live magazine March-April 2020 issue

live A Baptist resource for women on a mission March - April 2020 ¡ $3.50

Perseverance 2020 Strategic Giving Projects Giving hope to the Mising Tribe (p3)

Bible Study Called to Persevere (p14)

The Joy of Persevering (p10)

A countdown guide to our April Conference (p20-22)

Declaring the Goodness of God

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in this issue

cONNECTING

COLUMNS/RESOURCES BIBLE STUDY 14 Persevere Chosen | Holy | Called declaring the goodness of God

FEATURES connect to MISSION 3 Spiritual Empowerment and Enrichment Giving hope to the Mising Tribe 6 My Life in India (1962-75) Reflections from Audrey Morikawa 8 Chosen | Holy | Called Rev. Anne Drost 10 The Joy of Persevering Watch what happens when you reach out locally 12 Window on the World

13 Women’s Ministries at Oasis Dufferin Community Centre connect to others 17 KISELO 75 Years of Kindness, Service, Love 18 Conference Checklist 19 2019 Life Memberships 19 CBWOQ News 20 DECLARING THE GOODNESS OF GOD chosen | holy | called A Countdown Guide to our Baptist Women’s Conference 23 Registration Form

Cover: Female clergy in the CBOQ pin their ministry wounds, hurts, setbacks and obstacles to the cross during Preacher Women | Lydia’s Daughters 2019 conference. Baptist Women was a co-sponsor of this Conference.

Cover photo credit: Josh del Rosario

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I spent the first two weeks of 2020 in Trinidad, family in tow. Family that includes our nephew Tristan. This was his first time meeting his grandparents; exploring the “old” house in which his mother and aunt had grown up; meeting his second cousins—they live next door. He went to the beach, felt white sand between his toes and tasted ocean water. “Aunty Renée,” he declared. “I can handle any wave, any time, anywhere!”

That day, I too felt that I could handle any wave, any time, anywhere. Not Caribbean Sea waves, but rather, waves like the ones that had threatened my focus as Jeff and I fought to make sure that Tristan would not be lost to his family—nor we to him; that he could one day stand on Trinidad soil and soak up his heritage.

I trace my wave-handling confidence back to July 2016 when we had said yes to God’s directive to step up and offer ourselves for Tristan—permanently. At the time, I didn’t think we’d need to persevere through years of court testimonies, intrusive examinations by government officials, painful conversations with family members, mediation and aggressive boundary-setting.

Persevering . . . to take hold of Tristan . . . taught me the value of silence. Through multiple court dates—when the stakes were highest and strangers discussed whether Tristan should continued on page 9

VOLUME 93, NUMBER 2

live (formerly The Link & Visitor) began as The Canadian Missionary Link (1878) and Baptist Visitor (1890). Published bi-monthly by Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 416-620-2954 Fax 416-622-2308 bwoq@baptist.ca baptistwomen.com Executive director Diane McBeth Editor and communications director Renée James 416-651-8967 rsejames@gmail.com Art director Donna Lee Pancorvo of GEPM Group Inc. (gepmgroup.com) Contributors Erika Abele, Rev. Anne Drost, Linda Ellsworth, Deb Free, Kristine Gonzalez, Diane McBeth, Audrey Morikawa, Cathie Phillips Circulation and subscriptions Subscriptions 416-620-2954 live@baptist.ca Subscriptions Individual: $20* (direct or through promoters) US & overseas: $39 All currency in $C unless otherwise noted.

The publication of comments, opinions or advertising does not necessarily imply CBWOQ agreement or endorsement. All material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in print or on websites without permission. Advertising inquiries and freelance submissions should be addressed to the editor.

Member, Canadian Church Press.

ISSN 2293-5096.

Canada Post Customer Number 1008592.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada for our publishing activities. *includes HST

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Spiritual Empowerment and Enrichment Giving hope to the Mising Tribe

Baptist Women is the exclusive fundraiser for this project which is part of our strategic giving program for 2020. It thrills us to give you this opportunity to connect, or re-connect with India . . . where so many of our own women served as missionaries with courage, grace and humble excellence.

Review the January-February 2020 issue in which we launched the program. Look at the photos and stories we’ll publish on Facebook. Most of all, please share about the program and this project with other women in your church and Association.

BACKGROUND Located in the northeastern part of India, Assam is one of the continent’s most undeveloped states. While blessed by cooler temperatures, and thus spared from the debilitating heat for which the rest of India is known, Assam’s people rely on agriculture for their livelihood and the state is prone to heavy flooding.

by Kristine Gonzalez (CBM)

The Mising Tribe The Mising Tribe is one of the largest Indigenous tribal groups in the state, with 687,310 members (2011 census). live • March - April 2020

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project costs

Fundraising Target: $20,000 Coverage: $175 – tailoring classes $220 – raw weaving materials for women $325 – computer training for young men $425 – supplies and materials for one tutoring centre $1,500 – one motorbike for an evangelist There are so many more people like Sanjay, Runu and Samuel who need a hand up. Help bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Mising Tribe so that they may know hope through His grace. With education, skills training and spiritual empowerment, they can realize and live out the life that God has intended for them—in fullness and in all His glory.

To learn how to give to this and other strategic giving projects during 2020, please visit baptistwomen.com/causes/international-projects.

Photos courtesy CBM

They have their own religion called Donyi-Polo. The Misings’ beliefs integrate with Animism and Hinduism and they believe in supernatural powers and gods. Less than one per cent of Misings are Christians and they live in urban areas, seldom remaining among the remote tribal communities.

The Misings live in poverty with a literacy rate well below India’s average. Dependent on smallscale agriculture and river fishing, the Misings usually live handto-mouth. They don’t have the resources available to them for alternative livelihoods, especially when floods come and wipe out resources. Their youth in particular, lack skills, education and employment opportunities.

Social, economic and political 4

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conditions are quite challenging for the Mising. Many see their situations as their only reality. Youth are going astray without the necessary proper guidance.

Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM), Alempang Baptist Church (ABC) and Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec (CBWOQ) are offering a different reality for the Mising Tribe through a program called Spiritual Empowerment and Enrichment of the Mising Tribe. This initiative provides education and the means to strengthen the tribe’s socio-economic situation through vocational training for unemployed youth.

The program Education for children: Sixty children from five villages will receive

Sanjay

quality education. Tutoring is provided so that participating children will better understand their lessons, resulting in higher chances of success. We hope that literacy rates will increase and young students will pursue higher education.

Training: Training in computers, mechanics, tailoring and cosmetology will give participants the extra edge they need to stand out.

Self-help for women: As they are provided with raw materials, women will be encouraged to continue to preserve their family tradition of weaving and knitting cultural shawls and attire. They will earn good income, stand on their own feet and be able to live

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Runu a dignified life.

We hope that transformation will take place in the villages. In fact, it has already started.

Sanjay, Runu and Samuel Sanjay is 19. He is the only one in his family who has kept on with school. His two siblings dropped out to continue the family business of weaving and farming, often the only option for Mising youth. Sanjay signed up for computer education classes. Not everyone who goes to college is computer literate. These computer classes give Sanjay a huge advantage over his peers and open up bigger opportunities for the future as he wishes to become a teacher.

More importantly, Sanjay soon came to learn about Christ and with the help of the Mising Baptist Association, embraced a life following Jesus.

Runu is a traditional weaver, 34 years old and a mother to three children, two of whom are married, have dropped out of school and live with their own families in Runu’s house. Runu teaches nursery school and

Samuel while the family also farms for food and for some income, any additional access to finances helps.

She received seven kilograms of thread from the program, enough for her to make 10 items of clothing. “By providing me with financial assistance to continue weaving and knitting, you have made me continue my family tradition of weaving with renewed vigour,” Runu says. “This also fetches me income and I can live a life of dignity.” A member of the Mising Baptist Association, she is a living testament to her community that hard work pays off.

Samuel is 25, married with a son. His wife is a weaver. Samuel doesn’t have many skills despite finishing school. To earn money, he fishes and also helps with his father’s farm, but he needs a more sustainable source of income.

“For years I felt a void in my life as I did not have any useful skill,” he shares. “Thanks to ABC and CBM, I now have driving skills.” Not only does Samuel now have additional skills to help him provide for his family, he has gained self-worth.  live • March - April 2020

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Audrey (Manuel) Morikawa with the hostel girls and the matron, Puspalota Majhi (top right), 1964.

Photos courtesy Shirley Knight, from her book, The Seed Holds the Tree.

MY LIFE in India (1962-75) Reflections from Audrey Morikawa

Audrey’s work with Oriya women and girls resonates today as Baptist Women invites women’s groups and Associations to participate in its 2020 strategic giving program and raise funds for both the Mising Tribe in Assam and for Soura widows. Read about the Mising Tribe on pages 3-5.

In our May-June issue you’ll read about the opportunity to support Soura widows.

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On November 14, 1962 aboard the ocean liner Arcadia, I made the following entry in my travel journal, “Difficult to imagine that we land at Bombay tomorrow. I anticipate it with mixed feelings.

One would have the tendency to want to sail on and continue this carefree life but, on the other hand, it will be good to arrive at a place called “home” and live for awhile.

Of course, I feel unprepared but the Lord has called me to a work and I must spend time with Him that He might prepare me for it.”

I was part of a group of new and returning Canadian Baptist missionaries. We sailed from New York to London on the Queen Mary and a week later boarded the Arcadia for an unforgettable trip around Gibraltar, across the Mediterranean, through the Suez Canal and over the Arabian Sea to India. A great advantage to this kind of travel was not only rest from the busy days of preparation, but time to emotionally leave “home” behind and gradually make the mental move from West to East. It also provided me an opportunity to get to know members of my new mission family as we shared rooms, played games and met together regularly for discussion, Bible study and prayer.

From Bombay (Mumbai) we travelled by train across India from west to east. This was definitely an introduction and orientation to the sights and sounds of life in India: crowds of people scurrying to board the train at every station;

baggage being carried on workers’ heads; caterers hawking their offering of hot drinks and delicious Indian snacks. All this could become very distracting when it was wise to keep your eyes on your own personal belongings!

Many new experiences included attempting to use a squat toilet on a moving train!

Canadian Baptist mission stations had been established along the east coast of India, stretching from Kakinada, south to Vuyyuru and north to Paralakhemundi. When we arrived at Visakhapatnam, a port city on the Bay of Bengal, our mission group began to segregate as we each moved to our places of assignment.

Muriel Bent and I continued north on a train running from Madras (Chennai) to Calcutta (Kolkata). A driver met us at the station nearest Paralakhemundi—a village on the border between the states of Andhra and Orissa (Odisha), nestled at the foothills of the Eastern Ghats (mountain region). Though I’d be living in Paralakhemundi. we were on our way to Serango and the Serango Christian Hospital. After an hour, including a steep climb in fourwheel drive around boulders, twists and turns . . . we reached Serango—3,000 feet above sea level. Medical work had been established here and Muriel was to become the nursing superintendent. We would live together on the hospital compound and I

would begin language study and become oriented to life in this less-developed part of India.

Trails beyond Serango led to both Soura and Oriya villages.

Churches had become established in both people groups and were seeking help and encouragement.

My call to work in this area was in response to an expressed need for a missionary to do educational work with Oriya women and girls.

We were formally welcomed at church on the following Sunday.

Someone remarked, “It is like Bessie Turnbull and Anne Munro have come back to us.” That comment created a sense of inadequacy within me: Miss Turnbull was remembered as an evangelistic missionary with a great gift for Bible teaching and Anne Munro was a missionary nurse who had played a significant role in the spiritual development and uplift of the Soura people in church and state. Could I live up to people’s expectations?

After my year of language studies in Serango I moved to Paralakhemundi. My main areas of ministry were the supervision of the Girls’ Hostel in Paralakhemundi, and the encouragement of the Women’s Association leadership. This involved visiting village churches, working with the pastors and determining a sense of direction.

Adult literacy work and women’s retreats became a key focus of this ministry. Girls, living in villages where there was little possibility live • March - April 2020

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Chosen | Holy | Called Rev. Anne Drost

Audrey leads a group of women in a village Bible study. of study beyond the elementary level, were encouraged to live in the Hostel and attend the Girls’ High School in Paralakhemundi.

Many women whose daily lives were occupied with the hard tasks of caring for their families—gathering wood, carrying water from the well, cooking over low fires, etc.—had little opportunity for new experiences. Literacy rates were low. Giving such women an opportunity to meet with others, learn simple first aid and better health practices, as well as grow in their faith through Bible study and prayer was a rewarding experience. They loved to sing and dance!

During my years in India, the challenges and opportunities were many. So were the fears, failures and frustrations. Through it all, with gratitude for the prayers of many, I clung to the promise of Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (NRSV). To God be the glory! 

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We continue to profile our ordained women clergy who serve in a variety of roles in our Canadian Baptist churches. We hope that their stories of calling inspire you to pray for them and to reflect on God’s call to you.

In this issue we meet Rev. Anne Drost.

Tell us about how you experienced God’s call to be ordained.

Years ago, God called me to follow Him to Kenya. Over time, that call brought me to Mississauga and to the position of Central Canada Rep for Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM). I have always considered my time with CBM a calling, not just a job. Early in my journey with CBM, I studied for my masters degree at McMaster but didn’t consider ordination at that time. As my role as Central Rep unfolded, and I spent more and more time with pastors and their churches, I felt God’s nudge that it was definitely time to pursue ordination. I did, and in June 2013 I was ordained at and from Lorne Park Baptist Church in Mississauga.

What was your process of responding to that call?

As I felt God’s nudge, my process was to seek guidance from several areas. First I spoke with my supervisor Jennifer Lau at CBM to see what she thought. Then I spoke with my pastor at Lorne Park, Dale Rose. Both felt that if God was leading me down this path, I should follow, and see where it led. My church body affirmed the decision and then I began the ordination process with Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ).

How has the Spirit kneaded holiness into your ministry?

As a follower of Jesus, any holiness evident in me is from His Spirit.

I have experienced God’s presence up close and very personal most of

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my life. Multiple sclerosis (MS) taught me early on that I can’t do life on my own. I became very dependent on God’s leading and constant presence as I lived out His desire for my life.

And so, from the time I became a teacher in New Brunswick back in the late ‘70s; to God calling me to go to Kenya in 1981; to my whole journey with MS, the good, the bad and the ugly was lived with the knowledge that God had me under His wing—even if I wasn’t sure what it all meant.

When I followed Jesus’ prompt to move to Mississauga in 1988 and then to a 30-year journey with CBM (educating, fundraising, interacting with pastors, congregants and SENT teams)—all of it was Spirit led, including my ordination. Everything I did was to help others grow in their journey to see God at work and to experience this same God in their own lives.

What’s challenged you the most about declaring God’s goodness?

The advantage I have had in my role with CBM is that as I came in to a church to speak or meet with a pastor, I brought good news about what God was doing in some part of the world. My challenges mostly involved being in more places than humanly possible and covering huge distances that made weariness my enemy. I have loved this engagement with churches and really will miss my time with pastors and mission committees!

How would you advise a young Baptist woman seeking ordination?

With any opportunity before a young, middle-aged or older woman, I would say to follow where you feel God is leading you. Whether it is ordination or whatever the opportunity is, talk with a couple of people you feel have your best interest at heart. Pray about it and have a few trusted friends pray for you as you seek God’s guidance. Affirmation from others is important as you seek God’s place for you.

Rev. Anne Drost was ordained June 23, 2013. While she has never served in pastoral ministry in any church, her life with CBM as Central Rep has taken her to well over 100 CBOQ churches, challenging them to a deeper experience with God as she shared what God was/is doing in our world. Her time in churches was to help encourage them in their walk and show them in practical ways what God was about.

“As I go into retirement, I don’t know what the next chapter looks like, any more than I knew what God had for me these last 30 years,” she says. “But the one thing I do know is God has me covered and, in His time, He will show me the next steps!”

CBWOQ wishes Anne all the best as she retires from CBM. 

Connecting continued from page 2 be put up for adoption—we had to be quiet because God wanted us to and He’d already worked the matter out.

I learned stillness in the midst of battle—that wordless prayer (because I’d run out of all my words)—meant I was finally ready to receive the living Word and fight another day.

I learned humility—that my offering of middle-aged body, energy and time did not mean the future would unfold as per my agenda.

I learned that faith pleases God—because it means I love Jesus, His Son, which means I love Him. The enemy wants to knock us off our feet; have us dragged under by bruising undertows that scare us and cause us to panic— flailing just to get our heads above water and breathe.

I can’t say if wave-handling confidence would have been my lot— in the same way—should we not have received Tristan. But I do know this: Persevering allowed me to catch hold of the mystery—that the hope of glory, Jesus Christ, lives in me. And that gave me bone-deep hope then . . . and now.

May hope fill you as you encounter God and do mission through this spring.

Renée James 

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Unsplash.com/AdiGoldstein

The Joy of Persevering Watch what happens when you reach out locally

by Cathie Phillips Cathie is a former Canadian Baptist Ministries global field staff in Brazil and Turkey.

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Perseverance is the word that comes to mind as I contemplate the last two-and-a-half years. That’s when we opened the doors of our portable, situated right next to our church in the community of West Hill in east Scarborough. Our team of 10 must have felt the same butterflies I was feeling that first morning. We were wondering what we had got ourselves into. That’s the day The Gathering Place was born.

Over several years, our church—Heron Park Baptist—had been discussing what it would mean for our congregation to minister in our immediate area. Following a discussion during a prayer walk, it took about a year to come to this conclusion: “Let’s have a drop-in center for the community. Anyone who wants to can come. We’ll serve coffee, breads, cookies, fruit and muffins. We’ll welcome all who come, accept them as they are, listen to their stories, and see what God will do through us.”

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Several people in our congregation had been persevering in prayer, concerned because we support outreach all around the world and in our city, but we were not directly involved in our neighbourhood. That determination to reach out locally led to the strong sense of unity which underlies all we do today.

Over two years later, as we welcome those who come—an average of 50 a week—we learn about our neighbourhood; things we could barely have imagined before. Every complex situation is represented: the poor, the blind and the lame. Alcoholism, addiction, homelessness, physical and mental health, and difficult relationships. All these lie beneath the, “Oh, I’m fine today!” answers we get when people first arrive.

By noon every Thursday, the round tables are full. The noise level rises each time the door opens.

People who used to be strangers now greet each other with a hug and call each other family.

Some days I sit next to one of the first persons who came in from the community. We both rejoice in what genuine friendship means. On her first visit to The Gathering Place, she was bashful and quiet. Now she’s cheerful, a joyful member of our church who attends with gladness and volunteers too. She visits her husband regularly in a seniors’ home and increasingly mourns his inability to remember her. But she, like all of us, has learned the strength that

comes from opening up, asking people to pray for her. She is an example of lives redeemed, emotions brought under control and the moving of the Holy Spirit in the deepest recesses of the heart.

Other days, I’m moved to compassion, wondering what we as believers should be doing when confronted with the deeper issues of our community. Do rape victims need counselling? Yes, but without even enough money for their rent, what are their options? To what level should we be involved with addicts or the homeless or immigrants who barely speak English or mothers who can’t work because they are caring for their children who have deep challenges?

Yes, it takes perseverance, but

it’s a joyful perseverance to pray as I prepare another batch of cookies and consult our volunteers about food preparation for the week; to cook up another pot of stew; to load up our car with provisions for the day and head to the portable, mindful of the day ahead and what, and who, it might bring.

Sometimes I lie awake at night praying and I think about how The Gathering Place isn’t just a dropin centre for us anymore. It’s one of the most beautiful places of servant-ministry I’ve found anywhere. I love being part of our community and serving in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Birthday Cake Seeking to value each man or woman as Jesus would, we decided to recognize the birthday of each regular attendee. I get the date of their special day, and on the Thursday closest to their birthday, a volunteer bakes a cake. “My birthday is coming up!” one calls out. “And my favourite is a carrot cake!” The next Thursday, after lunch, another community member who is now active in the church, leads us all in singing “Happy Birthday.”

As they blow out the candles on their cake, they receive a birthday card signed by all who are present that day. I take a photo and later give them a print of it so they remember the event. Many of our new friends haven’t had a celebration like that since they were 10 or 12. And that might have been decades ago.

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Window on the World Praying for our sisters across North America Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec connects to Baptist women across Canada and the United States through Baptist Women of North America (formerly NABWU).

Every Wednesday at 6 a.m. or 7 p.m. EST connect online to pray with other Baptist women and members of BWNA’s administration team about issues ranging from current affairs and concerns to the impact of climate change.

Go to bwna.com today to learn how to do that.

Do join us in praying some of the requests from our first two months of weekly meetings: • Comfort for the families and friends grieving lives lost in the downing of a Ukranian jetliner over Tehran.

• Clarity for politicians in the United States.

• Protection and patience for families with school-age children in Ontario as school boards across the province strike.

• Wisdom, discernment and 20/20 vision for BWNA member bodies as they do ministry.

BWUA prayer requests from president Marthe Nguimè Ekollo We also connect to Baptist women globally through Baptist World Alliance Women. That connection gives us the opportunity to pray for our prayer partner of the last five years—the Baptist Women’s Union of Africa (BWUA).

• Pray for peace and stability across our continent.

• Pray for economic opportunities to alleviate poverty and unemployment.

• Pray for God’s protection and travelling mercies as I’ll travel to reach out to Baptist sisters around nations.

• Pray for a fruitful Women’s Global Conference in Rio. 

t Prayer room station at New Dreams, NABWU’s 2017 Assembly.

CBWOQ set up the prayer room BWNA president TaNikka Sheppard will be the plenary theme speaker at our Baptist Women’s Conference April 24-25.

You’ll find full details in our January-February issue and online at baptistwomen.com/events.

Turn to page 20 for our Conference Countdown Guide—Scripture and prompts to help you encounter God and do mission through the month of April.

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Women’s Ministries at Oasis-Dufferin Community Centre

In my role at Oasis I provide counselling to women who are new to Canada. I have come to see the many barriers that women may face as they settle in a new country: challenges that include learning a new language; adapting to a new culture; finding ways to provide economically for their families.

Some women leave their children behind in their home country with high hopes of being quickly reunited. Many women come from poverty, have experienced trauma as children or intimate partner violence later in life. And yet in the midst of all these challenges, I most often witness their resilience, gratitude and an earnest desire to become women who can face whatever life hands them.

Seeing their ability to face such immense challenges has deepened my faith. It has been my experience that inasmuch as I have “served” this community, I have received so much from these women. 

Some of the ways in which Oasis welcomed newcomers to Canada during 2018

4,410 2,500 30 16 7 6

food hampers community meals women came to support groups (increase over 2017) women received individual counselling students mentored women entered the volunteer placement program

Erika Abele is the director of women’s ministries at Oasis-Dufferin Community Centre. Baptist Women has supported Erika in her role, and continues to support Oasis through yearly grants, thanks to our donors.

(All data retrieved from reports written by Erika and staff in December 2019.)

“Coming to Oasis has helped me as I move forward in this country, as I am new to Canada. I am so thankful for my time here at Oasis, not just for me but for all the women I have met here as well. The doors are always open with someone there to greet you, offer a smile and listen. I never hesitate to go to Oasis. I used to find it hard leaving my apartment but I am now feeling more comfortable in the city and I’ve started volunteering! This has made me feel more hopeful about my time here.”

by Erika Abele Erika is the director of women’s ministries at Oasis. live • March - April 2020

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Chosen | Holy | Called . . . declaring the goodness of God.

Called to Persevere “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light“ (1 Peter 2:9 NLT).

March . . . we endure the end of winter. April . . . we creep, hopefully, into spring! We KNOW that warmer weather is coming, with its promise of rich fragrance, dazzling colour and the new growth of all living things, but oh how we slog through February and March . . . the waiting months. How DO we persevere through all that dreariness?

Because the promise of better things to come is sure!

Hebrews 10:23 says: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (NRSV).

We read amazing accounts in the Bible of those who persevered in the service of God. DEBORAH – Persevering Through War

Unsplash.com/GaelleMarcel

by Linda Ellsworth Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada.

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READ Judges 4:1-3 Setting the Stage: Following the death of Joshua, the relationship of Israel to their God cycled through four centuries of rebellion, rescue and restoration. In the latter part of Judges chapter 3, we read of the two “deliverers” preceding Deborah. (The story of Ehud, Judges 3:12-30 is a fascinating, though gruesome one!)

Following Ehud’s death, what was the cause-and-effect result of Israel’s actions?

1. Israel again did _____________ _________________________ _________________________ 2. As a result, the Lord _________ _________________________ _________________________ 3. The people of Israel were __________________ by Jabin and Sisera, who commanded his army, for____ years!

READ verses 4-5 Enter Deborah, judge of renown!

Can you determine four absolutely astounding facts about this woman, given the time and circumstances in which she lived?

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(Hint—one has to do with the location in which her judgments took place.)

1________________________ _________________________ 2________________________ _________________________ 3________________________ _________________________ 4________________________ _________________________ Note: Deborah was the only female judge appointed over Israel that we know of, according to Scripture.

READ verses 6-10 A God-ordained plot Discuss the plot, and the unfolding of its origin. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Describe the amazing chain of events leading up to war. Pay special attention to Deborah’s part in the drama. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ READ verses 11-24 Deborah (a woman and married) readily agreed to go with Barak to war against the Canaanites.

Outline the battle (11-22) and the outcome (23-24). _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ What interesting twist in the chain of events was prophesied by Deborah and fulfilled by another

fascinating female named Jael? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Who was credited with winning the battle? (verse 23) _________________________ Deborah, a strong, godly, brave woman of integrity recognized, accepted and understood God’s plan of redemption for her people and persevered until the assignment was complete . . . an eternal legacy!

MARY – Persevering Through Pain We have celebrated the Saviour’s birth, and now are in the midst of remembering His death 2,000+ years after He walked this earth.

There was a woman who walked through almost every moment of Jesus’ earthly life with incredible love and dogged perseverance, silently bearing the burden from beginning to end.

READ Luke 1:26-38 The Beginning Verse 30 gives us insight into Mary’s character: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Verses 31-33 reveal the astounding promise: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Verses 34-35 deliver the impossible message that: _________________________

_________________________ _________________________ Verses 36-38 reveal yet another miracle: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Following all of this, I think I would have fainted or fled, and yet Mary’s reaction was one of humility and bravery.

READ Luke 2 The Mystery of Youth What do you find miraculous about the birth of Christ, and Mary’s reaction to it? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ As a woman, what in particular touches your heart? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ In verse 19 we find that Mary dealt with all of this by _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ At the time of Jesus’ circumcision and presentation in the temple, Mary witnessed two prophecies about her son: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ In verse 40 we learn that Jesus, like all children, seemed to have led a normal childhood, except for the description alluding to His development . . . _________________________ live • March - April 2020

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BIBLE STUDY

_________________________ _________________________ Verses 41-52 describe yet another amazing incident occurring when Jesus was just 12. Describe the incident, and note in particular Mary’s reactions throughout: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ READ John 2: 1-12 Water to Wine Now an adult, Jesus prepares to begin his three-year ministry on earth. Jesus, in the company of His mother and the first four of His disciples, is invited to a wedding in

Press On Press on O soul of mine Whose Captain suffered loss Who in the dark of night repelled The very thought of cross And separation cost Press on O soul of mine In sadness and in joy In life’s despairing moments On eagles’ wings deploy To soar with Him Whose name is Love To heaven’s bliss Reserved above Wherein at last His face I see The One who persevered for me Press on Linda Ellsworth 13/01/20

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Cana. As the host runs out of wine, Mary goes to Jesus, asking for His help, His response is astounding . . . her response even more so.

Elaborate: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ READ John 19: 25-27 The Care of Son for Mother Mary and her family are mentioned being in the crowds following Christ several times in the Gospels, but the most poignant is at the foot of the cross. Describe what happens. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ READ Acts 1: 4-14 Through the End to the Beginning According to verse 14, Mary and her sons were present in the upper room, and perhaps they had also been with the disciples to witness _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Mary, the young girl who had accepted the angelic mandate, persevered to the end of her son’s life, pondering all things in her heart, witnessing His resurrection and bearing the truths of His birth, life, death and resurrection!

Jesus – Persevering Through Life to Death to Life READ Hebrews 12: 2-3

Describe the steps of perseverance shown by Christ in these verses. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Why are we to take note of (consider) these things? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ READ John 18; Acts 1:1-11 The Easter Story: Grief to Joy—The Perseverance of the Son Oh, how He persevered for each of us! Even to death by crucifixion . . . to total separation from the Father . . . to gaining victory over sin and death . . . to glorious resurrection . . . to be seated at the right hand of God . . . the Eternal Three-In-One. Three stories of faith and courage.

Will you follow in their steps? Will you persevere in the challenges of life given to you by the One who loves you so?

READ Philippians 3:14-15 “. . . One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

CONNECT TO OTHERS

Young women ready to do mission: Ellen (left) and Pat, 1944

Photo courtesy Deb Free

KISELO 75 Years of Kindness, Service, Love It was in 1944, at a time in history when terror prevailed around the world, that eight young women who were praying for peace, searching for ways to help and to be women of encouragement, began a Mission Circle in a small Baptist church.

These women created the name KISELO by taking the first two letters from the words KINDNESS, SERVICE and LOVE. To reflect their desire to learn and grow in their spiritual walk, they chose 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) as a theme Bible verse and as their group’s benediction: “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

by Deb Free

Two of our founding members, Ellen Kerr (95) and Patricia Sedore (93), still participate at every meeting.

Smiling and active, their dedication and perseverance continue to inspire and motivate. They are the heart and soul of this mission group; devoted mentors who teach us by example that we are never too old to learn, to have fun, or to serve. As best friends, Ellen and Pat demonstrate that true friendship and sisterhood is enduring, ageless and priceless.

The ladies of Kiselo currently range in age from 3295. The younger ladies count it a joy and privilege to fellowship with the older ladies and learn from their example of trusting the Lord’s wisdom in all circumstances. There was a painful period of time when, to preserve the integrity of our group and maintain our focus and commitment of supporting missions, we live • March - April 2020

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CONNECT TO OTHERS

felt it necessary to leave our comfort zone and take a stand for our beliefs. In 2009, with the blessing of Baptist Women, we embarked upon a new journey as an independent Baptist Mission Circle and began meeting in homes.

Soon after becoming an independent mission circle, dear friends from First Baptist Church in Niagara Falls joined our meetings, and our time together this past decade has been sweet and uplifting.

It was because of our deep love and respect for one another that we persevered through these times of disillusionment and heartache. We learned that to be effective and strong as a group, we must be women of encouragement who are sensitive to the thoughts and needs of those beside us. Our trials taught us to listen more, to be discerning, to humbly share from our hearts and to be open to our Lord’s leading into the unknown.

On our journey, we have learned we don’t have to be eloquent speakers, great musicians or leaders to serve. All of us can pray for others, or we can send a caring note or make a phone call. It is often the simple gestures in life and the quiet random acts of thoughtfulness that have a powerful and productive impact.

Through the years, the Kiselo ladies have prayerfully and financially supported the wonderful special projects, missionaries and staff of CBWOQ, Canadian Baptist Ministries and local community outreach programs. We have grown in grace and in our faith as we have studied God’s Word, encouraged one another and prayed, cried, laughed, shared and served together.

In October 2019, the KISELO Mission Circle joyfully celebrated 75 years of service and partnership with CBWOQ. 

Declaring the Goodness of God chosen | holy | called Baptist Women’s Spring Conference • April 24-25

THE Conference Checklist  Invite the young women (12-18) in your church to come with you and direct them to their youth track page on our website.  Reach out to your friends and neighbours and invite them too.  Register!  Book your lunch spot (do this when you register).  Book your accommodation at one of the three area hotels with whom we have packages.  Make a note of the directions to the venue (see the January-February issue).  Gather items for The Dale Ministries.  Decide whether you’ll join us on the Conference Countdown—four weeks of Scripture, prayer and mission activities that prepare you for the Conference (see the guide on pages 20-22).

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 Ask God to open your heart to what He has in store for you at the Conference.  Follow us on Instagram (@cbwoq) to stay up to date on all details and exciting announcements and/or join our Facebook group (Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec) to learn even more.

Items for The Dale Ministries gift cards to: McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, any grocery stores reusable bags like those you can buy at No Frills, Walmart or Shoppers Drug Mart and reuse for household shopping. for men and women: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, unscented body moisturizers, Wet Wipes, socks for women: feminine hygiene products (tampons, sanitary napkins)

CONNECT TO OTHERS

2019 Life Memberships Circle Life Recipient

Given By

Waddene Chambers

Agnes Ellsworth Charlotte Watkins Edith McDiarmid

Joyce Smith Mission Circle, First Baptist Church, Sudbury First Baptist Mission Circle, Puce First Baptist Mission Circle, Puce Osgoode Baptist and Vernon United Church, Vernon

Dominion Life Recipient Given By Roxanne Widdicombe Fonthill Carol McCallum First Baptist Church, Wallaceburg Brenda Hennigar First Baptist Church, Pembroke Luella Heideman First Baptist Church, Pembroke Georgina Kuchl First Baptist Church, Pembroke

Bernice’s Picks . . .

Lent and Easter studies Lent and Easter Wisdom fromHenri J. M. Nouwen, compiled by Judy Bauer $15.99 The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection,

by Lee Strobel On sale for $5

All titles available from ReadOn Bookstore 5 International Blvd.

Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 Tel: 416-620-2934 Fax: 416-234-8840 E-mail: books@readon.ca readon.ca

Sarah (left) and Diane

CBWOQ News we are sad to announce that this year Sarah will be transitioning out of her role as treasurer. Sarah has been an integral part of our team since 2007. Her financial expertise, excellent organization, and heart for ministry have been gifts to us. A few years ago, Sarah obtained her CGA and her fulltime job often calls her to travel.

At Sarah’s suggestion, we will be adapting the treasurer’s role somewhat and searching for a bookkeeper who can work onsite one day per week. The job posting will go up soon.

Please join us in thanking Sarah for her wonderful service. You can send a message via our website, or come to Baptist Women’s Conference in April and hear her final report during the Year in Review.

Sarah, we will truly miss you. We pray that God will fill your life with happiness, friends, and opportunities, and that He will protect you and your family always.

Diane McBeth 

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DECLARING THE GOODNESS OF GOD chosen | holy | called

Declaring the Goodness of God chosen | holy | called Baptist Women’s Conference 2020 A Conference Countdown Guide Scripture, prayer and mission prompts to get us ready to declare God’s goodness

Through the month of April, Baptist Women invites you to support our Women’s Conference—those who will lead and those who will come—by declaring the goodness of God each week.

Declaring God’s goodness is both encounter and mission: We declare God’s goodness (mission) because we spend time with Him and find Him to be good (encounter). May the month of April be a month of encounter and mission for you.

Before you begin: • Pray and then decide if you’d like to join us.

• Read through the entire plan before you begin, then download and print out the Soul Sisters guides we reference.

• In this guide we suggest weekly activities, prompts, Scripture passages and prayers. Each week you may want to use some or all of the material, or simply choose your own. Do as you are led!

• Record what God says to you and share that with our Facebook group or send us an email (bwoq@ baptist.ca)

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DECLARING THE GOODNESS OF GOD chosen | holy | called DECLARING THE GOODNESS OF GOD chosen | holy | called

Week of March 30 • know God’s goodness to you “but . . . you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” - 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT). encounter You can’t show what you don’t know. Do you know Jesus loves every bit of you? Do you know life in God means a life full of God’s presence, not just in your soul but in the very midst of your being? Do you know this good news?

Practice the discipline of wonder: • Be silent and still: Choose a spot, sit and be quiet for 30 minutes.

• Move to some worship music. You’ll find some great music links at baptistwomen.com/resources/ chosen-holy-called-resources mission • Spend some time with someone you know well and practice noticing something new about them.

• Seek the way God is making Himself known to you in the face of another person. conference prayer Pray that women will leave the event knowing that they have been seen, heard and chosen by God.

Week of April 6 • remember why, and how, God is good “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” - 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV). encounter Peter links God’s goodness to His patience. What unfinished business do you have with God? What unanswered prayers and promises yet to be fulfilled? Bring all these things to God. • Consider learning then doing the Palms Down/Palms Up way of praying. Do this three times this week.

Learn more about Palms Down/Palms Up in Soul Sisters 2 at baptistwomen.com/resources/soul-sisters mission Do a short prayer walk up and down the street where you live. As you walk: • Quietly pray the Scriptures in this guide over the houses you pass by.

• Ask God to reveal His love to each family on your street.

• Pray that families will accept Jesus as Lord.

• Pray a blessing on your street. conference prayer Pray that women will leave the event knowing that they continue to be made whole by God, for God and for His sake.

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Week of April 13 • feast on God’s goodness “You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows” - Psalm 23:5 (The Passion Translation). encounter Feasting is a discipline of trust, of declaration to the world that God has made all things and is making all things new through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and around us. When we feast, we declare that God is good.

Do you feast?

• This week, commit yourself to three intentioned moments of feasting on Psalm 23:5 (or the whole psalm) by doing lectio divina.

Lectio divina is a way of approaching Scripture that simply opens you up to the work of the Spirit through the power of the Word. You are reading to be transformed. You’ll learn about lectio divina in Soul Sisters 1. Go to baptistwomen.com/resources/soul-sisters mission • Plan a simple feast for a few women in your community: go out for coffee at Tim Hortons; host a soup lunch at your home; plan a simple dinner. Whatever you choose to do, seek to include at least one new face and voice at your table. Give her room to join and treat her with honour. conference prayer Pray that conference leaders will make space to feast on the Word as they plan and then lead.

Week of April 20 (conference week) • declare God’s goodness in community “Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help” - Isaiah 58:6-7 (NLT). encounter Isaiah’s words declare God’s goodness to us and they also give us clarity on what we may do to declare His goodness to those around us. What are some of the things God has revealed to you or confirmed to you over these weeks? What feels new to you? What feels strengthened? How are you declaring God’s goodness to others? mission • Choose a day this week and extend goodness to a neighbour or to a woman at church you don’t know very well. Ask God to show you what He’s already doing in their lives, what He wants to do and how you may participate. Listen to what He says.

• Pick a day this week to mark with extraordinary thanksgiving to God: choose a good thing, no matter what it is, to celebrate—and celebrate it well. conference prayer Pray that women at the conference will be emboldened to declare God’s goodness with acts of praise and thanksgiving.

Some prompts taken from or inspired by Out of the House of Bread by Preston Yancey (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2016) 

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declaring the goodness of God chosen | holy | called Registration 2020 Name________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________ Province_______________ Postal Code________________ Phone (____)_________________________________________ Church and City _________________________________________________________________________________________ Age: q Teen q 20s q 30s q 40s q 50s q 60s q 70s q Prefer not to answer This is my first CBWOQ event q Yes q No If you need child care in order to come to the Conference, please apply for a bursary. q I will need coverage for child care. I will apply for a bursary. q Yes, I want to have lunch with our board of directors. q Yes, I’m a live magazine promoter and I want to have lunch with other live promoters. q I wish to volunteer at this event. Please phone me with more information. Phone (___)__________________________.

Photo policy: Photos taken at this event may be used in all CBWOQ publications, and social media for the sole purpose of sharing about this conference with the Baptist community at large. If you do not wish to have your photo taken, please identify yourself immediately during registration.

The program includes the brief transaction of annual business for Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec. Voting privileges are open to women who are affiliated with a CBOQ church; subscribe to the CBWOQ purpose: “to enable women to reach others for Christ;” register at least 10 days before the conference starts (Bylaw 4:26a and 37) and sign and date below. Please sign and date below only if you fulfill these requirements.

Signature ______________________________ Date ____________________________

Workshops

All workshops are offered twice; once in the morning and again in the afternoon, unless noted as AM or PM only. Please select one workshop for AM and one workshop for PM. We will notify you if your workshop choice is full and will ask that you choose another.

My workshop choices: AM_____

PM_____

For young women (age 18 and under) registering for the youth track, please register online at baptistwomen.com.

Payment Mail-in registration deadline is Friday, April 17, 2020. Mail to CBWOQ Conference, 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 q Lunch ticket $15 (per lunch) | 1 per registrant $_________________________ q Special food needs: q Gluten free q Vegetarian q Dairy free q Contribution to bursary/event fund*

$ ___________________ Receipt requested q Yes q No (Receipts issued upon request for donations of $20 or more) q Registration fee ($65 workshops, coffee breaks, event) $ 65 q I enclose a cheque payable to CBWOQ for $___________________ If you would like to pay by credit card, please do not use this form, but visit www.baptistwomen.com to register and pay online.

Bursary application forms can be found online at baptistwomen.com. Your application must be received by Monday, April 6, 2020.

*This fund was established to encourage women to attend CBWOQ events and conventions. Guidelines and application forms are available from CBWOQ’s website: www.baptistwomen.com or the office at 416-620-2954.

Cancellation Policy: 1. Cancellations before April 9: Refund of registration minus $15. 2. Cancellations after April 9: No refund. Exception: In the case of accident or illness of the registrant, or a death in the family: refund minus $15. 3. Registration forms without payment: These are not considered registered. No lunch will be ordered and workshop choices will not be held. These persons are still very welcome to register and pay on the day of the conference, but will need to go off-site for lunch and workshops will be subject to availability. (There are many restaurants within five minutes drive of the venue.)

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Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

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