Friday, July 27, 2007

I loved today! We set off at dawn on a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to the North End. Along the way we stopped the boat, shut off the engine and after worshipping a while, sat in complete silenced on the Sea. It was an awesome experience. Along the way we stopped at the place where Jesus gave the Beatitudes the seaside where Jesus told Peter he loved him even after he’d cursed him—they ate fish together on this very spot.

Then we visited Capernaum where Jesus spent most of his time and Peter lived. We also saw a 2000 year old boat which has recently been excavated from the sands of Galilee. It was like the one Jesus used to teach from.

One of the highlights of our visit was at the Jordan River. I had the priviliege of baptizing 10 of our church in the river. The water was bath-tub warm and a large catfish swarmed around our legs.

We're still in the Holy City.

It's Wednesday at 6 pm now (8 am Wednesday at home). We've just returned from another very warm tour of Old Jerusalem (it's rumored to be 48 degrees today) the last couple of days have not slowed down at all. Breakfast at 6:30, prayer at 7:30. Services at 9 till 12:30, tours till 4:30 and then more Convention. Its all so good we haven't wanted to miss a minute. I heard some say they came looking more forward to the tour of the holy land than the services but those same people all seem to agree that the worship services have been the highlight of the trip.

Last evening we were awed by the musical drama by the New Covenant Players. This large group has travelled all over Israel and put on the story of Israel's history from Abraham to today. It was the most moving Drama I have ever seen

Our tours during the Convention have all been in the Jerusalem area. Yesterday we saw the tomb of David, the Upper room where the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost, and the house of Caiaphas. Then we spent about an hour at the huge model ( 1/50 th actual size) of the ancient City of Jerusalem of Jesus, day.

Our visit to the Holocaust Museum was both sickening to see the depths of human hate and depravity and at the same time inspiring to hear the stories of bravery and heroism.

Today we spent several hours on Mt Zion and at the Wailing wall. This is some of the only actual land that Jesus walked on. We touched the same stones and looked at the same architecture that Jesus did. Tonight there's no service so I hear we're hitting the marketplace. Shalom!

Shalom from Jerusalem.

I have hundreds of pictures I know you'd love to see but haven't been able to send them from here in Israel. When I return I'll out a select few on this blog

25 of us are here at the International Foursquare Conference from our church. We left on Thursday (July 19) morning and arrived on Friday night (time here is 10 hours ahead of Vancouver). At 6:30 am breakfast was on and we began running. We haven't stopped since. Its very hot and we're very tired but couldn't be happier.

On Saturday at 7:30 am we left on our bus tour and headed for the Mount of Olives. Throughout the day we walked the steps that Jesus walked 2000 years ago. We covered the Mountain then went down the Kidron Valley to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before the cross.

Then we walked through the sheep gate to see the place where Jesus was tried by Pilate. It was a fascinating journey. Over the hours we walked the streets that Jesus carried his cross. I was surprised how busy, hot and difficult the journey was even for us. It was almost overwhelming to imagine Jesus carrying his cross on the same pathway.

Later in the afternoon we went to Golgatha to see where Jesus was crucified and buried. Then we celebrated his resurrection by taking communion together. It was an unforgettable day!

We were not ready to get up at 5:30 on Sunday morning but we were so glad we did. Our bus group is the same everyday. Besides our group we've come to love many new friends. We headed south toward the Dead Sea.

Among the sights, we saw the caves of the Dead Sea scrolls, the springs of Engedi where David hid from Saul and my favorite, the fortress of Massada. Thank God we were able to ride a cable car up the 3000 foot mountainside. Although it was about 45 degrees the walk was amazing. Although I've seen movies and hundreds of pictures of the area it was more than anyone could imagine. Looking from the fortress over the Dead Sea was an experience I will never forget!

On the return trip we stopped for a swim in the Dead Sea and snapped pictures of all of is floating tourists. We had to do it!

Last evening the Convention began. As good as the tours were, this conference is the highlight. Worshipping beside 3000 people from many nations of the world has been a moving experience. Its Monday morning now. The first meetings started at 7:30. After lunch we'll go back to touring the city of Jerusalem.

On Sunday I finished my two hour sermon (it took three weeks to complete it) about the four 20-25 year seasons that make one cycle of 80 to 100 years. From Ecclesiastes we read "History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before." Reviewing the past sixty years it's evident that we are quickly moving into another dark winter season. The future is going to be very difficult and will begin with a crisis or a series of crises. To prepare I suggested nine very important considerations:

a. Get right with God, Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them."

b. Strengthen values and virtues, II Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

c. Take advantage of the seasons, Jeremiah 17:7-8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.

d. Don’t build anything too big, Luke 18:18-20 Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry. But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'

e. Prepare for teamwork (relationships), Hebrews 10:24-25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

f) Prepare our children and youth, Deuteronomy 6:6-7 "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

g) Prepare our elders, Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

h) Prioritize finances, Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

i) Brace yourself for the storm, Exodus 14:13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

Isaiah 7:9(b) If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

Check out the full series from July 1, 8 and 15 on the audio server. It could change the way you look at the next twenty years of your life.

Dating and Marriage

Over the past 30 years I have counselled 100's of couples regarding marriage conflicts. The issues are varied and if 2 partners are willing almost any of them can be worked through with forgiveness, grace, love and respect.

The marriages that don't seem to be able to overcome obstacles tend to be where one or both partners is so badly messed up from their childhood that they have never matured as adults. They live their lives as though they were 6 years old. A person may be educated and successful in business, but socially they've been badly damaged. They are spoiled goods and not fit for the disciplines of marriage or family.

I am not saying that the childish person cannot be healed and fully move into adulthood, but I am saying that process should complete BEFORE marriage, not after. How many people have I heard lament, "I thought I could change him!" the fact is that if he or she does not care enough about others to change himself, they are not ready for the demands of married life.

Dating is our North American way of sorting through perspective partners. It is difficult because we tend to put our best foot forward to impress our date, but there are always tell-tale signs to those who are not blinded by infatuation or desperation.

With that perspective I give you this very appropriate test:

THINGS I WISH I'D KNOWN BEFORE I DATED

~ Never date anyone who is rude to the waiter/waitress.

~ Never date anyone who is rude to their mother.

~ If they have a tendency to be rude to you now, just wait.

~ If you date someone who doesn't share your standards, they'll lower yours.


~ The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship: "I
apologize" and "You are right."

~ Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

~ If he/she says you're too good for him/her, believe it.

~ If they have a tough time apologizing now, just wait.

~ Never date anyone who spends more time gazing into the mirror, than they
spend gazing into your eyes.

The Cycles of Life

Last week was July 1 so I began a 2 part message on the future of Canada. I said that there are cycles of history which last between 80 and 110 years. The cycles can be divided into 4 quadrants (seasons) which the Bible calls generations. (A generation is the new life that a married couple produces which is 20 to 25 years.) God speaks of both curses and blessings that last 4 generations or 1 cycle
Solomon wrote about the cycles of life in Eccl 3:15 "What is happening now has happened before, and what ha happened in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over."
Within each cycle are 4 distinct seasons like Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. We see the same thing in the 4 seasons of our lives-Age 0 to 20 childhood (spring) age 20 to 40 young adulthood (summer) Age 40 to 60 midlife (fall) and age 60 to 80 senior years (winter).
We see life and history in 1 of 3 ways:
1. Chaotic. Which means there is no design or order to life. It simply happens randomly.
2. Linear. Which means life flows along with no repetition and can theoretically get better and better. (this is how many futurists imagine North America will be) 3. Cyclical. Which is the Biblical and historically proven model
If life is cyclical, and God says it is, then we are due for a winter season in North America! Here's why:
The Great Depression and WW II was a dark winter season. Crisis turned our world inside out the season that follows winter is predictably spring. The years 1945 to 1965 were growth years (our spring season) The years 1965 to 1985 were our summer years. Everything was new-music, art, values, religeon, politics behaviors.
The years 1985 to 2005 were our Fall. Disintegration was evident. Family, marriage, crime, poverty, disease were becoming rampant. We're headed toward an inevitable crisis!
The years 2005 to 2025 will be crisis years. We'll are unimaginable things happen in our world-environment, economy, health, warfare , terrorism etc. Winter is on the horizon.
Winter is not the end of the world. Rather it always preceeds spring. Two comments and then you'll have to listen to my July 8 message:
1. We have time to prepare ourselves. Just like we would for a coming snowstorm we'd be wise to get ready for this 20 year crisis!
2. This will be an unprecidented time for a spiritual rebirth in our nation. Just as Jesus prepared his disciples for the crisis of the cross and the revival that would follow we can do likewise. That takes is back to my thesis of "Walking with the King". Blessings to all my readers!

Friday July 6th

Last evening we had a delightful visit with Roland and Shaunna Rendell in St John NB. Roland gives oversight to the Atlantic Churches and listening to the various pastors talk we were amazed how well accepted and loved he and Shaunna are in the few months they've been here. I loved hearing Roland's heart and vision for the Atlantic Unit and his appreciation for each of the pastors here. I am anticipating stength and growth in this, the oldest region in Canada

Thursday July 5th

We woke up to rain this morning and the weather has continuously become more Vancouverish since.
Breakfast at the Inn was delicious and the conversation with Peter and Donna Colpitts was even better.
Peter and Donna serve alongside Forest and Jean (who are right now in St John celebrating the birth of their first granddaughter) as house church pastors. They have a strong vision and zeal to open other House Churches in remote areas of the Atlantic.


Mabel our GPS friend then led is to the Kingston Penninsula to the home of Pastor Paul and Barbara Smith. What a gorgeous setting high up on a bluff overlooking a verdent valley of water and trees! After lunch with them and son Garvin Paul took üs to see the oldest church in NB built in 1789. (interestingly a brochure in the foyer says they receive e-offerings)

We then drove to their Foursquare Church which is being repainted. This church building was constructed in 1871. A Lady named Mary Jane McDougal wanted a church for non-Anglicans so took up an offering among the neighbors. The bill of $502.00 for building materials still hangs on the wall.
What impressed me most besides the love and dedication of Paul and Barbara was the fact that all the churches in the area share a Youth Pastor. United Baptist, Anglican, Independant and Foursquare got together to hire a young woman to pastor their combined youth!











Tonight we will meet with the highly respected Unit Supervisor of the Atlantic churches

July 4th Dalhousie NB

Independance Day across the border but Busy Day here in downtown Alma NB. This morning we got up early in Moncton because we needed to be in Dalhousie northern NB by noon. It was a beautiful drive up north and we arrived exactly on time to meet Pastors Paul and Joyce Bertin.
Dalhousie is a lovely pulp mill town of 3000. The mill used to employ 1200 but due to automation now needs 30 people per shift. Imagine the economic effect of such downsizing. After lunch we went to are the old lighthouse. You'll see Quebec up north behind Paul and Joyce. Its just across the inlet

After our walk in the park Susan and I booted it south to Bathurst, a bilingual town where Pastors Doug and Anne Peto serve. After dinner we drove with Doug and Anne to see their building. I am very full of faith for this church. They have tremendous potential!
Then we headed further South past Moncton to the small fishing Village of Alma we put on about 800 clicks today and when we weren't driving we were eating. Next week its back to Salads and water!

Peter and Donna were waiting for is when we arrived at their picturesque Bed and Breakfast at 10:30

Tuesday July 3rd.

Today was an easier day, but very inspiring for us. We began by meeting a couple of dear friends, Pastors Reid and Bonnie Stairs, for breakfast in Halifax. Over our meal we were inspired by the vision and zeal of Reid and Bonnie. We both left our time together thoroughly stoked bout what God has in store for the Atlantic region.

I do have to confess I was a little jealous of Reid's motorcycle. The two of them love riding the winding roads along the Martime coastline. More power to you guys!!

After breakfast we headed north to the very French city of Moncton, New Brunswick for the evening. We get there early enough to take a romantic stroll along the boardwalk beside the meandering Chocolate River. Tomorrow is going to be a very long day.

Our flight across Canada.

Yesterday after the last "amen" Susan and I hopped in the car and headed for the airport for our flight to Halifax. To me it was very signifigant to fly from coast to coast on my first day as President of the FGCC and on Canada Day
We prayed for every province as we flew. Over Toronto it was 10 pm their time and we could see many colorful fireworks shooting skyward. What a memorable July 1!
We spent our first night here in Halifax and tried to adjust to the 4 hour time difference, having arrived at 3 am Atlantic time. Monday evening we enjoyed a 4 hour dinner with Scott and Jacqueline McDougall at Marios. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this vibrant young couple who planted their church from scratch in Lower Sackville.
Tomorrow after breakfast we're off to beautiful downtown Moncton. So far I like this job!

Canada Day

Today is a very signifigant day in my life and in my circle of influence. Several streams are converging:


1. This is the day I officially take the reigns as President of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada. Along with the transition I've been receiving a lot of vision for the future of our denomination.
2. As a bonus Susan and I have the privilege of flying today after church from Vancouver to Halifax. I will make it a point to bless every province as we fly over the 6 hours across our nation.
3. Signifigantly it is Canada Day. God has been planning to do a strong work in Canada since before Jacque Cartier landed on the East Coast in 1534. Today in my sermon I'll explain why we're approaching the birthpangs of God's good plans.
4. This Sunday I'm continuing to speak on the subject of Vision. Over this week and next I'll be giving a prophetic message for our church and our nation. That will be available to hear on the Audio program at barrybuzza.com.
5. This Sunday I'm ordaining 2 new pastors in Northside. Pastor Sam Ong will serve our Chinese members and Chang Hun Suk will serve our Korean members. This week kicks off our new 7 year plan of being a truly International church
6. This week also marks the beginning of a 3 month Tri-City prayer plan. Along with many other churches our goal is to walk the Tri-Cities block by block until we've covered every home Business and school in prayer.
7. Its also the beginning of summer, the end of school and the start of Northside's 5th - 7 year season of ministry.
I'm excited about this moment in time and as ready as possible to move forward in the light of God's grace

Stepping Stones of Victory

It seems to me that at least once a week I sit down with someone in our church to encourage them in their ministry, and I leave the meeting having gained more inspiration than I gave.

That's what happened yesterday when I met with Elisabeth Holmes. She has developed a program to help single moms grow in a wide variety of skills. Stepping Stones of Victory has been a wonderful vehicle to disciple and encourage dozens of women.

In addition to this amazing ministry Elisabeth serves in our Higher Ground Ministries in a growing number of areas, works at least 3 other jobs and is finishing her Bible College courses to earn her degree. (She also is a single mom herself and is getting married this year--Wow! I'm tired thinking about it. )

But the reason I left our meeting so uplifted was because of Elisabeth's newest project. Every morning she gets up at the crack of dawn and writes an encouraging devotion which she then emails to her 50+ participants. When she showed me some of her writings I got greedy and asked if I could share them with those on my blog.
Here's an example from today. If you'd like to receive Elisabeth's daily devotional she said she would happily add to her list I can think of dozens of friends I want to receive it. Just send Elisabeth your email address. Hers is steppingstonesofvictory@hotmail.com


Today’s Stepping Stone of Victory
Turning our stumbling blocks of adversity
into stepping stones of victory!
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
By: Elisabeth Holmes


June 30
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16

Around 44-49 AD under the evil and infamous Roman emperor Nero, the Jewish Christians were living in a very dark period of their new faith suffering unthinkable persecution that was driving a wedge of fear and oppression in their faith and amongst each other. Validating their suffering (v 5:13) James unites the believers through encouragement and invites them to confess their sins to each other and pray for each other so that they may be healed and strengthened in their faith.

When I read the history of what these Christians suffered it makes me sick, I cannot even imagine what it would be like to live under these conditions. Do you ever do that and complain about your circumstances to someone else and then in God’s wisdom He sends someone along that has it a million times worse? I say God’s wisdom because I know He wants us to take our eyes off of ourselves and pray for them yet the enemy presents the option of being sucked further under as well. Yup, many times I’ve taken the low road of despair. Every time I fall into that trap, I ask myself “Why do you have to complain?” Complaining is a sin (Phil 2:14). Am I going up for prayer after church or seeking and elder to confess that I’m complaining? Nope. Instead I find someone else that will suck me further into my sin and I enlarge my pity party!! Funny isn’t it, I never feel better when I continue to complain about my circumstances. Can you relate?

…….our stumbling block
Our faith weakens when we focus on the problem instead of the solution and the enemy will send in reinforcements to drag you further down in your sickness.

……stepping stone of victory
There is power in confession of your sin. The enemy wants us to think that we are so weak and that our sin is the worst! Guess what? We are weak but it is through confession of our sin that we are released from the bondage that has ensued around our hearts binding up our faith of unbelief. I did that 2 weeks ago and confessed my lack of joy in my circumstance and the prayer of my beloved friend Yvonne opened up a blessing upon me and my family that encourages me to not complain but to have faith in our Lord who invites me to trust Him, ALWAYS! Do you trust Him enough to confess your sin to someone righteous in your circle of influence? I invite you to try. What do you have to lose?

Just for fun

Without geometry, life is pointless.
When you dream in colour, it’s a pigment of your imagination.
Reading whilst sunbathing makes you well-red.
When two egotists meet, it’s an I for an I.
A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two-tired.
What’s the definition of a will? (It’s a dead giveaway).
In democracy it’s your vote that counts. In feudalism it’s your count that votes.
A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
Show me a piano falling down a mineshaft and I’ll show you A-flat minor.
When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.
A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.
A lot of money is tainted. It taint yours and it taint mine.
A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
A plateau is a high form of flattery.
The short fortuneteller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
When an actress saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she’d dye.
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

Enjoy the long weekend and celebrate Canada Day!

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Randy Trca

Today, I had the delight of performing the wedding for a couple of friends, Randy Trca and Jenn Landry. I had the pleasure of teaching them both this past year in my Beta class.

Randy was one of those atheists who attended our Alpha program with no intention of every becoming a Christian. I loved it when he told me the story of how amidst the protests every week and his arguments against the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection, he could not resist the pull of the Holy Spirit.

By the week of the retreat, Randy gave in and committed his life to Jesus. Jenn followed in his footsteps. While Randy attended Beta the next Semester, Jenn came to Alpha. Both of then are now glowing in their new found faith. Marrying them today was a privilege.

Our drive to the hotel in Guelph was a highlight for me. Along the way we stopped to snap a picture in the small town of Mount Forest. Over the years, I’ve often told the story of Aimee Semple’s visit to Mount Forest.

It was in about 1915 that young Aimee was invited to speak at a mission church there by a lady pastor. Seeing only a small congregation of elderly people, she was not satisfied. Aimee grabbed a chair from the mission and headed for the busiest corner of Main Street about a block away. Always willing to do the unusual, she climbed onto the chair, closed her eyes and lifted her arms to heaven. Aimee stood still for about twenty minutes—when she felt a curious crowd around her, she quickly jumped from her chair and ran to the mission house. The crowd followed her.

When she and her followers got inside, she shouted to the two men there, “Shut the door and don’t open it until I’m finished preaching!” They did and that began one of her very first and most memorable revivals. Added to that story, another one happened on the same week. The old town drunk, who was also the town cryer was deathly ill. Never having had much experience in praying for the sick, Aimee was not put off by the challenge. She prayed for his healing—body, soul and spirit that evening.

The next day the old man returned, completely healed and sober. Because everybody in Mount Forest new the man, his healing became the talk of the town. Many were saved and healed in Mount Forest during Aimee’s stay there, but even more than that, the revival was the beginning of Aimee Semple McPherson’s next thirty years of miracle ministry.

Churches were soon planted there, in Durham and Owen Sound (where my family has many roots). After snapping pictures there, Susan and I headed for Guelph to spend our night.

On Friday, we journeyed and flew back to Vancouver, where we landed fourteen hours later. It has been a very happy, tiring and memorable visit with our awesome Ontario pastors.

Welland and Durham

We loved Thursday.

Mabel led us first off to Welland where we met Fred and Barb Plank at their home. From there we went to lunch and Fred filled us in on the long history of our Ontario Unit, which before 1983 had been part of the USA’s Eastern District. The Welland church’s history dates back to about 1928. It’s so fascinating to get to know the stories behind every pastor’s family. We learnt something from everyone we met.

After Welland, we got in our Volvo and headed north to Durham, Ontario. Louie and Gladys Foster have been friends since I taught them in Bible School in 1977. Both of them and their families are natives of Durham, so they know most everyone in that town. Although the Fosters already had children, when Louie felt God’s call to pastor, they left everything behind in Durham and moved to Vancouver to attend four years at LIFE Bible College. I highly admire this couple’s faithfulness and zeal.

Pastoring a rural church is very different from our suburban culture. After touring the mostly gravel streets between farms, we stopped at a small Mennonite café. Louie and Gladys greeted almost everybody there as friends. Almost all of our pastors hold down secular jobs as well as pastor, but while Louie and Gladys do both, they also run a very sizable farm in their spare time. I get tired just listening to their schedule.

Greater Toronto area

We arrived in Etobicoke just after noon to meet with Ron Morin at the church building his multi-ethnic congregation uses on Sunday evenings.

Ron graciously drove us around the west side of Toronto for two and a half hours and explained to us many of the unique characteristics of the G.T.A. We made a quick stop at a strip mall where the Toronto church is planning on renting space this summer. Then we drove through dozens of ethnic communities. It was obviously true what Ron said about Toronto being the most multinational city in the world.

I was feeling a growing excitement as I realized how closely my own vision for a multi-national Foursquare Church paralleled Ron’s vision. He has relationships with dozens of ethnic pastors, and his missionary heart (Ron and Joan spent many years as missionaries in Brazil, and he still travels several weeks out of the year to care for and oversee pastors in various nations of the world) is open to starting scores of multi-national congregations in the G.T.A. Toronto is about 55% populated by immigrants.

Our dinner on Wednesday evening was a delight. Susan and I met some of the pastors who work alongside Ron and Joan. The table was diverse—Nigerian, Caribbean, Filipino, Brazilian and us out-numbered Caucasians.

There was a buzz of enthusiasm as we shared our visions for reaching Canadians of all colours and racial backgrounds, as well as the unique flavours of our own church cultures. I am very optimistic about the growth and health of the Ontario Unit of Foursquare Churches. We arrived after midnight at our hotel in Thorald, not far from Niagara Falls.

Ontario visit

Susan and I had a very fruitful trip to visit our pastors in Ontario this past week. We flew out right after church on Sunday, so that we could begin our meetings on Monday morning.

Our first visit was with Glenn and Lynn Bleakney, who pastor in Burlington and Cambridge. Glenn planted the church in Burlington and has just this year taken on the leadership of our Cambridge (largely Portuguese) Church. I was delighted with the large vision that he has for the greater Toronto Area (G.T.A.) as well as for Missions. Glenn and Lynn left immediately after our lunch for a couple weeks of missionary work in Trinidad.

On Monday evening, Susan and I got in our car and programmed our very wise GPS (we called her Mabel) to lead us to Oakville. We sat in a beautiful lakeside restaurant with the Unit Supervisor, Marion Raymond that evening.

Marion gave us a very positive overview of the Ontario Unit. She is a strong and loving leader, encourager and visionary for the Ontario pastors. After dinner, Mabel led us to our hotel in the area for a well needed rest. The jet-lag and time change had set in for Susan and me.

Tuesday was a beautiful June day. The sun was warm and the view was verdulent and peaceful as we drove west to London. We’d been upgraded at Hertz and given a beautiful new Volvo convertible to enjoy the weather.

We arrived just after noon at our friend’s, Gary and Bev Miller’s, comfortable old suburban home in the University district. Bev had served me and the church for over thirty years as secretary and Gary as jack-of-all-trades over the past several years. We were so happy to see them again.

That afternoon, we headed west to the beautiful city of Sarnia nestled on the shores of Lake Huron. David and Connie Hardman were our congenial hosts for dinner on Tuesday evening. We loved their stories of God’s blessing on them and their ministry. After dinner, David and Connie drove us for a city-tour and to see their 75 year old church building. The Sarnia Church’s history goes back to the early Pentecostal revival in Sister Aimee’s day.

After spending the night at Bev and Gary’s home and visiting with their kids and grandchildren we headed back to the G.T.A., only stopping for a quick side trip to Ingersol to see the historic birthplace of the founder of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada—Aimee Semple McPherson. It was my first visit to Ingersol, and I felt a warm kinship with Sister Aimee as we drove through her 1890 birthplace.

Dance Recital

I'm sitting here with Susan and our girls and their families at a looong dance recital. We came only to see Madeline and Victoria (the obvious stars of the show) but it would be bad manners to walk out now that they are done their 2 minute dances.

There are a couple of observations I've made concerning dancing, as I'm thinking about it in the context of our Dancing with the King:

1. It's a lot of work! Wow, these girls and a couple of boys have worked at their craft diligently. It seems to come easier to some than to others.

2. Working in harmony with each other is a must. It's not a dance if there is no partnership.

3. Leadership is necessary. I can see the dance teacher off to the side behind the curtain leading the choreography. Some follow better than others!

4. It's fun! When the dancers, little or mature, dance well, they are awesome in their beauty and grace. And they obviously are enjoying themselves.

Only an hour and a half to go. Dinner's coming soon!

Johnny Appleseed

This Sunday in church I'm continuing to talk about our walk with the King.

Because it's Father's Day, I'm teaching on the importance of planting seeds of vision, hope, and promise for those who follow us.

I love the story of John Chapman: the small, godly and somewhat eccentric man that is eulogized as Johnny Appleseed. Initially he made a living as a gardener selling small apple trees then as a man on a mission, John walked hundreds of miles with a large bag of appleseeds over his back.

At times he would carefully plant rows of seeds in a specified acre and at other times Johnny would plant acres at a time. The investment of those 50 years of his life didn't really pay dividends to him. Rather, the generation who followed after him benefitted from his lifetime of sacrifice.

Years later the seeds from Johnny Appleseed's work provided the fruit that kept Western pioneers alive during some very bleak winters.

The Bible pattern is that vision should be fulfilled over generations. We fathers are planting seeds today that our grabchildren will harvest after we are already in heaven. What do I see for their future? What kind of seeds am I planting?

Dorothy (Dot) Archer Graduates

Yesterday we celebrated the home-going of a dear friend in our church. Dot has been one of those priceless elders who is always at the church. She and her Muskateer friends spend their days serving God by serving others. Whether praying behind the scenes or helping in the kitchen, Dot continuously found her place in ministry.

It's always interesting to me when I get to meet the family of someone I only know in a church context. I love it especially when there is a video collage of pictures. Although I've known Dot for a few years, I only saw her as an older little grey haired saint (That's probably how people see me too! At least the older grey haired part!) , but seeing Dot's family portraits was enlightening. She won a most beautiful baby contest; she was an active athlete. She was a real clown who loved to entertain her friends; there were pictures of her piloting a speed boat; clad in leather jacket riding a Harley and above all Dot was a loving mom and grandmother. Her easy to love family are a testimony to her strength as a capable and loving single mom.

We'll miss you Dot, but you deserve the reward you are now enjoying!

Jamaican Feast

Today at church we had 3 awesome services and finished them off with a red hot Jamaican lunch. The feast was a combination celebration to remember thea 28th Anniversary of Northside Church and also to make our church aware of the team headed to Jamaica next month to renovate the Foursquare National Office and to do some teaching and evangelism. We have 14 team members preparing to leave in July for the 2 week adventure.

Thanks to the team, led by Pastor Gord Demchuk, who did all the cooking and serving. Last week they fed our 10 am service and this week they cooked 1200 pieces of chicken to feed the 9 and 10 o'clock services. What a wonderful celebration!

God places members as he wills

One of my strong convictions is that God places people in church circles for a definite purpose. There is a special ministry reserved for each of us. Our job as pastors and leaders, like parents, is to train up our church members in "the way they should go", so that as they mature, they won't depart from it. I love watching as the lights go on in a person and they discover their purpose in the church family.

It seems like every week I have a conversation with another enlightened person who has heard from God. Of course some stories are very personal and others are just seed ideas, but this week, I had at least 4 such meetings. One, as an example, was an inspiring meeting with Marg Gilmour, our Prayer Coordinator. Even though Marg is nearing 80, she continues to be an inspiration to me and hundreds of others. Our meeting this week was about a plan to pray person by person for everyone in our Tri-Cities. We did this before in 2000 along with hundreds of our friends from several churches in our community and it became one of the most memorable years of ministry ever. Now Marg is taking the lead in our city-wide project again this year.

Marg has taken a map of our Tri-Cities and divided it into 77 sections. We're giving everyone of our 60+ churches an invitation to sign up for 1 to 10 sections. Then their members will walk and pray throughout their assigned streets. Every home, school and business will be prayed over! Thank-you Marg for your love for God and People! This is going to be another banner year in the church!

Look Who's Following

On Sunday I'll be speaking on the first couple of chapters of my book "Walking with the King", so the subject of the morning is one of my favorites--developing leadership. It's my belief that everyone of us carries influence over certain other lives.

When Susan and I were in Edmonton last weekend one of our pastors told me a story about a member of his church. The man was a Viet Nam Vet who had been thoroughly washed out by his horrible experiences during the war. As a victim of PDS this dear man felt like he had no value and God could never use him. A few weeks ago, the Edmonton church was sending a mission team to Inuvik to minister to the First Nations people there. Not knowing how he could help, the vet brought a gift to the pastor.

He gave him a paper bag full of loonies and several boxes of dried cereal. My friend confided that he had no idea what either could be used for. There were no dollar stores in the remote area and milk would be very expensive and hard to get, but he thanked the vet for his gift and took it anyway.

After arriving, both gifts began to make sense. One of the first things the native leader told the team was that they for some reason had an overabundance of milk delivered that week. They didn't know what they were going to do with it. The next morning the team was delighted to be able to serve the whole town a delicious breakfast. After spending a lot of time outside, the team was very cold and felt grimey. They didn't have access to nice hotel rooms but there were some public showers available. Each shower took a looney to operate. The bag of loonies given to them was exactly what they needed!

When the team returned and told the vet what had happened he was thrilled to know both, that God loved him enough to speak to him and use him to bless the missions trip. God has called everyone of us to serve a very definite circle of influence. Even you and me!

Susan & I in Alberta

Susan and I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to our neighbouring province—Alberta. On Saturday, we flew from Abbotsford to Calgary where Pastors Merelyn and Garry Webber picked us up.
I can’t imagine a more hospitable family than the Webbers. They hosted us and treated us like the king and queen of Foursquare kingdom. We loved visiting The Garden, their Foursquare church in Calgary, on Sunday. This warm and vibrant church family have their roots in the early revivals of our founder Aimee Semple McPherson, about eighty years ago.
I generally judge a church by whether or not I would be part of it if I lived nearly. This one I (and Susan agreed) would happily join. After speaking at the morning service, we returned to the pastors’ home and began preparing for our Leader’s Seminar.
Soon a couple dozen of some of the most fun and gracious people anywhere gathered and we began. I had the privilege of teaching and leading discussion for the next 3 ½ hours. Then we ate again! By 10:30 the happy family of strong and enthusiastic leaders dissipated and we wound down for the night.
In the morning Garry and Merelyn dropped us off to get a car and we headed north to Leduc.
Over dinner we had a delightful meeting with the pastors of Edmonton and also of Kikino. Doug and Lois Boyd serve our Edmonton Foursquare church. We sat gripped to our seats as they told us story after story of miracles God is working in their circle of influence. Besides pastoring Doug is a professional counselor.

Don and Lynda Knelson pastor in a native community about 2 ½ hours out of Edmonton. Besides Dan working full-time, pastoring and having raised five children (now with ten grandchildren) Lynda and Dan have taken in over three hundred native or Metis foster children over the last few years. Most of them have suffered from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, plus other social and emotional challenges. Listening to Dan talk with humble delight about their family’s kingdom privilege helped me to understand more deeply than ever how each of us has a story to tell. Although I teach pastors how to lead and grow a church, I saw again that health and purposefulness of a church family, whether it consists of ten people or a thousand, is not the same for any of us. We all have a uniquely designed pathway to walk.

Saturday, Off to Calgary

Saturday June 2
Susan and I are at the Abbotsford Airport on route to Calgary. Garry Webber, pastor of the Garden Foursquare Church will pick is up and host us for the weekend.

On Sunday after I speak at the morning service, I'll be leading an afternoon conference on one of my favorite subjects-church growth. Having studied and practised the subject for the past 30 years it's a privilege to be able to pass on what I've learned to others.
I love the name of the Calgary church-The Garden! So many principles I've picked up in my own garden are applicable to the church. If you want to have a healthy and abundant crop in the seasons ahead now is the time to plant and nurture the seeds. There are many natural principles that we probably all know. We simply have to discipline ourselves to do them. For example, every garden, whether flowers, fruits or vegetables needs 4 essential nutrients-nitrogen, potash, phosphoric acid and lime. If any one of them is lacking, the garden will languish. Its the same with the church. There are 8 essential nutrients necessary to a fruitful congregation. If all 8 are infused growth and health will be automatic. God has intended every living thing to be fruitful

28 Years old Today

Today is a very important day on our church calendar. It was on May 27, 1979 that we held our first service at Lincoln Elementary School. There were 22 of us. 11 adults and 11 small children. All except my family were new believers. Kelly was 7 so she served as childrens Pastor. Susan played the piano and sang and I taught very simple Bible lessons. Those were fun days!
I plan my life and our church life in 7 year stages so we've covered 4 of them so far. I was suprised to hear my secretary Tina is only 26. She wasn't even born when we opened our church doors.
Yesterday I spoke to about 50 of of childrens ministry leaders. Our 28 year history is an apt picture of how fast the future arrives. We need to envision where our kids will be 7 or 14 years from now and lay out a pathway for them to follow to arrive safely there.
After our morning training session, where our workers enjoyed teaching and inspiration and also were prayed for by elders, we planted a symbolic lilac tree in the church garden. I commented on the picture it painted for us. It was a royal color, it blossoms seasonally, needs to be cared for and pruned regularly and like the church, has a beautiful fragrance. After praying together around the tree, Ingrid also noticed that it is a Korean Lilac! What a perfect picture of our focus on many Ethnic groups! I loved our morning together. Sunday is a pivotal day in our church history

Summer reading

I was asked by a reporter of Faith Today about what reading material I would cover this summer. Having just finished a couple of weeks of a very restful vacation, I thought I'd share the titles of a few books I read while away. They were all worthwhile reads:

1. Letters to Auntie Fori was a lot to digest. A friend gave me this captivating book as a gift and it really struck my fancy. The author covered in a long series of letters to his Jewish Auntie, the history of Judism over the past 5000 years. I was, of course, very familiar with the Bible history from Abraham's time to Jesus' day, but the many chapters that meticulously overviewed their history from Jesus to modern times were fascinating. The resilience of the Jews through the centuries of persecution they've endured is admirable. The author carefully explains every Jewish tradition and holiday I ever wondered about.

2. Winning, by Jack Welch, was a very worthwhile book to read. Jack was the very successful CEO of General Electric who is revered as a imitable leader. What amazed me was how his philosophy of leadership, which proved very successful, was based on biblical teaching. Especially interesting and controversial was his chapter on Differenciating. Jesus used the same principle.

3. The 360 Degree Leader, and also, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, both by John Maxwell, were good easy-to-read overviews of leadership principles. John illustrates well with interesting stories.

4. Leaders on Leadership, compiled by George Barna, was excellent. George gathered 15 articles from some of the most respected leaders in Christendom. Chapters by Kenneth Gangel, Jack Hayford and Robert Clinton were among my personal favorites.

5. The history of the Pentecostal Church in Canada. This is an old out-of-print book which a dear friend gave to me. It covers the early 1900's as pentecostalism spread throughout our nation. The stories that thrilled me the most were of how our Foursquare founder, Aimee Semple McPherson influenced the church. For example a revival she led in Montreal laid the groundwork for a strong PAOC church which is there today.

6. Just before I left on vacation, I read Fathers and Sons (I don't have the book here so I don't remember the author) . This book was a gripping picture of the hole in our society left by the lack of fathering. How the church can fill that necessary lack is very challenging. I'll pass this one on to our men's leadership for sure.

Well that's it for now. I have about 12 more books on my table to take with me on the many airplane trips planned for this summer, so I'll fill you in on what else I read later. Happy reading over these sunny months!

Walking with the King

I opened my book, Walking with the King, with a story about my granddaughter Madeline. While planting a cherry tree together I realized how much like me she is. After giving her explicite instructions about how to plant the cherry pits in the ground, Madeline proceeded to ignore my wise counsel and do it her own way! In contrast, Victoria and I had a wonderful bonding time as we worked in the garden this week. Once again I gave her exact instructions as to how to shovel the dirt into the bucket so I could carry it. Victoria listened carefully to my instructions and did precisely what I told her to do. Every once in a while she'd ask, "Is this right Papa?" and of course I would encourage her "Yes honey, you're doing great!"

That's the theme of my lesson this Sunday morning. I've called my sermon, Walking with the King, because I'm introducing book 2 of my series. I'm using the words, walking, watching, listening and learning for an outline. For the word, watching, Jesus told us about the man he healed of blindness. It was his only living parable about our progressive healing. When Jesus first touched the man's eyes, he saw, but not clearly. After a second touch, he saw with clarity. I used a graphic .on powerpoint to illustrate how we don't always see the full picture at first glance. This learning stage will last a life time. I compare Dancing with the King to the theory part of our education, Walking with the King to the course practicum, and Sitting with the King to our internship.

Sunday May 13 Mothers Day

Tomorrow is mothers Day, but it is also the Sunday that I begin the second book of my Kingdom Series, Walking with the King. I'm starting our study of the Gospels with the miraculous story of the angel Gabriel coming to Mary and announcing that she'd been chosen as the mother of Jesus.

Although it's probably impossible for us to conceive of all that Mary must have been thinking at that moment, I'm using the incident as a picture of the wonderful reality that we've all been chosen by God to give birth to a miraculous destiny. God is looking for fertile heart soil to implant his miracle seed in. I think you'll be challenged and encouraged if you listen to my talk via the Audio Program available on my web page. May you be blessed beyond what you have imagined as you listen and consider the fact that you, as well as Mary have been chosen to give birth to a miracle! You'll find my notes under Nothside Church's webpage. www.northsidechurch.com

Happy Mothers Day

I'm one of those very blessed people who has been privileged to have 3 moms. My first mom, Agnes was my birth mother. She has had more influence on who I am than any other woman, except Susan. My mom died of cancer when I was only 18 years old so she never even knew that I went to Bible College the next September or that I wanted to become a pastor. A few years ago I was conducting a funeral at our church, and after the service I met a woman I'd never met before. She surprised me when she said that she had been one of my mom's best friends! She also told me that my mom had been praying that I would be a pastor. That was a very enlightening and encouraging piece of information. I'm not sure if mom can see what's going on down here or not, but if she can "M om thank-you for your love, your strong example and your belief in your very backward young son. I love you!"

My second mom came into my life not long after my 1st mom's death. Suprisingly, the day my dad met my birth mom was the same day he met my step-mom. On a church picnic, to which he'd been invited by his sister, he met my mom. She was only 16 so when he asked her if she wanted to go for a rowboat ride in the lake, my protective auntie said, "Allan you're not going to take Agnes on the rowboat by yourself. (dad was 21) It wouldn't be proper. The only way you can take Agnes is if you take Audrey too!" Audrey was 13 and so she chaperoned dad and Agnes on their 1st date.

26 years later, just before mom died, she told dad to look up Audrey after she was dead. Audrey had lost her husband a couple of years earlier to cancer, so the last thing my mom did was to pick out her husband's second wife! Thankfully dad listened to mom and asked Audrey out . Because both were widows they had a lot in common. A few months later they were married. I could not have asked for a better step-mom. Audrey is a beautiful, dignified and loving mom.. Can you imagine anyone agreeing to take on our family of 6 kids in addition to her own two?
My sister was already married, but after a couple of years the next 5 of us were married too, within 8 months of each other!

My 3rd mom is Nancy. She's Susan's mom, but when I met Susan in 1967, my mom had already died so she began calling me her son. It was a good thing that I married her daughter a couple of years later, because mom would never have forgiven either of us if we hadn't. Mom has been one of those rare gifts to our world. Because her own mom had been a very unhappy, bitter, meddling mother, mom decided that she would be the opposite! She became a Christian just before Susan was born and Jesus gave her the grace that she needed to be all that her own mom was not. She is truly a saint! Mom has loved us and our children unconditionally for every one of these past 40 years. At 91, she is still one of the most servant-hearted, ministry orientated, loving and generous people I've ever met!

Thank-you Lord for your grace and favor in my life for giving me my 3 moms, Agnes, Audrey and Nancy. Happy mothers Day!

We're Back

Susan and I returned on Tuesday from our vacation in Mexico. It was a very restful couple of weeks lounging under the desert sun and waving palm trees. Neither of us are very athletic so we content ourselves with relaxing, reading, walking and eating. In my case I get a lot of time to catch up on some writing. This year I spent a lot of time thinking about where I will be leading the Foursquare Church in Canada and writing out my vision and plans for July. I'm looking forward to stepping in to my new role on the first of the month.

This picture is of the last 2 presidents of the Foursquare Gospel Church Victor and Dorothy Gardner, Tim and Laurene Petersen, and also my brother Rob who serves as President of Pacific Life Bible College. Now Susan and I will serve our Canadian denomination.