CBWC News

It is that time of year again – the annual flooding of the southern prairies is beginning, causing damage to farms and properties. Already, one person in southern Manitoba has been killed. Experts fear that this year’s flooding might set new records.

As the snow melts and ice jams clog rivers like the Red River and the Assiniboine River in southern Manitoba, the water overflows the river banks and extends for many kilometres across the flat prairie and its farms. In Manitoba, heavy rains in the fall left the ground saturated and unable to absorb the spring snow melt. Especially heavy snowfalls have meant more water as the snow melts.

Flooding has already been experiences in communities around Winnipeg and communities like Swift Current, SK. Water is pooling in the fields in Alberta too.

For now, prairie residents are doing their best to prepare with sandbags and water pumps. They are also relying on ring dykes around 18 communities and knowledge that 1800 homes have been raised above the flood levels of the devastating 1997 flood. Still, they are casting anxious eyes toward North Dakota where extreme flooding has already begun. Experts believe the rivers will crest to their highest overflow before the end of April.

There are more than a dozen Canadian Baptist churches on the flood plains and in communities that might be affected by this year’s flooding. Please pray that the floods will not be severe or damaging, that flood do not cause the farmers economic suffering, that no further loss of life will occur, and that our churches will be able to respond to the emergency by volunteering with practical assistance and giving the assurance of God’s love.

Heartland News

Sign up today for a seminar at the University of Manitoba that asks if the internet is killing prayer or giving it new life. The seminar, entitled, Surfing the Divine: McLuhan Looks at Religion Looks at McLuhan, will be held at St. Paul’s College at the University of Manitoba on Saturday, May 7, 2011.

Contributors from around the world include Nora Young, host and creator of CBC Radio’sSpark, Rev. Mario Gaulin, a Canadian Baptist chaplain based in Winnipeg who encourages use of the Internet for prayer, andEric McLuhan, who co‐authored Laws of Media with Marshall McLuhan, (the influential commentator on media and technology) and explains his father’s devout Christian faith.

The seminar is open to everyone, including practitioners in ministry,pastoral work and theology.

Registration fees include a free subscription to an online version of the seminar:$149.00 for all day participation, and $99.00 for only the morning. 10% discount for registering byApril 23.

For more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , visitthe website or phone (204) 475‐0202.

BCY News

Ruth Dryden – March 28, 2011

Ruth Dryden passed into the presence of her Lord on Monday, March 28th, 2011. Ruth spent many years as a medical missionary in her beloved Bolivia. There will be a Celebration of her life on Sunday, April 10th, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 49th and Granville, Vancouver, B.C. Please pray for the family and friends she leaves behind.