June 2004

The Free Methodist Church in Canada June 2004 - Volume 1 Issue 5

COVER JOURNEYING TOGETHER TO DISCOVER OUR PURPOSE

by Rev. Will Keller

PAGE 2

Reflecting the diversity of ministry expression within the Free Methodist family

JOURNEYING TOGETHER TO DISCOVER OUR PURPOSE

by Will Keller

Editor’s Desk Church Development News

PAGE 3 Focus on Fruitfulness

By Bishop Keith Elford General Conference Update

By Conference Coordinator, Tanya Prinsep

PAGE 4 Passages Another Day in Paradise

by Rev. Jonathan Namsoo

PAGE 5 A Typical Day at the Office

by Rev. Michael Allen

PAGE 6 7 Core Values Demonstrated at Springarama Mary Stewart Asbury "Keenagers" at Perth Free Methodist Church

by Ruth Ferris

PAGE 7 The Simon Walk

by Rev. Jason Johnson

PAGE 8 You Keep Coming Back

By Rev. Dan Sheffield Buddhist nationalists in Sri Lanka step up violence against churches

By Manpreet Singh

MOSAIC 4315 Village Centre Court Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1S2 Tel: 905-848-2600 Fax: 905-848-2603 www.fmc-canada.org For submissions: howdenl@fmc-canada.org Dan Sheffield, Editor-in-Chief Lisa Howden, Managing Editor and Production

Mailed under Publication agreement #40008369.

Return postage guaranteed.

“I

t's not about you." These are the opening words of Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life.

Reading through this devotional book is just one aspect of the 40 Days of Purpose. The Sunday message linked together with small group studies, the memory verse of the week, and a few special events form the spiritual journey which the Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church embarked on this past winter.

When asked, "why 40 Days?" Rick Warren points out that "Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for His purposes, He took 40 days: Noah's life was transformed by 40 days of rain. Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai. The spies were transformed by 40 days in the Promised Land. David was transformed by Goliath's 40-Day challenge. Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from a single meal. The entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave the people 40 days to change.

Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness. The disciples were transformed by 40 days with Jesus after the resurrection."

So how did these 40 days transform lives in Harrowsmith?

Well as we studied the five purposes of Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism we saw the following impact on people's lives. The Saturday night launch saw over 170 people out. Eight people were transformed by committing or recommitting their lives to Christ; 4 individuals were baptised; 150 committed to participate in a small group, the like of which we've never seen. Many took seriously the challenge to memorize the five scripture verses, including some 7-9 year olds who can quote them all word for word.

One young man was impacted by the verse in 1 Peter 4:10 which reads: "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve

others." He is a gifted climber, and currently is working at a local climbing gym. God has given him the vision of climbing the height of Mount Everest (over 29000 feet) as a fundraiser for our building program, with a goal to raise $29,000. This event is to take place this summer.

After being formally announced, over $4900 was pledged to this endeavour following the Sunday service. There was overwhelming participation at the Expand Your Horizons Ministry/Missions Fair, from ministries inside the church and many of our local and regional contacts.

A few of the highlights of this event saw people begin new ministry, eight children were sponsored through I.C.C.M and new mission opportunities have risen out of this.

The story of changed lives continues. Shortly following the completion of the campaign, 13 children (grades 5 &6) committed their lives to the Lord, 6-7 additional people have indicated a desire to be baptised and 10 individuals have communicated a desire to enter into membership.

Most of the small groups plan to continue on and new ones are starting.

Listen to these "40 Days of Purpose Stories."

"God showed me that worship is not only about Sunday mornings, but about living my life for God every day and in everything. Even in the small and seemingly insignificant things I can worship God." "As a very new Christian I have come to a deeper understanding of what it means to live the Christian life. Like never before, my husband and I have, every evening, set aside time for our readings. This time has clearly brought strength to our marriage, our family and our relationship with the Lord. Much gratitude and praise!"

"God is encouraging me to grow in my walk with Him and to be patient when trying to figure out my continued on page 2 - Journeying

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EDITOR’S DESK Let’s all take a lesson from Madeleine My brother-in-law is away at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer, fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a police constable. And so when I offered to come and stay with Deborah, my pregnant sister, and help with her 10-month-old she jumped at the offer.

I have been spending quite a bit of time with Madeleine, my niece. My day starts anywhere between 6:00 and 6:30 am. As I climb the stairs to her room I can hear her singing - she always wakes up happy.

After a quick change, together we move down to the kitchen where I warm up her bottle. She's quite content to be cuddled and chatter until it's ready. Next - down to the family room where she finishes her bottle at an alarming rate, followed by some play time before her mom wakes up. The same pattern plays itself out every morning (there is also a nightly routine, but I won't bore you with the details.)

She's got quite a life! Parents who love her, a great family support system, enough food to eat, more toys than she knows what to do with, and the list goes on and on . . .

I've been thinking about the similarities of our own Christian journey and Madeleine's young life. We have a Father whose love for us is so great we can't fully comprehend it. A giant support system called the Body of Christ, a God who has covenanted with us and will provide for all of our needs. So why does my life seem so complicated compared to Madeleine's? I think it's a trust issue. I've learned that I can do things on my own and so it requires a conscious effort to trust God with my life. Madeleine has no choice but to trust. She trusts that I'll come into her room tomorrow and the day will begin. She has not yet learned to be disappointed or worry about decisions she's made.

I'm making a clear choice starting today to uncomplicate my life and return control to my Father.

When I'm tempted to do things my own way, I'm going to remind myself of my trusting niece and her anxiety free life. Hmmm, simply a child of God . . . has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

Lisa Howden Managing Editor

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continued from cover . . .

Journeying

future."

"I'm so glad to be part of the college and careers. It has been great for me because it has given me an opportunity to The most serve God and to grow at the same time.

As a group we have grown deeper with important thing is God and gone deeper in the Word then I that I feel closer could ever imagine. We now have a great network of support. It goes from Toronto to God now than to Ottawa. It keeps us all encouraged no ever before, and matter where we are. Personally God has for that I am truly blessed me with a lot of new friendships that I will have for life. The most blessed. important thing is that I feel closer to God now than ever before, and for that I am truly blessed."

"He's (God) bringing us closer together as a body of believers, me personally I have begun to see that serving Christ isn't boring, but an exciting thing."

"There has been an increased openness in our group sharing personal stories of people who didn't know each other very well. God is opening up new areas for me in my walk working with different people and helping me to see their needs and be more concerned about their salvation."

During the planning stages of the campaign I was led to announce to the leadership team that I believe that God would impact 400 lives. I believe this vision continues to be realized.

Some of the stories are still to be told.

Rev. Will Keller is Senior Pastor at Harrowsmith FMC in Ontario

SOMEONE WAS ASKING ABOUT CHURCH GROWTH - JUST THE FACTS PLEASE! Q. Are we getting anywhere? Since 1998, we closed 13 churches.

A. Regrettably, this is true, however we've added 31 new congregations in the same time bringing our 2003 total to 150!

Q. What about our response to the multicultural realities of Canada? Canada is a country of many languages!

A. On a given Sunday morning, Canadian Free Methodists worship in 13 different languages - English, French, Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Urdu, Tamil, Amharic, Spanish, Portuguese, Assyrian, Creole.

Q. How many Church Development projects are on the go just now?

A. If we think of churches like babies, the family is growing. Altogether there are 64 projects in process just now. Every project begins with people praying about an IDEA (There are 34 of these that we know about). There are 7 that are FORMING LEADERSHIP CORES just now, 6 ALTERNATE congregations functioning and 17 in the CHURCH PLANT or AFFILIATING CONGREGATION category. In time, we think that the picture in the following chart will change drastically as the Lord adds to the church those who are being saved………..

1995 Attendance 10,329 Membership 6,683 Commitments 561 # of Congregations 128

1996 10,690 6,519 816 127

1997 10,929 6,382 975 129

1998 11,240 6,695 1,267 130

1999 11,827 6,745 1,304 131

2000 12,374 6,692 1,613 127

2001 12,792 7,138 1,838 130

2002 13,267 7,502 1,294 142

2003 12,914 7,603 1,136 150

Q. What are the biggest challenges?

A. Helping established congregations to catch the vision of what God is doing. When the vision to see a healthy congregation planted within the reach of all people really catches fire, the prayer support and the financial commitment to Church Development will be awesome!

Q. Who could give me a list of projects to pray for and support?

A. Email Bishop Keith at: elfordk@fmc-canada.org He has a list ready to come your way!

SOMEONE WAS ASKING ABOUT MINISTERS FOR THE FUTURE - JUST THE FACTS PLEASE! Candidates. 45 of these are tracking for Q. Is God still calling people into the ministry ordination! in the FMCiC? A. Yes. And the momentum is increasing. Q. What are these Ministerial Candidates doing now?

In 2003, there were 27 candidates interviewed. Already, there are 54 A. 37 of them are already appointed to churches where they minister week by scheduled for 2004. Ask Alan Retzman week while being involved in part time retzmana@fmc-canada.org for the studies. 16 of them are pastoring names of candidates to pray for. churches.

Q. How many Ministerial Candidates are planning on being ordained?

A. The FMCiC has 52 Ministerial

SOMEONE WAS ASKING ABOUT NEW MINISTRIES BEYOND CANADA - JUST THE FACTS PLEASE! Q. What's going on in Sri Lanka?

A. A brand new Free Methodist Mission District is going to be formed in Sri Lanka this summer. A team is going in August to receive 8 congregations as FM fellowships and ordain (or transfer credentials of ) 9 pastors. The connection? This has come about as a result of Tamil churches being planted in Canada.

Q. What's going on in Niamey, Niger?

A. Following an exploratory trip to French Muslim West Africa last year by Dan Sheffield and Greg Langille, David and Jennifer Wright have volunteered for a two-year assignment in Niamey. The Wrights and their two young children will be involved in leadership development while assessing the possibility of initiating FM ministry in Niger.

Q. What's going on in Hyderabad, India?

A. A coalition of Canadian FM churches

led by the Sarnia FMC has formed a partnership with Indian Free Methodist church-planters in this city of 6 million.

The partnership serves to encourage and pray for the church-planting team, to help with specific training goals and to help finance the establishment of a ministry centre.

Q. What's going on in Mogadishu, Somalia?

A. The Kingsview FMC in Toronto, following an exploratory visit to Mogadishu in 2003, is seeking to raise funds to help drill a well for a hospital development project. This opportunity resulted from Kingsview's outreach to the Somali refugee community in their neighbourhood.

The percentage of evangelicals in each of these Gateway Cities is less than 3%.

Dan Sheffield at sheffieldd@fmc-canada.org can give you more information on these and other Global Ministry projects.

3 M O S A I C By

Bishop Keith Elford

I

don't know about you, but I learn best when I can get a picture of something. For example, when I want to "get it" as far as the big realities about the church are concerned, I think that Jesus' picture of the farmer in his vineyard, found in John 15, is one of the best. It portrays the church as a living organism confronted with some of the same challenges that all living things encounter. In my imagination, I see this estate owner carefully working his way through his vineyard, selectively pruning branches so that the vine and its branches have the health to produce a bountiful crop.

Granted, any English major will not get past the first verse without pointing out the mixed metaphors and wondering out loud when Jesus says that he is the Vine (a plant) and yet has the gardener as his father! Jesus is both Son and Vine?

Yes. That's the Christmas story in a sentence. The eternal Son laid aside his divine glory and became one with His creation. The father owns the vineyard. The Son is the vine. I get this picture's message. The Church belongs to God and all that begins, exists and flourishes is because of Him and us abiding in Him. But what about this pruning business? The vine dresser prunes the sucker branches that have lots of leaves but no fruit, AND he also prunes the fruit-bearing branches to make them more fruitful. I "get it." There will always be lifedraining, energy burning activities to prune out of the life of the Church. In other words, there will always be things to "stop doing." They are not fruitful; they drain life!

Hmm. I wonder what ministry activities in our lives might fall in this category.

Jesus also says that if the word (or message) he has spoken is embraced, it will result in our having pruned back (clean) lives. So, it's not just life draining stuff that has to go. Being a wholesome follower of Jesus calls us to a holy disciplined life of abiding in Him. Hmm. I wonder what it means for busy twenty-first century, fruitful, Christ followers to live a "pruned back" life.

Jesus' picture makes it clear that both the vine and the gardener are passionate about the vineyard becoming even more fruitful. This year's crop is to be surpassed by next year's yield. In fact, fruitfulness is the whole point of the vineyard…not perfectly straight rows, nor nice big leaves, nor

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thoroughly tilled and re-tilled soil. The passion of the vine and the farmer is fruit!

So, what is fruit in the kingdom of God? My perspective is that the fruit that the Lord of the Hmm. I wonder vineyard is looking for is clusters of wholesome, engaged disciples who are themselves continuing what it means to be transformed into Christ-likeness while at the same time working together with an outward for busy twentyfocus to reproduce healthy communities of faith. first century, That's a long sentence, but there are several dimensions that must be kept linked. What do fruitful, Christ you think he is getting at?

Have you read Jim Collin's book, "Good to followers to live Great?" He opens the fifth chapter with the a “pruned question, "Are you a hedgehog or a fox?" He references an ancient Greek parable that suggested back” life that people can be divided into two basic groups: foxes and hedgehogs. He explains, "Foxes pursue many ends at the same time and see the world in all its complexity. They are scattered or diffused, moving on many levels, but never integrating their thinking into one overall concept or unifying vision. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything. In other words, hedgehogs understand that the essence of profound insight is simplicity and focus." That's a picture that I can get.

In our recent Board of Administration meetings, we talked together about these concepts. Applying the picture of the vineyard (with its passion for fruitfulness) and the principle of the hedgehog (with its insistence on focus), we had an engaging discussion about what the Lord has in mind in order for the FMCIC to be a great ministry. At the end of several hours of discussion in small groups and as a whole, it became clear that a great denomination must be the kind of movement that focuses on establishing great local churches where people are being transformed by the Holy Spirit and assimilated into a rich community of faith that sees the transformation of people, marriages, families and communities as its reason for existence.

In other places of this edition of the Mosaic, you will read about fruit that is appearing - exciting developments in the planting of new churches in Canada, negotiations about the formation of a new mission district in Sri Lanka, and the passion of our National Ministerial Education, Guidance and Placement Committee to raise up healthy leaders who are focused on abiding in Christ and being fruitful.

The vineyard, the vine, the vine dresser, the hedgehog. I get the pictures! Focus on fruitfulness!

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General Conference 2005 Update In the last issue of the Mosaic we introduced the Study Teams that had been approved by the Board of Administration. It is a privilege to now introduce those individuals who will be serving on those Study Teams. The Board of Administration approved in April the following Study Team Members.

The Find Study Team will be led by Rev. Howard Olver and

will consist of the following members: Raymond Biggs, Rev. Ed da Silva, Sargon Davoodi, Jim Dunford, Rev. Wade Fitzpatrick, Rev. Doug Griffin, David Ho, David Kneeshaw, Rev. Randy MacDonald, Grant Sigsworth, Lois Tomc, Pastor Scott Woolhead The Mature Study Team will be led by Pastor Jennifer Anderson and will consist of the following members: Rev. Sabrina D'Rozario, Rev. Rick Hancock, Rev. Gary Landers, Pastor Jan MacPhail, Rev. Bob Munshaw, Corey Peters, Rev. Robert Quick, Jeff Stafford, Pastor Jennifer Wagar The Celebrate Study Team will be led by Heather Sutton and will consist of the following members: Rev.Dean Babcock, Rev. Jacki Barbour, Pastor Jordon Cooper, Pastor Rusty Crozier, Carol McDowell, Cameron Montgomery, Jeffrey Robinson, Rev. Glen Snider.

These teams are about to embark on a study that will report directly to the General Conference. Everyone is invited to prayerfully submit their ideas and input to these Study Teams for their consideration. We would also ask that you keep these teams in your prayers as they work together to seek God's direction.

Tanya Prinsep General Conference Coordinator

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Passages Appointments Jennifer Wagar, Youth Pastor (Supply) April 8, 2004 Verona FMC, Verona, ON

ANOTHER

DAY QBSBEJTF

Diane Clifford, Pastor (Supply) April 12, 2004 Church of the Holy Spirit, Fort Frances, ON Brad Hamm, Ministry Pastor (Supply) May 20, 2004 Lakeview FMC, Saskatoon, SK Kelly Graham, Assistant Pastor - Teaching (supply) May 25, 2004 Lakeview FMC, Saskatoon, SK Benedict Gomez, Pastor (Supply) May 30, 2004 Wesley Chapel Tamil, Scarborough, ON John Enns-Wind, Senior Pastor (Supply) June 14, 2004 Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK

JO

The phone rang again.

"Please God," I prayed desperately. "Give me a break from this phone so I can get to the Units!"

I sighed and picked up the receiver. "Chaplaincy department. Jonathan speaking."

"Hi ‌ Jonathan?"

Steve Cylka, Senior Pastor (Supply) July 26, 2004 Prince Edward County FMC, Picton, ON

"Yes," I said calmly but impatiently. The man's voice sounded very familiar, but I couldn't match voice to face yet.

Ministerial Candidates

"Hi, this is Tim. I don't know if you remember me, but‌"

John Chung Diane Clifford Andrew MacKay Jennifer Wagar Benedict Gomez

"Yes, of course I remember you, Tim! How are you?" Images of this young man flooded my mind and I smiled as a new excitement filled me.

Approved for Ordination Benedict Gomez - May 30, 2004 Daniel Graham - July 18, 2004 William (Rusty) Crozier - August 29, 2004

Churches in Transition Caistor Centre FMC - Caistor Centre, ON Eastern Koinonia FMC, Toronto, ON Karen Crescent FMC, Orillia, ON Killarney FMC, Killarney, MB New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON O'Connor FMC, Kakabeka Falls, ON - as of Dec. 31, 2004 Richmond Hill Chinese FMC, Richmond Hill, ON St. Henri FMC, Montreal, PQ Souris Valley Community Church, Estevan, SK Timmins FMC, Timmins, ON Vennachar FMC, Vennachar, ON

Pastors in Transition Germain Fortin Norman Shepstone Mike Smeltzer Dale Vinkle

Change of Status Huckle Choi - Leave of absence (School) Mary Nwagbugbo - Leave of absence

Transition to Retirement David Ashton David Benson Carl Bull Vernon DeMille Raymond Klatt

Transfer to another denomination Bill Lippman - to Associated Gospel Church

Withdrawn from Conference Steven Dunn Gerry McCall

"I'm doing well. I just thought I would call you and tell you that you were on my mind a lot today and I was praying for you."

"Thank you. It's been one of those weeks, so I appreciate the prayers. What's happening with you?"

"Well, I was acquitted on all my charges in September, and was released from court. I have a job at a restaurant. And I found a church, and I've been going every week. The job doesn't pay much, but it's enough to support my daughter and me."

"That's great! How are you getting along with your family?"

"My folks can't believe the change in my life! I've never seen them happier!"

"Amazing! That is so God, isn't it?"

"You know it, man! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I'm doing well, and wanted to say thanks for helping me to find God for real."

"Thanks for calling, Tim. Can I pray for you before you go?"

As we prayed, I felt a deep joy as I remembered Tim's new life and growth in Christ.

I remembered the Chapel service where he asked if God would still forgive and accept him.

I remembered our discussions: his tears of sorrow and shame as he came to God a broken man, and his tears of joy and smiles of hope as God began to put him back together.

I remembered his quiet request for me to come over to his cell as I was distributing Christmas gift bags in his Unit in 2002. He wanted to show me how he had taken up the challenge to form a "cell group" on the Unit so that other Christian inmates wouldn't feel alone in their faith. With pride and humility, he told me that seven of them gathered faithfully every day to read the Bible and pray for each other, and that two Muslims on the Unit had asked to join their prayer group.

I remembered one of our last sessions before his trial, when he stated his determination to hold onto God, even if he was convicted and got the maximum time for his charges.I remembered the last time I saw him: the confidence in his eyes, the peace on his face, and his characteristic smile and nod as he passed me one afternoon on his way to the court cells.

After we hung up, I cried and thanked God that, this day, Tim shared a glimpse of Paradise with me. And my heart smiled.

Rev. Jonathan Namsoo is the Chaplain at the Toronto West Detention Centre, a 600 bed maximum-security facility for adult male offenders.

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ou may remember in the early 1980s there was an ad campaign for the Canadian Forces - the motto declaring "There's no life like it."

It still rings true today — and for Clergy in the armed forces there is certainly "no ministry like it." I think the best way to describe this unique ministry is simply to walk through a single day with you — today will do. Is today a typical day? I don't know if any day is typical. Last week my day included walking on top of a three-foot thick wall at a training centre at Ft. Lewis, Washington. In the rooms below the troops were kicking down the doors and shooting the bad guys and saving the good. We were only three feet above them while they used live ammunition. Yesterday I was at a rifle range interviewing soldiers and last fall I spent a day repelling from a chopper. So there are no typical days for me.

Let me set the stage. I am Padre to Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI). You might be familiar with the name because they lost four of their number to an American bomb in Afghanistan in April 2002. We have, as a unit, been in what's called a reconstitution stage since Afghanistan. This is a time when we replace our numbers, let soldiers rest, train and get ready to go again. The reconstitution was to continue until January 2005. However, as usually happens, we were called upon to be "op ready1" sooner. This is because Second Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment has been sent to Haiti. We are now required to have three independent Company Battle Groups, about 150 soldiers each, stood up2 and ready to go anywhere in the world within 72 hours. Needless to say, we are a little busy these days!

My role as a Padre, apart from getting ready to go myself, is to interview each and every soldier and their families to see if there is any reason why they would not be able to go. We call this Departure Assistance Group (DAG) process. This procedure ensures that the soldier is medically fit, does not require any dental work and can function psycho/socially stably. This last prerequisite is my area. If they have issues I DAG them red, if there are no problems I DAG them green.

If they are DAG'ed red I need to assess their situation and help them through their problem(s).

An interesting dynamic of 3PPCLI is the relative youth of the unit.

Over 70% of our soldiers have less than two years in the Army and are biting at the bit to go. This means that I have fewer families to interview.

It also means that older soldiers have had no rest because they have been heavily tasked over the last two years training younger soldiers.

Our day begins at 0730 for Battalion parade and PT. The PT can vary from upper body weightlifting to the commanding officer's 15km run. Today is sub-unit PT and I am on my own. I go to my office to get my keys only to find five soldiers waiting for me. They need to be DAG'ed so I interview them. One soldier, towards the end, asks me "How does a person know what religion to follow? I tell him that Jesus said, "If you seek, you will find." "Ya, but how do we know if we are seeking right? I ask what he has been doing in his seeking. He tells me that he has been reading the Bible. I ask how this makes him feel? He states that it makes him feel at peace. Then I tell him, "I think you have your answer," and his face lights up. I encourage him to keep seeking and tell him we will meet again.

Following these interviews and a bit of administration I had a meeting with the Adjutant referring some of our people with problems.

I am the lightning rod for all personal problems, which makes ministry interesting. I had to cut this meeting short because one of our soldiers, being held in cells, was being arraigned for his court-martial in a few minutes. I met with him and we prayed together before his court appearance. Just last week when I went to visit him for the first time he told me that he was a pagan - the Viking sort - and worshipped Thor, the god of war, whereupon he produced tattoos to that end. Today, he asks a curious question. "How do I become a Christian?" He figures Thor has not got him very far. So we spend some time talking about what it means to be a Christian and after that I ask him if he wants to take such a step - he does, so we pray together! It is exciting seeing such a big change in a person in such a short time.

It is now 0930 and I go over to the base hospital to talk to one of the psychiatrists about another soldier who has fallen through the cracks in the system. After getting his situation sorted out I arrived late for my 1000 counselling session. This young wife came to Christ during the Alpha course I helped lead on base last year and was having marriage problems. Her husband is in my unit and she does not feel safe around him. I take her and her little one to my home where Paula, my wife, spends the day with her. (She stays until after supper when we are sure her husband has boarded a bus to train outside of Edmonton.)

At noon I head back to base now in my uniform - until this point I was in my PT strip3. I stop by my office to check my mail and again find

Royal Canadian Regiment a line of people at my door. I begin to process these guys only to be interrupted with two compassionate cases. One of our officers lost a family member in Ontario and had to get a flight but they would not book it until I gave my okay. In the other situation a soldier's wife became very ill and he needed compassionate leave. It is part of my job to look at the individual situations and recommend leave or not. I also DAGed him red.

The time is now 1500 hours and I still have three things to do today — work on my taxes, visit someone in hospital and write this article. Off to the hospital I went to visit a young soldier who just had his fourth cancer surgery, this time part of his liver was taken. This young Catholic man would be an inspiration to anyone who has suffered. By 1700 I am pulling out of the hospital parking lot and heading home to help the young mother plan her next step.

It is now late and I never did get to the taxes but tomorrow they are taking out my four wisdom teeth in order for me to be DAGed green . . . that will be different. They say Visiting the sick child of a soldier at the Mayo change is as good as a rest, we'll see. Clinic in Rochester, MN FOOTNOTES [1] Op Ready - stands for Operation Ready, meaning that a unit is up to full strength is fully trained and ready to go into battle. [2] Stood Up - means that you are creating a battle group based on a smaller unit. Take a company which has about 70-90 soldiers — most of which are infantry. To make them a battle group you would add about 30 engineers 20 artillery, (if called for) medical and chaplain support, etc. When you include these added assets to the regular infantry the battle group is “stood up.” [3] PT strip - a t-shirt and jogging pants maroon in colour with the PPCLI cap badge on them.

Michael Allen is Padre to Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI) and lives in Edmonton, AB when he is not serving overseas.

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ASBURY "KEENAGERS" AT PERTH FREE METHODIST CHURCH

7 CORE VALUES DEMONSTRATED AT SPRINGARAMA As Free Methodist Women made in the image of God with gifts to contribute to the kingdom, the WMI Canada East each year strives to develop and maintain our denominations purpose - that is to make known to people everywhere God's call to wholeness - through a weekend retreat called Springarama.

Approximately 360 women formed the Christian community to surround those who may not yet have grown to the full understanding of Christianity and to share with those of a common theology. We desired to minister in Jesus' name.

A Prayer Room was available all weekend, a "Seek His Presence" time was provided and an altar visit was encouraged.

Beginning on Friday evening with an inspirational sharing by Pastor John Kurish (new Senior Pastor at Polson Park - Kingston, ON) who apologized, as a mere man, for holding women back, in whatever form that may have taken, then moving into worship in music and onto the weekends keynote speaker, Karen Childs set the stage for anxious expection for the embarking of the Holy Spirit.

The Springarama committee headed by Gail Shillington demonstrated the teamwork that is necessary when any great task is ventured. The diversity of spiritual gifts and personal competencies within the church was relevant and the leadership support of the WMI Executive aimed to build teamwork within the Christian community.

Over 20 churches connected this weekend to learn and to grow as christians and as people laying the groundwork for the development of integrity, of excellence, of grace, of faithfulness and of the knowledge of Christ. This weekend church was commissioned to provide enough financial support to build a school in Haiti. Not only did they invest in this purposeful service, they went above and beyond.

On behalf of the WMI Canada East Executive I extend a sincere thank you to those who spoke, sang, organized, baked, assisted and attended.

God will complete a great work in you. See you next year. in faith, Mary Stewart, VP Missions WMI Executive

MISSION STATEMENT: "To worship and glorify God in love and to lift up the name of Jesus through the Word and music. To provide a weekly meeting place for seniors of the Perth area, where social and spiritual needs are met."

"Keenagers" is a ministry to seniors, ages 50100, which began at Asbury in 1971 with seven people under the direction of Rev. Dugal Sharpe.

The warm and friendly atmosphere draws people each Thursday with an attendance now ranging between 85 - 100, all churches being represented. It has been said that the Keenage hour, 10:00 am - 11:00 am is the happiest place in town. One lady said, "I look forward to Thursday, as it is the highlight of my week."

Another said, "Keenagers is my church, as I am unable to attend my own." We hope to inspire seniors to pass on the "Good News" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the next generations and to tell of God's goodness in their own lives.

We meet in the Fellowship Hall of Asbury Church.

Refreshments provided by the

seniors are served by a team of volunteers. The programme consists of humour, hymn singing, readings, special music and a speaker. Pastor John Baker speaks on the first Thursday and Pastor Robert Ferris speaks the third Thursday, with guests on the other weeks. A banquet is planned at Christmas and again June before the close for summer. It is held in the Legion Hall, catered by the Legion Women's Auxilliary. Approximately 150 attend these banquets, as they can invite friends.

Thank God for Keenagers. What a blessing they are to us and to each other.

by Ruth Ferris

KUDO’S Christianity Today names “The 50 Best Christian Places to Work.” The second annual survey highlights companies that focus on building a culture of trust.

It is significant that in educational institutions with more than 300 employees, two of the top four institutions are Free Methodist, namely Seattle Pacific University and Roberts Wesleyan College.

SHOULD CHRISTIANS TRY TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS?

C

hristians have every right to express their concerns and convictions, both collectively and individually, but they need to do so with several perspectives in mind.

First, if they understand that Christ is the guarantor of the Church's security and not the state or its government, they will not demand that the laws conform to their understanding of what is right or just. If the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ's Church it is because He is its shield and protector, not some government, whatever its ideology happens to be.

Second, the New Testament vision of the sovereignty of God does not demand that His people attain political dominance. This is a critical point and distinguishes Christianity from Islam, for example. God does not coerce anyone into belief in Christ, even though Christians have often fallen into that error. Faith in Christ is a voluntary act. Christians must be the first to recognize this to be so and must assert the right of others to make voluntary choices too. This understanding is certainly a part of the reason why western societies have developed into such open societies over others elsewhere.

We should always argue for the right of others to hold views contrary to our own. We can be good citizens in any society and under any government, even though in some places it might be very hard.

Third, Christians should understand that the supreme law for the people of God—that is,

the Church—is love, while governments must assume a quite different role, restraining evil and seeking to insure that their people are allowed to live within a just and well-governed society.

Governments can't love, but the Church can and must if it is to be true to its Maker.

Fourth, Christians should see active participation in the life of the state as a normal and healthy part of their witness. They are to be salt and light. They can seek to bring their vision of a better world to their life within their communities, always recognizing that others may come to the same issues with other points of view. If we see that our life in Christ is not dependent on governments protecting us by their laws, we can argue as vigorously as possible for better public policy and still respect the outcome, though it may fall short of our vision.

If we believe that God has come to us in Christ to create a new humanity within this world, we will want to speak and act out of the truth of that relationship. God's Word renews both our minds and our lives. That becomes the salt and light we contribute in our world. We should not withhold it even though others may not embrace it. And in the process, let's keep reminding ourselves that the Church of Christ works by persuasion and not by coercion; we can't look to governments to do the Church's work for us.

Harold Jantz attends River East MB Church, Winnipeg. He is a former editor of the MB Herald and founder of ChristianWeek. Originally published in the Mennonite Brethren Herald, February 6, 2004.

7 M O S A I C

T

he Youth Group from the Free Methodist Centennial Chapel in Kamloops did something awesome this past Good Friday. We carried a 10-foot cross up a hill. A very high and often times very steep hill! We've called the experience "The Simon Walk." It was our desire to identify with Christ (even just a bit) in his passion.

The idea hit me (Pastor Jason Johnson) when I was on a hike with one of our adult sponsors. Looking around at the rather arid hills, I thought to myself, "I bet this is sort of what Israel looks like. I can just picture Moses standing up here. I can picture Jesus sitting here, teaching his disciples."

From there, the idea steam-rolled into what we now have come to call "The Simon Walk."

Here's what happened.

Eight students and five adults met at the home of Brian and Anette Hines. Before we started out, we read from Philippians 3:4-11. Especially verse ten was applicable to our situation: "As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death" (NLT).

The students then, one by one, took the cross over their shoulder and made their way up the hill-the "very high and often times very steep hill!"

We would stop at "stations" that were marked out. At each "station" (there were ten in all) we would read various scriptures from the Passion narratives. For example, at one station we read how Jesus received his crown of thorns. At another station we read how a man named Simon helped Jesus carry his cross when the way got too hard (hence, "The Simon Walk.") If ever the going got too tough for the student, they would call out for assistance and another student would help carry the cross.

Merely walking the path was hard enough let alone carrying a 10-ft tall cross that weighed about 60lbs. And some of the students barely weighed

Fifty Plus Retreat At Wesley Acres September 10-12, 2004

Inspirational Preaching & Music Speaker: Rev. Donald N. Bastian Bishop Emeritus, The Free Methodist Church in Canada

Singers: Lighthouse Ministry in Song â– Fifth Annual Old Car Show Fun, Fellowship & Fine Dining for Mature Adults For information, contact Wesley Acres, P.O. Box 330, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0 Tel. (613) 393-3159 Email: wesley@reach.net Website: www.wesleyacres.com Wesley Acres is located on West Lake, 30 km south of Belleville. A Christian Retreat Centre & Campground, since 1974.

more than 100lbs!!

We eventually made it to the top. When we got up there, Brian and I (with the guitar I packed up) led in some singing. Next, we each received a blank piece of paper and a pencil. We then went off by ourselves. The idea was to reflect on our lives and the sin therein. When they all trickled back, they were able to nail their pieces of paper to the cross-which was now standing up! After everyone was in, I lined them all up underneath the cross and went down the line, pronouncing that their sins are now forgiven.

What a powerful thing to hear‌what a powerful thing to say!

When this was done we took our "sin papers" and burned them in a metal bucket.

After that, we had communion. Wow! Standing atop Kamloops and yet under the cross! When we received some bread and a cup of juice, we again went off by ourselves and we reflected on what Christ had done for us.

We first carried the cross up the hill to identify with Christ and his suffering. We now had to carry the cross back down. But we did so for another symbolic reason. Hear Luke 14:27, "And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me" (NLT). As Christians, it's our responsibility to carry our own cross on a daily basis. In carrying the cross back down the mountain, we declared that we will carry our own crosses daily and be a disciple of Christ!

What a powerful way to spend a Good Friday together. As one of the students put it, "I will never look at Easter the same way."

Pastor Jason Johnson is Associate Pastor at Centennial Chapel in Kamloops, BC.

Job Opportunity

YOU KEEP COMING BACK

By Dan Sheffield

"A

lot of overseas Christian groups come here and give us money because they see our poor situation - but we never see them again. You Free Methodists said you wouldn't give us any money, but you keep coming back!" This is just one of the reasons why a group of churches and pastors in Sri Lanka wants to affiliate with the Free Methodist Church.

Canadian FM leaders began developing a relationship with these pastors in 2002. Toronto FM pastors, S. Jeyarajah and B. Gomez, had been encouraging the National Leadership Team for some time to consider beginning Free Methodist ministry in Sri Lanka, their homeland. An exploratory trip in Feb 2003 was partially sponsored by Wesley Chapel, the Canadian Gateway Cities Fund and Free Methodist World Missions.

Sri Lanka is a small island country off the southeast coast of India with a population of 19 million. Christians, of all sorts, represent 7.6% of Sri Lanka's mainly Buddhist (72%) population, with evangelicals at 1.3%.

Buddhism is the state religion and although freedom of religion is allowed for other groups, there is significant discrimination and in some cases violent persecution from rogue elements.

Since 1980 there has been revival and strong evangelical growth from 50,000 to nearly 240,000. Most of this growth has been amongst the minority Tamil people, in the north of the country; people of Hindu background. The majority Sinhala people are Buddhist, many of whom are open to the gospel but are actively pressured by Buddhist religious leaders to resist Christian growth. The capital city, Colombo, with 2.5 million people is one of our identified Gateway Cities. A ministry focus in this city will likewise make an impact in the interior of the country.

In August 2003 a second team including Pastors Vic and Joan Stonehouse and Mrs. Phyllis Lysander of Wesley Chapel, Toronto, accompanied Jeyerajah and Gomez. The team led a training retreat for a group of pastors and their families. The Sri Lankan leaders spoke of this time as "a breath of fresh air." Many of these pastors are working in difficult ministry situations with very few resources available for personal refreshment or ministry upgrading.

A recent ministry team trip which included Dan Sheffield, Alan Retzman, Benedict Gomez and Dr. and Mrs. Lysander (of Wesley Chapel) conducted another training program for pastors and outlined a plan for Free Methodist development in Sri Lanka. Alan Retzman led an interview process with a number of affiliating pastors, while Gomez and Sheffield taught courses on The Heart of Free Methodism and Wesleyan Theology. Visits were made to several of the affiliating congregations to give basic teaching on the distinctives of the Free Methodist Church.

Special attention was given to the possible development of a ministry centre in Colombo. Three pastors are working in and around this city, all without stable worship facilities. They meet in homes and regularly receive threats from neighbours and landlords; every six months or so they have to look for a new worship venue. One of the early projects which has been identified is the need for a worship facility including a pastor's home and a national office for the Free Methodist Church (one of the prerequisites for officially registering the FMC with the government).

In August this year, Bishop Keith Elford will lead a team to Sri Lanka to officially inaugurate a Mission District of the FMC. Nine pastors will transfer credentials or be ordained and eight congregations will affiliate as Fellowships. A Board of Administration will be elected. The intention is that decision making for FM work in Sri Lanka will soon be handled by capable national leaders following an interactive, partnership period of 1-2 years.

When asked in personnel interviews what attracts them to the Free Methodist Church, these leaders consistently used phrases like: "you have a plan, a method for getting churches organized and working together - we've been on our own for too long;" and "your people are friendly and really interested in the work we are doing, we feel you are remembering us even when you are not here."

Can we please stand with these brothers and sisters in Christ who minister the gospel in a world beyond our comprehension here in Canada?

If your church would like to become a partner in the Canadian Sri Lanka ministry coalition, please contact me through the national ministry centre. A more detailed report with prayer and financial needs is available.

Dan Sheffield is Director of Global and Intercultural Ministries for The Free Methodist Church in Canada

Buddhist nationalists in Sri Lanka step up violence against churches

By Manpreet Singh

Renewed violence against Christians erupted in mid-December when a prominent anti-conversion Buddhist monk, Gangodawila Soma Thero, died suddenly while visiting Russia. Nationalist Buddhist groups allege a "Christian conspiracy" behind his death.

Christians disputed the charge, and the autopsy report confirms the monk died of natural causes.

Still, many churches have been stoned or burned down. Three churches were attacked the night of February 15. Church workers were assaulted and faced death threats; some attackers accused them of seeking "unethical conversions."

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Sri Lankan authorities recorded 91 attacks on Christians and churches last year and 41 incidents so far this year. Christians are especially vulnerable in rural areas. Radicals have been able to shut down 146 churches in a four-month span.

"The fundamentalist Buddhists want to turn Sri Lanka into a Buddhist kingdom and bring [an] anti-conversion law," said Jude Simion, an evangelist in Colombo. "There is tension all around."

Buddhist nationalists are determined to stop conversions. "We will not allow Christians to convert Buddhists to Christianity," said Neville Karunatilake, spokesman for the Sihala Urumaya Buddhist Party.

"Conversions are unethical. We will stop them."

"Religious liberty is at stake," Yogarajah replied. "We will fight against the moves to bring [an] anti-conversion law. Choice of faith is a fundamental right." Yogarajah said Christians will not back down. "The violence against us is continuing," he said. "But we are committed to carry the mission of Christ. The gospel will be lived, in a responsible and sensible manner."

Copyright Š 2004 Christianity Today. May 2004, Vol. 48, No. 5, Page 20