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.

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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.