Storyline Fall 2018

Storyline
magazine
Fall 2018
the value of
a man pg. 14
OVERCOMER!
God's strength during
cancer battle pg.26
update from shortterm
missions teams
pg. 10 & 22

a note from
Pastor James
It’s hard to believe fall's
already here. Summer
certainly wound up with a
flourish for us with our son
John getting married to Lisette
in Amsterdam at the end of
August.
This fall at FAC we are
thinking together about what
it means to reach ‘Over the
Fence.’ At one time fences were used to keep dogs in; now it can feel like we
use them to guard our privacy and keep neighbours out! The result is often
social isolation and loneliness right in our own neighbourhoods. You don’t
need a literal fence to have this kind of reality. We might not be aware of it
personally but others certainly experience it. It is affecting the fabric of our
city.
What if there was a way to change all of that? What if we took our
calling to be great neighbours seriously? What if we were the ones to
reach ‘Over the Fence’? What if we became the best neighbours on the street
or in the condo unit? Each weekend we are going to look at a story in the life
of Jesus and consider the implications for us in south Calgary.
We begin with the invitation to ‘First pray.’ That’s what Jesus did. Just maybe
God would lead us in surprising ways. Then we can keep our ‘Ears Open’ so
we can listen well to the needs of others. You never know what you might
learn. Food always helps – ‘Nourish, nachos, or nosh!’ When was the last
time we ate with a neighbour? What a great way to loosen up and build
relationship. ‘Caring Acts’ demonstrate the love of Jesus. They don’t need to
be heroic, just genuine. And just maybe we can ‘Exchange Stories,’ telling
someone about how Jesus has changed our lives and could change theirs
too. After all, everyone has a story. We have a lot of fun creative elements
planned and I know you won’t want to miss a single weekend!
Have an amazing fall,
– Pastor James
A platform for stories to be shared here at
FAC: stories to make us smile, cry, laugh
- and ultimately to guide us towards a
transcendent hope in Jesus in the midst of
a broken world. This quarterly publication
uses the talent of volunteer photographers,
graphic designers, and writers. Storyline
is a publication of First Alliance Church,
Calgary, Alberta of the C&MA Canada.
our team
Editor In Chief
Heather Wile
Managing Editor
Briana Southerland
Graphic Designers
Deon Watson
Janina Resus
Julie McPhail
Peggy Xia
Photo Editor
Sam Campo
Photographers
Jill Hopkins
Daron Young
Quinn Hystad
Story Editors
Cheryl Siebring
Cheryl Miller
Storyline Writers
Terry Schmidt
Erin Boyce
Erik Freiburger
Jill Hopkins
Jeremy Dyck
Marlis Sabo
Kathy Lloyd
Connect with Pastor James!

contents
click on the photo to jump to the stories
06 Value of Connecting
by Grant Sylvester
08 Baptism Story
by Kathy Lloyd
16 Book Review
by Marlis Sabo
20 Poem: What I found in Jesus
by Bernice Baugh
21 Hi, my name is ... Joel Marquez
26 Overcomer!
by Jeremy Dyck
28 This is my story ... Maria
by Marlis Sabo
30 Mi Historia ... Maria
Translation by Nicole Amsing
31 Our Prayer
Storyline team
pg. 14
pg. 24
pg. 18
pg. 10
pg. 13
pg. 22
contact us
Phone 403-258-4359
Email storyline@faccalgary.com
Web faccalgary.com/storyline-magazine
click here!
Join the Storyline Team
Share your story
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Check out more photos of what's happening at FAC!
Find us on social media: @faccalgary.com

Value of
CONNECTING
WRITTEN BY GRANT SYLVESTER
Hey There!
I hope you’ve had a great summer ...
Although it went too fast, I trust you had a chance to recharge
and connect with friends and family. As we head into the fall
it’s also my hope that you will take the opportunity to connect
with the FAC family. It really could change your life! I mean it!
I believe that when the church is at its best, it’s the most
life-giving, difference-making community in the world. It’s
full of people who don’t have their act together but willingly
acknowledge their need to come together to celebrate and
to encourage each other. And this idea of coming together
– of being connected – is huge! In fact it’s one of our core
commitments.
A while back, Edward Hallowell and a team of researchers
from Harvard medical school discovered that the two most
powerful and meaningful experiences in life are achieving
(reaching a goal or accomplishing something) and connecting
(relating to someone in a significant way).
According to Hallowell, our society is becoming more and
more obsessed with achieving while at the same time
becoming increasingly bankrupt when it comes to connecting.
Achieving is not bad, of course, but research shows that it’s
no substitute for connecting. People who excel at achieving
but fail at connecting end up unhappy people. The old saying
is true: “Nobody on their deathbed looks back on life and
wishes they had spent more time at the office.”
By contrast, people who were connected and had meaningful
relationships, even if they weren’t great at achieving goals, still
report life as being fulfilling.
In our new life with God, we all need the encouragement and
accountability of others in order to grow strong and flourish
in this journey.
6

God uses human relationships to impact our faith in Him … You show me your friends, and I'll show you your future.
Because you will become like those you spend the most time with. In
fact, Solomon, said it this way: "If you walk with the wise you will
become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." (Prov
13:20)
Friends, we need each other – and while a large
gathering like our weekend services are great for
celebrating – it’s not enough for connecting.
May I encourage you to find
a small group? To resist the
temptation to stand alone?
I was chatting with a small group leader recently
as they walked through deep waters in their group.
A group member had terminal cancer and they were
supporting this person, praying with them – and then
had the privilege to gather as a small group with her by
her bedside to sing and pray and take communion together
before she took her last breath.
God uses human
relationships to impact our
faith in Him…
You show me your friends,
and I’ll show you your
future.
What a picture of what happens when God draws people together into a
new community! It’s amazing to me how God uses other people to impact our faith in Him.
So may I encourage you to investigate how you might get connected at FAC this fall, whether through
a small group or a serve opportunity or at one of our kick-off events in the days to come! Resist the
temptation to stand alone!
"This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members
care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if
one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s
body, and each of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (NLT)
Small Group
Info

Baptism Story
Written by Kathy Llyod
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has
gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Baptism Info
Rebecca’s excitement is palpable! I sensed it when I read her response to
an email asking if she would be interested in sharing her journey toward
baptism with Storyline.
“I’d love to share my personal story! I had no idea that I was going to be baptized that Sunday,” She
responded.
For some weeks, Rebecca had been experiencing a sense of emptiness in her life. She was a primary care
paramedic in the north – a demanding job that took her away from her family for days at a stretch. Around
this time, she met several couples who seemed to have a greater life focus than her own. Then in February of
this year, a friend told her she was attending church and had found the Lord.
Surprisingly to her, it was also during this time as she went into her daughter’s room to wake her for school
each morning, that Rebecca heard songs with words of real encouragement and love that touched her heart.
Normally, she didn’t encourage TV or even appreciate having the radio on. “I didn’t think there was any value
(to the music) and it was hurtful to hear children singing along without knowing how detrimental it was to
their self-image.” But now as she listened, she was blown away at the message and meaning of these songs.
It was a couple of weeks before they discovered they’d been listening to Shine FM (a Calgary Christian radio
station). No one remembers how or when the station was changed!
8

Rebecca saw a change in her friend Vanessa’s life and asked if they could
attend church with her. They came as a family for the first time to FAC in
March. “I was so happy to be learning,” she wrote. “I learned that God
was leading in my life, and that if we followed Him, we would see the
difference it made in our lives.”
On April 8, she listened as Pastor James talked about the Holy Spirit and the
resurrection of Jesus. She was surprised when he stated that anyone who felt the Spirit’s
leading was welcome to come right away and be baptized.
When her young son, Alyer, leaned over and indicated he wanted to be baptized, she too felt it had to be
‘today.’ “I’ll take your hand and we can go together,” she replied. When Alyer hesitated, she remembers
telling him, “Whenever you’re ready you can do it, but I need to be baptized right now! You and Ophelia just
wait here.”
As she left the kids and stepped out onto the aisle, Heather, a new friend at FAC, “came out of nowhere” and
said to her, “I was elsewhere in the building but God told me you were ready to be baptized.” Afterwards,
Rebecca remembers feeling “so fresh and new!”
Since then, both her husband Chris and daughter Ophelia have been baptized. Alyer broke his arm on the
monkey bars, but when I met them in early August, Alyer excitedly explained to me, “Both my sister and dad
got baptized and I’m going to get baptized as soon as the cast is off my arm!” In taking this step of baptism,
the whole family has publicly declared their desire to follow Jesus and be sensitive to His leading in their
lives.
When asked what God has been doing in her life since she was baptized, Rebecca responded, “God works
in the most blessed of ways. I will be out and about chatting with people, and realize that God is
working in so many ways in my life, as long as I listen to Him. My family is much stronger. We have
all accepted Jesus as our Saviour.” Rebecca has seen a difference in how they act and react to others. She
has listened as her children expressed their thoughts and then exclaimed, “God would appreciate that!” Both
Ophelia and Alyer have asked her to pray for specific situations in their lives during their nightly prayer time.
“The road we’re on is so gracious,” she writes.
Rebecca has been amazed to see the Holy Spirit come alive in extended family
relationships as well. They bonded closer with her husband’s grandmother when they learned she
has been praying for them for years. There have been opportunities to talk with others about their journey,
helping them to understand their relationship with Christ and to grow in their faith.
During the summer, they read through the book of Matthew. Come September,
Rebecca hopes to get involved in a Bible study as well. Service to God and to her family
have become her highest priorities!

The Trip We Never Knew We Needed
Written by Erin & Dalton Boyce
Erin and Dalton Boyce were two of the 20 people who ventured to Bogotá, Colombia from
FAC this past summer. They partnered with a local Christian & Missionary Alliance Church,
worked in local schools, and helped with Oasis – an after-school program for impoverished
kids in a slum area of the city. Here's a bit of their story:
Erin: When you hear of short-term missions you typically hear the following comments: “What can you do in such
a short time?” “Aren’t you doing more harm than good coming and going?” “How can you create relationships in that
time?” Short-term missions, to say the least, has had a big reputation, like Taylor Swift. I can tell you this trip encouraged
me in community and made more sense of my faith in ten days than in my 20 years of believing. I had always wanted to
go on a missions trip but if I’m being honest, feelings of inadequacy stopped me from pursuing this. When I arrived in
Colombia I was shocked … If you think Canadians are nice, Colombians give us a run for our money. Lucy (who started
Oasis) opened not only the doors of the daycare for us but her personal home as well. She fed us, provided us with
transportation, and most importantly truly gave me the picture of Godly hospitality. Lucy has committed her life to
serving God and to witness and be a part of that for ten days, even one day, was life-changing. Throughout the mission
trip I saw God work in many ways. I’ll share one example, though I could share many, many more. During the first three
days we visited a school where we performed skits, sang worship, and went to classrooms to hang out and speak. At the
end of the day the 20 of us would gather and talk about the discussions we had in the classrooms. Some of them were
“Do you know who Pablo Escobar is?” or “What do you think of Trump?” … They always kept us entertained! But then
you would hear the stories of how God moved in the classrooms. A few of the team members were able to share their
testimonies with students and even had a couple of students feel called to share their testimony with the whole class.
God brought us together despite language and cultural barriers and showed us that His love connects us all. The end of
6
10

the day was always my favourite, and not because we had
been up since 6:00 am. Our debriefs were typically from
8:30-10:00 pm. These times gave me renewed strength
and spirit to wake up at 6:00 am again the next day. We
would gather in a circle and talk of the ways we saw God
move in the children or community and in the ways He
was working in our lives. We would pray for teammates
affected by sickness and sing songs of worship. God
showed me the true meaning of community through
these 20 incredible individuals. We ranged from singles to
families, students to doctors, children to adults … and yet
in all our differences God made us one community under
Him.
Dalton: My whole life I have struggled to find God.
I’ve always believed He’s been there but I’ve never seen
anything to prove it. I’m sure there have been many
obvious signs but I’ve been too caught up in my own
ways to see Him. I’ve made so many wrong choices in life
where I find myself seeking forgiveness from God and
from the ones I love. I’ve been doing it my whole life. My
wife is a great example of forgiveness. If forgiveness
is a person, I’m married to her. There was a moment
in Colombia that I always think about that was the
highlight of my trip. Erin and I shared some very personal
moments from our life with Paul. Paul and his wife Lineth
are the missionaries we worked with down in Colombia.
Paul said something to me that I will never forget. He said,
“The love that Erin has shown for you is the love that God
has for you.” For the very first time in my life I could see
the God I’ve been searching for. He’s been here the whole
time and I’ve chosen to ignore it. God revealed Himself to
me during this trip and it reminds me of what one of our
leaders, Tiffany, said: “It’s the trip I never knew I needed.”
Since arriving back from Colombia, God has shown me
a new purpose for my life. I used to value money and
furthering my profession as quickly as possible. Now, I
pray that God blesses me so I can give the money back
to Him and in turn those in need. Matthew 10:39 says “If
you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up
your life for Me, you will find it.” God is showing me every
day how to continually surrender my life to Him. Like I
mentioned before, Colombia was the trip I
never knew I needed.
Interested in a
STM Trip?
“Let’s FACE It!”
Click to listen to episode about the
Colombia team

INTERNATIONAL
Street Fest Friday, November 16 | watch for more details
Weekend services featuring Joanne Beach November 17/18

Hi, my name is ... Kyle
Where were you born? Where have you Lived?
I was born in Vernon, B.C. where I lived until Grade 5.
My family moved to the “Bible Belt” state of Kentucky
and lived in a small college town for a year (where I
thoroughly enjoyed my one and only year of Hockey
superstardom – thank you, southern states!). The
summer before Grade 7 we moved to Calgary where I
lived all the way through to my graduation at Ambrose
– with the exception of my one-year pastoral internship in Cobourg, Ontario. Two weeks after I finished
my studies at Ambrose University I moved back to Vernon to serve at Vernon Alliance Church where I was
serving up until this summer when we moved here to join the FAC family.
Tell us about your family.
My wife’s name is Chelsey. Though she was born in Portland, she moved to Calgary before her first birthday
– so she’s a Calgarian through and through. She’s a nurse with a particular passion for mental health. We
have a daughter named Charlotte Rae. She’s 14 months old and brings more into our lives than we ever
could have imagined!
Favourite food? Drink?
Food is pizza – and there is no close second! Any type, anywhere, anytime! Drink: Coffee
– there are two contenders close behind, those being grapefruit juice and sparkling water!
What song has the most plays on your playlist?
I’m sure it would be a John Mayer song!
Best vacation memory? Travel memory?
Best vacation memory would be exploring Bali one New Years with my family … seeing the rice terraces,
snorkelling remote islands, and seeing the beauty of Indonesia! Best travel memory would be when Chelsey
and I, shortly after getting married, had the opportunity to do some ministry work in Nepal and conclude
the trip with hiking in the Himalayas!
Favourite thing to do in your free time?
Basically any active opportunity I enjoy … I love volleyball (beach or indoor), golf, cycling, and in the winter
it’s hockey and snowboarding particularly. Beyond playing sports we love to watch them (though Chelsey
and I rarely seem to cheer for the same team … It’s a constant tension!). I love travel, to read, and sign me
up for almost any kind of adventure you can find – my camp name is not Adrenaline by accident!
Two most important things?
The first thought that popped into my head was my Bible … Immediately after that was my family … I guess
that’s a pretty good order for things! Two more common items? My guitar is particularly meaningful to me
and our laptop – not because I’m particularly keen on the machine but because it holds all of our wedding,
travel, and family pictures!
Favourite Bible verse and why?
Jeremiah 29:11-14 – I was a in a severe car accident when I was 17 … While I was being rushed to the
hospital the paramedic couldn’t really believe I was alive and though he was an unbeliever he came pretty
close to quoting that portion of Scripture to me – it become sweet to me through that experience.
Kyle Trigg joined the FAC staff this summer as the Family Life Pastor. Welcome to the FAC family!
13

WHAT IS THE
VALUE OF A MAN?
My Story by Erik Freiburger
What is the value of a man? Or more pointedly, what is my
worth? As a person in a wheelchair, it’s a question I’ve
wrestled with for a long time.
I wasn’t always in a wheelchair. My earliest memories were of living in downtown Calgary with my
mother in a third floor apartment. It was old and I remember the painted wooden slide-up windows
would always get stuck. And of course, there was no elevator.
We used to go to St. Steven’s Anglican Church – what I always thought was a cathedral church – where
on Thursday nights my mom would practice singing with the choir as I became a courageous adventurer
in search of treasure while exploring the catacombs and secret passages of this ancient temple. At least,
that’s what my five-year-old imagination told me. Climbing up and over the polished pews and sprawling
under them in my second-hand, thrift-store corduroy pants, I was oblivious to the stresses of single
parenthood and my mother’s struggles to provide for us. I was happy.
That adventurous spirit never left me and several years later, while in my early teens, my explorations
took me out of the small Anglican cathedrals of downtown Calgary into the wilds of Kananaskis as I hiked
the mountainsides, canoed the Alberta rivers, and camped in the off-beat backwoods of the national
parks. My favourite moments were of sitting under the stars with my fellow adventurers, staring into
the flickering embers of the campfire and practicing the art of storytelling. Scouter Bob was a master at
this art as he always seemed to connect local folklore & fables to the very places we were camping. We’d
14

all end up groggy & tired the next day after trying to stay up all night, vigilantly watching out for the Windago that was ever so
near.
I was six foot one, 210 pounds, and as near as I could tell … invincible. That would all change on the sunny afternoon of April
23, 1994. My mother and I were moving to Strathmore, Alberta and driving back into the city along 17 th Avenue between
Chestermere and Calgary. A young 19-year-old traveling the opposite direction was driving at high speeds (estimated between
130 and 160 km/hour) in his car and, after trying to pass a pickup on the shoulder, lost control and crashed into our car. The
momentum then pushed us into the path of the pickup truck he had just passed as the vehicles collided and everything came
to a stop. At 15 years old, I had to learn how to live a new life as a C4/5 and T4 incomplete quadriplegic. I would also find myself
grappling with the loss of my mother and the realities of independent living.
The next few years seem a bit blurry following the car accident. In honesty, I struggled with my own sense of identity during this
time as many of my family and friendships radically changed. Let’s face it – I changed. While memories of the old Erik seemed
still close in my mind, in a lot of ways, I felt as though that person had also passed away in the accident and this new life I was
left with was completely reincarnated.
During these years, my conversation with God had all but ceased. In truth, I’m not sure there was much of a relationship even
prior as my church life growing up was more of a socially religious community practice than it was an actual spiritual identity. It
wasn’t until I moved into the Fourth Dimension Group Home and I met a beautiful and inspiring woman named Bonnie that this
would change. I can say those things because we would eventually marry on May 15, 1999. She was a fellow roommate in the
group home we were living in and also a C1/C2 incomplete quadriplegic. While inspiring me towards self independence, Bonnie
also invited me to her church, the Four Square Full Gospel.
Though I’d been heavily involved in martial arts and exploring the philosophies and practices of Budo and the arts community,
the sermons from Four Square began a deeper desire in me to know the God who I grew up with. I began speaking openly with
God late into the night while sitting on the back patio in the dark and practicing the art of meditation. It was during one of these
moments that I found myself deep in meditation and a vision came over me that radically transformed who I was. Attempting
to empty my self-conscious awareness of any sense of personal presence, I was overcome by the presence of another who
was with me. It was God, and as He blew through me, much like a gust of wind, I was overcome with the sense of His love and
recognition of me. My existence became solely rooted in the identity and understanding that He knows and loves me.
This sense of His presence led me into a deep and long journey of growing closer to Him as I began my Bachelor of Theology
Degree. Between 2002 and 2007, we led a small group in our home while I shared and served in the McKenzie Towne Church
community. The missional call upon my life carried us into the house church movement where I eventually became a Co-
Regional Leader.
Over the past year and a half, life has changed for me. While stepping back from leadership for a bit, our house church tribe
was hit with the loss of two close friends and members, along with the loss of my stepdad. It resulted in the closing of our tribe
and the self-reflected journey of who I am.
The opening question returns … What is the value of a man? The world tends to base its answer upon transactional success.
Value is based upon how big your house is, what kind of a financial portfolio you hold, and the title you have in your workplace.
While they have been present in my life, these values are fleeting and perishable.
Success in a Kingdom perspective is to find value in relational presence. I am valued not for what I have but in others valuing
my presence with them, and vice versa. To see the work of relational presence in my past and present is to count myself rich
beyond belief. I revel in the thought that my friends & family have deeply shaped who I am and the strength I have to overcome
tragedy and loss.
Yet for the presence of the Kingdom to break through into the world, one’s value must find a tension between both these
elements. It is in the telling of my story that I find the hope of God’s presence and work as He promises a future. But I do not
always find this easy. Mine is a journey rife with deep emotional struggles and the pains of angst for change. The only way for
me to pursue the question is to continue telling the story of my life, while acknowledging that it is part of a bigger story … one
which has many other relational characters … and is directed by a loving God.
Erik and his wife Bonnie now attend FAC. Erik is one of the talented Storyline Volunteer Writers.

Walking with God
THROUGH
PAIN
AND
SUFFERING
BOOK REVIEW BY MARLIS SABO
Plague, pestilence, poverty, persecution, political instability … at no point in history are we more able
to view the endless human suffering in the world. At the same time, at no point in history has the pervading
worldview left people with so few strategies to face personal or population suffering. Suffering is both inevitable
and inescapable, so what is one to do? Rev. Timothy Keller wants you to “take life seriously” and the goal in his
book Walking with God through Pain and Suffering is to help you live well and joyfully despite suffering. Using
familiar characters and metaphors, current and ancient thinkers and personal testimonies, Timothy Keller
journeys through the philosophical, theological, and practical considerations of facing suffering. Combining these
disciplines creates a more challenging work, but he successfully makes the case for why all three are important
for a fuller understanding. The introductory chapter is very helpful in this regard.
Keller begins by presenting the Christian view of suffering alongside the dual pitfalls of ancient pagan philosophies
and modern secularism. We are not innocent bystanders in our own existence tasked with bravely accepting
whatever comes along. We’re also not helpless victims of meaningless suffering in an uncaring universe. To
illustrate, Keller draws both from biblical and secular sources. He’s done a good job keeping what could be difficult
content at a clear and accessible level for a lay person. Extensive citations and footnotes give the reader a chance
to explore further.
The next stop is an unpacking of essential Christian beliefs. We have a sovereign, good God in absolute control of
the universe who works to redeem the effects of evil, a God who has suffered through Christ on the cross, and,
because of this, we can have certainty of salvation and the promise of full bodily resurrection. This starting point is
different from a secular one … secularism cannot offer any such assurances. That worldview says this life is all you
get and pointless if you can’t get what you want out of it. It adds that suffering is both accidental and meaningless
and utterly without redemption. In contrast Keller clearly emphasizes the importance of the essential Christian
truths. If the reader hasn’t embraced them, the rest of the book is probably not going to be useful. Everything
hinges on this part of the discussion.
16

The major theme of the latter part of the book is the restoration of right
focus and primacy given to love of God. Affliction, the inner experience
of suffering, can have the effect of isolating a person in mind, body,
and spirit. The reader is presented with the importance of attending
to the one relationship that remains regardless of the nature of the affliction.
Keller doesn’t present a radical new approach to suffering so much as a radical
old approach. He reminds us of things that have become buried in years of
modernity and changes in how we conceive of personhood. Importantly, Keller
is quick to point out that facing suffering is highly individual, dependent on
both the person and the nature of the problem. He continues to contrast the
biblical approaches with common secular ones, which helps tie the front and
back of the work together. Job doesn’t sit on his dung heap stoically scratching
his boils and listening to his admittedly useless friends. He rails against his
situation loudly and, to our sensibilities, carries on outrageously. But he does
it in relationship with God. The strategies for “walking through” are presented
in sequence, but Keller isn’t writing a cookbook. He is clear that this isn’t a “one
size fits all” and none of it is magical. If the reader is looking for a step-by-step
detailed prescription, other books may be more appropriate.
Care & Support
One of the more unexpected proposals Keller makes is that one must
train oneself to undergo suffering well. As odd as it seems, this is central
to his goal of helping the reader live well despite suffering. The mind,
the heart, and the spirit must be ready and able to cope in the depths of
adversity and it must be a deliberate readying. Just as one doesn’t wake up
one morning and run a marathon, the ability to endure and walk through
suffering won’t magically appear when it’s needed. It’s a little late to
worry about signing up for swim class when you’re in over your head and
swallowing water. The notion that not only should one expect suffering,
but that one should actively prepare for it, is foreign to a modern Western
society.
So who, then, is this book written for? On the face of it, it seems like it should
be for people currently afflicted. Certainly there are useful elements that
would reach sufferers. But I propose the audience with the most to gain is
not presently suffering. It is at this point where one is most able to grapple
with the more abstract considerations. One also has
the opportunity to actively invest in relationship with
God. Keller has brought together the philosophical,
theological, and practical Christian considerations of
facing suffering into a work that is best thought of
as an overview. No section offers a comprehensive
discussion of each discipline but, as an overview,
it provides the reader with enough information at
an accessible level to serve as a launching point. A
sometimes challenging read, but definitely worth it.
© 2013, 369 pages
Available in print at Cornerstone Marketplace.

Storyline: Why did you decide to serve with SHS (Senior High
Students)?
Rachel: So I guess I should start from
the beginning. I was born into a … Just
kidding … I started serving in youth
ministry years and years ago – does
this age me? (laughs out loud) – at my
previous church. When I transitioned
to being a part of the FAC family, it
was natural from me to continue to
serve in that area. I started serving with the Grade 5&6’s, and
one thing I noticed at FAC was that it was common for leaders
to move on up in grades with their students. I thought this
was really cool! I mean, what a way to build relationships and
disciple students! So … I followed suit and continued on up
with my group of girls. They were in Grade 5 at the time and
now they are going into Grade 12! Crazy! So that’s the long
and short of how SHS and I became friends.
S: How has it been investing in the same girls year after year?
R: I know all the leaders will say this about their students,
but my group of girls are the best! Just sayin’! I have to give
a shout-out to my amazing group of co-leaders that have
trekked along with me – Megan Coben, Rosalind Coben, Astrid
Kuhn, and Nicole Doerksen. And what a journey we’ve had
seeing these girls grow up! Being a youth leader to teen girls
comes with all kinds of challenges and if you’ve ever been a
teen girl or are raising/have raised one you know what I’m
talking about. No two girls are the same and each girl has
their own story, but seeing how they’ve steered through their
lives over the last 7+ years and how they’ve matured not only
in their personal/school/family lives but their spiritual lives
has been so rewarding. Has it been hard and time/energy
consuming? Yes. But the fruits of the labour, so to speak, have
been so sweet.
S: What are you looking forward to the most in this coming
year?
R: When it’s all over! Just kidding! No, but seriously, I can’t
wait to catch up with the girls and hear how their summers
were and what’s going on in their lives right now. I’m looking
forward to walking alongside them as they navigate through
their last year of high school – Grade 12 is such a huge year!
I’m looking forward to their graduations and being able
to celebrate that momentous accomplishment with them.
However, mostly, I can’t wait for our small group time. I love
the authentic and open conversations, the questions, and yes,
even the silliness that happens. What happens in small group,
stays in small group (smiles).
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S: What has this community meant to you?
R: I love the SHS community. The students are really just so
great. The other leaders are awesome and so encouraging of
one another, and Dave and Jonathan are great at supporting
their leaders. It makes serving/investing into our students so
much easier when you have an awesome leadership team
working with you. There is such a camaraderie between the
students. It’s really great to see how they interact with each
other and spur one another on in their walks with God.
S: Anything else you’d like to share?
S: What has God taught you through investing in others?
R: Just that if you have a connection with or a heart for youth,
come and serve with us. I promise it’s not scary! We are
seriously so fun and it’s one of the most rewarding and things
you will ever do!
R: Oh, goodness, so much. He’s taught me selflessness,
generosity, PATIENCE (huge one!), compassion, trust. To
be authentic in relationship with those I am investing in …
However, it has also taught me to ensure my relationship with
God is authentic and invested in, that I am spending time with
Him too. To be consistently in the Word and active in prayer,
whatever that looks like, journaling, meditating on scripture,
whatever. I know if I’m solid in my walk with Christ I’m way
more invested and effective in how I serve others whether it’s
at church, at home, or at work.
S: What has been challenging and what do you want prayer
for?
R: I don’t care what anyone says – teenagers can be so
intimidating at times. I was so nervous to be a SHS leader. I’m
over here like, “Please like me, please like me!” But all kidding
aside … Being a youth leader can be just plain hard at times.
Society has changed so much over the years especially with
the introduction of every social media outlet on the planet
and with that has come all sorts of challenges teens face daily.
Navigating through that with my girls has been trying, but also
rewarding. It has allowed God to use me and my co-leaders to
speak light and truth into their lives in the midst of hardship.
It’s also been challenging seeing girls come and go from our
group but we as leaders trust that God has His hand in all of
that. As for prayer, I just ask that you remember our students,
period. That you pray for them as they continue to maneuver
though their teen years and as they build and deepen their
own relationships with Christ. Pray for all us leaders, too. We
just want to show these students Jesus and walk alongside
them and build relationships with them during this important
time in their lives.
Volunteer
Info
STAY CONNECTED WITH STUDENT MINISTRIES:
facebook.com/faccalgarystudents
@shstudents
faccalgary.com/students

What I Found in Jesus
I would love to tell you what I found in Jesus
I have found in him a friend so kind and true
Since I gave to him my life completely
He has made my life brand new
I would love to tell you what I found in Jesus
Since I learned to trust in Him, He has taken all my burdens
dried my tears; and drives away all fears.
I would love to tell you what I found in Jesus
Since I learned to trust in Him completely, and
take Him at his words, He has turned my mourning
Into dancing, and my midnight into daylight
Take Him at His word, trust in Him completely
And receive His perfect peace.
WRITTEN BY BERNICE BAUGH
Bernice moved to Calgary from Jamaica in 2015 and has been
attending FAC for 3 years. She loves writing poetry to reflect on
scripture and her relationship with Jesus. She volunteers her
writing talents for Storyline Magazine.
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Hi, my name is ... Joel
Where were you born?
I was born in the Philippines and migrated
to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1996.
Tell us about your family.
I am the youngest in a family of five. I’m happily married to Lolet (Dolores) and we’ll celebrate our 22 nd wedding
anniversary in October this year. Out of the almost 22 years we’ve been together, we’ve spent 12 years of that as
International Workers (Missionaries) to the Silk Road for the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) Canada.
Favourite food?
I don’t have any specific food that I really like because I like them all! Coming from Southeast Asia, I do love anything
Asian like Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and of course Filipino food. Can’t live without rice though! Any meal
without rice is simply snacks for us Asians.
Favourite thing to do in your free time?
I used to love playing basketball during my younger years. Now that I can’t play anymore, I just love to watch any
basketball games on TV during my free time. I love to go hiking (only in my dreams). But now that we live in Calgary
where it’s close to the mountains, I might really go hiking and who knows, maybe it will be my favourite thing to do
during my free time the next time I answer this question.
Two things you can’t live without?
I do read my Bible every day so I say that I can’t live without my Bible. I do believe that “His Word is a lamp unto our
feet and a light unto our path.” (Psalm 119:105) My family is important to me, too. I can’t live without my family who
love me, just as I am.
Best vacation memory?
Our best vacation ever was when my wife and I went to the city of love, Paris. Walked the streets of Paris holding
hands, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city with the one I love. We visited places like the Eiffel Tower, the
Louvre Museum and saw the famous Mona Lisa painting. We walked – or should I say climbed – the 234 steps of the
Arc de Triomphe to reach the summit where we saw some of the best views of Paris. We also took the Seine River
Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens and saw Paris uniquely from the river. We ate genuine French food but at night, we
still had to go to an Asian restaurant like the Le Bistrot d’Indochine or Le Cambodge to get enough food (any meal
with rice ) to gain enough strength and stamina for the long walk we had to do the following day.
What song has the most plays on your playlist?
I’ve been singing and humming Chris Tomlin’s song “Good, Good Father” every day. So thankful that we have a good,
good Father who loves us and knows what we need before we even say a word. Chris Tomlin’s songs get the most
plays on my playlist reminding me how awesome our God is.
Favorite Bible verse and why?
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” When things don’t happen as planned, I tend to worry a lot.
But this verse always reminds me that God is at work and in control. All we need to do is to trust Him and allow Him
to have His way over us. Joel Marquez joined the FAC staff this summer as the Mosaic Ministries Pastor. Welcome to the
FAC family!

Beyond
Borders:
A Love Story
Written by Terry Schmidt
Love and compassion know no borders or boundaries and
the telling of our stories is what opens the spigot through
which it flows freely.
I had a vision years ago about leading a team of women on a
short term mission ... especially women who think they couldn’t
or wouldn’t be called to a cross-cultural experience. But the
timing and/or opportunity for an appropriate service never
quite fell into place. When I heard of this opportunity with
TeachBeyond Borders to teach English in a day program to
women from the refugee camps on the Greek island of Lesvos
my heart squeezed a little. Men and women from the Middle East
have fled their native countries leaving behind their homes, their
livelihoods, their businesses, their relatives to save and spare
their families from unspeakable violence and inhumanity in wartorn
countries, to escape oppression and death threats, to find a
new and safer life of freedom. Who among us would not love our
families enough to sacrifice everything for their safety?
A team of women could offer the women living in the camps
comfort, compassion, understanding, empathy while providing
practical needs – like English instruction that might help in the
immigration process, a meal, laughter over shared activities, an
opportunity to share and hear each other’s stories. All this in the
name of Jesus … showing His grace and mercy and hope.
And so the journey began in January, as God drew a team
of ten women aged 26 through 67, the majority of whom
had never had a significant cross-cultural experience.
We met regularly, planning activities, learning how to teach
conversational English, immersing ourselves in cultural training
to more fully understand the ethos of the women we’d be
serving, and fundraising the dollars needed to get us there. And
in July we stepped foot into Panagiouda, a tiny fishing village on
the island of Lesvos, and the apex of our journey began.
The surprises, joys, and pinnacles of this journey have been
threefold …
Love and compassion know
no borders or boundaries
and the telling of our
stories is what opens the
spigot through which it
flows freely.
The support we as a team have received, not only financially but
through prayer and encouragement, from our home church,
but especially from the women of FAC, has been completely
overwhelming. Our women have been filled with compassion,
not only for our team members but for our mission to serve
and for the refugee women themselves and the plight they find
themselves in. More than 30% of our dollars raised came from
the women of FAC, through the Women2Women ministry and
women at large. Our women also donated nearly 100 pounds
of toiletries for refugees and made over 30 videos that brought
messages of encouragement and support to our dear ladies
on Lesvos; messages that let these women know they were
not forgotten, their stories had been heard, and they were
being prayed for. It is my hope and prayer that this partnership
in the gospel spoken with Christ’s love will bring a bridge of
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understanding for both sides of the bond and provision from Canada to these women living in difficult circumstances not
just in the camps but around the world.
While we went to serve the stranded migrants in the camps from Middle Eastern
countries, we were immersed in the Greek culture as well and surprised and
delighted by the hospitality we received. Lesvos has suffered mightily in their
economy in the middle of this refugee crisis. While it was once a thriving tourist
destination, many visitors are avoiding the island in fear that its visitors have
brought uncertain circumstances and unrest that would make it dangerous to
visit. This was not our experience at all. We were so well served and were more
than happy to support the businesses ... restaurants, retail, accommodation,
car rental, and others. All the locals running these businesses were truly beyond
accommodating; kind, giving, friendly, and excellent in customer service. We had
a local store owner put out iced tea and baked goods while we were shopping,
shuttle us back to our apartment, and bring us a homemade breakfast for
twelve the next morning. A restaurant owner pulled us off the street and into his
establishment for a free dessert when we were returning from another restaurant
from an evening meal. Greek hospitality (and the food) were delightful and
heartwarming.
And our dear women … For ten days we served women, persons of concern (POCs – the preferred name for those living in
the camps on Lesvos) mostly from the Muslim culture, from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria primarily. We operated an evening
program out of a small warehouse facility opened up to us by an onsite
Christian NGO across the highway from the smaller camp on the island,
Kara Tepe. When we opened our doors the first night, after months of
preparation and weeks of hard work from our core team on the ground
setting up logistics, we had one woman enter into our program – LinGo
on Lesvos – The English Garden. But an hour later another two women
came in off the street and then another hour later another dozen women
… and every night thereafter 30 or more women, often with their children.
We taught conversational English, we made crafts (watercolour painting,
paper flower gardens, a sewing project, origami) and shared activities
(board games, country line dancing, skits) and we drank tea and ate a meal
together. And we listened to their stories, their heartbreaking, devastating
stories … how they had come to these shores running from circumstances
beyond their control often to an unknown and unspeakably difficult
situation in the camps. Yet most would not have changed their decision
to leave all they knew for the hope of a new freedom.
Our final night of the English Garden was a joyous celebration. We sang,
we laughed, we learned, and we ended with a message about courage
and strength and also to lean on each other in hard times and difficult
situations. Many cultures are suspicious and jealous of each other but
we all stood hand to hand and sang, ‘Lean on Me’ together. We talked
about building a bridge between our world and theirs, one built on the
strength of women and prayers offered for each other as well. Many
of the women expressed that they loved us, felt loved, felt heard, and
enjoyed themselves in a way they hadn’t for a very long time if ever.
This is the love story. Women to women … Middle Eastern, Canadian, American … and in the midst of the Greek
culture so aptly able to accommodate and serve us all.
We held our tears and said our goodbyes with smiles on our faces but our hearts are broken for their situations …
something we feel powerless to solve. But we do trust Him to bring them all to a safe home one day … and that is our
prayer.

artist in the spotlight
Florist Tamara Good
It was mid-August. The flowers had been carefully
planned and ordered from the wholesaler months
before. Floral designer Tamara Good eagerly
anticipated their arrival for the table centres,
bouquets, and boutonnières she would be creating for
a wedding that Saturday. As she walked through the
garden centre of a big box hardware store, past the
few remaining planter baskets and perennials, a lone
plant caught her eye. Tucked away in a corner, almost
forgotten, was a dahlia plant. It was in full bloom
and it was peach, the colour she had ordered for the
upcoming event. How odd that it was there! How
strange that she had seen it! She paused, then quickly
made the purchase. Dahlias, she thought, could be
hard to find and her bride had specifically requested
them. It was good to have a back-up. Days later, the
wholesaler called to tell her that the dahlias on order
could not be supplied.
It is this recognition and obedience to the whispers
of God, coupled with years of experience in the floral
business that has driven Tamara’s success. It is her
passion to create, seeing beauty in nature and design,
and to express herself through the process.
Reflecting on how this journey began, she looks to
the One who carried her to this beautiful and creative
place. Although the path was never straight, she has
trusted and followed.
Tamara was working for an oil company in 1986 when her
parents opened a seasonal garden centre in Bowness.
She joined the family business, adding fresh flowers to
the product line, thereby allowing it to reach beyond the
seasonal confines of the garden centre. The business
grew and moved to the Kensington area where it
attracted a loyal following. With the loss of her mom in
1999 in addition to challenging competition in the area,
the family chose to close the garden centre in 2004.
Tamara retained the floral side and moved it to a studio
in her home.
Today, Tamara still operates from her immaculate studio
in her Woodbine home. By design, her business is everchanging.
Staying attuned to God’s leading, she is open
to interesting opportunities that come her way: For
several springs, both growers and garden centres have
been anxious to employ her experience and knowledge
in the management of their seasonal operations. Three
years ago, she felt led to donate a private floral class for
an online auction to help fund an FAC Cuban mission
trip. This class planted the seed that has led to Tamara’s
very popular and now annual Outdoor Christmas
Arrangement classes. This past season attracted over 80
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Photo Created by Freepik.com

students!
At Easter … well, Easter … This is Tamara’s favourite
time of all to use her artistic gifts for God’s glory.
Each year, the front of the Auditorium is resplendent
with extravagant yet elegant floral installations that
contribute to both the solemnity of Good Friday and
the bursting joy of Easter morning! And throughout
the year, she designs and creates floral bouquets
and displays for special events: private and corporate
parties, personal celebrations, funerals, on-site
outdoor arrangements, and, of course, weddings.
The work comes by word of mouth and she is
comfortable with whatever God sends her way. Her
faith is woven throughout every aspect of her life and
her business interactions. From intentionally showing
patience and grace to suppliers (not common in this
stress-filled industry) to giving her whole attention
and care to each detail envisioned by her clients,
Tamara is ever aware of His presence. Throughout
it all, she is consciously building relationships with
her clients. She works alone and treasures that
time to pray for them. As she expertly sorts and
lovingly arranges the bouquets that will make
their day special, she prays for the brides, that the
marriage will be blessed far beyond
the wedding day. Creating the
beautiful arrangements for Easter is
an especially spiritual experience of
worship for Tamara. She is humbled
and grateful to be able to serve in this way.
That she is paid to do what she loves is a blessing
that Tamara treasures. In her words, “I have a Godgiven
ability which I can market that provides me
a means to an end. The ‘end,’ in my case, is that it
gives me the opportunity to independently support
people or causes that God lays on my heart at the
time. I’m able to share financially, whether by giving
to a missions trip, paying toward someone’s financial
need, or providing product or services to support
other fundraising causes. When needed, I’ve provided
flowers to brides at my cost when finances are tight
for them. I hesitate to talk about this because it’s
something I am blessed with being able to do but
choose to keep between God and me … All in all, what
I do has brought great joy, challenge, and the feeling of
accomplishment. When God created, He sat back and
saw that it was good. I get the chance to do this, too,
each time I have the opportunity to create something
beautiful!” Written by Jill Hopkins
Matthew 6:28-30
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers
of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that
not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of
these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which
is here today and tomorrow, is thrown into the fire, will he not
much more clothe you—you of little faith?”
Song of Songs 2:12
“Flowers appear on the earth; the
season of singing has come, the
cooing of doves is heard in our
land. “

OVERCOMER!
Brenda Brydon’s Story
As told by Jeremy Dyck
Even before I was diagnosed with stage four liver and colon
cancer, I would have told you I was an overcomer.
I still say that today, after going through one of the most testing
experiences in my life. But it wasn’t the experience of surviving
cancer that gave me that belief. It was my faith that through God,
I am an overcomer. It’s through His strength that I’ve been able to
survive and persist through these last two years.
I remember the date quite clearly – July 4, 2016 – when doctors
first informed me of my diagnosis. I was 45 years old at the time,
and I was told I was one of the youngest people to have such
a progressive form of the cancer in my liver and colon. It didn’t
seem like a consolation to me at the time.
It was August 3, 2016 that I had my first operation. It was five and
a half hours of back-to-back surgeries to cut out the portion of
my colon that was infected. That surgery didn’t hold. I was back 5
days later when the doctors determined that my two colon pieces
hadn’t reattached well. I was in the hospital for over a month,
under the careful scrutiny of some of the best doctors in the city.
I was transported to other facilities where I contracted a
super bug, a rapid infection that threatened to overwhelm my
struggling, frail body. I remember not eating any solid food
for the entire month. The medical staff had me strapped to an
IV tube, just one of the several tubes that were sustaining me
through that time. I had feeding tubes, drainage tubes, tubes fed
into my liver.
“I am an overcomer,” I continued to remember
through those difficult times.
But I persisted.
I am an
OVERCOMER.
After the tubes were removed, I started what
would end up being a total of twelve rounds
of chemotherapy to try and eradicate the
remainder of the cancerous cells in my
26

organs. It was also then that I learned that my body was allergic to chemotherapy. I knew this was the devil
interfering, big time.
But I persisted. I am an overcomer.
Through all of these ordeals, I had a peace. I had a tremendous amount of peace. I had many people who were
believing with me that I would come through, that I would be healed, that God would work through the doctors
here and through the treatments that I was enduring. I know that when people saw me, they saw the peace that I
felt. I knew God was with me, and anybody around me knew that too. I was 100% trusting in God. I didn’t claim
to have any strength outside of what He gave me. I couldn’t do anything without Him. He was, and is, my
everything. I also had the support of the believers around me. I had people praying for me all over the country.
I had prayer chains that went back and forth, praying with me that God would come through and provide healing
and peace. My mom traveled from Ontario to spend ten months with me, praying for me the entire time.
It wasn’t long until I was back on my feet again. I started walking. I walked to the gym near me and started to regain
my strength. As soon as I was able, I was back in church. I felt every time Pastor James would speak at church,
he was speaking directly to me. It honestly felt at times like he was reading my Facebook posts, it was that
direct and personal. I knew it was God speaking words of encouragement, words of compassion, words of
wisdom and peace into my life.
These past two years have been a rollercoaster journey that I wish I didn’t have to go through. But that being said, I
want my story to inspire other people going through a similar journey. I don’t tell my story to say that I did anything
at all. I want people to know that God did it all through me. If I could do it, anybody else could. I want anybody going
through the struggles of disease to know that they are an overcomer as well. It’s through Jesus and His power that
we can do anything. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Jesus also finishes what He first started. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that He has a plan for us, that He’s not done with us.
We’re still under construction, the paint is still wet on our lives, and His purpose is not yet fulfilled.
And today? Today, I am cancer-free. Although the doctors don’t like to “officially” say that until five years
in, I know I am cancer-free. The medical staff tell me that it was a miracle to have survived the operation
alone. I have scans every six months to check up on my progress. I feel healthy and alive. I am here today to tell
anybody who will listen that Jesus is my miracle worker.
And to say that we are overcomers through Him who gives us strength.
Need Prayer?
“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

THIS IS MY
STORY ...
MARIA
Written by Marlis Sabo
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The road to now.
Maria was born in Colombia, on the Caribbean coast. An only child, she came to Canada 12 years ago following
her mother, who immigrated before. First arriving in Quebec, they eventually made their way to Calgary. Maria is a
dietician, and works for a non-profit that serves immigrants here in Calgary.
Maria grew up with a sense of church, often attending various churches in Colombia as an invited guest with
someone else. However, it wasn’t until after she arrived in Canada that she became a Christian. She started
attending First Alliance within the last year.
The power of an invitation.
Maria has struggled with mental health concerns including anxiety for a long time, and as spring approached, things
got very bad. Throughout, she was praying and looking for God to help. “He did. It was in such a beautiful way. He
brought me to this church. This church is very far from where I live.” The same person who guided her in becoming
a Christian invited her to come to FAC. Despite the darkness, Maria felt supported by God and those around her.
Baptism was always something she wanted to do. In all the churches she had attended, she was never invited to
take that step. In the midst of her struggle, she felt God’s invitation. When the upcoming events listed the April
baptism dates, she signed up for the prep class. She laughs, “I think I signed up late. The other people had sent in
answers to questions.” After the class, she went home and immediately packed up everything the instructions listed.
“It was a long week. For me, it felt like my wedding day. I was really, really excited about it.”
A greater commitment.
In the months since her baptism, Maria speaks of a greater commitment to God. “For me it represented like my
wedding. I’m more committed to relationship with God. I feel this need to make a bigger effort. That’s what I wanted
– to please Him. So there has been a change there.” She speaks also of the importance of seeking God humbly in
prayer every day, and waiting from Him to guide her steps. She reminds us that He will provide the conviction and
security to take steps in faith. Maria identifies a passage of scripture that is very important to her – “It’s like a glass of
water in the desert,” she says.
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him!
Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on
their side, working with them and not against them. Help
them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show
up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying,
pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into
prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know
it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together
for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful
what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of
your life.
Philippians 4:4-7 [MSG]
Anxiety is no longer at her centre. She adds, “God is everything. He gives a kind of life that nothing and nobody else
can give.”

El camino hacia el ahora.
Maria nació en Colombia en la costa del Caribe. Como hija única, vino a Canada a los doce años siguiendo a su
mama quien inmigro anteriormente. Llego primero a Quebec y luego hicieron camino a Calgary. Maria trabaja
como Dra. Dietética con inmigrantes acá en Calgary con una organización de caridad.
Maria creció en un ambiente de iglesia, normalmente visitando varias iglesias distintas como invitada por alguien
más. Sin embargo, no fue hasta después de llegar a Canada que se convirtió al Cristianismo y empezó a venir a
First Alliance Church el año pasado.
El poder de una invitación.
Maria sufría por su salud mental y ansiedad desde hace mucho tiempo, y cuando empezó la primavera se puso
muy mal. Mientras pasaba esto, ella oraba y le pedía a Dios la ayudara de algún modo. “ Y El lo hizo. Lo hizo de
una manera hermosa. “Me trajo a esta Iglesia. Y esta iglesia queda muy lejos de mi casa.” La misma persona
quien la guio al cristianismo tan bien la invito a FAC. Dentro de la oscuridad Maria se sintió respaldada por Dios
y por los demás a su alrededor.
El bautismo siempre fue algo que ella quería hacer. Pero en todas las iglesias a donde fue nunca le extendieron
esa invitación y paso en fe. Cuando alistaron como evento los bautismos de Abril, Maria se anoto al curso de
preparación. Se ríe acordándose que se anoto tarde y los otros participantes ya habían entregado las respuestas
a las preguntas. Después de la clase fue inmediatamente a la casa a empacar todo lo que iba a necesitar. “Fue
una semana muy larga. Para mí, esto iba ser como mi día de matrimonio. Estaba muy, muy emocionada.”
Un Gran Compromiso.
En los meses después de su bautismo, Maria habla de un compromiso más grande con Dios. Dice: “ Para mí, fue
como un matrimonio. Estoy más comprometida con mi relación con el Señor. Siento que ahora necesito hacer
un esfuerzo más grande. Y eso es lo que quería - complacer al Señor. Ahí está el cambio en mi.” También habla
sobre la importancia de humildemente buscar al Señor en oración todos los días, y esperar a que El la guie en
cada paso. Ella nos recuerda que el Señor nos preverá con la convicción y seguridad de dar cada paso con fe.
Maria identifica un versículo que es muy importante para ella y nos lo comparte - “es como un vaso de agua en el
desierto”.
"Alégrense siempre en el Señor. Insisto: ¡Alégrense! Que su
amabilidad sea evidente a todos. El Señor está cerca. No se
inquieten por nada; más bien, en toda ocasión, con oración y
ruego, presenten sus peticiones a Dios y denle gracias. Y la
paz de Dios, que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, cuidará sus
corazones y sus pensamientos en Cristo Jesús."
Filipenses 4:4-7 Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI)
La ansiedad ya no está en su centro. Y comparte que “ Dios es
todo. El da vida como nadie ni nada mas puede dar.”
30

Our prayer ...
is that the stories you have read make you know that there is hope in your situation, no matter
where you are at in life. Our life stories can be used to encourage one another in times of
desperation and unknown. However, the truth is that you have been made with a purpose and a
plan (Jerimiah 29:11).
"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."
Our payer is that you discover the true author of your story ... God, our father. His son Jesus
represents the greatest gift of hope and love the world will ever know. God paid the ultimate
sacrifice by sending his son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place on a cross. He rose again to prove his
victory over death, pain, and suffering. Through Jesus' death and resurrection from the grave he has
restored our ability to be reconcilled and have a relationship with God ... all we have to do is believe
in him and ask Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour. This is as easy as praying a prayer to invite
Jesus into your life ... and you can do this right where you are. If you feel ready to invite Jesus into
your life, we'd encourage you to pray this prayer today:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for me and thank you for your unconditional love. I
repent from my sins and thank you for forgiving me of all that I have done wrong. Please
come into my life and teach me to live for you. Thank you for a new beginning in my life.
I accept you as my Lord and Saviour, I am now a Christian a follower of Jesus Christ and
you live in me. Help me to live my life for you from now on. Amen.
Contact A
Pastor
If you prayed this prayer or have any
questions, we'd love to talk with you!
Please contact Pastor Cory Harasym
charasym@faccalgary.com/403-258-4364
or Heather Brown hbrown@faccalgary.com
/403-212-8854. You can also meet a Pastor in
person after any weekend service in Meeting
Place 2.

Know someone who’s asking a lot of questions?
Invite them to join you for Alpha.
Starting October 4, 2018
Thursdays, 6:30-9:00 pm, Harvest Rooms
No cost | Register online: faccalgary.com