Faces & Places

News & Notes for Praise & Prayer …

A TEAM IN NIPAWIN

Marsden & Mandy Giesbrecht and children have been in full-time ministry for about 20 years. They have served with NCEM in Indianbrook, Nova Scotia, and the Kinistin Saulteaux Reserve in Saskatchewan. The last 11 years have been in Nipawin, serving in an outreach ministry called Open Arms Bible Fellowship.

They share how, over the years, it has been a pleasure to gain a deeper understanding of what God intended the body of Christ, the Church, to be.

Marsden states that, “In Revelation 5:9, Jesus purchased men for God from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. He intended to make one body out of the many ethnicities in our world. We are all joined together as one. We want to reflect this truth as God gathers people to worship Him in Open Arms Bible Fellowship.”

Recently, fellow missionaries Jonah & Karla Sawatzky, Darwin & Shania Harder, and Karen Emke joined the Giesbrechts in this ministry. With more people on the team, they can more accurately reflect the body of Christ and work together for God’s kingdom.

Pray: That God will open doors and give discernment on where He wants this team to focus their time for His glory.

 

MORE THAN WE CAN IMAGINE

Logan & Alicia Bueckert have recently joined NCEM and serve at Steeprock Bay Bible Camp. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

Camp is hard work, but it’s all in vain unless the Lord is behind the work. Logan had hoped to replace the motor in their Suburban vehicle so they could use it to travel to camp and for Alicia’s weekly grocery runs.

As camp drew near, it became clear that more time would be needed to work on the Suburban. God knew the needs and did more than “we could ask or think” (Eph. 5:20). A week before camp, Logan got a text from an NCEM director asking, “Can you use a 15-passenger van?” This almost new van was donated to Steeprock with a trailer full of day camp equipment, and a sum of money! What a blessing to have the needs abundantly met and then some! God is good!

Logan shared, “As we taught the theme, ‘Saved By Grace,’ the Lord continued to teach us about his unending grace. Each time I had the opportunity to share my testimony around the campfire, the Lord put it on my heart to talk about how, even though I’m a Christian, I mess up all the time. Yet, God still chose to save and use me, a broken person, for His work. What a humbling reminder that God’s plan is carried out despite our failures, and He gets the glory.”

God also showed His provision again by providing a fantastic staff team each week. Each person was a crucial part of God’s work at camp this summer, and praise God for bringing each one to SBBC.

Pray: For wisdom as the Steeprock Camp board negotiates land us permits.

 

STEPPING OUT IN FAITH

A lots has been happening with Jane Ness since her acceptance as an NCEM missionary, and training last spring. She felt blessed to be able to attend the NCEM staff conference in Pinawa, Manitoba, last summer. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with fellow missionaries, she says, some of whom she had not seen for years (Jane had previously served with us as an associate). It was indeed a blessing and encouragement to be there.

She now serves in the Sussex, New Brunswick area. This past Thanksgiving, at her foster son’s memorial supper at Big Cove Reserve, she had an opportunity to share with a couple, telling them she loves them and is concerned about where they will spend eternity.

Jane has stepped out by faith to visit the Reserve every month. She intends to stay for week-long intervals and be there more often as her financial support builds up. Jane is excited to go as the Lord opens opportunities and doors in these communities.

Pray: That the Lord will supply Jane with sufficient funds for a very necessary vehicle for her ministry.

 

BEING BLESSED, AND A BLESSING

Carl & Brenda Ens have been in various ministries over the past 35 years, most recently joining NCEM. Summers have been filled with camp ministry for many years. Carl & Brenda were at Steeprock Bay Bible Camp and Torch Trail Bible Camp last summer, where they have spoken to the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation children from Deschambault, Pelican Narrows and Southend.

They share, “It has been a blessing to be involved in these kids’ lives, many of whom have come back year after year to camp. Sometimes it’s not just the kids.” At Torch Trail, the reserves send chaperones with the children. Carl & Brenda have built relationships with some of these precious kokums (grandmothers) who care deeply for their children and grandchildren. One lady has been there the past two summers, and despite Rheumatoid Arthritis, she made the bus trip and spent the week helping with the children. Brenda was able to pray with her about the needs on her reserve and for her children and grandchildren.

The Enses are also involved in the Aylsham Memorial Church as a pastor couple. This church asked Carl & Brenda to give leadership when it was going to shut down. They mention, “We have seen a number of older people give their lives to Christ over the past 17 years of ministry in this place.” Another unique part of their ministry is the Spanish workers who come to Aylsham, SK and the surrounding area to work on bee farms. Brenda has learned Spanish, and they often host these workers for a meal and a service in Spanish.

For future ministry, Carl & Brenda are working with some from the Open Arms Church in Nipawin and fellow missionary, Steve Regnault, from Big River to go into the surrounding reserves to encourage and build relationships with the believers there. They want to re-establish a children’s ministry on Red Earth Reserve. The school is open to them coming and sharing Bible stories, singing, and just spending time with these precious kids to build relationships with them.

Pray: For the doors to open at Red Earth First Nation to the school ministry, and for wisdom in preparing and going into the reserves to share the love of Christ with the people.

 

BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED

Travis Johnston has joined NCEM’s Governing Board. He and his wife, Danielle, attended Millar College of the Bible (Travis graduating in 2007). He served as an associate pastor in Assiniboia from 2008-2015 and is now an instructor at Millar. Travis also graduated from Briercrest’s Masters program in 2020, with degree in Biblical Languages and Exegesis. The Johnstons have two daughters. Travis brings youth and enthusiasm, and we are happy to have him serving on our Board.

 

WITH the LORD

Milin LauOn October 21, 2023, MiLin Lau passed away from cancer at age 73. While we grieve her passing and miss her dedicated service, we rejoice that she is enjoying her eternal rest.

MiLin joined our Tribal Trails TV ministry in 1990 to serve full-time as a program planner. She always enjoyed opportunities to meet program guests in person, and her evenings and weekends were always busy with local church work in the city of Prince Albert, including children’s ministries and visiting homes.

The Tribal Trails programs that MiLin planned and edited number in the hundreds. Though suffering from cancer and side effects of treatments the past five years, she served right up to the week prior to her hospitalization and passing.

If you had the privilege of hearing MiLin pray, there was no doubt she was passionate for her Saviour and Lord, and strongly desired for many others to know Him.