Social Justice News

Interfaith Leaders from around the world gathered in Winnipeg June 21-23 to press G8 leaders to meet their commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2010.

Read the Interfaith Leaders Summit Statement here
Read the CBM response here

Alberta News

Photo courtesy of thglobeandmail.com

Southeastern Alberta was drenched with 150 mm of rain on the Father’s Day weekend, followed by another 30 mm a few days later. The rains have raised the water levels of the rivers and caused more than 600 families to evacuate their homes. It closed a 60 km stretch of Highway 1 between Medicine Hat and the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.

Damage to homes and farmland is expected to be in the millions and six communities have been declared disaster areas. The extend of the damage will only become known once the rain waters recede.

Fortunately, Heights Baptist, the Canadian Baptist church in the area, is, as its name implies, on high ground. ”We’ve not been affected at all and haven’t had any calls from members of the church or the community for help,” said Art Hildebrand, the senior pastor at Heights.

The intense rains in the semi-desert area around Medicine Hat are highly unusual. Medicine Hat is the sunniest city in Canada with weather that is usually very hot and dry.

CBWC News

Our sister denomination, the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec have ratified the appointment of Tim McCoy as their Executive Minister at their annual meeting, in June.

Rev. Ted Searle, President of CBOQ, believes that, "Tim brings to this position outstanding leadership capabilities and proven experience in working together with leaders and churches in responding to the challenges of Christian witness in this age. His visionary leadership as Director of our Convention's vital youth ministry uniquely positions him to bring the next generation of leaders along with him in this new role.  I believe he is the person God has called to lead our Convention into this next decade."

Read more on this after the link.