7138704

15128 27b Avenue, Surrey,

BC Canada V4P 1P2

RKERS
H WO
N YOU -2008
A 7
NADI e 200
CA urce Guid
Reso

fall/winter 07/08

index
amanda falk ............................3
darian kovacs .........................7
event calendar.......................12
reflections ............................14
$1.50 cdn
connect, refresh, e x p a n d
Canadian Youth Workers Conference: November 29 - December 2

Because of the immense growth in YFC Greater Vancouver, Evangelical 2006 TRAA Artist of the Year. They came
Canadian youth ministry work over Missionary Church, Brethren in Christ, for laughs provided by comedians
the last six years, canadafire and Youth Mennonite Bretheren Conference, Leland Klassen and Panic Squad, and
Specialties partnered to host the first Salvation Army of Canada, North worship led by Starfield and Matt Maher.
Canadian Youth Workers Conference American Baptist, Southern Baptist “I go to a Youth Specialties
in Vancouver. Convention of Canada and the Roman Youth Worker Convention because
Hundreds of youth workers from Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver. I need a ‘time-out to refresh my soul,
all across the country were gathering The purpose of the conference was my thinking on youth ministry,
November 29-December 2 to take in to remind youth workers why they love and to connect with other like-minded
more than 45 workshops and six general what they do. It was a time of training, youth people whose heart and passion
sessions at Vancouver’s Sheraton teaching, worship and connection is young people,” says John Wilkinson,
Wall Centre. calculated to leave hundreds executive director of Youth Unlimited.
More than 22 denominations encouraged and renewed. “Having their expertise and resources
and para-church organizations were Attendees came to hear from Andy come to Canada bodes well for anyone
involved. They incude: The Presbyterian Harrington, Brett Ullman, Chap Clark, who wants all the good things of
Church in Canada, Apostolic Youth Mark Buchanan, Phil Cann and others. a YS Convention but with a Canadian
Ministries International, CBM Youth, They came to listen to uplifting vocal understanding and focus.”
Christian and Missionary Alliance, stylings of Thousand Foot Krutch,
Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, Canadian singer-songwriter Anna Visit www.cywc.com
Nazarene Youth Ministry International, Vandas, and Nathan Tasker, Australia’s for more information.

salt. editor
Christina Crook
contributing writers
Darian Kovacs Custom published by ChristianWeek.
Ryan Sato For advertising opportunities, please contact:
Kathy Stock ChristianWeek
Box 725, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2K3
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page 2 salt. find out more at www.campusfire.com

 IN FOCUS

beautiful: farm-born songstress debuts sophomore album

Beautiful, was released in
September 2007.
Falk is a rising star. The Juno
Award-winning artist has toured Canada
with artists such as Jon Buller, Starfield,
Jaylene Johnson and Jill Paquette
and was nominated for four 2005 Shai
Awards including Contemporary/Pop
Album, Song of the Year for “Small,”
New Artist of the Year and Female
Soloist of the Year.
On October 29 she was named
Female Vocalist of the Year for the third
straight year at the Gospel Music
Association Canada’s 2007 Covenant
Awards in Calgary, Alberta.
Oblation is the best word to describe
this songstress’s erudite persona.
Like “the act of offering something,
such as worship or thanks, especially
to a deity,” she is spilling over with joy
name: Amanda Falk and insight well beyond her 21 years.
resume: Singer / Songwriter, Avante morning the brother of Avante Records “God cares about me as a person,”
records: Beautiful (2007), producer Marshall Zacharias visited she placidly states. “Everything else
Amanda Falk (2005) and fell in love with Falk’s voice. is secondary.”
digs: Winnipeg, MB Later that week she received a call “I believe in being faithful with what
origin: A farm in small town Manitoba from Avante and the rest is history. I have already been given and that’s
age: 21 The small hiccup in Falk’s story my approach to everything I do.”
listen: www.amandafalk.com is that she had never written a song. Eight months a year Falk tours across
Her manager sat her in a room four- Canada as a speaker and artist with
There is a sweet kindness in her voice. and-half years ago and told her to write. Beautiful Unique Girl (www.bugirl.com).
Some would call it magnanimous. She Nervously she crafted her first piano- Falk sees her speaking and music
would call it simple. Meet Amanda Falk. based tune and has co-written her songs ministries as running parallel.
In a music career that has spanned with Avante’s team of writers ever since. “Beautiful Unique Girl is all about
most her life, the classically-trained Her first release, a self-titled album centering on Psalm 139—empowering
pianist (she has an ARCT in piano in 2005, garnered critical acclaim. young women to know that they have
performance) only began singing Falk has a gift for writing songs that intentionally been made by God which
five years ago. are heartfelt and poignant. “Each album frees them to live with purpose.
Shortly after graduating from high captures a season of me as a person,” That’s what I do with my music.
school, Falk began serving in a Winnipeg she says. “It’s like one giant journal Together I get to do this full-time
church’s worship ministry. One Sunday entry out there.” Her new album, and I don’t think it will ever get old.”
discover the “better good”
Thoughts on the future of youth ministry in Canada

by ryan sato
It’s time to let the proverbial “cat out of the “better good” Youth ministries church, then you have a key ingredient for
bag” about something I’m gleaning from youth are places of: attracting the younger generation. Instead of
workers and younger leaders in our denomina- Mentorship: We need to mentor and thinking you have to entertain, think of ways
tion and beyond. Maybe it’s not such a big be mentored. In the midst of this you can simply interact with the younger
secret, because the “godfather” of youth mentorship there is a place where generation and allow them to find places
ministry, Mike Yaconelli, already spoke young leaders are identified and nurtured. where they can connect, be heard and engage
prophetically on this topic several years ago Community: We need to live lives that are in the mission of God.
before his death in late 2003. genuine, teachable and vulnerable. If you’re part of a bigger church and already
Mike put it this way: “Youth group is good, We are a messy community that embraces have a youth worker in your midst, consider
but there’s a better good…It’s called church.” the joys and sorrows of life. a five-year plan of unleashing this leader
As I look at the lay of the land I see growing Spiritual formation and direction: We need to plant a church with the younger generation
numbers of passionate and gifted young to learn to practise spiritual disciplines and at the end of her/his five-year tenure. Often the
leaders in our midst. The best way to keep to posture our lives in ways that enable us relationships cultivated over a five-year period
this generation connected to our churches, to encounter and listen to God. create a healthy and fertile context where
I believe, is to find ways for them to be the “Glocal” justice and compassion: “Glocal” is the leader can then plant a church with young
Church. Having them connect to youth ministry the integration of local and global. We should adults and support staff who have worked
programs is nice, but it tends to create con- desire to be followers of Jesus who are with these students during that period of time.
sumerism (i.e. an “entertain me” attitude) as concerned about social justice issues 2) Reflect on whether the traditional approach
opposed to a participationism (an attitude in the local and global community. to youth ministry is working in your context.
where the participants realize that the Church Passionate church connections: We need Are you seeing your students in junior and
won’t exist without them). to connect to a church that joyfully provides senior high school stay connected to their faith
It’s interesting to see that some places for youth and young adults to dream, and church after graduation? If yes, then
of the leading thinkers in youth ministry are lead and to share their gifts and passions. celebrate that healthy transition! If not, take
writing books that (in my estimation) are really some time to have a conversation with these
applicable to the future of the Church. With titles students and hear what might help them
like Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, by Kara “Youth group is good, better transition into young adult life.
Powell and Chap Clark, Practicing Passion: but there’s a better good… 3) Acknowledge that you are in a “we ain’t
Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church, broke, so don’t fix us” stage. That’s marvelous!
by Kenda Creasy Dean, Contemplative Youth
It’s called church.” Perhaps your role is to simply stay faithful
Ministry, by Mark Yaconelli and A New Kind to what you are doing and to share your story
of Youth Ministry, by Chris Folmsbee, it seems So what? How might we move ahead in the with others who need to hear it.
clear that this is not just a message for youth light of these reflections? I would like to 4) Plant churches where the younger genera-
groups in North America. suggest four options. tion is a natural part of the body. Allow the
As I have reflected on “better good” youth 1) Shift the approach to youth ministry in your younger people to lead, to be involved in
ministries I have noted the following essential church. If you have a small church, stop looking decision-making, to serve and be a part of the
characteristics. Perhaps you have others you for the magic answer in “If only we could hire core of people who do the “work of the saints.”
might add to the list. a youth pastor!” If you have people in your l cont’d page 7
 unity alive among british columbia youth
by christina crook

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA CROOK

In an amazing show of unity, more than
2,000 teens braved one of Vancouver’s
worst October rain storms to gather
for worship, mutual encouragement
and to learn about reaching out in their
high schools.
The “ONE” event was a “multi-
ethnic, multi-high school, multi-region,
multi-denominational, multi-everything”
youth rally—one of the largest in British
Columbia’s history.
The name ONE is not uncommon
to today’s teens. U2 front man Bono’s
campaign to end poverty is famously
known as “ONE”—a slogan that
permeates today’s youth culture though
myspace banners and white wristbands.
But the teens who gathered at
Glad Tidings Christian Fellowship
for the ONE youth rally came together
in a different spirit: not as individuals
but as One Body in Jesus Christ.
More than 70 churches and youth
groups across from Greater Vancouver
and the Fraser Valley were represented—
from Abbotsford to North Vancouver ONE 2007
to Tsawwassen. Pentecostal kids, Baptists
Leadership team member Jason Ng, and former Sikhs all sang
18, describes the two-fold purpose with one voice. It was truly
of ONE. “Firstly, it is about bringing a glimpse of heaven.
people together from different “ONE is about a number
denominations and cultural backgrounds of networks coming together,”
as one. Secondly, this event supports says Mika Kostamo, youth
Stepha
teens within their high school context, pastor at Cedar Grove Church nie
Teerling
giving us a vision outside our church and a leader with BreakOut
and enabling us to connect with youth network in Surrey. about which youth
g
students in our schools.” “There really is no hype. Jason N groups would be represented
We’re just coming together and what kind of speaker they could
to connect with each other and God. expect. Since the event, the discussions
“We can do more together “I think the ripple effects from this continue and more Christian students
than on our own.” event will be large. Youth are inspired are connecting.
ONE’s organizers believe this is
“This generation wants unity.” when they hear about their peers
the start of a movement. “This generation
reaching out. Through events like ONE
students’ passion for reaching their wants unity,” says event emcee pastor
Event organizers included regional friends increases and they are able Paul Wang Jr. “They don’t know about
youth networks Breakout, canadafire, to connect with other believers past disunity and splits in the church.
No Boundaries, OneLife and Coastal and work together.” They want to be a part of something
Church’s Regeneration. Ng agreed: “I think the biggest bigger than themselves and they
An eclectic worship team led impact of this event is on people’s want consistency.
by Jeff Wong, a pastor at Point Grey perceptions about church. I’ve gone all “Schools are getting bigger and
Community Church in Vancouver, led the my life to Chinese churches but events bigger and churches are shrinking.
students into deep, excited and unifying like ONE have helped me realize there is We need to ask, ‘why is that?’ We felt
worship. The students were on their feet, a wider community out there and we can that if the churches aren’t going to
some jumping, others kneeling, do more together than on our own.” connect, then we need to unite the
some standing in their pews. Attendance at ONE was promoted students right where they are—in their
Vocalists, guitarists, a keyboardist, through regional youth networks, churches, schools. This is the purpose of ONE
drummer and two local DJs, AK45 and local youth groups, and through the and it is our prayer that this unity among
Matthew 16:26, drew the teens together social networking site, facebook. the youth, this commitment to the mission
to worship as one. On the day of the event, ONE’s of Jesus, is an encouragement to the
A sea of nationalities filled the facebook group had up to 850 (327 con- older generation.”
church: Dutch Christian Reformed kids firmed) students coming to the event.
worshipped alongside Chinese Students engaged in online discussions l cont’d page 7

find out more at www.campusfire.com salt. page 5

 canada student forums: Where faith and work converge
by christina crook
The second annual National Student gathered more than 800 students and
Forum, in partnership with the Parlia- leading Christian professionals in the
mentary Prayer Breakfast, took place last seven years.
in the national capital this spring. CSF began when students were
More than 60 students gathered invited to the annual B.C. Leadership
The 2007 National Student Forum in Ottawa
Prayer Breakfast in 2002.
The response from both
students and hosting
professionals was
overwhelmingly positive
and plans for an extended
two-day forum was born.
Thirty-two students
attended the first B.C.
Student Forum, and it
has grown to include more
than 200 nominated
students each year.
Miranda Landry,
a 21-year-old UBC Human
Kinetics student, attended
the 2007 BCSF. “What’s
unique about it is the fact
that it’s not specific to one
career. It appeals to every-
body. Not everyone who
talks is a big time business
person; many are average
professional people you
can relate to,” she says.
“So many ‘professional
development’ seminars
at Laurentian Leadership Centre in Ottawa give you advice. At the Student Forum
to dialogue with some of Canada’s you get more. Rather than advice they
leading Christian professionals in the give you truth from their own experiences
areas of politics, business, social and you can take that to the bank.”
services, media and the arts. The CSF mandate is to respond
The senior high and university to the needs of Christian students
students engaged in two days of seminars and create opportunities for them to ask
and events with Christian leaders including professionals, in their field, meaningful
Wes McLeod of the Manning Centre for questions about the multitude of issues
Building Democracy, MPs from the NDP, surrounding faith and work.
Liberal and Conservative caucuses Through the B.C. and National
and Jamie McIntosh of International Student Forum, Christian leaders
Justice Mission. Students, nominated are given the rare opportunity to speak
from across Canada, had the opportunity directly into the lives of students
to build relationships with fellow students by sharing from their perspectives
and federal leaders who share their love on what it means and takes to be
for God. a Christian in today’s work world.
Spring 2008 will mark the seventh Nominations for the 2008 BC
iranda Landry
UBC student M annual B.C. Student Forum (BCSF) and National Student Forum are open.
in Vancouver. Find out more at
Modeled after the National Student www.canadastudentforums.com or
Leadership Forum in Washington D.C., www.bcstudentforum.com
the Canada Student Forums (CSF) have

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“better good” cont’d from page 4 unity alive cont’d from page 5

My hope is that youth workers Stephanie Teerling, 15, found Peace Portal Alliance Church.
will continue to press forward in about ONE through her youth group. Here teens gained more practical
re-imagining youth ministry. “Events like ONE are important skills and resources for reaching out
If we are going to capture the hearts, because they give us the chance in their high schools. Inspired through
minds and passions of our younger to share ideas with each other and a variety of speakers and worship
generation, then let’s seek ways hear about the good things going on leaders, the teens were commis-
that we can empower, bless in each other’s schools and that’s sioned as campus missionaries.
and resource them as they live out encouraging,” says the North Surrey For those who missed ONE
their destinies as the people of God High School student. or the campusfire conference,
in our churches and in our nation.

note: To read Mike Yaconcelli’s

full article go to
www.youthspecialties.com/articles/
BIO
Ryan lives in the glorious “more-blue-
skies-per-year-than-any-other-place-
in-Canada” part of Alberta—Lethbridge.
As youth director for the Baptist Union
Plans are already taking shape
for another ONE event, likely next
fall. In the meantime plans are to
continue strengthening the unity
in the regional youth networks
free resources are available online
by registering your school at
www.campusfire.com.

As published in the November issue

Yaconelli/idea.php. of Western Canada, he endeavours to and see where God leads. of the BC Christian News.
resource and cheer on youth workers Immediately following ONE was
and ministries throughout the West. campusfire’s 7th annual two-day
You can contact him at [email protected]. student equipping conference at

campusfire LIVE reaches across canada

by darian kovacs
An estimated 2,200 high school and university Launched seven years ago, campusfire and commission “campus missionaries”
students gathered October 19-20—albeit 2007 included tracks for both high school and to be leaders and people of influence in their
mostly virtually—for a high-tech leadership post-secondary students. The event brought schools and universities.
conference that focused on equipping students together workshop facilitators and speakers “This conference is a catalyst to seeing
for in-school ministry. from the Navigators who provided the content student led campus groups begin in high
campusfire 2007 attracted middle school, for the post-secondary workshop track. The schools. For the high schools that already
secondary and post-secondary students from Navigators hosted 14 training sites at have groups going, it’s a time of refreshment
22 locations across Canada, linked via video universities across Canada. They invited staff and rejuvenation,” says local youth pastor
conferencing technology (with video streamed and students from Campus Crusade and IVCF Ben Woodman.
over the internet). Participants—from individuals to join them for a refreshing time of quality Focusing on four main training themes—
to a group of about 200—were able to text training and strategy for reaching fellow intercessory prayer, intimacy with the Almighty,
message questions to seminar leaders who students. spiritual disciplines, reinventing evangelism—
held the live sessions at Peace Portal Alliance Workshops had a practical focus designed participants chose from workshops such as
Church in Surrey, B.C. to equip, train, encourage, empower, connect “Reaching out to friends at school,” “Why pray
and how would we start a prayer group” and
“Being a leader and influencer in your school
and world.”
“It’s not just another youth conference.
This weekend provides practical, ‘apply it on
Monday’ training,” says Lauren Matheson,
team leader of Inter-School Christian
Fellowship (the high school ministry arm of
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship) and
organizer of campusfire Toronto 2005.
Find out more at www.campusfire.com.

BIO
Darian Kovacs is a huge
fan of rugby, soy ice
cream treats and
gardening. He lives
in Cloverdale, B.C.
with his wife Liz
and baby Caedmon.

find out more at www.campusfire.com salt. page 7

IN FOCUS

unique conference format

has big impact on teens: Engage 2008
Dion Collins at the ONE event in Vancouver

name: Dion Collins

resume: Youth Ministries Manager,
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
of Canada
digs: Calgary, AB
origin: Newfoundland
off the record: “He’s Billy G’s
right hand man” (Darian Kovacs)
online: www.engagenow.ca,
www.epicentrecanada.com

Engage
conference

Most of Dion Collins’ life has been

spent with kids. He cares about teens.
“Adults are for other people,” he jokes.
But his life story tells you its true.
Collins worked in his home province
of Newfoundland as a youth pastor for
16 years. His last church was in St. John’s
where he oversaw the local youth
network. One day he got a letter from the
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
(BGEA) about Epicentre, their year-long
discipleship initiative.
The focus of the Engage 2008 is This year’s conference includes
“At Engage there is no separation between the modelling to teens aged 15-19 what it award-winning band “Down Here,”
famous and the unknown, teens and adults, means to follow Christ in every day life. speaker Phil Cann, canadafire’s Darian
the timid and the bold.” Registration is limited to 150 people Kovacs, comedy troupe Panic Squad,
The program was so close to what to allow for the event’s unique structure Steve Huhn, Randy Carter and more.
Collins’ youth network was doing in to take shape. Over three days, speakers Engage 2008 is happening in Calgary
St. John’s that he was invited to run the and worship leaders share meals and from January 2-4. Register at
program. Halfway through, Collins found conversation with students, immersing www.engagenow.ca.
himself leading the training, and shortly them in significant conversations about You can also visit Collins at the
after started fulltime with BGEA. living and sharing their faith. Billy Graham booth at the Canadian
These days Collins’ daily work involves At Engage there is no separation Youth Workers Conference, November 28
connecting with youth ministries across between the famous and the unknown, to December 2 at the Sheraton Wall
Canada, promoting and running the teens and adults, the timid and the Centre in Vancouver.
Epicentre program and preparing bold—together everyone is engaged
for Engage—BGEA’s annual teen-focused for a weekend that leaves teens’ lives
evangelism conference. changed forever.

page 8 salt. find out more at www.campusfire.com

 IN FOCUS

telling stories, saving lives

How one man is reshaping the worldview of Canadian teens

name: Brett Ullman modern media. His messages, healing. The site has already received more
digs: Ajax, Ontario “media.faith.culture” and “The Wounding than 3,000 visitors.
age: 36 Embrace,” are woven together with dozens Here’s a sample from the web site. “So, you
online: www.brettullman.com of slides, video clips, interviews, and music. cut or, maybe you starve yourself. Maybe you’re
In conversation, Ullman is like a mini- even into substance abuse. I bet you feel
Self-injury is a topic tornado—full of energy and passion. He speaks alone. But how is this possible when nearly
few are brave enough with courage and conviction on sensitive issues. one in 10 North American teens struggle with
to tackle. But Cana- “I grew up burning CDs,” he comments in self-injury? How can all these people be alone?
dian Brett Ullman, a phone interview from the back of a speeding Today, thousands of young people, under
a former high school cab. “It was a good step at the time, purging confident and often scared, are seeking release
teacher, is taking on my life of ungodly influences, but I want to from their personal struggles in ways many
the challenge. challenge people to think about what we adults would prefer not to contemplate and,
Founder and consume in a more meaningful way—the sadly, ignore. You probably have friends who
director of Worlds Apart, effects of media on sexuality, the impact of cut, friends who are bulimic and you know
Ullman’s speaking social networking websites on real relation- self-injury is a serious problem in teen culture
history spans more than ship, how we turn to violence, cutting and today. Let’s Talk.”
10 years, reaching suicide, drugs, alcohol and promiscuity to deal Ullman speaks in a language teens under-
more than 125,000 with our brokenness.” stand. “Frankly,” he says “you’re never going
young people across Ullman asks questions and examines what to have God ask you in heaven, ‘What’s playing
North America. particular images are trying to sell us. “World- in your iPod?’ He wants to know what’s
It’s an impressive number considering Ullman’s view shapes your values and your values shape in your heart.”
has only been speaking fulltime for one year. your actions,” he says. Ullman believes change Ullman’s ministry, Worlds Apart, is named
He retired from his full-time teaching career must begin with challenging and reshaping after the old Jars of Clay song. His personal
in 2006 and has quickly become one of young people’s worldviews, and that means conviction is that Christians are to live in
Canada’s most in-demand school assembly learning to consume and live in a different way. a way that is “worlds apart” from the rest
and conference speakers. At the 2007 campusfire training event, of our culture.
Self-injury—whether cutting, anorexia, Ullman spoke out of Dallas Willard’s classic The mission of Worlds Apart is “to educate
bingeing, or drug abuse—is an epidemic The Spirit of Disciplines. He shared about and inspire youth to critically reflect on how we
among today’s teens, as evident in movies, mastering the disciplines of solitude and interact and are impacted by media culture in
song lyrics and countless music videos. silence, prayer, fasting and study. He talked our daily lives, habits, relationships and intrap-
Ullman examines the current influences about worship being what we do with our ersonal experiences.”
of modern culture and the many reasons young whole lives—sexually, ethically, emotionally,
people hurt themselves. He strives to empower physically—in all areas of life. He admonished Ullman is husband to Dawn, and father
struggling individuals to overcome the barriers students to be prepared to engage with culture of Bennett and Zoë. He and his family make
to positive self-growth. and to respond in holiness. their home in Ajax, Ontario and attend Carruthers
Ullman’s messages challenge individuals— Three months ago Ullman launched Creek Community Church.
youth and parents alike—to carefully examine yourstory.info, a website where kids can
the many ways we respond and interact with share their stories of brokenness and finding
NEW GENERATION makes debut
in prime minister’s office
by kathy stock
New Generation is a non-denomina-
tional, Christian student organization
whose mandate is to make the gospel
available to every student, every year.
During their “On the Road Tour
2006” they spoke to a group at North
Edmonton Christian Fellowship where
a number of students joined up. One of
those students, Cheryl Lynn McLaughlin,
got her sister, Crystal, and another girl,
Kabrie, involved as well.
They took the mandate to pray and
do Christian outreach very seriously,
but there was one small problem.
They were from a Christian school in Fort
Saskatchewan, and they felt God calling
them to do something a little different.
Having read in I Timothy 2 that
God calls us to pray for the people
in authority, they felt convicted to pray
together once a week and wrote out
this prayer.
“Heavenly Father, God of all wisdom
and power, we humbly come before
You to pray as You have instructed us MP Ken Epp, Crystal McLaughlin, Elaine Bailey, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Kaybrie Haaf,
in Your Holy Scriptures, for all who are Cheryl Lynn McLaughlin and Eleen Wideman.
in authority. We pray that they would
find in the Bible and through prayer, was in between trips, but that he would We at New Generation Canada Student
their source of strength and wisdom. see what he could do. Association are so proud
“We pray that they would remember He became their hero of the day of these girls for taking the mandate
that they are accountable to God Almighty when he pulled it off. They would have to pray and reach out so seriously and
for the tasks they perform and the a private audience with Mr. Harper with such dedication. There are many
decisions they make. We pray that they in his office! other groups doing amazing things for
would be able to resist those who may This young group of girls and their their schools and for their country right
pressure them to go against their teacher escorts Elaine Bailey and Ellen now all over Western Canada. A group
onscience and would have the strength Wideman spent 10 minutes with the in Quesnel is currently making
and courage to do what is right. prime minister, reading the prayer over preparations to hand out 1,700 Bibles
“We pray that by your guidance they him, presenting it to him, and getting to every student in the city’s two
would seek to preserve the blessings their picture taken by the official secondary schools.
of freedom and opportunity for the gen- photographer. Mr. Harper was visibly
erations to come. We pray that they moved and in a sober tone said,
would seek to bring back honour and “We need more of that here.”
respect, honesty and trust to the They also spent time with Stockwell
positions of power they hold. Day’s wife, Val, at the National House
“We pray finally that they would seek of Prayer and presented her with a gift
to be an example of good character for every one of the wives of the
and moral integrity to the fathers, Parliamentary Spouses Association
mothers, sons and daughters of this that conveyed a message of their love
great nation, Canada. May the God and support in prayer.
of peace be with you all. Amen.” Since this happened in June,
They spoke with their MP, Ken Epp, the girls have also framed a prayer
in the spring and told him that they for Alberta’s new premier and presented
would love to do a field trip to Ottawa it to his wife in his office. Quickly respond-
in the summer and visit the National
House of Prayer. They had another lofty
aspiration on their list too…to present
the prime minister with a framed copy
ing to the girls’ support, he wrote a letter
to thank and assure them it would be
hung in a special place of honour
in his office where he would read it
BIO
Kathy and her husband Ryan live in Calgary
with their two adorable little girls (2.5 and
9 months.) They are the founders of
New Generation Canada.
of this prayer. Epp said this would be every morning.
extremely difficult as Stephen Harper www.newgeneration.ca

page 10 salt. find out more at www.campusfire.com

canadian conference
& event listing
DECEMBER
27-31 Chinese Christian Winter Conference / Calgary, AB
28-1 Rise Up 2007 National Christmas Conference / Calgary, AB

JANUARY
2-4 Engage2008 / Calgary, AB
25-27 Missions Fest Vancouver / Vancouver, BC
25-27 Break Forth / Edmonton, AB

FEBRUARY
8-9 BC Student Forum / Vancouver, BC
22-24 Youth Quake / Caronport, SK
25 Today's Teens / Toronto, ON
29-2 Rush / Kelowna, BC

MARCH
8 CORE / Vancouver, BC

APRIL
25-26 Excalibur
26 CORE / Calgary, AB
10-12 Willow Creek NOVA Conference / Toronto, ON

MAY
3 CORE / Toronto, ON
Avalanche / Kelowna, BC
Historymaker / Chilliwack, BC
YC Alberta / Edmonton, AB

For a full LISTING and description of events and happenings

for Youth and Youth Workers all across Canada.
Visit www.canadianyouth.net

To submit your event listing contact

[email protected]

page 12 salt. find out more at www.campusfire.com

 reflections of a campus worker
PHOTO BY GRACE GROOT

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA CROOK

by christina crook
Confession: Today I feel discouraged. rampant among my generation, it all to encourage him to pursue the light
And it wasn’t because I got stuck waiting feels too overwhelming. and flee from the darkness, to seek
in the rain for my bus this morning. And in this place I am tempted to purity and reject lust, to turn from
That was inconsequential because numb out and sip an americano and surf selfishness and follow Jesus' example
it affected my flesh, not my spirit. the net while I wait for my next meeting. of total sacrifice.
No, what got me discouraged today But you know what? This young guy And today could matter. In fact,
was picking up the Metro newspaper I am meeting, a 20-something masters it could be remarkable.
with the wickedly sleek MTV ad on the student at UBC, has the potential to be “There is nothing that can not
front page that read: “Our ad was one of the world’s great reformers. happen today,” said Mark Twain.
considered ‘too racy’ for the front cover. He could break the mold, change the Suddenly the world feels
So check it out on the next page.” world. He could shine the light of Christ a bit brighter.

BIO
I flipped the page to find a full-page so brightly that the world around him
ad featuring two girls making out. could be transformed. Christina is a Vancouver-based writer and
The heading: “Sex. More sex. Drama.” Through our conversation on this associate with the Canada Student Forums.
Things like that make me want to cry, drizzly nondescript afternoon, he could She is currently working on her first book:
and honestly, make me feel defeated. be inspired to choose a different path. In the Company of Beautiful People.
Facing this big city, facing my own He could choose to live in God’s Read her musings online at
disillusionment and the deception upside-down kingdom. I might be able www.christinacrook.ca

page 14 salt. find out more at www.campusfire.com