a 300-metre swim, 10 kilometre bike
race, and three kilometre run.
The race ends at the school, where students from his leadership class lay on an
appropriate welcome and celebration.
PCS principal Dave O’Dell described his athletic director as “a pretty energetic fellow. What drives him is helping kids to develop and to use their gifts for
God’s glory, to develop as citizens. We are very proud of him.”
September 2009
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