• BC Christian News • APRIL ISSUE 1999 • VOL. 19 #4 • Formerly "Christian Info News" •

City in Focus celebrates 10 years
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By Alan Reynolds

A DIVERSE group of almost 200 people gathered at the Law Courts Restaurant March 11 to celebrate 10 years of ministry by City In Focus (CIF). Many of those in attendance were leaders in business and community life. They were there to acknowledge the work of the ministry's executive director, Tom Cooper.

The master of ceremonies was Robert Struthers, chair of finance for CIF. The main speaker was Doug Coe, coordinator of the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. Other speakers paying tribute to Cooper included Paul Wagler, chief financial officer of the Loewen Group, and David McLean, chair of both CN Rail and the McLean Group.

Tom Cooper

In the spring of 1988, when Cooper was honorary chaplain at Regent College, he was approached by Jim Houston, first president of Regent, to begin a ministry to business people in Vancouver. CIF was the result.

Cooper had been in business himself for some 10 years -- as vice president of a construction company, director of sales for a tour map company and partner in a bookstore. After entering the ministry, he served as pastor of Presbyterian churches in Washington and California; for two years, he was research assistant to John Stott, world renowned preacher, teacher and author, in London, England.

Cooper earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and is presently a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He and his wife Karen have three children.

The stated mandate of CIF is "to communicate the love and call of Jesus Christ in a sensitive and challenging manner to the business and professional people of Vancouver, by means of a ministry based where they work." The work of CIF is non denominational. It is "tied to the local church for prayer and accountability, but open to all without agenda, other than to have Christ known."

The objectives of CIF include: networking and facilitating Christ-centred ministries and events; supporting small group fellowships and their leaders; being available for counselling; encouraging friendships; and helping people to find, develop and use their relationship with Jesus Christ in their private, working and social worlds.

Trustees of CIF include Monica Hay, project manager for B.C. Transit, Financial Authority; Jack Neil, managing partner of Thorne Little Accounting; David Murphy, retired executive vice president of finance for Canadian Airlines; and Walt Ruloff, president of Ruloff Capital.

CIF sponsors 'In Perspective,' a monthly luncheon featuring guest speakers who share their experiences of relating their faith to their personal and business lives. David McLean is the scheduled speaker at the next luncheon, April 9. CIF also produces a newsletter which offers helpful insights into common personal, business and family issues. A collection of Cooper's writings has been issued, entitled Crossings. Cooper's ministry also gives substantial encouragement and support to other Vancouver ministries, and to charitable causes in the Downtown Eastside neighborhood.

In pursuing all these activities, Tom Cooper has been known for establishing deep friendships, and for extending the love of God to an often lonely and uncaring business community.

He has stated: "There is a spiritual poverty in the city that no amount of wealth or power can camouflage. I am staggered at the hundreds of people seeking help -- guidance in their relationships and careers, and in their walk with God. I have found people amazingly open to the personal love of God, when encouraged clearly and openhandedly in an atmosphere of unconditional acceptance. Behind the facade of the gleaming city are people who are lonely and need to know they are loved."

For more information about City In Focus, call (604) 687-7292.