Winter/Spring - Ontario 2015

Winter/Spring 2015 Ontario Edition Issue 1

CANADA's

HOPE GOD’S MISSION. OUR ADVENTURE.

Partners in the Good News Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

P H I L I P P I A N S 1 :4-5 N LT

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Knight Ministries BIBLE CLUBS

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CANADA's

HOPE Winter/Spring 2015 Ontario Edition Issue One

GOD’S MISSION. OUR ADVENTURE. Canada’s Hope is the biannual publication of One Hope Canada.

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

EDITOR Melanie Mushaluk CIRCULATION & ADDRESS CORRECTION Melanie Mushaluk SPONSORSHIPS Bill McCaskell DESIGN Iced Tea Designs COPY EDITOR Gloria Pedersen Jacquie Bolen Menno Hamm PRINTING Derksen Printers Steinbach, MB Publications agreement number 40019747 Undelivered copies, change of address and new requests should be addressed to: ONE HOPE CANADA 200-189 Henderson Hwy Winnipeg, MB R2L 1L7 Telephone: 1-204-668-2776 Fax: 1-204-663-0246 Email: info@onehopecanada.ca www.onehopecanada.ca

Please note that in order to save printing and postage costs, one magazine will be mailed out per household.

If you would like to receive additional copies, please contact us at info@onehopecanada.ca.

Cover Image taken at Galilean Bible Camp

Inside this issue CANADA

8 3

ONTARIO

Executive Director’s Message Band Bio: The Taylors

6

One Hope Canada Interview 18 Ministry Point Personnel 22 A Tribute to Shirley Stewart 26 Shout Out for Ministry Partners 30 Finding Hope through Pain 34 Cooking with Kathy 14

4 10 12

16

20 24 32 32

Field Director Editorial Dorion Bible Camp Partners of the Gospel Galilean Bible Camp HOPEyouth Monarch Bible Camp Rainy River District Ministries SONshine Bible Camp Willow Springs Camp

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ MESSAGE

BY BILL & BEV McCASKELL

Would you like some good news?

OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR COUNTRY, AND EVEN OUR FAMILIES LIKELY DO NOT NEED MORE NEWS. Blockbuster action movies, cute kitten youtube videos and social media have bombarded all of our lives whether intentionally or not – we are getting “news”.

Wouldn’t it be great to be receive good news? News that brings life, light and healing to our lives and to our hurting world.

This is the kind of news we discover when we realize what God has done for us through His Son. Jesus initiated the greatest rescue of all by breaking us free from our prison of selfishness, anger and pride. HE is the Good News story and He is the reason our nearly 200 year-round missionaries from across Canada, and thousands of summer workers and volunteers, are committed to sharing their lives at one of our ministry points. It is this news that puts the “hope” into One Hope Canada.

We have entitled this edition “Partners in the Good News”. Our prayer is that you too will see life, light and healing that has taken place at over 60 ministry points across Canada. God is alive and at work in His people.

Enjoy reading stories from people of all ages and all walks of life – proclaiming new life they have found in Christ. It is a most excellent reminder that there is only one thing better than hearing good news for yourself – it’s being part of a group of people who are committed to sharing this good news to all who have not yet heard of His Name.

Canada’s Hope

3

FIELD DIRECTOR EDITORIAL

BY JIM SNELL, ONTARIO FIELD DIRECTOR

Partners with us YOU MAY BE ASKING, “WHAT IS CANADA’S HOPE AND WHY HAVE I RECEIVED IT?” GOOD QUESTION!

JIM & SANDY SNELL

4

Canada’s Hope, published by One Hope Canada, has replaced our Ontario newsletter, “Footnotes”. As a partner with One Hope Canada, either through association with one of our missionaries or ministries, you will be kept informed through this magazine about what God is doing here in Ontario and across Canada.

One Hope Canada, formerly known as CSSM Ministries or Canadian Sunday School Mission, has had ministry to children, youth and families through camps, churches and other focused ministries across this great country of Canada since 1927. Our purpose has not changed but, after 86 seasons of ministry, the name of One Hope Canada was adopted to better reflect our purpose rather than what we do; that of presenting the Gospel to those with least opportunity to hear of Christ. Along with the new name, new branding was introduced which presents an up-to-date look for our logo, signage and publications. Our look is different, but we have kept our purpose the same.

One Hope Canada provides ministry in Ontario through five camps, Bible Clubs in schools and a First Nations youth ministry. Our ministries are stretched across the province from Rainy River in the west over to the Haliburton region in the east- almost 1700 kilometers. We are blessed to be able to offer a Christian camping experience and ministry to children and youth of Ontario, many who have little or no opportunity to hear of Christ.

We hope you will be encouraged as you read this and future issues and learn more of how God is using One Hope Canada to bring HOPE to Canada’s children and youth.

Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

FIELD DIRECTOR NEWS

BY BILL AND BEV MCCASKELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TEAM

Introducing our new Ontario Field Director For the past six years, we have been blessed to have Jim and Sandy Snell serve CSSM Ministries/One Hope Canada, as the Ontario Field Director. They have brought stability, hands-on experience and a pastor’s heart to the frontline.

Over the last couple of years Jim and Sandy have been looking forward to transitioning into another role within One Hope Canada. As a Mission, we have joined Jim and Sandy in asking God to provide a new Field Director couple who would continue building on the foundation that has been laid.

It’s exciting to see how God chooses to answer prayers and so we are pleased to announce and welcome Stephen and Bev Johnson to our One Hope Canada family!

Stephen has most recently served with Focus on the Family as Ontario Regional Director and Director of the Truth Project initiative. He also has ten years experience serving as pastor, and a number of years in business.

Stephen and Bev live in Innisfil, Ontario and have four children, all of whom have been impacted at some point through camp ministry. Stephen officially begins March 9th and will be working on building his support team. Jim plans on coming alongside Stephen over the next few months and helping him in any way he needs.

Jim and Sandy will continue to be part of the Ontario One Hope Canada family as they assist in this transition and as they themselves explore new ways to serve within the Mission.

“It ’s exciting to see how God chooses to answer prayers and so we are pleased to announce and welcome Stephen and Bev Johnson to our One Hope Canada family!”

WELCOME TO THE ONE HOPE CANADA FAMILY, STEPHEN & BEV!

Canada’s Hope

5

Come Grow

with Us!

BY CHRISTINE BROWN, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dorion Bible Camp’s new motto is “Come Grow with Us!” This is a very fitting motto for the camp because, at the moment, our camp enrollment is very small.

We recently moved to our newer property and we were only able to house about thirty-five campers per week this past summer. In comparison, our original property could hold one hundred campers per week, so we are definitely hoping and planning to grow in numbers in years to come.

When we speak of growth, we like to make it clear that our motto

“

is focused on more than physical growth. It is our invitation for everyone to join us and to grow spiritually with us. We want Dorion Bible Camp to be a place where anyone can grow closer to their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

God has blessed our camp over and over again with wonderful, loving, selfl ess people who have chosen to grow with us. We have an amazing camp board that has tirelessly seen to the running of the camp while we have been without a director. Board members have taken on many mundane and thankless

We want Dorion Bible Camp to be a

place where anyone can grow closer to their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

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Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

tasks like cleaning, painting, and cooking, and have also overseen the camp’s finances, fundraisers, and whatever else needs to get done. We are very blessed to have such an active board, willing to serve in all areas of the ministry.

How could we operate without our much appreciated donors and supporters? We couldn’t! Partnering with Dorion’s generous friends who donate time, money, prayers is a great blessing to us. We highly value their care, input, and support.

Our volunteers were amazing this past summer! With hearts focused on serving God, most were willing to serve the camp in any way they could, even if it wasn’t in their job description. And although we had a few rocky adjustments with all the transition involved in moving to the new property, they consistently demonstrated love and kindness to one another and to the campers. They were a great blessing to me, which made this summer my favourite of all time!

DORION BIBLE CAMP

www.campdorion.com 807-857-2331

Dorion Bible Camp 2015 July 12-15

Leadership Camp

Ages 13+

July 19-24

Teen Camp

Age 13-17

July 26-31

Junior/Intermediate Camp

Ages 9-13

August 2-6

Primary Camp

Ages 6-8

August 9-14

Girls Camp

Ages 9-13

August 16-21

Skills Camp

Ages 9-13

DORION BIBLE CAMP campdorion.com 807-857-2331

Our commitment to you and your child To find out more about our commitment to safety visit us at:

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Canada’s Hope

7

The Taylors The Taylors

are a brother-sister quartet from the heart of North Carolina. Jonathan, Suzanne, Christopher, and Leslie are dedicated to stirring up the faith of the Christian community, as well as reaching others with the good news of Jesus Christ through Gospel music. The Taylors are currently performing around 200 dates a year across the United States, including several mission-oriented trips abroad. Since their formation in 2006, God has allowed them to see over 5,000 decisions for Christ.

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Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

The Taylor siblings grew up as members of Fellowship Baptist Church, a small country church, where their father has been a Southern Baptist minister for over 27 years and their mother the minister of music. With their mother’s guidance, it was around the church piano that The Taylors learned their fourpart family harmony.

Growing up in a Christian home has reinforced their faith and values and has created in each of them a strong desire to proclaim their salvation through the ministry of music.

God is at the center of The Taylors’ ministry and at the center of their hearts. To Him be all the glory!

CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY

cmu.ca

Arts • Science • Business • Music

The Taylors will be our Concert Tour Group, touring throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan this Spring (April 7 - 19).

Please check out the back cover and visit www.onehopecanada.ca/ events for details about the tour.

Exemplary Academics Faith-filled Community

Discover the Alternative

Canada’s Hope

9

Partners in the Gospel

by Jim Snell, Ontario field director

Partnership or

“Without help in doing this kingdom work, our ministries would not have an impact on the lives of children and youth in our province and country.”

10

collaboration is required to accomplish anything in practically all aspects of life. In a marriage, in a family, in the academic world, in the workplace and, certainly, in God’s church we have need of helpmates or associates to carry out a purpose.

All of our One Hope Canada ministries depend upon partners in the gospel to help us present the gospel to those having the least opportunity to hear of Christ, and to disciple believers for living and serving through His Church. Without help in doing this kingdom work, our ministries would not have an impact on the lives of children and youth in our province and country.

Partners in ministry are a sine qua non (Latin for “absolute essential ingredient”) to what we do.

Our partners are sometimes in upfront roles at our camps and other ministries, but most often are found serving the Lord in the background, enabling ministry to happen. Our interdependent relationships with churches, individuals, and other organizations keep us encouraged and able

Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

to do ministry. There are many who pray for our staff and ministries; many who provide financial support; many who volunteer their time and skills to serve on boards and/ or at our ministry sites; and churches who send us workers and campers.

I often refer to these kinds of partnerships as “synergistic unions”.

Individually, we cannot accomplish as much as we can together. When we labour together, our output is greater than the sum of the two entities. We are actually much more productive as God blesses what we do in partnership.

As summer approaches, all of our ministries will be seeking partners to assist them in their work. If you have never considered volunteering in some capacity, I encourage you to do so. Not only will you find it personally rewarding, but our ministries and those whom they are reaching will be blessed. Contact a ministry that you know about or that is close to you, and ask how you can get involved. We would love to have you become a partner in gospel with One Hope Canada.

Partnering with One Hope Canada to build into the lives of Canadian children, youth and their families As a family business well into its third generation the Penner family has more than 50 years of experience in the construction industry.

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“

We serve an

amazing God, who uses things like

rock climbing and paintball to grow his kingdom and

that’s pretty cool.”

Clinging to

His vision

BY BILL KAY, CAMP DIRECTOR

Our summer at Galilean was great as we got to see God work in amazing ways! How great to see hearts changed as God challenged us and to see His kingdom grow! New for us this year was our ‘Ultimate’ camp for teens. We wanted this week to be the best of what Galilean had to offer.

By combining well-loved activities and adding some exciting new ones, Ultimate lived up to its name. Campers were able to choose between rock-climbing, tubing, paintball, backpacking, photography, wakeboarding, sports, and more. Choice is everything in today’s culture.

Allowing the youth to choose their week resulted in many saying it was “the best week of camp ever!”.

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The transition from the previous model of youth camp to Ultimate was a big investment in time and resources. Establishing the rock climbing routes by cutting down trees, clearing the rock face of any dangers, drilling anchors etc, took many hours of hard labour. Clearing the bush for the paintball course and setting it up to the highest standard was also a huge job.

Getting the word out about our new programs took many weekends of promotion at churches and various events. God led us every step of the way and provided the strength we needed. We saw numbers for teen camp almost double in 2014. We heard so many good things from

campers and it was great to see their tired and excited faces at the end of the week.

It is amazing to see what God can do when He gives you a vision for new things, a new way to go. Often the way is full of hard work and uncertainty, but if we cling to His vision and do our part we get to see God’s plans unfold. It can be hard to see God in the midst of challenges and we can often wonder if we can even discern His will. If we humble ourselves and let God be God, we will begin to hear his voice.

We serve an amazing God, who uses things like rock climbing and paintball to grow his kingdom and that’s pretty cool.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

GALILEAN BIBLE CAMP

www.galileanbiblecamp.ca 705-356-7961

Galilean Bible Camp 2015 July 5-10

Great Big C 1

Ages 7-11

July 5-10

Wilderness 1 (Boys)

Ages 11-14

July 12-17

Great Big C 2

Ages 7-11

July 12-17

Wilderness 2 (Boys)

Ages 11-14

July 19-24

Skills Camp

Ages 10-12

July 19-24

Wilderness 3 (Girls)

Ages 11-14

July 26-31

Back Country

Ages 15-18

August 9-14

Break Away

Ages 12-14

August 16-21

Ultimate

Ages 14-18

GALILEAN BIBLE CAMP galileanbiblecamp.ca 705-356-7961

204-

Canada’s Hope

13

AN

INTERVIEW

WITH

One Hope Canada’s Executive Directors BEV: We found it really helped to explain to folks the reason behind the new name. For people to catch the vision, that this new name could describe the “why” behind what we do, was really helpful and is something we can all unite around. There really is only One hope for our country and it is found in the good news of Jesus Christ.

What were the other highlights for One Hope Canada in 2014?

C

ANADA’S HOPE SAT DOWN WITH ONE HOPE CANADA’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TEAM, BILL AND BEV McCASKELL, TO ASK THEM ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF LAST YEAR’S MINISTRY AND WHAT THEIR HOPES ARE FOR 2015.

After being known as the Canadian Sunday School Mission since 1927, this past year marked the introduction of the mission’s new name – One Hope Canada. What has the reaction been like?

BILL: I think everyone from the National Board to the leadership team were a little nervous to see how those who have be part of the mission for years would react.

We all know the rich history CSSM has and we want to build on that richness. It was very encouraging to hear people’s positive response to the new name and at the same time letting us know that they still sometimes “slip” and call it CSSM. When you have been doing something for 86 years, it takes a while to change. :)

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Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

BILL: This past year, over 28,000 children and youth from across Canada heard the gospel and saw it lived out at one of our ministry points. This is amazing, especially when you realize that close to 16,000 of them come from homes where there is no or very little Christian influence. And then combine that with fact that over 3,300 life-changing one-on-one conversations took place – and that is just the ones we are aware of – it begins to paint an amazing picture of what God is doing.

BEV: Another highlight for the mission is what God is doing behind the scenes. This past year marked the coming together of eight separate offices (seven provincial offices and one national office) into a unified Ministry Resource Centre. The MRC is a “virtual office” comprised of people across the country and has the single purpose of directing, encouraging and equipping our ministry points to fulfill the purpose of One Hope Canada. What that means for our mission is that we can be more efficient in the handling of finances and administration and have freed up people and resources to assist our frontline missionaries.

Can you give an example?

BILL: Sure. One example would be that before the change, it took over six full-time people to handle the finance and administration of the provincial and national offices; today the Ministry Resource Centre has two and half full-time people working on finance and administration.

BILL: It is great to have a leadership team from across the country that is committed to the purpose of the Mission. We lead together as a team, knowing that discerning the will of God in a community that is focused on Him is the best way to keep in step with the Spirit.

What would be your prayer as you lead One Hope Canada in 2015?

One Hope Canada has nearly 200 missionaries serving across Canada. What is your hope for them in this coming year?

BEV: We continually ask God for wisdom to lead with open hands. We make our plans, but we trust the LORD to establish our steps. This would be our continued prayer for 2015. We are asking God to use One Hope Canada to reach children and youth for His Name sake. We may have lots of ideas on how we can do this, but what really matters is that we walk in step with the One whose plans are always best.

BEV: First off I’d just like to say how incredibly blessed Bill and I are to serve alongside such amazing men and women! My hope for each of them would be to experience Christ in new ways this coming year… that they would hunger for His Word and that they would see Him at work in all that they do – and that God would receive all of the glory for great things He is doing!

BILL & BEV McCASKELL live in Winnipeg, MB and have served as the Executive Director team of One Hope Canada since 2012. They continue to marvel at God’s leading them to serve together in this way – and they continue to marvel that it can also be “fun!” :)

Canada’s Hope

15

Friends here and

friends there

BY PETE VAN VOLKINBURGH, DIRECTOR OF HOPEYOUTH CAMP

Hello from Manitoulin Island!

For those of you who don’t know, Manitoulin Island is the world’s largest fresh water island, located on Lake Huron and sits approximately six hours north of Toronto. It is a beautiful landscape that has remained mostly unblemished by the wheels of industry. Despite its picturesque location, Manitoulin Island is a place that is rampant with alcoholism, abuse, religious apathy and hopelessness. As a ministry, HOPEyouth exists to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the young people on Manitoulin Island and, more specifically, in and around the native community of Wikwemikong. The work done by HOPEyouth is difficult to describe in one word. We are

“

involved in outreach, evangelism, discipleship, crisis intervention and young moms’ ministry. These all take various forms and are sometimes done simultaneously. HOPEyouth is an incredibly relational ministry as so much of what we do hinges on the rapport we have with individuals and groups in and around the community where we work and live.

With the intensity of some of the work we do, it is necessary to point out that we cannot do it alone. It has taken many years of relational growth to get us to the place where we can function effectively within the community and serve its people well. We rely heavily on our standing with community institutions like the school board and the youth center.

With the intensity of some of the

work we do, it is necessary to point out that we cannot do it alone.”

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Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

We would not have the same effect without the access that we have through these organizations.

Relationships that are just as crucial as our local connections are those with everyone who supports us through prayer and giving.

We understand that our remote location does not easily allow for people to be physically close to us and the work we do but we are so blessed to have so many wonderful partners all across Ontario and the United States. We are very thankful for those who pray for us and give financially to enable this ministry to keep running.

Truly, we are able to do this work because of the involvement of friends here and friends a long distance away who are supporting us.

HOPEYOUTH

www.hopeyouth.ca 705-859-2829

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Canada’s Hope

17

One Hope Canada

Ministry Point Personnel in Ontario

Martin & Shannon Lord

Jim Pare

Christine Brown

Bill & Catrin Kay

(Designate Directors) Dorion Bible Camp

Dorion Bible Camp

Dorion Bible Camp

Galilean Bible Camp

Laura Elliott

Rod & Carol Gordon

Tim & Becky Kroeker

Pete Van Volkingburgh

Galilean Bible Camp

Galilean Bible Camp

Galilean Bible Camp

HOPEyouth

s t rie inisUBS M L t gh C

E Kni BIBL

Sean Ally

James & Ariane Martinez

Bob & Karen Knight

HOPEyouth

(Appointees) HOPEyouth

Knight Ministries Bible Clubs Monarch Bible Camp

Melody Lippert

Mark & Tina Mast - Rainy River District Ministries

Sara Kellar - Rainy

Rachel Mast - Rainy

River District Ministries

River District Ministries

Kathy Bronson

Tom & Brenda Koert

Daniel & Megan Lowrie

Sonshine Bible Clubs

Willow Springs Bible Camp

Willow Springs Bible Camp

Monarch Bible Camp

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Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

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Tugging

hearts

BY TERESA WARD, CAMP DIRECTOR

We had an amazing summer!

A big part of the success was the partnership with Youth Unlimited.

The partnership began several years ago with a desire to connect with youth outside of camp. YU had programs running in Haliburton and wanted to start one in Minden.

Four years ago, we launched Haven together at the school in Minden where several camp kids attend.

We plan to expand and start a youth program.

YU partners with Monarch at two of our eight camps. This has been a huge help, especially at Minden, since it’s our largest camp. At

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Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

Haliburton, where we usually get a ratio of two noisy, energetic boys to one quiet girl, it has been incredibly helpful. The extra hands and eyes are especially appreciated at this action packed location.

This year we expanded that partnership by sharing a staff person. When the opportunity came for YU to hire a grant staff, who would also work with Monarch, the idea of using a Monarch staff was formed. Natasha Bradley has started college, so the financial grant was attractive, as well as the opportunity to gain new experience. Natasha is a very conscientious, hard-working young lady, who learns quickly and gives any task her full attention. God blessed both ministries through this partnership and through Natasha’s gentle approach with campers and her love for the Lord.

We studied the miracles of Jesus.

One day each team had to act out

part of the story of Jesus raising Jairus’s daughter. One team acted out the daughter’s death and people weeping. The campers just couldn’t figure it out when, all of a sudden, one camper yelled, “I know, it’s about Sleeping Beauty!”

Camp touches lives like no other ministry. The relationships built day after day and the opportunity to pour out God’s love on campers and staff are investments in eternity. The relaxed atmosphere of camp allows us to share God’s Word clearly and give children the chance to respond to His invitation of salvation.

Several children responded to the Lord’s tugging on their hearts, many made recommitments to the Lord, and many drew closer to God and gained a fuller understanding of their relationship with Him. MONARCH BIBLE CAMP

www.monarchbiblecamp.ca 705-887-3625

Monarch Bible Camp 2015 June 29-July 3

Staff Training and VBS Kawartha Settler’s Village Bobcaygeon

Ages 5-12

July 6-10

West Guilford Day Camp

Ages 6-12

July 13-17

Minden Day Camp

Ages 6-12

July 20-14

Coboconk Day Camp

Ages 6-12

July 26-August 1

Resident Camp at Youth Leadership Camp - Ennismore

August 3-7

Fenelon Falls Day Camp

Ages 6-12

August 10-14

Haliburton Day Camp

Ages 6-12 MONARCH BIBLE CAMP

August 17-21

Eagle Lake Day Camp

Ages 6-12

monarchbiblecamp.ca monarch@onehopecanada.ca 705-887-3625

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Canada’s Hope

21

“She often said the Lord called her from teaching reading, writing and ‘rithmetic to teaching stories about Jesus.”

A tribute to

Shirley Stewart

A

young person who came into my siblings’ lives and mine when we were HOWARD McLEOD, growing up was Former Galilean Shirley Stewart.

Bible Camp Director & Ontario She lived a life Field Director of service to her Lord. She had no children of her own, but countless people continue “to rise up and call her blessed.” Shirley was grounded in a solid Bible teaching background from being raised in a godly home. As a teenager, she dedicated her life to serving the Lord and never turned back.

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After a three year career as an elementary school teacher, Shirley joined the Canadian Sunday School Mission to serve as an itinerant missionary in her home area. Teaching almost forty half-hour Bible lessons per week in public schools was a full-time job, especially considering the miles of travel between rural schools. Her ministry, located mainly in the Algoma District of Northern Ontario, east of Sault Ste Marie, once reached 1800 students in her bi-weekly rotation. She often said the Lord called her from teaching reading, writing and ‘rithmetic to teaching stories about Jesus. With boundless energy, she added a number of other

ministries to her school ministry, reaching out to children, youth, and adults. One of her key roles was directing CSSM’s Galilean Bible Camp, where many were influenced for the Lord. During her leadership at Galilean, enrolment went from less than one hundred summer campers to over seven hundred. In various stages of her ministry, she also held ladies’ home Bible studies, helped create a vibrant youth group on Saturday evenings, and on Sundays in her early career held two Sunday schools in neighbouring communities. Summer Bible schools, annual youth rallies, and home visitation also fitted into her already full schedule.

“Aunt Shirley”, as she was affectionately called by many campers at Galilean Bible Camp, had a deep interest in the lives of those she met.

Many look back and value the heart-to-heart conversations with Aunt Shirley. Her ministry of letter writing and telephone contacts is treasured by many.

When her ministry of teaching Bible lessons as part of the day schedule in local schools changed to after-school Bible clubs, Shirley entered that ministry with enthusiasm. In her later years, when the Lord supplied other staff to relieve her of a very full schedule, she became spare teacher for Bible clubs and teacher for a seniors’ Bible study group. She focused a great deal of her energy on ladies’ and seniors’ retreats at Galilean Bible Camp.

Shirley was known as a godly lady with tremendous energy, a pioneer in the CSSM work in our district, a loyal staff person, a loving servant to many, an encourager, and someone deeply concerned for the spiritual well-being of people.

I am one who will be in heaven because of Shirley’s dedication to spreading the gospel by many means, so souls might be brought into the kingdom.

“Shirley was known as a godly lady with tremendous energy, a pioneer in the CSSM work in our district, a loyal staff person, a loving servant to many, an encourager, and someone deeply concerned for the spiritual well-being of people.”

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It is with sadness but with peace that we announce the passing of Shirley Stewart on January 24, 2015.

Canada’s Hope

23

“

I am confident that the Lord will reveal the beauty of His people serving together in order to make Himself known to those lost in sin.”

BY MARK & TINA MAST, CAMP DIRECTORS

Serving

together Throughout the past 28 years of serving with One Hope Canada in the Rainy River District of Ontario, we have been daily reminded of how important the role of “partners in the Gospel” are!

This is particularly true when it comes to conducting Bible Camp.

From cooks to camp speakers... from counsellors to lifeguards... from nurses to activity group leaders... from program directors to junior staff... EVERYONE has a vital role to play in order to carry out a successful week of camp. In addition to these, the role of prayer

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warriors and financial contributors also have a vital responsibility.

In order for an effective camping program to be carried out, everyone must bond together with the aim of making Jesus Christ known to those with the least opportunity to hear the Gospel. This scenario is replicated everywhere that One Hope Canada conducts ministry from coast to coast. In Rainy River, we particularly covet the role of those who are able and willing to financially sponsor campers to attend camp. Because of financial constraints, many children and teens would not be able to afford to attend camp if it weren’t for the generosity of God’s people who sacrificially give in order that every child wishing to attend camp is given that opportunity. Someday, in eternity, I am confident that the Lord will reveal the beauty of His people serving together in order to make Himself known to those lost in sin. Though we see occasional glimpses of this happening now, we know that in heaven it will be made crystal clear. The vital role that everyone played in making Jesus known to the otherwise unreached of Canada will be abundantly clear!

RAINY RIVER DISTRICT MINISTRIES

www.sunnycove.cssm.ca 807-852-3202

Rainy River District Ministries 2015 June 8-11

Williams Community Church VBS

June 15-18

Pitt Community Church VBS

June 29-July 2

Morson Community Bible Fellowship VBS

July 6-9

Barwick Community Church VBS

July 13-16

Fort Frances Bethel Baptist Church VBS

July 19-24

Sunny Cove - Junior Camp

July 25-31

Sunny Cove - Teen Camp RAINY RIVER DISTRICT MINISTRIES

August 22-29

onehoperainyriver.ca

Wilderness Canoe Trip

masts@bell.net 807-852-3202

www.millarcollege.ca

> Developing passionate, relevant servants of Jesus Christ

BRITISH COL

SUNNYBRAE UMBIA

AN SASKATCHEW

PAMBRUN

TWO CAMPUSES

CHA R ACTER • CO M PETENCE • CO M MITM ENT

In Partnership with Okanagan Bible College

Canada’s Hope

25

A Shout Out for

Camp Ministry Partners

BY HAROLD PENNER

H

“If any partner of the ministry is unable to do their part the load can become overwhelming or impossible for the remaining partners.”

26

ave you ever been at an event where the host invites the audience to recognize the volunteers who have made the event a success with the invitation “how about a shout out for (fill in the volunteer name here) for (volunteer position here)”?

Some volunteers have been quite public in their organizational role while others have worked behind the scenes ensuring everything ran smoothly.

If I picture summer camp ministry as an event there are many different partners who make each season a success. The camp director may be the official face of the camp, but cabin leaders, staff, cooks and maintenance personnel each do their part to make camp a success. If any

Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

partner of the ministry is unable to do their part the load can become overwhelming or impossible for the remaining partners.

The reality is that each year there is change in many ministry positions as some staff graduate and begin year-round employment, some move to others part of the country and others marry or have growing family commitments that reduce their ability to be involved.

Stepping back from direct involvement in summer camp ministry doesn’t mean you need to end your participation as a camp ministry partner. There is still plenty of room to serve as a camp board member, prayer warrior or a financial supporter. There is always an opening for these very critical roles in summer camp ministry.

“Talk to your camp director about project options and to a Mennonite Foundation consultant about the most effective method of supporting the project.”

If you are transitioning out of active summer staff ministry consider maintaining the partnership by becoming a prayer and financial partner. Even if you can only afford a few dollars a month right now, you can continue to share in the joy of being a partner in spreading the Good News about Christ.

If you have been a regular financial partner for many years, you may now be in a position to

provide more significant support, either toward the annual operation of your favorite camp or a building project or a long-term fund to benefit the camp ministry for years to come. Talk to your camp director about project options and to a Mennonite Foundation consultant about the most effective method of supporting the project. Your generosity will result in joyful shouts for years to come.

Harold and the other Mennonite Foundation of Canada consultants enjoy talking with generous people and helping them achieve their charitable passions, from lifetime gifting to charitable bequests.

You can find us at www.MennoFoundation.ca

Mennonite Foundation of Canada makes giving to the charities you love simple, strategic and fun. We offer complimentary tools that facilitate your Generosity Plan. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.

800.772.3257 MennoFoundation.ca

Canada’s Hope

27

Knight Ministries BIBLE CLUBS

Knights in the North

BY BOB AND KAREN KNIGHT

We consider ourselves truly blessed to be called to a ministry to kids in Northern Ontario, where Bob has used his illustrated cartoon Bible stories for over twenty-seven years. Our ministry includes doing Bible clubs in public schools; speaking at Bible Camps, prisons, churches, schools, and even company parties. During summer camp season, Bob helps direct wilderness camps, camping out in the bush with ten to fifteen boys, who enjoy swimming, canoeing, fishing, survivor skills, and Bob’s creative presentations of God’s Word around a campfire.

During the school year, we are privileged to hold weekly Bible

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clubs with fifty to sixty boys and girls in public schools. A number of second generation kids are being brought to the clubs by parents who say they remember coming into their classes, the place where they heard first about Jesus.

A year ago, young Cole came to Bob after Bible club and asked, “How do you talk to God?” So they sat in the library and Bob explained that he should talk to God like He was his best friend, “Because He is.” That seemed to satisfy Cole and he left with his grandmother.

The following week after club, Cole asked Bob, “How do you get Jesus into your heart?” After Bob explained, Cole left, satisfied. The

following week, Cole came up to Bob and asked, “Can you help me get Jesus into my heart?” He had obviously been thinking long and hard about his decision. Bob had the amazing blessing of being there when God did the miracle of miracles in the heart of a young boy, as they prayed together and Cole invited Jesus into his heart.

Not long after, Karen had the opportunity of praying with two of other kids who received Jesus as Saviour.

What a great honour to be used of God and to be a blessing for Him along the North Shore of Lake Huron. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

SONshine BIBLE CLUBS

Changes for Eternity As the coordinator of SONshine Bible Clubs, it is my responsibility to be the key person in leadership of the after school clubs within the city of Sault Ste. Marie. My role includes organizing sites, staff and curriculum, as well as supervising and training staff. We are thankful that the doors remain open and that clubs are still permitted to operate as an afterschool program within the Algoma District School Board.

What a joy and privilege it has been over the last six years to witness the Lord moving in clubs and seeing changes for eternity made in the hearts and lives of the children. This past month, I had the

“

BY KATHY BRONSON kathyb@onehopecanada.ca

opportunity to share the platform with a young woman whose life was changed through SONshine Bible Clubs. At the young age of about six, Christina was introduced to the Lord as she attended Bible Club and then, as a teenager, it was Christina’s desire to volunteer in clubs, Christina had come full circle. Christina’s decision for Christ has been evident in her life as she served at Galilean Bible Camp, ISCF and on a mission trip to Honduras.

What a privilege it was to share with over 100 ladies the ministry of SONshine Bible Club and then to hear the testimony of a life changed for eternity.

My prayer is that God will expand our team of volunteers to accommodate any schools willing to have club. Let’s step out in faith knowing that all the glory and honour belong to the Lord. Pray that He will bring children to the clubs and that He will have free reign in the hearts and lives of the children that He calls.

My prayer is that God will expand

our team of volunteers to accommodate any schools willing to have club.”

Canada’s Hope

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Finding hope through pain T H I S I S T H E S T O RY O F O U R J O U R N E Y I N F U L L -T I M E M I N I S T RY

By Randy and Janice McDonald, Capital Projects Ministry Team

O

ur story begins in 2001, when friends invited us to Ness Lake Bible Camp (NLBC) to help run the water ski program at the camp’s Specialty Teen Week. We continued to do this for the next five or six years.

Our sons, Karl and Kris, joined us that first summer and were a part of the program and got to know camp a little bit. During the summers of 2002 and 2003, Kris, our youngest son, joined the camp’s summer team as a volunteer. After graduating from high school, Kris spent various amounts of time working at NLBC in-between other jobs or during his time off.

We owned and operated our own business, but found it difficult to take the time that we wanted to volunteer at camp. So in 2007, we sold the business.

By 2008, both our sons were back living closer to us and, in fact, Kris was working with his dad in construction.

We started the process of building our own Timber Frame on five acres of property in Enderby, with Randy and Kris doing most of the work on it themselves.

By 2010, the house was complete and Kris had moved back up north

30

to operate heavy equipment which was his first passion and at which he was very gifted (even as a young boy). Much of the work that he did at NLBC involved him coming in to operate the equipment to excavate or rework the land. Our older son, Karl, had moved to Saskatchewan to work on a dairy farm and was telling us that it was a permanent move. So by that summer, Randy and I were really wondering why we were spending all of our time and resources on this big home and yard for just the two of us? We committed to take a week in August to go camping and really seek the Lord about what He wanted of us at this point in time. We came home from this week with both of us being completely convinced that He wanted us to get rid of the house – but not knowing what the next step would be or when it would come about. In obedience, we put the house up for sale.

Not knowing how quickly it might sell or what we would be doing next, I started looking online at trailers that we would be able to live in, if needed.

Kris came into my office while I was looking and after asking about what I was doing, announced that he felt

Winter/Spring 2015 | www.onehopecanada.ca

that we shouldn’t be buying a trailer but rather going to camp as he thought that there was a maintenance position open at NLBC as a missionary. So we made the very large leap of faith from always being self-employed to becoming a missionary. Ironically, Karl would move back to the Okanagan shortly after we had committed ourselves to NLBC. God knew that He had to move the boys away from home so that I would have the freedom to be able to move away – even if it wasn’t for the long-term.

So on November 1, 2010, we moved to Ness Lake Bible Camp for Randy to take on the position of Facilities Manager. During our four years at NLBC, we learned a lot about many different aspects of camp ministry. Randy oversaw many different building projects as well as the regular maintenance needs of camp. A new gym was built to replace the one lost to a fire, a new water reservoir / treatment system was put in, and a new timber frame residence was constructed. I helped out around camp in many different areas as the need arose. We also came to know and love the larger mission family of CSSM (now One Hope Canada) and learned how large and how blessed with resources NLBC really is in comparison to many other camps.

In September of 2013, construction of the new Gate House (which was to be our new home) had just really gotten underway when tragedy struck our family. While Randy was down in Enderby working on the timber frame for the house, I got word that Kris had passed away. Then five weeks after that, my father also passed away. The house project that Kris was supposed to come and help his dad raise became our therapy to work through our loss and grief. Through many long hours and the donations of time and materials from many people, we were able to move into the house on Dec 23, 2013 and continue to finish it while we lived in it.

We had a dream that as we were ready to retire from a full-time vocation (maybe in 7 – 10 years), we would like to have an RV and be able to go from camp to camp and volunteer. God started to work in our hearts and also within the mission to move us forward in this direction sooner rather than later; even though we were still too young and not financially able to retire. We saw God provide so much and in so many ways through this really difficult time. He helped us to come to a real understanding of our son and what was important to him and worked out all the details that would move us forward in our new calling. It was decided that we would resign from NLBC, but remain missionaries with One Hope Canada. A new ministry would be created to allow us to keep raising support in order to be able to move from one camp to the next to provide help or oversight, primarily for their building projects.

In order to be able to do this, it would mean that we would need to be able to purchase a 5th wheel that was large enough and well equipped enough for us to live in year-round and to purchase a truck that would be able to tow it.

As it turned out, Kris had left a life insurance policy through his employer that would be used to purchase the 5th wheel.

We feel incredibly blessed and honoured to be able to continue his legacy of

supporting the camping ministry and serving those we can, to increase their ministry potential with our skills and abilities.

So at the beginning of November 2014, we rolled out in our truck and 5th wheel to start in on our new role as a Capital Projects Ministry Team serving with One Hope Canada. Ministry points can make application to have us come and work on their projects. Our first

place of deployment is at Lake Of The Trees Bible Camp where we are working to complete a 1400 sq. ft. addition to the home of the director and his family.

It continues to amaze us how faithful our God is and how He can use the most awful things in life and bring about good out of them and how He walks through the whole process with us.

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31

A new gratitude

BY IVANNA TURCO

Last February Willow Springs Camp did something that we have never done before; we took a team of eight summer staff to Jamaica to partner with Teen Challenge and the community of Ocho Rios. In the span of a week we had our work cut out for us! Every day we attended schools and ran a sort of “chapel.”

We would speak and lead the school in a few songs. In the afternoon

“

We are so thankful to have the chance to partner with Teen Challenge to bring heaven onto earth through the love of Jesus.”

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we ran an after-school camp for any kids in the community! This was our strongest point by far, as the eight staff members on the trip have worked at WSC for numerous years. We ran games, we offered skills like soccer (which the kids would have played all day every day if they could have!) and crafts, we gave the kids a snack and then Dan, our Summer Ministries

director, spoke. After camp we ate dinner and then ran a chapel for the men at Teen Challenge. To say it was an exhausting week would be an understatement. But to say I wouldn’t do it again would be a lie.

I came home from that trip with a new gratitude for everything the Lord has blessed me with. Our flight was delayed nine hours (which we made the best of) so as I walked into my home at 5 a.m., the thought will never leave me, I remember thinking, “Those kids would never believe that I live in a house like this.” A lot of the children that attended our camp lived in very small homes and some did not even have shoes. Some came from broken families and a lot did not know their father. What a privilege it was to show these children, this community, their Heavenly Father’s love for them.

There was also something beautiful about the partnership with us, with Teen Challenge, with Ocho Rios. I was reminded that we’re all on the same team. We’re all here cheering people on just as Jesus is. We cannot do it alone. We are so thankful for the chance to partner with Teen Challenge to try and bring heaven onto earth through the love of Jesus.

WILLOW SPRINGS CAMP

www.willowspringscamp.ca 905-640-2698

Willow Springs Camp 2015 June 20

Camp Open House 1:00 - 3:00 PM

June 29 - July 3

Week 1 Camp

Ages 7-10

July 5-10

Week 2 Camp

Ages 13-15

July 12-17

Week 3 Camp

Ages 8-11

July 19-24

Week 4 Camp

Ages 9-12

July 26-31

Week 5 Camp

Ages 10-12

August 3-7

Week 6 Camp

Ages 11-13

August 9-14

Week 7 Camp

Ages 12-14

August 16-21

Week 8 Camp

Ages 13-15

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

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Canada’s Hope

33

COOKING WITH KATHY

BY KATHY WEIR

Expiry Date WHEN CLEANING OUT CUPBOARDS AFTER MY MOM DIED, WE DISCOVERED PUDDING BOXES FROM THE LATE 70S THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SOLD AS “ANTIQUES” ON EBAY!

MOM WOULD BE DEVASTATED AT THE STUFF WE THREW AWAY. When my bag at the airport was three pounds overweight, the fellow saw the choice of foods I got from mom’s pantry (kidney beans, spam, old spices, etc). I suggested to him I must have been the favoured child and offered him his pick of items!

Yes, I am my mother’s daughter. At times I’ve been criticized for not liking to “waste” food. I sometimes had irrational thoughts like, “If you keep something in the refrigerator long enough, the expiration date will eventually fade and you won’t have to worry about it going bad,” or “If food is ‘frozen,’ how can it possibly spoil?” I tended to ignore expiry dates and saw them merely as “suggestions.”

I admit I was perhaps unfair and judgmental of those who seemed paranoid and thought anything a day past the expiry date must be discarded!

Sorry, but I grew up in a large family where nothing was wasted and nobody adhered much to expiry

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dates...and we all survived! Besides, one never knows when you may need a great science experiment in the fridge.

However, I had a change in my “theology” recently when preparing a quick lunch of Kraft Dinner and discovered there is obvious discernment in knowing when it is time for items to meet their demise. Things were going well until I opened and poured in the contents of the cheese packet. The macaroni turned a disgusting brown colour, followed by an odor a skunk couldn’t outdo!

Whoa! Checking the date on the box, I was stunned to see 1998! I carefully checked the second packet of cheese from the other box and the color and smell seemed fine. Unfortunately, I discovered small dried “worms” as I stirred the contents! Ugh! Let me assure you we don’t serve “expired” food to guests and I have recently done a complete “cleansing” of pantry, freezer and medicine cabinet. However, time

does have a way of passing quickly, and perhaps it would do us well to check expiry dates. At funerals we are reminded that we all have an “expiry date” and appointment with God. “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgement” (Hebrews 9:27).

As we recognize the brevity of life, we need to take inventory to be sure we are investing in eternity while we have the opportunity.

Trust me, being unprepared for that appointment will have far greater implications that a 16-year-old box of macaroni!

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.

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