Donald Cantelon passes on

Pastor Donald Cantelon 1928 - 2008

His own father was a pastor, and both of his brothers became clergymen. His early years were steeped in Pentecostal tradition, as he recounted: “I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the age of 11 in the Apostolic Church in Radville, Saskatchewan. Right after, I began to hold Sunday afternoon children’s meetings. I preached tithing to them, bought tracts and then we went downtown and gave them out. My first major camp meeting assignment was also with the Apostolic Churches of Canada.”

He led churches in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia, and was senior pastor of CLA from 1983 to 1992. For three years, he was a pastor at Richmond Tabernacle; he returned to CLA to become visitation pastor.  

It is hard to imagine the vast number of lives ‘Pastor Don’ touched, throughout a lifetime of faithful Christian ministry and service.

‘Mother Teresa’ of Cambodia

Marie Ens will be one of the plenary speakers at this year’s Missions Fest, scheduled January 30 – February 1. Ens, who  was raised in the Lower Mainland, has been called ‘the Mother Teresa’ of Cambodia – for her work in providing education and medical care, in the name of Jesus, to the poor of that troubled Asian nation.

Beginning in 1961, the Ens family spent a number of years working in Cambodia. After the country fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975, they relocated to France, where they worked with Cambodian refugees. After her husband passed away in 1991, Ens returned to Cambodia in 1994 to resume her ministry in the land she loves.

Now in her ‘retirement years,’ she works at Place of Rescue, an AIDS hospice and orphanage, outside the capital city of Phnom Penh. Info: www.missionsfestvancouver.ca.

Airport Chaplaincy at 25

The Vancouver International Airport Chaplaincy ministry is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. With 26,000 workers and 17 million visitors, the airport is like a town.  

Led by Layne Daggett, a part-time pastor at Ward Memorial Church in Vancouver, the chaplaincy office offers a host of much-needed services.

“We minister to both travellers and workers, about 50 percent each,” Daggett told BCCN. “We had contact with 7,000 people last year.” The office has five associate chaplains and more than 40 volunteers. For more info: 604.303.3010.

WorldServe’s new CEO

WorldServe Ministries, with its Canadian base in White Rock, has named Tetsunao (Ted) Yamamori its new president/CEO. Contact: 1.800.414.7788.

Living Gifts are fair trade

A non-profit, fair trade organization, Ten Thousand Villages provides vital income to people in the developing world by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Last year, $1.29 million was raised.

This year, four special projects make up the Living Gift selection, including specific items like seeds as well as lasting services like classroom support. Prices range from $19 to $300. For store locations, or to purchase a Living Gift online, at www.TenThousandVillages.ca.

Note: BCCN incorrectly included the heading ‘Give a goat for Christmas!’ in last issue’s Advent feature item on Ten Thousand Villages. That particular gift is not available this year.

Sparkle of Hope

The Salvation Army is partnering with Medicine Centres in Sparkle of Hope  –  a fundraising and awareness initiative to combat sexual human trafficking. Vancouver has been identified as a primary North American port city for the international entry of sexual human trafficking victims.  

By purchasing a Sparkle of Hope pin – available at all British Columbia Medicine Centre locations – people support the liberation of sexually trafficked women and children, who currently live in fear and bondage.  www.thetruthisntsexy.ca

Salvation Army needs support

In the midst of economic downturn and uncertainty, the Salvation Army is counting on British Columbians to come through with seasonal donations as never before.

The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle campaign kicked off at Walmart in New Westminster, November 19.

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The scope of the Army’s ministry in B.C. is staggering. Some elements of the ministry: a million meals served; 200,750 shelter nights for the homeless; 450 transitional housing beds; 100 residential beds for parolees; 244 adult treatment beds; 25 beds for domestically abused women and families; and Family Services programs in 39 communities. The Salvation Army is the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services, serving 1.5 million each year, in 400 communities. www.salvationarmy.ca.

 UGM braced for service

Union Gospel Mission (UGM) is one of many charities bracing themselves as the economic crisis worsens. Like most charities, UGM receives over half of its annual funding during the holiday season. UGM is launching a ‘Christmas Catalogue of Giving,’ supplying Christmas hampers to families in need.

December 13 marks UGM’s 68th annual Christmas dinner for the hungry, hurting and homeless of the Downtown Eastside. Some 3,000 guests are expected. www.ugm.ca.

Going the extra mile at Columbia

Vern Heidebrecht, who is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease,has increased his contribution to Columbia Bible College’s Church and Donor Relations program to one day per week.

A former board chair of the college, Heidebrecht is also pastor emeritus at Northview Community Church.

Columbia comments: “His work is a daily transcendence over the challenges posed by Parkinson’s. He inspires us.”

Lingana Foundation helps Sudan

The newly formed Lingana Foundation is based in Vancouver.  Its purpose is to help those in dire need, in the conflict-ridden and poverty-stricken areas of Sudan (Darfur region), Chad and Central African Republic.

The group is accepting donations, which it says will go straight to compassionate projects that bring life-giving hope, through education and community support.

Lingana says $300 will educate one youth, and his or her direct community, for a year. For more details, go to: lingana.org.

eLeaders empowering vision

More than 500 attendees sold out the 4th annual Entrepreneur Forum, held October 29 at Vancouver Convention Centre. Focused on Christian-based entrepreneurial leadership, it was organized by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Leaders (CEL) at the School of Business, Trinity Western University. It is believed to be the world’s largest such event.

Director Rick Goossen (pictured above) said CEL was established to pursue the vision “to empower entrepreneurial leaders for global impact.” CEL is a catalyst to inspire entrepreneurial leaders to have a positive influence in their businesses, churches and in society.  www.eleaders.org.

United Nations bests

Students from Maple Ridge Christian School attended a Model United Nations conference at Trinity Western University in October. High schools from around the Lower Mainland participated in the event. Awards were given to several Maple Ridge youth: (from left to right) Trevor Holdcroft – Best Diplomat for the General Assembly;  Josh DaSilva – Honourable Mention for Best Delegate for Security Council; Rudolf du Toit – Best Delegate for Security Council; Justine Ramsey, Best Delegate for International Criminal Court.

The school’s team hopes to attend a Model United Nations conference in New York, next May.

    – Peter Biggs

December 2008