BCY News

December 29, 2010

We mourn the death of Cyril Skinner who passed away to be with his Lord and Saviour on Dec. 29th, 2010. He was the father of Randy Skinner, who was pastor at Olivet Baptist in New Westminster between 2002-2008. Cyril was a long time member of Reidville Baptist Church. He had a dream to build a camp for children and this dream became Camp Tulahead, north of Princeton. He was a founding board member of this camp.

There will be a memorial service for Mr. Skinner at Berea Baptist (6062 - 132nd Street in Surrey) on Saturday Jan. 8th at 11:00 and all are welcome to attend.

Please remember Cyril’s family in your prayers at this time: wife Mary, sons Randy and Craig and families, daughters Merrillee and Carol.

BCY News

A remarkable transformation is taking place at a park on Boys Road in Duncan, BC: aboriginalchildren are gathering there every Sunday afternoon to take part in Kidztown, an activity timeof puppetry, face painting, juggling, songs, unicycling and illusions that teaches children aboutmoral and spiritual values.

Kidztown is one of many ministries of New Life Community Baptist Church dedicated to thechurch’s vision of reaching out to the First Nations communities in the Cowichan Valley.

“About 6 or 7 years ago, the church began to dream about developing closer relationships withthe First Nations people here,” says Shane Woodlief, Associate Pastor at the church. “Kidztownis a front door into the community and is helping us create relationships with the children andtheir families.”

On the first day of Kidztown in early summer this year, no children came at first. But JoyWilson, the Director of Kidztown prayed that God would bring the children. When she saw 2aboriginal girls walking nearby she went to speak to them about what she was doing. They wentand got their friends and soon there were dozens of children there to watch the first show. Also,on the first day, one of the moms came out and offered to distribute fliers. Word of mouth keptspreading, the local aboriginal friendship centre helps promote the events and attendance hascontinues to be high.

BCY News

“People with disabilities spend much of their lives being served by others, but they long to serve and have spiritual gifts that can bless so many of our churches,” says David Hayward, pastor of Joy Fellowship in Vancouver, a church primarily for people with disabilities. “Right from the beginning, Jesus described believers as servants. That’s what we are. Christians are called to serve.”

So great is this spirit of service at Joy Fellowship that eight members – half of whom were physically or mentally disabled – embarked on a two-week mission trip to Auckland, New Zealand in May. For Joy Fellowship, this logistically demanding trip wasn’t unusual: it fits into a pattern of service that has existed since Joy Fellowship was founded by David’s parents, David Sr. and Ruby Hayward, in the mid-70’s.

The church has previously sponsored 3 other trips to New Zealand plus 2 trips to Taiwan, and trips to Australia, Hawaii and many other locations in the US and British Columbia. Locally, the church serves weekly at facilities and group homes for people with disabilities throughout the Lower Mainland where they gather to pray, worship and sing in places where the only other visitors are often there because they are paid or where the name of Jesus may never otherwise be heard.

BCY News

Join military chaplain and author Paul Beckingham as he shares some of his journey ‘Walking Towards Hope’ on November 17th at 7 pm at Heritage Hall. This event is a fundraising dinner for JustWork.

Thirteen years ago, when Paul was working as a missionary in Africa, he was severely injured in a car accident. He suffered 17 broken bones, a detached retina, head injuries and almost had to have his leg amputated. He spent 2.5 years recovering in the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre. His slow journey of recovery gave him a first-hand understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder, head injuries, depression and overcoming physical difficulties. This empathy has led him to become a military chaplain. Until recently, he also served as a professor at Carey Theological College. He has a DMin and is a Registered Professional Counsellor and senior therapist at Pacific Soul Care.

Join Paul as he shares his insights on coping with tragedy, loss and learning how to rebuild. There will also be live music, pottery to buy and more!

Tickets are $30 per person. A table is $240. For more information or to purchase a ticket, go to www.justwork.ca To RSVP, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

JustWork is a Christian non-profit striving to support the chronically unemployed in the east end of Vancouver by offering them the dignity of paid work. It is one of many ministries linked to Grandview Calvary Baptist Church in Vancouver. JustWork provides men and women with opportunities to work in renovations, gardening, pottery and catering as a way of supporting them to earn income, gain job skills and take steps towards self-sufficiency and employment.

Heritage Hall is at 15th Avenue and Main St. in Vancouver.