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By Jim Coggins
 POLICE are still looking for leads in the case of a bomb that seriously injured a Campus for Christ worker after it was left on his doorstep in Langley, BC.
Gary Stevenson, 39, was in the process of moving out of his townhome November 8 when he discovered a pink-wrapped package on his doorstep. Thinking it might be a going-away present for one of his two young daughters, he carried it into his garage. When he started to unwrap it, it exploded. He suffered lacerations, especially to the face, as well as burns, but the most serious injury was a piece of shrapnel that lodged in his liver. After emergency surgery, he is recuperating in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Police don't know if the bomb was targeted at Stevenson, another member of his family or someone else -- or if the attack was completely random. Unable to find any motive or suspects, the Langley RCMP issued a general warning to the public November 10 to be wary of any suspicious packages that arrive without advance warning.
Neighbours told various news media that the Stevensons were "a wonderful family" and expressed shock at the attack.
There is also no indication that the attack could be linked to Stevenson's work. Stevenson has been working for Campus for Christ -- a branch of Power to Change, formerly Campus Crusade for Christ Canada -- at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC for the past seven years.
Guy Saffold, executive director of ministries at Power to Change, told CC.com the bombing was "a very strange event" and the ministry "has never had any problem of this kind at all." Stevenson is "very gentle, caring and relational" and has "been received very warmly at SFU," he added. "The students love him."
Stevenson's wife Lynda and daughters Anneka, 3, and Maiya, 1, were not at home when the blast occurred. In case the accident wasn't random, Stevenson is receiving police protection at the hospital. Because of the uncertainty, it is hoped that the police can soon determine who delivered the bomb and why. "Finding closure to this would be helpful," said Saffold.
Stevenson was one of 200 Campus for Christ workers on 29 university and college campuses across Canada. His work was similar to other Campus workers: he organized meetings, brought in speakers and befriended students. Stevenson was also "creative and innovative," using podcasts and other technology to connect with students, said Saffold.
The Stevensons attend Christian Life Assembly in Langley. Senior operations leader Jeffery Chapman, who has known Stevenson for about twelve years, said "it has been a wonderful thing to watch him develop." Stevenson was a new believer when Chapman first met him, and he soon became involved in the college and career group and a home care group led by Chapman.
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Stevenson was working as a carpenter, but the turning point came when he went to Nicaragua on a missions trip with a group from the church. "That really touched him," said Chapman. "When he came back, he was passionate about the Lord and missions" and "his interest and involvement in carpentry faded pretty fast . . . He strongly felt the call of God on his life and followed it."
Stevenson went back to Nicaragua to work with the Campus organization for two years, developing a multi-dimensional ministry there. After returning to Canada, he began working at SFU.
Chapman described Stevenson as a "humble and very considerate" and "one of the greatest personal evangelists I know."
Friends from the church and from SFU have gathered around the Stevensons, praying for the family and gathering at the hospital. Friends have also set up a Facebook group to support the family, and donations for the family's support are being received by both the church and Power to Change.
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Langley RCMP advise public to be cautious after man injured by exploding gift
Police are warning the public to be cautious opening any suspicious packages after a 39-year-old man was injured when a package wrapped up as a gift and left outside his townhouse exploded on the weekend. Langley RCMP said Monday morning that the victim is in stable condition and is expected to recover.
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Police in a Vancouver suburb are asking the public to be wary of any mysterious parcels after a man ended up in hospital when a package found outside his home exploded. The 39-year-old man picked up the parcel from outside his townhouse complex in suburban Langley on Saturday.
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Bomb left on doorstep injures B.C. missionary
The RCMP issued a public alert yesterday after a missionary who works with university students was injured by a bomb that was disguised as a gift and left on his family's doorstep in Langley. Gary Stevenson, 39, was injured in the head and chest by an explosion after he carried into his townhouse a package that local news media described as being in a pink gift bag.
Globe and Mail, November 11
November 13/2008
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