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| The first Christian Info Society newspaper. |
IN summer 1982, a dozen people met in a Vancouver
church to brainstorm a new way to share Christian information.
Among those present were John Howat, then B.C. director
of World Vision; Sam Taetz, Canadian director of Haven of Rest radio
ministry; Andy and Lorna Anderson, founders of the Northwest Centre of
World Mission; and Lloyd Mackey, then publisher of a Burnaby community
newspaper.
Their discussions resulted in the first issue of Christian Info – which
had four pages, and no advertising. The operation was incorporated as the
Christian Info Society (CIS). Mackey was named executive director of
CIS and editor of the paper.
The Christian Info name prevailed until the early 90s; it was Christian News for a short time.
Then in the great tradition of newspapering, the names were combined into Christian Info News. In 1997, at
age 15, it became BC Christian News. It has had offices in Vancouver, Port Kells and now
Langley.
Lloyd Mackey was editor
until 1987. In the late 80s, he worked with a similar paper in Toronto; he
returned to Vancouver, doing both secular publishing work and assisting
with BCCN. In 1998,
he moved back to Ottawa to found a similar paper there.
In 2006, Mackey was honoured with the Leslie K. Tarr
Award for lifetime career achievement; the citation noted his involvement
with several North American Christian newspapers.
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Mackey is author of four books, and is now doing
freelance journalism. For CIS, he contributes to the Okanagan and Island
editions, and CanadianChristianity.com
Debra Fieguth, like Mackey,
came from a community newspaper background. She succeeded him as editor,
after serving as news editor. In the early 90s, she ‘went
national,’ becoming associate editor of Winnipeg-based ChristianWeek, a national
evangelical tabloid.
She is a journalism grad of Vancouver Community
College, and holds an English degree from UBC.
Since the late 90s, she has lived in Kingston,
Ontario, where she is active in several aspects of Anglican communication
work.
Flyn Ritchie first
worked with CIS as a volunteer distributor of the paper while studying law
at UBC, attracted by its focus on unity. Not too long after being called to
the bar, he began writing for the newspaper, specializing often in arts
coverage.
In 1992, he succeeded Fieguth as editor. Three years
ago, he became publisher – and continues overseeing the
content of the various CIS publications as editorial director.
During both Fieguth’s and Ritchie’s tenure,
this newspaper has been the recipient of awards for excellence in various
categories – from both Canadian Church Press, and the North
America-wide Fellowship of Christian Newspapers.
December 2007
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