Sixty-nine Canadian Baptist youth workers were among about 650 youth workers and exhibitors from Christian denominations across Canada participating in the third annual Canadian Youth Workers’ Convention held in Vancouver December 3-6.
Representing more than 10% of all youth and camp leaders attending, Canadian Baptist participants had the opportunity to be trained and encouraged in key aspects of youth ministry. They attended workshops on topics as diverse as learning how to turn a garage band into a worship band, basic counseling skills and dealing with discouragement in ministry. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to share with and learn from other paid and volunteer youth pastors from our denomination and from many other denominations.
The Convention, held at Vancouver’s Wall Centre was put together by Youth Specialties, a youth ministry that has been training youth ministers worldwide for the past 40 years. Each year, Youth Specialties trains more than 100,000 youth workers. Youth Specialties has recently created a Canadian office, headed by Marv Penner.
For more information on the Canadian Baptist’s youth ministry, contact Claire McLean, Interim Youth Director at
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Mark your calendar to attend the next Partnering Session in your region:
March 13: Manitoba - First Baptist Portage La Prairie
March 19: N. Saskatchewan - Emmanuel Baptist Saskatoon
March 20: S. Saskatchewan - Argyle Road Regina
April 17: Surrey – Southside Community Church
May 8: Vancouver – Trinity Baptist Church
June 12: Lethbridge – First Baptist Church
June 19: Central Alberta, TBA
September 11: Peace Country, TBA
September18: Penticton -- First Baptist Church
October 30: Nanaimo – First Baptist Church
November 20: Calgary, TBA
November 27: Edmonton, TBA
Through Partnering Sessions, Canadian Baptist Churches within a small geographic region meet together to share what God is doing in their midst. These discussion groups will help churches recognize areas of shared vision and affinity and, hopefully, propel new partnerships that allow churches to combine their efforts and support each other in reaching their communities.
Please contact John Prociuk at
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or your regional ministry office for more information about attending. We look forward to an exciting year of dialogue and discernment in Christ’s name.
Tom Oshiro Honoured
Tom Oshiro, a Canadian Baptist pastor, is being honoured with a lifetime achievement award from Leadership Victoria for his work as the Director of Victoria's Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank
Leadership Victoria will present Tom with his award during a special ceremony at the 6th Annual Leadership Awards on Thursday, January 28th. The celebration will take place at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in the inner harbour at 4 to 6 pm.
