Canada's Hope Magazine - Summer/Fall - Alberta 2015

CANADA's

Summer/Fall 2015 Alberta Edition Issue 1

HOPE GOD’S MISSION. OUR ADVENTURE.

Celebrate!

In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.

LU K E 1 5:1 0 N LT

A PUBLICATION OF

CANADA's

HOPE Summer/Fall 2015 Alberta Edition Issue One GOD’S MISSION. OUR ADVENTURE. Canada’s Hope is the biannual publication of One Hope Canada.

Letters, articles and photos are welcome. Names of many of the people mentioned in articles have been changed.

EDITOR Melanie Mushaluk CIRCULATION & ADDRESS CORRECTION Melanie Mushaluk

Inside CANADA

ALBERTA

Chairman’s Message 5 Finding Mother 16 Message of Gratitude 17 Summer Ministry

by the Numbers 20 Partnering for the Kingdom 23 Radio Ministry 26 Remembering a Ministry 30 Cooking with Kathy 31 Supporters

4

Field Director Editorial

6

Faith Bible Camp

8

Celebrating True Service

10

David Thompson Bible Camp

14

Camp Silversides

15

Whitney Lake Bible Camp

18

Camp Photos

22

Building His Church

24

Ross Haven Bible Camp

28

Joy Camp

3

SPONSORSHIPS Bill McCaskell DESIGN Kelli Stewart COPY EDITOR David Nadeau Gloria Pedersen PRINTING Derksen Printers Steinbach, MB Publications Agreement Number 40019747 Undelivered copies, change of address and new requests should be addressed to: ONE HOPE CANADA Ministry Resource Centre Unit 6 - 875 Gateway Road Winnipeg, MB R2K 3L1 Telephone: 888-960-2580 Email: info@onehopecanada.ca www.onehopecanada.ca

Please note: To save printing and postage costs, one magazine is mailed per household. If you would like additional copies, please contact info@onehopecanada.ca

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

BY FERDI VAN DONGEN

Do we have a reason to celebrate?

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, GOD SPOKE CLEARLY TO THE ISRAELITES BY INSTRUCTING THEM TO CELEBRATE. WHY? So they would not simply carry on with daily life, but would purposely pause, ref lect on God’s hand in their lives, rejoice, and be merry!

Jesus also used the act of celebrating in His parable of the prodigal son.

Do we have reason to celebrate? Is it right for us to celebrate? Would God approve of our celebration?

Yes, yes, and yes!

As a mission, we pause to celebrate the completion of this summer’s camp season. We have prayed, we have given, we have organized and planned, we have wondered, doubted, worried, and then prayed again and again. Looking back on the 2015 summer camp season, we rejoice how God used One Hope Canada’s camps and ministries to present the Gospel to thousands of children.

Hundreds committed their lives to Jesus.

Do we have a reason to celebrate? I say, “Yes!”

Cover image taken at David Thompson Bible Camp

ABOUT THE CHAIRMAN Ferdi has been serving on the National Board since 1995 and became the Chair in 2000.

As a young adult, he volunteered at a children's camp, and that is where he heard the message of salvation for the f irst time. He believes that ministry to children is possibly the most important Christian ministry: children need to hear about God. Canada’s Hope

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FIELD DIRECTOR EDITORIAL

BY CLIFF PEDERSEN, ALBERTA FIELD DIRECTOR TO CHURCHES

THE

Blessing Board CELEBRATE THE MEMORY OF GOD’S GOODNESS This summer, when our favourite Christian bookstore was closing, Gloria bought a decorative wall hanging simply titled, Blessings. Throughout the day, as either of us found reasons for thankfulness, we wrote them out and clipped them to the blessings board. At bedtime, we compared blessings and celebrated another day of God’s goodness.

We celebrated when a granddaughter passed her driver’s exam, when a grandson’s joke was published in a children’s magazine, when

four friends took time from their camping holiday to pay us an encouraging visit, when a brother shared the song, Known Only to Him, encouraging us to hang in there. We remembered the oncologist’s words from twenty years ago: “Cliff, you are cancer free,” and celebrated the memory of God’s goodness.

Add to that the blessings from our twenty Alberta ministries, and our blessing board is full. Great is His faithfulness!

“Add to that the blessings from our twenty Alberta ministries, and our blessing board is full. Great is His faithfulness!”

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by Faye Rempel

MY

W

hen I was nine, my mother, Gretta, died and everything was different without her. Our house seemed so empty at times. I was the only kid I knew who wore a key around her neck—everyone else had a mom to welcome them home after school. I let myself into the empty house and waited for more than an hour before Dad came home from work.

Some days, I tried to make supper and in the middle of stirring the creamed corn, would get distracted.

Dad sometimes got burned corn and potatoes, but he never complained.

He just appreciated my trying.

While losing Mom was hard, and though I didn’t have siblings, I was blessed with an absolutely wonderful father. He was so kind and I knew he would always keep me safe. I knew he needed a wife and I needed a mother, so I simply asked God to send us someone.

A year after Mom died, I was invited by friends to Gimli Bible Camp. It was my f irst time at camp; I was so excited to travel by bus with friends! As we tumbled out of the

bus, we were greeted by a lady with a sweet smile. She reminded me of my mother and I was immediately attracted to her. I discovered this pretty woman wasn’t married, and my ten-year-old heart was thrilled!

I followed her around all week, and didn’t leave camp before taking her picture and getting her address.

At home, I waited for the right moment. One night after supper I showed Dad the picture and told him, “Dad, this is the lady I want for my new mom. Here is her address.

Now you write to her.” Being the shy man he was (it took years to get up the courage to ask Mom to marry him), he responded with a decided, “No Faye, I can’t do that.” > page 12 Canada’s Hope

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Faith

BIBLE CAMP

Has Faith Bible Camp

had its day?

BY JIM STENSTROM, ALBERTA FIELD DIRECTOR TO CAMPS

Faith “

at Faith Bible Camp Was it time to shut down this well-

intentioned ministry? We began praying, asking God for direction. He answered!

Begun by Christian farmers in Wetaskiwin County, One Hope Canada’s Faith Bible Camp has existed for over seventy years. The camp has never owned property; it rented camp facilities, including Lone Prairie Bible Camp and Living Springs Bible Camp, both on Red Deer Lake in Alberta. Currently, the

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camp is using Covenant Bay Bible Camp on the west shore of Pigeon Lake. There was a time when Faith Bible Camp was known as Fisherton Bible Camp, but the name changed in 1980.

Camps seldom last long without real assets. This is doubly true when a camp like FBC operates only two

weeks each summer. Yet, the camp continues to build an amazing history. Why has it enjoyed such strong support for so many years?

If you were on the board of FBC last year, you may have concluded that Faith Bible Camp had had its day. Time to shut down this wellintentioned ministry. Some key board members resigned; it was getting difficult to find summer staff.

The remaining board members began praying, asking God for direction. He answered!

Two visioning seminar days held in the spring were attended by former staff and board members and some new interested individuals. About twenty-eight attended the f irst seminar and twenty the second. The result? The board grew by f ive new members and Ian Pops (from the board)

stepped up to be chairman. Ian poured tremendous effort into organizing this summer’s ministry and assembling a staff. Mine was the privilege of seeing the camp in operation this summer. I was overwhelmed. The camp was fully staffed (would you believe, almost too many?) and things just bubbled along. What an upbeat atmosphere.

God seemed to say that Faith Bible Camp is much needed, so carry on!

Thank you, Lord, for Your answer to prayer and thank you, Ian, for being God’s hands, feet, and voice at this important time.

FAITH BIBLE CAMP

www.faithbiblecamp.ca 1-780-628-4246

Faith

BIBLE CAMP

“

God God seemed to say that Faith

Bible Camp is much needed, so carry on!

Canada’s Hope

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Celebrating True Service

by Jim and Joanne Stenstrom, Alberta Field Director to Camps

Richard Foster writes in The Discipline of Service that self-

righteous service comes through human effort while true service comes from a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He also writes that self-righteous service requires external rewards. It needs to know that people see and appreciate the effort. But true service is content with being hidden. It does not fear the glare of attention but it does not seek it either. Self-righteous service is impressed with the “big deal� while true service f inds it almost impossible to distinguish small from large service. For believers, these words cause some honest ref lection on the nature of our service to Him.

We saw many servant hearts, hearts that understand true service.

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One Hope Canada Bible camps in Alberta are def inite places to serve Christ. Joanne and I had the privilege of visiting each One Hope Canada Alberta camp this summer and were wonderfully pleased at the spiritual tone in each. Christ was being proclaimed and many campers responded to the invitation to receive Jesus Christ. We know this is the result of many prayer warriors who faithfully support the camp season.

No small act of service! Also, we saw many servant hearts, hearts that understand true service.

Summer/Fall 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

Some examples: We saw camp directors humbly leading the f lock. This is such a diff icult job, as directors need to be good administrators, good promotions people, good budget watchers, good planners, good in staff relationships, good as lay pastors, and great with kids. What a daunting task!

We met a camp cook who had never cooked for anyone beyond family and friends. Yet, she graciously met the need for a camp cook and did an amazing job. We also saw a f inal staff meeting after a week

“True service is an unmistakeable act of love.”

of camp. They were looking forward to their time off, yet when the director asked, “Who will clean the chapel?” three volunteered instantly.

“Who will clean the washrooms?”

Three more volunteered instantly.

“Who will clean the dining hall?”

Again, instant volunteers.

No one had to be coerced into cleaning. Those volunteers understand true service. We have so many examples of true service to pick from, but one more really impressed me—a camp board member who volunteers each year. The camp trampoline is really popular, especially between activities.

That’s where you will f ind this man, watching over the site with its dangers and potential for squabbles.

His presence makes this a fun spot.

He also maintains the go karts and plays in the worship team. None of these acts of service is expected. He just serves quietly wherever he can.

A parent shared that her child felt so loved at camp. Though children may

not be able to articulate it, true service is an unmistakeable act of love. No wonder so many campers feel the tug toward our Lord and Saviour!

YOU HAVE SEEN GOD USE CAMP MINISTRY TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND NOW YOU WANT TO

bless future generations.

THERE IS A WAY.

ONE HOPE CANADA'S PLANNED GIVING gives you

an opportunity to direct your gift to a specific camp, region or our entire nation, assuring that Canada’s children and youth will continue to hear the Gospel in the years to come.

For information on how life insurance, company stock or estate gifts can be used to further God’s Kingdom in Canada please call

1-888-960-2580

A note on our new name to those of you who have already remembered the Mission in your will: Any existing wills which are made out to CSSM Ministries or Canadian Sunday School Mission are acceptable and do not need to be changed. For any will written from this point forward, please designate the gift to One Hope Ministries of Canada. Thank you.

info@onehopecanada.ca

Canada’s Hope

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David Thompson

BIBLE CAMP

Celebrating God’s hand

in directing and providing for the camp’s ministry.

BY MARK AND KARLE WEIDERICK CAMP DIRECTORS

“Celebrating God’s God provided quality people!

Provision

They provided most of the materials and surprised us with a nice new camp sign.

As particular weeks of need approached perilously close, it was neat to see God provide. Quality people stepped forward to f ill staff needs, such as cooks and cabin

David Thompson Bible Camp welcomed us as the new director couple in late May, and despite it being a time of transition, it did not take long to see reasons for celebrating God’s hand in directing and providing for the camp’s ministry.

Within a few days of our arrival, an exciting event occurred when an oil company, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., sent f ifty-two employees to camp to tackle work

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projects. Wow, did they get a lot done! Thanks to their leaders coming beforehand to work with us in planning, the workers were well organized and productive.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. provided most of the materials and surprised us with a nice new camp sign.

David Thompson

BIBLE CAMP leaders. We had a camp nurse lined up for the summer, but that fell through just before staff training.

But God provided someone from an unexpected source who also helped in other areas.

We celebrate the reality of more campers becoming a part of God’s eternal family. We celebrate others who made recommitments or some other movement towards Jesus.

It is worth celebrating even those who have yet to accept Jesus into their lives.

DAVID THOMPSON BIBLE CAMP

www.dtbc.ca 1-780-494-2103

“

We celebrate the reality of more

campers becoming a part of God’s family.

You can generously help cover the travel costs of our mission team by simply donating your Air Miles to One Hope Canada. Email or call us and we’ll tell you more about this great opportunity to partner with us in sharing the Gospel to thousands of children and youth from across Canada each year.

If you would like to start collecting Air Miles for us, just let us know and we will send you a One Hope Canada Air Miles card.

Thank you so much for making a difference in this way!

Toll Free 1- 888 - 960 -2580 info@onehopecanada.ca

Canada’s Hope

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FINDING MY Mot her Continued from page 5 …

I hounded him for days.

Sometimes, I would walk past his bedroom and see him on his knees by his bedside. I hoped he was praying for the courage to write that letter.

Finally, he agreed to write, but he cautioned me, “Faye, this doesn’t mean she will want to have anything to do with us.” I understood that, but couldn’t wait to see if she’d respond. Every day I ran home from school and checked the mailbox, and every day—no letter.

Weeks passed, but I didn’t give up hope. One afternoon I opened the mailbox and my heart leapt. There it was, a pink envelope. The longest hour and a half of my life was spent waiting for Dad to get home!

The pretty woman from Gimli Bible Camp, Irene Adams, agreed to meet Dad. She also agreed to be his wife, an answer to my prayers.

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I did get my new mother and I got to choose her! I distinctly remember one incident where my new mom and I were disagreeing about something and when I complained to Dad, he put down the newspaper, looked me right in the eye and said, “Faye, you picked her, you work it out!” What could I say?

My prayers were answered in such a beautiful way, yet recently I realized there was more to this story than even I had thought.

Several years ago I was looking through some of my second mom’s keepsakes and came across a real treasure, a certif icate given to her many years before. It simply read, “This is to certify that Irene Adams has attended Summer Bible School conducted at Thunder Creek School.”

It was dated July 26, 1934, when she was eleven.

On the certif icate I recognized another name, the signature of the Bible School teacher, Miss Gretta

Summer/Fall 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

McIntyre. My second mom had told me that the f irst time she heard the Gospel was from Gretta, a twentynine-year-old CSSM missionary, who spent her summers traveling to different communities playing her harpsichord, singing songs, and telling children about Jesus. I recognized Gretta’s name, because twelve years after the certif icate had been issued, Gretta McIntyre married my dad and, two years later, at age forty-three, gave birth to me.

God, in His faithfulness, had woven together the answer to my prayer years before I was born! When Dad wrote that f irst letter to Irene, he didn’t know his f irst wife, Gretta, had introduced Irene to Jesus and, although Irene had never met Dad personally, she knew that Gretta would have married a good man, so she felt led to respond to his letter.

And, as Paul Harvey always said, “Now you know the rest of the story.”

CAMP

Silversides

BY JACQUIE HNIDEY CAMP DIRECTOR

This summer was nothing short of

God-inspired in every way.

In the spring, I accepted the position of directing Camp Silversides, but also needed to f inish directing Whitney Lake Bible Camp. This meant traveling weekly between two camps 400 kilometers apart. God sustained me and my family and I can truly say He has taught me more than at any other time in my life.

I’m learning what relying on God’s strength one day at a time really looks like.

Whitney Lake BIBLE CAMP

We completed eight weeks of camp between both places, experienced the amazing power of God’s Spirit at work in the lives of campers and staff, and saw over one hundred campers come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord. This made all the travel and all the work well worth it! God is so good and His ways are perfect. I thank each one who prayed for us this summer. To God be the glory for the great things He has done!

Canada’s Hope

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CAMP

Silversides

moving on to direct the same STP program that was pivotal in my walk with God. Yes, STPing is about serving God and having fun.

The boys who exclaimed that STPing is about serving God and having fun was one of our biggest troublemakers as a camper. But through camp and our continued ministry, this troubled boy became a young man who joyfully washes dishes for the entire camp, grinning from ear to ear and up to his elbows in dishwater.

“

The program

was pivotal in my walk with God.

Then there was Jake, a f ifteen year old camper who became a Christian. He returned as an STP and shared how the camp is his favorite place on earth! These boys are examples of the amazing things God has done in kids’ lives through camp ministry.

BY ERIKA CISSELL, STP LEADER

STPing is certainly not a word “STPing is about serving God and having fun,” I heard as I walked into the dish pit at Camp Silversides tonight.

I have been going to Camp Silversides for f ifteen summers and served on staff for seven. I’ve had the unique opportunity of watching kids who came here as campers grow into amazing STP’s and cabin leaders. As a camper,

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I accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour and through the STP (Servant Training Program). I was encouraged to make Him Lord of my life and to serve Him well.

When I became a cabin leader, I ministered to children before

“

God has done

amazing things in

kids’ lives through camp ministry.

What a blessing to serve God’s kingdom at Silversides. It changed my life and there is nothing I love more than watching children f ind Jesus and continue to grow closer to Him here.

CAMP SILVERSIDES

www.silversides.ca 1-403-748-2689

Whitney Lake BIBLE CAMP

BY JACQUIE HNIDEY, CAMP DIRECTOR

Celebrate New

“

Life

God used a Canada Day parade

and a brochure to draw a hurting boy to camp and the Gospel message!

On July 1, we entered a camp f loat in the Elk Point, AB, town parade.

Along the parade route, we threw Whitney Lake Bible Camp brochures into the crowd. Josh got one and asked his mom if he could go. She agreed. He’s a teen who had moved to Canada a few years ago. One night he shared how his dad had been in jail for years and that he hadn’t seen him since he was a

child. Josh had built many walls because of the hurt in his life.

At the beginning of the week, he said how he didn’t believe in God and didn’t want anything to do with Christianity. But during devotions on the second last night of camp, Josh broke down and opened up to his cabin leader, sharing how much he wanted peace in his life and that he realized he needed Jesus.

Josh’s cabin leader prayed the salvation prayer with him and, for the f irst time in his life, Josh felt peace in his heart. He was a completely changed kid. He couldn’t stop talking about God and how much he loved camp and its people. We could see the difference just in how he carried himself, from the quiet boy who never smiled, to someone full of life and laughing all the time! God used a Canada Day parade and a brochure from a camp f loat to draw a hurting boy to camp and the Gospel message! Truly, we serve an amazing God! WHITNEY LAKE BIBLE CAMP

www.whitneylakecamp.ca 1-780-846-2018

" A SMOOTH SEA NEVER MADE A SKILLED SAILOR. " AT CAMP YOU GET TO BUILD A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND SHARE IT WITH THE CAMPERS AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS. ALSO, IT WAS FUN TO LEAD DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. THROUGH INTERACTING WITH THE CAMPERS,

I was challenged in building better character.

JOSHUA 1:9 "HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE AFRAID; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO."

- GABE, CAMP VOLUNTEER

" I HAVE SEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF GROWTH IN SO MANY LIVES OVER THE SUMMER!

Being in a God–rich environment has no choice but to affect your spiritual growth!

What an amazing summer!! "

- KATHY, CAMP VOLUNTEER

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MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE

BY JUANITA NEUFELD HR/RESOURCE TEAM LEADER

7000+ Manga Books

The Manga books are awesome!

from the Bible League of Canada!

This summer One Hope Canada received over 7,000 Manga books from the Bible League of Canada to distribute to thousands of campers at 23 camp locations, stretching from Pender Island, BC, to Hampton, NB. What a gift!

Over half the children and youth who attend our camps come from homes with no Christian inf luence.

These Manga books are an effective way of telling them who God’s Son is, and what Jesus did for them.

We are deeply grateful for the ministry of the Bible League of Canada, as we could not have covered the cost.

Response from the frontlines has been encouraging: The Manga books are awesome!

We used them during cabin devotions. It was exciting to see the campers, and especially the boys who have a hard time sitting still, make the connection between the story we read in their Manga book and the same story in the Bible.

Thanks so much, Bible League of Canada! (Mark Wilson, Program Director, Maple Springs Bible Camp, Peachland, BC)

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Transforming lives from the inside out.

Last year, more than 688,000 people chose to follow Jesus Christ and over 9,808 churches were planted.

Bible League Canada partners with local Christians around the world and Canada to provide Scriptures and training through: • Children’s Ministry • Church Planter Training • Adult Bible-based Literacy • Support of the Persecuted Church We’re passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Will you join us?

Visit www.bibleleague.ca to learn how. www.bibleleague.ca @BibleLeagueCan Bible League Canada

1.800.363.9673 Box 368, Grimsby, ON L3M 4H8, Canada

This past summer, in Canada … thanks to

3,753

staff and volunteers … cooks cabin leaders lifeguards maintenance nurses and more . . .

20,530 children and youth heard the

GOSPEL.

Here in Alberta …

thanks to

466

staff and volunteers …

1,520 children and youth heard the

GOSPEL.

We present the Gospel especially to those who have the least opportunity to hear the Gospel, particularly to children and youth and we disciple believers for living and serving in the Church.

Canada’s Hope

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Ross Haven BIBLE CAMP

David Thompson BIBLE CAMP Joy CAMP

CAMP

Joy CAMP 18

Summer/Fall 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

Silversides

Ross Haven BIBLE CAMP

Whitney Lake BIBLE CAMP David Thompson BIBLE CAMP

Celebrating

SUMMER

2015 Whitney Lake BIBLE CAMP

Faith BIBLE CAMP Canada’s Hope

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You are a new face to many of our readers outside of Alberta. Tell us a bit about your connection with One Hope Canada.

Souls Saved, Lives Changed,

Christ Glorified

W

E INVITE YOU TO EAVESDROP IN A CONVERSATION BETWEEN CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BILL McCASKELL AND ALBERTA FIELD DIRECTOR CLIFF PEDERSEN AS THEY DISCUSS THE NEW VISION FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY MINISTRY WITHIN ONE HOPE CANADA.

Left: Bill McCaskell Right: Cliff Pedersen

From age 10 to the present, One Hope Canada has signif icantly impacted my life. The f irst prayer I saw answered was prayed by my school bus driver, a One Hope Canada (formerly CSSM) pastor. The f irst church I attended as a new believer in my teens was a One Hope Canada church. After Bible college, the f irst church I pastored was with the Mission.

My wife, Gloria, grew up in a One Hope Canada church, attended Camp Silversides many summers, and taught VBS with the Mission two summers.

Fourteen years ago, the Lord called us to rejoin the Mission as Alberta Field Director.

Tell us about the Mission’s history of sending community missionaries and how that led to many churches being planted across the country.

Over 140 churches grew out of the faithful ministry of community missionaries who had a passion to take the Gospel into Canada’s remotest corners. Some rode horses, others bicycled, and some had vehicles. They taught the Bible in schools and promised children a free week at camp for memorizing 500 Bible verses.

Many met the challenge, camps were started, and out of these ministries grew Sunday schools, which frequently developed into churches.

What has happened to those churches?

Many churches joined denominations, went independent, or closed their doors when community demographics changed.

“

The National Board wanted to determine rural church ministry needs and discern what and how to effectively and sustainably meet them.

There have been some encouraging developments in One Hope Canada regarding our church and community ministries. Bring us up to speed.

God used Canada Revenue Agency to trigger an initial review. The National Board wanted to determine rural church ministry needs and discern what and how to

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AGC would appreciate our assistance in helping small town pastors raise support, so they wouldn’t need a second job. The more we researched, the more evident it became that we could help each other be more effective at building God’s kingdom.

What does the partnership mean for One Hope Canada’s existing church ministries?

“

Then we discovered that CRA does not allow us to have bi-vocational missionaries.

That creates a significant problem for many pastors, who need to supplement their income.

effectively and sustainably meet them.

We even asked: are we doing something another group is doing? Is church ministry needed?

Then we discovered that CRA does not allow us to have bi-vocational missionaries, because we are what they call a religious order. That creates a signif icant problem for many pastors who need to supplement their income or work in their communities to develop relationships for sharing the Gospel.

At the heart of the new vision is a partnership with the Associated Gospel Churches. Explain the partnership and why it is so important.

Over the past year, much research was done to determine if there was another non-denominational, Gospel-centered ministry seeking to plant and sustain churches in small towns or rural settings.

AGC is thoroughly evangelical, has more than 150 churches, congregations, and ministries across Canada, is non-denominational, and has no missions programs or camps. Because CRA does not see them as a religious order, their pastors are free to be bivocational. AGC works in out-of-the-way communities and has developed resources to assist churches and small town pastors to be effective. We learned that

Over the next year or two, One Hope Canada churches can determine which umbrella they best f it under.

Our more established churches will slide under the AGC banner if they can fully support their pastor.

When a pastor needs or chooses to be bi-vocational, he can be accredited with AGC. This will see our churches and missionaries evaluating what works best in their community. We, of course, will continue to fellowship together at annual conferences and will add AGC pastors to our conference registrations when they need to come under our banner to raise support.

What is your hope and prayer for the future?

Once we work through the next year or two of transition, I sincerely long to see the Gospel going into rural/small town settings all across Canada through community missionaries. I sincerely long to see churches birthed. We have the tools through the AGC and the means through One Hope Canada. Christ stated He would build His Church and it shouldn’t matter how He chooses to do it, as long as souls are saved, lives are changed, and Christ is glorif ied.

“ “

it became evident that we could help each other be more effective at building God’s kingdom.

Canada’s Hope

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Building His Church

by Cliff Pedersen, Alberta Field Director to Churches

Jesus said He would build His Church—and He is!

Some examples. God has used One Hope Canada (formerly CSSM) for over eight decades, as the Mission presented the Gospel in outof-the-way places. Many of the children contacted through home visits, VBS, or school Bible clubs, memorized the required 500 Bible verses, earning a free week at camp. That was the past.

Today, we still want to connect with Canadians who are unlikely to learn of Jesus Christ, in spite of easy Internet access. Our new partnership with the Associated Gospel Churches of Canada will help equip One Hope Canada churches

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be more effective in evangelism and discipleship. This arrangement is a two-way street: while AGC shares resources, One Hope Canada will help AGC churches become more effective in the early stages of community impact.

Preparing the way for the Gospel CHURCH BUILDERS

CHURCH BUILDERS

CHURCH BUILDERS

Rich and Cindy Hull, our missionaries in Nordegg, AB, link to their community through the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Association, and the local school. They are seeing God open hearts to prepare the way for the Gospel.

We thank God for a contractor and six volunteers who encouraged them with 250 hours of donated time, re-roof ing the Nordegg manse and deck, freeing the Hulls to be even more effective.

In the northern hamlet of Little Smoky, AB, our missionary pastor couple, Fred and Grace Sherwood, hosted game nights and Vacation Bible School, and worked alongside community folk as they served food at a funeral. These events connected the Sherwoods with those they would otherwise not meet.

It was an incredible blessing to the Sherwoods when three volunteers from a Three Hills church re-shingled the Little Smoky mobile home manse this summer.

In the remote northern Alberta oil town of Red Earth Creek, even though the One Hope Canada church is pastorless, three couples planned and led a Vacation Bible School, sharing the Gospel with fourteen children.

Yes, Christ continues to build His church.

Thank you for standing behind these ministries and missionaries with your prayers and financial support.

RADIO MINISTRY

USING RADIO TO SPREAD THE WORD OF WHAT GOD IS DOING IN CANADA

One Hope Canada

Uses Radio

EVERY SUMMER, ONE HOPE CANADA’S 46 MINISTRY POINTS WELCOME MORE THAN 3,600 VOLUNTEERS. With camp ministry being so people intensive, appealing for volunteers is vital.

That is where One Hope Canada’s radio ministry comes in.

Since 2001, One Hope Canada has partnered with Heart of the South, enabling us to secure paid advertising for all camp ministries. It’s a great way to spread the Word.

Heart of the South is a two-hour weekly Southern Gospel radio program airing on 36 stations from British Columbia to Ontario—and

around the world on the Internet.

Long-time host Harold Giesbrecht explains how it works.

In 1999, I joined CSSM after working for Golden West Radio. My program director said they’d like to use me now and then as a production voice for commercials. Because CSSM was a religious order, my receiving

outside income was not an option with CRA, so we arranged for Golden West to give CSSM commercials in exchange for my recording time.

From small beginnings f ifteen years ago, the concept grew beyond Golden West to Heart of the South, airing on three dozen stations in f ive provinces.

In exchange, One Hope Canada receives 4,000 commercials and thousands of Minute of Hope audio stories annually, a retail value in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If interested in having Heart of the South on your local radio station (it could help a One Hope Canada camp), please contact Harold Giesbrecht at haroldg@ onehopecanada.ca.

Canada’s Hope

23

Ross Haven BIBLE CAMP

was awakened to come and help.

Eight staff members, including our program director, were sick with the Norwalk virus, picked up from a Saturday wedding. All uninfected staff got to work sanitizing facilities from stem to stern and, just before we woke the kids, we stopped to pray. With eight essential staff members sick, we realized we could never get through the day in our own strength. By evening, 15 of 26 staff were sick and quarantined.

“

With eight

essential staff

BY LAUREL KING OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

members sick,

we realized we

could never get

We Couldn’t but

He Could

The first week of camp was coming and we were prepared.

We had planned a great program, recruited and trained staff, bought groceries, cleaned and prepped facilities.

Usually, the f irst week of camp is hectic as you remember all the details you forgot to worry about—things like points charts, cabin cleanup sheets, and how to transition from meals to a wide game. But we had forty children coming and were conf ident we were ready. Yes, we were prepared!

The week started smoothly. No campers brought lice to camp, every registered camper showed up, we had suff icient staff, and there were no major glitches. After eight years

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Summer/Fall 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

of running the off ice, I felt I had f inally f igured out how to do this and could do it on my own. That self-conf ident glow lasted until 5:30 Tuesday morning, when I

through the day in our own strength.

We called in staff scheduled for other weeks. Past staff members came in evenings to help. As we contacted friends for prayer, this theme kept resurfacing; we couldn’t do this, but God could, and anything good was going to be entirely of Him. God is good and He is faithful.

It was amazing to see the few remaining staff pull together and refuse to quit. Working at camp is tiring under the best of circumstances, but when you’re f illing two or three positions, even more so. Staff refused to take their full break time because they wanted to redeem each moment with the

“

Ross Haven BIBLE CAMP

Norwalk virus was even listed

on our “10 Things That Worked” list,

because of the unity it brought and the way we saw God work through it. kids. God gave us supernatural strength that day! Slowly, the staff recovered and came back to their positions, to the relief of those trying to replace them!

Despite nearly having to send the kids home, with half of the staff violently ill and the other half running around like headless chickens, it was a good week. Not one single kid got sick! As parents came to pick up their kids, several kids said they wanted to return as staff, when old enough. I’m not sure

why anyone who saw what our staff went through that week would want to be a part of it!

At our f inal staff meeting, we rejoiced to hear of six children who had given their lives to Christ!

Norwalk was even listed on our 10 Things That Worked list, because of the unity it brought and the way we saw God work through it.

ROSS HAVEN BIBLE CAMP

www.rosshavenbiblecamp.com 1-780-967-2643

NO MATTER WHERE A KID IS COMING FROM, WHEN THEY COME TO CAMP WE GET THE PRIVILEGE OF COMMUNICATING GOD’S LOVE TO THEM IN A VERY HAND’S ON WAY. TO ME, THERE IS NOTHING MORE REWARDING THAN SEEING A KID RECOGNIZE THEIR NEED FOR THAT INCREDIBLE LOVE, AND SAY

“I want to live for Jesus!”

- CHANDRA, CAMP VOLUNTEER

I BELIEVE THAT CAMP MINISTRY IS VERY IMPORTANT. SOME KIDS DO NOT HEAR ABOUT THE GOSPEL AT HOME OR ANYWHERE ELSE AND, THEREFORE, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO SEEK THE LORD. THIS SUMMER I FELL IN LOVE WITH CAMP BECAUSE GOD’S PRESENCE IS SO WELCOMED THERE AND KIDS ARE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR FAITH.

Camp is effective in spreading the Gospel TO CHILDREN, STAFF AND IN SOME CASES EVEN THE FAMILIES OF CAMPERS AS THEY GO HOME TO TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE.

- DANICA, CAMP VOLUNTEER

Canada’s Hope

25

Tell us about your salvation experiences.

REMEMBERING

THE

ROSIE: I responded to the Gospel when an evangelist came to my rural church near Woodstock and the Spirit of God prompted me to trust in Jesus as my Saviour. William Jones from Hamilton later baptized me; he was used by God to help direct my life of service for Him.

Fruitful Years of Ministry “ Children

SHIRLEY: When I was a teen, I attended an Inter-School Christian Fellowship event in Bessie Plunkett’s Thunder Bay home. While helping with the dishes, the conversation changed to my spiritual condition, and she helped me trust the Lord for salvation.

WITH

Our first ministry was to teach religious education in schools. that grew to twenty-five schools, three Sunday Schools and Bible clubs.

Where did your paths first cross?

INTERVIEW BY HOWARD McLEOD, FORMER GALILEAN BIBLE CAMP DIRECTOR AND ONTARIO FIELD DIRECTOR, ASSISTED BY AGNES FRIESEN, FORMER CSSM MISSIONARY AND NATIONAL BOARD MEMBER

S

HIRLEY WHITEHEAD AND ROSELLA deMONTMORENCY WITH ONE HOPE CANADA (THEN CANADIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL MISSION) FROM 1953 TO 1992.

AFTER CONCLUDING A SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY FOR THE LORD, THEY RETIRED IN WINNIPEG. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE MOST MEMORABLE PART OF THEIR WORK, THEY BOTH SAID, “HELPING GUIDE INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN TO ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOUR.” ROSIE WAS HAPPIEST DOING CHALK ART FOR GROUPS WHILE SHIRLEY TOLD THE BIBLE LESSON.

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Summer/Fall 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

SHIRLEY: We attended Toronto Bible College [now Tyndale University], where we met and later sensed God’s call to full-time work with Canadian Sunday School Mission.

What was your first assignment with the mission?

ROSIE: We were sent to Amaranth, a wide spot on the road in southern Manitoba, in October 1953. Our f irst ministry was to teach religious education in schools.

That grew to twenty-f ive schools, three Sunday schools, and Bible clubs. It was a joy to work there, even though our early mode of transportation was by foot or bicycle. During the prairie winters, traveling from school to school could be very cold. God later supplied us with Willy, our little Willys car.

We also had the joy of helping to start Ochre River Bible Camp, which later moved to near Dauphin and is now Dauphin Bible Camp, one of the chain of camps with One Hope Canada.

After a few years in Amaranth, Shirley’s mom had a stroke, and Shirley went home to Sault Ste Marie to help. She took a teaching job in an elementary school so she could care for her mom. I stayed in Amaranth for a couple of years but, by then, it was felt the work

“

Our interest in working with children’s ministry grew stronger and stronger, and the Lord seemed to be leading us into children’s crusades with the mission … reaching into other provinces.

was developing into a church planting ministry.

Don and Donna Lee moved to Amaranth and, in God's wonderful way, helped start and build a church.

I moved to the Sault where I served with CSSM as an assistant to Mary Neal, teaching Bible in public schools and working at Galilean Bible Camp.

What was your next ministry?

SHIRLEY: Our interest in working with children’s ministry grew stronger and stronger, and the Lord seemed to be leading us into children’s crusades with the Mission. After consultation with CSSM’s national office, it was decided we should begin a ministry with Children’s Crusades out of Winnipeg, but reaching into other provinces. In 1966, we visited the Maritimes to observe a similar CSSM work under the Whites. That was an eventful trip with our little travel trailer, but such a valuable one. When we returned to Manitoba, we were asked to go to Amaranth for a children’s crusade.

One encouragement was the provision of a unique, self-supporting chalkboard, with its overhead lighting and black light for Rosie’s backgrounds to support my Bible lesson. A man from my church in Sault Ste Marie created this teaching unit for us. Besides travelling to summer camps, our time was f illed with Bible presentations to AWANA clubs, Sunday schools, church children’s clubs, and retirement homes.

ROSIE: One of the greatest challenges in ministry was the stress of unloading our packed car, f illed with equipment and visuals, to set up for a meeting.

An even greater stress came after the meeting as we attempted to f it everything back into the car.

the black light revealed the hidden climax to the Bible presentation Rosie so cleverly created. At the camp, we were always thrilled when your letter of acceptance to our invitation arrived. We wanted you to join us more often, but realized others wanted a share of your God-centred ministry. Your valuable chapel ministry was a huge encouragement to me as a beginner in camp administration. Even yet, as I talk with former campers, some still say it was through your ministry that they began a personal relationship with the Lord.

What about retirement?

SHIRLEY: Shortly after we retired in 1992, we had the privilege of going to Venezuela for a short visit. Frieda Johnson, who served there with TEAM, invited us to teach missionary children during their missionary conference. It was a joy when some of them grew in the Lord.

Now, after over twenty years, we praise the Lord for His protective care. People gave so much of themselves so we could serve this way. We are thankful for the many children who responded to the call of the Gospel during those exciting and full years.

These two dedicated ladies still reach out to the needs of people, praying that the Lord will enable others to present the Gospel to the spiritually needy across Canada. There will be many in heaven who found the way and the truth and the life through Rosie and Shirley’s ministry.

When you drove into Galilean Bible Camp for July chapel sessions every third year for a couple of decades, your station wagon just bulged with interesting teaching aids. Your puppets took on real life for campers as they saw ventriloquism done so effectively. The remarkable hush from the children as Shirley presented the Gospel through Bible stories was a gift from God. There was often an audible, but gentle, expression of awe from campers as

Canada’s Hope

27

Joy CAMP Some campers at Joy Camp are low-functioning and dependant on support staff. Others are fairly independent. One such camper,

“

We often

wonder in whose hearts the Word

of God takes root.

Lorraine, has attended our regular season Joy Chapel for years and in her quiet way, has shown an interest in spiritual things. She excels at Bible memory and is eager to help with the offering or worship song posters.

“

… in her quiet

way, Lorraine has

shown an interest in spiritual things.

BY CORNELIUS AND EVANGELINE THIESSEN DIRECTORS OF JOY CHAPEL AND JOY CAMP

Celebrating

New Life

When we plant seeds, how do we know if any will germinate? Our Bible camp caters to adults with various disabilities and, although the seed of God’s Word is presented clearly and the Gospel explained repeatedly, we often wonder in whose hearts it takes root. However, we are encouraged by Psalm 126:6: “He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves” (NIV).

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Summer/Fall 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

Lorraine has also been coming to Joy Camp.

This year our theme was New Life, based on the story of Jesus meeting Nicodemus in John 3.

Our chapel Bible teacher, Les Smith, very capably f leshed out this Scripture, using an acrostic of the theme, along with 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (NKJV).

Every day we sang the joyful chorus to William Leslie’s old hymn:

“

Joy CAMP Lorraine asked, “Can I meet Jesus?”

What a joy to pray with her and

witness the miracle of a new birth— the seed sprouting into view.

Life! Life! Eternal life.

Jesus alone is the giver.

Life! Life! Abundant life!

Glory to Jesus forever.

We made sun catchers with crosses or words like “Jesus Gives Me New Life” or “Jesus, My Life”.

At the end of the second last chapel, after Les encouraged a response, Lorraine came forward

and asked, “Can I meet Jesus?” when Les issued an invitation.

What a joy to pray with her and witness the miracle of a new birth—the seed sprouting into view.

JOY CHAPEL MINISTRIES

joychapelministries.cssm.ca 1-780-513-6593

Campers made sun catchers with crosses or words like “Jesus Gives Me New Life”.

Explore a beautiful country.

Encounter a beautiful God.

ENCOUN ER

Find out more at ENCOUNTERSCHOOL.CA Canada’s Hope

29

COOKING WITH KATHY

BY KATHY WEIR

JUST AS IT TAKES THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS FOR A TASTY MEAL , SO TOO DO WE NEED GOD AND ONE ANOTHER TO GET THE CORRECT SPIRITUAL RESULTS.

Cooking with Fire CONFESSION … HONESTY … WAITING. I’M LEARNING THAT BEING DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED AND COOKING IMPAIRED ARE NOT THE ONLY THINGS I STRUGGLE WITH. I am grateful that God led us to the theme, Powered by Prayer, at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp (in Manitoba) this summer. Little did I realize the importance of endeavouring to implement more prayer into my life and the lives of staff and campers.

It is easy to apply when miracles happen (we evidenced many) and when God works and answers in ways beyond anything we can ask or imagine.

We rejoice in His faithful provision through donations to the camp, volunteers who come with servant hearts, and the blessing of a God-focused and praying staff team. It is easy to forget we are in a spiritual battle and need God’s armour. I’ve discovered, like Elijah who experienced incredible victory, how quickly one can

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Summer/Fall 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

begin listening to Satan's subtle lies, drowning out God’s still small voice of truth. This results in our focusing on circumstances and becoming frustrated, overwhelmed, and defeated.

How does this relate to cooking?

Just as it takes the right ingredients for a tasty meal, so too do we need God and one another to get the correct spiritual results. I am a do-it-myself person. Instead, God calls us to community. For example, this summer God used His people to bless our camp through donations of meat. Working alone, I could have made four hundred pounds of ground beef into 7,000 meatballs in May. Yes, what could have been long and tiring days took only two hours while visiting and laughing with volunteers. As we learned in

the culinary class at Skills camp, there is much to learn from one another as we taste and see that the Lord is good and share the results with others.

It is important to follow instructions when cooking, so too is a successful life recipe all about choices! Will we listen to God’s Holy Spirit, His Word and truth, or the deceitful lies of the enemy? Will we accept the prayers, hugs, and support of His people, or will we wallow in self-pity and struggle, trying to do things on our own?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Howard and Kathy Weir have been serving as camp directors at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp (Manitoba) since 2002, but previously served at Galilean Bible Camp (Ontario) for many years before that.

AS EACH HAS RECEIVED A GIFT, USE IT TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER, AS GOOD STEWARDS OF GOD'S VARIED GRACE (1 PETER 4:10)

Celebrating

God’s Goodness through His people!

Please consider thanking these businesses for their support!

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Canada’s Hope

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Canada’s Hope

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I want to challenge

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ALBERTA CAMPS After she had looked at me for a while, she FAITH BIBLE CAMP leaned her head on my shoulder and with a www.faithbiblecamp.ca sweet quiet voice she said, “I’m so glad you’re 1-780-628-4246 from Portage and I’m from Winnipeg.”

DAVID I have to sayTHOMPSON that incidentBIBLE along CAMP with many others www.dtbc.ca was confirmation to me that we are where 1-780-494-2103 we are for a reason. I want to challenge everyone to lookCAMP for reasons and use every opportunity.

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Canada’s Hope

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Canada’s Hope

35

Our team rocked @ verses!

Camp has changed my life “Canoeing “ yesterday was amazing! The challenge of it all was super!!

I went to camp hoping to make friends, but I ended up with family.

Thank you for God. Thank you for this camp.

I feel safe here I hope you stay awesome!

I’m coming back next year! still learning a lot in chapel God bless the cooks!

“

“

“

I liked being stuck on shore waiting for the wind to slow down

I love the songs “ Best time ever!! Thank you for making everything awesome “ Camp is when I get my spiritual high I love chapel “ the mountains are awesome GOD is awefull. (i.e. full of awe) Please make us read the Bible more

I never wanna leave cause I wanna learn more about God the food is always yum I am glad that there is heaven

“

Thank you for getting deoderizor for the bathroom.

Thankyou for being so caring “ Please make swimming longer. I love camp because it is in nature “ I am very thankful for the kindness I LOVE CAMP!! I love God “ I am thankful for God. I actually passed my swim test!!!! “ I don’t want to leave “ I love learning about God

My favorite verse is 1 Peter 1:5-7

“

Thank you for for God. God. Thank you for for this this camp. camp.

Camp Camp has has changed changed my my life. life.

Thx 4 the food! “ I really appreciate that you are giving us time alone in quiet. everyone ROCKS Thank you for teaching us the truth! “

I love campfire and learning about Jesus!

Publications Mail Agreement #: 40019747 Canada’s Hope One Hope Canada – AB Ministry Resource Centre Unit 6 - 875 Gateway Road Winnipeg, MB R2K 3L1