A Gospel opportunity..

I had an opportunity last week to travel with the youth group from our church to a youth event in Fredericton hosted by Devon Park Baptist Church. Micah Hiltz, the youth pastor at Devon Park, hosted the event and asked if I would come out and share the gospel with the teens. We had a large group from our church in Cumberland Bay, taking 23 teens to the Amped event was a wonderful opportunity for our youth leaders and pastor.

To be honest it made me pretty nervous to consider it. I've become accustomed to speaking to groups of people over the past several years; but the opportunity to share the gospel with a group of teens, many of whom would likely not know the Lord as their personal Savior, impressed a heavy burden on me. The burden to handle well the gospel, and present it in a clear and comprehensive way. A lot of prayer went into the evening, and I was humbled and pleased to be able to speak to the teens.

Work Week 2013... demo day!

Today was another fantastic day at ANBC. Our friends from Victory Baptist church were joined by a new friend from Devon Park Baptist Church here in Fredericton; Brian has been helping with the Speakers Cabin renovation.

Todd Hill joined us today to wire the tuck shop for that renovation and Todd Nielsen began work on the "coupla", a belfry to house our big brass camp bell!

We were joined tonight by NCEM General Director Albert Heal and his wife Barb as well as Len & Lorrayne Breen our Eastern Field Directors! The lodge is beginning to fill up! It's always exciting at ANBC during work week!

Cindy & Julie getting ready to tackle the speakers cabin!

Todd Nielsen is building us a belfry for our big brass camp bell!

The "coupla" is going to be pretty snazzy!

Our speakers cabin will be a housekeeping unit, Paul and Dave were busy with demo today.

Inside, outside!

 After beginning to work in the speakers cabin it became evident that there had been rodents living in the wall at some point in the past. So the renovation became much more comprehensive... but it's going to look amazing when they're all done.

Resident electrical wizard... Todd Hill!

Zack working on getting the big brass bell all shined up!

 Eve & Liz making the magic happen in the kitchen... keeping everyone all fed up!

So happy to have Brian join us from Devon Park Baptist.

We're certainly putting the ANBC truck through it's paces this week!

Camps, Concerts & Churches

This past weekend had us serving and ministering in various capacities across the province. It's nice to be getting into the swing of speaking engagements again, and we've hit the road running.

On Saturday morning I had the privilege of sharing in ministry with Todd & Zack Nielsen at the Hampton Bible Camp men's breakfast. Hampton Bible Camp is a CSSM ministry, of which my good friend Ben Lawson is the director. He asked that I come and give a presentation about Arrowhead and share from the word with the men at the breakfast. Initially I felt quite awkward about the prospect of talking about Arrowhead at a CSSM camp. But Ben reminded me that we are not competing with one another, we are co-labourers for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been a great encouragement to find that so many of the local Bible Camp directors have this attitude. Along with Hampton Bible Camp, Sandy Cove Bible Camp (CSSM) and Green Hill Lake Bible Camp (Convention of Atlantic Baptists) have both been generous with both resources, advice and fellowship. It was additionally a blessing to be able to share in ministry with Todd & Zack Nielsen. As they strive to raise financial and prayer support, it is fun to be able to minister together.

It was a blessing to have the opportunity to share some thoughts from The Word.

Todd & Zack bringing some "Hoe-Down" music. If you want to know what Hoe Down is all about, you'll have to come out and hear them sing this Spring.

On Saturday evening Liz and I were blessed to attend the Rising Above Fundraiser Concert at Sunset Church in Fredericton. Among performers were Howard Jolly and Richard Paul, the evening was filled with talented musicians sharing in music. It was a blessing to hear hymns sung in Mik'maq. The evening was a success and a wonderful opportunity for fellowship.

Howard Jolly and Richard Paul, along with his band, collaborated for some fantastic songs of praise.

On Sunday evening we had the privilege of sharing an Arrowhead update at Devon Park Baptist Church. The Nielsen Family 5 brought ministry in music and had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share a bit of how the Lord brought them to be candidate missionaries with NCEM.

The Nielsen Family 5 at Devon Park Baptist Church

This week finds us digging out from under another snow storm, as we work to prepare for the ANBC Spring Work Week and then the Men's Retreat. There are exciting things happening, stay tuned, and maybe even come out and join us in ministry.

ANBC Volunteer Training 2012

It was a full weekend! It was an excellent weekend. We began on Friday afternoon as the volunteers for the upcoming summer camps began to arrive. There is something wonderful about the camp filling with friends and family all reuniting and enjoying one another's company. There were more than 70 of us here for the weekend, it was encouraging to have so many turn out for the training.

We began Friday evening at about 8pm with seminars 1 and 2. This weekend we challenged Worldviews with God's Word and talked about the many important aspects of ministry. We held 8 more seminars throughout the day on Saturday, covering such topics as hermeneutics, cross cultural communication, co-dependency, camp schedules and programs, evangelism issues, cabin devotions, camp music and games. There was lots of time for fellowship and fun as well, with games and swimming. And we even had some fireworks to celebrate the Canada Day weekend. After fellowship and worship with our friends at Cumberland Bay Baptist church, we concluded on Sunday afternoon with camp rules and expectations.

It was a blessing and encouragement to have everyone together for the weekend. There was a good spirit of unity as we looked into God's Word and focused ourselves on the task at hand. We are so very thankful for the provision of the Lord and the willing hearts of those committed to coming and serving with us in ministry together throughout this summer.

 

We were once again blessed by Devon Park Baptist Church with their gifts of cereal and other necessities for our summer camps!

 

And the kind generosity of the folks at Jacksontown Baptist Church as they donated to our pantry for our summer camps.

 

Learning some of the music for the upcoming summer camps.

 

Trying out some summer camp challenges.

These young ladies visited the craft cabin and made some jewellery to sell to raise money for Arrowhead's new dock.

We were blessed by wonderful meals, faithfully prepared by the ladies in the kitchen.

It wasn't all classroom time this weekend - there was opportunity for a swim on Saturday afternoon.

a week of opportunity!

While Liz and I were at NCEM's general conference this year, I was approached by Brian Kent about a ministry opportunity this fall. He asked if I would be willing to travel with a group of missionaries for a week as a part of a co-operative to promote cross-cultural missions in New Brunswick.

This "World of Opportunities" tour began for me last Saturday morning, when I had the opportunity to meet the team I would be traveling with. We met in Moncton to discuss our game plan and work on scheduling and program. Our team this year was comprised of; Jessica Dempster and Sarah Barnes, mobilizers for Wycliffe; Merla Gogel, mobilizer with SEND; Brian Seeley, with HCJB Global; Rob Flannigan with OMF; Leah Vanderlaan mobilizer for Avant; and myself representing NCEM.

Each venue that we engaged in was different and as such, we tailored our program to suit the audience. Our first stop was at the Journey Church, a Convention Baptist Church in Moncton. We took part in their youth group events for the evening.

Brian Seeley and myself following our first event.

Jessica Dempster and Leah Vanderlaan enjoying some Chai Tea, as a part of our sample table of world foods.

We had some good opportunities to engage with some of the youth and youth leaders.

On Monday morning we met at Moncton Wesleyan to take part in chapel time and a morning class at Moncton Christian Academy. I took part in this venue by sharing my testimony - at each location we each took part in various ways, sharing responsibilities and opportunities for exposure.

Merla, illustrating co-operation with her Japanese marriage coat.

Following our time at Moncton Christian Academy we met at a local café for another planning meeting.

Monday night we met in the residence at Crandall University. We hosted a pizza event and were able to take part in their weekly Rez Worship. I was especially encouraged to be able to take part in their time of worship together - it was a blessing to be there.

Tuesday morning the team converged on Bethany Bible College, some of us remained there to be introduced during chapel. The others from our team traveled to St. Stephen to interact with students at St. Stephen's University. At Bethany, we made ourselves available for the afternoon in the student lounge, serving international foods and teas. The team reassembled in the evening in a classroom at Bethany for an evening of fellowship over pizza, round table discussion and time of prayer with students. It was a great opportunity to hear from the students and address some of the specific concerns.

Tuesday night the team stayed with us at ANBC.

On Wednesday morning we were at Devon Park Christian School. We took part in three classroom sessions with the high school students and were asked to take the two chapel times for both elementary and high school.

Here Sarah is illustrating the vast array of opportunities in missions and the importance of having Christian people step up to the field to assist in whatever way God has gifted.

Wednesday evening our team of missionaries shared opportunities at Devon Park Baptist Church. Merla and Jessica were a part of the Awana program, Rob and Brian took prayer meeting - Leah, Sarah and I were a part of the Merge youth group.

Thursday morning we were at New Brunswick Bible Institute. We were asked to take part in two classes and the chapel time. The team asked if I would share during the chapel time - so I took the opportunity to share our story of how God called us into ministry! In the evening we held dorm meetings with the respective guys and gals dorms. I think among the fellas there was a consensus that this was an invaluable opportunity to engage with the young men and answer some of their questions about missions, call, cross-culture etc.

Leah and Sarah at the N.B.B.I. chapel.

During our time at N.B.B.I. we had the opportunity to share with small groups in each class.

The classes broke into six small groups and those of us on the team moved around the room for 5 minute sessions with each group.

Although I was uncertain just what to expect this week, and I was skeptical about the value and outcome of such a missions tour. This was such an encouraging and valuable opportunity to engage with students and young people and hopefully inspire them to the call to missions. Our team bonded very quickly and I think we worked well together to our common purpose.

Please pray for the many contacts that were made this week, and that the Lord would work in the hearts of those touched by a call to ministry. Pray also, for each of the missionaries that I had the privilege to meet and work with this week. That their ministries would be fruitful and the Lord would keep them safe in their travels!

Liz and I will continue to travel for the next several months as we work on both our own deputation and promotion for Arrowhead! We look forward to connecting with many of you over the coming months!

On the Road

This past weekend, both Kevin and Marcia, Liz and I were on the road. The Strouts were asked to give an Arrowhead update at Devon park Baptist Church in Fredericton. This past Sunday was their camp Sunday and church members brought in cereal and kitchen items for the various camps represented. This week Rob Burns, pastor of families brought the generous gifts to us here at ANBC.

Gifts like these are such a wonderful blessing to the ministries at Arrowhead.

While the Strouts were at Devon Park, Liz and I visited Nasonworth Baptist Church, just north of Fredericton for their camp Sunday. It was so encouraging to be able to share and then to fellowship with the directors of some of the other Bible camps in our area. Dennis MacQuarrie and his family were representing Sandy Cove Bible Camp, a CSSM ministry. And Steve Alward was representing Greenhill Lake Bible Camp. It's during these brief opportunites for our paths to cross that we can share ideas and burdens with one another! The church held a pot luck following the service and we very much enjoyed fellowship with everyone.

This week we've been busily preparing for the summer; connecting with our staff and campers, doing maintenance and Spring clean-up. We are expecting two NBBI students to join us in just a couple of weeks. They will assist with a lot of the physical jobs that need to be done before everyone else arrives.

It's a busy time, please keep us in prayer as we seek to accomplish everything so that the summer camps may be as effective as possible for the Glory of God!

AMPED Camp Night

Last Saturday night, Kevin and I were invited to Devon Park Baptist Church in Fredericton for their monthly youth rally. The theme of the night was Summer Camp Ministry, and we were pleased to share about the ministry at Arrowhead with potential campers and staff. We shared the evening with five other Bible camps and very much enjoyed reconnecting with some other Bible camp directors from the area.

This coming Friday, Kevin and I are on the road again. This time we're heading to Halifax for Missions Fest. "Jesus to the Nations" is the Atlantic Canadian Missions Conference and we have been asked to represent NCEM at this year's conference. Kevin and I will be there with Phil & Gracie Welch from Friday until Sunday afternoon. If you're in the area drop in and say hi.