Canada's Hope Magazine - Summer/Fall 2016

CANADA's

Summer/Fall 2016 Issue 12

HOPE GOD’S MISSION. OUR ADVENTURE.

PSA L M 145:4 Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts; let them proclaim Your power.

Calling All Generations

A PUBLICATION OF

H

90 CE LE B R ATI N G

years

This past year, in Canada thanks to 4,010 staff and volunteers, 32,832 children and youth heard the Gospel.

JOIN US AT ONE OF OUR BANQUET CELEBRATIONS!

SEE THE TAYLORS IN CONCERT!

Sussex, NB | October 22, 2016

April 2-9, 2017

Winnipeg, MB | February 25, 2017

Several concerts throughout Manitoba

Three Hills, AB | April 7, 2017

Contact info@onehopecanada.ca or visit www.onehopecanada.ca for more information about these events.

Canadas Hope Fall 2016.indd 2

2016-11-02 11:14 AM

C t M

CANADA's

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Summer/Fall 2016 Issue Twelve

Features

Regional Stories

4 6 11 12 18 20 24 30

8 10 14 16 21 25 28

HOPE 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

Letters from the Readers Who is One Hope Canada?

Quebec Tour Leaving a Legacy Ministry Map Wednesday Night Teamwork

Atlantic Canada Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia

Faithful Servants Finishing Well

31

Our Supporters

SPONSORSHIPS Bill McCaskell

MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL BOARD CHAIR

DESIGN Iced Tea Designs

BY RON FORSYTHE

All generations

COPY EDITOR Menno Hamm

working together

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 888-960-2580 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

A

t One Hope Canada, it is our purpose to present the Gospel, particularly to those having the least opportunity to hear of Christ, especially children and youth, and to disciple believers for living and serving through His Church. What better way to achieve that than to involve those of us who have already experienced some of life’s challenges and struggles, and who desire that today’s youth avoid the pitfalls life can send our way?

All generations must answer the call to serve. We often give up on the senior generation, believing them incapable of working with young people. When multiple generations work together at camp, we learn that we all have something to contribute and are reminded that, even in our aging, we can still learn from younger generations. God has called all Christians to serve as His disciples and spread the Gospel. All Christians means all generations. We find in the book of Joel that the Holy Spirit comes upon all generations. How can we benefit from working together in the ministries of One Hope Canada?

1) By affirming each person’s value, regardless of age.

2) By learning to care for one another.

3) By older generations being positive role models for children and youth.

4) By learning to value older adults.

5) By fostering a foundation of support for each other’s concerns, interests, and activities.

6) By using the talents of younger and older generations to provide service to the camps and community.

7) By removing the age-segregated nature of our society that places us into agespecific groups.

So the next time you are challenged to get involved in a One Hope Canada ministry, remember: we are never too old and in the Christian’s journey, there is no retirement, just a reorientation of how God can use us.

Cover image taken at the Dorey Family Itinerant Ministry in Atlantic Canada.

CANADA’S HOPE

3

Letters

from our

Readers We want to share your story of the Mission with others. If you went to one of our camps as a child, or were part of a Sunday School or church that was started by Canadian Sunday School Mission Missionaries we would love to hear your story!

Send them to info@onehopecanada.ca .

I remember when the Hunters had an outreach of Canadian Sunday School Mission work in Transcona, Manitoba. One Sunday afternoon a young lady, Miss Grace Furness, approached a friend of mine, my sister Loretta, and me as we were walking by. She invited us to Sunday school which was held upstairs above a grocery store. We accepted the invitation and it wasn’t long before I accepted Christ as my Saviour. I just couldn’t wait until Sunday came along for Sunday school. I memorized God’s Word and had perfect attendance. Before long, I was involved in helping with Sunday school and spent many summers helping with Daily Vacation Bible Schools and camp. I am still teaching Sunday School at 88 years old. God has been good to me.

ELSIE, WINNIPEG, MB

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

READERS' LETTERS SUBMIT YOURS TO INFO@ONEHOPECANADA.CA

Your magazine is most informative of camp ministry. So thankful to send on this gift. I just got your magazine and I’m touched beyond words with what I have read.

ELAINE, DAUGHTER ATTENDED DORION BIBLE CAMP IN ONTARIO

I want to send a word of encouragement and thanks for your recent magazine, and the work that you do. I am one of those who received Christ into my life because of your ministry.

A lady, I believe her name was Bernice Verdine, came and taught VBS in my school in the early forties. The Gospel was taught clearly and as a result I became a Christian. Also, a lady by the name of Mary Woods would come on her bike to share the Gospel at our school the last class period on the last Wednesday of the month.

She would stay over for the evening and have a meeting with the youth. Of course I was too young, but two of my sisters would go, and sometimes Miss Woods would come to our house for supper. I was also one of those who memorized 300 Bible verses in order to go to camp in Gimli in 1946. However, I never did go because that spring my family moved. So when my four children came along and grew up here in Saskatchewan, we made sure they all went to camp. I also spent many summers helping to cook at a camp. And now in recent years we have enjoyed going to camp for Seniors. I am now 83 and am so grateful for God’s faithfulness all these years. I recall so clearly the night I asked Him to forgive my sins and make me His child. And He kept me during the turbulent teens, and provided grace daily as the years slipped by. God is awesome! Wishing you God’s continued blessings and do keep up the good work. Who knows how long the doors will be open.

BETTY, DALMENY, SK

I am now ninety – just a little older than CSSM. It was very interesting to read of the beginnings and to see the pictures. Those were the days when women wore dresses and little boys wore braces. Throughout all the changes in the world, the Word of God has not changed, and Jesus is still the only way to Heaven.

I am glad that you are winning so many to Him. God bless each of you from coast to coast.

EILEEN, TORONTO, ON

I am enclosing a one-time gift as a token of my appreciation for the ongoing ministry across Canada.

As a young Bible college student I worked with CSSM for the summers of 1943 and 1944. The Aikenheads, Ken & Ruth Robins and Olive Carmichael became lifetime friends. I helped at several Bible Camps in Manitoba. I am amazed and grateful for the expanded ministry of One Hope Canada.

BILL, BRAMALEA, ON

We hope and pray that your camping would go well this summer – that there would be many new names written down in Glory and that there would be enough volunteers to meet the need. Praise the Lord.

Your magazine is very encouraging to read.

WILFRED & MARY, NIPAWIN, SK

My husband and I were saved as teenagers at Camp Livingstone in Quebec in 1971. We later volunteered there during the summer months.

May God keep directing and blessing the ministry of One Hope Canada.

BILL & JUDY, CAMBRIDGE, ON

CANADA’S HOPE

5

Who is O

ne cold, wintry evening in Illinois, two men knelt together to pray at a local street mission. They were as different as night and day: one, a young pastor, heart burning for the lost; the other, a weathered homeless man, emerging from a life of alcoholism to find new hope in Christ. The young pastor, twenty three-year-old J. Lloyd Hunter, was overcome with a single thought after leading the older gentleman to Christ: “If only this thread of wasted existence had been won to Christ as a boy, not only his soul, but his LIFE would have been saved!” That thought, planted by the Holy Spirit, was a seed that germinated and grew in Lloyd’s heart.

A few years later, in 1926, Lloyd eagerly met with LORD, IF YOU a group of Christian businessmen in Winnipeg to REALLY WANT ME IN discuss the need for rural parts of Manitoba, Canada CHILDREN’S WORK IN to be reached with the Gospel, but he left discouraged MANITOBA, PROVIDE because nothing was decided. Lloyd returned to his ME WITH $150 AS A hotel room and dropped to his knees, “Lord, if you SIGN TO GET THE really want me in children’s work in Manitoba, provide WORK STARTED! me with $150.00 as a sign to get the work started!”

ONE HOPE CANADA?

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

A knock at the door disturbed MID-PRAYER, YET his prayer. A man he had met ANOTHER RAP earlier in the lobby shoved a SOUNDED ON THE slip of paper into his hands DOOR. THE SAME MAN and hurried down the hall.

STOOD THERE, AND HANDED LLOYD A Lloyd looked at it; he was holding a $50 cheque. Back inside his SECOND CHEQUE. room, he breathed a prayer of thankfulness. Mid-prayer, yet another rap sounded on the door.

The same man stood there, and handed Lloyd a second cheque.

“I didn’t give you what the Lord told me to,” he quietly stated.

“Here is the rest.” The second cheque was for $100.

By the raw faith of the Hunters and those who joined them, the newly-formed Canadian Sunday School Mission was launched into action. Lloyd wasted no time in living out his passion of reaching children. He focused on beginning and supervising Sunday schools, as well as encouraging children to memorize Scripture. The Hunters’ faith began to reap results almost immediately. After only two years of ministry, there were 3800 children enrolled in Bible memory contests, 346 converts recorded, and 19 Sunday schools started! As momentum increased, others committed themselves to the work, taking ministry to a new level across the country with multiplied enthusiasm and burning hearts.

A free week of camp was offered in exchange for reciting 500 verses, and children across Canada rose to the challenge.

A new realm of ministry was just around the corner – the Mission needed a camp! In 1930, Gimli Bible Camp, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, was purchased as the Mission’s first camp. Children memorized Bible verses in droves, and soon other provinces also acquired camp property. Almost accidentally, the Canadian Sunday School Mission discovered camping ministry to be an effective way of grounding children in biblical truth and God’s love.

By 1950, seven years after the passing of Lloyd Hunter, and twenty-three after the Mission’s founding, the Canadian Sunday School Mission was sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every province of Canada through Sunday schools, Bible clubs, church plants, Bible correspondence lessons, traveling missionaries, and Bible camps (which became a main focus).

In 2014, Canadian Sunday School Mission (CSSM Ministries) changed its name to One Hope Canada or in French (L’Espoir Du Canada) to better reflect the Mission’s passion of bringing the hope, found only in Jesus Christ, to the nation of Canada.

Today One Hope Canada has over 200 year round missionaries spread across Canada from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, serving at over sixty ministry points, and ministering to over 23,000 children and youth each year. Our missionaries, partners, prayer warriors, and summer mission teams continue to unite under the same purpose that brought Lloyd Hunter to Winnipeg in 1926: presenting the Gospel to those with the least opportunity to hear of Christ.

OUR MISSIONARIES, PARTNERS, PRAYER WARRIORS, AND SUMMER MISSION TEAMS CONTINUE TO UNITE UNDER THE SAME PURPOSE THAT BROUGHT LLOYD HUNTER TO WINNIPEG IN 1926.

CANADA’S HOPE

7

Atlantic Canada "I recently met "Gil" from Ottawa, formerly from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

As a young man he had been a camper at the CSSM camp on Port Hood Island, Nova Scotia. Port Hood (now Cape Breton Bible Camp) had a great impact on his life. That camp was the seed that helped the much larger, better situated campsite grow and flourish. Oftentimes our seemingly failed efforts are transformed by the Lord into something that far exceeds our expectations." - Albert Dean, Atlantic Field Director BLOMIDON BIBLE CAMP The highlight of our summer is hearing reports of lasting change in children and families because of their time at camp. This is why Blomidon Bible Camp exists.

CAPE BRETON BIBLE CAMP After years of debate, we entered 2016 ready to break ground on a new zip line and high-ropes course development. The debate mainly centered on finances and being responsible with the money the Lord provides. As we consciously moved forward in faith, His provision was undeniable. I am convinced that God will provide and exceed our expectations to whatever extent we trust in Him, so long as we seek out and make plans for His glory.

HAMPTON BIBLE CAMP Praise God for the completion of our newest 40-bed dormitory, and seeing God fill it in 2016!

HBC continues to be in a rebuilding phase, and work on our main building in 2017 will include upgrading hallways and cabins to meet fire code, building expansion, and cosmetic upgrades.

This summer MIRAMICHI VALLEY BIBLE CAMP was blessed to have many sponsored campers. Of the 258 campers attending, many of whom had never been to camp and never heard the gospel before, there were 52 recorded salvation decisions.

NEW FOUND LIFE BIBLE CAMP held four weeks of Day Camp, Teen Camp and two VBS's. We had a young staff but they had plenty of opportunity to develop their leadership skills.

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

The Doreys

"I can’t say enough about how important grandparents are to the younger generation."

BY ANDREW DOREY, MISSIONARY

Calling My

Generation

S

ince the late 1800’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) has been a popular summer pastime for children in North America.

It is a pastime that our family has enjoyed sharing with hundreds of children around Atlantic Canada each summer.

Our goal is to teach boys and girls about Jesus’ love for them as we make God’s word come alive.

How exciting it is to see some of these older rural churches and community centres come alive with activity. There are so many kids and so many grandparents, but for the majority of communities we are missing the generation in the middle, my generation.

As kids sing songs, learn Bible verses, make crafts, play games and listen to stories that have an element of disbelief, they are left with questions. How exciting for their grandparents to be able to chat on the drive home or have the grandkids spend the week of VBS with them – being able to answer their questions, read them God’s Word and lead them to Christ. I hear these exciting stories over and over again. I can’t say enough about how important grandparents are to the younger generation.

I’m drawn back to thoughts of a mother who, when telling me about leading her son to Christ said, “I always thought you (I was the children’s and youth’s pastor) would get the opportunity to lead him to Christ”. How exciting that moment was for that mother and me.

So I am calling my generation, those parents of kids ages 5-12 to step forward and start making a difference for Christ in your homes, in your churches and in your communities.

THE DOREY FAMILY ITINERANT MINISTRY

The Ripple

Effects

BY GARY AND CHRISTINA LONG, CAMP DIRECTORS

"Mommy is helping us read the Bible that has pictures that we got at camp."

T

hey sang in unison, “For you are loved by Him, you are loved by Him...” “Oh, and G-Papa, listen to this one, ‘Great is the Lord and

mighty is power…’ ” G-Papa was beaming. “Did you hear that one, G-Nana?” he called in the direction of the kitchen. “Did I ever!” G-Nana appeared at the door wiping her hands with a towel as she came in to join the three of them.

Gracie flopped herself down onto the couch after such a long concert with her sister, singing all the words to all the songs they could remember from camp. Raising her hands and holding them behind her head, she dreamily said, “I love camp. I miss my cabin leaders.”

Abby chimed in from her spot on the floor, “Ooh yah! And I love the games too, and the crafts, and I gave my shelf craft to Auntie Jane because it matches her kitchen, and I told her all about camp.”

“That’s so great!” said G-Nana, “So what does all your family think of the things you’ve been telling them about camp?” Both G-Nana and G-Papa eagerly waited to hear of possible ripple effects occurring in the home where their great-granddaughters live.

“Some of the songs remind Mommy of ones she had sung when she was a girl – a LITTLE girl – that is” grinned Abby. “Mommy is helping us read the Bible that has pictures that we got at camp. Do you know a Sunday school teacher named Mrs. Curtain at your church?” Gracie squinted her face in an amusing, quizzical expression. “Mrs. Curtis?”

“Yeah, that’s right! Well, Daddy doesn’t know any of the Bible stories, but Mrs. Curtis taught some of them to Mommy a long time ago!”

The hearts of the elderly couple were so thrilled. They praised the Lord as they could see the huge potential of all this excitement growing in the children’s lives, and also being used to bring their family to the Lord.

This story is based on a testimony from a dear couple who sponsor their great-grandchildren to attend camp.

SANDY COVE BIBLE CAMP

www.sandycovebc.ca • 506-575-2628

CANADA’S HOPE

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"We can be certain that Jesus will prove to be a tenacious saviour!"

Quebec CAMP DES ILES We thank God for a fruitful summer and are looking forward to beginning a follow-up initiative led by a former Encounter student serving as Follow-Up and Discipleship Intern here at CDI. STANSTEAD COMMUNITY OUTREACH Our highlight is the Stanstead Bible study group that has started up again with most people from season one. We are seeing more involvement and a desire to share the Gospel in our Stanstead community. We are looking forward to seeing how God will extend the Gospel here.

BY BRIAN MURPHY, DIRECTOR

A tenacious

Saviour

W Our Purpose Statement We present the Gospel, particularly to those having the least opportunity to hear of Christ and especially to children and youth, and we disciple believers for living and serving through His Church.

e love our programs at Camp Livingstone. We have Teen Camps, Adventure Camps, Leadership Camps, Explorers Camps for Kids, Family Camps, and even Nature Classes for school groups.

While programming is fun, our purpose remains steadfast: To provide a safe place to meet God through the Word and adventure.

In the summer of 2014, one of our volunteers was a girl who had attended summer camp many years. “Gail” told us that she wanted to join our team because the other cabin leaders made her feel welcome and accepted her. She had heard the Gospel of God’s truth presented many times.

However she had not yet come to understand that she needed to respond to this knowledge. One of our cabin leaders at that time, would visit her often throughout the week. She would ask Gail, “What are you going to do with Jesus?” With that question, Gail was launched on a journey to discover that Christians being kind to her, and camp being a great place, was not enough for her. And it wasn’t enough for God either! She repented and trusted in Jesus that summer. Today, we see evidence of new life in her. For Gail, God is not “at camp” like before. God is now in her! While “Gail” is not her real name, she served as a cabin leader this summer and actively shared the Gospel with others that were just like her!

While we ensure that all who attend our programs hear the Gospel, we do not control how they respond. Please pray that people, like Gail, choose to trust in Christ during these coming months after camp. We can be certain that Jesus will prove to be a tenacious saviour!

CAMP LIVINGSTONE www.camplivingstone.ca • 819-843-2019

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

Brian and Carole Murphy, Camp Directors of Camp Livingstone, giving a tour to the National Board of One Hope Canada.

Thank you for praying for One Hope Canada, the National Board, and for Quebec!

Quebec Tour 2016

BY BILL & BEV MCCASKELL, NATIONAL DIRECTOR TEAM, ONE HOPE CANADA

I National Board members, One Hope Canada and camp staff pose for a picture in front of the dining hall at Camp des Iles.

n June, the National Board members from across Canada, met in Montreal to tour One Hope Canada ministries within Quebec. Each summer the National Board travels to one province to attend national meetings, and to tour our camps and community ministries in that region. It is a time of seeing the ministry up close, meeting the people and experiencing what God is doing within that area of Canada.

This summer's tour did not disappoint! Currently, we have three ministries in Quebec.

Two of the three ministries are camps which hosted our group. Each camp held a fellowship supper and evening, attended by staff, community board members and supporting constituents. Stories of God’s faithfulness were shared. During the tour this summer we were particularly challenged by the incredible needs Quebec ministries face with finance, Christian support and workers.

The National Board has the awesome responsibility of stewarding the overall ministry of the Mission, by providing long term vision and ensuring the effective achievement of the purpose of why we exist: “To present the Gospel, particularly to those having the least opportunity to hear of Christ, especially to children and youth, and to disciple believers for living and serving through His church.”

Thank you for praying for One Hope Canada, the National Board, and for Quebec! Our goal is to develop partnerships within the region to better support the work that God has already begun. It is an exciting time!

CANADA’S HOPE

11

LEAVING A

Legacy

M We realize

how important camp ministry is to young people… and in the fact that often camp is the only place they see and hear of the love of God. 12

SUMMER/FALL 2016

argaret Bute was only five years old when she met her first missionary from the Canadian Sunday School Mission.

"The workers stayed at our place when they were in the area.

They organized CSSM Vacation Bible schools during the day for the children and held services in the evenings for the adults," explains Margaret, who grew up in the Forest Edge district of South Saskatchewan. “Through the ministry of CSSM missionaries, two year-round Bible studies began and one of the first Associated Gospel churches in Saskatchewan was planted.”

Meanwhile, about an hour east, a group of men and women, including Vernon Moore were organizing a CSSM camp in the area of Maryfield, Saskatchewan, which had its first summer in 1950. In 1960, Maryfield Bible Camp joined Griffin Bible Camp and relocated to their present-day location in Moose Mountain Provincial Park to form Kenosee Lake Bible Camp (KLBC).

It was at Maryfield Bible Camp that Margaret met Vernon and the two were married in 1965 and made their home in Ryerson, Saskatchewan, where they farmed for 40 years while still serving at KLBC on the board and in a variety of volunteer roles. Today, Vern and Margaret make their home in Calgary, Alberta and continue to witness the impact that camp has on their family.

“We have three married children and seven grandchildren, and so many of them continue to be involved in camp ministry and we continue to see God use camp to mature their faith as He uses them to share the Gospel with children who do not know the hope found in Jesus.”

Generosity is a response to an encounter with God.

As we understand the love He showed us our response should lead to a desire to emulate His generosity to His creation.

Experiencing first hand how God used camp and the Mission to change lives, the Moores continue to pray and financially support the work of One Hope Canada, including how they have planned for generosity in their estate.

“We realize how important camp ministry is to young people, in terms of their growth and in the fact that often camp is the only place they see and hear of the love of God, and so it makes sense for us to be sure we plan that when we go home, our estate can continue to support the work of One Hope Canada.”

According to a report this past June by the CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), the Moores are part of a much larger trend that will be the largest inter-generational wealth transfer in Canadian history.

“It underscores the need for tax and estate planning and family legacy discussions,” says Peter Lee, Managing Director of CIBC Private Wealth Management.

That sediment is something that Kent Little, founder of Northeast Financial Services and an investor advisor for over 20 years, agrees with heartily.

“Planning your estate while you are alive and in sound mind actually determines what happens to your physical possessions and belongings after you die. It can be an expression of who you are, what you did, and what you like to do after you are gone.”

According to Little, people should strongly consider making giving part of their estate planning. “There are basically two reasons for people to have their estate plan include charitable giving: one is to reduce the amount their estate will pay in taxes, the other is to leave a legacy - a mark on a cause that is important to them.”

“Estate gifts”, explains Little, “can be a real boost to a charity such as One Hope Canada, because it opens up more ministry possibilities that the Mission would not have had otherwise.”

Bill and Bev McCaskell, the National Director team of One Hope Canada has seen this first hand. “Over the years the Mission has launched a number of initiatives such as campership funds and special projects to provide missionary care because a dear supporter chooses to give one final gift to the Mission through their estate.”

The importance of planning ones’ estate well is a key reason that One Hope Canada has partnered with Abundance Canada (formerly Mennonite Foundation of Canada).

“Abundance Canada is a national organization with consultants available across Canada who specialize in helping generous people support the charities they value,” explains Harold Penner, a Stewardship Consultant who has served with Abundance Canada for over 17 years.

“We recognize that most donors support multiple charities.

Our partnership allows One Hope Canada donors to work with an independent planned giving consultant to prepare one integrated plan to support One Hope Canada as well as their other charities of choice. Our services cover tax-effective gifting during one’s lifetime and through their will.”

As Penner explains, at the heart of all giving, including estate giving, is generosity. “Generosity is a response to an encounter with God. As we understand the love He showed us, individually and as humankind, especially through his Son, Jesus Christ, our response should lead to a desire to emulate His generosity to His creation.

“We all have an opportunity to give while we are alive in response to God’s urging in our lives.” Penner continues.

“We also accumulate assets we need to live on and in while alive. Giving as part of our estate planning is an opportunity to release those assets into God’s kingdom as a final statement of our lifetime values.”

If you are interested in speaking with someone at One Hope Canada or Abundance Canada regarding your generosity goals, both during your lifetime and through your will, please call 1-888-960-2580.

CANADA’S HOPE

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Ontario RAINY RIVER DISTRICT MINISTRIES A highlight was eight days of paddling with 32 teens across ten pristine lakes of Northwestern Ontario, basking in God's magnificence. The last evening everyone gathered around a crackling fire and shared. It was truly awesome!

BY DAN LOWRIE, SUMMER MINISTRIES DIRECTOR SONSHINE BIBLE CLUBS had four clubs operating in the school year 201516, in which we were blessed with great leaders and a good group of volunteers.

One highlight of the year was with two of our clubs... traditionally we end clubs on Easter week. The children were so disappointed to hear clubs were ending that our volunteers extended their clubs. In one particular club an unchurched child was so excited to learn that he would continue to hear the Bible stories. God is Good!

BOB & KAREN KNIGHT We were involved in two summer Bible Camps and a VBS in Johnson Creek, NY. This Fall we're involved in the AWANA club at Thessalon Bible Chapel. It's a blessing to see young people give their lives to Christ and some following HIm in Baptism.

HOPE YOUTH We were surprisingly blessed this summer with opportunities for a lot of community involvement on the Wikwemikong Reserve when we were approached to help facilitate two sports evenings in partnership with the Youth Centre. We ended up running the basketball and baseball game nights. This opened doors hugely to being able to develop new relationships with students, resulting in some now coming out to our drop-in nights and Bible studies.

DORION BIBLE CAMP Our plumbing system provided endless complications this summer. Thankfully, with the help of others, we were able to keep our water system going throughout our entire camp season.

We trust God to provide the funds needed.

GALILEAN BIBLE CAMP For almost 65 years Galilean has been sharing the Gospel with children from all over the North Shore of Lake Huron and beyond. We still have this call and a burden for those children who will otherwise never have a chance to hear the Gospel. We hope to continue this calling for many years.

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

It takes a

Village

W

e have all heard the old adage that “it takes a village to raise a child.” I would certainly agree with this and would say that it takes a village to run a camp. From the front-line counsellor to the prayer warrior in their 80’s, everyone can play a part in influencing campers for Christ.

So how can each of us play a part in this? How can you, regardless of your age, get involved in the camp ministry?

Let’s begin with the baby boomers. Although you may be past the age of being able to attend camp, there are still so many ways for you to be involved. First of all, you can pray. I am convinced in my experience at camp, that without prayer it would not happen. The summer is a marathon of ministry, and prayer is the fuel that keeps everyone going.

Many baby boomers are also grandparents and I know several who give financially so their grandchildren can go to camp. They believe strongly enough in the ministry of camp to do this. I believe you can also mentor and encourage those who are working on the fronts lines at a camp.

It’s so encouraging when I talk with older people who have worked at a camp or in ministry and understand what it’s like.

Next is generation X. These are typically the parents of children who are of age to come to camp or work there. I would ask that if you have never considered sending your child to camp, why not? Was it a bad experience for yourself? Or perhaps there is another reason? I would ask you to reconsider that and think about the possibility of sending your child to camp, or having them apply to be on staff. Both being a camper and working at a camp can be life changing. Personally, my first year on staff at Willow Springs made me realize that I was living a two-faced life. Through the example and encouragement of some of the older staff, I recommitted my life to Christ. That has had a lasting impact on me, and I hope that I am able to have that same impact on others.

Despite your age, there is some way, even if it’s a small one, that you can be involved in the ministry of summer camp. My hope is that you will do this, in whatever way God has gifted you!

WILLOW SPRINGS CAMP www.willowspringscamp.ca • 905-640-2698

BY TERESA WARD, DIRECTOR

The camp's foundation

W

hen children come to camp, they are greeted by enthusiastic counselors, games are organized, songs are downloaded, equipment is in place, camp is set up and the schedule is in place. As the week unfolds they build relationships with staff, play fun and challenging games, sing memorable songs, learn new skills, learn about God and enjoy wholesome lunches and snacks. They walk away from camp, hopefully having been impacted by God and with fond memories. Their families are thankful to the staff for making that week of camp special for their children. They don’t often realize that the staff are a small part of the people who make camp happen.

Without all the work behind the scenes, the camp would simply not function. I often remind my staff that we are supported by a contingent of people who care just as much as we do about campers, their relationship with God and their enjoyment of camp. We are but the face of the camp, with many other people forming the foundation. Let me tell of a few: • There’s the 90’s plus couple who faithfully pray for camp, who have hosted a staff night and who come out to banquets and events.

• There’s the 80’s plus woman who goes throughout her community to families to tell them about the camp and offer their children a week of camp sponsored by the Women’s Group or church she’s involved in.

She arranges meals and billets for the staff. She and her husband often host staff in their home.

• There’s a 70’s plus couple who invited staff to dinner in their home, and asked questions to get to know the staff, showing genuine love and concern for them.

• There are people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s who volunteer as counselors, as cook assistants, who make snacks for camp, who host meals for staff, who pray and care, and ask “How is camp going?” and really care about the answer.

• There are 14-year-old Support Staff who learn to be leaders and how to serve graciously. There are Senior Staff who run hard, smile when tired, plan games and songs and skits, act silly and make camp fun.

Staff love beyond themselves and give beyond their own strength. Staff are blessed beyond measure because of the love of many, many people, and they in turn love the campers with God’s love.

"We are but the face of the camp, with many other people forming the foundation."

MONARCH BIBLE CAMP www.monarchbiblecamp.ca • 705-887-3625

CANADA’S HOPE

15

Manitoba ADVENTURE DAY CAMP has an exciting opportunity for an individual or family desiring to make a difference in the lives of children and youth in Manitoba. Adventure Day Camp is seeking a full-time seasonal Camp Director to operate a mobile summer ministry reaching children and youth who have the least opportunity to hear of Jesus Christ. Visit www.onehopecanada. ca/careers for more information.

GIMLI BIBLE CAMP I, Don Roe Camp Director, tore the ligaments of my left arm during staff training.

Three weeks later I was jumping up onto the shuffleboard table to do the points board and I fell backwards. Luckily I threw myself around to land on the concrete on my right side instead of the left. The sincere concern the staff showed for me at that instant let me know I was actually loved and cared about, not just appreciated.

ROSEAU RIVER BIBLE CAMP A lasting memory for us from the summer of 2016 is that several Work Crew campers, after seeing the faith and lives of the staff members lived out, said over and over how they wanted to be staff members and cabin leaders in the future. Even though some of these campers were not yet believers, they knew that they had to take this step of faith in order to join the staff team here at camp. This is encouraging as we have staff members following up these Work Crew campers!

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BIBLE CAMP We REJOICE at the countless answers to prayer witnessed after years of planning, praying and waiting –construction on the new kitchen/dining hall began in September. What an incredible blessing to see parents and grandparents catching a vision of the impact of camp on lives, and coming to serve alongside family members, to see lives surrender to Christ and grow in their relationship with Him.

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

"God showed His amazing design for us this summer as we witnessed the body of Christ at work."

BY JOHN WIELER, SUMMER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LEADER

Will you be

obedient?

W

hen my wife Melodie and I were first approached to work with a couple of strangers (whom we dearly know now as Dan and Melissa) to run the 2016 summer Leadership Development program at Valley View, the first thought to jump to my

head was, “Do you know how old we are?” From there it was even easier to come up with excuses like: “I can’t commit to 3 weeks.”

“There’s no way I have that kind of energy.” And oh yeah, “Do you know how old we are?” All that aside, God answered me with, “Will you be obedient?”

What ensued over the next twenty days God blessed us with eleven amazing 15 to 17-year-old guys and gals. Along with Melissa and Dan, we all wrestled through the book of Ephesians, and grew through the team development activities that pushed everyone to their limits, revealing our strengths and weaknesses. We shared one-on-one sessions to challenge the youth in their walk with Christ, and spent a good amount of time sharing joys and tears.

God showed His amazing design for us this summer as we witnessed the body of Christ at work, not only as a smaller body in the fifteen of us, but also how we worked with the bigger body at camp. God took 50-year-olds working with under 40-year-olds to work alongside 20-year-olds to encourage, disciple and help train up teenagers to someday do His work for His glory. What excuses do you have?

VALLEY VIEW BIBLE CAMP valleyviewbiblecamp.com • 204-685-2999

"Through the fire and through the flames He Is Lord!"

God is

Bigger

BY ANDREW SEVIGNY, CAMP DIRECTOR

I

t was a bright sunny day and the children were just about to start their third skill for the day, while leaders upstairs were relaxing during their time off, when tragedy struck. “EVERYONE GET OUT, THE BUILDING IS ON FIRE,” was all I could hear. I opened the door and there it was, smoke billowing out of the windows. I rang the bell and called 911, as the staff gathered the campers. “Everyone is accounted for,” I told the 911 operator, “but the flames are getting bigger.”

After hanging up from 911 all I could do was watch. My only thoughts were that camp would never run at DBC ever again because this fire was going to wipe out the entire camp. Then I heard songs of praise coming from the staff and campers. The staff had started a worship session knowing that God is bigger than any fire, knowing that He would protect His camp. The fire department showed up and began to extinguish the fire, parents began to arrive to find their children safe, church members began to show up with food, farmers were bringing water to keep a constant supply for the firefighters, God was showing us how He is bigger than any disaster. He even gave us opportunity to minister to the firefighters as they finished putting out the flames.

Eleven days after the fire, God opened the doors to our new dining hall and kitchen, which would allow us to continue camp for the summer. Two days later we were holding registration again. 250 children had the opportunity to hear about God, even after the fire destroyed our dining hall, kitchen, and chapel.

Eighteen children came to know the Lord as their Savior after the camp began to run again. God is bigger than any fire.

Everyone was safe, the fire was put out, no other buildings were affected, the doors to our new dining hall were open, 250 children heard about Jesus, 18 children accepted Him as their Savior.

God is big. Through the fire and through the flames He is Lord!

DAUPHIN BIBLE CAMP www.dauphinbiblecamp.net • 204-638-5568

CANADA’S HOPE

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MINISTRY MAP 1

2 3 4

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BRITISH COLUMBIA

8 1

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maplesprings biblecamp

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In addition, 14,680 heard the Gospel throughout the year.

ALBERTA

SASKATCHEWAN

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This past summer, thanks to

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4,010 staff and volunteers 18,152 children and youth 7

heard the Gospel.

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ATLANTIC

6 7

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The Doreys

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MANITOBA

ONTARIO 5

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Kensington Community Church

7 2 8

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Knight Ministries BIBLE CLUBS

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QUEBEC

5 6

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8

3

Visit www.onehopecanada.ca to contact any of our Ministry Points CANADA’S HOPE

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Wednesday Night

Teamwork C L I F F P E D E R S E N , A L B E R T A FIE L D D I R E C T O R – C H U R C H M I N I S T R I E S

W

ednesday night, from 7–8 p.m., is a highlight in our week. That one hour, spent with dear friends and encouragers at Robertson Manor, reassures us year-round that we are not alone in ministry, and that Almighty God cares enough to intervene in our lives and in the lives of our missionaries and ministries.

It’s the hour we spend with the One Hope Canada prayer group in Three Hills, Alberta — mostly seniors — every week of the year, except over Christmas.

We wouldn’t trade this hour for all the oil in Alberta.

Last Wednesday, I asked the ten or so attendees, “What brings you to prayer group each week?”

Without hesitation, Vi pipes up, “My kids were with the Mission for decades, for thirty years!” and Wilf adds, “I spent a summer with CSSM (now One Hope Canada) when I was in Bible school, before I went to Africa as a missionary.”

“I know how discouraged people in ministry can get, so I come to pray,” shares Dorothy, a former pastor’s wife with the Mission for thirteen years.

I was aware that the Wednesday night prayer group had existed for years, and Don reinforced that with his comment: “My wife’s cousin, Mel Fredlund, was a leader with the Mission. When I was on the Alberta Council, I attended this prayer group at Mel’s house.”

“I come,” said Esther, “because I’m interested in a Mission that works in Canada! And I pray for the prayer requests all week.”

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

Mary, a relatively new member of the group and resident of Robertson Manor, tells how she used to walk through the room when we were praying. But once she started attending, she just couldn’t stop.

Wilma, who lives just down the hall from our meeting place, shares how she was first attracted to prayer group by the singing at the beginning. “I would crack my door open to listen,” she admits, “and shut it as soon as the music stopped. Finally, I got brave enough to attend, and there are such nice people here!”

Eileen, who has attended faithfully for years, tells that it’s her way of getting to know our Alberta mission points, and to hear the latest news of where the Gospel is spreading across Alberta.”

Jim adds, “It helps me see how important prayer is!”

Listening to the stories from my fellow prayer warriors reminded me of my first time at the prayer group, when I was in Bible school. Back then, I never imagined the strength it would be throughout our years of ministry with One Hope Canada — the meeting where God listens and things happen.”

For those interested in joining the One Hope Canada prayer team, please email: prayerteam@onehopecanada.ca.

We will send you weekly requests from the Mission's frontline from across Canada.

Saskatchewan

BY CLAY WIENS, MINISTRY DIRECTOR

Drawing near

I

to God

t was one of my favorite moments of the whole summer. Yes, watching kids fly off the tube was always fun, and who could ever forget the interpretive dance to Mulan’s I’ll Make a Man Out of You, a staff member did to receive mail, but this was different. This was why we do camp. Chapel had just ended, and the Gospel had been shared clearly. Campers were given the opportunity to stay and pray with their cabin leaders if they wanted or ask questions about Christianity. Most of them left to get ready for snack, and I remained just outside the chapel, praying and chatting with some of the other support staff.

Earlier in the summer, Brad, our director, told me that in these moments he always prayed for the kids who left, that they would not ignore God’s calling.

And as we talked, I noticed one little boy walk past us and back into the chapel to sit down beside his cabin leader. Brad and I looked at each other and smiled, because we knew we had just witnessed an incredible moment.

God calls each one of us, and that night He called several of His children to Himself. Some took a little longer to get there. At least one tried to run away, briefly. But young or old, God is still calling us closer to Himself. Will we, like that little boy, turn away from the routine and draw near to God? KENOSEE LAKE BIBLE CAMP www.kenoseelakebiblecamp.ca • 306-577-4623

TORCH TRAIL BIBLE CAMP The Lord gave us a great summer at Torch Trail Bible Camp.

We continue to be overwhelmed with the goodness of God and the opportunities He provides for our staff and volunteers to share the gospel and disciple believers. Camp is such a perfect picture of the body – everyone coming together, laying aside their differences for the common goal of proclaiming Christ to a broken world.

LUSELAND BIBLE CAMP anticipates God’s work! Celebrating 83 years of introducing campers and families to Jesus, we’re in the midst of our largest building project yet – a new pool.

MADGE LAKE BIBLE CAMP We had an awesome summer!

MLBC broke their attendance record, yee haw! And many children gave their hearts to God!

Abundance Canada makes giving to the charities you love simple and strategic.

We offer complimentary tools that facilitate your Generosity Plan. Contact us today for a personal and confidential consultation.

1.800.772.3257 abundance.ca CANADA’S HOPE

21

"...it is truly a blessing to understand that this ministry is a result of generations of people who have been faithfully serving, praying and giving to make it happen."

BY SETH BRIGGS, CAMP DIRECTOR

Same old Firsts

“F

or the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5. Camp has changed drastically over the years, but in a lot of ways, it has remained the same. I chatted with a young man this summer who was surprised to find out that I went to camp with his dad. As I thought about it, his grandparents and even great grandparents, had been a part of this camp over the years. He was, in fact, the great grandson of one of the first campers at Manitou. It was great to see them experiencing some of the same joys and firsts as their great grandmother had decades ago; their first time staying away from home with a group of campers, their first time having a group discussion about what God was teaching them in chapel times, their first time eating meals together in the dining hall, their first wide games, skill times and trips to the beach. And in, some cases, their first time to truly understand what the Gospel means for them.

We saw the Lord at work this summer in our campers, staff and volunteers and it is truly a blessing to understand that this ministry is a result of generations of people who have been faithfully serving, praying and giving to make it happen.

He is faithful to all generations and camp is a great way to keep declaring the good news of the Gospel to each new generation.

MANITOU LAKE BIBLE CAMP

www.manitoulakebiblecamp.ca • 306-826-5440

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Meaningful

Ministry

BY GREG BENSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

W

ho does the ministry at a summer camp? Shortly after a school retreat group finished their trip to our camp this spring, their teacher sent us a note:

“We want to thank you so much for the experience this year.

The aspect that strikes me the most every year is the benefit it provides for some of my most needy students. A night away from home where they may be woken to parties, loud voices, and sometimes conflict, is a precious gift. I watched some of my students relax, unwind and open up as they realized they would just have fun without the need to be protecting themselves all the time.

Without the support of [a local church], we would not be able to experience your camp. We worked very hard to raise the money to pay for a bus to come out to you. There is no way we would be able to pay for the camp fees, as well.

Therefore, their support is essential to get all the benefits listed above.

To give a students’ group with the needs that my students have, a vacation with challenges, self-confidence building, and just plain fun, is a gift that I can not truly express the extent of its value.”

Defying traditional boundaries in age, culture and religion, this local church used a simple trip to camp to build into the lives of these students. This story is a simple reminder that our camp relies on the Church in order that meaningful ministry can happen. We’re thankful that our local churches answer God’s call to get involved!

RANGER LAKE BIBLE CAMP

www.rlbc.ca • 888-406-1733

CANADA’S HOPE

23

Faithful Servants Donna R. Berk, a faithful CSSM Missionary for 30 years, passed

away at Aurora, Nebraska, on October 31, 2015 at the age of 74. As a child she

accepted Christ as her Saviour. Though she was shy and younger than most of the neighborhood kids, from time to time she tried to witness to them. Her family had a Bible Club in their home and she invited lots of kids to come. It was exciting to see God working in their lives.

In 1962 Donna graduated from Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. Immediately after her graduation she joined Canadian Sunday School Mission and served as a missionary in Alberta for thirty years. Donna and four other ladies (Hazel Tayler, Mary Modericker, Frances Nelson, and Violet Huss) worked together in ministry with children and women, in the church and community.

They led Sunday School, preschool and after-school Bible times, summer VBS, and coffee time with the ladies. Donna’s service with CSSM Alberta brought her to Eureka River, Myrnam, Clandonald, and Ranfurly. She also was involved in the early years of David Thompson Bible Camp and played a major role at Whitney Lake Bible Camp during the years she served in northeastern Alberta.

Lawrence McAllister passed away Saturday, September 3rd,

2016 at the age of 97 years old. Lawrence, or Laurie as he was affectionately called by his friends, served CSSM for nearly his entire working lifetime in a variety of

roles: including camp director, Branch Director and National Director. Even in his retirement years, he continued to be an encouragement to many of our missionaries across the country.

On Easter Sunday 1930, when Lawrence was ten, he attended an evangelistic meeting where he gave his young heart to Jesus. Lawrence began his spiritual journey with Jesus that day, and throughout his life, from that day on, never wavered in his faith. As a teenager, Lawrence started an Inter-School Christian Fellowship in his high school and attended a home Bible study as well. In 1954 He moved his young family to New Brunswick to begin his 30-year career in full-time Christian work with the CSSM (now One Hope Canada). In 1961 Lawrence, Grace and their children moved to Winnipeg where Lawrence became the National Director of CSSM. Lawrence retired from the CSSM in 1984 but Lawrence and Grace continued to travel ministering at camps.

Throughout his life, Lawrence took every opportunity he could to pray with people and share the hope of the Gopsel. He couldn’t imagine anyone not going to Heaven, and it grieved him to even think of such a thing.

Excerpts taken from Lawrence McAllister’s obituary.

"I am a child of God, whom God has chosen to share His message..."

BY RICH HULL, COMMUNITY MISSIONARY AND PASTOR OF NORDEGG COMMUNITY CHURCH

Called at 30

I

was over 30 when I started hearing the call from God into fulltime ministry.

For over a decade I had worked in manufacturing, when God started the fire for us to serve Him full time.

I had been very comfortable working full time and being a leader in the church. But that all started to change when I was laid off from my job and struggled with who I was.

I found myself asking, “Am I a provider? A Dad? A husband? A leader in the church?” Finally, I found the answer. I am a child of God, whom God has chosen to share His message, the GOOD NEWS with anyone who will listen.

What was I to do next? I needed training. So we moved our family to Canada to attend Prairie Bible Institute, and spent the next five years learning and growing closer to God in and out of the classroom.

Now in Nordegg, Alberta, we are pastoring in a small community and sharing the good news of the Gospel, using every opportunity He has given – serving the community by volunteering in the library, co-facilitating a family literacy program for small children and their parents, and being ever present and available. We also have an outreach to the children on the Big Horn Reserve, by partnering with two other churches to provide Christmas boxes to the K-12 children and a Vacation Bible School at the church.

Yes, we may have received the call later in life, but we can see His fruit in the community of Nordegg.

NORDEGG COMMUNITY CHAPEL

www.onehopecanada.ca/nordeggcommunitychurch • 403-721-2347

Alberta LITTLE SMOKY All generations came together to reach children ages 5-13 at our VBS. Two young men from CEF taught the Wordless Book; two teens helped as needed; parents and grandparents were supporting as hosts, supplying materials and snacks, and providing oversight while others prayed. Every age-group building God's Kingdom!

JOY CHAPEL Our overnight camp for adults with disabilities experienced challenges, including a torrential storm, power outage and camper struggles, and yet we saw more visible responses to the Gospel. “I have a question,” one lady said.

“How do you become a Christian?” How happily we showed her the answer!

SILVER VALLEY It has been an encouraging time as we have seen a few new faces in our church this past year. With these new people, we have had youth from the community visit us and hear the word, as well as a new youth group beginning to emerge!

LONGVIEW There is a new wind of change blowing by the Holy Spirit in Longview, animosities of the past are being set aside, and new people are showing interest in the ministry.

One man, who was an unbeliever, began attending church about a month ago. We believe he gave his heart to the Lord when we were away on holidays. We exchanged pleasantries this morning as he was going to work, and he lit up like a 1000-watt light bulb!

CANADA’S HOPE

25

Alberta NORDEGG COMMUNITY CHURCH AND ROSS HAVEN BIBLE CAMP Almost $12,000 was donated this Spring through our Zero In Appeal to help with two special projects in Alberta. A huge thank you to those who generously gave.

The trim will be installed on the manse at the Nordegg Community Church and work is underway for the washroom upgrades at Ross Haven Bible Camp.

CAMP SILVERSIDES We had 123 campers accept Jesus as their Saviour this summer, and during our last week of camp, a supporter of Camp Silversides donated a brand new speed boat to the camp!

God is so good.

DAVID THOMPSON BIBLE CAMP was excited to introduce its first ever pre-camp Free-4-All day, along with its first ever Girls Only camp.

Both were an encouraging success!

FAITH BIBLE CAMP had another awesome summer of ministry!

We have an amazing group of volunteers who even stayed late and helped with the cleanup.

Their willingness to go above and beyond was not unnoticed!

WHITNEY LAKE BIBLE CAMP We enjoyed having each one and are excited to have them back at camp next summer! Everyone had a blast! They were all so energetic!!!

It was a truly blessed summer with God working in miraculous ways.

To support the work of One Hope Canada, including anyone of our Ministry Points or missionaries, please visit www.onehopecanada.ca to make a donation.

BY EVANGELINE THIESSEN, WIFE OF DIRECTOR

The Wisdom of

Years and Youth

M

y husband and I, in our seventies, are working alongside much younger missionaries, representing the beautiful intergenerational ministry of One Hope Canada. All the members of our valued Joy Chapel board are grandparents, yet we often enlist and work with Bible college students in touching the lives of people with disabilities. But are we older folks always wiser than the young?

We have routinely featured crafts at our camp. This year my dream was to help everyone make wind chimes, but though I prayed and ordered sample tubing, things wouldn’t come together. Someone much younger would help flesh out Plan B. A couple of weeks before camp started, we went out to Bear Lake Bible Camp, where we have co-hosted Joy Camp for seventeen years, and which, incidentally, was started in the 1930’s by my father, Walter McNaughton, a CSSM worker. While we finalized camp details with their staff leaders, I explained that we would resort to our second choice for craft: the ladies would plant flowers in pots and the guys would have to paint bird houses from Dollarama.

“Bird houses?” They looked at each other and smirked. “Do we have bird houses!” A local church had donated twenty-six of them, wooden and sturdy, but the camp didn’t know what to do with them. At spring clean-up the camp leadership said, “Just throw them out.”

“No, we can’t do that!” said 22-year-old Heidi. “I will put them on Kijiji.”

Then we came along! Needless to say, painting the bird houses added to the men’s camp joy.

“Let no man despise your youth,” said Paul to Timothy. Someone wrote, “Give of your best to the Master, give of the strength of your youth . . . .”

JOY CAMP www.onehopecanada.ca/joychapel • 780-532-4978

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BY ELIZABETH KING, DIRECTOR

Blessing

Generations

S

trolling down the lake path, on our way to the closing staff meeting of the week, Greg and I turned at the sound of footsteps.

It was the parents of one of our staff members, come to pick him up after a spiritually productive week. We chatted for a bit, and mentioned her brother, who had been a camper over a decade ago. She said with a smile, “Generations! There have been generations of our family blessed by this camp.”

This is our twentieth summer at Ross Haven Bible Camp. The eager faces of the eight-year-old campers of our first year have matured into the faces of parents dropping off their children for Squirt Camp. One of those parents, walking up the hill to chapel, said to another parent, “I used to come here as a kid! Lots has changed, but Mr. Greg’s still here!”

That first year, we had a cabin leader named Brendan. When Greg pulled a prank in the tuck shop, Brendan guffawed and said to him, “You’re just one of us!” This summer marks the third year that Brendan, now a dad of four, has sent his son to a week of camp here. Tara, too, an early staff member, this year sent the youngest of her three children for fun-filled days at camp.

Looking back over the years, we are blessed with the memories of how God has worked in the lives of campers, staff, and ourselves. He has been faithful through good times and trials. Praise Him!

"Generations!

There have been generations of our family blessed by this camp."

ROSS HAVEN BIBLE CAMP www.rosshavenbiblecamp.com • 780-967-2643

CANADA’S HOPE

27

British Columbia ADVENTURE DAY CAMP Huey, a long time Beaverdell resident, requested past group pictures of Adventure Day Camp to hang in the Beaverdell museum, reminding people of the impact we’ve had over the years. After 20 years of running Adventure Day Camps in BC, Roland and Marilyn are transitioning into serving instead as speaker in our BC Bible Camps.

BY STEVE DUNCAN, CAMP DIRECTOR

Saying yes

AMASA For the first time in recent memory, one of our adult special-needs campers was baptized this summer at camp. What a blessing for her and those in attendance!

LAKE OF THE TREES BIBLE CAMP rejoices in a record number of campers and their high response to the Gospel. We are also excited about two new cabins and the new doublesized grass playfield!

MAPLE SPRINGS BIBLE CAMP just finished its biggest year ever, over 900 campers throughout the year got to come hear about Jesus at an overnight program! We look forward to announcing that God has provided a miracle in our property fundraiser that is due this December!

NESS LAKE BIBLE CAMP As the new director I was amazed at the quality of young people on our summer team and how incredible our staff are! God is using them mightily to impact young people of all ages.

to God's lead

I

t was Sunday morning and I found myself in the uncomfortably familiar place of having camp starting on Monday, and not having enough staff. My “well” of potential leaders had run dry, and I had just called my last lead. All I could do was wait and pray. The phone rang, and the middle-aged mother of three who answered was willing. However she had a snoring condition that she was worried might traumatize campers, but her pastor recommended her, and she was willing to give it a go. Despite my reservations, and preference for someone younger, I agreed to have Meg* come…, and I could not have been more blessed. Meg was gifted, she was fun-loving and zany, she loved Jesus and had a big motherly heart for her campers. Her campers were drawn to her, felt safe with her, and saw Jesus in her. I saw something too. I saw how God was so much bigger than my little ideas. I thought Meg would be too old, wouldn’t be “cool” enough, and that the campers wouldn’t open up to someone who was older than their parents. How wrong I was, and I nearly missed the blessing.

Not everyone is called to cabin leading, but camp ministry offers so much more than just that. People in every generation have something to give, a gift to bring to the feet of Jesus. Maybe it is paying for a camper to go to camp, maybe it is supporting a missionary, maybe it is being a “camp grandparent,” or helping with a project, cooking in the kitchen, sewing some curtains, or even simply cutting some grass. And everyone can pray! Pray for the love of Jesus to transform the lives of children and young people in our country, for leaders to be raised up, and for God’s glory to shine.

Meg made herself available and responded to a need. The following summer she did something she never thought she would do, and led our two-week female work-crew program. In subsequent years she has stepped into camp speaking, and continues to be a blessing wherever she says “yes” to God’s leading. Meg still continues to snore. (* Name has been changed to keep Meg’s snoring private)

ECHO LAKE BIBLE CAMP www.elbc.ca • 250-996-0227

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

"There’s nothing like generations speaking words of truth to each other."

BY BOB COOPER, DIRECTOR

Level ground in

God's grace

W

hile young and old wrestle awkwardly with generational nuances, we recognize beauty created in work, play, and mentorship.

Workers like Victor Menzies donated our camp’s land in 1957.

He literally dismantled an old building three miles away and wheelbarrowed it here piece by piece for building materials. One longstanding board member recalls when she and her husband worked full-time off site, yet still managed facilities at Hope Bay. This summer she rallied churches to bake over 3000 cookies, and arranged sponsorships for campers. Faithfulness!

Staff and campers remind us to put fun into life, which seriously sleep-deprived adults may forget. I’ve been told recently to find my “Inner Junior-High Boy” more often, even as director. Maybe it’s worth it to hit that slip-and-slide on a hot summer day, even when it comes with a damaged rotator cuff!

We saw whimsy at our Sea-Land Relay, when a local grandma (also our main cook and director’s mother!) dressed as a crazy mermaid, with “Pirate” grandpa and colorful granddaughters in tow. Another grandpa jumped into the freezing Pacific, and swam the second leg of the relay as the oldest member of his team.

And there’s nothing like generations speaking words of truth to each other. Campers encouraging speakers, board members offering wisdom to staff, and camp alumni stepping in to volunteer in different ways.

So, working, playing, or sharing life at summer camp, regardless of age, reminds us we are on level ground in God’s grace. And that is beautiful.

HOPE BAY BIBLE CAMP www.hopebaybiblecamp.com • 250-629-3194

CANADA’S HOPE

29

VOLUNTEERS IN CHRIST

BY HOWARD MCLEOD

Finishing Well OPPORTUNITIES ARE KNOCKING ON OUR DOORS .

W E N E E D TO B E W I L L I N G TO A N S W E R .

FOLKS PLAYING CROKINOLE AND SCRABBLE

H

AVING TAUGHT SCHOOL for a number of years prior to directing the year-round One Hope Canada ministry of Galilean Bible Camp, I felt very rewarded, in both cases, by working directly with children. Who would have thought that, in retirement, there would also be an equally deep sense of satisfaction related to working with seniors?

In my early years of camping ministry, my staff often echoed my sentiments at the end of a four day seniors' retreat, that the seniors’ retreats were their favourites.

Whether directing, programming, or working in the kitchen, we each felt a real sense of satisfaction. A speaker at one retreat, who came to teach Bible, was a retired policeman turned pastor. He connected well with our guests and said on more than one

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SUMMER/FALL 2016

occasion, “Howard, I want to finish well!” Those words have repeatedly been an inspiration to me over the past thirty years, and have challenged me to keep on keeping on.

Just before I retired, I was challenged by a dear man of God concerning a huge need, for someone to organize retirees to give a helping hand at our Ontario children's campsites. Through that encouragement, our VICS movement was formed. The purpose of VICS (Volunteers in Christ’s Service) was to give opportunities for retired men and women to come as a group to one of our campsites, for one to three weeks, to help with spring or fall projects like painting, cleaning, carpentry, or just plain fixing. Besides helping prepare for summer children's ministry, there were often opportunities for warm

fellowship around the Word and times to pray together. Great memories and a great sense of accomplishment!

A few other opportunities that have come our way to work with seniors are: organizing outings and trips for seniors, inter-church activity days, helping with rides to events, summer camp grandparenting, and nursing home visitation.

Sunday morning church services in retirement homes and nursing homes are a valuable time to minister to residents who are no longer able to attend their own churches. The Lord opened the door for me to do that one Sunday each month over the past twenty years.

Many assistants have come alongside to help with the services. I almost consider those dear residents to be my congregation!

Our Mission can have a vital role in the ministry to seniors. Opportunities are knocking on our doors. We need to be willing to answer the door and say like Isaiah did, “Here am I. Send me!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Howard McLeod has served with One Hope Canada for 14 years as director of Galilean Bible Camp, 17 years as ON Field Director, and now 9 years part-time in retirement, ministering to seniors. For more information about VICS, please email Howard at mchoward@shaw.ca

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is an ugly s ugly shirt" "I like it" "No, it thi is t lef e hav I All ty. dir All my shirts are ?" (comes down it I wear all the time" "Really like t jus e on e hav "I id) pla colour" (it is like this pattern" under the light) "I guess I do ally tic cri it at k loo to nk bu off of

It is so cool tha t God can show us His power in the thunder and lightening and w e didn't get hur t.

My campers all have such hard lives. I just want to go home with all of them.

10 year old girls going over the rules: "And we are not going to talk to the boys" "Ye ah, boys are gross and disgusting" "But sometimes they are beautiful... .."

I love flish flies. n't r: "God ca e d a e l in Cab ll H e ing bad. A h t y n a e t cr e a ers: od." Ca mp o g is s e t cr e a that quitoes, s o m t p e "Exc he enter ed t in s n e h is w wo rld."

My dad said I had to take a showe r Tuesday and Thurs day. I don’t know why. I never do at home.

2016

SUMMER

Bye bye Devil....

Hello God!

QUOTE WALL

I'm planning to send my daughter to Day Camp until she is too old to go!!

This was the best thing I have ever put her in. She came home everyday singing new songs and with knowledge about God. She was so happy!!! Thank you, I plan to continue to have her involved with a church or youth group going forward. usly make "C an you serio C anoe Trip the Wilderness ext summer? " for 2 weeks n

Jesus is my Saviour!

"I want to walk a new path with Jesus from this day on."

- First Nations Teen The food here is "killer "!!

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

Don's daughter Bekah during senior's camp; "It is so much harder to find my dad this week!

Everyone here has the same hairstyle!"

My daughter loves the day camp program and looks forward to it all year long. I hope this program continues for years to come.

"Why can't you do Bible School for us all summer long? Child at VBS

I just can't even explai n it. I just feel so different inside! To think that all my sins from my whole life are just gone! Just like that they are gone!