Canada West District Church of the Thanks IN THE Note of Thanks April 2015 Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all on Canada West. Your prayers have a wonderful gift to us. You have uplifted us so many times over the past 2 years. We are very grateful. God is so good and we continue to praise Him. We praise Him for who He is, for His blessings, and for you. We are now home in High River and making great progress. The surgery was successful. At least that is what the doctor said. I was awake during the procedure of having the pacemaker placed in my chest and heard all of the conversations! I cannot drive yet, but soon . . . Someone has said, "Time together, like grace, is a gift." Thank you for the time we have spent together as you have prayed for Ed and myself. Evelyn and Edgar Craig For a more detailed please click here. OOP letter UPCOMING EVENTS April 26th, 2015 Camp Harmattan is hosting a Camp Sunday, stay tuned to hear updates from Harmattan in your local churches. April 26th 4:00 - 5:30 Camp Harmattan Annual General Meeting will be held at Red Deer First Church of the Nazarene from 4:00-5:30. You are invited to join us as we share about the ministry of Harmattan throughout this past year and as we look forward to the ministry taking place in the year ahead of us. Upcoming Ambrose Courses: Three courses are being offered this spring through Ambrose University. This opportunity is especially pertinent to Pastors, and will qualify for LLL credit. For further information please check out their website here, the courses offered are as follows; April 27 - May 1, 2015 Preaching in a Shifting Culture, Instructor: Mark Buchanan, Terry Young and Bill McAlpine April 27 - May 1, 2015 Old Testament, Exodus, Instructor: Tremper Longman May 11 - 15, 2015 Incarceration, Grace and Justice, Instructor: Donald Stoesz Canada West District Church of the Thanks Note of Thanks Leon Teal, a Nazarene Pastor ministering on the East Coast would like to extend his thanks for those of you who have already ordered a copy of his e-book Unlikely through Amazon. Up until recently the book was only available in limited numbers in hardcopy. In late March after it was released electronically it was #4 on Amazon Canada’s list of bestselling Religious Biographic ebooks! So thank you to all who ordered and in particular if you wrote a review. If you would like to order a copy of this book please just follow this link. For a more detailed description of the book please click here. IN THE OOP Upcoming Events May 12, 2015 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Risking For Jesus: When 'Playing it Safe' is Wrong. Many people are puzzled by lagging church numbers and a seeming unresponsiveness to the gospel. Others feel that Canadian society in uninterested in Christianity. Jesus would challenge these notions. This course is a hands on, experiential focus on starting new missional communities and churches. Doug Balzer and Dave Skidmore will lead students into an outer exploration of Canadian mission and an inner journey of God's indwelling Presence. This course will qualify for Life Long Learning Credit. Cost is $40.00, for further information or to register, please check out this website. May 15, 2015 Deadline for Assembly Documents June 19-20, 2015: Conventions & Assembly at Ambrose University May 26-28, 2015 55+ Retreat! Deep and Wide: How Grace Changes Everything. Keynote speakers are Rev. Mark Buchanan and Rev. Matt Boda. For more information please visit www.ambrose.edu/55plus or phone 403 -410-2931. If you would like brochures to promote this event at your church please contact the district office. Canada West District Church of the IN THE Harmattan… Camp Harmattan will host ‘Celebrating Camp Harmattan The Old Fashioned Way’ 60th Anniversary. For more information please email Val for promotional bulletin inserts, or further information please email the district office. If anyone has a tent trailer that they would be willing to lend to a family for Camp Harmattan, please contact Rose Graham. If you would like to work or volunteer at Harmattan this summer or know someone who would, please have them contact Rebecca at [email protected]. We are trusting God to provide all our needs this summer and volunteers are a big part! In addition, we would ask that you be in prayer for Harmattan even now. Please join us in praying that God would arrange His Ministry Team for the summer, for all the students who will come to camp this summer, and that he would be central in all we are doing and receive all the glory. We at Harmattan understand that this ministry is a result of your support. Please know we deeply appreciate all those who believe in Harmattan and know that your support makes a difference in the lives of not just a few, but many! - The Harmattan Team OOP June 19, 9:00SDMI/NMI Convention at Ambrose University. Featuring guest speakers Todd & Connie Aebisher, missionaries from Asia Pacific. Please click on this link for a teaser video which can be shared with your churches. A full biography and details about their ministry can be found on the Global Ministry Center website June 19 7:00 pm Assembly convenes at Ambrose University. June 20 8:30 am Assembly business session for delegates begins, our District Superintendents message will begin at 9:15 am. If you would like to attend please register here. The afternoon ordination service begins at 1:30 pm, there are three candidates this year, and we will also recognize three elders retiring this year. July 1, 2015 Harmattan deadline to request landscape and Children’s special needs request. Apply here. July 9th, 2015 10:00 am - 1:30 pm Camp Harmattan will be hosting a Senior’s Day, brunch will be served. August 1 - 9, 2015 Family Camp at Camp Harmattan. Register for all or a portion of Family Camp this year. Featured speakers are Dr. Deirdre Brower Latz and Dr. Jim Diehl. For full biography information please click here. Canada West District Church of the Nazarene Prayer Requests IN THE OOP Prayer Requests August 11 - 13, 2015 PALCON @ Ambrose: be- Please keep Dale Strebchuk (son of Colleen Strebchuk, High Prairie) in your prayers as he suffered a heart attack on Sunday March 15th. He has had three stents put in, but continues to be in recovery. Prayer for healing and for Dale’s family. ginning with registration at 2 pm on Aug. 11 and ending with the evening service on Aug. 13. Registration cost is $179.00 and you can register by clicking on this link www.PALCON.ORG Pastoral spouses are welcome to attend, registration cost is also $179.00. Update…. So this particular doctor says somet hing to the extent of...."what your body did by creating its own bypass is nothing short of a miracle. It happens...but not often. This is God's work and who would I be to mess with it. And it has been proven that when it happens these new arteries often never form blockages like the old ones do".... The second surgery for Dale went well, but Dale is more sore after the second time. Dale is currently at home with his wife Michelle, but your prayers for his continued recovery are coveted. We thank God for the way He has worked already and pray for continued healing. Room Request I have a dear friend named Marc Rajotte that is going to be coming to Calgary to take his practicum at the Calgary Counselling Center, but was just informed that his housing situation is not available at this time. He is needing a place to stay while he finds part time work and waits to begin his program in September. He has very limited funds and is a mature student (early 60's). If you know or are able to assist, please call me immediately at (306) 313-9512. He is driving out to Calgary from Caronport on Monday April 20th. Evening Worship speakers will be Dr. Jerry Porter, General Superintendent; Dr. Deirdre Brower-Latz, Principal and Senior Lecturer in Pastoral and Social Theology at Nazarene Theological College, Manchester; and Dr. Gordon T. Smith, President and Professor of Systematic and Spiritual Theology at Ambrose University. Keynote daytime speakers will be Dr. Gary Nelson, President of Tyndale University College & Seminary and Rev. Mark Buchanan, Associate Professor at Ambrose Seminary. A number of workshops will also be presented during Wednesday and Thursday. Please pray for God’s blessing and His Spirit’s outpouring during this significant event for our Canadian leadership team. CHURCH NEWS Caroline: Caroline Church of the Nazarene is sending a team of 6 to Malawi Africa, Aug 15th-28th! 4 youth and 3 adults are now in process of getting immunizations: Stephanie Harriman, Eryn McCarthy Ouimet, Ethan and Ryan Bystrom and their father Jim Bystrom, Donna Schultz and Pastor Shelly Norris. We have been praying about and planning this big adventure for over a year now and after our March 21st fundraiser and God providing a flight seat sale we had enough money to book flights and register our trip with Work and Witness! We will be assisting and spending time with Pastors Chippi and Wellington at 6 different child development centers in Malawi. Please pray for our team as a few of us have NEVER EVEN BEEN ON A PLANE BEFORE! We are extremely excited about this opportunity...with a healthy dose of FEAR as well :) We pray that God will allow us to be a blessing - to be His hands, feet, and arms of love and hope to all we meet. Shelly Norris (a.k.a. "The Rev"), Associate and Youth Pastor Canada West District Church of the Nazarene Prayer Request Prayer Request and update… Thank you Canada West District for your prayers and concern for Lavon Tattries (Lacombe) mother Bernice who was rushed to hospital and immediately put into ICU in Boise, Idaho. Initially it appeared that there was a blockage in her lower abdomen that would require tricky surgery with a very long and arduous recovery time. The prognosis was between 2-4 days to live. Family flew or drove in and 100’s of people were in prayer for healing and recovery. As of Thursday April 9th, this is the note from Rev. Bob Ta t t r ie (Lacombe) on his mother-inlaws progress… "We have experienced a miracle!....................... One day the doctors were saying 'it's a matter of hours.' People gathered near and far to lift Lavon’s mom (Bernice Wolstenholm) and our family to the strong arms of Jesus. Literally overnight God int ervened and t ou ched her. She became conscious, sat up, took nourishment, talked and laughed! The doctors have no explanation. She is very weak and is now in rehab to regain her strength and recover a little more before returning to her home. God apparently has more on her 'to-do list' ! THANK YOU for your prayers, encouragement and love. " The Tattrie Family IN THE OOP Drumheller "Exciting services of unity are happening in Drumheller among the local ministerial and congregations. In January we celebrated the Service for Christian Unity as 250 met to worship together under the leadership of Brian Doerksen. In March the Alliance and Nazarene congregations held joint services at the Drumheller Alliance church as David Chotka, author of Power Praying, led both congregations in Discerning the Spirit in prayer. The services included the Sunday morning service of March 1st as the Alliance Church hosted the services. The Pentecostal and Community Baptist congregations also participated in the serv i c e s . On Good Friday over 250 remembered the Cross and Jesus' death at the Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle under the leadership of 10 clergy from Drumheller and area congregations as well as the Drumheller Institution Chaplains. Many were moved to tears as they remembered how Jesus was Stained and Crushed by our sin. On April 11-13 the Alliance and Nazarene congregations joined together once again for a series of services on prayer. Mark and Cheryl Buchanan of Ambrose University were the guest speakers and over 170 attended the joint Sunday morning service hosted by the Nazarene congregation. Pastors from the Pentecostal and United Churches attended the services. The Chaplains from the Drumheller Correctional Institution also participated in the all the services. Many are praying that these times of worshipping together will make an impact on Drumheller for God's Kingdom. God is doing a new work in these congregations. And the prayer is that this new work will spill into the community that surrounds our congregations." High River Thanks for praying for our community gospel sing recently. It was a great success. From Accapella to country gospel, traditional hymns and chorus both contemporary and traditional. About 70+ people from Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Baptist and Nazarene churches to name a few. An outreach to the community based on the unity of those saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Canada West District Church of the Nazarene NMI Resources Important notice about NMI resource materials for 2015 This year the Nazarene Publishing House is not sending NMI resources to our convention. They have agreed to do a bulk order for Canada West and the district council will cover the shipping costs. If you as a local president, pastor or church would like to pick up your resources at Convention they must be preordered this year. The order must be in to Richard Bahan by April 30 for us to order the materials as a bulk order. We have to allow for freight time to get the materials to us in time for our District Convention. If you need assistance in placing your order, or wonder what you ordered in the past, please contact your local NMI Zone rep as they have this information: Barb Friesen – Manitoba Bernice McNair – Saskatchewan Trent McDowell & Richard Bahan Alberta South Charlene Neufeld & Penny Ure Alberta Central Richard DeBock Alberta North The order form is available online here. The completed form can be forwarded to Richard Bahan by email or by fax 403-278-6144 IN THE OOP Lacombe Nazarene Church continues to "get ready for company" with the recent installation of new window coverings for their sanctuary. They were installed by two former Canada West teens: Randy Friesen from Calgary North Hill and Kim (Parkins) Friesen from Red Deer First. They did a great job. There are still a few more renovations that are needed to "Spruce up" the facility but it is taking shape. All renovations to date have been paid by cash as the funds were raised." Thank the Lord for His provision and the generous people of the Lacombe Church. Rising Above Ministry held their Hope Lives Gala Banquet on Saturday, March 14th, 2015, The event was sold out with 390 people attending. The highlight of the evening was the powerful testimonies of the 5 participants who shared their journey through abuse and pain to a hope filled life. A silent and live auction was part of the evening. An original painting was donated by one of our former participants who now lives in Ontario, it sold for $4,000. Canada West District Church of the Nazarene Prayer Request The following prayer requests come from Arnie & Gail Wyllie Our grandson, Chris Wyllie, had a jobsite accident that has put him in the hospital. A 6 ton crane hit his head and caused blood clots. Also his wife, Rachel, is due to have their first child (a boy) on Canada Day. My friend's daughter is depressed and having suicidal thoughts. I just received a phone call from the sister of one of the students who rides my school bus. Their Dad just died. The fellow who rides my bus is Dallas. All the students who ride my bus are "special needs". So, with my limited knowledge of these students, I imagine that this is going to be very hard for Dallas to deal with. Lindsay is the director of the Children's Resource Centre in High Prairie. I was on their board for 10 years. Lindsay is at the Stollery Children’s Hospital with her daughter Cassidy. Lindsay just found out on Thursday that Cassidy has a brain tumor. So far they have done a MRI and surgery to relieve the pressure and also a biopsy on the tumor. The little one is only in grade 1, Lindsay said that she should know more on Friday. I will keep you updated on how she is doing. Say a Big Prayer for her!! IN THE OOP After expenses, about $82,000 was raised that night. God is continuing to bless and use this ministry. We currently have housing for 8 male and 8 female in our residential program. We have several others that come regularly for life-skills and inner healing (dealing with deep emotional wounds). Presently we operate out of 4 locations, all leased. It is our desire to be in our own facility where we could have our residential space, social enterprises’, classrooms, and office space all under one roof. Rising Above is a Compassionate Ministry of Canada West District. Go to Risingabovegp.com for more information. Winnipeg Churches hold Joint Service: On Good Friday the Winnipeg Churches joined together at New Hope Community Church for a joint Good Friday service. River of Life Community Church, South Asian Fellowship, The Spanish Fellowship, New Hope Community Church and also a local Methodist congregation, Christ the Rock International, worshiped together and remembered the price that paid on the cross and celebrate the hope we have in Christ. There were prayers in Spanish, Hindi, Tagalog and English as well as singing in three different languages. Pastor Ed Ramos, from Christ the Rock brought the Good Friday message and Pastor Alfredo brought us to the communion table. Many came away saying was a wonderful and meaningful joint service. Canada West District Church of the Nazarene IN THE OOP Please pray for the students from Canada West District that will be attending NYC 2015 Jarrett Meilicke Matthew Cox Austin Bitzer Jessica Bitzer Dixon Wood Carson Wood Payton Unger Chelsea Hoffer Charlie Titterington Cody McLean Tommy Titterington Brandon Stewart Sarah Robertson Autumn WIlliams Shane Stewart Janelle Weslowski Rachel Burick Olivia Burick Jake Ashton Sarah Ashton Zakk Halverson Zak Scheerschmidt Kaylee Scheerschmidt Elya Ewing Adam Schwartz Lauren Schwartz Paul Zapote Katherine Kvellestad Please pray for the sponsors from Canada West District that will be attending NYC 2015 Clayton Meilicke, Treena Cox, Ryan Wood, Ginger Bitzer, Nathan Nichols, Alanna Wycoco, Srimal Ranasinghe, Mitch Brower, Sheri Lynne Martin, Carly Herbert, Ryan Herbert, Rick Ewing, Matthew Prendergast Jenn Tattrie HELP GET OUR TEENS TO NYC! Maybe you don’t know any teens going to Nazarene Youth Conference-that doesn’t mean you can’t help! We all know the Canadian dollar hasn’t been doing great. You can help alleviate some of the pressure that puts on our budget by sending in a donation. No donation is too small or too big!! Make cheques out to ‘Canada West NYC” and send them to: Jenn Tattrie, 215 18 Ave NE, Calgary AB T2E 1N3 Keep your eyes open at District Assembly for an awesome prayer initiative that you can participate in to support our group while we’re down in Kentucky! Canada West District Church of the Nazarene Travel IN THE OOP Please find below a note from friends on the Canada Central District. NMI Mission Trip Update from Richard Bahan I am Ernie Hall and my wife Jacqueline Hall, are members of Rosewood Church of the Nazarene, 657 Milner Ave, Scarborough, Ontario. We have organized through christian-journeys.com, another amazing journey to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel, from the 15th - 31st October, 2015. We have been in the Philippines for four days now have almost completed the first of two buildings. I've attached a photo of the Quonset building that we have built. Today some of us started on the second building. This one is a lot bigger and more complicated so it take a lot longer to put together. There really like a large mechano set. Thousands of bolts holding it together. The project has been going great, which I believe has been a result of so many people praying. Please continue to pray as the second building is far more complicated. For the full story (and pictures) click here. We are inviting all members and friends of Canada West District, to join members and friends of Rosewood Church of the Nazarene, and Solid Rock Community Church of the Nazarene, on this, our second pilgrimage to the biblical lands. If you are interested in joining with members of the Canada Central District in going on this trip, please click here for further information. Please note that there will not be a May edition of the Loop because it will be too close to Conventions & Assembly. I will however try to keep our website updated with pertinent news.
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