SUNRISE
RADIO SHINES BRIGHTLY
Committed
to a core group of men in Ft. St. John (BC), Al Bailey is involved
with teaching, discipling and training in cross-cultural evangelism.
There's also a growing
number of people the Baileys are connecting with through
"Sunrise," a new Christian radio ministry (affiliated with
CIAM Radio).
Marilyn manages Sunrise's
office, produces local broadcasts, and is developing Native language
programs.
Along with ministry to
First Nations residents, the Baileys also tell of Ann & Ed, a
couple who moved to Ft. St. John after losing their home and business
in a flood in the Philippines, swimming for safety with their two
children.
Al befriended them,
encouraged them to listen to Sunrise, and soon Ann was attending their
small group Bible study. Later Ed came, too, when his work allowed.
When
a friend gave them tickets for a trip home, at the farewell feast Ed
& Ann told their story: from a focus on making money, to losing
everything, the devastating effect it had on their marriage, how
Sunrise Radio and Christian love experienced in Ft. St. John had
changed their lives.
They said, "Jesus is
no longer just a 'spare tire' for when we need help. He is now at
the 'steering wheel' of our lives. We want to go home and share
Jesus Christ with our family, how He has changed our lives and healed
our marriage. Please pray with us that we will be able to go to Bible
school, because we want to serve the Lord"!
A S K : The Baileys
appreciate prayer for more Sunrise listeners to receive Christ and get
connected to local churches.
BOOKSTORE
& BIBLE STUDIES
Lydia
Goede's work in publications has changed somewhat the last couple
months. Now most of her days are spent in our Bookstore (on NCEM
Headquarters site), but still helping in the Printshop when needed.
She says she really enjoys
Bookstore work, especially attending to customers who come into the
store (most of our products are purchased through the mail). "Not
all of them are born again believers, and God has opened doors to be a
witness to them, or even to pray with and for them," she says.
Life can get busy for
Lydia as she is also involved in two Bible studies with Native women,
which she also enjoys very much, and helps out at a downtown soup
kitchen outreach.
A S K : "God
has really blessed me with great ministries here in Prince
Albert," says Lydia. "Please pray for the ladies I do Bible
study with, that God would open their hearts and help them to put God's
truth into their daily lives. Also please pray for wisdom in how to
plan my days, and for God's strength in all that I am involved in.
Thank you!"
Editor's Note: Lydia has
just begun an extended Leave of Absence in July to care for her elderly
parents in Germany. She appreciates our prayers.
GATEWAY
CENTRE SEES POTENTIAL
Noriko
Suzuki sees great potential for impact through Gateway Christian
Centre in Cochrane, northeastern Ontario.
CGCC's ministry was
launched in late 2008 with a series of meetings with a visiting Native
evangelist. The donation of a former high school building (shown
below) on six acres of land has greatly increased the Centre's
possibilities.
"Our original and
ultimate goal is establishing a Christian school [and] Christian
counseling and training facilities," says Noriko.
Financial shortages,
however, have slowed these developments, she explains, and parts of
the building are presently leased out to various organizations.
A
church sanctuary has been renovated beautifully, and is used at least
twice a week for Sunday worship services and mid-week Bible studies
and prayer meetings.
The number of adults
attending is still small, Noriko reports, but includes mature
Christians with a desire to reach the younger generations.
Noriko
teaches Sunday school each week and shares from the Word in the Bible
study. She's presently working to establish a Christian
Library/Bookshop.
A S K : Noriko
requests prayer for the Centre's financial needs for development; and
for the provision of a pastor.
She's
thankful for Bob Cheechoo (KBI grad), who brings the messages on
Sundays when he is available.
WHEN it's
NOT SIMPLE GETTING to BIBLE CAMP
This
summer thousands of youngsters across Canada will be driven to Bible
camp. What about places where there are no roads?
For Arlyn & Annette
vanEnns, it will mean flying with a group of youth from Ft. Chipewyan
(AB) to Beacon Bible Camp, near Uranium City (SK).
2008 was the last time
they did so. That year, as the first campers were arriving, a forest
fire forced an evacuation of the entire area around the Baptist-owned
camp.
They recall, "Just
when all appeared lost, our Lord stepped in a mere half-mile from the
camp site with a mighty rushing west wind of His own, and blew the
fearsome blaze right back upon itself!"
The facilities were
spared, but in 2009 there was inadequate staff to hold camp. This
summer young people from NWT communities will again also attend, with
air transportation provided by the Camp.
The vanEnnses are often
asked why people don't travel to Beacon Bible Camp by water. The
reason, they say, is "heavy seas." Lake Athabasca has
commonly left mariners wind bound for days at a time.
Arlyn
says Beacon is unique as the only isolated Bible camp involving
NCEMers, serving villages in Alberta, NWT, and Saskatchewan that are
likewise isolated -- some even without winter ice roads.
A S K : Arlyn &
Annette appreciate prayer for their ministry in Ft. Chipewyan and area
(they are among the contributors to our Church Planting article in
this issue). Please especially pray for Annette, who has been dealing
with cancer the past several years.
TRIBAL
TRAILS VIEWERS CALL BACK
Media outreach is, by
nature, primarily one-way communication. Our Tribal Trails television
ministry, however, continues to receive numerous phone calls from
viewers.
Our "Spiritual
Help" offer on the screen prompts many. Honorary missionary,
Helen Pope, spends considerable time each week writing to inquirers
who've requested further help.
She reports that since
Tribal Trails began airing in the 1980s, over 7000 individuals have
phoned or written -- and a good number of these have written or called
multiple times.
Tribal
Trails Administrator, Brent Wahlstrom, appreciates each staff member
who takes calls -- which can come at any time of the day or night --
and volunteers, like John Greyeyes (pictured here).
Our Tribal Trails
missionaries mail out Bibles, literature and DVDs, and regularly pray
for callers and their prayer requests (with information held in
confidence).
With high speed internet,
our programs can now be viewed anytime (www.tribaltrails.org). To
receive our Tribal Trails newsletter, write us, or call: 306-764-3388.
A S K : We're
thankful for financial provision keeping Tribal Trails on the air.
Pray for increased impact -- in the fall our program will be on an
additional station: Global TV, Thunder Bay, ON.
LEADERSHIP
APPOINTMENTS
At
our Governing Board's June meeting Jon & Evelyn Siebert
were appointed NCEM Central-Field Directors.
The Sieberts joined NCEM
in 1984 to serve at Sturgeon Lake (AB) First Nation, followed by staff
service and leadership at our Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute (Lac La
Biche, AB) since 1992.
Their deep commitment to
fellow staff and KBI students makes this move difficult for them, but
the Sieberts are confident in God's leading. They will no doubt bring
similar passion to their new task.
NCEM's Central-Field
includes church planting stations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, along
with Bible camps.
Jon
& Evelyn have three grown children, two of them married. At
press-time their new residence location had yet to be finalized.
Eric
Sinclair was recently appointed Administrator for Key-Way-Tin
Bible Institute, replacing Jon Siebert.
Eric and his wife,
Michelle, are both KBI graduates who joined NCEM in 2002. They served
awhile in our Tribal Trails TV ministry before joining KBI staff.
The Sinclairs continue to
bless many with their musical talent and joyful spirit. Their two
children are aged seven and four.
Eric
appreciates prayer as he takes on this new leadership role, and as KBI
undergoes program revision during the coming year. There are critical
staff needs at Key-Way-Tin, including: business administrator,
full-time cook, ladies dean, janitorial and maintenance workers.
With
the Lord
Former NCEM missionary Florida
Gordon passed away on June 8th at the age of 83.
The Gordons served with us
from 1958 to '92 at Manitoulin Island (ON), Hobbema and Lac La Biche
(AB), and as Mission representatives.
They
retired in Blind River (ON). Florida is survived by her husband Jack
and their seven children.
IN
APPRECIATION
Two of our long-serving
missionary couples are moving on to other First Nations-related
full-time ministries. We have appreciated very much their important
contribution to NCEM over the years.
Walter & Grace Pope
have faithfully served with us since 1986/1982. They continue to live
in Prince Albert (SK), now in Christian radio ministry with CIAM/Victory
FM.
David & Teresa Fehr
joined NCEM in 1994, serving in church planting in Manitoba and
Alberta. They continue to serve among First Nations in the High
Prairie (AB) area.
----------------------------------------------------
Addie & Diana
Blankestijn recently completed their associate service with us,
having assisted our Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute staff for eight years.
They now live in Red Deer (AB), reaching out to the Spanish community.