News & Notes for Praise & Prayer …
Summer Wildfire Interruptions
With evacuations in many northern communities this past summer due to wildfires, NCEMers forced to leave their homes included: Carl & Naomi Epp (associate missionaries at La Ronge, SK), Jim & Lois Stauffer (associates at Whati, NWT), Bruce & Rosella McCaskell and fellow staff at Pine Ridge Bible Camp.
For other missionaries, travel plans were affected by the fires. Albert & Barb Heal’s ministry trip by air to the Northwest Territories was cancelled, as were some of Gilbert Bekkatla’s northern outreach plans.
UNDER SIEGE
Darker area on map shows wildfires encroaching on Pine Ridge Bible Camp, located on the east shore of Cunnings Lake, west of Beauval, Saskatchewan. (Map from Natural Resources Canada)
It was at NCEM’s Pine Ridge Bible Camp in northwestern Saskatchewan that ministry was significantly interrupted, and property threatened by fire.
PRBC director, Bruce McCaskell, tells how partway through their first scheduled week of camp in early July they received notice to evacuate. Within two hours most of the campers had been picked up (their families were already aware of the threat). Bruce and one staff member stayed to help provincially employed fire fighters set up pumps and sprinklers – but soon all Camp staff were ordered to leave, as roads were being closed.
Summer staff were redeployed to other Bible camps. Pine Ridge’s security camera (which the McCaskells accessed via internet from a community further south) became the only way to monitor what was happening as fire fighters worked to save the Camp.
GOD’S PROTECTION
Teens at a previous year’s fall weekend retreat. Pine Ridge’s chapel/dining-hall building was completed in 2023.
Over the following weeks with all camp sessions cancelled, countless hours were spent watching the camera feed, while informed friends prayed. At one point the fire reached within 10 feet of a staff house. (A fire fighter discovered this when he had got up during the night to check things.)
The fire completely surrounded the Camp, yet all the buildings (with the exception of one shelter) and most of the trees close to the buildings were spared! God’s hand of protection was on the Camp, and we give Him thanks!
Pray for Pine Ridge campers who were unable to attend this past summer. Pray that these children and teens will have opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Weekend camps at PRBC are planned for this fall.
Summer Ministries Recap
We appreciate Northern Lights readers who used the Bible camp schedule in our previous mailing as a prayer guide over the summer. While this issue notes the major interruption at Pine Ridge Bible Camp, we are thankful for the week-long Bible camps held at several other locations.
Missionary Bob Siebert gets a lift from Big River Bible campers for their “blue team” photo.
“Where did Satan come from?” “Why did Jesus have to die?” These and other questions came from campers during cabin devotions time. Some were prompted from what they heard in chapel, others perhaps from things they wondered about prior to camp.
We praise God for decisions made by campers to live for Him. Teen campers had opportunity to stay on longer as Leaders in Training (“LIT’s”) and grow in their faith by serving and living in a Christian camp environment.
Besides Bible camps, we saw additional outreaches to First Nations youth. One of them took place in northern Saskatchewan in partnership with Child Evangelism Fellowship. NCEM pilot Noah Wahlstrom flew and accompanied two CEF workers who led 5-Day Clubs in the communities of Fond du Lac and Stony Rapids.
Each day, trips were made between the two locations 100 kms (approx. 30 min.) apart. At Fond du Lac there was a disappointingly small turnout from younger kids, but the team was encouraged by some older teens who came more than once for the lessons and conversation (till their boss ordered them back to work!).
Pray for opportunities to stay connected with campers over the fall and winter months. Many of our campers’ home communities have no evangelical church.
Discipleship Center Start-up
Plans are for an eight-week discipleship program to begin January 2026 at Keywaytin Discipleship Center at Lac La Biche, Alberta.
It may be a small-scale start, Jeremy & Justine Sherwood report but, Lord willing, a full program will begin in the fall of 2026.
It has been a faith-stretching venture as renovations have progressed somewhat slowly on the former KBI campus. There is still a need for someone to serve as KDC director. Along with the Sherwoods, NCEMers Frank & Lori Ward (pastoral couple in the area), are also part of the Center’s Committee.
Pray for Jeremy as he develops class curriculum. Pray for First Nations believers to enroll in this discipleship/Bible training program. Pray for the provision of a KDC director.
Welcomed to Canada!
Christian & Paula Zimmermann, from Germany, spent the summer of 2023 in First Nations ministry. “That confirmed our calling to serve as full-time missionaries,” they say.
Following two years of building their prayer/financial support team, while serving as a youth pastor, the Zimmermanns with their three young children have arrived! Their summer included time at Arrowhead Native Bible Center in New Brunswick.
Pray for them as they adjust to life in Canada and anticipate their ministry assignment.
Camp Director Appointed
Caylea Selke has been appointed director of NCEM’s Big River Bible Camp.
Following urban youth ministry in Regina (SK), Caylea moved to serve at BRBC in 2022.
Pray for her continued opportunities to disciple First Nations youth, and wisdom in the many administrative duties that come along with directorship.
In Appreciation
Dan Glass recently completed a term on NCEM’s Governing Board, and we gratefully acknowledge his contribution to the Mission.
Dan and his wife, Gladys, served as full-time missionaries from 1972-80, first in church planting ministry in Grand Rapids and Oxford House, Manitoba, then as Secretary-Treasurer at our Main Office in Prince Albert. Since then he has operated a cattle ranch near North Battleford, Saskatchewan, along with local church leadership, and served on our Governing Board, some of his terms as Chairman.
On more than one occasion he has additionally taken on the position of Interim General Director. We appreciate Dan’s servant heart, his care and concern for our missionaries and Mission leaders.
Emeritus Missionary with the Lord
Long serving missionary Deone Gruchy passed away September 10th in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, at age 92.
Deone (nee Geiger) joined us in 1954 to serve at Montreal Lake (SK) Children’s Home. She married NCEM missionary, Gordon Gruchy, and together they served in church planting at Grand Rapids, Manitoba, and Watson Lake, Yukon. With a heart for children and youth, the Gruchys additionally initiated Hidden Lakes Bible Camp, which continues to be a light for Christ in the Yukon.
Gordon lived with symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis for over 40 years, needing help for daily living for 24 of those years – and it was Deone who lovingly provided it. With Gordon’s health necessitating a ministry move, in 1983 the Gruchys moved to serve in NCEM’s Tribal Trails television ministry in Prince Albert. Deone assisted with videotape duplication, while Gordon wrote personal letters to viewers who had called in or written.
Gordon passed away in 2007. Deone is survived by their five children and their families.
Former Members with the Lord
Our condolences to the families of these former NCEM missionaries and associate members. Each of them leaves a legacy of service for the Lord.
Helen Reddekopp passed away May 19 in Steinbach (MB) at age 87. Gerald & Helen joined NCEM in 1991, and served in our Printshop and Main Office in Prince Albert until 2002.
Vander Neudorf passed away May 25 in Armstrong (BC) at age 86. Vander & Pat served with us from 1965-1976 at Montreal Lake Children’s Home, and in Aviation service based in Dore Lake (SK), Island Lake (MB), and Moose Factory (ON).
Ethel Wiens passed away June 5 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, at age 94. Frank & Ethel served in the NCEM USA Office from 1994-2007, and Frank has served on our USA Board.
Helena Stobbe passed away June 29 in Saskatoon (SK) at age 96. Her husband, Arnold (d. 2025), served on our Governing Board from 1988-2000. Helena was mother to two of our current missionaries.
Evelyn Matthews passed away July 20 in Washington at age 95. Evelyn & Charles (“Buzz”) joined us in 1961 and served together until 1964 when Buzz and their son “Chuck” tragically passed away at Weagamow Lake (ON) in a boating accident. Evelyn continued with NCEM until 1967.
NCEM Family News
WEDDING BELLS!
Congratulations to Tabitha Wahlstrom who married Myles Suderman in May. Tabitha joined NCEM in 2013 and served the past several years as director of Pine Ridge Bible Camp. The newlyweds make their home in Reinland, Manitoba.