• BC Christian News • NOVEMBER ISSUE 1999 • VOL. 19 #11 • Formerly "Christian Info News" •

Lower Mainland
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Pastor helps ease Van Tech tensions

By David F. Dawes

CHARGES OF racism were in the air a few weeks ago, because of tensions between students at Vancouver Technical secondary school. A Filipino pastor has been instrumental in bringing parents together to deal with the situation.

In late September, the Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance and Filipino-Canadians Against Racism maintained that Filipino students had been subjected to racially-motivated harrassment by other students. The two lobby groups claimed that 25 Filipino students were boycotting the school because they feared being subjected to verbal and physical attacks. - MORE
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Faith and strong convictions motivate Owen and Osborn

By David F. Dawes

CHRISTIAN FAITH is a key motivating factor for two of the more high-profile Vancouver candidates in the November 20 election.

Although they share a strong belief in Jesus, however, they are polar opposites.

Incumbent mayor Philip Owen is very much a part of the established social landscape of Vancouver; his Non-Partisan Association currently fills all the positions on city council.

Poet, musician and anti-poverty activist Bud Osborn has known a life of great struggle; he is running for city council with the Committee of Progressive Electors. - MORE
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Pastors in prayer

If it could happen in New York, then it could happen in Vancouver. At a recent city wide prayer gathering at Tenth Avenue Church on October 1, some 150 pastors and intercessors from different denominations -- including Vineyard, Baptist, Anglican, Alliance, Independent, Brethren -- prayed for the establishment of an ongoing 24-hour, year-round church-based prayer chain for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region. - MORE
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To the world, with love and toys

The Shoebox Express left the station October 19. This large, brightly decorated cargo container is one of six which will be shipped to the Balkans as part of Operation Christmas Child. It started its journey in the parking lot of the Canada Safeway store on Kingsway, in Vancouver, where schoolchildren contributed shoeboxes full of toys, school supplies and hygiene items.

Sponsored by Samaritan's Purse, this is the seventh annual campaign to send gifts to cheer the lives of children in countries despoiled by poverty, natural disaster or war. After several stopovers in the Lower Mainland, the containers will go to more than 30 other cities across Canada.

Last year, thousands of Canadian churches, schools and businesses were involved, sending over 366,000 shoeboxes; worldwide, the campaign gathered more than 2.3 million boxes, for children in 55 countries.

This year, organizers hope to send at least 50,000 shoeboxes from Canada to the Balkans. Spokesman Ivan Giesbrecht stated: "These children have recently suffered through many months of violence, terror and upheaval. By bringing them lovingly prepared gifts from Canada, we want their last memory of this horrific year to be a happy one." Shipments will also go to Central and South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Shoeboxes can be contributed until the end of November. Call 1-800-303-1269.
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Ministry to Metrotown established

CRYSTAL SQUARE, a new shopping mall in the Metrotown area of Burnaby, will be the location for an ambitious evangelical outreach. Chinese Christian Mission of Canada has just purchased a large space on the second floor of the mall, which is located at the corner of Kingsway and Willingdon.

Edwin Kong, a member of CCM's board of directors, says the ministry acquired the property "for the purpose of establishing a Christian outreach centre in the marketplace." Kong has pastored Christ Church of China in Vancouver's Chinatown for 16 years; he is resigning, to become executive director of CCM Canada.

CCM is inviting the general public to a 'Thanksgiving Service' November 14 at the new facility. The event will feature the installation of Kong in his new role. Contact (604) 877-8606 or www.ccmcanada.org
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Many happy returns!

Burnaby-based Eternity Ministries celebrated its 20th anniversary September 30 (above). Director Audrey Mabley (to the right, with ministry worker Georgia Kutt) gave a message; ministry members shared testimonies; Julie Fenton and Darrell Swanson provided music; and a fundraising auction was held. MLA Fred Randall attended, as well as BC Reform Party president Bill Vander Zalm and his wife Lillian.

Students and teachers at Vancouver Christian School (top left) celebrated the school's 50th birthday October 15. Beginning as a facility accommodating the children of Dutch immigrants, the school eventually began reaching out to the broader Christian community. The student body is now approximately 40 percent Asian, and the teachers represent a variety of ethnic groups.

The Greater Vancouver branch of L'Arche celebrated its 25th anniversary Ocbtober 9 - 10. Pictured (left) are two of the founding members: Bill Collins and Iris Henderson, who is reading a prayer. Festivities included a pancake breakfast and a slide show. Founded by Jean Vanier, the ministry provides a loving community for people with mental handicaps.

-- Sylvia Yu
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