News & Notes for Praise & Prayer …
NEW in NCEM
We’re happy to introduce Jason & Agnes Zacharias and their infant daughter, Hailey. Jason grew up in Paraguay, and Agnes in Germany. Missionary service is not new to them, as they have been serving with Action International in Philippines, where they met.
They remain Action members seconded to NCEM to serve in our Tribal Trails media department in Prince Albert where Jason’s video production skills have already proven a blessing.
Pray for the Zacharias family as they adjust to life and ministry in Canada.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES OUTREACH
The years following Albert & Barb Heal’s move to Prince Albert in 2005 to serve in NCEM administration, and now other roles, have always included regular ministry trips back to their station in northern BC and several Northwest Territories Dehcho First Nation communities they previously served through aviation outreach.
Now planning this summer’s outreach, the Heals report several highlights from this past winter’s trip. It began with a welcoming conversation with staff at Ft. Nelson (BC) Friendship Centre, and a restocking of Tribal Trails-produced resources there. At Ft. Liard, NWT, the Heals shared in a fellowship time where former NCEMers, Walter & Aileen Pope (now with CIAM), live and serve.
Then it was on to more NWT communities – Nahanni Butte, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, and Kakisa. There were home visits with longtime friends, opportunities to encourage believers in their faith and witness, along with group gatherings and Bible studies. In one community they attended a funeral where, sadly, the Gospel wasn’t included. However, the Heals learned that the deceased lady had been visited by a believer three weeks previous and had received Christ as Saviour!
In another location Albert & Barb met with a Christian lady who has a desire to start a Bible study outreach with youth – however, she is facing opposition to using a community facility for youth gatherings. In another place the Heals were greeted at the Band Office with a friendly reception to them and the resources they’d brought. Two workers there requested a time of prayer … then started calling others out of their offices to come and join in!
Pray for Christian witness in NWT communities – especially those without a pastor or missionary – that those with a hunger for God’s Word will not become discouraged. Pray for boldness for believers, and pray especially for the youth in these communities, that they will seek God.
DISCIPLESHIP CENTER PLANS FALL SESSION
Lord willing, come September the newly launched Keywaytin Discipleship Center campus will be a busy place with students beginning their fall session.
While facility renovations continued this past winter on the former KBI campus at Lac La Biche (AB), a couple of students joined an initial short-term session. The regular program geared for First Nations adults will run annually from September to April. Interest from potential students is encouraging.
“Equipping faithful disciples who love God, delight in His Word, and are being changed through the teaching of Scripture is the goal,” the KDC website explains. “Our purpose is to send out faithful Indigenous leaders in the church, home, and workplace.”
Staff members, David & Elizabeth Lilly, Jeremy & Justine Sherwood, and Frank & Lori Ward encourage Northern Lights readers to spread the news of this newly begun program. Check out the KDC website (www.keywaytin.ca).
Pray that a good number of First Nations Christians will take advantage of this opportunity for discipleship and ministry training.
ONLINE TOOL KEEPS CAMPERS CONNECTED
Staying connected when Bible camp is over is important. But distance and other factors make it difficult. Now there’s an online tool to help leaders and campers stay connected all year.
“Twelve” is a phone App that youth and camp workers have begun using. “It provides safe virtual interaction,” says Michael Elias, NCEM worker who introduced it to Pine Ridge Bible Camp staff and campers in northwestern Saskatchewan last year.
Campers have questions about how to follow Jesus, and look to their cabin leaders for answers. Twelve was developed by One Hope Canada specifically for this purpose, and it is safe for everyone. There is no way to chat with unknown people. There is built-in accountability, and every conversation is monitored – whether a group chat or between individuals.
Pray for good face to face connections with campers this summer, and efforts like “Twelve” to help stay connected throughout the year.
BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED
We welcome Harold Reimer to NCEM’s Governing Board. Harold and his wife Bernice reside in Coaldale, Alberta. They have pastored a number of churches over the years, and also been involved in grain and mixed farming operations. Harold is thankful for this new opportunity to be part of what Christ is doing in the world to reach people.
SUMMER INTERN
Garrison Leuf will serve with us as an intern from May to August at Pine Ridge Bible Camp. He is from Three Hills, AB, currently studying at Prairie College. His church has been a big support to Pine Ridge, and he has been an “LIT” (Leader in Training) at PRBC in past years.
Former Missionary with the Lord
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Gisela Rosel in Germany from cancer on April 27. Gisela spent her entire adult life in ministry, serving with young people in Christian education in her home country of Germany until moving to Canada in 2005.
Serving among First Nations fulfilled a long-time desire for Gisela. She spent most of these years in Regina (SK). In 2015 she returned to ministry in Germany, but left a lasting impact especially on First Nations women here.