News briefs

Ambrose celebrates grand opening

Calgary's Ambrose University College is celebrating the opening of its new campus November 8 - 9. Located on 40 acres, the 130,000-square-foot facility includes an academic centre, a gym that doubles as a performing arts centre, a 146-bed student residence and an extensive library. Ambrose, founded by the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada and the Church of the Nazarene Canada, has about 600 students.

Ron Gray retires

Ron Gray is retiring as national leader of Christian Heritage Party (CHP) effective at this year's convention in November. Gray has been leader of the CHP since 1995. The party is encouraging party supporters to send notes of appreciation and donations toward a gift to the Grays. Contact: ianknight@likegroup.com or 905-836-8016.

TheCRY in Toronto

TheCRY, which descibes itself as "a prayer movement of Canadians who believe that it is our biblical mandate to pray for and bless those in authority in our nation," has scheduled its next major event for October 31 at St. Paul's Church in Toronto. The purpose is that "a generation will gather (young and old) to contend in the spirit for revival and reformation to sweep our nation." The date and location were chosen so that Christians can come and attend both TheCRY and the separate Heaven's Rehearsal worship event the next day.

Presidents Day 2008

Over 80 leaders of denominations, ministry organizations and educational institutions met with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada October 23 to discuss ministry themes and issues such as Incarnational Church, Missional Church, Next Generation, Poverty and Homelessness, and Environment. Rick Hiemstra, project manager of the EFC Centre for Research on Canadian Evangelicalism, presented data related especially to the impact of immigration on evangelicalism in Canada, while Don Hutchinson, vice-president of the Centre for Faith and Public Life and general legal counsel, provided background to the religious freedom cases currently in Canadian courts.

Continue article >>

International day for the Eradication of Poverty

An estimated 100 million people participated in a worldwide campaign to 'Stand Up and Take Action' against poverty on October 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. In Canada, Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) joined with the National Anti-Poverty Coalition and the Ottawa District Labour Council to organize a noon-hour gathering to demonstrate support for the Millennium Development Goals. CPJ promotes public justice in Canada by shaping key public policy debates through research and analysis, publishing and public dialogue.

'What happened to Christian Canada?'

Church & Faith Trends, an online publication of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada's Centre for Research on Canadian Evangelicalism, has posted responses to this question from five scholars: Robert Burkinshaw of Trinity Western University; Bruce Guenther of Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary; Mark G. McGowan of the University of Toronto and St. Michael's College; Marguerite Van Die of Queen's University; and Mark Noll of the University of Notre Dame.

Bell releases Devotion

Award-winning Winnipeg musician Steve Bell has just released a new worship album, Devotion, with the hope that it will help Christian communities worship. Many of the titles are authored by Bell's friend Gord Johnson and tested in his home church, St. Benedict's Table.

Not just a video night

Alex and Meghan Nicholls, a Canadian Christian couple in their 20s, have produced a 40-minute documentary on Rwanda and are starting a four-month, 30-stop, cross-Canada tour on November 5. At each stop, they will show the film and lead young people in a discussion of issues such as poverty, HIV-AIDS, gender inequality and child mortality. Although it is hard for young people to identify with those from another country, the Nicholls hope to convince the young people that there is no 'them' and 'us' but 'just us'. They then hope to connect the young people to Canadian international development agencies.

October 30/2008