Storyline Spring 2017

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faccalgary.com/storyline
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SUMMER 2017

Building lives that
honour God ...
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all for Jesus!
facebook.com/faccalgary
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a note from Pastor James
In the film Shadowlands, the character of C.S. Lewis says,
“We read to know we’re not alone.”
Storyline is a platform for sharing stories here at FAC – your stories! – stories
to make us laugh, cry, smile, and ultimately to guide us toward a hope in
Jesus Christ that transcends the circumstances of our lives.
We believe in everything we do here at FAC, during our weekend gatherings
and all week through, on campus or elsewhere in the community, our role
is about bringing to life God’s story as He’s communicated it to us, and
exploring how the story each of us is living integrates with His.
So, what’s your story? What is God doing in your life these days? Because we’ve all got a story, and
the few we’re telling in this issue of Storyline are just a representation of what God is doing in our
FAC community. We hope as you read them, they remind you that your story is meant to share, too,
and that you are part of a greater narrative.
So, enjoy these pages … Be encouraged … Be challenged … And be sure to let us know if there’s a
story God’s writing in your life these days that’s ready to be told!
-Pastor James Paton
Cconnect with pastor James!
our team
Editor in Chief Heather Wile
Graphic Design Briana Southerland & Peggy Xia
Editor Cheryl Siebring
Photography (unless otherwise noted)
Judith Tuck Enoch Tse
Jill Hopkins Daron Young
Josh Boak Barry Pendergast
unsplash.com
Content Goodness (Writers)
Josephine Tse Kathy Lloyd
James Paton Erin Boyce
Jill Hopkins Rosalind Coben
Briana Southerland
Photo Editing Samuel Campo, Janina Resus
Print Production Humphries Printing Inc.
A quartly publication of First Alliance Church, Calgary, Alberta of
the C&MA Canada.
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Journey of the Artist
as a Young Man
Journey of the Artist
as a Young Man
Written by Jill Hopkins
Written by Jill Hopkins
"Go in peace, the priest replied. For the LORD
is watching over your journey."
"Go in peace, the priest replied. For the LORD
is watching
Judges
over
18:
your
5-6
journey."
Judges 18: 5-6
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"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings ..."
Proverbs 22:29
It has been a 17-year journey but today, 22-year-old Enoch Tseng is actively seeking
and discovering God’s plan in his life. He is seeing how God worked in the hardships
of his past to bring him to where he is now. And it is a beautiful, creative place.
A
victim of bullying in his public school years, Enoch
struggled with loneliness and depression. He worked
to fit in, finding his niche in sports. Still, he wondered
why he had to endure so much pain and rejection in his peer
relationships. Through “Bell Let’s Talk,” a social networking
campaign aimed at supporting those with mental health issues
and removing the stigma often associated, Enoch found
his voice. He made peace with God, understanding how
his difficult past was part of God’s plan and purpose
for his life. He has found the sweet spot of resting in
God’s direction and is allowing his life to be shaped
accordingly.
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Trained formally in the violin since the age of 4,
Enoch is a gifted and recognized musician. He has
written and performed 3 songs on an EP entitled
‘Journey.’ Inspired by the people and events, both
positive and negative, that have shaped his life,
these songs tell of his path in rising above the pain
to a place of hope and purpose. One song, simply
called ‘Tonight,’ is playful and fun, reflecting the
joy he now has in sharing the beauty of a night sky
with his closest friends.
It has been a journey of faith
and healing, indeed.
Enoch is using his musical gifts now, no longer for
himself, but strictly to honour God. He plays violin
and guitar on one of the worship teams at FAC and
also leads a worship team for the Junior High and
Grade 5&6 ministries.
/enochtsengphotography
For him, it is all about finding the right music to
support the message, immersing in worship, and
glorifying the One who has stood by him through
thick and thin.
Enoch approaches photography in the same way
as he does music: as a way to use his considerable
gifts to worship God.
He sees the beauty in all that's around him. His
artistic eye is evident in his cityscapes, night skies,
portraits, and travel photos. He captures it all in a
unique and personal way that reflects a sensitive
and gentle spirit. Enoch finds a place of peace and
contemplation when he escapes into photography.
Spending time alone brings him closer to God
and His creation and fills his soul. He longs to be
‘wowed by God’ and uses his gifts to capture the
awe.
Enoch’s thirst to find amazing vistas has taken
him to the far corners of the globe: Korea, Japan,
Taiwan, and Hong Kong and now, Europe. At
home, he hikes into the passes and alpine lakes
of the Rockies, revels in the golden fields of the
Prairies at dusk, and walks the streets of Calgary
at dawn, always looking through a lens coloured
by the soft light of God’s grace and love as the
journey continues. •
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"None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever
I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord."
Ezekiel 12:28
Written by Erin Boyce
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When Cindy found out she was pregnant she
couldn’t believe it – she actually didn’t believe
it. Three pregnancy tests and a frantic “Call me
right now!” text to her husband later, it started
to sink in. After 8 years of trial and error, hope
and heartbreak, God had blessed them with a
miracle. This is their 8-year journey.
Before Jeremy and Cindy Duffin moved to Calgary, a pastor
prayed over them and told them something they weren’t
expecting to hear – that they would experience difficulty
having children. A young, happy couple, they didn’t dwell
on it; they thought it was a little strange and didn’t think it
would amount to anything.
A few years later, after a year of trying to get pregnant,
Cindy tragically lost her father, and to add to the heartbreak
she had a miscarriage 7 months later. Unable to conceive
again, they felt compelled to pursue treatment; “We wanted
to ensure there would be no regrets later in life.” At the
fertility clinic, Cindy and Jeremy were given a 2% chance of
ever having a child. “Even though we were told we had a 2%
chance of conceiving, I knew if God decided it was time we
had a 100% chance.”
Everything went perfectly with IVF and Cindy was told she
now had a 75% chance of becoming pregnant – but it wasn’t
time yet. “Just because God asks you to walk through a door
doesn’t mean you are promised the answers or the solution
you want on the other side,” Jeremy told me. God had
led them through many “empty” doors and they faithfully
followed every time, their faith growing stronger with each
one.
In the 8 th year Cindy had found her peace; through tears she
recalled, “I had to grieve what I was losing and let every little
piece of that dream go. You can’t be afraid of what you’re
feeling. There’s a lot of grief and that’s something you have
to acknowledge and deal with in a healthy way.”
Through the help of their small group, good friends, and
prayer, Jeremy and Cindy let go of the life they thought they
would have, downsized to a smaller home, and focused on
what God had already given them.
“We are very blessed,” Cindy said. “Moving forward, that was
something we focused on. He has given us everything and
owes us nothing. This family is not owed to me.”
When they accepted what they thought was God’s plan for
their life, He opened up one final door and on the other
side was a miracle. Their miracle was a healthy pregnancy.
Joshua, their beautiful baby boy, was born in December
2016.
When I asked Cindy if she could give one piece of advice to
someone going through a similar situation, she answered
immediately with two things: protect your marriage and talk
to someone. What they went through can break a person
and a marriage. “We both love to laugh,” Cindy smiled, and
I can attest to this throughout the time I spent with them. “I
think that’s one thing that really got us through this; we would
always try to make each other laugh.”
Cindy and Jeremy talked about how important community is.
“You can’t keep everything in – it can be very isolating,” she
started. “But be careful who you confide in, or you’ll be getting
a lot of advice and ‘Have you tried this or that?’ which can be
very discouraging.”
They found a lot of their comfort from a close community
of good friends – including their small group – who
walked alongside them, supporting them in prayer and
encouragement.
Daryl, from their small group, was the first person they told
they were pregnant. He shared with them how that morning
he’d read from Ezekiel 12:28, “Therefore say to them, this
is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be
delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares
the Sovereign Lord.” He knew the verse was meant for
someone else, so when Jeremy and Cindy knocked on his
door and told him the news, he wasn’t surprised.
Ezekiel 12:28 is part of the reason they named their son
Joshua. Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land after
many years wandering through the desert waiting for God’s
promise, just like Jeremy and Cindy. Joshua also spent 7
days walking around Jericho, waiting for it to fall. The people
of Jericho actually laughed at them, making fun of God’s
promise, for it was taking so long no one believed it would
fall. Joshua was faithful and kept marching, believing and
trusting his God – just like Jeremy and Cindy.
At their baby shower, a close friend wrote a speech. Here’s a
piece of what she wrote that is so fitting to their journey:
“The Bible is our ‘Adventure Guide.’ It reminds us
that when we are lost to pray! ‘Lord, I call to You
all day long. Bring joy to Your servant, Lord, I put
my trust in You. You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to You. Hear my
prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am
in distress, I call to You, because You answer me.’”
Jeremy and Cindy never stopped calling to God. They believed
He was good even when life was trying to tell them otherwise,
and they knew God would answer. He gave them peace to
accept they wouldn’t have a child – then He gave them Joshua. •
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Senior High trip
to Montreal
Written by Rosalind Coben
How does one prepare for a missions
trip to the only French-speaking
province in Canada? There are many
ways experienced missionaries suggest
preparing to enter a different culture,
but I decided to do the one that seemed
the most approachable – eating my way
there. After careful consideration and
Google-translating of menus, I came
to the conclusion that it was best for
me to ease into it and start with the
esteemed French delicacy … the fry.
But before I get ahead of myself, maybe I should let you
know why I’m selflessly eating copious amounts of French
fries. This upcoming July 7-18, a team of senior high students
and leaders from FAC are travelling to Montreal to work
with communities there to share the love of God in that
city. We are partnering with an organization called SOAR,
who will bring together 150-200 students to accomplish a
common goal: “love the city in the name of Jesus.” SOAR is
unique in that it doesn’t have a set plan for exactly what
the students will be doing, but rather it bases the activities
solely on the need of communities in Montreal, as well as
the skills of the students. In their words, “We do whatever
it takes to build relationships and share God’s good news.”
So, you might be wondering, “Why Montreal?” It’s common
for many of us to think that missions trips mean going
outside of Canada because everyone in Canada must have
heard about Jesus, right? In reality, Quebec is the leastreached
province in Canada. It’s a province that identifies
as ‘Catholic,’ but only in the cultural sense of the word.
If you were to attend a church service, you’d more than
likely find the buildings empty. Since the Quiet Revolution
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in the 1960’s, there has been an overall trend of people
leaving the church in Quebec, to the point where it is now
considered Canada’s most secular province.
With this knowledge, it might seem fair to wonder how
sending senior high students for 11 days will benefit the
city of Montreal. Team leader Pastor David Conrad made
the purpose of this trip abundantly clear, saying, “Shortterm
missions trips are two-fold. First, we are going to serve
the community and work alongside them; and second, we
want to disciple the students.” This is the 7 th short-term
missions trip David has led with FAC, and when asked why
Montreal was the chosen destination, he replied with the
simple notion that “it’s important for us to see the need in
our own country.”
Quebec is the least-reached provience in
Canada!
To be a disciple is to be a person who is following Christ.
As mentioned above, one of the main goals of this trip is
to disciple the students who have chosen to take this leap
of faith and say “au revoir!” to their families for 11 days.
While the details on exactly what each day will look like are
unclear just yet, the discipleship process has already begun
here in Calgary. The students have started fundraising for
the trip in a variety of ways: bottle drives, pizza sales, online
auctions, bake sales, and personal prayer and support
letters. While they might seem like mundane, practical
tasks, these are the very things that bond the team and
help point their hearts towards Jesus. Walking around the
church parking lot, collecting bottles, while not in any way
glamorous, was a time for the team to get together and
work towards our common goal of going to Montreal to
share Jesus.
Perhaps the most important part of the preparation for
this trip is the support of FAC through prayer. Please pray
that the team will maintain unity, and keep focused on the
goal of making a difference in the city of Montreal in Jesus’
name. As you can imagine, there is also a lot of preparation
work that goes into organizing a trip of this capacity, so
please pray specifically for David Conrad as he navigates all
the details and paperwork.
On July 7, the team of 19 students and leaders will be
boarding a plane and taking a trip that will be life-changing
for them. As we continue to diligently study the French
culture by the in-taking of the amazing cuisine (hello,
poutine!), we say ‘au revoir’ and ‘merci’ for all of your
support and prayer as this journey to Montreal continues! •
Meet the team! Please pray for them as they
prepare to serve with SOAR Ministries.
Donate
Help send the team!
Visit faccalgary.com/giving.
SOAR
love God, love people
Find our more about SOAR Ministries at
soarmontreal.com.
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UNLIKELY CALL
PURPOSE THROUGH TRIALS
WRITTEN BY BRIANA SOUTHERLAND
Over the past few years we have seen an unprecedented amount of people fleeing their
homes seeking shelter and refuge. On the news we see the images of terror, fear, and
despair on the faces of young children and their helpless mothers – any sense of safety and
joy have completely evaporated.
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Sometimes I find it easier to leave the news off
and live disconnected from this harsh reality that
affects the majority of the world. It helps me stay
comfortable, protected, safe … it’s like living in a world
with peaceful blinders. When I take off the blinders I am
left feeling uncomfortable, helpless – unsure of what to
do to help.
Two years ago I would have chosen this disconnected
life because my personality has always been to see a
problem and do something about it right away. But
with the issue of helping refugees I couldn’t find an
immediate solution – and that
makes me uncomfortable. It
makes me question God; it makes
me angry to know that there are
so many people hurting. Two
years ago I would’ve preferred
not to wrestle with God. It was
easier to be oblivious about the
large-scale issues and pick battles
that I could do something to fix. But now I realize
that through this sense of being uncomfortable God
has stirred my heart to be empathetic and reach out
in ways I never could have imagined. These lessons
did not come easily for me; in fact, God brought me
through a 2-year personal journey to get to the point
where my heart not only reaches out to refugees but
longs to help those I never thought I could help.
My journey began as I was blissfully preparing for my
wedding day. All I could focus on was getting married
and starting a life with my husband. We’d been living
thousands of miles away from one another – Austin
in Calgary and I in St. Paul, Minnesota. In my mind,
nothing could get harder than this period of distance.
We’d get married, move to Canada, and start our lives
Everything I had pictured my
first year of marriage to be
like was a faded dream within
3 days; comfort was ripped
out from under my feet.
together. To say I was unprepared for what was ahead is a
complete understatement.
I believed that as a North American, moving to Canada
would be a piece of cake and I would take some time to
set up our new townhome while waiting for my residency
then start my job in a nonprofit in Calgary. In reality I was
a foreigner, an alien, temporary, just another immigration
case number. I had to go through the same system that
every immigrant has to go through and wait for a visa.
Everything I pictured my first year of marriage to be like
was a faded dream within 3 days; comfort was ripped out
from under my feet.
We crossed the border into
Canada where I was questioned
and reminded that being married
didn’t guarantee I could be with
my husband. The suggestion was
given that staying in the US during
the visa process – separated from
my husband – might be easier than
repeatedly updating my visitor visa.
Since our townhome wasn’t ready, we stayed in a rental
for over a month with no internet, cable, cell phone,
or any of our own stuff. Just a mattress on the floor. I
knew nobody and was completely new to the city, and I
began to feel very isolated. I was lonely, homesick for my
family and friends, and I began to question what I was
doing. I focused on my visa application to keep my mind
off things, but I hit roadblock after roadblock. I couldn’t
apply until I had my name change in effect, which meant
I needed a new passport. I couldn’t apply for a passport
until we had an address. I couldn’t find out our address
until we had a postal code … but the city hadn’t assigned
postal codes because our development wasn’t complete. I
began to realize things were out of my control. I thought I
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could have my application sent in within the week; instead
it took us over 2 months to get everything in place to
apply.
We weren’t prepared to live on a single income, so I
poured my time into creating budgets and plans to help
us succeed. Once I had the plan in place, a little bit of
comfort returned. I thought I had gained some control
again. But I began to struggle with feelings of anxiety and
believed I was a burden. I felt responsible so I started
slicing the budget in areas where we needed money,
like our groceries. As our groceries became cheaper and
cheaper, our food became lower quality but it was “my
sacrifice.” However, when you live with celiac disease
there are major consequences to eating things you
shouldn’t and so on came my sickness. Three months of
constantly being sick and unable to leave the house for
long meant I lost weight, I had no energy, and mentally I
hit a low. Austin and I couldn’t get through a day without
me upset at him. I blamed him for the state of where I
was physically, emotionally, mentally. My
self-worth had vanished. I was convinced
nobody knew how I felt and honestly, I
think people couldn’t handle how I felt.
Everyone around me was in a land of
comfort and security, yet I couldn’t get
through a day of wondering if my next
visitor visa would be approved, or if my
residency would come through, when I
would be able to work again … The list
goes on.
I could tell you endless amounts of things I went through
to tear down my walls of control and comfort. When I
finally hit the bottom, I cried out to God and my burden
became lighter. Austin and I went away for a week and
we began praying that my visa would come in. But we
began to realize that wasn’t our prayer; our prayer was
that we would trust God in the circumstances, that we
would let Him be our provider. We began to look back on
the things that had happened and see God’s hand in it all.
A GST return we weren’t expecting to help with groceries
… Grandparents giving us a late wedding gift to get away
for awhile when things were unbearable … God provided
for our needs; He never abandoned us. But He did give us
trials, lots of trials. In that week I had to finally give up my
last ounces of control, fully surrender, and humble myself.
We trusted God with what was to come.
We got home refreshed and ready to continue our time
of unknowns. I remember it was dark outside and Austin
decided to get the mail. He came around the corner,
Our prayer was that
we would trust God in
the circumstances, that
we would let Him be our
provider.
looking at me in disbelief, with a single brown envelope
in his hands. “I think it’s here,” he said. As we opened
the letter shock fell over us. It wasn’t permanent
residency, but it was my work visa. God works in
mysterious ways. He brought me on a long road to
surrender my control and when I finally did He gave
me just enough to have a sense of normalcy again.
But even the next steps were predetermined by God.
Within the week I was offered a job at First Alliance to
cover a one-year maternity leave. Shortly thereafter
the Syrian Refugee Crisis hit the news. I was providing
admin support for Pat Worsley, who oversees our
refugee ministry. Daily, I answered phone calls from
people desperate to have their stories heard. I wasn’t
uncomfortable anymore. I listened, I felt their pain, and
I told them it wasn’t fair. My empathy for these people
was so strong, and God stirred my heart for them so
vividly. I would go home and be driven to pray for them
in the same way God drove me to pray for him to take
my burden of permanent residency. I
knew I couldn’t do anything for these
people in a task-driven way. God had
been equipping me and preparing
me to share hope and love with the
broken and hopeless.
I grew immensely through these
phone calls and listening to people’s
stories. Months after things slowed down, I woke up
from a repetitive dream where I audibly heard the
name of one of the women I used to talk to on the
phone. The Holy Spirit pushed me to call her to see
how she was doing. I am so thankful for this boldness
that the Holy Spirit gave me! I know that if I hadn’t
gone through the trials I did, I would have never called
her to see how she was doing. I called her on a day
when all hope was gone and she wanted to give up.
Hearing that and now gaining an amazing friendship
with her has made my trials worth it. Austin and I are
now co-sponsors to have her sister come to Canada
as a refugee and we are on a journey with her and her
family. There are days where I am uneasy because
there is no task for me to help with, but I am gently
reminded to listen to her, to pray for her, and to pray
for God to direct the application. Sometimes all we can
do is listen and pray.
This is just the journey of one of the many applications
we as a church are applying for and I challenge you to
pray diligently for the ministry of refugee sponsorship.
It is a long, dark, and painful journey for so many. •

Life got in the Way
Written by Kathy Lloyd
Extreme Rakeover is June 3 here at FAC. With
summer coming on, the grass needs a good raking
to clean out the small pebbles, leaves, and other winter
detritus left by the winds and snow. Aerating pulls plugs
of soil out to give the lawn a chance to breathe and grow
new life. Flower beds need to have the soil turned and
new seeds need to be planted.
Our lives are sometimes like that. What’s there is good,
but God wants to pull out some of the good in order for
us to flourish at His best in new places. That seems to be
how the Lord has been working in the life of Sheila Ball.
Sheila was head of Human Resources in an engineering
firm but saw her department dwindle from 18 down to
2 during this last downturn in our economy. She applied
for and received an early retirement package, thinking
she would take a bit of a break before re-entering the
proverbial rat-race of a stressful new job.
Years ago, when Sheila was finishing up her master’s in
Toronto, Ursula Franklin – beloved professor and mentor
to Sheila – had asked her,
“How will you use your life
experiences to serve others?”
Franklin was a prominent physicist, educator, and
advocate of women’s rights. She was also a Quaker, and
suggested to Sheila that she work with victims of war and
displaced people.
Life got in the way, as it often does with many of us, and
Sheila successfully climbed the corporate ladder. After
deciding to retire last February, these words from her
friend and mentor again came to mind. Sheila googled
and found the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society.
They work with survivors of torture or those who have
experienced the trauma of war. She was paired with a
newly immigrated Syrian family, who had been forced
to flee their home on foot when their town was totally
flattened. They arrived in Turkey with no possessions,
clothing, or even food. Last October they came to Calgary.
Sheila is able to put them in touch with professionals who
can help in whatever way is needed, and orientate them
to city life here in Canada.
God has been pruning Sheila’s life in other areas as well.
Last year Sheila volunteered at Extreme Rakeover. She
has become good friends with Cindy Bartlett, FAC's Serve
Coordinator and Extreme Rakeover Participant. Cindy has,
since found numerous volunteer opportunities for her at
FAC.
Extreme Rakeover helped to instill in her a love for
gardening. During the summer, her front yard comes
alive with soft clusters of John Cabot climbing roses, the
deep fuschia of Winnipeg Parks, and bright orangey red of
Morden Fireglow bushes. When I visited, these had been
pruned back to within three feet of the ground, not yet
even budding out, but just biding their time before new
life breaks forth.
Her Syrian family will benefit not only from the overflow of
her backyard apple trees, but from the various vegetables
she plans to put in this year. Already, sweet peppers were
poking up through the soil in small pots. In a few weeks
they will be ready for transplanting to the garden.
Sheila says it’s very much like how God has worked in
her own life. He prepared the soil by allowing her to get
a good education, but at the same time planting seeds of
service. He opened doors to a successful career working
with people, gaining valuable relationship skills. Then He
pruned back her career, slowed her down, and shifted her
focus. “I’m like a new garden,” Sheila exclaims, ‘’tilled and
ready for God to plant new seeds into my life!”•
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Hearts United and Ignited!
Written by Jill Hopkins
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to
the full. John 10:10
The marriage was in peril.
Like many, Steve and Lisa LeBlanc’s relationship
had started out with hope and innocent trust that
love would be enough to overcome past hurts and
give them the life they both desired. From very different
upbringings, family values, and dynamics, they came in
with needs and expectations of themselves, each other,
and the relationship itself. But when those expectations
clashed, and Steve’s heavy work and travel demands were
compounded by the everyday stress of raising a young family,
the marriage broke. Lisa and Steve separated. Frustrated that
they were unable to find support in the church, they turned to
outside resources for help. They worked on their relationship
with a highly-skilled secular counselor and thankfully, after
nine months, were able to reconcile and begin the long process
of restoration.
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That was 21 years ago. From that place, a passion to
explore and strengthen their relationship was sparked.
After coming to Calgary in 2007, the LeBlancs joined
FAC and attended “Marriage Matters” with Pastor Scott
Weatherford. This was their first taste of marriage ministry
in the church. They were encouraged!
They then attended Dynamic Marriage, under the
leadership of Ron and Teresa Buschman. Their eyes
were opened to the possibility of a deeper, more
meaningful relationship. The leaders in the nine-week
Dynamic Marriage course are facilitators only, whose
purpose is to guide the participating couples through
a series of exercises in
which they identify and
learn to communicate
personal needs, wants,
and expectations with each
other, thereby enhancing
their already functioning
marriage. As is often true
concerning things of value,
the more energy, honesty,
and openness that is
brought to the discussion, the greater the return. As
Lisa and Steve allowed the Holy Spirit to work in them,
they gradually came to a place of mutual validation and
acceptance. They learned to express and manage their
expectations and to better understand themselves and
each other.
When the opportunity to mentor other couples in crisis
arose, Lisa and Steve jumped at the chance. Not only
had they found a ministry for which they were both
passionate, they were excited to offer the support and
skills that they themselves had so desperately needed
more than two decades before.
Marriage 911 is that ministry. Arising from the materials
Joe and Michelle Williams have developed and are using
in the United States to rescue marriages on the brink,
Marriage 911 has a unique approach.
“For I know the plans I have for
you,” declares the Lord, “plans
to prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and a
future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“God, what do you want to do with ME?” approach. It takes
gut-wrenching honesty with oneself and with God, but the
leaders are there to facilitate the growth. Expectations
and blame directed at the spouse are replaced with the
quest to heal inner brokenness. Lisa and Steve end each
session in prayer. Midway through the twelve weeks, Lisa
flips the more common petition of begging God for help to
praying in praise, thanking God for completing this work
in them and claiming the promise that it has already been
accomplished. It changes the focus to looking through
God’s lens, asking how we can participate in His good work
in us. It makes a difference! When one person changes,
the spouse cannot help but notice; the dynamics in the
relationship shift.
Marriage 911 is, indeed, a
powerful agent of change. It
offers hope and encouragement
as people in relationship crisis
are supported in a structured
and loving environment.
The LeBlancs have been a vital
part of Marriage Ministry at
FAC. As they prepare to move to
Winnipeg, they are excited to take this ground-breaking,
essential ministry with them.
Born from the distress and pain in their own marriage,
and nurtured through the various courses offered at FAC,
the spark has been fully ignited. Their passion to take
up the fight to preserve marriage and the family shines
brightly, instilling God’s light where there has previously
been only darkness. •
Do you want to have a rich, God-centred marriage? Check
out the courses and workshops offered at FAC:
faccalgary.com/couples
Do you and your spouse want to be a part of Marriage
Ministry at FAC?
Rather than dwelling on problems in the marriage, the
program focuses on the individual. Men and women are
led through lessons in separate rooms, so that even if
one spouse is uninterested, the other is free to attend
on his or her own. As Steve explains, “the spouse and the
relationship are left at the door.” The facilitators take their
groups on a journey of self-discovery and faith. It’s an
“end of yourself” place, and offers a new beginning with a
The need for Marriage 911 is great, but the availability of
this course is restricted by the lack of facilitators. If helping
others develop strong relationship skills is on your heart,
please connect with our Marriage Ministry Team Leaders
Ron Buschman
rbuschman@faccalgary.com or Teresa Buschman
tbuschman@faccalgary.com.
16

Our Nation is 150
By: Josephine Tse
place where many of us call home
A
is hitting a milestone this year. Our
beautiful country of Canada will be
celebrating its 150th Anniversary of
Confederation! As Dorothy from the Wizard
of Oz puts it, “there is no place like home”.
17
There are many wonders in Canada that cannot be found in other
areas of the World. Our stunning landscape that is as vast as it is
diverse; from the prairie mountains to the Maritime coastlines,
from Great Lakes to flowing rivers, and wildlife inhabitants like the
infamous beaver and sweet chickadees. Proudly, Canada is a leader
for for accessible health care, human rights advocacy, respect for
diversity and conservation of history. Canadians are excessively
polite, love to laugh and arguably the most passionate hockey fans
in the world. Canada is home to so many good things and a nation of
infinite opportunity.
Like any birthday for a great friend, you would
want to celebrate by spoiling them with
gifts! Our Mayor Naheed Nenshi started
an initiative to do just that for our Nation
that we can all take part in! The project is
called ‘Three Things for Canada’. To celebrate
Canada’s 150th birthday, Mayor Nenshi
encourages Canadians to give our nation three
gifts of service, large or small.
If we all did three things for our neighborhood, community, church,
nation- what an incredible way to celebrate and foster goodness for
Canada! You can lead a cleanup initiative around the city, pay for
a stranger’s coffee, host a meal for friends, hold grocery bags for a
stranger, or take your kids to the park more often than usual - the
gift ideas are endless. Mayor Nenshi doesn’t want you to be shy
about your gifts; he wants you to share it with the world! Visit
www.threethingsforcanada.ca to see some of the gifts that are
already happening in our city and to share your own!
As our amazing Country is turning 150 we can’t forget
about the party and celebration, and with plenty going
on in and around our City, make sure to go out and
explore! Parks of Canada is offering free park
passes for 2017, to obtain your pass visit Parks
Canada online and head on out to celebrate
Canada’s great outdoors! Soak in our Country
and City’s history by visiting Heritage Park, Fort
Calgary, Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower, the
Famous Five Statues at Olympic Plaza or the
Chinese Cultural Center.
Some local attractions to enjoy with family and
friends also include the Calgary Zoo and Telus Spark.
Don’t miss the yearly Canada Day festivities at Prince’s
Island Park, Eau Claire, and Olympic Plaza - tons of live
music, fireworks and a festive atmosphere. Celebrating
our country can be personal and low key, too. Perhaps
take a stroll around Fish Creek Provincial Park, or rent
a bike and enjoy our city bike lanes and trails. The
celebration is definitely not limited to the items above;
you can host your own Canada Day party, inviting
friends & neighbors over for BBQ and games. Keep
your eyes out for firework shows located around the
City in the evening as well!

Celebrate AT FAC
Special Canadiana Services
With Party afterwards!
Regular services on July 2
(no Service on July 1)
Celebrations until 2:00 pm
Let’s show our appreciation for our country
Happy Birthday Canada!
18

Living
off
Creativity
Written by Erin Boyce
19

Artist In The Spotlight
C
ynthia Cabrera is an interior
designer born in Guadalajara, Jalisco,
Mexico. Very early in life she showed
a keen interest in art: drawing, painting,
and music. Growing up without some of the
comforts we in Canada are so accustomed to,
she developed an interest in how space has an
effect on human interaction and development.
She describes interior design as much more
than fashion and esthetics. “Good interior
design is about function; how can you make
everyday life easier, so you can concentrate on
the things that really matter in life?”
Asked if she saw God in her work, Cynthia replied,
“He first decided to reveal Himself as the Creator; He
is the one and ultimate Designer. All creativity and
problem-solving skills come from Him.”
After graduating, Cynthia began her interior design
career in Mexico. She moved to Canada six years
ago, where she now lives with her husband Moises
and son Aaron, and continues to work in her field.
Cynthia’s creativity can be seen here at FAC many
weekends; she recently joined a team of volunteers
who design and create the look of our sanctuary
stage for weekend services. •
Cynthia graduated from the University of
Guadalajara with a Bachelor of Interior Design. A lot
of people wanted her to choose a different career
path that would be more profitable in Mexico. “I
prayed and asked God for guidance,” recalls Cynthia.
“I know now He guided my decision. I had no idea at
the time what He had in store for me. Being able to
live off of creativity is a blessing.”
God has given Cynthia a passion for art and design,
which you can see pour out of her whenever she
speaks about it. “The ultimate Artist reveals Himself
throughout creation, and we are the pinnacle of it –
we are His Mona Lisa"
she says. “We are creative because we are made in
the likeness of Him.”
20

RETHINKING HOLINESS
17
Bernie Van De Walle
"But just as He who called you is
holy, so be holy in all you do;
for it is written: “Be holy,
because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16

What does holiness mean? Why
does God’s word emphasize
it as so important? How do we begin to
answer these questions?
In his book, Rethinking Holiness, Bernie A. Van De
Walle states from the first pages that this is not a
“how-to” book for morality or ethics but rather a
“what is” book. This is important because in order
to follow God’s command for us to be holy, it is
essential to first understand holiness. Van De Walle
gets to the heart of the matter in our living – that
our discussions about how we got here or even
where we are going, although important, are not as
essential as the considerations surrounding our call
to participate in the divine.
Based on the subtitle, A Theological Introduction,
and author’s biography, it might be easy to presume
that Rethinking Holiness is a book to be approached
with an academic lens. After all, Bernie A. Van
De Walle’s specialty at Ambrose University is the
impressive domain of historical and systematic
theology. This first impression might lead the reader
to conclude that reading this book would be an
intellectual exercise. However, it is very clear from
the first few paragraphs that this is an accessible and
engaging read which is a relevant and even essential
text for everyone seeking to understand more about
God.
Van De Walle boldly presents tricky words such
as soteriology, eschatology, teleology, and ontology
but allows you to understand them without
having to have a Master of Divinity or a PhD. By
giving a straightforward explanation and context
immediately after introducing each concept, his book
allows those in the church without backgrounds
in academic theology access to terminology and
foundational faith principles that are key in our
understanding who we worship and who we are.
This book encourages the reader to dig deeper into
the scriptures which define what we believe about
holiness: who God is and who we are individually
and corporately as the church in light of salvation.
In seven chapters, Van De Walle effectively leads
the reader through the definition, theology,
understanding, application, assaults against, and
implications (both individual and corporate) of
holiness. Based on conversations, this book was
written in such a way that you can almost imagine
being in Van De Walle’s class and having your next
question answered.
Described as an “approachable theological
introduction to the Christian doctrine of holiness,”
the text draws the reader into thinking about
holiness beyond cultural presets into the ultimate
truth that holiness is neither a commodity nor a set
of ethics but rather found in the nature of God.
Reading Rethinking Holiness not only resulted in an
increase in knowledge but also a transformative
experience. From sparking conviction and igniting
meditation on holiness to inciting discussions and
expanding perspectives, the book takes the reader
on a journey from examining a topic that generally
does not get explored into a recognition of the
central place the pursuit of holiness must take in
the life of every believer. This leads to a deeper
understanding of the character of God.
For something as incredibly challenging to
describe as holiness, Van De Walle has delivered
a framework for understanding through practical
explanations and interesting examples for each of
the implications, making this book an engaging soulchanger
and fodder for revival in the church. As Van
De Walle writes, “in a quest for holiness, humans
cannot be passive.” We are called to be conformed
to the image of Christ and this book deftly presents
a call to the deep-rooted desire within believers and
non-believers alike: a call to holiness. •
Book Review by Judith Tuck
Book Review
What do students say about Professor Van De Walle?
"Bernie helped me understand that a well-placed quote from
“The Princess Bride” in a lecture is an art! While his teaching
was integral to my faith and ministry, he always made room for
a laugh or two along the way." - Spencer
"Bernie Van de Walle wonderfully combines being one of
the most authoritative and knowledgeable men I have ever
encountered with being easily approachable. I have learned so
much from him because of this ability to tie the two together
and teach in a manner that involves not only depth, but casual
simplicity and light-hearted humour. - Matthew
22

New Teaching Series
Starts June 3/4
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