The Free Methodist Church in CanadaJune 2004 - Volume 1 Issue 5

Reflecting the diversity of ministry expression withinthe Free Methodist family

“It's not about you." These are the opening wordsof Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life.Reading through this devotional book is just

one aspect of the 40 Days of Purpose. The Sunday messagelinked together with small group studies, the memoryverse of the week, and a few special events form thespiritual journey which the Harrowsmith Free MethodistChurch embarked on this past winter.

When asked, "why 40 Days?" Rick Warrenpoints out that "Whenever God wanted to preparesomeone for His purposes, He took 40 days: Noah's lifewas transformed by 40 days of rain. Moses wastransformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai. The spies weretransformed by 40 days in the Promised Land. David wastransformed by Goliath's 40-Day challenge. Elijah wastransformed when God gave him 40 days of strengthfrom a single meal. The entire city ofNineveh was transformed when Godgave the people 40 days to change.Jesus was empowered by 40 days inthe wilderness. The disciples weretransformed by 40 days with Jesusafter the resurrection."

So how did these 40 daystransform lives in Harrowsmith?Well as we studied the five purposesof Worship, Fellowship,Discipleship, Ministry andEvangelism we saw the followingimpact on people's lives. TheSaturday night launch saw over 170people out. Eight people weretransformed by committing orrecommitting their lives to Christ; 4individuals were baptised; 150committed to participate in a smallgroup, the like of which we've neverseen. Many took seriously thechallenge to memorize the fivescripture verses, including some 7-9year olds who can quote them allword for word.

One young man wasimpacted by the verse in 1 Peter 4:10which reads: "Each one should usewhatever gift he has received to serve

others." He is a gifted climber, and currently is working ata local climbing gym. God has given him the vision ofclimbing the height of Mount Everest (over 29000 feet)as a fundraiser for our building program, with a goal toraise $29,000. This event is to take place this summer.After being formally announced, over $4900 was pledgedto this endeavour following the Sunday service. Therewas overwhelming participation at the Expand YourHorizons Ministry/Missions Fair, from ministries insidethe church and many of our local and regional contacts.A few of the highlights of this event saw people beginnew ministry, eight children were sponsored throughI.C.C.M and new mission opportunities have risen outof this.

The story of changed lives continues. Shortlyfollowing the completion of the campaign, 13 children(grades 5 &6) committed their lives to the Lord, 6-7

additional people have indicated adesire to be baptised and 10individuals have communicated adesire to enter into membership.Most of the small groups plan tocontinue on and new ones arestarting.

Listen to these "40 Days of PurposeStories."

"God showed me that worship isnot only about Sunday mornings,but about living my life for Godevery day and in everything. Even inthe small and seemingly insignificantthings I can worship God."

"As a very new Christian I havecome to a deeper understanding ofwhat it means to live the Christianlife. Like never before, my husbandand I have, every evening, set asidetime for our readings. This time hasclearly brought strength to ourmarriage, our family and ourrelationship with the Lord. Muchgratitude and praise!"

"God is encouraging me to growin my walk with Him and to bepatient when trying to figure out my

JOURNEYING TOGETHER TO DISCOVER OUR PURPOSE by Will Keller

continued on page 2 - Journeying

COVERJOURNEYING TOGETHER TO DISCOVER OUR PURPOSEby Rev. Will Keller

PAGE 2Editor’s Desk

Church Development News

PAGE 3

Focus on FruitfulnessBy Bishop Keith Elford

General Conference UpdateBy Conference Coordinator,Tanya Prinsep

PAGE 4Passages

Another Day in Paradiseby Rev. Jonathan Namsoo

PAGE 5A Typical Day at the Officeby Rev. Michael Allen

PAGE 67 Core Values Demonstrated at SpringaramaMary Stewart

Asbury "Keenagers" at Perth Free Methodist Churchby Ruth Ferris

PAGE 7The Simon Walkby Rev. Jason Johnson

PAGE 8

You Keep Coming BackBy Rev. Dan Sheffield

Buddhist nationalists in Sri Lanka stepup violence against churchesBy Manpreet Singh

MOSAIC4315 Village Centre CourtMississauga, Ontario L4Z 1S2Tel: 905-848-2600Fax: 905-848-2603www.fmc-canada.org

For submissions:howdenl@fmc-canada.org

Dan Sheffield, Editor-in-ChiefLisa Howden, Managing Editor andProduction

Mailed under Publication agreement #40008369.

Return postage guaranteed.

EDITOR’SDESK

Let’s all take a lesson from MadeleineMy brother-in-law is away at theOntario Police College in Aylmer,fulfilling his life-long dream ofbecoming a police constable. And sowhen I offered to come and stay withDeborah, my pregnant sister, and help

with her 10-month-old she jumped at the offer.I have been spending quite a bit of time with

Madeleine, my niece. My day starts anywhere between6:00 and 6:30 am. As I climb the stairs to her room Ican hear her singing - she always wakes up happy.After a quick change, together we move down to thekitchen where I warm up her bottle. She's quite contentto be cuddled and chatter until it's ready. Next - downto the family room where she finishes her bottle at analarming rate, followed by some play time before hermom wakes up. The same pattern plays itself out everymorning (there is also a nightly routine, but I won't boreyou with the details.)

She's got quite a life! Parents who love her, a greatfamily support system, enough food to eat, more toysthan she knows what to do with, and the list goes onand on . . .

I've been thinking about the similarities of our ownChristian journey and Madeleine's young life. We havea Father whose love for us is so great we can't fullycomprehend it. A giant support system called the Bodyof Christ, a God who has covenanted with us and willprovide for all of our needs. So why does my life seemso complicated compared to Madeleine's? I think it's atrust issue. I've learned that I can do things on my own -and so it requires a conscious effort to trust God with mylife. Madeleine has no choice but to trust. She truststhat I'll come into her room tomorrow and the day willbegin. She has not yet learned to be disappointed orworry about decisions she's made.

I'm making a clear choice starting today touncomplicate my life and return control to my Father.When I'm tempted to do things my own way, I'm goingto remind myself of my trusting niece and her anxietyfree life. Hmmm, simply a child of God . . . has a nicering to it, doesn't it?

Lisa HowdenManaging Editor

SOMEONE WAS ASKING ABOUT CHURCH GROWTH - JUST THE FACTS PLEASE!Q. Are we getting anywhere? Since 1998, we closed 13 churches.A. Regrettably, this is true, however we've added 31 new congregations in the same time

bringing our 2003 total to 150!

Q. What about our response to the multicultural realities of Canada? Canada is a country ofmany languages!

A. On a given Sunday morning, Canadian Free Methodists worship in 13 differentlanguages - English, French, Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Urdu, Tamil,Amharic, Spanish, Portuguese, Assyrian, Creole.

Q. How many Church Development projects are on the go just now?A. If we think of churches like babies, the family is growing. Altogether there are 64

projects in process just now. Every project begins with people praying about an IDEA(There are 34 of these that we know about). There are 7 that are FORMINGLEADERSHIP CORES just now, 6 ALTERNATE congregations functioning and 17in the CHURCH PLANT or AFFILIATING CONGREGATION category. In time,we think that the picture in the following chart will change drastically as the Lord addsto the church those who are being saved………..

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003Attendance 10,329 10,690 10,929 11,240 11,827 12,374 12,792 13,267 12,914Membership 6,683 6,519 6,382 6,695 6,745 6,692 7,138 7,502 7,603Commitments 561 816 975 1,267 1,304 1,613 1,838 1,294 1,136# of Congregations 128 127 129 130 131 127 130 142 150

Q. What are the biggest challenges?A. Helping established congregations to catch the vision of what God is doing. When the

vision to see a healthy congregation planted within the reach of all people really catchesfire, the prayer support and the financial commitment to Church Development will beawesome!

Q. Who could give me a list of projects to pray for and support?A. Email Bishop Keith at: elfordk@fmc-canada.org He has a list ready to come your way!

future.""I'm so glad to be part of the college

and careers. It has been great for mebecause it has given me an opportunity toserve God and to grow at the same time.As a group we have grown deeper withGod and gone deeper in the Word then Icould ever imagine. We now have a greatnetwork of support. It goes from Torontoto Ottawa. It keeps us all encouraged nomatter where we are. Personally God hasblessed me with a lot of new friendshipsthat I will have for life. The mostimportant thing is that I feel closer to

God now than ever before, and for that I am truly blessed.""He's (God) bringing us closer together as a body of

believers, me personally I have begun to see that serving Christisn't boring, but an exciting thing."

"There has been an increased openness in our group -sharing personal stories of people who didn't know each othervery well. God is opening up new areas for me in my walk -working with different people and helping me to see their needsand be more concerned about their salvation."

During the planning stages of the campaign I was led toannounce to the leadership team that I believe that God wouldimpact 400 lives. I believe this vision continues to be realized.Some of the stories are still to be told.

Rev. Will Keller is Senior Pastor at Harrowsmith FMC in Ontario

“The most

important thing is

that I feel closer

to God now than

ever before, and

for that I am truly

blessed.

M O S A I C 2

Q. Is God still calling people into the ministryin the FMCiC?

A. Yes. And the momentum is increasing.In 2003, there were 27 candidatesinterviewed. Already, there are 54scheduled for 2004. Ask Alan Retzmanretzmana@fmc-canada.org for thenames of candidates to pray for.

Q. How many Ministerial Candidates areplanning on being ordained?

A. The FMCiC has 52 Ministerial

Candidates. 45 of these are tracking forordination!

Q. What are these Ministerial Candidatesdoing now?

A. 37 of them are already appointed tochurches where they minister week byweek while being involved in part timestudies. 16 of them are pastoringchurches.

Q. What's going on in Sri Lanka?A. A brand new Free Methodist Mission

District is going to be formed in SriLanka this summer. A team is going inAugust to receive 8 congregations asFM fellowships and ordain (or transfercredentials of ) 9 pastors. Theconnection? This has come about as aresult of Tamil churches being plantedin Canada.

Q. What's going on in Niamey, Niger?A. Following an exploratory trip to French

Muslim West Africa last year by DanSheffield and Greg Langille, David andJennifer Wright have volunteered for atwo-year assignment in Niamey. TheWrights and their two young childrenwill be involved in leadershipdevelopment while assessing thepossibility of initiating FM ministry inNiger.

Q. What's going on in Hyderabad, India?A. A coalition of Canadian FM churches

led by the Sarnia FMC has formed apartnership with Indian Free Methodistchurch-planters in this city of 6 million.The partnership serves to encourageand pray for the church-planting team,to help with specific training goals andto help finance the establishment of aministry centre.

Q. What's going on in Mogadishu, Somalia?A. The Kingsview FMC in Toronto,

following an exploratory visit toMogadishu in 2003, is seeking to raisefunds to help drill a well for a hospitaldevelopment project. This opportunityresulted from Kingsview's outreach tothe Somali refugee community in theirneighbourhood.

The percentage of evangelicals in each ofthese Gateway Cities is less than 3%.

Dan Sheffield at sheffieldd@fmc-canada.orgcan give you more information on these andother Global Ministry projects.

SOMEONE WAS ASKING ABOUT NEW MINISTRIESBEYOND CANADA - JUST THE FACTS PLEASE!

SOMEONE WAS ASKING ABOUT MINISTERSFOR THE FUTURE - JUST THE FACTS PLEASE!

continued from cover . . . Journeying

In the last issue of the Mosaic we introduced the Study Teamsthat had been approved by the Board of Administration. It is aprivilege to now introduce those individuals who will be servingon those Study Teams. The Board of Administration approved inApril the following Study Team Members.

The Find Study Team will be led by Rev. Howard Olver and

will consist of the following members: Raymond Biggs, Rev. Ed daSilva, Sargon Davoodi, Jim Dunford, Rev. Wade Fitzpatrick, Rev.Doug Griffin, David Ho, David Kneeshaw, Rev. RandyMacDonald, Grant Sigsworth, Lois Tomc, Pastor Scott WoolheadThe Mature Study Team will be led by Pastor Jennifer Andersonand will consist of the following members: Rev. Sabrina D'Rozario,Rev. Rick Hancock, Rev. Gary Landers, Pastor Jan MacPhail, Rev.Bob Munshaw, Corey Peters, Rev. Robert Quick, Jeff Stafford,Pastor Jennifer Wagar

The Celebrate Study Team will be led by Heather Suttonand will consist of the following members: Rev.Dean Babcock,Rev. Jacki Barbour, Pastor Jordon Cooper, Pastor Rusty Crozier,Carol McDowell, Cameron Montgomery, Jeffrey Robinson, Rev.Glen Snider.

These teams are about to embark on a study that willreport directly to the General Conference. Everyone isinvited to prayerfully submit their ideas and input to theseStudy Teams for their consideration. We would also ask thatyou keep these teams in your prayers as they work togetherto seek God's direction.

General Conference 2005 Update

By Bishop Keith Elford

3 M O S A I C

Idon't know about you, but I learn best when I can get a picture ofsomething. For example, when I want to "get it" as far as the bigrealities about the church are concerned, I think that Jesus' picture of

the farmer in his vineyard, found in John 15, is one of the best. It portraysthe church as a living organism confronted with some of the samechallenges that all living things encounter. In my imagination, I see thisestate owner carefully working his way through his vineyard, selectivelypruning branches so that the vine and its branches have the health toproduce a bountiful crop.

Granted, any English major will not get past the first verse withoutpointing out the mixed metaphors and wondering out loud when Jesus

says that he is the Vine (a plant) and yet has thegardener as his father! Jesus is both Son and Vine?Yes. That's the Christmas story in a sentence. Theeternal Son laid aside his divine glory and becameone with His creation. The father owns thevineyard. The Son is the vine. I get this picture'smessage. The Church belongs to God and all thatbegins, exists and flourishes is because of Him andus abiding in Him.

But what about this pruning business? Thevine dresser prunes the sucker branches that havelots of leaves but no fruit, AND he also prunes thefruit-bearing branches to make them morefruitful. I "get it." There will always be life-draining, energy burning activities to prune out ofthe life of the Church. In other words, there willalways be things to "stop doing." They are notfruitful; they drain life!

Hmm. I wonder what ministry activities inour lives might fall in this category.

Jesus also says that if the word (or message)he has spoken is embraced, it will result in ourhaving pruned back (clean) lives. So, it's not justlife draining stuff that has to go. Being a

wholesome follower of Jesus calls us to a holy disciplined life of abiding inHim.

Hmm. I wonder what it means for busy twenty-first century, fruitful,Christ followers to live a "pruned back" life.

Jesus' picture makes it clear that both the vine and the gardener arepassionate about the vineyard becoming even more fruitful. This year'scrop is to be surpassed by next year's yield. In fact, fruitfulness is the wholepoint of the vineyard…not perfectly straight rows, nor nice big leaves, nor

thoroughly tilled and re-tilled soil. The passion ofthe vine and the farmer is fruit!

So, what is fruit in the kingdom of God? Myperspective is that the fruit that the Lord of thevineyard is looking for is clusters of wholesome,engaged disciples who are themselves continuingto be transformed into Christ-likeness while at thesame time working together with an outwardfocus to reproduce healthy communities of faith.That's a long sentence, but there are severaldimensions that must be kept linked. What doyou think he is getting at?

Have you read Jim Collin's book, "Good toGreat?" He opens the fifth chapter with thequestion, "Are you a hedgehog or a fox?" Hereferences an ancient Greek parable that suggestedthat people can be divided into two basic groups:foxes and hedgehogs. He explains, "Foxes pursuemany ends at the same time and see the world in all its complexity. Theyare scattered or diffused, moving on many levels, but never integratingtheir thinking into one overall concept or unifying vision. Hedgehogs, onthe other hand, simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, abasic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything. In otherwords, hedgehogs understand that the essence of profound insight issimplicity and focus." That's a picture that I can get.

In our recent Board of Administration meetings, we talked togetherabout these concepts. Applying the picture of the vineyard (with its passionfor fruitfulness) and the principle of the hedgehog (with its insistence onfocus), we had an engaging discussion about what the Lord has in mind inorder for the FMCIC to be a great ministry. At the end of several hours ofdiscussion in small groups and as a whole, it became clear that a greatdenomination must be the kind of movement that focuses on establishinggreat local churches where people are being transformed by the Holy Spiritand assimilated into a rich community of faith that sees the transformationof people, marriages, families and communities as its reason for existence.

In other places of this edition of the Mosaic, you will read about fruitthat is appearing - exciting developments in the planting of new churchesin Canada, negotiations about the formation of a new mission district inSri Lanka, and the passion of our National Ministerial Education,Guidance and Placement Committee to raise up healthy leaders who arefocused on abiding in Christ and being fruitful.

The vineyard, the vine, the vine dresser, the hedgehog. I get thepictures! Focus on fruitfulness!

“Hmm. I wonder

what it means

for busy twenty-

first century,

fruitful, Christ

followers to live

a “pruned

back” life

Tanya PrinsepGeneral Conference Coordinator

?

Passages

The phone rang again.

"Please God," I prayed desperately. "Give me a break from this phone so I can get to the Units!"I sighed and picked up the receiver. "Chaplaincy department. Jonathan speaking."

"Hi … Jonathan?"

"Yes," I said calmly but impatiently. The man's voice sounded very familiar, but I couldn'tmatch voice to face yet.

"Hi, this is Tim. I don't know if you remember me, but…"

"Yes, of course I remember you, Tim! How are you?" Images of this young man flooded mymind and I smiled as a new excitement filled me.

"I'm doing well. I just thought I would call you and tell you that you were on my mind a lottoday and I was praying for you."

"Thank you. It's been one of those weeks, so I appreciate the prayers. What's happening withyou?"

"Well, I was acquitted on all my charges in September, and was released from court. I have a jobat a restaurant. And I found a church, and I've been going every week. The job doesn't paymuch, but it's enough to support my daughter and me."

"That's great! How are you getting along with your family?"

"My folks can't believe the change in my life! I've never seen them happier!"

"Amazing! That is so God, isn't it?"

"You know it, man! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I'm doing well, and wanted tosay thanks for helping me to find God for real."

"Thanks for calling, Tim. Can I pray for you before you go?"

As we prayed, I felt a deep joy as I remembered Tim's new life and growth in Christ. I remembered the Chapel service where he asked if God would still forgive and accept him.I remembered our discussions: his tears of sorrow and shame as he came to God a brokenman, and his tears of joy and smiles of hope as God began to put him back together.

I remembered his quiet request for me to come over to his cell as I wasdistributing Christmas gift bags in his Unit in 2002. He wanted to show me howhe had taken up the challenge to form a "cell group" on the Unit so that otherChristian inmates wouldn't feel alone in their faith. With pride and humility,he told me that seven of them gathered faithfully every day to read the Bibleand pray for each other, and that two Muslims on the Unit had asked tojoin their prayer group.

I remembered one of our last sessions before his trial,when he stated his determination to hold onto God,even if he was convicted and got the maximum timefor his charges.I remembered the last time I saw him:the confidence in his eyes, the peace on his face, andhis characteristic smile and nod as he passed meone afternoon on his way to the court cells.

After we hung up, I cried and thanked Godthat, this day, Tim shared a glimpse of Paradisewith me. And my heart smiled.

ANOTHERDAY

JO QBSBEJTF

Rev. Jonathan Namsoo is the Chaplain at the Toronto West Detention Centre, a 600 bed maximum-security facility for adult male offenders.

M O S A I C 4

AppointmentsJennifer Wagar, Youth Pastor (Supply)April 8, 2004Verona FMC, Verona, ON

Diane Clifford, Pastor (Supply)April 12, 2004Church of the Holy Spirit, Fort Frances, ON

Brad Hamm, Ministry Pastor (Supply)May 20, 2004Lakeview FMC, Saskatoon, SK

Kelly Graham, Assistant Pastor - Teaching (supply)May 25, 2004Lakeview FMC, Saskatoon, SK

Benedict Gomez, Pastor (Supply)May 30, 2004Wesley Chapel Tamil, Scarborough, ON

John Enns-Wind, Senior Pastor (Supply)June 14, 2004Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK

Steve Cylka, Senior Pastor (Supply)July 26, 2004Prince Edward County FMC, Picton, ON

Ministerial Candidates John ChungDiane CliffordAndrew MacKayJennifer WagarBenedict Gomez

Approved for OrdinationBenedict Gomez - May 30, 2004Daniel Graham - July 18, 2004William (Rusty) Crozier - August 29, 2004

Churches in TransitionCaistor Centre FMC - Caistor Centre, ONEastern Koinonia FMC, Toronto, ONKaren Crescent FMC, Orillia, ONKillarney FMC, Killarney, MBNew Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ONO'Connor FMC, Kakabeka Falls, ON

- as of Dec. 31, 2004Richmond Hill Chinese FMC, Richmond Hill, ONSt. Henri FMC, Montreal, PQSouris Valley Community Church, Estevan, SKTimmins FMC, Timmins, ONVennachar FMC, Vennachar, ON

Pastors in TransitionGermain FortinNorman ShepstoneMike SmeltzerDale Vinkle

Change of StatusHuckle Choi - Leave of absence (School)Mary Nwagbugbo - Leave of absence

Transition to RetirementDavid AshtonDavid BensonCarl BullVernon DeMilleRaymond Klatt

Transfer to another denominationBill Lippman - to Associated Gospel Church

Withdrawn from ConferenceSteven Dunn Gerry McCall

You may remember in the early 1980s there was an ad campaign forthe Canadian Forces - the motto declaring "There's no life like it."It still rings true today — and for Clergy in the armed forces there

is certainly "no ministry like it." I think the best way to describe thisunique ministry is simply to walk through a single day with you — todaywill do. Is today a typical day? I don't know if any day is typical. Last

week my day included walking on top of a three-foot thick wall at atraining centre at Ft. Lewis, Washington. In the rooms below thetroops were kicking down the doors and shooting the bad guys andsaving the good. We were only three feet above them while theyused live ammunition. Yesterday I was at a rifle range interviewingsoldiers and last fall I spent a day repelling from a chopper. So there

are no typical days for me. Let me set the stage. I am Padre to Third Battalion Princess Patricia's

Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI). You might be familiar with thename because they lost four of their number to an American bomb inAfghanistan in April 2002. We have, as a unit, been in what's called areconstitution stage since Afghanistan. This is a time when we replaceour numbers, let soldiers rest, train and get ready to go again. Thereconstitution was to continue until January 2005. However, as usuallyhappens, we were called upon to be "op ready1" sooner. This is becauseSecond Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment has been sent to Haiti. Weare now required to have three independent Company Battle Groups,about 150 soldiers each, stood up2 and ready to go anywhere in theworld within 72 hours. Needless to say, we are a little busy these days!

My role as a Padre, apart from getting ready to go myself, is tointerview each and every soldier and their families to see if there is anyreason why they would not be able to go. We call this DepartureAssistance Group (DAG) process. This procedure ensures that thesoldier is medically fit, does not require any dental work and canfunction psycho/socially stably. This last prerequisite is my area. If theyhave issues I DAG them red, if there are no problems I DAG them green.If they are DAG'ed red I need to assess their situation and help themthrough their problem(s).

An interesting dynamic of 3PPCLI is the relative youth of the unit.Over 70% of our soldiers have less than two years in the Army and arebiting at the bit to go. This means that I have fewer families to interview.It also means that older soldiers have had no rest because they have beenheavily tasked over the last two years training younger soldiers.

Our day begins at 0730 for Battalion parade and PT. The PT canvary from upper body weightlifting to the commanding officer's 15kmrun. Today is sub-unit PT and I am on my own. I go to my office toget my keys only to find five soldiers waiting for me. They need to beDAG'ed so I interview them. One soldier, towards the end, asks me"How does a person know what religion to follow? I tell him that Jesussaid, "If you seek, you will find." "Ya, but how do we know if we areseeking right? I ask what he has been doing in his seeking. He tells methat he has been reading the Bible. I ask how this makes him feel? Hestates that it makes him feel at peace. Then I tell him, "I think you haveyour answer," and his face lights up. I encourage him to keep seekingand tell him we will meet again.

Following these interviews and a bit of administration I had ameeting with the Adjutant referring some of our people with problems.I am the lightning rod for all personal problems, which makes ministryinteresting. I had to cut this meeting short because one of our soldiers,being held in cells, was being arraigned for his court-martial in a fewminutes. I met with him and we prayed together before his courtappearance. Just last week when I went to visit him for the first time hetold me that he was a pagan - the Viking sort - and worshipped Thor, thegod of war, whereupon he produced tattoos to that end. Today, he asksa curious question. "How do I become a Christian?" He figures Thorhas not got him very far. So we spend some time talking about what itmeans to be a Christian and after that I ask him if he wants to take sucha step - he does, so we pray together! It is exciting seeing such a bigchange in a person in such a short time.

It is now 0930 and I go over to the base hospital to talk to one of thepsychiatrists about another soldier who has fallen through the cracks inthe system. After getting his situation sorted out I arrived late for my1000 counselling session. This young wife came to Christ during theAlpha course I helped lead on base last year and was having marriageproblems. Her husband is in my unit and she does not feel safe aroundhim. I take her and her little one to my home where Paula, my wife,spends the day with her. (She stays until after supper when we are sureher husband has boarded a bus to train outside of Edmonton.)

At noon I head back to base now in my uniform - until this point Iwas in my PT strip3. I stop by my office to check my mail and again find

a line of people at my door. I begin to process these guys only to beinterrupted with two compassionate cases. One of our officers lost afamily member in Ontario and had to get a flight but they would notbook it until I gave my okay. In the other situation a soldier's wifebecame very ill and he needed compassionate leave. It is part of my jobto look at the individual situations and recommend leave or not. I alsoDAGed him red.

The time is now 1500 hours and I still have three things to do today— work on my taxes, visit someone in hospital and write this article. Offto the hospital I went to visit ayoung soldier who just had hisfourth cancer surgery, this time partof his liver was taken. This youngCatholic man would be aninspiration to anyone who hassuffered. By 1700 I am pulling outof the hospital parking lot andheading home to help the youngmother plan her next step.

It is now late and I never did getto the taxes but tomorrow they aretaking out my four wisdom teeth inorder for me to be DAGed green . .. that will be different. They saychange is as good as a rest, we'll see.

FOOTNOTES[1] Op Ready - stands for Operation Ready, meaning that a unit is up to full strengthis fully trained and ready to go into battle. [2] Stood Up - means that you arecreating a battle group based on a smaller unit. Take a company which has about70-90 soldiers — most of which are infantry. To make them a battle group youwould add about 30 engineers 20 artillery, (if called for) medical and chaplainsupport, etc. When you include these added assets to the regular infantry the battlegroup is “stood up.” [3] PT strip - a t-shirt and jogging pants maroon in colour with thePPCLI cap badge on them.

Michael Allen is Padre to Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian LightInfantry (3PPCLI) and lives in Edmonton, AB when he is not servingoverseas.

Royal Canadian Regiment

Visiting the sick child of a soldier at the MayoClinic in Rochester, MN

5 M O S A I C

7 CORE VALUES DEMONSTRATED AT SPRINGARAMAAs Free Methodist Women made in the image ofGod with gifts to contribute to the kingdom, theWMI Canada East each year strives to develop andmaintain our denominations purpose - that is tomake known to people everywhere God's call towholeness - through a weekend retreat calledSpringarama.

Approximately 360 women formed theChristian community to surround those who maynot yet have grown to the full understanding ofChristianity and to share with those of a commontheology. We desired to minister in Jesus' name.A Prayer Room was available all weekend, a "SeekHis Presence" time was provided and an altar visitwas encouraged.

Beginning on Friday evening with aninspirational sharing by Pastor John Kurish (newSenior Pastor at Polson Park - Kingston, ON) whoapologized, as a mere man, for holding womenback, in whatever form that may have taken, thenmoving into worship in music and onto theweekends keynote speaker, Karen Childs set thestage for anxious expection for the embarking ofthe Holy Spirit.

The Springarama committee headed by GailShillington demonstrated the teamwork that isnecessary when any great task is ventured. Thediversity of spiritual gifts and personalcompetencies within the church was relevant andthe leadership support of the WMI Executiveaimed to build teamwork within the Christiancommunity.

Over 20 churches connected this weekend tolearn and to grow as christians and as people layingthe groundwork for the development of integrity,of excellence, of grace, of faithfulness and of theknowledge of Christ. This weekend church wascommissioned to provide enough financialsupport to build a school in Haiti. Not only didthey invest in this purposeful service, they wentabove and beyond.

On behalf of the WMI Canada East ExecutiveI extend a sincere thank you to those who spoke,sang, organized, baked, assisted and attended.God will complete a great work in you. See younext year.

in faith,Mary Stewart, VP MissionsWMI Executive

ASBURY "KEENAGERS" AT PERTH FREE METHODIST CHURCHMISSION STATEMENT:"To worship and glorify God in love and to lift up thename of Jesus through the Word and music. Toprovide a weekly meeting place for seniors of the Pertharea, where social and spiritual needs are met."

"Keenagers" is a ministry to seniors, ages 50-100, which began at Asbury in 1971 with sevenpeople under the direction of Rev. Dugal Sharpe.

The warm and friendly atmosphere drawspeople each Thursday with an attendance nowranging between 85 - 100, all churches beingrepresented. It has been said that the Keenagehour, 10:00 am - 11:00 am is the happiest place intown. One lady said, "I look forward to Thursday,

as it is the highlight of myweek." Another said,"Keenagers is my church, asI am unable to attend myown." We hope to inspireseniors to pass on the"Good News" of theGospel of Jesus Christ tothe next generationsand to tell of God'sgoodness in their ownlives.

We meet in theFellowship Hall of

Asbury Church.Refreshments provided by the

seniors are served by a team of volunteers. Theprogramme consists of humour, hymn singing,readings, special music and a speaker. Pastor JohnBaker speaks on the first Thursday and PastorRobert Ferris speaks the third Thursday, withguests on the other weeks. A banquet is plannedat Christmas and again June before the close forsummer. It is held in the Legion Hall, catered bythe Legion Women's Auxilliary. Approximately150 attend these banquets, as they can invitefriends.

Thank God for Keenagers. What a blessingthey are to us and to each other. by Ruth Ferris

KUDO’SChristianity Today names“The 50 Best Christian Placesto Work.” The second annualsurvey highlights companiesthat focus on building aculture of trust.

It is significant that ineducational institutions withmore than 300employees, two of the topfour institutions are FreeMethodist, namelySeattle Pacific Universityand Roberts WesleyanCollege.

M O S A I C 6

Christians have every right to express theirconcerns and convictions, bothcollectively and individually, but they

need to do so with several perspectives in mind.First, if they understand that Christ is the

guarantor of the Church's security and not thestate or its government, they will not demandthat the laws conform to their understanding ofwhat is right or just. If the gates of hell will notprevail against Christ's Church it is because Heis its shield and protector, not somegovernment, whatever its ideology happens tobe.

Second, the New Testament vision of thesovereignty of God does not demand that Hispeople attain political dominance. This is acritical point and distinguishes Christianityfrom Islam, for example. God does not coerceanyone into belief in Christ, even thoughChristians have often fallen into that error. Faithin Christ is a voluntary act. Christians must bethe first to recognize this to be so and mustassert the right of others to make voluntarychoices too. This understanding is certainly apart of the reason why western societies havedeveloped into such open societies over otherselsewhere.

We should always argue for the right ofothers to hold views contrary to our own. Wecan be good citizens in any society and underany government, even though in some places itmight be very hard.

Third, Christians should understand thatthe supreme law for the people of God—that is,

the Church—is love, while governments mustassume a quite different role, restraining evil andseeking to insure that their people are allowed tolive within a just and well-governed society.Governments can't love, but the Church canand must if it is to be true to its Maker.

Fourth, Christians should see activeparticipation in the life of the state as a normaland healthy part of their witness. They are to besalt and light. They can seek to bring their visionof a better world to their life within theircommunities, always recognizing that othersmay come to the same issues with other pointsof view. If we see that our life in Christ is notdependent on governments protecting us bytheir laws, we can argue as vigorously as possiblefor better public policy and still respect theoutcome, though it may fall short of our vision.

If we believe that God has come to us inChrist to create a new humanity within thisworld, we will want to speak and act out of thetruth of that relationship. God's Word renewsboth our minds and our lives. That becomes thesalt and light we contribute in our world. Weshould not withhold it even though others maynot embrace it. And in the process, let's keepreminding ourselves that the Church of Christworks by persuasion and not by coercion; wecan't look to governments to do the Church'swork for us.

Harold Jantz attends River East MB Church, Winnipeg. Heis a former editor of the MB Herald and founder ofChristianWeek. Originally published in the MennoniteBrethren Herald, February 6, 2004.

SHOULD CHRISTIANS TRY TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS?

The Youth Group from the Free Methodist Centennial Chapel inKamloops did something awesome this past Good Friday. Wecarried a 10-foot cross up a hill. A very high and often times very

steep hill! We've called the experience "The Simon Walk." It was ourdesire to identify with Christ (even just a bit) in his passion.

The idea hit me (Pastor Jason Johnson) when I was on a hike with oneof our adult sponsors. Looking around at the rather arid hills, I thought tomyself, "I bet this is sort of what Israel looks like. I can just picture Mosesstanding up here. I can picture Jesus sitting here, teaching his disciples."From there, the idea steam-rolled into what we now have come to call "TheSimon Walk."

Here's what happened.Eight students and five adults met at the home of Brian and Anette

Hines. Before we started out, we read from Philippians 3:4-11. Especiallyverse ten was applicable to our situation: "As a result, I can really knowChrist and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. Ican learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death" (NLT).

The students then, one by one, took the cross over their shoulder andmade their way up the hill-the "very high and often times very steep hill!"We would stop at "stations" that were marked out. At each "station" (therewere ten in all) we would read various scriptures from the Passionnarratives. For example, at one station we read how Jesus received hiscrown of thorns. At another station we read how a man named Simonhelped Jesus carry his cross when the way got too hard (hence, "The SimonWalk.") If ever the going got too tough for the student, they would call outfor assistance and another student would help carry the cross.

Merely walking the path was hard enough let alone carrying a 10-ft tallcross that weighed about 60lbs. And some of the students barely weighed

more than 100lbs!!We eventually made it to the top. When we got up there, Brian and I

(with the guitar I packed up) led in some singing. Next, we each receiveda blank piece of paper and a pencil. We then went off by ourselves. Theidea was to reflect on our lives and the sin therein. When they all trickledback, they were able to nail their pieces of paper to the cross-which was nowstanding up! After everyone was in, I lined them all up underneath thecross and went down the line, pronouncing that their sins are now forgiven.What a powerful thing to hear…what a powerful thing to say!

When this was done we took our "sin papers" and burned them in ametal bucket.

After that, we had communion. Wow! Standing atop Kamloops andyet under the cross! When we received some bread and a cup of juice, weagain went off by ourselves and we reflected on what Christ had done forus.

We first carried the cross up the hill to identify with Christ and hissuffering. We now had to carry the cross back down. But we did so foranother symbolic reason. Hear Luke 14:27, "And you cannot be mydisciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me" (NLT). AsChristians, it's our responsibility to carry our own cross on a daily basis. Incarrying the cross back down the mountain, we declared that we will carryour own crosses daily and be a disciple of Christ!

What a powerful way to spend a Good Friday together. As one of thestudents put it, "I will never look at Easter the same way."

PPaassttoorr JJaassoonn JJoohhnnssoonn iiss AAssssoocciiaattee PPaassttoorr aatt CCeenntteennnniiaall CChhaappeell iinnKKaammllooooppss,, BBCC..

7 M O S A I C

Fifty Plus RetreatAt Wesley Acres

September 10-12, 2004

Inspirational Preaching & MusicSpeaker: Rev. Donald N. Bastian

Bishop Emeritus, The Free Methodist Church in Canada

Singers: Lighthouse Ministry in Song

■ Fifth Annual Old Car ShowFun, Fellowship & Fine Dining for Mature Adults

For information, contact Wesley Acres, P.O. Box 330, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0

Tel. (613) 393-3159Email: wesley@reach.net

Website: www.wesleyacres.com

Wesley Acres is located on West Lake, 30 kmsouth of Belleville. A Christian Retreat Centre &

Campground, since 1974.

Job Opportunity

Renewed violence against Christians erupted in mid-December when aprominent anti-conversion Buddhist monk, Gangodawila Soma Thero, diedsuddenly while visiting Russia. Nationalist Buddhist groups allege a"Christian conspiracy" behind his death.

Christians disputed the charge, and the autopsy report confirms themonk died of natural causes.

Still, many churches have been stoned or burned down. Three churcheswere attacked the night of February 15. Church workers were assaulted andfaced death threats; some attackers accused them of seeking "unethicalconversions."

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Sri Lankan authoritiesrecorded 91 attacks on Christians and churches last year and 41 incidents sofar this year. Christians are especially vulnerable in rural areas. Radicals havebeen able to shut down 146 churches in a four-month span.

"The fundamentalist Buddhists want to turn Sri Lanka into a Buddhistkingdom and bring [an] anti-conversion law," said Jude Simion, an evangelistin Colombo. "There is tension all around."

Buddhist nationalists are determined to stop conversions. "We will notallow Christians to convert Buddhists to Christianity," said NevilleKarunatilake, spokesman for the Sihala Urumaya Buddhist Party."Conversions are unethical. We will stop them."

"Religious liberty is at stake," Yogarajah replied. "We will fight againstthe moves to bring [an] anti-conversion law. Choice of faith is a fundamentalright." Yogarajah said Christians will not back down. "The violence againstus is continuing," he said. "But we are committed to carry the mission ofChrist. The gospel will be lived, in a responsible and sensible manner."

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. May 2004, Vol. 48, No. 5, Page 20

"Alot of overseas Christian groups come here and give us moneybecause they see our poor situation - but we never see themagain. You Free Methodists said you wouldn't give us any

money, but you keep coming back!" This is just one of the reasons why agroup of churches and pastors in Sri Lanka wants to affiliate with the FreeMethodist Church.

Canadian FM leaders began developing a relationship with these pastorsin 2002. Toronto FM pastors, S. Jeyarajah and B. Gomez, had been

encouraging the National LeadershipTeam for some time to considerbeginning Free Methodist ministry inSri Lanka, their homeland. Anexploratory trip in Feb 2003 waspartially sponsored by Wesley Chapel,the Canadian Gateway Cities Fundand Free Methodist World Missions.

Sri Lanka is a small island country offthe southeast coast of India with apopulation of 19 million. Christians,of all sorts, represent 7.6% of SriLanka's mainly Buddhist (72%)population, with evangelicals at 1.3%.Buddhism is the state religion andalthough freedom of religion is allowedfor other groups, there is significantdiscrimination and in some casesviolent persecution from rogueelements.

Since 1980 there has been revival andstrong evangelical growth from 50,000to nearly 240,000. Most of this growthhas been amongst the minority Tamilpeople, in the north of the country;people of Hindu background. Themajority Sinhala people are Buddhist,many of whom are open to the gospelbut are actively pressured by Buddhistreligious leaders to resist Christiangrowth. The capital city, Colombo,with 2.5 million people is one of our

identified Gateway Cities. A ministry focus in this city will likewise make animpact in the interior of the country.

In August 2003 a second team including Pastors Vic and JoanStonehouse and Mrs. Phyllis Lysander of Wesley Chapel, Toronto,accompanied Jeyerajah and Gomez. The team led a training retreat for agroup of pastors and their families. The Sri Lankan leaders spoke of this timeas "a breath of fresh air." Many of these pastors are working in difficultministry situations with very few resources available for personal refreshmentor ministry upgrading.

A recent ministry team trip which included Dan Sheffield, AlanRetzman, Benedict Gomez and Dr. and Mrs. Lysander (of Wesley Chapel)conducted another training program for pastors and outlined a plan for FreeMethodist development in Sri Lanka. Alan Retzman led an interview processwith a number of affiliating pastors, while Gomez and Sheffield taughtcourses on The Heart of Free Methodism and Wesleyan Theology. Visits weremade to several of the affiliating congregations to give basic teaching on thedistinctives of the Free Methodist Church.

Special attention was given to the possible development of a ministrycentre in Colombo. Three pastors are working in and around this city, allwithout stable worship facilities. They meet in homes and regularly receivethreats from neighbours and landlords; every six months or so they have tolook for a new worship venue. One of the early projects which has beenidentified is the need for a worship facility including a pastor's home and anational office for the Free Methodist Church (one of the prerequisites forofficially registering the FMC with the government).

In August this year, Bishop Keith Elford will lead a team to Sri Lanka toofficially inaugurate a Mission District of the FMC. Nine pastors willtransfer credentials or be ordained and eight congregations will affiliate asFellowships. A Board of Administration will be elected. The intention is thatdecision making for FM work in Sri Lanka will soon be handled by capablenational leaders following an interactive, partnership period of 1-2 years.

When asked in personnel interviews what attracts them to the FreeMethodist Church, these leaders consistently used phrases like: "you have aplan, a method for getting churches organized and working together - we'vebeen on our own for too long;" and "your people are friendly and reallyinterested in the work we are doing, we feel you are remembering us evenwhen you are not here."

Can we please stand with these brothers and sisters in Christ whominister the gospel in a world beyond our comprehension here in Canada?

If your church would like to become a partner in the Canadian Sri Lankaministry coalition, please contact me through the national ministry centre. Amore detailed report with prayer and financial needs is available.

Dan Sheffield is Director of Global and Intercultural Ministries for The FreeMethodist Church in Canada

YOU KEEP COMING BACK

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Buddhist nationalists in Sri Lanka step up violence against churchesBy Manpreet Singh