Festival of Hope executive leader Giulio Gabeli (left) with David Ingram, director of ministry for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada. Photo by Frank King.
The Greater Vancouver Festival of Hope is under way. Some 350 leaders attended a dinner and another 900 people took part in the public launch event at Broadway Church last Thursday (March 31). The year-long festival journey will culminate with three nights of outreach events March 3 – 5, 2017 at Rogers Arena.
Two leaders of the 2014 Greater Toronto Festival of Hope spoke enthusiastically about their experience. Ho-Ming Tsui, from Richmond Hill Christian Community Church, said his church recently performed 60 baptisms – including many involving people who attended the 2014 festival. About 40,000 people attended three nights of outreach at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, with 1,700 dedicating or rededicating their lives.
Will Graham speaking to the Festival of Hope launch gathering.
Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham and son of Franklin Graham (who will lead the gatherings next March), addressed both the dinner and the launch event.
First he reported on Billy: “Many of you are probably wondering how my grandfather is doing. He’s 97, he’s in pretty good health.” His eyesight and hearing are “pretty much gone,” he said, and he talks very quietly. But he “still gets passionate about hearing of people coming to Christ. That’s what drives him.”
He enjoys hearing reports from around the world, particularly about decisions made for Christ. Then you hear an enthusiastic “Praise the Lord,” according to Will.
Like his grandfather, Will Graham has a passion for the lost. Noting our passion for hockey – I’m not sure he’s quite up to date on the Canucks – he said: “The question is, do you have a passion for evangelism? . . . Jesus was passionate for the lost.”
Festival leadership
Festival of Hope leaders gathered on the stage. Photo by Frank King.
Following his talk, all members of the leadership team present went up on stage. The group represents a wide range of the Vancouver church. The executive leader is Giulio Gabeli, pastor of Westwood Community Church in Coquitlam.
Co-leaders are Barry Buzza (Northside Foursquare Church, Coquitlam); Kevin Cavanaugh (Cedar Grove Church, Surrey); Yiu Tong Chan (Vancouver Chinese MB Church); Sandro DiSabatino (Glad Tidings Church, Vancouver); Norm Funk (Westside Church, Vancouver); Ed Hird (St. Simon’s Church, North Vancouver); Darin Latham (Broadway Church, Vancouver); Yani Lim (Bethesda Ministry of Love); Wayne Lo (Chinese Christian Church of Vancouver); Aldrin Navo (Jesus Rock of Ages Ministries); Ken Shigematsu (Tenth Church, Vancouver); Sam Owusu (Calvary Worship Centre, Surrey).
Advisory team leaders are Dave Koop and Cheryl Koop of Coastal Church. Prayer team co-leaders are Bayo Adediran (Grace Chapel, New Westminster) and Dave Carson (Intercessors for Canada). James Hung (Vancouver Chinese Missions Training Centre) will look after counselling and follow-up. The communications team leaders are John Randolph (Praise 106.5); Catherine Robertson (Eaglecom Marketing); and Laura Lynn Tyler Thompson (700 Club of Canada).
Involvement Seminars
Making the point that the Festival of Hope is a process as much as a final event, director of ministry for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association David Ingram pointed out that there are ways to get involved right away. A series of Involvement Seminars will take place early next month.
The purpose of the two-hour seminars is to:
show you how you and your church can get involved in, and benefit from the Festival journey. We’ll share biblical principles and practical ideas for effective follow-up. Attendance is vital in order to have new believers directed to your church during and after the Festival outreach weekend.
Hosts for the Involvement Seminars are: South Delta Baptist Church (May 2); Grace Chapel, New Westminster (May 3); Calvary Worship Centre, Surrey, and Evangelical Chinese Bible Church, Burnaby (May 4); Peoples Full Gospel Church, Surrey, Westside Church, Vancouver, and Breakthrough Church of God, Vancouver (May 5); Glad Tidings Church, Vancouver, and Hillside Church, North Vancouver (May 6); Harvest City Church, Vancouver (May 7); Heritage Alliance Church, Abbotsford (May 9); Westwood Community Church, Coquitlam (May 10). Go here for more dates and locations.
Christian Life & Witness / FM419
In October, evangelism training takes place. Christian Life & Witness training will be held at several churches in Metro Vancouver, while FM419 student evangelism training will be held at Broadway Church.
Mining & Soils
Two down-to-earth events are coming up this month.
This Friday (April 8), Mining and the Common Good: A Symposium on Mineral Resource Development and Laudato SI’ will take place at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre. Here is the description:
This symposium on mineral resource development is aimed at fostering respectful and ongoing dialogue among concerned stakeholders and helping to better understand the problems mining companies face, while at the same time ensuring that mining operations take full account of the common good.
- Peter Chapman, Executive Director Shareholder Association for Research & Education (SHARE)
- Dr. Simon Donner, Associate Professor of Climatology at UBC
- Barbara Wilson, Haida Elder and graduate student studying climate change and First Nations at SFU
- Jason Milne, VP Corporate Governance & Responsible Investment at RBC Global Asset Management
- Jim Cooney, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, UBC
- David Keane, President BC LNG Alliance
- Michael McPhie, Mining Industry Delegation to the Pontifical Council on Justice and Peace
- Cynthia Callison, lawyer and member of Tahltan First Nation in Northern BC
- Matt Horne, Pembina Institute Regional Director for BC.
A week later (April 16), First Vancouver Christian Reformed Church will host Good Soil: Exploring a Local & Global Vision for Food Justice:
In light of God’s vision for a just and celebrative approach to food, our hope for this day is to help individuals and churches engage in food issues both locally and globally. Together, we will learn to take concrete actions towards personal, corporate and systemic change.
This event is part of the Good Soil campaign, a partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and its members, to advocate that the Canadian government increase its support for small-scale agriculture in Canada’s international aid programs. As we look at global food issues, we also need to respond to what is happening locally. Join us to figure out what that means.
Gruesome Playground Injuries
I haven’t seen Gruesome Playground Injuries, but my wife has, and says it’s great. Here’s a brief description:
Over the course of 30 years, a series of unsettling injuries brings Kayleen and Doug together as they spar, spat and haltingly try to rescue one another. A fascinating and surprisingly tender story tracing the ricocheting dynamics between a corrosive masochist and an accident-prone daredevil.
Artistic director Ron Reed always likes his plays, but he seems particularly keen on this one (and given his track record, I’d say that’s a good sign). Here are some of his notes from PT’s Soul Food Vancouver blog:
This play? Why on earth? . . . Because that’s the best play title ever. Definitely the truest title: if you don’t like the title, you won’t like the play.
Because I really do love this play. Usually I go for story-driven scripts, rising action, this leads to that, reversals, all that dramaturgical stuff. This isn’t that. Still, it works for me: I’m drawn in, compelled, moved, fascinated. . . .
Maybe this play isn’t religious, or even spiritual – or maybe it’s gospel. I don’t know. Your mileage may vary, but I do know this: I find myself stirred in the same way I’m stirred by Easter, or friendship, or a small act of kindness or selflessness or sacrifice.
Gruesome Playground Injuries runs until April 16.
Apr 2016
Rick Goossen: Ask the Expert - Advisory Boards – April 7, 2016 at 7:30 am - 9:00 amWenona Victor: Reconciliation Through Education – April 7, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Paul Taylor: Mount St. Helens – A Message for Today – April 7, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Discerning Truth in a Complex World – April 8, 2016 - April 9, 2016 at All Day
Mining and the Common Good: A Symposium on Mineral Resource Development and Laudato SI’ – April 8, 2016 at 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Empowered to Connect Conference – April 8, 2016 - April 9, 2016 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
RSVP: Celebrate the Light – April 8, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Women's Abide 2016 Conference – April 8, 2016 - April 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 11:15 pm
Paul Taylor: Mount St. Helens – A Message for Today – April 8, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
God's Masterpiece: All Day Event for Women – April 9, 2016 at All Day
Journey of Reconciliation: Listening to Indigenous Elders – April 9, 2016 at 9:00 am - 4:15 pm
St. Andrew's United Church Women's Book Sale – April 9, 2016 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Way of Light Morning Retreat, Part 1 – April 9, 2016 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Dr. Ross Hastings: Installation to the Sangwoo Youtong Chee Chair of Theology – April 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Paul Taylor: Mount St. Helens – A Message for Today – April 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Paul Taylor: Creation or Evolution - Who Cares? – April 10, 2016 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Andrea Menard Trio – April 10, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Karin Plato – April 10, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Kairos Course (Korean) – April 11, 2016 at All Day
Jazz Evensong: Doe Bender – April 13, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Pastoral Approaches: The Church and Same-Sex Attraction – April 14, 2016 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Dr. Paul Rowe: Ataturk in my Pocket – a journey in religion and politics – April 14, 2016 at 1:10 pm - 2:50 pm
Dr. Paul Brown: Why I Accept Design (and Why It Is a Good Idea) – April 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph – April 14, 2016 - April 16, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Carson Pue: Transitions - Exploring Life Changes as Maturing Adults – April 15, 2016 - April 17, 2016 at All Day
Inhabit Conference – April 15, 2016 - April 16, 2016 at All Day
Transform Conference: Raising Up Gospel-Loving Kids in a Gospel-Hating Culture – April 15, 2016 - April 16, 2016 at All Day
Relationship Seminar with Tina Konkin – April 15, 2016 - April 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 12:00 pm
Dr. Don Bartlette: What Does Reconciliation Look Like? – April 15, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Phillipe Herreweghe & Collegium Vocale Gent: Lagrime di San Pietro – April 15, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Training for the Thinking Series – April 16, 2016 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Way of Light Morning Retreat, Part 2 – April 16, 2016 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Church of God Vancouver Spring Conference – April 16, 2016 at 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
The Volcano Spring Fundraiser – April 16, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Canadian MK Network: A Dessert Evening & Benefit Concert Featuring Carolyn Arends with Spencer Capier – April 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Don Bartlette: What Does Reconciliation Look Like? – April 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Stronger Together: MK Benefit Concert with Carolyn Arends & Spencer Capier – April 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pipe Organ - Pan Flute Concert, with Children's Choir – April 16, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Goby Katt & Jen Lewin – April 17, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jonathan Byrd & Corin Raymond (and the story of Mercy Ships) – April 17, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Alpha 'Invite Canada' – April 20, 2016 at All Day
EFC Webinar: Brian Stiller – Evangelicals Around the World – April 20, 2016 at 9:00 am - 9:45 am
Alpha 'Invite Canada' – April 20, 2016 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Quintessential Jazz – April 20, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner (for the annual BC Leadership Prayer Breakfast) – April 21, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
A Good Mother by Kathy Parsons – April 21, 2016 - April 23, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Erin-Faye Frans: Nurturing Intimacy for a Healthier, Happier Marriage – April 22, 2016 at All Day
50th Annual BC Leadership Prayer Breakfast – April 22, 2016 at 7:30 am - 9:00 am
L'Arche Vancouver: The Art Together Show – April 22, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Don Bartlette: What Does Reconciliation Look Like? – April 22, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Steve Bell in concert – April 22, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Glorious Music for Trumpet & Organ – April 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join the Reconciliation Movement – April 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Vancouver Chamber Choir and the Iseler Singers: Two Great Choirs – April 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Eastside Story Guild: Old Pine – The Trial of Jesus – April 23, 2016 - April 24, 2016 at All Day
Growing In Faith Through Worship: Facing Challenges as a Family of Faith (Part III, with Marva Dawn) – April 23, 2016 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Timberline Ranch Family Festival 2016 – April 23, 2016 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lighthouse Harbour Ministries Spring Luncheon – April 23, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Where is the Pro-life Movement Headed? – April 23, 2016 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Erin-Faye Frans: How to Talk to Your Kids About . . . – April 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
A Rocha Canada: Good Seed Sunday – April 24, 2016 at All Day
Jazz Vespers: Capilano Jazz Faculty Sextet – April 24, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Together: City Church Worship & Prayer Gathering – April 24, 2016 at 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Steve Bell in concert – April 24, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Together: City Church Worship & Prayer Gathering – April 24, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Faith & Justice Roundtable: Extraction or Sustenance – Rethinking our Relationship to Land – April 25, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Intelligent Love Course (Tuesday evenings) – April 26, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Poetry Reading: Sheila Rosen, Diane Tucker & Rian Lloyd – April 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Alpha 'Invite Canada' – April 27, 2016 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Preaching Workshop: Jesus Has a Word for Your Church, with Dr. Darrell Johnson – April 27, 2016 at 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Alpha 'Invite Canada' – April 27, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
God, Art and the Way of Beauty – April 27, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel Discussion – April 27, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Sharon Minemoto – April 27, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Jordan Klassen – April 27, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Meet Operation Mobilization's 'Logos Hope' Crew – April 28, 2016 - May 2, 2016 at All Day
SAMC Graduate Art Exhibition: Retracing Social Practice – April 28, 2016 - April 30, 2016 at All Day
Erica Grimm: Salt Water Skin Boats – April 28, 2016 - April 30, 2016 at 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Alpha 'Invite Canada' – April 28, 2016 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Alpha 'Invite Canada' – April 28, 2016 at 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Andy Mineo: Uncomfortable Tour – April 28, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
First Nations Voices Speaker's Series (Thursday evenings) – April 28, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Spirituality of Wine – April 28, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hope for Today: Prophecy Conference – April 29, 2016 - April 30, 2016 at All Day
Bargain Sale – April 29, 2016 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Sam Allberry: Is God Anti-Gay? – April 29, 2016 - April 30, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Heartcry for Change: Charismatic Anglicans – April 29, 2016 - April 30, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 12:30 pm
Chapel Langley – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel North Shore – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Richmond-Delta – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Tri-Cities – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Vancouver – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ignite Maple Ridge – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Logos Hope Crew Visit – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Lion the Bear the Fox – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Wellspring Gala – April 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fraser Valley Bible Conference: Rev. Darrell Kingswood – The Call to Holiness & God's Work of Redemption – April 29, 2016 - April 30, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 12:30 pm
Sideshow – April 29, 2016 - April 30, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Home Based Marriage Mentoring with Randy Hamm – April 30, 2016 at 8:45 am - 4:00 pm
No One Should Be Alone: Mental Health and the Church – April 30, 2016 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm