THE  GATHERING  2013    

BAPTIST  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  ALBERTA    

“ONE  LORD,  ONE  MESSAGE,  ONE  VOICE”      

@ Lakeview Baptist Church June 8, 8:30am – 3:45pm

5336 Lakeview Drive, Calgary 403-249-7359 (church phone)

http://www.lakeviewbc.ca

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Dear BGCA delegates,

We welcome you to our annual Gathering 2013 where the delegates from our 27 BGCA churches will gather for worship, word, and work pertaining to our District. We have assembled an intentional roster of elements that you will hopefully find fruitful and fun. Our theme is: “One Lord, One Message, One Voice”—Please read the packet to prepare you for our day together. We will have a completed external audit report later in the summer-fall, as we were not able to accomplish all that is required in time for the Annual Gathering. We do include an accurate internal financial report and proposed budget. Please also print your own copy of this packet and bring it with you to Calgary. We look forward to seeing you, Saturday, June 8, 8:30am. Continental breakfast will be available. Please pray for our time together. Together in your service, Roger, Bob, and the BGCA Board

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THE GATHERING 2013 “ONE LORD, ONE MESSAGE, ONE VOICE”

------------------------ Lakeview Baptist Church, Calgary

June 8, 2012

“To help establish and empower missional, disciple-making leaders and churches in Alberta.” 8:30am REGISTRATION, MEET AND GREET, AND COFFEE 9:00am WELCOME, WORSHIP, WORD (auditorium)

§ Mike and Tricia Swalm and Abundant Life Church Worship Team § Roger Helland and Bob Shepansky: “Disciplemaking and the Deeper Life” § Thanks, Farewell, Gift, and Prayer for Jamey McDonald as national leader

10:30am BREAK 10:45am ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (auditorium)

1. Welcome of new pastors and good bye to Tammy Janzen and Luchie Swinton as outgoing BGCA board members

2. Ratify minutes of June 2, 2012 AGM 3. Affirmation of Darlene Sorenson & Sara Wagar, new BGCA board members 4. Financial Report and 2013-14 Budget 5. Evaluation of BGCA and district coach

12:00 noon CATERED LUNCH (free will offering received for BGCA mission) 1:00pm STORIES FROM THE FIELD (auditorium)

§ Rural and Urban BGCA churches (North) § Lone Prairie Camp § Rural and Urban BGCA churches (South)

2:20pm BREAK 2:40pm PRAYER FOR THE HARVEST (auditorium)

§ BGCA local Churches § Church Multiplication and Global Missions

3:40pm WORSHIP 3:45pm DEPART

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BGCA BOARD NOMINEES FOR AFFIRMATION Darlene Sorenson: Attaining goals and reaching others for Christ is a passion I have had since I accepted Jesus as my Saviour as a young girl. I studied at Bethany College, graduating in 1984. I attained my ARCT in piano during my time there and developed a desire for missions locally and

abroad with music, drama and children’s ministries. In 1986, I completed the RN program and married Kevin, the love of my life. In 1991, we moved from Saskatoon to a farm near Killam, AB. and have made Killam Baptist Church our church home since then. We have two adorable children (Kristen and Ryan) and have been blessed with seeing them grow in their faith through the years. I have been involved with worship music/leading for many years, worked with children’s ministry in Awana and Pioneer clubs, initiated a youth

program in our church and have been involved in leading it for 7 years, women’s ministry leader for several years, piano/voice teaching and generally enjoy meeting with people of all ages by hosting small to large groups in our home or meeting them one on one. I have had the privilege of going to Costa Rica and Honduras with our youth and last year to India with Prairie LPN students, as part of the leadership team in their Community Health practicum. I continue to work casually as a Home Care nurse, farm, support my husband in his political work, and be a mother, but my passion continues to be with serving my Lord and reaching others for Christ.

Sara Wagar: I was born to a Christian family. Calgary’s been home my whole life. I graduated from Mount Royal University in 2009 with a diploma in Disability Studies. In 2008, I needed to

do 30 hours of in-home respite work for children with disabilities, and that worked out so well that I’m still working 2 nights a week with those kids. That family has become my second family and is one of the most rewarding parts of my last 5 years. In 2011, I also graduated from Ambrose University College with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioural Science. I’ve spent my entire life in the same church (Bethel) now called Abundant Life Church, in Calgary. My involvement in my church has been life-long, having been a part of music ministry, writing and direct Christmas plays, leading the kids programs and/or youth groups. I’m a passionate person who loves my friends,

my jobs and my sports teams (e.g. NY Yankees!). For the past 3 years, I’ve worked at Youth for Christ\Youth Unlimited in Calgary in Campus ministry, although that’s shifted to anything from speaking in schools and serving lunch to students, to mentoring young girls and coaching girl’s fast-pitch baseball in the community. I love what I do: invest long term in the lives of students through whatever they go through. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS Ron Fehr Chair, from Gateway Community Church, Hinton Tammy Janzen Vice Chair, from Ambleside Baptist Church, Edmonton (outgoing) Luchie Swinton Secretary, from Abundant Life Church, Calgary (outgoing) Raymond Yong Treasurer, from Lansdowne Chinese Baptist Church, Edmonton Jeff Edwards Pastor, North West Community Church, Calgary Vaughn Manson Pastor, Arrowwood Gospel Fellowship, Arrowwood Larry Nutbrown Pastor, Entwistle Community Church, Entwistle Stan Nelson Investment Fund Trustee, from Ellerslie Road Baptist Church

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BAPTIST GENERAL CONFERENCE IN ALBERTA

Roger Helland, District Coach Bob Shepansky, Associate District Coach This July, Roger and Gail celebrate six years in this role, and Bob and Sharon celebrate their first year in this role! Together we serve our BGCA! Looking Back

1. We saw Bob Shepansky step into his 3\4 time role as associate district coach to help provide outstanding leadership to our churches, pastors, and office administration.

2. We welcomed 5 new pastors: Mark & Leanne deKluyver (Gateway Church, Hinton), Byron & Tammy Gardiner, associate (Centre Park Church, Sherwood Park), Shawn & Aline Jones, adult ministries associate (Ellerslie, Edmonton), Brian Hunter, sr. high associate (Ellerslie, Edmonton), and Tony Zhang, Mandarin youth pastor (Lansdowne, Edmonton). John Prociuk became the transitional pastor at Canyon Creek Church, Calgary. Chris Xu resigned as pastor of Starlight Mandarin Church, Edmonton. Jamey McDonald, national leader of the BGC Canada, announced that this is his final year of ten years of service, to be completed by the end of 2013. Arnell Motz, also completed three years as president of Canadian Baptist Seminary with Calvin Netterfield becoming the interim president at CBS until Spring 2014.

3. We offered two Saturday seminars on “Living by the Book” in Edmonton and Calgary, participated on the national steering group for the futurizing process for the BGCC, and were involved in multiple settings of pastoral care, coaching, conflict resolution, leadership and board development, monthly pastoral cluster groups, preaching, assisting several churches in the pastoral search process, monthly Skype prayer meetings, and the successful launch of a new Mandarin church plant in West Edmonton, with Bonnie and Charles Xu, in partnership with Lansdowne Chinese Baptist Church and Starlight Mandarin Community, Edmonton.

Looking Ahead

1. The potential to see one new church plant in NW Calgary with Calgary Rainbow church, in partnership with Northwest Community Church, and the potential for two missional communities\plants in Calgary and Edmonton.

2. To concentrate on transformational Disciple-making and the Deeper life in Christ, with spiritual formation and mission connected to union with Christ for community impact, evangelism, life change, leadership and board development, multiplying of churches, in reference to the new BGCC mission and essentials, and participating in Alberta Alpha 2013 in conjunction with other denominations and churches in Alberta.

3. To operate as a network of churches and leaders, committed to local churches, pastors and people, to help them succeed, with the resources, opportunities, and accountabilities of an ever changing BGCA and new board. Please sign on to our BGCA Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bgcalberta/. We also are planning a pastors and spouses and their families retreat at Prairie Bible College, February 28 – March 2, 2014.

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BAPTIST GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CANADA

Jamey McDonald, Executive Director

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with the BGC as it is manifested in Alberta. I honour your work. You are a group of fine churches dedicated to the mission of making disciples who live and spread the gospel to your community, your country and the nations. It is great to work with your district coaches Roger Helland and Bob Shepansky. They both bring energy to the table.

Looking Back:

1. A growing resurgence in cross cultural mission effort. More and more are approaching the BGCC for identification as Global Personnel. We have added the Jelsmas (Rwanda), the Brooks (Central Asia), the Castors (SE Asia) and the Myrholmes (Uganda). Brian and Jessica are from the Ellerslie Road and we commend them highly to BGCA churches for prayer and support. 2. A strong futurizing effort as a network of churches in the BGCC. In the last two years we have done incredible consultative work with pastors, churches, boards, GM personnel, youth, and other focus groups to understand “what is God doing in the BGCC” and “what do we see Him doing into the future.” This has resulted in a new organizational mission focus as well as identifying 7 essentials. These are not top down demands as much as they are discoveries by listening to churches, pastors and leaders prayerfully communicate.  3. New Things: BCBC appointed Dr. Bernard Mukwavi as their district coach; BCBC planted 2 new churches this year, one in White Rock, one in Vancouver; Central Canada (Manitoba) has started a Pakistani/Sikh outreach church; Montreal added one new congregation this year

4. Finally, it was announced recently that I will be finishing my second term as national leader and will not be renewing for an additional term. It is time for fresh legs and fresh ideas in the Conference and I look forward to see who God will be bringing along to provide for this position. A search committee is in place, and among the team is pastor Mike Swalm (Abundant Life Church, Calgary) bringing his contribution.

Looking Ahead: 1. New BGCC national leadership—the recently formed search committee will do its best before year-end but in the event it is not possible, an interim leader will be identified. News will be announced at the national celebration in Winnipeg, October 17-19, 2013. 2. Church multiplication—congratulations to BGCA as you see 2 new church communities birthed. I imagine the BGC in the rest of Canada will see 6-12 more in the next 12 months. I believe that most if not all will come from our new Canadian brothers and sisters. The Spirit of God is there. From a personal standpoint, it would be great to see another 3 come into Alberta. 3. 2020 Young Leadership Summit—February 2014 in Canmore, Alberta. Stay tuned for more. For further information on BGCC Global missions, Stewardship foundation, Women’s ministries, and the national conference see the BGCC website: http://www.bgc.ca/

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It has been another powerful year of ministry at Lone Prairie Camp and we had the privilege of witnessing spiritual growth in our staff, Christian Leadership Training leaders and campers. This past year the ministry of LPC directly contributed to over thirteen dedications to Christ and even one baptism. God is so good!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many staff, volunteers, donors and prayer warriors who have stood beside us this past year and allowed us to welcome 328 campers (roughly 45% of which were new to LPC) into the many different programs at LPC. We were also able to provide subsidy assistance to over 30 campers who otherwise would have been unable to participate.

This year we look forward to honouring 80 years of ministry as we anticipate God’s continued faithfulness in the future. Building on the excitement and momentum of last year, we are projected to see another 10% increase in summer campers in 2013 and a further reduction of our debt. LPC is committed to facilitating life-changing encounters with the living God in an environment distinct from that of normal day-to-day experience and we look forward to God’s continued provision as we address facility upgrades needed to keep us effective for His Kingdom.

You are all invited to join us for our potluck Sunday (Aug. 4) during Family Camp.

Further information is available on our website LonePrairieCamp.com

Andrew Dreger Office: (780) 877-2615 General Manager Website: LonePrairieCamp.com

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CANADIAN BAPTIST SEMINARY Arnell Motz, President (outgoing) Calvin Netterfield, Interim President Daryl Busby, Dean R 2013 graduates – On April 20, CBS conferred degrees on six graduates and celebrated the

sixty graduates from all the seminaries. While CBS does focus on our own, we praise God for all graduates as we have a place in all of them. Since its inception twenty five years ago, CBS has sent out over 150 graduates in various roles of ministry and ACTS Seminaries has graduated almost 1400 for Canada and around the world. Two of the current CBS graduates are in dialogue with BGCA churches and several others are already in active ministry

R Grateful for our supporting churches and donors – While we await our formal fiscal year end totals (April 30), we have received gifts of over $50,000 just in April alone. We praise God for a challenge gift that promised to match any donation up to $30,000. We are especially appreciative of the host of CBS partners and churches who believe the seminary is important to the future of the Kingdom. Thanks to those who hold prayer and provision events in their homes…and for Cal Netterfield who has carried the load of relating to friends of CBS. Thank you!!

R Academic Issues – Daryl Busby continues as the CBS Dean and the Director of the DMin program, Wendell Phillips as ACTS Registrar as well as overseeing the financial management of the office. This year, ACTS received its ten year ATS accreditation renewal, CBS renewed our own provincial degree granting charter and now is in dialogue with the province on theological education in the province. Pam Franklin, our office coordinator has been a new delightful addition to the CBS team. Along with her husband Richard and their three children, she moved here from Regina so he could complete seminary education. Arnell Motz is completing the agreed term as president (3 years) and Cal Netterfield now takes the mantle of Acting President while the search team completes its work. Cal’s commitment to the seminary is amazing. We express appreciation to spouses Shirley, Carolyn and Renee. And we value Ed and Jan Stuckey who have provided dedicated leadership to the Journey.

R The Journey – while the need remains for “bringing seminary to the prairies, ” the role of The Journey is in a time of re-evaluation. Taylor Seminary in Edmonton has entered into discussion with ACTS about becoming a 6th partner in the consortium. Further developments are forthcoming. In addition, CBS has taken the lead within ACTS to envision a new and innovative distance education model called “CONNECT” that enables pastors and lay people to study with us through both distance education and onsite course delivery.

R BILD – continues to serve the BGCC as a leadership development program. Jamey McDonald has shaped this. Thanks!

R Dr Timothy Ngai – Our newest and most exciting addition to the CBS team will be teaching in the MAMFT (Marriage & Family Therapy) degree program and will be available to serve our churches. He brings a global perspective to our CBS\ACTS Seminaries world, speaks Mandarin, Cantonese and “Canadian.”

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BAPTIST  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  CANADA  MISSION  STATEMENT  

 Build  a  network  of  churches,  that  make  disciples,  who  live  and  spread    

the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  their  communities,  Canada,  and  the  nations.*  

ESSENTIALS  

 • What  does  it  mean  to  function  as  a  network?  

 • How  can  we  unpack  and  accomplish  the  mission?  Why  we  exist  is  primary  before  how.    • Similar  to  identifying  the  one  or  two  growth  areas  in  Natural  Church  Development,  what  

one  or  two  of  the  essentials  may  be  an  area  for  your  local  focus?    • How   can   we   resource   the   mission   and   essentials   as   a   local,   district,   and   national  

network?    *   (Previous  BGCC  mission:  To  plant  and  grow,  worshipping,  caring,  churches  globally)  

Spiritual  Formation  in  

Christ  

Leadership  Development  

Church  &  Pastor  Care  

Community  Engagement  

Multiplying  Churches  

Global  Missions  

Functional  Structures  

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BGC Alberta

Annual General Meeting Minutes June 2, 2012, Edmonton, AB.

Luchie Swinton (board chair pro tem) opened the meeting at 1:15pm with a word of welcome for all churches and delegates. Motion 2012-01: To adopt the minutes of July 8, 2011 Annual General Meeting as

published. MSC Joshua Pantoja / Rick Bayer.

Motion 2012-02: Based on the recommendation of the BGCA Board and District Coach, that we affirm Larry Nutbrown and Raymond Yong as new board members for BGCA. MSC Tina Liu / Vaughn Manson.

Motion 2012-03: Based on the recommendation of the BGCA Audit Committee and Board, that we adopt the audited financial statements for fiscal year 2011-12 as published. MSC Robert Sandford / Stan Nelson.

Motion 2012-04: Based on the recommendation of the BGCA Stewardship Team and Board, that we adopt the Annual Budget for fiscal year 2012-13 as published. MSC Jeff Edwards / Corey Williams.

Motion 2012-05: Based on the recommendation of the BGCA Board, that we renew Roger’s term as District Coach for up to another three (3) years, effective August 1, 2012. MS George Ayee / Jeff Edwards. (Vote taken by secret ballot. 75 ballots cast, 1 spoiled, 54 affirmative, 20 negative). There was lack of clarity of the percentage required for an affirmation of another term according to the BGCA by-laws. The BGCA board held a subsequent conference call on June 4, 2012, and in that call acknowledged that the vote in favor of the motion met the by-laws requirement of 66%. Therefore another term was affirmed and accepted.

Respectfully submitted,

Murray Jarman

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MOTIONS FOR AFFIRMATION: 2013-14

Motion 2013-01 To ratify the minutes of the June 2, 2012 Annual General Meeting as published.

Motion 2013-02 Based on the recommendation of the BGCA Board and District Coach,

that we affirm Darlene Sorenson and Sara Wagar as new board members for BGCA.

Motion 2013-03 Based on the recommendation of the BGCA Board, that we adopt the unaudited financial statements for fiscal year 2012-13 as published.

Motion 2013-04 Based on the recommendation of the BGCA Board, that we adopt the Annual Budget for fiscal year 2013-14 as published.

BGCA INVESTMENT AND LOAN FUND: April 2012 to March 2013

In September of 2012 when the interest calculations and statements were being sent out it was noted that there were some apparent problems with the database used in the calculations of interest and accumulated interest. A search was made for a competent individual to update the database. A competent individual was located and all information transferred to the new data base. The old database appeared to have several errors that could not be corrected in time for the audit. In a meeting with the auditor it was decided to have the database corrected before doing the final annual audit. Each bond file is being examined and the final figures will be imputed into the new database before the final audit is completed. This will be completed by September 2013. The discrepancies are not as severe as initially thought and it is not expected to have any material effect on the statement from the Investment and Loan Fund. It is intended to issue new replacement bonds with corrected values in the procedure. The Fund and History: The BGCA Investment and Loan Fund (Fund) began operating in 1961 with assets of $20,545 and it has funded over 25 building projects in the BGCA and camps associated with the BGCA. The total assets are now in excess of $2.49 million. The Fund had a surplus of $41,708 which is an increase of $18,360 over that of the previous year. The increase in the surplus is primarily due to increases in mortgages and less cash in the Fund. Mortgages and loans total approximately $1.67 million. The net assets of the Fund grew by the amount of the surplus. The operation of the fund is simple. Money is borrowed from members and friends at one interest rate and lent to Churches for a higher interest rate. The current interest has not been officially set by the Board for this year. The interest rate is expected to be 4% for investors and the interest rate charged to the Churches is proposed at 5 1/2%. Interest is paid to the investors twice yearly and mortgage payments are usually made monthly by the Churches. The money gained by the difference (1 1/2%) in the interest rates is used for administration and building additional assets in the Fund. The Fund issues Bonds to the investors. The current amount of the outstanding Bonds and accrued interest was $826,531 at year end. (See financial statement for more details.) 2012 -2013 Activities: Ellerslie Road Baptist Church and Ambleside (Riverbend) Baptist Church paid off their respective loans. One new mortgage for approximately $800,000 was set up with Camp Chestermere. The other activities of the Fund were administrative in the paying of interest, collecting payments and issuing new and renewal bonds. We are pleased to state that no loans are in arrears. The fund has excess cash in our account and unless there are new projects the surplus could be significantly reduced. There has been little demand for funds. Future Loans and Activities: There are currently no new applications for loans. Ambleside Church is currently finalizing plans for a new church building and could be looking at building this year. Stan Nelson, Trustee (note that figures used in the report are before the annual audit is complete)