Thrive_Autumn 2019 digital issue

thrive-magazine.ca
thrive / 19
“I BEGAN TO REALIZE HOW
MUCH I HAVE BEEN MISS-
ING OUT OF MY WALK WITH
CHRIST. I KNEW SOMETHING
WASN’T RIGHT IN MY SPIRI-
TUAL LIFE BUT DIDN’T KNOW
WHAT IT WAS OR HOW TO
FIX IT. I GOT TO KNOW MORE
ABOUT MYSELF, WHICH
HELPED ME EXPERIENCE A
CLOSER INTIMATE RELATION-
SHIP WITH GOD.”
—COURSE PARTICIPANT
need the tools to understand themselves and their baggage before they can truly develop
a deep, loving relationship with God and deeper relationships with others. The
Emotionally Healthy Discipleship program provides the means to accomplish this.
How did you go about bringing this model into your church? What were the biggest changes
you saw throughout the process?
This model was introduced to our Elders by Don as then chair of Elders during the 18
months our church was without a pastor prior to Pastor Donald’s arrival. We participated
in a webinar with Peter Scazzero walking us through some of the material,
after which we agreed to host a trial run of the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course
for leaders and key ministry personnel. We soon realized this course had real wisdom
and would be an opportunity to encourage deep personal and spiritual growth
within our congregation. So with a green light to proceed, we opened it up to the rest
of our church. Many participants saw immense spiritual growth from the process, and
changed relationships with each other and with Jesus. Marriages were strengthened,
prayer lives were deepened, and people were abiding in Christ like never before.
“THIS IS THE MOST HELPFUL DISCIPLESHIP MATERIAL WE HAVE
EXPLORED IN YEARS. IF YOUR CHURCH IS LOOKING FOR SOME-
THING TO HELP YOUR PEOPLE GROW SPIRITUALLY, I WOULD DEFI-
NITELY RECOMMEND YOU GIVE THIS A TRY.”
—JAMES BEKKERS, EXECUTIVE PASTOR
LEGACY OF HOPE:
CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH,
VICTORIA, BC by Hannah Temple
In 1980, there was a global crisis not unlike the Syrian crisis today. Central
Baptist Church in Victoria, BC responded by sponsoring two refugee-related
families, the first of which was Tom and Jean Truong with their six children.
The Truong family were part of the one million people who fled after the
Vietnam War. They encountered countless obstacles on their journey, and
were eventually separated by Malaysian officials. On May 11, 1980, Tom
Truong was reunited with his wife Jean and six children in Victoria, BC after
being separated for 10 months during their escape. Tom became the first custodian at Central Baptist,
where he still serves today.
In order to honor the legacy of Central Baptist and their sponsors, Hannah, Tom’s daughter, has created
the New Canadian Bursary. Through numerous churches, friends, and family members, $50,000 has been
secured to be used for an annual bursary at Ambrose University (Calgary, AB). In this way, the legacy of
hope that the Truong family experienced through Central Baptist Church can live on.