What's The Scene In Canada?
The Past
In the late 1940's ABWE missionary Don Moffat visited London Bible
Institute in London, Ontario to recruit Canadian missionaries. Notable
among this group were the Cassidys, Caveys, Cuthberts, Greenslades,
Joyce Hatch, Larges-all of whom were appointed under ABWE to work
in South America.
In order to issue tax-deductible receipts to donors from Canada,
ABWE formed a corporation composed of a majority of Canadian citizens.
Dr. Roy Lawson was one of the early chairmen of the Canadian Council.
Besides handling finances, however, the mission wanted a Canadian
to represent ABWE in churches and schools across Canada. Rev. Leander
Roblin assumed that position in 1961. In 1975 following the death
of his wife, Dorothy, Mel Cuthbert returned to Canada from Brazil.
He spent five years developing ABWE-Canada, then returned to Brazil.
At that time, Reg and Helen Snell came out of the pastorate to fill
this critical role. The Greenslades took on the role of leading
ABWE in Canada when Ivor had to leave Brazil for health reasons.
Since 1992, Frank and Brenda Bale, who were ABWE missionaries in
Brazil and Portugal, have served as the Canadian directors. David
Irwin acted as chairman of the Canadian Council for 25 years; this
position is now held by Melvin Brubacher.
The Present
- In recent years numerous volunteers have been involved in "hands-on"
projects around the world. High school and college students, as
well as adults, have gone on short-term missions trips to Jamaica,
Ukraine, and Portugal.
- Currently 11 missionary units minister in pre-field positions
prior to leaving for the places God has called them.
- Each year ABWE conducts a Canadian fund-raising project. In
1998 the money bought books for Cuban pastors. In 1999 it provided
a blood refrigeration unit for the Amazonas Baptist Hospital where
Canadians Sherry Skirrow and Carolynn Sharp serve. This year's
project is the purchase of 2,000 books for the library in the
Training Center in Ukraine.
- With Wally and Jeannie Stephenson and other ABWE missionaries,
the Bales conduct "Mobilizing Children to Serve the Lord"
conferences. Don't miss the next one:
- Temple Baptist Church, Cambridge, Ontario - Saturday April 15,
2000
The Future
- David and Cathy Smith are newly involved in national leadership
training through Global Access Partnerships (GAP.)
- George and Karen King lived for 12 years in southeast Asia reaching
Muslims. Now from their base in Brantford, Ontario, the Kings
serve as Misionaries to the Muslim World-at-large. As part of
this new ministry, the Kings are initiating an internet-based
Bible Correspondence School speacifically geared for Muslim inquirers
(www.al-kitab.org). The Kings are available to conduct seminars
on such subjects as The Islamic Challenge, Jesus in Islam, Reaching
Muslims Where You Are.
- Pastor and Mrs. P.W., formerly senior pastor of a Chinese
church in Markham, Ontario, are the first internationals appointed
to ABWE's Administration. They will serve as Administrators for
International Chinese Ministries
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