June 3, 2008
Most nights, just before I put to sleep the joys and cares of each day, I open my computer and enter a new adventure of communication. I’m on facebook. I type in my name and password and enter a world of friends, and every friend has a face. These are friends I have chosen. These are people I have something in common with. Facebook lets me see the friends my friends have and even lets me see if we have mutual friends. A snapshot of life from those I care about is on one page. I look at their pictures and see that Esther is eating too much sugar, and Cara’s dog is taking over the house. I write a comment and know that tomorrow night they will likely respond. I see tears and smiles, and their pictures of celebration and beauty.
Just last night:
• John is excited about his new phone
• Allan is encountering God
• Rebekah is moving
• Cara has company coming
• Andrew is planting an exotic garden
• Janet is wishing Mom a happy birthday
• Paul is saying “Yipee” about his holidays
• Gail is feeling energetic
• David’s wife is having a baby girl
• Esther is enjoying the sun on her balcony
• Wendell just climbed Rooster Mountain
• Cindy is at Carolina Camp Meeting
• Joy is thankful that God has answered her prayer
Use facebook to…
- Keep up with friends and family
- Share photos and videos
- Reconnect with old classmates
I look on the corner of my computer screen and notice five of my friends are online at that very moment “Hi Bryan, how did your
day go?” We talk for a few minutes and sign off. Sometimes several friends are all talking together. Type and click “send” and two seconds later my friend is talking to me from anywhere in the world.
There is a Biblical promise that someday we will be able to see Him “face-to-face”. Our culture has expressions that verify the importance of this “face watching”. “It’s good to finally talk face-to-face”. “Nice to put a face with the name”. “I’m
anxious when we can meet face-to-face”, we say.
Facebook is just a little taste of what will make Heaven special. 1,000’s of friends with 1,000’s of stories and 1,000’s of prayers.
With Facebook, I look at a friend’s picture and it shows me images of the friends we have in common. In Heaven, we will all have one Friend in common, and we will see Him “face-to-face”.
Old Song . . . New Message
Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ Who died for me?
Refrain
Face to face shall I behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.
- Gordon Pifher
April 9, 2008
The theme for Camp Meeting 2008 is Sanctuary.
One of the most important understandings of God, as revealed in the Christian faith, is His desire to have
a relationship with His creation - you and me. God created us with a plan for Him to live “among us, with
us and in us.” Camp Meeting 2008 explores God’s plan in this three-fold Sanctuary emphasis.
Friday - Sunday (July 25 - 27)
“God Among Us” (Exodus 25:8)
Since Adam and Eve decided to separate from God, He has done all He can to be with us. His
first attempt with Israel was through the Old Testament Sanctuary. There will be numerous
presentations extending throughout the week on this important Adventist topic.
Monday - Thursday (July 28 - 31)
“God With Us” (Matthew 1:23)
The amazing picture of Jesus was the revelation that God was willing to live with us. Camp
Meeting 2008 will reveal the importance of the miraculous incarnation of God.
Friday - Sabbath (Aug 1 - 2)
“God In Us” (2 Corinthians 6:16)
Jesus revealed it was important that He leave earth so a more intimate presence could be claimed by His children. The disciples experienced the amazing promise that our bodies are the “a
sanctuary” or temple of God.
Experience
A
sanc·tu·ar·y - A place where holiness lives
Sample Guest Speaker List
Auditorium
• Dan Jackson - President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
• Miroslov Pujic - General Conference Director for Post-Modern Studies
• Charles Drake - Vice-President for Administration for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mid-America
• Kay Kuzma - Founder and President of Family Matters and Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University
• Lonnie Melashenko - Director-Speaker for the Voice of Prophecy (world’s second oldest religious broadcast)
• Hans Diehl - Founder Director of Lifestyle Medicine Institute, Loma Linda, California
The Wave (formerly Youth Adult Tent)
• Matthew Gamble – Teaching Pastor and Spiritual Life Coach at the 24-Seven Ministry Center in Seattle, WA
Youth
• Marco Belmonte
Unique Opportunity
• Tour a full-sized model of the Old Testament Sanctuary
• An amazing one hour guided tour through “Messiah’s Mansion”. This will be an inspiring attraction that will also be advertised to the community. Experience Sanctuary Camp Meeting
• Sanctuary Camp Meeting will be an unforgettable experience, reminding us in numerous ways, of how much God wants to live with His children.
• Watch for more details in future posters and bulletin materials Plan Now To Attend Sanctuary
• If you haven’t made arrangements to attend, now is the time. Don’t miss Sanctuary Camp Meeting 2008. This will be a life-changing event.
• We will blend different daily guest speakers, with some presenters, to provide thematic presentations for the entire week.
January 24, 2008
Streams of Hope
The BC Conference New Capital Campaign Growing Conferences will find ways to expand and grow God’s kingdom. Many of our members are praying for meaningful projects to assure our expanding BC Mission Field is being reaching with the Good News. At the August Constituency meeting it was voted to proceed with a capital campaign for the British Columbia Conference.
New Development Director Selected
We have been advertising for a part-time position, since the fundraising expenses will be taken from the dollars raised. We want to be excellent stewards of God’s gifts. We will be following General Conference policy guidelines to assure accountability. I am delighted that your Board of Directors has voted to hire Dr. Reo Ganson for this position. Reo Ganson will still continue his ½ time position as director of Camp Hope. There are some excellent overlaps between the two positions.
Dr Ganson will bring to this role an excellent knowledge of the BC Conference Experience in fund Raising for Conference and University, excellent people and organizational skills, a love for God, and a passion for the growth of the Church
Successful Capital Campaigns Have Clearly Defined Steps
In January the Board of Directors will provide a list of possible projects. It could include Camp Hope, church planting, new church buildings, education, church member training, etc. Eventually this list will be narrowed to 3 or 4. General donations will be divided by percentage. Donors can also specific a specific project from the list.
Feasibility Study
A neutral expert will be asked to meet with church leaders from around the Conference to determine the three or four projects that members perceive are the most important.
March - Your Board of Directors will approve:
* The official name
* The capital campaign projects
* The “number of millions” dollar figure and the time frame of the capital campaign selection
of the Campaign Lay Leadership Committee of 12 that will facilitate the program.
Communication Package
Development of a communication package to keep every member in BC informed (posters, emails, letters, and bulletin information). If the Lord provides some donors to provide incentive gifts we could launch this program at the 2008 Camp Meeting. It is felt that a few larger gifts will help set the tone for the success of this approach.
We Already Have Our First Donation
A few weeks ago we received our first donation to the capital campaign.
I am amazed and inspired by the faithful members in this Conference…. Thank-you!
What Can You Do Next?
The Lord might impress some of you to provide the initial gifts to prime the donation pump. Contact Reo Ganson, Gordon Pifher, Michael Wixwat or Mark Johnson. Pray that God will direct every step of this church growth adventure. With God leading, we will see miracles!