It’s Monday Again
Over 400 Wesleyan leaders gathered with more than 5000 in Orlando this week for Exponential 2019 – Made for More. This included 13 Atlantic District Pastors from Cornerstone, Deep Water, Kings, New Hope, Presque Isle, Woods Harbour, and Yarmouth. This premier event provided a smorgasbord of seminars, workshops, and plenary sessions – all with a focus on empowering Kingdom multiplication.
Jason Parker shared the following insights, “The experience gave a fresh sense of optimism of what God is uniquely doing on a much broader level. Exponential provided the platform for us to engage in meaningful conversation and dialogue as co-labourers who are contextually trying to work things out in our own unique location.” #kingdommultiplication #contextualeffectiveness #raisingleaders
Wishing you had an opportunity like Exponential closer to home? Well, look no further than Multiply Halifax! Scholarships to subsidize attendance for Lead Pastors available upon request.
The votes are in and the newly merged Beals-Jonesport church families will begin worship with a new name on Easter Sunday. After an inclusive process for name submissions and congregational votes yesterday, the new church is The Reach Wesleyan (with Lead Pastor Andy Phillips and Assistant Pastor Nick Wilson) – congratulations! The body of water separating Beals Island from Jonesport is Moosabec Reach. This shared channel of these communities is symbolic of the shared mission of these church families in the call to reach the Moosabec region.
30 years ago yesterday, the Lord called our longest serving District Superintendent home. H.R. Ingersoll served with distinction for 28 years in this role (1960-1988). His son, Don Ingersoll, posted the following on Facebook yesterday, “…Still conscious of his strong influence in my life, still grateful for the great man he was and the courageous things he did…” Powerful words of legacy Don – for us all – thanks for sharing this timely word of honour to remember a great man of God. #spiritualfoundations
This annual event at Kingswood University for World Hope International (Canada) is a worthy Kingdom investment. You will be challenged by the insights of Director of Anti-Human Trafficking Haley Clark. Please RSVP on or before April 8th (877.482.1499 or info@worldhope.ca).
Last evening about 30 gathered (pictured above) at Hope (Joanne Ozon) to pray for healing for their Lead Pastor. South Shore Zone Chair Shawn Craven (Havelock) is to be commended in the following email sent to his zone on March 8th for his excellent leadership to inspire and model our core value that we are Stronger Together. The full transcript of this note below provides an understanding of Joanne’s current challenge and beautifully illustrates the way this Exploration Essential…
“Good morning Southwest Nova,
This is a note to bring you up to date regarding Joanne.
She sustained severe nerve damage to her leg due to an infection in her spinal cord causing paralysis to her leg rendering it unusable and making it impossible to walk without assistance. I had a great visit with her Wednesday in the Shelburne hospital. We laughed, cried, had coffee and prayed together. Thank you for your prayers as we rally around and support Joanne and Mike during these challenging days. We serve a great God who walks with us in our darkest most uncertain hours. Reaching out to her during these days would be very much appreciated. There is a code of honour in the fire service that says; ‘If one of our own is in trouble, I will move heaven and hell to help.’ Joanne is one or our own.
She was released from the hospital [March 7th] after a 10 day stay, but will require long term treatment at the Neurology Unit in Halifax to get the use of her leg back. Her medical team remain optimistic about the nerve damage being able to be healed.
In the short-term while Joanne, Hope Wesleyan and the District figure out next steps, I was wondering if those you who lead multi-pastor churches would be willing to help with pulpit supply? Brad Eisan [Faith] will preach there Sunday and I plan on being in Shelburne to preach March 17. If those of you who are lead pastors in a multi-pastor situations could reply to me and let me know about your availability of helping with pulpit supply either with you or one of your staff pastors, I would really appreciate it.
We are stronger together! Working together during these days to support Hope Wesleyan I believe will unify us for greater Kingdom effectiveness in Southwest Nova. Your prayers and support mean the world to Joanne and Mike! Thank you.”
Well done, Shawn – thanks for showing us what it looks like when the invisible threads of our values shape Kingdom culture.
Votes/Reviews/Transitions
- River Valley (Dave McElhinney) announced yesterday the LBA has unanimously nominated Shawna Rogers as the candidate for election on March 24th as the second Lead Pastor in 31 years.
- Jason Parker received a unanimous vote yesterday for an extended call as Lead Pastor of Woods Harbour.
THOTS:
- Some tensions are not to be solved but managed. (Wayne Schmidt) #Exponential2019
- Am I trying to be the hero or am I trying to make heroes of others? (Dave Ferguson) #Exponential2019
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. (William Arthur Ward)
40 Days of Prayer for Kingswood University (Mar 12 – Apr 21). Looking for a great idea for your church this Easter season? You can download this prayer and scripture guide for your personal or church Lenten emphasis.
Children’s Ministry Pastors and Lay Leaders: NEXT registration for Saturday, April 6th, in Halifax is now open @ http://cbacyf.ca/next. The first 100 participants to register through their Wesleyan Church using the code “NEXT2019” will receive a $20 scholarship discount from the Atlantic District.
Attention all parents, teens, and youth leaders/pastors! One Conference is back again this year May 31 – June 1. This is a great opportunity for students to go deeper in their faith and meet other youth from across the Maritimes.
Caton’s Island Director Dean Stephenson reports that summer camper registrations are already up over this time last year – don’t delay getting the word out to your students and parents/grandparents to make sure they can attend their preferred camp!