The Free Methodist Church in Canada

A note from Pastor Shonu Ghosh, who pastors one of our Free Methodist Church's - Mainstreet Community Church - in Kelowna BC:

The fire situation is under control, there are two or three still burning, close by. Terrace Mountain fire, close by is about 85% under control. The fire in West Kelowna has been put out, but the mopping operation is still continuing. The incredible miracle is the only "three houses" were burned and no casualties. Over 17,000 residents were evacuated, but they have gone back home.  One of our own Board Members had to be evacuated.  The first fire started at the Gorman Brothers Lumber stockyard and factory, yet they managed to save the lumber yard, a miracle. 

What is more crucial and anxiety provoking is the ABSOLUTELY HOT weather we have been having, and no rain. The temperature has gone as high as 42C and the low night temperature is about 24C. The smoke is still an enormous concern, especially for the young and the elderly and those with compromised health. Last Saturday there was a brief but heavy thunder shower and we got much needed rain but the lightning started over one hundred fires, though the firefighters managed to put them out.

All of Kelowna is appreciative of the prayers and calls.  Please keep remembering us.

At General Conference in 2008, together we decided that generosity should be a core value of our movement and that we should be intentional in developing a culture of generosity through our own leadership development.

The 2009 Ministers Conference led by the National Leadership Team [NLT] and Joanne Bell will focus on “Living Generously”. Much more than a theme, living generously is our joyful and sacrificial response to what the Lord Jesus desires to see lived out among His people.

Throughout the conference you will have opportunities to gain practical insights into your personal development in the area of generosity as well as how to think about leading others to embrace the joy of being generous. There will be times of biblical reflection on questions like: “Is it possible to be missional and not generous?” “Is it possible to be generous and not missional?” You will also personally experience the tensions of being either a “HAVE” or “HAVE NOT”.

CALGARY [west]
September 29-October 1, 2009
Registration deadline: September 17
Registrar: Rev. David Panton

WESLEY ACRES [east]
October 20-22, 2009 
Registration deadline: October 5
Registrar: Wesley Acres

Click here for more details and to register

These are required courses for those who are tracking for credentialled ministry in The Free Methodist Church in Canada. Two of these courses, Culture and the Missional Church and Personal and Church Stewardship, are required Continuing Education Unit courses (CEUs) for all members of conference. Some of the Foundational courses are also open to any interested persons.

Culture & the Missional Church

• October 30, 31 & November 1, 2009 at Freedom Christian Community Church in Brantford, Ontario
  (for Ministerial Candidates, Commissioned Ministers and Ordained Ministers only).

Personal and Church Stewardship

• November 13, 14 & 15, 2009 at Lakeview Free Methodist Church in Saskatoon, SK

Heart of Canadian Free Methodism

• September 25, 26 & 27, 2009 at Lakeview Free Methodist Church in Saskatoon, SK
• November 13, 14 & 15, 2009 at Centennial Free Methodist Church in Belleville, ON