A mother and father walked into the doors of Walmer.  They met the pastors for the first time, asking if their baby could be dedicated to God that morning.  Pastors Steve and Buff Cox, just returning from a long trip, hadn't been in Toronto to meet with this young family in the previous weeks.  That morning, the new baby was prayed for by the Walmer congregation.

We present our children to God in multiple ways at Walmer.  Mothers, desiring to set a spiritual example for their children, surveyed the Old Testament this last year at their weekly Moms Wednesday Morning Study.  Several women in the neighbourhood have learned about this opportunity for spiritual growth and have begun coming regularly. Our congregation also hosted a first-ever Easter morning Egg Hunt, inviting children that use the Walmer Centre facilities to join in the fun.

Just as baby dedications acknowledge the need for believers of all ages to support each other, worship at Walmer is intergenerational.  Last week, children who had run through the "Red Sea" led the congregation in worship, singing the old gospel spiritual "Go Down, Moses".  As we bless our children, we honour the ways that their child-like expressions of faith lead us to enter the kingdom of God more fully.

Susan Kroeker is the Director of Child, Youth and Family Ministries at Walmer Road Baptist Church in Toronto. This ministry is supported in part by a CBOQ grant.

2010-06-29

“On a sunny spring morning, Carol Owen is bursting with enthusiasm as she talks about the next big project at Friendship House,” opens the Brantford Expositor article. Carol is the director at Friendship House, established in 1997. She and her team of volunteers provide a range of programs including a children’s breakfast club, after school activities, clothing closet and food bank, computer and exercise classes. Bible studies, courses to help boost computer skills and exercise classes are also provided at the Grey Street home. Snacks are prepared for students at several local schools and there is a cooking class for Grade 7 and 8 students.

Carol’s newest project is a community garden. “It's just so exciting," she exclaims. "We're going to grow vegetables, fruit and we'll have a section for herbs. Then we're going to use the vegetables for meals and help people learn about good nutrition. So much of what happens to people's health can be traced to nutrition and we want them to learn how to eat well."

"All we're trying to do is give people a little bit of a boost, to show them they are important and that they are loved," Owen said. "That's what we're all about. That's our mission here."

Her work and boundless enthusiasm to help others prompted Jean Emmott, a teacher at one of the local schools, to nomination Carol for The Expositor 2009 Citizen of the Year award. The honour is presented annually by The Expositor to a citizen who has contributed a great deal to the community.

"I have witnessed the excitement of kids involved in the children's programs, the benefits of the snack lunches and the sense of accomplishment of the cooking classes," Emmott said in her nomination letter. "Without doubt, Carol has demonstrated leadership in trying to improve the lifestyle choices of those around the Grey Street area."

In addition to her role as Director at Friendship House, Carol is a busy wife and mother of three children, and is active at Paris Baptist Church as a deacon, youth group leader, librarian and assists with pastoral care.

2010-06-29

We, like Jonah of old, are sent to speak to a great many people who are on our Lord’s heart yet who have never heard of Jesus’ life, suffering, death and resurrection.  Wooing one by one, revealing himself most beautifully in Jesus, he called us to venture into the city, be present and live out our call to care for the vulnerable people, refugees, widows, orphans in our neighbourhood.
 
We teach English, tutor kids for their school work, help breadwinners upgrade their qualifications or commence their job search. For some reason we are surprised when, like the Ninevites in Jonah’s experience, newcomers respond heartily to the Good News; earnest Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist neighbours are drawn by our life of faith in Christ, and want to hear more.
 
We have a great need right now.  Twenty women from CBOQ and neighbouring congregations collaborate a couple hours weekly to teach a small class or to work one-to-one among newcomer women in three sites in mid-Etobicoke.  The newcomer women devour the English lessons, but prize more our friendship, guidance, encouragement and welcome which they receive from us and our congregations.  We are reaching out to many dozens of newcomer women, and through them, to literally hundreds in their extended family networks.
 
We give thanks to God for our CBOQ family’s financial support and the women teachers/ helpers who share God’s heart for widow, orphan, and strangers in the midst of our great city.  But, we also ask God for another twenty women whom God is calling to carry his message into the great city.

Jeff McCarrell serves at Toronto Baptist Intercultural Services.

2010-06-29

On June 11, 2008, our Prime Minister Mr. Steven Harper admitted to the world the injury that had been done to our First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples of this land through a government policy implemented over many years.  Then he surprised those who were there.  Prime Minister Harper humbly asked for their forgiveness.  Two years later, under the direction of Kenny Blacksmith, former Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec, a child of our living Lord Jesus, the Forgiven Summit was held in our nations capital.  Prior to this, Kenny and a team of young people had travelled this land from Reserve to Reserve encouraging people to be set free through forgiveness.

On Friday night, June 11, 2010, we gathered to join in worship of Jesus and His healing power.  There was the beauty seen at special events and days, of our native people in their regalia dancing and singing to our Lord.  We heard from Elijah Harper, and Billy Diamond how their lives had been affected by the Residential Schools.  Then they told of how Jesus had healed their hearts and gave Him praise for what He had done.  Leaders of the churches were invited up.  Denominational leaders, and then any clergy present all standing on the stage before a gathering of Elders, products of the Residential School System.  David Mains of 100 Huntley St. read a prepared document, ‘The Declaration of Church Repentance’.  In humility, church leaders prostrated themselves before the Elders of our 1st Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples as forgiveness was sought for the hurt that had incurred.  Amongst the weeping of many survivors, forgiveness was extended.

The next day, Saturday the 12th, after much worship twenty four Elders who had been raised in the Residential School System came forward and signed a Charter of Forgiveness and Freedom to be presented to the Government of Canada and the people of Canada.  Twelve youth, the children of parents who had attended the Residential Schools then witnessed the signature of their elders with there own signatures.  That afternoon, a video clip from Prime Minister Harper as he responded to what was about to happen was played in his absence.  Cabinet Minister Chuck Strahl, Minister of Native and Northern Affairs along with his wife received the presentation on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Throughout Saturday evening, Sunday morning, noon and night, the gospel was preached, our Lord was worshiped and the arena was filled with praise and celebration as the freedom of forgiveness was experienced.  I was reminded that we need not be the product of our past, but that we all can live in the freedom of God’s wonderful grace freely extended to us through Jesus Christ.   As an Anglo Pastor of CBOQ, serving in the Caledonia area for the past 10 years, therefore having experienced the front lines of social unrest, I was privileged to have been allowed to witness God at work.  Since April 19, 2006, led by an urging of our Lord, we have had pastors of Six Nations, New Credit and Caledonia meeting weekly to pray for our Lord to intervene in our country and spare us the shedding of blood over disputed lands and to bring healing to this nation, Canada.  We serve a God who answers the prayers of His people; may all praise and honour be given to Him.

For further information visit www.i4give.ca

Pastor Ross Baxter, New Life Community Church, Caledonia, ON

06/24/10

"Sometimes [caregivers] can be an invisible part of our society," says Gloria Stafford, coordinator for The Caregivers Group at Thornhill Baptist Church, "and they work so hard to help our society."

"Hundreds of people come to Canada each year to become live-in care-givers for children and the elderly."

Many caregivers feel isolated in Canadian society, says Stafford. Most send their money back home to support families they have left behind—often including husbands and children.
For the past year, The Caregivers Group has offered social activities, as well as workshops on topics such as burnout and stress, communication, employer/employee relations and finances. Some have also been meeting for a Sunday Bible study.

Stafford, who also directs the church's Life Transition Counseling ministry, offers counselling to caregivers who are coping with the challenges of being separated from family members.
"Many don't have a support system here," she says, "They work really long hours—it's ridiculous the number of hours they work."

Pastor Paul Gibbons says The Caregivers Group formed after the church realized the need of the caregivers in their own congregation. While some have good employers, others face difficult working conditions or are exploited due to ignorance of labour law.

"We wanted to provide a place where they would come to meet one another," he says. "And it's just taken off. They invite their friends. They invite people off the bus and on the street."

Gibbons says one nanny, recently from Hong Kong, heard about the group in her home church. "There are great connections overseas," Gibbons says. "Some of these caregivers have only been in the country for a week or so, and yet they've heard about our church."

"I'm so blessed to be in this group," says caregiver Beverly Bacomo.

"The warmth, love and concern with each other is so amazing. We learn to get through our difficulties at work, problems back home, about our rights here in Canada and also how to see our future plans from God's perspective.

"Prayer is definitely the centre of our every fellowship. Lifting to God our concerns and experiencing His answers to them is really awesome."

Jez Vicente Homecgoy says her husband feels comforted knowing she's part of a Christian support group.

"For me our group plays a very important part in my life," she says. "I can say it is my family. I always long for Sundays when I can laugh to my fullest and be comforted too when I'm sad and lonely… It just gives me happiness and joy. We pray, comfort and show our concern to each other, and that somehow helps to lessen our strongest enemy—homesickness."

"We're seeking to include them in our church family," says Gibbons. "God has blessed our church through them. They have enriched our church and added a whole new dimension to our fellowship. They've been a real blessing to us."

Stafford adds, "We want them to know that they are recognized, valued and supported members of Canadian society—and not invisible to us."

reprinted from Christian Week

KEY BIBLE CLUBS

Key Bible Clubs are a part of the Christian Service Centres of Canada Inc. A Ministry established in 1948 for the purpose of providing religious instruction for Ontario’s Public Schools’. All funding comes from individuals and local churches. Today, there exists 100 Clubs in 10 counties of Southwestern Ontario. Our experience with Key Bible Club is truly indescribable. Once a week, every week, we get to share Christ’s love with children, in a library, in a public school in Caledonia. It really doesn’t get much better than that. God has called our communities to pray for Key Bible, and we are two very grateful benefactors of those prayers.

Loisanne – We are so Blessed:One of the children whose daddy serves in Afghanistan, asked us all to pray that her father would come home just for a visit, at Christmas time. All the kids and all those we know prayed not just for her dad’s safety, but that he could come home for her “visit”.

Christmas break came and went. The first Key Bible Club we were back, our little friend was not there. However her best friend came bounding in, like the woman at the tomb, explaining to all why she was not there. Her mother had kept her home from school, because her dad just got home for a week visit, from Afghanistan.

This prayer was confirmation to us all, old and young that God is very good, and that he loves us so much, and that He knows how many hairs are on our heads and whose daddy is far far away.

Our prayer coverage is just not in our 40 minute time period in the school, but it spills over to friends neighbours and families in our community. Our mayor prays for us. Weekly prayer meetings in the community, pray for us. Local churches and ministerials, pray for us. Is it any wonder that we see miracles on a weekly basis? God is so good and His mercies endure forever.

When the children where asked, Where does sin start? Everybody answered together, “In your brain.” Where does it go next? All together comes the answer “In your heart” What happens next? Silence. Until one little one could not stand it. Jumped up and threw her arms out, crying “ Then it just breaks out all over the place.” Freedom, Freedom to worship!! Through out the school metal street signs have been mounted by staff . They are above certain school rooms enforcing the school’s last learning unit “Character Attributes” There’s Best Student Dr., Responsibility St., Teamwork Way. Over the doorway of the library, where we meet, the street sign that has been posted reads “Compassion Corner”. Key Bible Club is part of the community. It is the place to go to have Sabbath on Wednesdays. It is a place to go to learn about a Great Big God. It is a group to pray for, knowing that God’s Word is being planted in the hearts of children, so that when they are old they will not depart from it.

A teacher shared with us this story of how God worked through 4 young children one day in the classroom. This teacher felt the need to read a Christmas story to a large group of students, (from a few different grade levels) A Christmas story that not only told of Santa’s big night, but also told the story of the nativity. The room is quiet, the children intent, as the teacher is just starting in on the second half, and speaks of the birth of Jesus Christ. No sooner are the words out, a students hand shoot’s up and the retort is heard throughout the room. “You swore!”

Allow me to impress upon you the mind set/attitude of the child sitting there listening who also attends Key Bible Club for they have just wrapped up their third week of studying the 3rd Commandment. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

When children are taught that God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ is available to every person, children not only believe it, they act on it. All God needs is a willing heart.

Okay, back to the classroom. First, one child stood up, looked at the student, and said very matter-of-factly; The teacher did not swear. Then three more children stood with the first, and as though rehearsed, they recited in unison, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Deuteronomy 5:11”.

Then those four children proceeded to share their knowledge of Jesus Christ with that student, and they did it, the only way little children with pure hearts know how; with compassion and understanding.

This is one story ;

of why one child now knows Jesus Christ as far more than a swear word, why one teacher chose to follow through on God’s calling,

why four children took the time to write God’s word in their hearts, and stood up to be among the counted. Since September, in just one club, 47 children have attended. Imagine the impact these children have on classmates, teachers, families, Communities!

Key Bible Club is a blessing. It opens endless doors. It enables many hearts, to be touched by God.

Grace Baptist Church has been re-vitalized and grown significantly through its welcome and embrace of new refugees. Pastor Stan Mantle and his wife, Heather, Director of Matthew House work together to give needed leadership and care. Many of the new immigrants and refugees are Karens, Baptists – fruit of the work of pioneer missionary to Burma, the Rev. Adoniram Judson.

The same has happened to First Baptist Church, Fort Erie, revitalized in recent years largely because they have received new people almost weekly into the Matthew House context, and also into the life of church right next door.

You may know of three Matthew Houses (Toronto, Windsor, Fort Erie), and there are now five within the CBOQ. The heart, vision and hard work of Anne Woolger-Bell have been catalytic to the beginning of these welcome-ministries and in the creation of a ‘movement.’ The dream has become reality: actual buildings, real homes. And, that can happen over and over again in any number of places where God’s People catch the vision and actualize it through their own concerted actions.

Serving with us in CBOQ are Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionaries Marc and Kim Wyatt.  They have been instrumental in helping to stimulate, shape and make real the new centres underway in Ottawa (at Centrepoint House, linked with Bethany Baptist Church) and in Montreal (being established through the good work of Christine Walsh and Christopher Lu).

Of course, it makes sense that any Matthew House be established ‘at the end of the Refugee Highway’ in the major cities noted here. But why couldn’t any CBOQ local church, Association or group of churches, link together to start a new home?

And where a Matthew House is not the specific answer, why could not Karens, most of whom have agricultural backgrounds, be welcomed into our more rural churches. Several such new families would bring vitality and blessing. Declining churches could come newly alive if they imagined and responded by creating a place of welcome of ‘the stranger and the foreigner’ now very near to them.

Are we ready for the increase of a Haitian diaspora as it arrives ‘at our doorstep?’. Is it enough to send money elsewhere, valid and needed as that is, and not do the pressing and practical things needed for those who come to start anew in our country.  Many of the Haitian families will come to places proximate to our homes and churches – and we will have the opportunity to help start their lives over again.

Two idealistic? - perhaps so; but then again, maybe not. Isn’t this part of the Gospel of love and care that we proclaim. Can we move beyond speaking the right words to doing the right things?

We are to join with Christ and His People in seeking to: ‘bless all the nations of the earth.’ I believe that the spreading reality of a Matthew House ‘movement’ in CBOQ is part of that. You can help make ‘Matthew House’ more than wonderful theory, more than a wonderful project happening somewhere else.

I invite you, your church, local partnerships and your Association, to get in on the blessing.

Friday, December 18

Josiane Aboungono, an accomplished long-distance runner from Gabon, came to Canada in 2001 seeking refuge and Matthew House warmly welcomed and assisted her. During her stay, one of our volunteers connected her with a coach so she could continue her training.

It has already been one year since the refugee ministry, Matthew 2535 Network, began in Ottawa. Eglise Evangelique Baptiste d'Ottawa put on the celebration marking their first anniversary.

At the celebration for Matthew 2535 Network, refugee children sang, danced and shared their stories of fleeing persecution. Adults told powerful stories of getting out of Haiti with their lives and having to leave everything they owned in the US. They went on say how God brought them straight into the welcoming arms and blessings of the network. Pastor Benito Bastien, Champion of the Refugee, gave unbelievable accounts of the types of help and numbers of people who have been helped to get on their feet here in the our nation's capitol. Hundreds have received council, shelter, furnishings, jobs, orientation, warm clothing, community and on and on.

A partnership is developing between CBOQ Ottawa  and Montreal churches, the French Baptist Union to address the needs of the poor and hungry. Supported by funding partnership with CBOQ and the Texas Baptist Christian Life commission, they began by asking the question "What needs to be done?"

"What needs to be done?" Asking the question is just the beginning. By starting here, the group is trying to assess the big picture and examine the whole situation before asking "what can I or my church do?" It also allows them to welcome God's plan for their churches and communities. Together they agreed that they can do more together than individually. The overarching plan is two-fold: Tier One is to share Hunger Grants between the churches to strengthen and support the existing ministries of their churches toward those in need. Tier Two is to celebrate through

worship, proclamation and fellowship.

It is wonderful to see just what can happen when people work together and in the same direction.

E.K.Yasaratne, General Secretary of Sri Lankan Baptist Sangamaya joined other Baptist leaders of the SLBS to visit a refugee camp in Vavuniya, a town in the Northern Province. Huge number of people are internally displaced as a result of the long civil war that has ravaged the country. The leaders were able to distribute supplies of water, milk and footwear to about 500 families. The distribution was enabled by a grant from Baptist World Aid, the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance. The BWA is trying to find a way to provide relief on an ongoing basis.

I'd like to introduce you to Matt Court and Grace Buchanan Court. Matt and Grace are both teachers by profession and have a passion for sharing the Gospel of Christ with young people. They are the live-in mentors at Green Ridge Lighthouse, a residential home for students in Lennoxville, Quebec, and an outreach ministry of Green Ridge Baptist Church.

Their purpose is to provide focused discipleship (mentoring, teaching, personal growth and accountability) to enable Christian participants to develop their spiritual maturity and leadership skills to empower them for service in the Kingdom of God.

For more information about Matt and Grace and this innovative program visit here.

Pastor Joyce Trask from Bromley Road Baptist shares this reflection from her recent journey to Kenya with a team of CBOQ pastors. They often give us a hero’s welcome. When our African sisters and brothers hear that we have partnered with them through Canadian Baptist Ministries to help them provide food, water, and resources for their communities you can see in their eyes that they see us as heroes. They have heard about us for years, but when they see that we have cared enough to come and meet them they roll out the red carpet to welcome their heroes. But let me tell you about the real heroes.

The women of Kenya carry much of the burden of caring for family, community and church.  They plant gardens and pray that the rains will come to make them grow so they can feed their families.  They are responsible for finding food and cooking it for their families.  They care for the children.  They clean their homes and wash their clothes.  They nurse those who are affected by HIV/AIDS.  They care for the dying and the bereaved.  They take responsibility for their orphaned grandchildren.  They are often the ones who sit on the boards and committees that work together to build a water weir.  They work hard to raise their own funds so they can contribute to the water project.  They work in the churches.  When I visited Katalembu I discovered that they are also the ones who walk seven kilometers downhill and back up the steepest terrain you could imagine carrying 20 litres of water on their heads and backs.  On a normal day they will make not one but two such trips in order to care for the needs of their families, 28 kilometers a day.

We are not the heroes.  We give out of our abundance but they tirelessly give of their time, energy and resources to give their children opportunities for an education and a better future than they have had.  They are the real heroes in Kenya.

Every resident of Blind River has surely driven by Immanuel Baptist Church countless times. All that most of them have ever seen are old bricks and a stained glass window. "That isn’t right," we thought, "there is a lot of love and fellowship that exists on our side of that brick wall, and a lot of people that need it on the other side."

Pastor Rustin (Rusty) Hildebrand from Immanuel Baptist, Blind River shares a story of effective community outreach.

Every resident of Blind River has surely driven by Immanuel Baptist Church countless times.  All that most of them have ever seen are old bricks and a stained glass window.  "That isn’t right," we thought, "there is a lot of love and fellowship that exists on our side of that brick wall, and a lot of people that need it on the other side."  2008 was Immanuel’s 100th anniversary, and we thought this was a great opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to the people of our community, to show them that we are much more than brick and coloured glass. 

We extended the invitation to the whole town to join the party as we celebrated 100 years.  Setting up in the park, we provided music, hamburgers, drinks, a clown, facepaint, and prayed that God would provide the people.  Over 300 townspeople came, with the biggest surprise being that most of these were young families. 

A few weeks later the annual dragon boat races were to take place, and we thought, "why not enter a church boat?"  We wanted to show that God’s Church is made up of people of all ages, and that having a good time wasn’t the sole domain of the world!  Out of 16 boats ‘Glory Bound’ lost by half a boat length in the semi-finals to the team representing the local tavern.  It was probably for the best, as the prizes for the winning team were Molson cooler bags! We were beginning to realize that opportunities to live out God’s love in the presence of others were plentiful if we were only willing to take them. 

Our children entered a float in the community parade, giving us the opportunity to hand out 400 flyers to families advertising our children’s programs.  In the fall, the church’s after school program began with  almost twice as many kids as before (which has brought with it other challenges). 

When we decided that as a church we would give towards CBM’s Christmas catalogue, it wasn’t long before someone asked, "can we offer this same opportunity to our community?"   By now God was beginning to teach us to think beyond our walls.  Our International Christmas Market allowed us to model ‘love thy neighbour’ to our neighbours. 

What fruit might come from all this?  Only God knows the full extent.  What we can say is that when we reached outside the brick and stained glass we were made stronger within them.

Dr. Bryan Walls was born in Puce outside of Windsor and is a graduate of the University of Toronto. Bryan, a dentist, undertook extensive research on his family and the area. His research led to the self-published novel The Road That Led To Somewhere, released in 1980.

Dr. Bryan Walls was born in Puce outside of Windsor and is a graduate of the University of Toronto. Bryan, a dentist, undertook extensive research on his family and the area. His research led to the self-published novel The Road That Led To Somewhere, released in 1980. This novel tells the story of John and Jane Walls' journey, with the assistance of the Underground Railroad, from Troublesome Creek, North Carolina, to Puce in Maidstone Township, Ontario.

He and his family established the Underground Railroad Museum and the John Freeman Walls Historic Site at the site of his ancestral home.

Dr. Walls became a Member of the Order of Canada in 2003.

We celebrate with Dr. Walls and his family what Christ has done to impact many people through his life and work.  

Dr. Walls is a member of First Baptist - Puce, Ontario.

The Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec, Toronto Baptist Ministries and Canadian Baptist Ministries partnered together to invite a group of twelve Pastors and leaders to go on a unique missional journey together. The group ended up in Nairobi in mid January to participate in a consultation between Canadian pastors and leaders in the ABC and the ACC&S churches in Kenya on the theme of The Missional Church.

On the way they spent several days in London, England exploring the ways that some enterprising Christian leaders are trying to be missional in that context.

"This is vital for all pastoral leaders.  To be off balance in a foreign country, to need the help and mercy of others who speak a language other than English, it is wonderful and difficult"

"Somehow I feel like I am looking at things - life - ministry differently, looking for opportunities that I didn't see before.  I can't quite figure out why but I am less concerned about the small stuff."

One of the participating pastors wrote "The quality of the dialogue around contemporary issues in the church and the need to embrace integral mission in our context has had a significant impact on my thinking and will continue to shape it for years to come."

Two of the members of the consultancy team have put together excellent blogs on the experience.

For more insight into the trip and to see a few pictures please look at Pastor Don Berry Graham's web site and Pastor Jonathan Mills' Blog.

Thursday, February 19

Rita Shelton Deverell, is a Canadian television broadcaster and social activist, who was one of the founders of the Canadian television channel Vision TV.

Rita Shelton Deverell, is a Canadian television broadcaster and social activist, who was one of the founders of the Canadian television channel Vision TV. She also served as news director for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network from 2002-2005. She moved to Canada in 1967, and began her television career in 1972 as the producer of a children's television program. In 1974, she joined CBC Television as a journalist, including a stint with the program Take 30. In 1983, she became a journalism professor at the University of Regina, and in 1988 she left there to become one of the founders of Vision TV.

Rita has been named to the Maclean's Honour Roll of Outstanding Canadians, and to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She has also been a board member of Obsidian Theatre Company, a Toronto company which specializes in Black Canadian drama.  She was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2005.

Rita is still very involved with the Obsidian Theatre, please click here to learn more.  And for an interesting read please look at Rita's article entitled "Obama needs to be the education president"

We celebrate with Rita during Black history month and thank God for her life and work.

Rita and her husband Rev. Rex Deverell now reside in Coldwater Ontario. 

Thursday, February 19

Rita Shelton Deverell, is a Canadian television broadcaster and social activist, who was one of the founders of the Canadian television channel Vision TV. She also served as news director for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network from 2002-2005. She moved to Canada in 1967, and began her television career in 1972 as the producer of a children's television program. In 1974, she joined CBC Television as a journalist, including a stint with the program Take 30. In 1983, she became a journalism professor at the University of Regina, and in 1988 she left there to become one of the founders of Vision TV.

Rita has been named to the Maclean's Honour Roll of Outstanding Canadians, and to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She has also been a board member of Obsidian Theatre Company, a Toronto company which specializes in Black Canadian drama.  She was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2005.

Rita is still very involved with the Obsidian Theatre, please click here to learn more.  And for an interesting read please look at Rita's article entitled "Obama needs to be the education president"

We celebrate with Rita during Black history month and thank God for her life and work.

Rita and her husband Rev. Rex Deverell now reside in Coldwater Ontario.

"This is an email I never imagined I would write. Last night God graciously woke up our family and we all made it out of our house at 1:00 am just prior to our house burning to the ground." This is how the message began that we received here at the CBOQ offices on January 27 from Conrad and Lois Dueck. Conrad pastors Emo Baptist Church. He and his family were so excited to move into the "house of their dreams" in August.

The reality of the situation is that we are all fine, except for some frostbite on Lorianne, Joseph and my feet from walking down the road without shoes or socks. Our house however, is completely destroyed.  We made it out of the house with only the clothes on our back, and a few sleeping bags which kept us from freezing worse till we got picked up by a firefighter. The volunteer fire department came from Emo, but there was nothing they could do for the house, as the house burnt totally down in less than 2 hours.  However they moved our van away from the house so it is safe (but we have not keys!).   
 
We are grateful to be alive, mostly healthy, and for friends who are letting us stay with them.  The kids are doing great, and are right now behind me at the breakfast table talking about the fun of replacing stuff they lost.  Currently the church parsonage (where we lived from Feb - Aug) is still empty, so likely we will be moving back in there in a few days.  We have a great amount of peace from God, and are thankful that currently our believe that our stuff isn't really that important is proving to be reality when the stuff is all gone.
 
We would appreciate your prayers as we deal with insurance, getting our paperwork and financial stuff (we have no drivers, VISA, anything) and live out this situation infront of an entire town.  Our desire is to be a testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God in the midst of a material disaster.

January 29:

First off, thank you so much for the many kind words, prayers, and offers to help that you have sent (thank you to all of those who forwarded our email on - we have been very surprised as to who all has contacted us!).  It has been humbling to know how much people care, and God has revealed is goodness to us through you.  We truly have felt your prayers, and know that is the reason our attitudes, thoughts, and actions are as positive as they are.

It has now been just over 2 days since our house burnt down.  Let me give you an update on what has all happened since then:

First the "bad" news: Lorianne, Joseph, and I have been having our going to the Emo hospital for the last three days to have our feet looked at and the dressings changed.  Lorianne has severe frostbite blisters covering the entire footprint area of both of her feet, and thus has them bandaged up completely.  She gets around either in a wheelchair or by crawling.  Joseph has similar blisters, but only on the balls of his feet.  However, he too is completely bandaged up and either crawls, gets wheeled around, or is carried from place to place.  The miracle (First of many that I could share) for me is that I have only one bandaged up foot due to a huge blister covering up the ball of my left foot.  I use crutches to get around, but can hobble a bit since it is only on one foot.  I can still drive, and help out a bit around the house, which is God's grace.  My thoughts on the fact that I only have one foot injured (really it should be both because I was walking on both in the snow) is that God knew I would run myself ragged if both feet were working, but still needed to drive and do somethings to help so only allowed one to get hurt.  God is good.

After two nights of sleeping at our friend's house, we moved back into the parsonage last night.  Amazingly, almost the entire house is completely furnished with donations from people, most of it gathered and in place in less than 24 hours!  Amazing!

We have temporary driver's licences, Visa cards and Health cards are on the way, and Lois got new glasses yesterday in less than 2 hours!!

And then there is the stuff we have received.  We have been awed, humbled, amazed, stunned, overjoyed, brought to tears, laughed, smiled, and wondered at the amazing generosity of the truly great people here in Emo.  Both church family, community friends, and people we don't even know have given us everything from TV's and DVD players to toothbrushes and soap, from new clothes for the kids and Lois and I to garbage cans and more food than we could eat in a week!  From as young as 3 to as old as 96 we have been blessed by the grace that God has shown to us through these dear people.  And from the first $500 cheque we received less than 6 hours after the fire to the thousands of dollars we have received since then from individuals, churches, businesses, even the Township of Emo, God has so abundantly provided for us (we even received a $1000 cheque from someone we don't even know!).  I truly can't begin to describe how grateful to God I am for all this support, and I could share you many stories of grace and generosity.  I will just give you one example.  I went into the local hardware store in town to buy some mitts and a hat with money that I had received that morning, and the owner of the store said "you are about the same size as me - let's go to my house and see what I can find for you."  So I hobbled to the truck, hobbled into his house sat on the bed as he opened his dresser drawers and proceeded to fill a bag with things I could wear. "Do you have a jacket?" Not really.  "How about mitts?" No.  All these were given.  Then before even leaving the driveway he opened his wallet, handed me some cash, and then offered me furniture they had in storage.  Incredibly generous, and not a follower of Christ, yet showing evidence of the grace of God.  

So, living in a small town is amazing.  I know that many of you family and friends who live in Winnipeg and other places have offered to help, and we thank you so much for that.  It has been overwhelming at times to have over a hundred people ask you how they could help!  Currently we have received so much from so many, so please do not feel any kind of pressure or guilt or helplessness of not being able to help.  Your prayers and kind words have been the greatest gift, and are sustaining us as we seek to continue to live out the truth that "The Lord, gives and the Lord takes, but blessed be the name of the Lord!"  And if you do want to help, I would ask that you prayerfully ask God who is in your community, church, or in the wider world who you could help with physical things, giving stuff, or sending money to (there are many pastors who serve all over the world and have what we had Tuesday morning at 1:00 am, and no hope of getting more unless help is sent - check out World Serve or Gospel for Asia if you want to donate).  And if you want to make sure we are blessed in the process, then just email us and let us know what you gave!  That will be a huge encouragement in itself, that God is being glorified and his message spread as a result of our stuff being lost.

Read it all in the Dueck Family Blog.

During the course of ministry it is easy to become embroiled in the daily routines, losing sight of the big picture. Year end is a good time to step back and take a look at what has really been happening, as planning occurs for a new year. We would like to share just a peek at that ‘big picture’ with you, to say thank you to CBOQ, and give an overview of where your funding is making a difference in Brechin.

http://www.baptist.ca/TCCC.pdf

The Dryden Food Bank is an outreach expression of the Dryden ministerial, and First Baptist Church gives primary leadership in staffing, funding and volunteering at this food distribution centre. Each day, hampers of food are given to approximately 40 people, as the ministry receives good supply and support from the larger community.  More than half of the recipients are from local First Nations. The Food Bank serves not only Dryden but the area surrounding the city.

Established, in 1992, the Food Bank meets physical, emotional and spiritual needs. There is always coffee and doughnuts available in the reading lounge and an opportunity to greet friends and interact with staffing volunteers.