Around Town: 40 Days for Life, Anthony Brown at First, Carey scholarships . . .

40 Days for Life began yesterday in 377 cities around the world. Vancouver was one of them. What is it?:

The visible, public centerpiece of 40 Days for Life is a focused, 40-day, non-stop, round-the-clock prayer vigil outside a single Planned Parenthood centre or other abortion facility in your community.

It is a peaceful and educational presence. Those who are called to stand witness during this 24-hour-a-day presence send a powerful message to the community about the tragic reality of abortion. It also serves as a call to repentance for those who work at the abortion centre and those who patronize the facility.

In Vancouver, people will gather on Willow Street, between 32nd and 33rd Avenue, in central Vancouver. This happens to be very close to BC Women’s Hospital, which provides abortion services. (40 Days for Life organizers warn supporters: “Do not walk north of 32nd Avenue on Willow Street carrying any signs.”)

It is also just behind the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver headquarters. That is also not surprising, as there is a heavy – though not exclusive – Catholic presence in the movement.

Here is a description of its mission:

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighbourhoods, for their own friends and families.

It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion. It draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program:

• Prayer and fasting
• Constant vigil
• Community outreach

The 40-day campaign tracks biblical history, where God used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities . . . and the entire world. From Noah in the flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ’s resurrection, it is clear that God sees the transformative value of His people accepting and meeting a 40-day challenge.

Local contact info: [email protected], for any technical difficulties signing up for vigil hours. There are Vancouver Facebook and Twitter pages as well.

Called to First Baptist

First Baptist Church in downtown Vancouver announced March 5 that Anthony Brown had accepted the call to serve as senior minister, following a positive congregational vote a couple of days earlier.

In an interview before the First Baptist congregation February 24, he described his background. Growing up in a non-churched family in the northeast of England, he became a Christian when he was 12 through a Christian group at this school.

He worked with a Baptist church in southern England before earning a master’s degree in theology at Oxford. After graduation he worked as an evangelist and set up a non-profit organization “to help churches across the UK wrestle with issues of vision and mission and outreach.” He also led a Baptist church.

Anthony and his wife Helen moved to Canada in 1999 to do similar work here; he ended up gaining another master’s degree, from Regent College.

He noted that he had often been doing two or three jobs at the same time. For 14 years, until last year, he taught applied theology part-time at Regent College. He was also involved with Forge Canada, teaching groups of pastors around North America about missional theology.

For the past nine years he has been senior pastor at Hillside Church in North Vancouver. He said his decision to seek a new role at First Baptist came “completely out of the blue”:

I was very happy, am very happy in the work in Hillside. I have two other co-pastors with me, and the church is flourishing. A couple of years ago we started a school for anyone to come to for theological education. In particular, we had a partnership with Columbia Bible College to start an undergraduate program and we’ve had a couple of years of that.

While reading a book about John Stott he felt challenged by God to make the full use of his gifts and try something new. And there is no doubt that Brown will find plenty of challenges at First Baptist, not least the Heart for the City project. Work has already begun on the project, which the church describes in this way:

First Baptist Church has significant historic and architectural value in the city, being one of the oldest buildings in downtown Vancouver. Our existing church building, however, is at risk in the event of an earthquake. The Heart for the City project will restore and seismically upgrade the historic church building, in which we will be able to carry out our mission for generations to come. 

The proposed development will expand the community services the church provides with approximately 45,000 square feet of additional purpose-built space and a new affordable rental building of approximately 50,000 square feet. The church’s heritage restoration, the expansion of our space for various ministries and the addition of a new affordable rental building will be constructed by Westbank. As part of our agreement, Westbank will also be constructing a market residential tower known as The Butterfly. 

Brown said that he would “come with no agenda.” But he would focus on three things:

• prayer, with a focus on listening
• being a calm and stable presence
• navigating change: “my skills are really in the area of change”

He delivered a sermon following the interview, which can be seen here. Obviously the congregation appreciated what they saw and heard from him.

Carey scholarships

Carey is offering some very generous scholarships for their DMin and MDiv programs. Lawrence Yuen, recruitment and student life coordinator, sent a note to pastors and ministry leaders recently:

Carey is a CBWC (Canadian Baptists of Western Canada) school but welcomes and embraces students and pastors from a wide number of denominations.

Carey is in the midst of implementing a new vision which would see significant financial support afforded to all graduate level students.

In particular, the Doctor of Ministry program may be of interest to you. Carey is in a position to offer the President’s Scholarship (that provides for the full cost of tuition of the entire course of study) and the Dean’s Scholarship (providing 50 percent of the cost of tuition) to qualified new Doctor of Ministry applications.

He attached an information sheet:

Carey offers two merit-based, competitive tuition scholarships for a limited number of new students enrolling in masters and doctoral degree programs. These are the President’s Scholarship and the Dean’s Scholarship.

Both awards are designed to make theological education accessible to students who demonstrate strong intellectual capacity and show a deep commitment to personal faith alongside engagement in Christ’s church and mission, but whose circumstances would otherwise make it difficult or impossible to attend seminary.

The President’s and Dean’s Scholarships are similar in nature and purpose. Because the same application form and process apply to both, they are described together here.

The Awards

• The President’s Scholarship covers 100% of Carey tuition
• The Dean’s Scholarship covers 50% of Carey tuition

Both scholarships are intended to apply for the student’s entire degree program, up to a maximum of five years of study.

For fall 2019, Carey will award up to seven President’s Scholarships to masters-level students and up to one President’s Scholarship for a Doctor of Ministry student. Similarly, up to seven Dean’s scholarships will be available for masters students, and up to two for doctoral students.

General information and the online application is found on the Carey website; click on the APPLY NOW button to scroll down to the program of your choice. The due date for submitting a completed President’s or Dean’s Scholarship application is April 15.

Feb 2019

Children of God – February 20, 2019 - March 10, 2019 at All Day

Mar 2019

Darrel Falk & Todd Wood: The Fool, the Heretic & the God Whose Standard is Love – March 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mirror Dance Production: Before is Now – March 8, 2019 at All Day
MHM Book Launch: Janet Boldt – March 8, 2019 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Opening to God in Silence: A Lenten Weekend Retreat – March 8, 2019 - March 10, 2019 at 5:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Spark 2019 Preteen Gathering – March 8, 2019 - March 9, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 4:00 pm
André Valadão: Brazilian Ministry Concert – March 8, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
CFaN Impact Breakfast with Peter Vandenberg – March 9, 2019 at 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Declining Churches in Canada: How Can We Respond? – March 9, 2019 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
DivorceCare (Saturday mornings) – March 9, 2019 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Health Seminar on "CANNABIS" (in Cantonese) – March 9, 2019 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Chris Tomlin Holy Roar Tour – March 9, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 9, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Climate Change Presentation, Prayer – March 10, 2019 at 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
An Evening with John Brierley: The Camino – a Path of Awakening – March 10, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 10, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 12, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Film Screening: Between a Shoe and the Roof – March 13, 2019 at 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Dennis Danielson: Ethics & the Logic of Naturalism – March 13, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Reconciliation and the Indian Act – March 13, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
20th Annual Mel Smith Lecture: Preston Manning – March 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Young People and the Church? A Conversation – March 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
G. Peter Kaye Lectures: John Bell of the Iona Community – March 15, 2019 - March 17, 2019 at 12:00 am
CampsBC Celebration Banquet & Fundraiser – March 15, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 15, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Orpheus Choir: Celtic Connections – March 15, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Inspiring Dominican Saints: Pope St. Pius V – March 16, 2019 at 9:15 am - 12:15 pm
Beyond Snakes & Shamrocks: Missional Leadership Lessons from St. Patrick – March 16, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir: Celtic Connections – March 17, 2019 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 17, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bryanna Russell: Making Womb – March 21, 2019 - March 22, 2019 at All Day
Fireside Apologetics: Dr. Paul Chamberlain - Why Do People Stop Believing and What Can We Do About It? – March 21, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Geneva Lecture: Jim Mullins – Gardening in Babylon: Work, Calling & Reimagining the Mundane – March 21, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jesus Freak – March 21, 2019 - March 23, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
PACLIFE Day – March 22, 2019 at All Day
Life on the Margins: a Workshop in the Downtown Eastside – March 22, 2019 - March 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, UK – March 22, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Pornography Unveiled – March 23, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Ember – March 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
From Bach to Bachianas – March 24, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:45 pm
Agape Worship Night – March 24, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
SongStage with Ivan Boudreau – March 25, 2019 - March 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Photo Exhibition: Mennonite Churches in the Fraser Valley – Early Decades – March 28, 2019 - March 31, 2019 at All Day
School of the Supernatural: Translation by Faith – March 28, 2019 - March 29, 2019 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Public Talk: Merton and the Post-Secular Search for a Good Country – March 28, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
John Crist: The Human Being Tour – March 28, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fireside Apologetics: Paul Chamberlain – Why Do People Stop Believing and What Can We Do About It? – March 28, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Anne of Green Gables: The Musical – March 28, 2019 - March 30, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Al Massira Training – March 29, 2019 - March 30, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Worship Central Conference 2019: Heaven & Earth – March 29, 2019 - March 30, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Concert with Organist Edward Norman & Oboist Roger Cole – March 29, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Café Logos Grand Opening – March 30, 2019 at 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thomas Merton: Alaska and His Final Conferences – March 30, 2019 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
"How Will We Go Unless We Are Sent?" A Paradigm Shift in Missions Sending – March 30, 2019 at 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Free Movie: Support World Vision's Work in Cambodia – March 30, 2019 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Chelsea Amber in Concert – March 30, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Worship Invasion Hits the West Side – March 30, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Welcome Back, Kleiner – March 30, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Apr 2019

Conway Holy Land Presentation: Bryana Russell – April 1, 2019 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
(Re)Development 101 for Churches: Housing Civic Academy (part 1) – April 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Insights to Impact Tour: Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby . . . – April 3, 2019 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Whispering Grass by Haitao Yin: Opening Reception – April 3, 2019 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
John Bonnett: Thinking About History and Beauty in a Post-Secular World – Some Potential Intersections Between the Digital Humanities and Theology – April 4, 2019 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Insights to Impact Tour: Langley, Surrey, Abbotsford . . . – April 4, 2019 at 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Intelligent Love (Thursday evenings) – April 4, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Elevation Worship: Hallelujah Here Below Tour, with Cody Carnes – April 4, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Joy in the Journey Tour with Wendy Farha – April 5, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conference – April 6, 2019 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Walk the Talk: Vancouver for Bill C-262 – April 6, 2019 at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Big Little Lions – April 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Laing Lectures 2019: Malcolm Guite – Imagining the Kingdom: Parable, Poetry & Gospel – April 9, 2019 - April 11, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Abbotsford's 30th Annual City Prayer Breakfast – April 10, 2019 at 7:00 am - 9:30 am
The Lay Awakes – April 10, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
40 Days for Life – April 11, 2019 - April 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
Faith CARE: Learning How to Grow Restorative Churches – April 11, 2019 - April 13, 2019 at All Day
Man of the Shroud Exhibition – April 11, 2019 - April 15, 2019 at All Day
ACMV / Hope Vancouver Pastors & Leaders Gathering: Albert Lo – April 11, 2019 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Cadre: Terry Virgo – Building Spirit-Filled Churches – April 11, 2019 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Bethel Music Victory Tour – April 12, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Parenting Workshop – April 12, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sweet Sounds: MORE Network Annual Benefit – April 12, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Diversity and Constructed Identities (part 2): Peter Ash – April 12, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Easter Story – April 12, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Viper Central – April 12, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Tax Clinic (Saturday afternoons) – April 13, 2019 at All Day
Business as Mission Social Impact Conference – April 13, 2019 at 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Terry Virgo: Amazing Grace Conference – April 13, 2019 at 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Journey Home Refugee Support: Basic Training – April 13, 2019 at 8:45 am - 3:00 pm
40 Days for Life Closing Rally Vigil – April 13, 2019 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Alzheimer Café – April 13, 2019 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
EMI Gala Fundraiser – April 13, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Global Disciples Celebration of Ethiopia – April 13, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:15 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale: Easter Concert – April 13, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hillsong Y & F – April 13, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Switchfoot: The Native Tongue Tour – April 13, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Holy Week 24/7 Prayer – April 14, 2019 - April 20, 2019 at All Day
Sawuti Choir – April 14, 2019 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Searching for Identity: Mennonites in Revolutionary Russia – April 14, 2019 at 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
What Love is This: A Choral Presentation Reflecting on the Passion of Jesus – April 14, 2019 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley: Greta Matassa – April 14, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm