Jenn, Sam and Katie

Susan and I have just arrived home from a very encouraging trip to Courtney and Powell River. After Sunday church we headed for the Horseshoe Bay Ferry. The rain was beating down on us, but we were excited to get away and visit some very dear friends on the Island. We braved the storm all the way up the Island Highway and finally arrived at the very beautiful Crown Isle resort, where we spent the night.

Monday morning I returned to the Northgate Foursquare Church in Courtney to finish teaching through the Old Testament with the very bright-eyed students of the Masters Commission. At our lunch break, Susan and I had a delightful lunchtime visit with Ken and Eunice Gaglardi who serve their son Scott as pastors of the church he leads. It is so encouraging to have seasoned elders like the Gaglardis undergirding the ministries of younger Pastors.

After I finished covering up to Malachi with the young leaders, Susan and I met Fred and Janet Farren for dinner. We both sat fascinated with the colorful stories that our dear friends shared with us . As retired pastors (Fred was formerly an ordained Catholic priest), having served as pioneer pastors and unit leaders in the Atlantic region, Fred and Janet have experienced about everything a pastor comes up against. Through it all they have not been wearied or hardened; rather they both are among the most gracious soft-hearted pastors I've ever met.

On Tuesday morning, we sailed aross the Strait to Powell River to visit with our lovable friends Sam and Katie Alescio who have both worked with us at our church. Katie's sister Jenn Wright is the pastor of the church they now serve. Over lunch we got to know Jenn a bit better. She is terrific! Like her sisters Katie and Tina (who will be working with us at the National Office) Jenn is a gifted leader. She actually reminds me a lot of what I've read about our denomination's founder Aimee Semple McPherson. Thanks guys for a very refreshing and encouraging visit!