16 Ways to be a Bad Volunteer

This is not us saying anything other than, "Hey, consider these things when you volunteer". Think, Babylon Bee. Satire is fun, and helpful. You know, unless you are triggered and confused. 

There tend to be two kinds of people that serve as volunteers. There are those who volunteer and give freely, and there are those who take freely. Here is some advice about how to, most effectively, be the second one. 

1 • Have A Bad Attitude: Volunteering can be a real drag. The pay is horrible, the hours unreasonable, the people unskilled and frustrating. If you show up to volunteer for an organization, make sure you make it clear up front that you will only do certain jobs. If you are tasked with something you really don’t want to do, make sure everyone knows about it. Passive aggressive behaviour is best, but if you’re not sure how to do that just state it flatly every time someone is in earshot. 

2 • The Power of Me: Refuse to work with anyone you don’t like, especially if you want to be in charge and they won’t let you. The only way to overcome this kind of conflict is with ultimatums and bullying. 

3 • Expect Some Pay: We know we are volunteering, but this charity organization must have some available resources that they would be willing to share. After all, they got it all for free anyway. It’s pretty selfish of them to hog all the resources for themselves. Besides, you’re giving your valuable time to them - you deserve to walk away with something. The least they could do is give you a hoodie. 

4 • Complain About the Food: Some charities are kind enough to feed you, but hey, it better be good. You’ve worked hard all day, you deserve a nice hearty delicious 4 course, low-sodium, gluten free, nut free, non-dairy, fair trade, Keto friendly, THM meal. And bad coffee is just a deal breaker. 

5 • Hate the Accommodations: Some charities are equipped to house their volunteers, it is your right as a hard working volunteer to a nice soft king size bed and ensuite bath to soak your weary bones. A bunk house is just disrespectful. 

6 • Good Enough is Good Enough: Remember, it’s a charity, they’re lucky to have you. When you’re working, good enough is good enough. Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and volunteer work. So the building’s a little crooked, or the paint’s the wrong colour, you get a slight shock every time you get in the shower — it’s good enough for this place! 

7 • Fanfare: You have taken time out of your schedule to give that time at no charge. There best be some celebration of your presence. You are there to be celebrated. Let the celebrations begin. #NumberOneVolunteer

8 • Forget the Rules: Rules are always made because of very specific incidents. You don’t need to worry about the rules because you are a mature, responsible adult. How dare they impose any rules on you. Fascists. #Legalism

9 • Calendars and Clocks are for Chumps: You’ll get there when you get there. It’s not like they NEED you to be there before things begin. And there are lots of other volunteers, so peeling off early is only a matter of setting healthy boundaries and not falling subjective to the oppression of the calendar. 

10 • Training is for Everyone Else: You know everything you need to know. The university of life has brought you up to speed quite nicely. Books, blogs, videos and lectures are a bore that you just don’t need in your life. Why do we have to overthink EVERYTHING. 

11 • Paperwork is for Chumps: There has got to be some reason you shouldn’t have to do a police check or fill out that application form. What do they think you are, a criminal? 

12 • It’s All About the Selfies: Work and work safety are irrelevant when it comes to selfies. Make sure you post pictures that put the organization you are volunteering for in a compromising light. You just want to be sure it LOOKS like you’ve worked hard. 

13 • Impose Your Wisdom: Workers at charities love nothing more than for guests to come and tell them everything they should be doing, and how they should be doing it. You can safely assume they do almost nothing with their time and resources and that your first impression of every situation you encounter is a nugget of as-to-yet-be-considered, wisdom. Make sure you tell everyone. Further to that, make sure you express absolute outrage when your advice goes unheeded and your recommendations unapplied. Threatening to leave during critical times is the most helpful approach. 

14 • Don’t Offer Solutions: One of the most helpful things you can do is offer helpful constructive criticism for areas of deficiency. Just be sure to leave out the constructive part. There’s no need to ever offer potential solutions along with your criticisms. Cold criticism is a hallmark of volunteer work. 

15 • Gossip: The most important thing to remember is to leave the charitable organization or ministry having hard feelings for something trivial, or that you didn’t fully grasp - and then pass that confusion on to everyone who will listen. It’s your responsibility. 

16 • Don’t be a Lemming: Everyone knows who the Lemmings are. How can they possibly enjoy such a compliant, servant hearted and submissive style of volunteer work? Does no-one stand up for themselves anymore. This volunteer experience is about you, so make sure you don’t let anyone take that away with their goody two shoes example. You’re not jumping into the ocean with them.  

***

At Arrowhead, we have been immensely blessed by wonderful volunteers over the years. Our volunteers have come humbly to serve God with us, and have given freely of their time and energies. We are so very grateful for their love and service and by no means wish to criticize their loving service. Hopefully our list can give you some things to consider as you prepare for volunteering, perhaps you can think a little bit critically about your attitudes when you are volunteering, whether with a Christian agency or any charity. We can all strive to serve God well together and set aside many of the things that rear up and compromise Christian service and ministry. 

The Arrowhead S.W.A.T. Team

At ANBC we have invested a lot of energy in analyzing and altering how we apply theology to our work. How does a biblical understanding of the gospel find itself well applied? Applying good theology to our ministry methods has played a big role in expressing our desire for obedience and effectiveness in evangelism and discipleship. Although at times misunderstood, good methods borne from a desire for good theology has been at the heart of the work here. With that in mind, some of our staff a few years ago developed a pseudo-slogan for themselves. The ANBC S.W.A.T. Team ~ Serving With Accurate Theology. The idea being that applying good theology to ministry is a vital aspect of the work that we can all take part in.

Borrowing this idea and riffing off of Mike Rowe's S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, here are a few ideas for applying biblical principles to our work. Whether a full time missionary or a short term volunteer there are always opportunities to excel or to flounder. As Christians it behooves us to invest our energies in serving well for the Glory of God! The theme verse for The Wilds camp in NC where we recently travelled for the Tweakage Camp Conference speaks directly to this perspective.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Serving well and with all sacrifice and for the Glory of God are good and biblical principles that we can and should apply to our ministry. Are you prepared to be a part of the ANBC S.W.A.T. Team?

1. Rejoice always, Pray constantly Give thanks in everything. No matter the task you are given or the challenges you face, these commands flourish in the life of the obedient. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
2. What I think I deserve is not what I actually deserve. Entitlement has no place in sacrificial ministry. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Matthew 7:21-23
3. Everything is from God, nothing is outside of His purview and everything has meaning. This should temper our attitudes toward those roles we dislike. Romans 11:36
4. Everything I do should be done well and for God's Glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17
5. People matter more than things. Keep short accounts, owe no man anything, lend with no expectations. Romans 13:8, Luke 6:34-36
6. Good enough is never good enough, applying ourselves to the greatest of our ability means abandoning ambivalence. Colossians 3:23
7. Early is on time, on time is late and late is disrespectful. Ecclesiastes 9:10, Proverbs 6:6-11
8. Your attitude is a reflection of your heart. Complaining is rooted in a lack of faith. Philippians 2:14, Proverbs 4:23
9. Be a learner. Be willing to be corrected. Being spoon fed every detail of your work is not a sustainable practice moving forward. Apply yourself to learn, even when you are not being "taught". Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 12:1
10. Our successes are God's work and the praise for them belongs to Him. Soli Deo Gloria. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
11. It's not that life is unfair; the sun shines on the wicked and the righteous, celebrate grace. Romans 12:15, Matthew 5:45
12. Don't compare yourselves to others. Scripture is your mirror. Be like Christ. Galatians 6:4-6, Philippians 2:1-11

God is Not Jimmy Stewart

A number of times recently, I’ve heard it said that God is the perfect gentleman, He will never impose himself on you, he will always hold the door and politely wait for you to walk through. The spirit of this sentiment is noble. It draws on all of the wonderful attributes of our good Father and creates a caricature that is benevolent and kind and patient. Unfortunately that caricature looks more like the friendly, helpful and kind, fatherly persona of Jimmy Stewart than it does of God as He reveals Himself in Scripture.

The entire narrative of scripture bares out the nature and character of God. He is our Good, Good Father. The gospel of Jesus Christ begins with God and His holiness (John 1:1-18; Leviticus 11:44-45). It begins with just who God is as outlined in His Word: immutable (Psalm 102:25-27) creator (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16), eternal (Isaiah 44:6), just (Job 34:12), truth (John 14:6), powerful (Genesis 1), jealous (Exodus 20:4-5), merciful (Psalm 136:1), wrathful (Romans 2:6-11), patient (Nahum 1:3), compassionate (James 5:11), omnipresent (Jeremiah 23:23-24), omniscient (Psalm 147:4-5), God is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) and triune (Ephesians 4:4-6) and holy (1 Samuel 2:2).

Certainly God is long-suffering, His patience with our rebellion is beyond comprehension in light of His perfect holiness. But is it really true that He is the kind of cardigan clad, slipper shuffling, gentleman that will never impose Himself on us? Is God really stuck waiting to see what we will do? The idea suggests that we have some innate ability to obey Him aside from His work in us (Ephesians 2:8-10). Let’s look at just a few people in Scripture and ask them if God imposed on their lives.

Noah
Not only does God impose His will on the entirety of humanity in their death, but on Noah in His commands to build the Ark, occupying decades of his life. (Genesis 6:13)

Joseph
Joseph’s brothers treated him horribly, threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery. (Genesis 37:12-36), near the end of this narrative we hear Joseph affirm that this was God’s work; “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.” (Genesis 50:20). God imposed Himself on the life of Joseph through the actions of his brothers, and further imposed on the lives of the brothers to achieve His purposes in the life of Joseph. Notice in particular the word “planned” (“meant” in some translations), it is intention not reaction. God didn’t simply use the evil for good, he planned it for good.

Moses
God spoke directly to Moses from the burning bush, gave him specific commands to be obeyed and expected them to be followed out, in spite of Moses reluctance. (Genesis 3:4 - 4:17)

Pharaoh
God worked His will in the life of Pharaoh to achieve His will. God actively hardened the heart of Pharaoh, imposing on him intentionally for His own ultimate glory. (Genesis 9:12)

Abimilech
God applies judgement on the life of Abimilech by sending an evil Spirit to bring tension between he and the lords of Schechem. God’s active interference here is in His work to achieve His will. (Judges 9:22-24)

Samson
Samson desired a Philistine woman as his own and returned to his parents and demanded they retrieve her for them, their reluctance was understandable. What they didn’t understand, as revealed in v. 4 is that this desire came directly from God. Samsons desire for this woman was rooted in God’s work to have an occasion against the Philistines. To achieve His own will, He imposed a passion on Samson. (Judges 14:1-4)

Hophni and Phinehas
God's imposition in the lives of the sons of Eli was in His giving them over to the hardness of their hearts. "..they would not listen to their father, since the Lord intended to kill them." (1 Samuel 2:25). God had plans for them, as rooted in the disobedience of both they and their father. His intention was to kill them, and as such, closed their ears to the scolding of Eli.

Job
God brought Job to the attention of Satan for the purpose of bringing Glory to Himself through the suffering of Job (Job 1:8-12; Job 2:3-7). This is not in contradiction to God’s goodness, nor does this make him any more or less a “gentleman”. When the nature and Character of God is understood as scripture presents it—central to the narrative, there is no need to strive to protect God from His own public image.

Jonah
God sent a great fish to consume Jonah in his disobedience, this for the purpose off achieving His ultimate will for Jonahs life - that he go to Ninevah and preach. (Jonah 1:17)

Paul
God struck Paul blind for the purposes of achieving his ultimate conversion. (Acts 9:1-19)

These are just a few of the many, many examples of God imposing His will on humanity. Throughout Scripture and with intentionality. We must be wary not to create a god to meet our personal design. But please don’t misunderstand, we must examine the entire narrative of Scripture as we consider the core of it’s purpose is revealing the nature and character of God. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33) nor does He cause anyone to be tempted to sin (James 1:13); but these truths must be held in tension with the truth that the steps of man are established by God (Psalm 37:23-24).

Through the entirety of Scripture we see over and over again, the supreme majesty (Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 145:5), ultimate power (Psalm 62:11, Job 26:14, 1 Corinthians 6:14) and complete authority (Romans 13:1-7, 2 Timothy 3:16) of the God of the Universe. We, very clearly, see through creation (Genesis 1), the awesome greatness of God (Ephesians 1:19, Revelation 11:17). God exercises His perfect will in spite of our sinfulness, and this is something we will never completely comprehend (Proverbs 20:24; Romans 9:21-24).

Certainly we must also remind ourselves regularly, that even as the redeemed we are not our own (Romans 8:9). We have been purchased and belong to Him.

I think this quote from the second book in C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia sums up the situation very nicely.

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” ― The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

If anything, we should desire God's sovereign hand in our lives, left to ourselves we will always choose sin (Matthew 6:24). We do not need to squeeze God into a cardigan and slippers in order to satisfy our definition of what good is. Scripture adequately defines God in His goodness. He has an intentional plan. We must simply believe or not.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths” Proverbs 3:5-6

The Measure of Ministry

*This blog article was originally published in the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission's, Northern Lights magazine and on their website. (HERE)

AS MANY OF US IN MINISTRY CAN ATTEST, we like to measure how effective we have been. Measuring gives us opportunity to report. In fact, there are entire ministries dedicated to assisting other ministries with measuring!

The question: “How are things at your church?” might be met with something like: “Great! We have five new programs and 100 new members.” This is how we communicate a measured success. But an honest answer like: “Fifteen percent stopped coming because the cost of Christian discipleship was taught … those who remain are growing in their faith” would more accurately express a healthy measure of success.

AT ARROWHEAD Native Bible Center we desire, above all, to hold high the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the glory of our most Holy God. We’ve begun to measure our ministry differently.

No longer do we count and report the number of converts that we have the immense pleasure of seeing. Our hearts rend for the lost souls that we welcome to the Center, but the convicting and saving is a work of the Holy Spirit. We are called to disciple and to teach (Matthew 28:19-20). As Arrowhead director, I am responsible to see that the Gospel is handled well and communicated adequately – a serious charge that I do not hold as trivial.

We cannot measure this ministry based on the number of converts. Delivering a new nature in redemption is a work of God. Of course there is great value to seeing numbers of people being saved, and we should rejoice and pray for that very thing. Scripture emphasizes numbers being added to the Church (Acts 2:41, 4:4).

I CAN, HOWEVER, seek to ensure and measure two things:
1 Was the Gospel clearly, consistently and accurately taught?
2 Was the teaching clearly and accurately received?

These we can observe by the questions coming back from those exposed to Gospel teaching. We’ve found at Arrowhead that, when given the opportunity, our campers ask the most profound questions! This shows us what they are understanding, and what we need to further address from Scripture.

When people leave one of our conferences or summer camps, it is my responsibility to see that they have been taught, and taught well. Whether they decide to reject or invest in the Gospel is between them and God. I cannot force someone to understand the Gospel – God alone gives understanding (2 Tim. 2:7, Rom. 10:17, Eph. 2:8-9). I am commanded to give them an answer, and to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

I THINK ABOUT A CERTAIN TEEN CAMPER. She said she didn’t believe in God and, following each chapel, would challenge our speaker. The truth of Scripture was creating a tension with the lies she had believed. Sad to say, she left camp holding firmly to her atheistic beliefs. We could not make her understand or force her to believe. We could only lovingly point her to God’s Word. “Some plant; some water, but God gives the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

With joy I can say that others have not resisted the Holy Spirit’s prompting. I cannot and should not try to coerce or manipulate anyone, lest I try to take on God’s role (1 Cor. 2:14). This can be tempting to do in our zeal to see people saved. But we can plead with and persist in the proclamation of God’s Word. That includes educating and equipping ourselves to communicate clearly. Teaching and discipleship are so much more than simply delivering information – it is striving to make the truth clearly understood!

IF I CAN ANSWER yes to these two questions, then I can be confident that I have been obedient to the call of God in the proclamation of the Gospel. Of course that by no means draws an end to my role as a discipler, but it is an appropriate measure of my calling. I don’t need observable results other than my submitted and sacrificial obedience. The rest is God’s work and I am meant to be content in that.

Obedient discipleship is never of ill effect. Tensions arise when people’s expectations supersede the expectations of Christ. If we have been overwhelmed by expectations of “measurable” results in our ministries, let’s be encouraged that to obediently disciple and teach to the greatest of our ability is the real measure of success. That ultimately makes God the object of our work!

A Little Road Weary

The last few months have seen a lot of travel for us. It has been fantastic to be able to visit and share with folks about the ministry at ANBC. Our most recent journey afforded us the opportunity to visit a number of places while we were on the road.

We pushed through the run to Gorrie on Friday, We hit the road at about 6am. Kyle and I picked up our friend Matt Peppard on the way. Eighteen hours later we landed at Marcus & Kameron Cooks home in Gorrie, Ontario.

Early morning selfie as we prepared to hit the road. 

Our first order of business was to host the volunteer training sessions at Gorrie Bible Fellowship. As always it was a great time—we're excited to see what the Lord will do this summer.

Sunday morning I was asked to give a brief update about the ministry at Arrowhead. It was a privilege to share about all of the exciting things coming this year at Arrowhead.

It was great to hang with old friends too! 

Sunday afternoon we hit the road for Jackson, MI to the Ethnos360 Bible Institute campus. 

I was privileged to have the opportunity to preach in chapel and share about the ministry of NCEM at Arrowhead. We are looking forward to have one of the students join us for this coming summer at ANBC. 

Our friends Austin and Jesse are students at EBI. It was great to connect with them while we were State side!

We have some friends in Peterborough, Ontario at Peterborough Free Methodist Church. They have been sending ministry teams on a missions trip to Arrowhead for almost a decade. They hosted a Pancake supper at the church while we were in the neighbourhood and we were so pleased to be able to attend and share about what the team will be doing this year when they come. 

We had a bit of a fender bender while we were on the road. We spent over 50 hours behind the wheel during this week long journey, we are thankful to God for His protection—even during this mishap. 

First Ever Winter Staff Retreat

Well we did it. We held our first ever winter staff retreat. Our purpose was team building. I was pleased with our turnout and with the overall event. We had a lot of fun and looked at a couple of important aspects of camp. And certainly I furnished everyone with shiny new staff application forms before they left! We even made a ridiculous video - you can watch it below.

Had a good group out, had a good time. 

We did a workshop on Saturday afternoon to develop actions for some of our camp songs. 

Everybody took a turn in the dish pit. 

There was, of course, a snowball fight.  

It was a pleasure to have Marsha Boyd-Mitchel from the Christian Action Federation with us to speak to our teens about healthy God honouring relationships.

What Not To Do During Liftoff from Arrowhead Native Bible Center on Vimeo.

Tweakage 9

My friend Andrew Henderson is the director of Windcrest Bible Camp here in NB. He has ben asking me for a number of years to join him and travel to the Tweakage conference in the US. This year it worked out that I was able to go, and am I ever glad that I did. Kyle and I enjoyed a great time of fellowship with Andy on the road trip - that alone was an excellent part of the conference experience.

Tweakage itself is, without question, the best camp conference I've had the opportunity to take part in. There were 250 people representing over 50 camps from 4 countries in attendance. The conference took place at  High Point Camp near Reading, Pennsylvania. There were seminars covering many of the important aspects of camp ministry. Covering policies, maintenance, program, fun, discipleship, church submission and family; the conference offered sound input from people on the ground. I valued the conversations I was able to engage in and the free sharing of ideas and resources. The benefit to Arrowhead and to me personally is immeasurable. I hope to be able to attend this conference for years to come. And look out for some groovy new ideas that we brought home from Tweakage.

Had an exciting drive down, 16 hours one way, accidentally stuck to the i95, got to see NYC. 

had to hit up Cracker Barrel 

And of course, if you're near the worlds largest Cabela's you check it out. Pretty amazing statue out front.  

High Point Camp has an amazing coffee shop. 

High Point Camp has a beautiful property.  

Enjoyed the messages shared.  

Anyone who can weld, we'd love to have an arm wrestling table just like this. This one was fabricated from an old bed frame. 

A Visit to NBBI for Chapel

It's always great to connect with Bible School students! This year Kyle and I visited the school with Andrew Ardern for two days and enjoyed speaking in Chapel as well as taking in some classes and visiting students.

Chapel Selfie! 

Our friend Elisapi is a student at NBBI! 

They have a lovely lounge in the library.

Around the Office

This time of year we take the opportunity to work away at office projects. Since coming to Arrowhead as the director, I have slowly been working away at filing all of the camper and staff paperwork from years gone by. This year, with Kyle's help we were able to get all caught up!!

Chipman Christmas Parade

It was a pleasure to be able to take part in the Chipman Christmas Parade this year with all three of ANBC's vehicles. We distributed Gospel DVD's, Bibles and Gospel Literature. It was also great to be able to partner with Chipman Forest Avenue School to collect non perishable foods for the Chipman Community Care.

Some of the Hubick family and all of the Strout family joined us as we distributed Gospel materials. Grant drove the #CampTruck

Ed Small drove #BigBlueVan pulling the High School float while students from the school collected non perishables for the food bank.

Kyle drove #MiniVan.

Christmas Craft Market

The Christmas Craft market is a fundraising project that we run every November. This year the proceeds went toward the purchase of round tables for our dining room. We have found a set of tables that we will be able to purchase second hand for a fantastic price in August of 2018. The Craft Market was a wonderful success again this year!

Christian Camping International Canada Conference

CCI holds an annual conference for Bible Camps to meet and look at issues facing Bible Camping in Canada. It's always a great opportunity to get together and discuss important topics, but also to fellowship with other camp folks and learn together. This year the conference was held in Guelph, Ontario.

Always great to hang out with these guys. 

Some camp dudes from the "Far East" 

Enjoyed some entertainment too!

Parkers Cove Baptist Church

We have been blessed to be able to take part in the Parkers Cove Baptist Church Mission Conference. It was an even greater blessing to be able to be present there with the Hubick family as they shared of their ministry as well. It was a blessing to share about our ministry and open the Word with folks on Sunday morning.

The Hubicks ministered in song! 

Kyle shared about his internship with us at Arrowhead.

Circle Summit 2017

This years Circle Summit was a fantastic conference; loaded with great fellowship and excellent teaching. If you missed it, you missed a wonderful time. We enjoyed sessions dealing with "Hurdles" that can exist in cross-cultural ministry.

At Arrowhead it is our hearts desire to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly and fully proclaimed to the First Nations people of Atlantic Canada. In the book of Matthew the great commission was given to the local church, as Christians we have a burning desire to see the gospel communicated and to see people come to repentance and faith in the God of all creation. There are so many things that can complicate the effective communication of God’s Truth, that it is not only worth our while; but an exercise in obedience to examine just how we can ensure that when we proclaim the gospel, that it is being understood clearly.

It is our desire for the Circle Summit is that it will give us an opportunity to examine just what is involved in obeying the great commission in a cross cultural setting, and doing so in a way that is as glorifying to God as it is effective.

We were joined by a number of speakers who walked with us through some vital discussions, and challenged us to consider just how we might be most effective and faithful to the Great Commission, locally; cross-culturally!

If you missed the conference - all of the sessions are available online at no charge. Simply visit this link:

https://vimeo.com/album/4791986

Here was our line-up for the conference:

• “easy believeism and it’s impact on cross-cultural missions” with Steve Mollins
• personal narrative: a time of testimony with Venus Cot
• “the impact of social ills on gospel ministry” with Martin & Sue Bear
• “colliding cultural value frameworks” with Mark Dana
• “the impact of syncretism on the gospel” with Jason Boucher
• “the impact of ethno-centricity and prejudice on gospel transmission” special guest panel
• personal narrative: a time of testimony with Chester Dana
• “fatherlessness” with Frank Ward
• “the balance of orthodoxy and orthopraxy in mission” special guest panel
• personal narrative: spiritual warfare with Phil Welch
• personal narrative: practical experience in cultural collision with Carroll Hill

Calvary Baptist Church Missions Fellowship

One of the aspects of our ministry is connecting with and giving ministry updates to Church and mission groups. We do so on behalf of Arrowhead as well as ourselves. It is always a blessing to be with the folks at Calvary Baptist Church in Miramichi. This particular visit Kyle had an opportunity to share about the ministry he is involved in at Arrowhead as well.

North Broadway Baptist Church Mission Conference

Kyle and I made our first road trip together to Tilsonburg, Ontario. Arrowhead was invited to come to the missions conference at North Broadway Baptist Church and share about ministry among the First Nations people of Canada.

It was an immense blessing to be with the folks at the church and enjoy their enthusiasm for Gospel Mission. We look forward to ministering together with them in the future.

Sorry for the blurry picture, here's a quickly taken shot of Kyle chatting at our table during the conference.

Our return trip allowed us to connect with Marcus & Kameron Cook, who followed us back to NB for the Circle Summit. 

An Intern at Arrowhead

We are very pleased to announce that Kyle Hubick has been accepted as a one year intern at Arrowhead Native Bible Center. Kyle will work with me (Grant) directly and be involved in every area of our ministry; administration, maintenance, planning, facilitating and operating our summer camp programs, conferences and social media. In addition to being exposed to all of the administration and function of the ministries at Arrowhead he will be assigned a number of books and a cross-cultural communications course as a part of his internship. Kyle will also be responsible to assist with a kids club and teen discipleship program at St. Mary's First Nation.

We are so excited to have Kyle moving here to work with us for this year. We would ask that you pray for Kyle as he prepares to come and after he arrives. Kyle will be living in "The Nest" cabin right here at Arrowhead, but he will need to raise $1200 a month of support to cover his expenses (ministry travel, accommodations, food etc.). Would you consider committing to support Kyle for a year as he serves at Arrowhead? Will you pray for the ministries here at Arrowhead and for Kyle as he interns?

ANBC Summer Camps 2017

Our summer camps are a huge part of the ministry at Arrowhead — and we love every minute. This year was no exception, there were blessings and trials, challenges and triumphs. God was at work and we laboured to encourage the staff to be submitted fully to serving the Lord!!

Thank you for your continued support in prayer and finances. Without your faithfulness we would be unable to continue to serve the Lord here at Arrowhead.

Staff Training
Every year we build into our volunteers by striving to equip and enable them for ministry—most importantly we draw our attention to the centrality of Christ to both our message and our labours.

We were blessed this year to have Marsha Boyd-Mitchel join us from the Christian Action Federation to speak to our staff.

Teen Camp 
Kirk Hubick joined us this year for our teen camp and walked through the Gospel clearly and steadily with our campers.
 

Junior Camps
Our junior camp serve ages 8-12, it is always amazing to see the Lord work in the lives of both our camper sand volunteers. Our programs are designed to involve all of our staff in the teaching and discipleship. It is a wonderful opportunity to speak the message of the gospel into the lives of young people.

Nova Scotia Camp Out
Typically we like to offer 2 different out trips, this year due to the NCEM general conference we wer eunable to offer two, but offered an extended trip to lower Nova Scotia. The discipleship and ministry that happens naturally as we enjoy the week together is beyond measure. We've seen the Lord do some amazing things on these trips.