Jemal Damtawe will launch his new book at Broadway Church September 15.
Jemal Damtawe is well known and respected in the Downtown Eastside as an outreach worker with Union Gospel Mission (UGM). Many will know that he struggled with addictions himself before he overcame them and began helping others on the street.
But most probably don’t know his full story. Damtawe has told that dramatic tale in a new book, Forced Paths, Ordered Steps, which he will launch and sign this Saturday (September 15), 2 pm, at Broadway Church.
Damtawe was forced into a life of violence as a child soldier in Ethiopia after being abducted on his way home from school when he was 15. After two years he escaped by stowing away on a cargo ship, following a couple of unsuccessful attempts. He finally made it to Montreal, where he married and had a daughter.
But things did not go smoothly. Vancouver Sun writer Nick Eaglund wrote about him September 10:
Eventually, Damtawe left his wife and daughter in Quebec to move to Portland, Oregon, where he joined a gang, sold and used drugs, and was shot twice during fights, he said. His time there took a heavy toll on him, and family and friends warned him to get out.
He renewed his Canadian passport and moved to Vancouver, but his addiction pulled him straight into the Downtown Eastside, where he became homeless and slept under a bridge.
Eventually, the overdose death of a close friend sent him to the Union Gospel Mission, which he had visited for food before but where he now sought a spot in a recovery program. Through bible study and group sessions where people shared their own stories of trauma, Damtawe found Christianity and sobriety.
“It helped me a lot,” he said. “There’s a community.”
Damtawe said he hopes his story of transformation through faith will “open the door” for others seeking to put trauma, violence and addictions to sex, drugs and alcohol behind them. There is no shame in sharing one’s past, he added.
Coastal Mental Health gave Damtawe a Courage to Come Back Award in 2016. Another Vancouver Sun article, by Susan Lazaruk, told how his life turned around:
“I tried so many times to stay clean and sober,” said Damtawe.
Until that fateful Christmas morning.
“Something changed when I came to UGM,” he said. “People prayed for me and they encouraged me, so I got that hope.”
He entered into a four-month recovery program and now helps others.
“Without judging them, I just love them, like God loves them,” he said.
His nominators said Damtawe spends Christmas and other holidays with men in recovery so they won’t be alone, engages with youth, preaches at church, offers spiritual care and mentors students.
On weekends, he hands out water and granola bars to people on the streets of Coquitlam, where he lives with his new wife and four-year-old son and attends church. (Damtawe was reconciled with his daughter, now 23, and visits her regularly.)
Damtawe is planning to devote 30 percent of the proceeds from the sales of his book to opening a recovery house in Coquitlam.
Love Does in Iraq
All churches raise money for good works, some quite a lot. But Village Church surely set a local record last year when supporters gave $1.2 million during their 2017 golf tournament to complete and help fund a hospital in Iraq with the non-profit group Love Does.
A year later, there are tangible results. In a Kurdish area which has welcomed many Yazidis, Syrians and others, the Love Does Hospital has been built just outside a new refugee housing complex. Watch the video to get a better sense of the project.
Village Church is remarkable in several ways. CBC News featured them last year: How an unlikely pastor started one of Canada’s fastest growing churches. Love Does focuses on education, refugees, human trafficking and injustice in post-conflict zones; they currently have projects in six countries.
Hope & the Environment at VST
Leah Kostamo
Leah Kostamo will present the Somerville Lecture at the Vancouver School of Theology (VST) this year. She will address Hope & the Environment next Thursday (September 20) at the Chapel of the Epiphany.
Here is how VST describes her talk:
Leah Kostamo is the author of Planted: a Story of Creation, Calling and Community. She is co-founder of A Rocha Canada, a Christian conservation organization that shows God’s love for all creation.
Together with her husband she started the first Christian environmental centre in Canada, which over the past 15 years has welcomed thousands of visitors and interns who have rolled up their sleeves to grow organic vegetables, restore salmon streams and inspire school children.
Margaret Atwood, writing in Sojourners, said of Leah and her A Rocha colleagues, “If all Christians were like them, ours would be a radically different world.”
Leah makes her home in the Little Campbell Watershed and shares life with five other families (and a myriad of chickens) on Kingfisher Farm in south Surrey.
To learn more about some of A Rocha’s recent work go here, and for their connection with Margaret Atwood, go here.
Kostamo will also be facilitating a Journey with God Retreat September 27 – 29 at A Rocha’s Brooksdale Environmental Centre.
Richard Bott now leads United Church
The Rt. Rev. Richard Bott was elected Moderator of the United Church of Canada this summer. (United Church of Canada photo)
This is slightly old news, but I took August off, so better late than never. Local pastor Richard Bott was chosen Moderator of the United Church of Canada July 26. Here is part of the denomination’s statement:
The United Church of Canada has elected the Rev. Richard Bott, 49, from Vancouver as its 43rd Moderator from a field of 10 nominees. Meeting in Oshawa, ON, over 300 commissioners (delegates) from across the country have gathered this week to decide on a wide range of church business that includes the election of the Moderator, who will be the church’s spiritual leader for the next three years.
The Rev. Bott recently served as the minister for Pacific Spirit United Church in Vancouver and was in the process of moving to a new congregation. But that changes now that he has been elected Moderator, which is a full-time position in the church.
Born in Marathon, Ontario, the Rev. Bott has served churches in Ontario and British Columbia. He is well known for his skills as a leader, writer and educator. An early adopter of social media, he manages a Facebook group of over 700 United Church ministers.
Bott oversaw the merger of Dunbar Heights United Church and Ryerson United Church. Known for a time as Dunbar Ryerson United Church, the name of the combined congregation is now Pacific Spirit United Church. He also successfully guided plans to redevelop the Kerrisdale property.
It has not been long since another local pastor led the United Church of Canada; the Rev. Dr. Gary Paterson of St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church in downtown Vancouver was Moderator from 2012 – 2015.
Sep 2018
Inaugural Lecture: Mapping the Uncharted World of the Aramaic Dead Sea Scrolls – September 13, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pmMCC Festival for World Relief – September 14, 2018 - September 15, 2018 at 5:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Community Table Winemaker's Dinner – September 14, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Don Bartlette – September 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Smith Fraser Duo – September 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Chapel UBC – September 14, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Freedom Session: Leadership Training – September 15, 2018 at All Day
COLAB Youth Leaders Summit – September 15, 2018 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dr. Iain Provan: The Reformation and the Right Reading of Scripture – September 15, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
MinistryLift: The Coach Model – September 15, 2018 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Jemal Damtawe Book Launch – September 15, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
How Great Thou Art: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley Performed by Steve Elliott – September 15, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The People vs Kinder Morgan – September 15, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Praise in the Park – September 16, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Tony Wilson – September 16, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Camp Tulahead Fall Fundraiser – September 16, 2018 at 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Needtobreathe: Forever on Your Side Tour – September 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Kairos Course (Tuesday evenings, plus Oct 26-27 weekend) – September 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Alister McGrath on Science & Faith: Enriching or Conflicting? – September 18, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Alister McGrath: Probing the Viability of Natural Theology for the 21st Century – September 19, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Elie Pritz: Peace Heroes – September 19, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Alister McGrath at Regent: God, Science & the Meaning of Life – C.S. Lewis & Richard Dawkins – September 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Somerville Lecture: Leah Kostamo – Hope & the Environment – September 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Elie Pritz: Peace Heroes – September 21, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
What in the World is Going On? – September 22, 2018 at 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Rummage Sale – September 22, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Set the Prisoners Free: Towards a Just Reconciliation – September 22, 2018 at 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Orientation and Networking Meeting for Church Representatives – September 22, 2018 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Women's Prayer Conference – September 22, 2018 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Atesto Breakthrough – September 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
EMBER: Night of Worship – September 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chamber Music Concert – September 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sukkot: Feast of Tabernacles – September 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The 45th Avenue Jazz Band – September 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Whitecaps Faith Night – September 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Foundation Vocal Band: Hymn Sing – September 23, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kairos Course (Monday evenings, plus Nov 2-3 weekend) – September 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Jonny Lang & Mavis Staples – September 24, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Business of Life – September 25, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Mark Noll: Christians & Politics Lecture Series – September 26, 2018 - September 27, 2018 at All Day
VST Chancellor's Dinner 2018 – September 26, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Elie Pritz: Peace Heroes – September 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Mark Noll: The Current Situation – Embattled America, Quiescent Canada, Semi-Secular Britain – September 26, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
CLF National Conference – September 27, 2018 - September 30, 2018 at All Day
Journey with God Retreat: Facilitated by Leah Kostamo – September 27, 2018 - September 29, 2018 at All Day
The Convergence: An Ishmael and Isaac Reunion – September 27, 2018 at All Day
Symposium on Religion, Law & Human Rights – September 27, 2018 at 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Mark Noll: Triumphs of Anglo, American & Canadian Christian Politics – September 27, 2018 at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Allegory in Narnia, or being Edmund and finding Jesus – September 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Mark Noll: Tragedies of Anglo, American & Canadian Christian Politics – September 27, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Ignite (awesome worship night) – September 28, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jason Byassee: Prophetic Listening – Listening to God, One Another & the Neighbourhood – September 28, 2018 - September 29, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Music Night at Jacob's Well – September 28, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Voice of Thunder Prophetic Conference – September 28, 2018 - September 29, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Ride for Refuge: Journey Home Community – September 29, 2018 at 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
MinistryLift: The Trust Bubble – September 29, 2018 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Walk the Wall Vancouver – September 29, 2018 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Healing School with Jamie Rauch – September 29, 2018 at 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sale of Used Theological Books – September 29, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Happy 21 Years Worship Invasion! – September 29, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Faro – September 29, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dr. Santa Ono: Servant Leadership (four services) – September 30, 2018 at All Day
Vancouver Life Chain – September 30, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Ben Lockwood – September 30, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Oct 2018
Jonathan Kuttab: Hope for Change in Palestine / Israel – October 1, 2018 at 3:30 pm - 5:30 pmJonathan Kuttab: New Thinking for Post-Oslo Palestine Challenges & Opportunities – October 1, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jonathan Kuttab: The Holy Land – International Law & Scriptural Perspectives – October 2, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Reduce the Demand for Buying Sex – October 2, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Steve Trullinger: Father's Touch – October 2, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Reduce the Demand for Buying Sex – October 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Edith Krause: Adam/Adamah – October 4, 2018 - October 5, 2018 at All Day
ACTS Seminaries Open House – October 4, 2018 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Kim's Convenience by Ins Choi – October 4, 2018 - October 6, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Forever and Ever, the Christian Musical – October 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A Skeptical Look at Atheism with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Chris Woods' Way of the Cross Painting Seminar – October 6, 2018 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Creation: The Cardinal Truths & the Wonder of Hearing with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
The Intricacies of Flight with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 6, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Homelessness Action Week – October 7, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at All Day
Creation and Biblical Infallibility with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 7, 2018 at 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Creation and the Cross with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 7, 2018 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
An Evening with Ari Sorko-Ram – October 7, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jeremy Benjamin: I Am Not My Own – October 7, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Connecting the Ends (part of Homelessness Action Week) – October 8, 2018 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Webinar: Renegotiating Faith – October 10, 2018 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Missions Pastors Roundtable Discussion – October 10, 2018 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Anglicanism & Indigenous Spirituality (Wednesday evenings) – October 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Inklings Institute of Canada: Book Night: The Tao of Right and Wrong – Rediscovering Humanity’s Moral Foundations – October 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Colleen McLaughlin Barlow: Whale Dreams – October 11, 2018 - November 16, 2018 at All Day
Kairos Course (Thursday evenings, plus Nov 23-24 weekend) – October 11, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Sharing Stories with Indigenous People (Thursday evenings) – October 11, 2018 - November 1, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Windows into Heaven: Epiphany Sacred Arts Guild 15th Anniversary Exhibition – October 12, 2018 - October 20, 2018 at All Day
Elevate Conference 2018 – October 12, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Life on the Margins Workshop – October 12, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Saturate Everyday – October 12, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 2:30 pm
The Marriage Course (Friday evenings) – October 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Revival Meeting with John Razz – October 13, 2018 - October 14, 2018 at All Day
Wonder Worship Conference – October 13, 2018 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
DivorceCare (Saturday mornings) – October 13, 2018 - November 17, 2018 at 10:15 am - 12:15 am
Supreme Court Decision in the TWU Law School Case: Implications – October 13, 2018 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm