CBWC News

After more than 22 years as the CBWC’s Director of Administration and Finance, David Holten has retired, effective the end of May David has been indispensible to the CBWC because of his dedication to ensuring that our financial house is in good order. David has the gifts of clarity of thought, attention to detail and an unflappable nature that has made him the ideal person to oversee the CBWC’s accounting processes.

He has also been of immense help to churches within the CBWC, offering them timely and professional advice on financial and accounting questions. His ability to respond quickly with the needed information has always been much appreciated by everyone who has interacted with him. His concern for others and his spirit of service come through in everything he does.

Of the many people who have paid tribute to David since he announced his retirement, Andy Moffat, Youth Pastor at First Baptist Olds, summarizes David’s career well:

“[David] always went out of his way to engage me in conversation, asking how things were, what was new, and then adding something encouraging to tie things off. He was very good at making you feel at ease, and he communicated consistently that he was for you. As I moved into the ministry myself, calling head office to talk about tricky issues surrounding money, or benefits, etc was never a chore because it meant a few moments chatting with Dave. That has never changed despite the many years that have gone by and the many tiring challenges I am sure he has faced in the job that he held. And why should it change - he was simply acting out of his good and Godly character….”

We are extremely grateful to David and wish him well in his retirement. He will be much missed.

Alberta News

Scott Proudfoot, part of First Baptist Church in Pincher Creek is lucky to be alive following an attack by a grizzly bear in mid-May. Read the article in the Lethbridge Herald here.

CBWC News

Please pray everyone living in Joplin, Missouri, where a tornado ripped up the entire town on May 22 and killed at least 118 people and destroyed hundreds, perhaps thousands of homes. This was the deadliest tornado in the US in more than 60 years. The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are discovered in the rubble.

Storm predictions indicate this will be a rough week of severe weather with more tornados expected in central Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. In addition, the flooding Mississippi River continues to wreck havoc over large swaths of Louisiana. The killer tornado in Joplin follows an unprecedented number of tornados in the same region in April.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the United States during their time of need as they face these natural disasters. Pray for those who have lost loved ones or their homes and please pray for fire and safety officials as they put out fires, move debris and respond to the crisis. Donations to support the people of Joplin can be made through the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

BCY News

May 2, 2011

Sheila Macfarlane, mother of Kerry Macfarlane Bell and mother-in-law of the CBWC’s Executive Minister, Jeremy Bell passed away on Monday 2 May.

Sheila was an active and accomplished person with many good friends. She was a student leader, an athlete, and very involved in the community. Above all, she was a loving mother and a supportive wife to her husband of 65 years, Alan. She is survived by her three children, Doug (Penny) Macfarlane, Linda Murphy and Kerry (Jeremy), as well as 6 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and her special niece Patricia Doheny.

A Celebration of Life will be held at McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Johnson & Vancouver St. in Victoria on Monday, May 9 2011 at 2 pm with a reception to follow in McCall’s Family Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com

Please keep Kerry, her father Alan, her brother Doug and her sister Linda, as well as their extended family, in your prayers.