DIRECT CONNECT #5
Ministry News and Information~Canada Pacific District
Pastoral Placements:
Hope – The District Superintendent, in consultation with the Hope leadership team appointed Tim and Kari Larson as interim pastor of our Hope congregation. Tim and Kari have been lay leaders in our Hope congregation for several years. They were among those who joined the church as charter members when we organized the Hope Church in 2009. Tim was granted a local ministers’ license in 2009. Tim and Kari have two young children. The focus on a compassionate, loving response to the people of Hope remains a vital part of the mission of the congregation. Please keep the Larsons and the entire Hope congregation in your prayers. Tim also serves as Program Director at Camp Squeah in Hope, a ministry of the Mennonite church, British Columbia.
Ambrose University College:
We remind everyone of the good news that Ambrose’s application to offer the Bachelor of Music, the Bachelor of Business Administration and the Bachelor of Education (After Degree) programs has been approved. It is our prayer that these degree programs will encourage many young people from Churches across our district to consider enrolling at Ambrose to pursue higher education at our university college.
Recent Events:
Appreciation Lunch
Retired pastors and spouses gathered in Langley on October 7th to enjoy fellowship which included a luncheon, good conversation, as well as an update on the ministry of the District. They enjoyed a time of testimony and prayer. Our retired pastors and spouses are highly valued as an integral part of our District family.
Pro D Days
A Pastors’ Professional Development event was held in Abbotsford November 2-3, 2011. Rev. Cameron Roxborough of Church Planting Canada served as the lecturer for the seminar which focused on discovering effective ways to BE the church in our neighbourhoods. The Professional Development event was very well attended by pastors from almost every church on our District.
Christmas Luncheon
District Leaders joined the pastors and spouses in late November (November 27) for our annual Pastors’ and Leaders’ Christmas Luncheon. Mr. Dennis Enns of Surrey provided enjoyable and uplifting piano music as we marked the beginning of the Advent Season by listening to Christmas music and singing carols.
The Annual Pastors’ and Spouses Retreat was held January 21-23, 2011 at Cedar Springs Retreat Centre in Sumas, Washington. Dr. Howard Wilson (and his wife, Vivian), president of Ambrose University College was the retreat speaker and a team of Ambrose students once again lead us in music and worship. We thank our local church boards who took the initiative to make it possible for your pastor and spouse and pastoral staff to attend this important event designed to provide an opportunity for encouragement, renewal, rest and uplift for your pastor and spouse and pastoral team.
Upcoming Events:
- OASIS – Ladies Retreat March 4-6, 2011 at Camp Squeah, east of Hope. Check out the website at pacnaz.ca/oasis/ for important information and a glimpse into this important annual event. This is an historic year as the retreat moves to a new location. Deadline to register is February 12, 2011 and you can register online.
- District Assembly 2011:
This years’ District Assembly and Conventions are scheduled to be held at our Abbotsford Church from June 23 to 25, 2011. Our District leaders met recently to consider the format for our upcoming Assembly, NMI, SDMI and NYI Conventions and have decided that we will continue the new approach and schedule that was implemented in 2010. The people of our district are indeed grateful to host Pastor Robert Gray, the Guildford pastoral staff, the church board and the many volunteers led by the local planning committee, led by Judy Bartram and Sharon Poon for their careful preparations and their warm and generous spirit of hospitality. Response has been positive both to the changed format of the gathering and to the content. Delegates and friends commented favourably regarding the opportunity to participate in ministry related workshops which were both informative and inspirational. Thank you to those who agreed to lead workshops or were otherwise involved in serving our people during this time together.
- NYC July 3-10, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky
More than 30 youth and leaders are attending from the Canada Pacific District
- District Summer Camp Dates 2011:
2011 Summer camps for our Boys and Girls, Jr. High Teens, and Families at Hope Bay Bible Camp on Pender Island during July are as follows:
Junior High July 10-14
Family July 15-18
Kidz July 18-23
Senior High Camp will be held at Camp Squeah
Sr. High August 26-29
Our Camp Directors have been reappointed by the Camp Board and are as follows:
Heather Johnson (Kidz); Bruce Wergeland (Jr. High); Ron MacLeod (Family); Pat Wiens (Sr. High). Laura MacLeod has been reappointed to serve as our Pender Island Site Coordinator.
An annual appreciation dinner was hosted recently for our camp leaders to express, on behalf of the entire district, our support and gratitude for their sacrificial leadership of this essential ministry. Thank you to those who lead and serve at summer camps each year. We are already in prayer for your ministry during the summer of 2011. Your investment of time and effort will no doubt continue to be used by God as a result of this summer’s ministry.
People News:
Condolences
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Joyce Derksen on December 3, 2010, in Kelowna. A memorial service officiated by Joyce’s pastor, Rev. Geoff DeJager of our Kelowna church, was held on Saturday, December 18, 2010. A large congregation of people gathered in the sanctuary of the Kelowna Church of the Nazarene to remember the life and ministry of Joyce and to offer support and condolences to Rev. Dan Derksen and his family. Several moving tributes were brought by members of the Derksen family. Rev. Dr. Clair MacMillan National Director, Church of the Nazarene Canada, Rev. Dr. Larry Dahl District Superintendent of our Canada West District and, Rev. Earl Wood, District Superintendent of Canada Pacific District attended and brought messages of gratitude to the family as well as an assurance of our prayers. Rev. Dr. Riley Coulter, Chancellor of Ambrose University College sent a message of support which was read at the service. Former District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Charles Muxworthy attended as well.
Rev. Dan and Joyce Derksen pastored several churches on the Canada West District prior to moving to British Columbia in the early 1970’s to serve as District Superintendent of Canada Pacific District. Mrs. Derksen led our District NMI during their ministry among us. They returned to a pastoral assignment in Calgary following their retirement from the Canada Pacific Superintendency. Dan and Joyce later moved to Kelowna and became members of the Kelowna Church of the Nazarene. All who have known Joyce have been greatly affected by her life of faith, service, hope and joy. Please continue to remember the Derksen family in your prayers.
God Bless.
Earl and Vernita
