Around Town: Business As Mission, Joy Smith, modular housing, Zac Niringiye …

The concept of Business As Mission (BAM) has gained serious traction over the past few years. Anyone who wants to get a better idea of what it’s all about will have the perfect opportunity early next month (June 1 – 2) at the Business As Mission Social Impact Investment Conference.

This is how the gathering is described:

This two-day event includes a chance to network with like-minded people, share ideas and knowledge, and collaborate to help entrepreneurs, business people, students, investors transform the way you think about how you do business and invest in social impact.

The conference will be hosted by YWAM Vancouver and ACE Development Fund.

YWAM has an office in east Vancouver; it is part of an international ministry that works primarily with young people in more than 1,100 locations in over 180 countries.

ACE, based in Seattle, “exists to plant businesses in the developing world as a sustainable solution to alleviating poverty while bringing social, economical and spiritual transformation. It trains entrepreneurs with a core curriculum, connects them to investors, business mentors and business opportunities.”

Here are two of the speakers who will describe their experiences:

Mary Haegeland: Five14, Nepal

Mary Haegeland and her family have served in Nepal since 1987 (with some years in the United States), working with relief and community development. In 2010, the Haegelands founded a group of social businesses, Five14 Nepal, which exists to prevent exploitation in Nepal through ethical tourism businesses.

The Five14 group consists of four ‘for profit’ businesses and one ‘not for profit’ foundation. The group employs 40 Nepalis in Kathmandu, while also creating small business opportunities in rural villages where extreme poverty is a root cause of exploitation. Mary’s passion is to see local businesses create fair jobs and new opportunities for those who are most vulnerable to injustice.

Honorable Ed Fast: Former Minister of International Trade, Canada

Ed Fast practiced corporate and commercial law for 24 years. On May 18, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Ed to his cabinet to serve as Minister of International Trade. He was responsible for the Government of Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan, which implemented the most ambitious trade plan in Canada’s history and deepened Canada’s trade and investment relationships in large, dynamic and fast-growing economies around the world.

Ed’s top trade priorities were to bring into force Canada’s free trade agreements with the European Union and Ukraine and a modernized agreement with Israel, and concluding trade negotiations with India and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Currently (in this 42nd Parliament) he is serving as the Official Opposition Critic for the Environment and Climate Change. Prior to his appointment to cabinet, Ed chaired the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

The key topics to be addressed will be social impact investment, transformational business and mentorship.

Mike Davies, head of YWAM Vancouver, said, “Our hope and vision for this event is that we begin a movement within the business sphere to see transformation both here in our city and to the ends of the earth.” (He also told me the promo code for $20 off the conference fee: BAMLNK2018.)

The conference will take place at the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront in downtown Vancouver.

Joy Smith: human trafficking

Former MP Joy Smith will be in Metro Vancouver for a couple of events which will celebrate her tireless efforts to fight human trafficking.

On Friday morning (May 25), Village Church is hosting the Invisible Injustice Forum at SFU’s Wosk Conference Centre downtown.

On Saturday, All That is SHE “celebrates women supporting women and female empowerment” at a benefit for the Joy Smith Foundation.

I suspect both events will have a brand new book about Smith’s work on display: The True Story of Canadian Human Trafficking by Paul Boge:

Damon Unger wrote about Smith and the book May 22 in The Province. Here is a portion:

After spending a career on Parliament Hill fighting to stop human trafficking in Canada, and over 10 years helping victims and survivors, Joy Smith is now featured in a book that sheds a light on the deadly trade in Canada.

The True Story of Canadian Human Trafficking, written by Paul Boge, tells the true story of high school student Abby Summers as she is groomed and eventually sold into the sex trade by a boy she was dating. While this is occurring, Smith, at the time, Member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul, fights on Parliament Hill to pass bills that will help end human trafficking in Canada. . . .

Go here for the full story.

Modular housing: mixed results

First the good news. Richmond City Council withstood strong opposition and voted May 18 in favour of a modular housing project for homeless people.

Writing for Richmond News, Daisy Xiong said:

All councilors except Chak Au voted for the project to move forward.

City staff were authorized to negotiate terms for a five-year ground lease for the city-owned modular housing land at 7300 Elmbridge Way, and to negotiate an agreement with BC Housing and RainCity outlining roles and responsibilities.

The staff will report back to council within two months.

Go here for my March 29 article, in which I focused on support for the project, especially from the Christian community.

The bad news is that Maple Ridge city council turned down a similar project May 22. Harrison Mooney wrote in the Vancouver Sun:

Maple Ridge council rejected the first reading of a rezoning application on Tuesday to build a shelter and supportive housing facility in the area.

The proposal would have seen a modular building built on Burnett Street near the Lougheed Highway, operated by Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries, with shared living space for 30 residents, 20 shelter staff, and 55 private suites.

Mayor Nicole Read voted against the proposal as part of the 5-2 majority, saying she “would prefer that any such facility works in league with the Fraser Health Authority, rather than the Salvation Army, which was selected to operate the venue.”

Go here for the full story.

Zac Niringiye: repenting mission

One of the other stories I posted this week is about the centrality of the Great Commission in Jesus’ teaching. We know it has been key in the modern missionary movement.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Zac Niringiye will speak as a representative of a nation which was on the receiving end of the Great Commission / Imperial Enterprise, at Regent College May 30. (Niringiye retired as Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala in 2012 to focus on the pursuit of peace and social-political justice in Uganda.)

His talk – Christian Witness and the Common Good: Repenting Mission – is described in this way:

The lecture will submit two critical observations, which should be of concern to all who are committed to the gospel and its impact in the public square.

Firstly, historically the dominant paradigm of evangelical Christian community and mission in the public square is one of domination and conquest. Secondly, it is more often the case that contexts where Christianity enjoys significant adherence in terms of percentage population, Christian communities are often part of the narratives of exclusion, injustice, rivalry and conflicts, rather than champions of the common good.

The argument will be advanced that the above are due to historical-contextual distortions, misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the gospel and the obligation it places upon those who believe, in relation to the world, the public square and those who do not believe. A case will be made, that this is particularly so with the understanding of the gospel and its obligation in terms of ‘mission’ and ‘the Great Commission,’ concepts that are irredeemably embedded in the paradigm of conquest.

Since, as we shall contend, authentic Christian community in the public square bears the ‘good news of God,’ the ‘fruit’ of which is ‘the common good,’ the gospel invites us to repent of mission and turn to joyful testimony and witness, as salt and light.

“Repenting mission,” which is “irredeemably embedded in the paradigm of conquest?” That’s strong language, but I am looking forward to hearing from retired Assistant Bishop Niringiye in person.

May 2018

Cameron Johnston: Stress Management Seminar – May 23, 2018 - May 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pope Francis: A Man of His Word – May 24, 2018 at All Day
Tax Clinic – May 24, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB: Preaching and Communicating in a Franciscan Era – What is the Church Learning from an Argentine, Jesuit Pope? – May 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Cultivating Life – May 25, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at All Day
HISTORYMAKER WEEKEND 2018 – May 25, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at All Day
River School: Journeys in Compassion, with Steve Stewart – May 25, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at All Day
Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation – May 25, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at All Day
Invisible Injustice Forum – May 25, 2018 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
#ChurchToo Conference: Responding to Professional Sexual Misconduct – May 25, 2018 - May 26, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Together for Adoption Conference – May 25, 2018 - May 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Global Outreach Day – May 26, 2018 at All Day
Labyrinth Prayer: A Pilgrim Journey Close to Home – May 26, 2018 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Refugee Support: Basic Training – May 26, 2018 at 8:45 am - 3:00 pm
Understanding Islam & Loving Muslims – May 26, 2018 at 8:45 am - 12:00 pm
An Act of Re-membering Workshop – May 26, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Learning By Design: Effective Strategies for Teaching Adults – May 26, 2018 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Books 'n Bistro Boutique – May 26, 2018 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Living Single Again (Saturday mornings) – May 26, 2018 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
All That is SHE: Benefit for the Joy Smith Foundation – May 26, 2018 at 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Praise and Worship Concert – May 26, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Worship Invades White Rock – May 26, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Strong Women of Song – May 27, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: The Hot Mammas – May 27, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
VOS 2018 Spring Concert: Psalms of My Soul – May 27, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Focus on Life 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner – May 28, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The Nones: An Evolving Story of Secularity in Canada – May 29, 2018 at 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Dr. Zac Niringiye: Christian Witness and the Common Good – Repenting Mission – May 30, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Bill Weeds Trio – May 30, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Jun 2018

Christian Faith and Popular Culture Conference – June 1, 2018 at 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Carnival: Richmond Christian School's 60th Anniversary – June 1, 2018 at 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Business As Mission Social Impact Investment Conference – June 1, 2018 - June 2, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 4:00 pm
What is the ‘Best’ Evidence God Created? with Carl Kerby – June 1, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Meets Gospel – June 2, 2018 at All Day
Book Signing: For Better, For Worse – June 2, 2018 at 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Genesis and Jesus with Carl Kerby – June 2, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
REST Fest 2018 – June 2, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Creation Science AGM Dinner Meeting & Finding God in Ancient China with Carl Kerby – June 2, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professions (NACCAP) Annual Conference – June 5, 2018 at All Day
A Community Aware: Resisting the Pipeline – June 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Celia Deane-Drummond: The Lost Soul of Homo – Humility, Wisdom & Technology in Deep Evolutionary Time – June 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Paul Stevens & Alvin Ung: Spiritual Friendship & Mentoring Today – June 6, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Minho Song: Unchanging Mission Principles in an Age of Rapid Change – Lessons from the Past – June 6, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Bryn Kinders & Friends – June 6, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
First Reformed – June 7, 2018 at All Day
Tolkien by Ron Reed – June 7, 2018 - June 9, 2018 at All Day
Watoto: Signs & Wonders – June 7, 2018 at 12:00 am
Everyday Abbey Webinar: There Aren't Enough Hours in the Day – June 7, 2018 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
David Lewin: Thinking About Tomorrow – Where Theology, Technology and Education Meet – June 7, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Watoto: Signs & Wonders – June 8, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Duelling with Cause – June 8, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 11:30 pm
The Story of Anglicanism – June 9, 2018 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Watoto: Signs & Wonders – June 9, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Night of Power prayer meeting – June 9, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hymn Festival: Blessed Assurance – June 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Angela Verbrugge – June 10, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Doc Fingers Quartet – June 10, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Watoto: Signs & Wonders – June 10, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Night of Power prayer meeting – June 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Watoto: Signs & Wonders – June 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
BC Christian Ashram – June 13, 2018 at All Day
Summer Connect – June 13, 2018 at 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Nancy Newman & Friends – June 13, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Tigers Be Still by Kim Rosenstock – June 13, 2018 - June 16, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fr. David Bauer Memorial Golf Classic – June 14, 2018 at All Day
Laila Biali – June 15, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Run for H2O – June 16, 2018 at 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Restoration Day at A Rocha – June 16, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Amazing Grace: A Day Conference with Terry Virgo – June 16, 2018 at 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Book Launch: Church in Surrey & White Rock – The Untold Story – June 16, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Stars & Dark Matter, Quilts by Lois A. Klassen: Gallery Exhibit Opening Reception – June 16, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Ember Vancouver – June 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
All My Relations: Indigenous People's Day Celebration – June 17, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Ingrid Stitt – June 17, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
VOS Choir: Father's Day Appreciation Concert – June 17, 2018 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Sarah Williams: The Spirituality of Time – June 18, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Celebrate World Refugee Day – June 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Reina Del Cid – June 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
World Refugee Day: Information Fair – June 20, 2018 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Invisible City [Kakuma] Documentary Film Screening – June 20, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Laura Crema & Friends – June 20, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Lines of Thought: Drawing Explorations & Painting Studies – June 21, 2018 at 12:00 am
Won't You Be My Neighbor? – June 21, 2018 at All Day
VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir (TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival) – June 22, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Community Movie Night: Paddington 2 – June 22, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Spiritual Trauma Seminar – June 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
We are Neighbours Celebration – June 23, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
A Comedy & Dessert Night with Phil Callaway – June 23, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
World Refugee Sunday – June 24, 2018 at All Day
Point Grey Fiesta: Ecumenical Church Service – June 24, 2018 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Jazz Vespers with Tom Arntzen & Friends – June 24, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Gabriel Hasselback – June 24, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Heather Soles & West Coast Charisma – June 24, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Universal Gospel Choir – June 24, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Then Sings My Soul: An Evening of Music with Calvin Dyck – June 24, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Andy Rowell: How to Think About Church Leadership – June 25, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Leora Cashe (TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival) – June 25, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Wafik Wahba: Understanding Current Dynamics in Christian-Muslim Relationships – June 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Good Noise Gospel Band (TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival) – June 26, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Alzheimer Café Vancouver – June 26, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm