CBWC News

Now is the time for churches to apply for grants to hire students as summer staff.

Churches wishing to hire extra summer staff for urban camping initiatives, vacation Bible schools and other activities can get help with the cost of wages by applying for summer temporary employment grants from their provincial government or the federal government.

Summer employment programs typically require churches to hire students full-time for a minimum of 6 weeks and to pay them at least the provincial minimum wage. The government programs subsidize these wages, dramatically reducing the costs to churches. Typically, the church would pay the wages and be reimbursed by the government.

Most provinces have some sort of employment creation, job training and wage subsidy programs. As well, the federal government offers wage subsidies. The Canada Summer Jobs Program has information available at this link.

Go to provincial websites for information on the programs each province offers.

BCY News

Pastor Bob Swann of First Baptist Vancouver is heading a 7-person medical team from FBC Vancouver and Riverdale Baptist in Whitehorse that headed to Liberia for a month beginning January 20th. Their trip marks the first time Canadian Baptists have been to Liberia on an extended mission since 1980.

“Liberia has been forgotten,” said Bob. Bob and his wife Anne were the first CBM missionaries to work in Liberia when they were there in 1980 to work at a vocational school in the village of Kwendin. They were there only 4 months when the president, William Tolbert, was assassinated, creating a tumultuous and dangerous civil war that made it impossible for them to stay. In the chaos and with their vehicle taken from them at gunpoint, it took Bob and Anne one month to get out of the country.

Peace has been restored to this destitute country under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who was elected in 2005; therefore Bob returned in 2008 for a short visit on behalf of CBM to re-establish a relationship with the Liberian Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention and assess the country’s needs. While on his visit, Bob met a nurse and an elderly woman, who seemed like a village elder, at the Kwendin school who begged him not to forget them. He also met the very driver who helped them escape 28 years earlier...

BCY News

Rob Des Cotes, pastor of Fairview Baptist in Vancouver will present a monthly series of 3 seminars on the teaching of St. John of the Cross. These will offer an introduction to John of the Cross’ spiritual theology as outlined in Rob’s three books The Ascent to Mount Carmel (Sat. Jan 22, 10am-4pm), The Dark Night of the Soul (Sat. Feb. 19, 10-4pm) and The Living Flame of Love (Sat. Mar. 19, 10-4pm). The seminars will be held in the lounge of Fairview Baptist church, 1708 16th Ave. Vancouver. Admission is by donation.

Rob will also be leading a three-day retreat at Carey Theological College related to Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, from Jan. 27-29. (Thurs. 7-9pm, Fri. 7-9pm, Sat. 9:30-4:30pm). The cost of $89, includes lunch on Sat. To register, go to www.carey-edu.ca or call 604-224-4308.

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.