October 16, 2006

Good morning.  This had been a beautiful fall week.  Gloria and I had the opportunity to drive the Cabot Trail on Thanksgiving Day and the weather was near perfect and the scenery truly outstanding.
 
Woods Harbour (Steve Bean) recently held a Free Community Carnival with circa 475 people present.  The out-of-the-box event was a huge success with very strong community impact.  Congrats!
 
Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning of this week, Gloria and I were in Sydney to visit with the Harbour Wesleyan church planting team.  This is a totally new planting model for us with three couples on site, all of whom are “tentmakers.”  Pastors, if you have not yet had the lead planters Michael and Tammy Hutton in your church, please consider doing so soon.
 
Elliott Innes, our missionary to Peru, has hearing loss and uses hearing aids which were in need of replacement.  Last week, our district was able to cover the cost of air travel for Elliott from South America to Minnesota where Starkey Hearing Aids were fitted for him at no cost courtesy of the company – PTL.
 
On Thursday of this week, I met with officials of the Province in Fredericton as we continue to work diligently on the wastewater system upgrade that is needed at Beulah.  Please continue to pray for the Master’s help in this important matter.
 
Scarborough Coastal (Dwayne Hopkins) is sending a team of 15 to Guatemala next month.  To date, the team has made over 1,000 crafts for the children there and they are taking literally hundreds of pairs of shoes with them for the children as well.  We applaud their missionary vision.
 
On Friday, the district hosted new pastors’ Orientation Day in Moncton.  We had 3 new solo pastors and 15 new staff pastors present along with 8 resource people.  What a great crew of new leaders, what a wonderful opportunity to spend a day with them and what outstanding potential for the Kingdom!  
 
“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”  Hebrews 13:3
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted church – November 12/06.
 
On Saturday, I hosted a meeting in the York Manor Board Room (thanks, Ken) of selected district leaders as we laid plans for a ministry road tour around the district in the spring of ‘07.  More word soon on this ministry training/interaction event.
 
Yesterday, Gloria and I were at Fredericton Olivet (Tom Ward) for the dedication of their beautifully decorated and highly functional renovated worship centre.  There were 257 present for a very uplifting service and a fellowship lunch following.  Youth Pastor Mark Brewer and his wife Liz also dedicated their new baby in the service.  Our congrats to Pastor Tom and all who worked hard to bring this excellent project in under budget.
 
This past weekend, we were privileged to host the Atlantic Canada District Church of the Nazarene pastors and spouses retreat at Beulah.  We were very pleased to have these fellow laborers in the cause of the Gospel on our grounds.
 
THOT:  A warrior with high potential is quick to leave a poorly led tribe.  Attila the Hun