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(Comments from John Kapteyn on his recent western Canada visit)
It was my first visit as Executive Secretary and I did not know what to expect.
I soon discovered that I was being blessed by the dedicated and hospitable
brothers and sisters in Christ whom I met, ate with, prayed with and stayed
with. I was most blessed by meeting God everywhere I went. I met God in the
people and the ministries that clearly displayed His presence.
Pastors David, Jeremiah and Brent welcomed me to the Richmond Fujian church, It
was clear they were a unified team with a desire to use their spacious
facilities to enable a growing church family to deepen their faith in our Lord!
They are eager to take advantage of the great opportunity which God has placed
before the them to build up His kingdom.
I watched a consistory display love in action as Pastor John Manlove and his
team met in a home to share what God was doing, to encourage others in ministry
and to pray for one another. It was my first experience with a consistory
consisting of couples and I was impressed with the god-like manner in which
business was carried out. I learned how the children of the church sent 400
chickens to the poor in Africa.
I was welcomed by at a BC Classis meeting that focused more on worship, ministry
and workshops than on business. Everyone rejoiced together as churches reported
how God was blessing their ministries.
Meeting with Pastor Jack and the Parksville consistory over lunch, I heard how
they were ministering to the elderly (the lonely) in the community with weekly
meals, a monthly Prime Time event, and other activities. I heard how they
provided Christmas dinner on Christmas day to 37 older persons who would
otherwise have spent the day alone. This indeed was Christ coming into the
world.
Pastor
Bill and the leadership of Port Alberni shared
how they appreciated the love and acceptance they experienced in the fellowship. The church has two teams
looking at a vision for the church and at potential facilities.
Pastor Les and his team in Lantzville showed me their beautiful facilities and
shared how members were bringing their grandchildren to church and how this was
also attracting the children’s parents to join them in worship. The children are
given tasks to do such as handing out bulletins. Summer services are sometimes
held outdoors.
Pastor Jason gave me a tour of Powell River and showed me their “Front Line”
ministry location in the downtown area. It’s a bridge to the community, a place
for all to drop in, share their music or other talents, and hang out. The
consistory discussed the 20/20 Visioning process they were beginning and I was
impressed with their well-kept, fresh sanctuary and facilities. I met with our
President, Laurie and her husband, Mike, with a spectacular view of the island
from their window.

I was blessed to sit with Pastor John and the leadership team in Monarch - a
church that will celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2009. They shared some of
their struggles and showed me the beautiful anniversary books they were
assembling (a work of art!). They have a good, active youth group and are
reaching out in the community in a number of ways - shining forth the love and
truth of our Lord!
The CP Classis meeting was a time of worship, teaching and reporting what God
was doing in their churches.
In Calgary, Pastor Bart and the consistory
shared its joys - the mission focus
of many of the members and a new Saturday night ministry. The fellowship in
Sunday’s worship was warm and welcoming.
After 11 days on the road, I arrived home at
1:00 a.m. on a Monday morning, tired but
blessed.
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