THRIVE Spring Summer 2023

Spring/Summer 2023
FELLOWSHIP MISSIONARIES: MENTORING GLOBALLY
EMPOWERING NATIONAL WORKERS
THE VALUE OF INTENTIONAL, INTENSIVE MENTORING
UPGRADE:
TRAIN, COACH, MENTOR

Spring/Summer 2023
SERVANTHOOD:
THE KEY TRAIT TO BEING A LIFELONG LEARNER
by Steve Jones
OUR FELLOWSHIP HAS A RICH
HERITAGE OF SERVANT LEADERS
WHO FAITHFULLY TRUSTED GOD
AND PURSUED HIS MISSION.
THE FIRST WORD
I thank God for the “Abrahamic characters” God appointed
to our churches. These men have left a marvelous legacy
— one to be celebrated, but also one to challenge us to accomplish
the next vision God is calling us to pursue.
One constant I have noticed is the humble beginnings
many of our exceptional former leaders experienced, few

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thrive / 3
PSALM 78:70-71 (NIV) TELLS US, “[GOD] CHOSE
DAVID HIS SERVANT AND TOOK HIM FROM THE
SHEEP PENS; FROM TENDING THE SHEEP HE
BROUGHT HIM TO BE THE SHEPHERD OF HIS
PEOPLE JACOB, OF ISRAEL HIS INHERITANCE.”
God chooses a sheep “midwife” to receive the Lord’s great inheritance, His precious
people. Our Heavenly Father leaves a legacy to David. A humble shepherd boy becomes
the servant-king of Israel.
David was constantly being used to serve: he played his harp in the palace, and he
brought food to his brothers at the war front. David was always more concerned
with serving people than being served. Even when he received the news that he
would not have the privilege of building the Temple, he decided to collect all the
materials needed for his son Solomon to build the Temple in the future. David characterized
a servant heart over and over again.
Like David, there are leaders in our Movement whom I have witnessed consistently
modeling the heart of a servant. None of them did it for public recognition. In fact
they served quietly, often without anyone watching.
What a marvelous legacy has been left, passed on for all of us to celebrate! May we
receive the baton and carry forward this legacy of servant-hearted leadership.
In this edition of Thrive, “Upgrade: Train, Coach, Mentor”, we’ll learn what our
churches, Regions, and National ministries are doing to support our pastors, missionaries,
chaplains, and church leaders to become — and to remain — life-long
learners.
of them expecting the great things they
would do for the Lord.
The prophet Samuel was in search of
Israel’s king when he met Jesse’s first son.
He was very impressed, saying, “This is
the one.” After the Lord rejected all of
the sons Jesse presented, Samuel asked
if there was another son. Interestingly,
Jesse almost forgot about David. But,
though he was not esteemed by man,
David was the Lord’s chosen leader. God
isn’t interested in our résumé, but in our
heart.
Steven Jones
is President of
The Fellowship
of Evangelical
Baptist Churches
in Canada. Follow
Steve on Twitter @
FellowshipSteve.

4 / thrive Spring/Summer 2023
THE FELLOWSHIP CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
Is God asking you to make a difference in the lives of children who need care and hope? The Fellowship Child Sponsorship Program might
be for you. Through Fellowship missionaries working in one of five areas of ministry—Casa Hogar (Honduras), Cedar Home (Lebanon),
Clementia Life Centre (Lebanon), Love Trust (Sri Lanka), and Joy Foundation (Dominican Replublic)—churches and individuals have
the opportunity to minister to needy children, sharing with them the life-giving hope of the Gospel while rescuing them from poverty.
For more information about the Fellowship Child Sponsorship Program, please visit: fellowship.ca/ChildSponsorship.
THE FELLOWSHIP’S THEME
VERSE FOR 2023 IS:
SANCTIFY THEM IN THE
TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS
TRUTH. JOHN 17:17 (ESV)
12 EMPOWERING NATIONAL WORKERS
You can connect with us on FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/thefellowshipca,
on INSTAGRAM: @thefellowshipca,
and on TWITTER: @thefellowshipca.
Come and join the conversation.
2 THE FIRST WORD
SERVANTHOOD: THE KEY TRAIT TO BEING A LIFELONG
LEARNER / Steve Jones
4 THE FELLOWSHIP CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
5 FOUNDATION
IS YOUR ESTATE PLAN COMPLETE? / Gord Baptist
6 OUT THERE
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS: EMPOWERING FELLOWSHIP
MISSIONARIES TO MAKE DISCIPLES / Ben Porter
EQUIPPED TO SERVE
TRAINING NATIONAL LEADERS ACROSS
THE WORLD / Sunny Lee
WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN
LEADERSFORMATION / Lynda Schultz
COULD YOUR CHURCH BENEFIT FROM A MISSIONS
COACH? / Richard Flemming
FELLOWSHIP MISSIONARIES: MENTORING GLOBALLY /
Valerie Heaton
EMPOWERING NATIONAL WORKERS / Richard Flemming
14 LOVE EXTENDED
EXTENDING THE LOVE OF CHRIST THROUGH DISCIPLINE:
PROJECT AMIRA / Denise Wicks
16 GROUND WORK
URGENT: LEADERS NEEDED! / Louis Bourque
PRAYING FOR QUÉBEC / Richard Houle
“DO YOU PROVIDE TRAINING?” / Larry Freeman
EXPLORING FELLOWSHIP CHAPLAINCY
IN QUÉBEC / Donald Rodier
18 UP TO SPEED
THE VALUE OF INTENTIONAL, INTENSIVE MENTORING
SUPPORTING FEB CENTRAL’S CHURCH
PLANTERS / Tom Haines
FELLOWSHIP PACIFIC: PARTNERING FOR
SUCCESS / Elizabeth Faulkner
22 THE LAST WORD
TRAINING AND COACHING FOR
REVITALIZATION / Tim Strickland
MISSION STATEMENT: Thrive is the official magazine of The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. It is published to enhance the life and ministry of church leaders and
members in Fellowship congregations by providing articles, resources, and news that reflect evangelical values, a common mission, and a shared sense of identity and vision. Thrive is published
three times per year and is available in English and French.
© The Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada
MINISTRY CENTRE: P.O. Box 457, Guelph ON N1H 6K9
T: 519-821-4830 F: 519-821-9829
EMAIL: president@fellowship.ca
thrive-magazine.ca
SENIOR EDITOR: Steven Jones MANAGING EDITOR: Valerie Heaton
COPY EDITOR: Jesskah McCartney LAYOUT & DESIGN: Ampersand
EMAIL: thrive@fellowship.ca
POSTAGE: Return undeliverable Canadian address to Circulation
Department, P.O. Box 457, Guelph ON N1H 6K9

foundation
IS YOUR
ESTATE PLAN
COMPLETE?
Often when you read articles
or attend seminars on Estate
planning, the need to have a
complete and up-to-date Will is
emphasized. However, the details
of what to do with the Will are
often neglected. Equally important
is the need to have your documents
readily available for your executors
and heirs in order to provide the
opportunity to settle your Estate, which means it should be
organized in a concise fashion.
Often the best option is to use a filing system, for example,
an expandable file folder, or a binder with plastic sleeves
that can be used to hold all the documents necessary for settling
one’s Estate.
And what are those documents?
• Wills
• Marriage certificate,
• Insurance policies, both life and property
• Deed to your property
• Financial statements, including account numbers and
contact information
• Names of your lawyer, accountant, financial advisor,
and doctor
Also include photocopies of personal documents:
by Gord Baptist
• Social Insurance card
• Health Card
• Birth certificates
• A list of your passwords
• Your own personal information and name(s) of your
executor(s)
You can even include specifications about your funeral
service. If your funeral is pre-arranged then include the information
of whom to contact to help complete your funeral
details.
Most important, let your executors know where your file is.
Give your family the blessing of having your legacy provided
in a simple, concise manner.
Through our partnership with Advisors with Purpose, you
are also able to obtain a comprehensive written plan that
outlines your own Estate situation, at no cost to you. If you
would like to hear more about this opportunity or have any
general inquiries, please contact me using the information
below.
— Gord Baptist is Fellowship Advancement Director and
can be reached at 519.821.4830, ext. 244,
fax: 519.821.9829, gbaptist@fellowship.ca.
FOUNDATION
Here We Stand!
Here We Stand!
Celebrating our 70th
anniversary as a Fellowship!
Fellowship National Conference 2023
November 6-8, 2023
TORONTO, ON
Delta Hotel Toronto Airport & Conference Centre
fellowship.ca/FNC2023
Conference speakers:
Dr. Ed
Stetzer
Dr. Michael
Haykin

Spring Summer 2023
ESSENTIAL
ELEMENTS:
EMPOWERING FELLOWSHIP MISSIONARIES
TO MAKE DISCIPLES by Ben Porter
OUT THERE: FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL
Over the past months, Fellowship International has
been taking great steps in realizing their vision to see
movements of tens of thousands of people coming to know
Christ, leading to a multitude of disciple-making movements
and church plants. To achieve this, our staff and
missionaries have begun training in ten key
biblical principles that keep us focused on
the goal of expanding God’s Kingdom.
Fellowship International Catalyst
and Candidate Coordinator Byron
Chae has been tasked with
creating a Catalyst support
team to help our Fellowship
missionaries with implementing
the Essential Elements
of the DMM process. Byron
is focusing the support team
towards missionaries in Frenchspeaking
Africa, Middle East
and North Africa, Québec, Spain,
Colombia, Indonesia, and Japan to
start. With many new partnerships
beginning, these Essential Elements are
helping to support new growth and train new
movement-makers.
Byron writes: “Fellowship missionary KMCY is helping to
catalyze disciple-making movements with international students
in Hamilton, ON. They recently started a Discovery Bible
Study (DBS) group at McMaster University along with ‘H’ (an
international student from East Asia). After months of modelling
and training in the Essential Elements, H sensed a deep passion
to reach more students on campus and is now leading the DBS
group herself! KMCY is currently training international students
using the Essential Elements to implement the vision of multiplying
disciples among them.”
This story is just one example of how our
Fellowship missionaries support the ministry
of local churches across Canada
in their efforts to saturate their communities
with the Gospel.
In addition to the Catalyst
support team, Fellowship
International has regular Zoom
summit meetings with our missionaries,
where sharpening and
encouraging one another occurs
alongside ongoing training.
If you or your church are interested
in learning more about how you can
minister to families, First Nations people,
international students,
or other unreached
people near you, please connect
with us. For more information on our
Essential Elements, please visit fellowship.ca/ResourcesInternational.
— Ben Porter is Fellowship
International Director.

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thrive / 7
EQUIPPED
TO SERVE
>
With
the challenges our Fellowship missionaries face on
a daily basis, there is much value in providing ongoing
training for our men and women serving abroad. Below
we will hear from two former Fellowship missionaries,
now serving in the area of coaching/training, about
the efforts currently in place to equip our
missionaries for effective Kingdom-building.
Rod Black leads Fellowship International’s coaching ministry,
which seeks to empower Fellowship missionaries to initiate
disciple-making movements where they serve.
Fellowship International personnel know they must be proficient
in their local language so they can share the Good News.
Our Language Coaches walk with our missionary personnel
through the process of language acquisition by helping them
understand how they learn best and what next steps to take.
Coaching brings clarity: missionaries come away thinking, “I
can do that!”—and they go and do it.
Once they begin making disciples, our missionaries find an
enormous task with endless possibilities. What action steps
should they take? That is where Fellowship coaches help.
Coaching brings clarity: our coaches work with missionaries as
they identify ways of sharing the Gospel, tackling challenges,
and gathering believers into groups that become churches.
Coaches ask, “what else can you try?” and watch as a possibility
unfolds.
As Coordinator of International Leadership Development, Mark
Naylor oversees the training and development of Fellowship
International missionary personnel.
Fellowship International leadership has developed a mentored
Master of Arts in Biblical Leadership (MABL) program along
with Northwest Baptist Seminary in Langley, BC. Using input
from those with years of missions experience, essential competencies
for ministry were identified in order to train intercultural
practitioners who are proficient with their head (vision
and knowledge), heart (character and commitment), and hands
(skills and methodology).
This training of disciple-makers who make disciple-makers
includes interaction between missionaries as they engage each
other during Fellowship International’s ongoing professional
development initiative called “Competent as Intercultural
Change Agents” (CICA).
Ricardo Castro is a Fellowship International missionary serving
in Spain who is part of the MABL program. He writes:
“[My study] of intercultural theology [and] what I have read
about missio Dei and contextualization has not only served
me well in my ministry, it has also enriched me personally and
spiritually... All of this is transforming the vision of my role and
work as a missionary, [and] it also changes me as a person, in the
way that I understand my purpose as a disciple.”
WHAT IS LAUNCH?
Byron Chae, Fellowship International Catalyst and Candidate Coordinator
Launch is a mid-term missions program that deploys individuals into cross-cultural ministry for
up to two years. This program allows individuals to develop while serving and to actively discern
God’s direction for their lives and engagement in His mission.
Launch has deep partnerships with our Fellowship ministries like Epic and Onside, Heritage
College & Seminary, Northwest Seminary & College, SEMBEQ, and Mission Québec to provide a
gap-year program, training, and different mission experiences. Through LAUNCH, we have seen
God raising up young leaders like Luke Bates, who is in a gap-year program with SEMBEQ while receiving on-the-ground training
and coaching through Mission Québec, and Jerusha Ricketts, who is preparing to return to Medellín, Colombia as a career
missionary after completing two years of the Launch program.
Would you consider encouraging your young adults to participate in the Launch program?

8 / thrive Spring/Summer 2023
TRAINING NATIONAL
LEADERS ACROSS
THE WORLD by Sunny Lee
In 2002, LeadersFormation was founded to meet the needs for leadership development in a local
church in Honduras. Since then, LeadersFormation has expanded throughout Asia, Africa,
and Central America to provide access to Christian coaching for leaders and pastors in churches
in remote communities.
Today, LeadersFormation is faithfully fulfilling its mission through new doors that God is opening.
This past year, we implemented a new curriculum from Harvesters International to equip
national church leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to better serve their churches.
LeadersFormation is certain this new partnership will enrich our proven method of training:
over the course of three to four years, visiting pastors from Canada train local church leaders so
that they have the tools and resources to disciple and reproduce leaders.
Are you a pastor who would like to join the LeadersFormation team to train national leaders
around the world? If God has burdened your heart with this urgent need, we’d love to connect
with you! We provide the tools, training, and support needed so you can adapt seamlessly into
this unique cross-cultural ministry context. If you or your church has a heart for equipping
leaders around the world, please visit fellowship.ca/LeadersFormation.
Sunny Lee is an Administrative Assistant for our Fellowship International department.

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WHY YOU SHOULD
PARTICIPATE IN
LEADERSFORMATION
by Lynda Schultz
WHY SHOULD YOU GET INVOLVED WITH
LEADERSFORMATION? READ ON TO HEAR
FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PARTICIPAT-
ED, EXPERIENCING BLESSING FROM THIS IM-
PORTANT MINISTRY FIRSTHAND.
John Francis (Honduras): “Watching believers getting excited about the
Bible, then watching them teach others. There's not [that is] much more
rewarding than that…[O]ne lady came to faith in Christ through the first lesson
of the first book…She got baptized and joined the church.”
Paul Harbourne (Kenya): “…[I]n one tribe the men beat their wives to
show love to them. The complete disconnect of loving and honouring
our wives as opposed to beating them forced [the men] to see the battle
between God and cultural norms…These pastors were able to articulate
the truth of God's word…in response to a cultural practice that opposed
it…They were taking home a message that could revolutionize
marriages.”
Bob MacGregor (Honduras): “The greatest blessing I have received
is to experience the global Church personally. This includes worship
style, critical issues, and camaraderie in the Gospel.”
Jon Stairs (India): “The greatest blessing that I have experienced
has been what [the students] taught me. Knowing that they are
going back to their village in India to suffer for Christ, but still
be committed to share the Gospel and to train up 10 additional
leaders motivates me and gives me courage.”
Hanni Muhtar, LeadersFormation Assessor and Consultant:
“It is a great blessing to see the pastors and church leaders
in our projects agonize on how to the live the material they
are learning and then model and transfer it to the congregations
they lead.”
THAT’S WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE,
TOO.
—Lynda Schultz is a former Fellowship International
missionary, former editor of Thrive Magazine, Bible
teacher, author, blogger, and current Fellowship
Archives Coordinator.
COULD YOUR
CHURCH BENEFIT
FROM A MISSIONS
COACH?
by Richard Flemming, Fellowship
Eastern Coordinator
Fellowship churches that seek a more
focused approach to their outreach efforts
(to “Jerusalem, Samaria, and the
ends of the Earth”) are invited to explore
Fellowship International’s free Mission
Coaching service.
Mission coaching is a process whereby a
mission coach assists a local congregation
in identifying its own mission direction. They
do this by helping the church land on a mission
focus that reflects the church’s personality.
Working with a mission team chosen by church
leadership, the mission coach leads a process
that seeks to answer three questions:
What do you want to do?
Who do you want to reach, or in what context do
you want to work?
What parameters and values would define how you
do this?
The coaching process provides the church with a context
for unhurried reflection and the intentional seeking
of God’s face in relation to the church’s Kingdom impact
in the world. The mission coach’s role is strictly limited to
facilitating the process, not giving answers or suggesting
solutions.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact
Richard Flemming at rflemming@fellowship.ca.

10 / thrive Spring/Summer 2023
FELLOWSHIP MISSIONARIES:
MENTORING
GLOBALLY
by Valerie Heaton
Those called to global missions with the Fellowship not only have the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel, they
have the responsibility and privilege of training, coaching, and mentoring nationals to becoming disciple-making
followers of Christ. Here are some of the ways our Fellowship International missionaries are doing just that.
Rita Anayssi, Cedar Home, Lebanon
When I begin mentoring a new girl at Cedar Home, I always
emphasize that we are in this together. Since we are Canadian,
we can leave while they can’t. I make sure they know that we
(Karim, Rita, Neomi, Naya) have chosen to stay. The trust that
comes from this makes our words credible and helps to establish
a relationship.
I always make sure to stick to the basics: education, living with
Jesus, and serving one another. The turmoil can easily distract
us, leaving us focused on survival and meeting the fundamental
needs for food, shelter, and safety that are the centre of everyone’s
life given the level of poverty here.
Finally, I make sure they know that through Jesus we have
hope. No matter the circumstances, we can surrender to our
loving God who will never fail us. We talk about sponsorship,
projects, teams that visit, and other ways that God is working
here. When the girls heard of the proposed boys home addition,
they were so happy and encouraged!
Mark Hymus, Coordinator
of EPIC and Onside
(Canada)
EPIC and Onside were
started by two pastors
with a deep desire to train
young leaders and engage
their community with the
Gospel through their local
church. Our hope for summer 2023 is to hire over 350 college,
university, and high school students. We hope that by training
them to help churches run their summer programs, we will be
engaging families with the Gospel while building up the next
generation of leaders.
The months of May and June are devoted to working with our
college students — coaching them in sharing the Gospel, leading
a team, and deepening their faith and walk with Christ. As
they serve the church and community throughout the summer,
these college students will also have the opportunity to mentor
their younger staff, with their own growth and learning over
the past few months influencing their teaching.
What a privilege it is to journey with these students through
the highs and lows of this experience, helping them solidify
their faith, and nurture good character, work-ethic, and leadership
skills as they continue the cycle of disciples making
disciples.
Jesh and Julie Thiessen, Madagascar
When I started my training to become a general surgeon, I didn’t
give much thought to the idea of mentoring. I was caught up
in the rush of helping to save someone on the brink of death,
or the deep satisfaction of alleviating disability or pain. But, as
I have come to experience at the Good News Hospital in rural
Madagascar, an even greater rush is mentoring the next generation
of Malagasy surgeons in a place that desperately needs them.
In the first Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons
(PAACS) training program in Madagascar, mentorship is key to

thrive-magazine.ca
thrive / 11
developing the character of the surgical residents we are training.
Mentoring in this context is ultimately modelling to how
to glorify God with one's surgical training. It means modelling
quality, sacrifice, hard work, family values, and a healthy marriage
when work demands are endless and the resources are
limited.
We want to train highly skilled men and women who are compassionate
people, willing to endure hardship for the sake of
Christ. I am incredibly proud of our surgical residents and the
impact they are making in Madagascar!
Rick and Ena Ward, Honduras
One of my responsibilities
at Casa Hogar is to mentor
older boys and to serve as a
“father figure”. Each time we
travel to Honduras, I bring
tools to build up a workshop.
The focus has been mostly on
woodworking, but we also do
bicycle repair.
Each of the six boys that work in the shop with me has had opportunities
to use tools in a safe, supervised manner. They have
refinished a number of beds and other pieces of furniture for
the home.
Last year I held a small ceremony where each boy received a
certificate denoting which tools they were qualified to use, as
well as a pocket multitool. We have also been assembling a tool
box for the home, which will allow them to make small repairs
around the home. These types of experiences will assist them
when they grow up and have families of their own — we talk
regularly about what Dads need to know and do.
Roula Karkafi, Middle East
North Africa region
In leading a school for
Syrian refugee kids in
Lebanon, we implemented
the Multiplied Discipleship
(MD) approach with the
staff and the students. We
challenged each teacher to
adopt one student, teach
them a skill, and encourage
them to teach it to another student, who would then do the
same with another child — either at school or in their community.
The outcome was astonishing. We used the same design
in our Bible class. This has been an excellent way to spread
the Gospel among Islamic communities, because 95% of our
students are from a non-Christian background. Our purpose is
to help our kids be disciples making other disciples for God’s
glory!
Another area of ministry I have the privilege to lead is the
prison ministry in four countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, and
Sudan. Our strategy is to have specialized chaplains following
the MD vision in each prison. Our approach is to start multiplying
cells led by key “men of peace” we meet in prison. In turn,
these prisoners create new cells and play the role of disciples
making other disciples.

EMPOW
12 / thrive Spring/Summer 2023
NATIONAL W
still remember the moment: Gord
I Chambers and I were standing by
the side door of the house where he
had spent much of his time as a young
boy. We were 800 kilometres from
Kinshasa in the remote but beautiful
village of Tonu in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. He shared how
on that night in 1960, as his parents
and other Canadian missionaries were
praying for God’s direction, he heard scratches on the screen
door by the kitchen. He was 16 years old at the time and knew
that with the Congo’s recent independence from Belgium, many
Congolese were out for blood, and that white Westerners had
become targets. That year was a tense time to be a missionary
in the Congo! In spite of the risk, Gord’s parents and the other
Canadian missionaries were seeking confirmation from the
Lord as to when they should leave. Gord relived the moment as
he imitated with his hand on the same kitchen door the scratching
motion he heard that night. He then told me how when he
got to the door, he saw a villager who immediately asked, “Is Mr.
Dolby here? I need to speak to him now!”
Upon arriving in Kinshasa, one is struck by the all-encompassing
presence of the Christian faith. There are churches on every
corner, worship music in every store, verses written on taxis,
and church names printed on people’s clothes. The first time I

thrive-magazine.ca
thrive / 13
ERING
ORKERS
by Richard Flemming
found myself in the overwhelming chaos of this large African
city, I found this aspect of it all rather comforting. Serving in that
context as a missionary, it certainly didn’t take me long to understand
that I would be building on the work of others who had
spent their lives laying the foundations for what was to come.
I realize however, that it’s not like that for all missionaries.
Unlike in the Democratic Republic of Congo where a solid foundation
had been laid and others continue to build upon it, many
Fellowship International missionary personnel serve in places
where the Gospel has never been heard and where, in some
cases, the Gospel is received with disdain. And so while some
labour as pioneers laying the foundation for others to follow,
some serve where others have gone before them. Regardless,
our missionaries are raising up quality national workers whom
the Lord is using to advance His cause among the peoples of the
world.
We have the privilege today to serve alongside and facilitate the
equipping and developing of national workers who are leading
the charge to see the nations discipled in Christ.
Fellowship International is endeavoring to raise $60,000
through the Empowering the Nations appeal to meet the training
and resourcing needs of key national workers, particularly
in Western Africa, MENA (Middle East and North Africa),
Indonesia, and Colombia. It will largely be through these gifted
servants, and those they reach, that the task of impacting these
nations for Christ will be accomplished. They are culturally, linguistically,
and geographically close to large groups of people
who are in search of Truth. It’s our role and privilege to help
enable and empower them in this great work!
How did Gord’s story end? Hearing the urgency in the man’s
voice, Gord quickly went and got Mr. Dolby. “You have to leave
now,” the man said to him, “the soldiers are coming to kill you.”
Gord remembers how his parents and the other missionaries
quickly left the house, got into their packed vehicles, and took
off in a race to the Angola border. It would take them two stressfilled
days, as they drove through villages where people would
throw rocks at their cars as they passed by. In that region of the
Congo, they were the last of the missionaries to make it out.
While this group of Canadian missionaries would never return,
they left behind a solid foundation upon which Congolese believers
would continue the work. And that’s what missionaries
are to do!
Please join us in praying for Fellowship International missionaries
as they take every opportunity to build — or to build upon
— a solid foundation through the discipling and equipping
of national believers who are leading the charge. Also, please
prayerfully consider how God would have you partner with us
through the Empowering the Nations appeal.
— Richard Flemming is a Fellowship International missionary,
and Eastern Coordinator.

love extended
Spring/Summer 2023
EXTENDING
LOVE EXTENDED: FAIR

thrive-magazine.ca
thrive / 15
THE LOVE OF CHRIST
THROUGH DISCIPLINE:
PROJECT AMIRA
by Denise Wicks
What does the word “love” mean to you? So often, society’s
message is that love is all the good, happy, “you do
you” things you can do for another person.
For me, there is no better example of how wrong that message
is than parenting. Is it loving to permit my two little boys to
eat candy all day? Or watch TV until their eyeballs fall out?
How about permitting my older son to leave for school without
his snow pants on when it’s -10 degrees Celsius outside
because he doesn’t like how constricting they are? No way!
Proverbs is full of instruction on the importance of discipline.
I love how Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) says, “Train up a child in the
way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
I find it incredibly reaffirming as I try to live out my identity
as a Christ-follower in my parenting. It reminds me that as a
mother, my job is to train my sons, just as their job is to absorb
this training, practice it within the safe space of our family,
and then to go out in the world equipped to put this training
to good use. The best way to extend the love of Christ to my
children is to discipline them — to help them practice Godly
living in family, societal, and spiritual contexts.
Just as the Lord has blessed me with the responsibility of
coaching my boys, our Fellowship Child Sponsorship Program
ministries are blessed with the opportunity to impact many
young lives. Yes, there is the provision of humanitarian aid in
the form of food, shelter, healthcare, education, etc., but there
is another layer. Despite the lack of biological connection, the
missionaries and staff connected to this program play the role
of parent and coach in the same way I do.
Karim Anayssi, one of our Fellowship International missionaries,
recently shared a story with me that showcased this
intersection of parenting, coaching, and humanitarian work:
“Last year, Amira * joined us at Cedar Home. Amira grew up
without discipline and authority. She lived a life of chaos,
becoming a rebellious child unaccepting of guidance or direction.
She had no respect for God, and made fun of His Word
during Bible study or prayer.
“The first three months of Amira’s life at Cedar home were extremely
difficult. She would not abide by the rules, constantly
argued and fought with her house mom, and was spreading a
culture of rebellion.
“Something needed to change. It was clear Amira needed extra
love and attention. As a team, we gathered all our know-how
for ‘Project Amira’. The house mom was the leader, but the
girls were involved as well. Her house mom planned a daily
schedule and involved her roommates in making sure Amira
followed through on her assigned responsibilities.
“For six months, Amira consumed the majority of our focus
before she started to ‘get it’ — that we love her; that she is precious;
and that she is part of a family that has authority figures
who love her and, because of that, lovingly discipline her.
“Now Amira is a completely different child. She finds comfort
and joy in the reality that an adult is protecting her, providing
for her needs and coaching her through life. Amira is learning
that authority is a good thing. Her perspective has changed
because of the practical love and guidance shown by her
housemother and “sisters”.
“Since its start in 1950, Cedar Home has been serving its girls
by providing shelter, food, education, and emotional and medical
care — but it’s through faithful mentorship and coaching
that we see sustainable change. Many of the girls, like Amira,
have never experienced being part of a functional family. One
of the greatest gifts we can give them is to model Christ by
walking with them through the mess of life and not give up
on them. That is where the magic of the ministry happens!”
*
Name has been changed to protect privacy.
— Denise Wicks is a FAIR Projects and Promotion
Coordinator.

ground work
Spring Summer 2023
URGENT:
LEADERS NEEDED!
by Louis Bourque
Most of Québec’s pastors began
their ministry 40 years ago following
a revival, and will therefore
also retire around the same time.
The hour of their retirement is on
our doorstep, and we foresee that in
the next few years, 50% of our 80
churches will have no pastor.
Unfortunately, we have lost a whole generation over the
last 20 years. We have been working very hard lately to
reach youth with the Gospel and raise up a new generation
of leaders, pastors, and church planters. Some of our efforts
to reach this goal include our seminary’s local training centres
among more than 20 of our churches.
In our dire need, God has been faithful and has sent us missionaries
from our Fellowship’s English churches, just as
He did with the missionaries who pioneered the work in
Québec 50 years ago. God has also been sending us missionaries
from Brazil, and soon Colombia. We are deeply thankful
for His provision.
Our province is the most unreached place in North
America — but our God is greater than our need, and we
look to Him with great expectation. Would you consider
sharing our need with your church and praying for God to
send us missionaries from within your own congregation?
— Louis Bourque is Regional Director of the AEBEQ
Region.
GROUND WORK: FRANCOPHONE AND CHAPLAINCY MINISTRIES
PRAYING FOR QUÉBEC
by Richard Houle
English Canada prayed very intensely in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s for revival in Québec, and God sent one.
With this in mind, in 2018 we began a 24-hour prayer movement — by Quebecers, for Quebecers — seeking
revival (based on Isaiah 62:1-8). The conviction was that God wants to revive Québec (Ezekiel 22:30). As you
are reading this, one of the 300 intercessors involved in this movement is battling in prayer.
I fight this battle on Thursdays at 1:00 AM, watching for revival. Is it challenging? Yes! But I remember that
Ukrainians watch day and night for their country! Why not do it for eternal souls? God will win (Luke 18:7). Since
we began, we have seen revival in the church in Chibougamau, QC. This congregation was dying in a small town,
but God moved in. Recently, I heard of a group under conviction of sin in St-Jérôme, just like I had seen 50 years
ago. These are small clouds, as in the days of Elijah. Friends, the rain is coming!
If God is calling you to battle in prayer for revival in Québec,
please go to this link for more information: prier24-7.mouvementpriere.com/en.

thrive-magazine.ca
thrive / 17
“DO YOU PROVIDE
TRAINING?”
by Larry Freeman
This is likely one of the most asked questions
when people are inquiring about
becoming a Fellowship chaplain, and one
that we are working on. The reality is that
our Fellowship chaplains come from local
churches, which is where most of their
Biblical training is acquired. Alongside
this, our chaplains bring with them their
life experiences. We are, however, seeking
to provide other training opportunities to our Fellowship chaplains.
SEMBEQ in Quebéc currently offers a Chaplaincy Degree,
and we are working with Heritage College and Seminary in
Ontario to initiate a Chaplaincy Certificate Program, hopefully
to be available this fall. We are also looking at less formal training
opportunities that are available.
We host an annual Enrichment Training Day, which is usually
held in Southern Ontario. Our Québec chaplains have been holding
mini-training/introductory sessions on a regular basis. Going
forward, we are looking at a quarterly training event over Zoom
for our English chaplains. This would replace one of our monthly
Zoom prayer and praise opportunities.
We are also producing “Equip Videos”. These are brief, introductory,
narrated PowerPoint presentations on a variety of subjects,
written by Fellowship chaplains and available in both French
and English. These can be found on the main Fellowship webpage
under the “Resources” tab. We have placed these here, rather
than on our Chaplaincy page in order that pastors and other
church leaders may also access them. We are constantly adding
to these, so check back regularly for new content.
Likely the greatest training
resource that we have is the
wealth of experience that our
Fellowship chaplains have and
are willing to share. I would urge
our churches to utilize the experience
of chaplains to provide training to your
people!
— Larry Freeman is Fellowship Chaplain
Coordinator.
EXPLORING FELLOWSHIP CHAPLAINCY IN QUÉBEC
by Donald Rodier
The “Chaplaincy Exploration Clinics” have been a key element in the development of the Fellowship chaplaincy ministry
in Québec. These workshops are intended to be a short presentation of what it means to be a Fellowship chaplain in
different sectors. The goal is to allow interested people and candidates to explore these areas of ministry.
For about an hour and a half, a Fellowship chaplain presents the reality and challenges of their ministry environment,
what their service entails, and what expertise are required to become a chaplain in their community, finishing with a time
of questions and answers.
About a dozen clinics have been made for various settings, including the military, hospitals, prisons, social reintegration,
students, street workers, airports, funerals, the elderly, sports, transportation, and digital. I hope to touch on the business,
firefighter, and community fields sometime this year.
I also made a series of about ten workshop videos on the different major religions of the world, to equip our chaplains for ministry
in our pluralistic society. Each of these videos has been a blessing for many and continue to be valuable tools to promote
the ministry of Fellowship Chaplaincy.

Spring/Summer 2023
THE VALUE OF INTENTIONAL,
INTENSIVE MENTORING
Within our Fellowship, we are fortunate to have three wonderful, hands-on training opportunities
at our affiliated Bible Colleges and Seminaries: the Immerse Program at Northwest Seminary and
College in Langley, BC; the Internship program at Heritage College & Seminary in Cambridge, ON; and
the Cohort program at SEMBEQ in Montréal, QC. Below are encouraging stories of students who have
transitioned from school to ministry after completing one of these comprehensive, mentorship-based
programs.
UP TO SPEED: REGIONAL UPDATES
Dr. Barton Priebe, President of Northwest Seminary and
College
Northwest Seminary and College believes there is a trickledown
effect that occurs when mentoring is embraced with
intentionality. For Dan Steenson
(a graduate from 2019), mentoring
has been the basis of his faith formation.
From his first moments of
belief as a teen to his three years as
an Immerse student to his current
role as Youth and Young Adults
Pastor at Ridge Church, a mentor
has always walked alongside him.
For Dan, Northwest and
Fellowship Pacific’s competencybased
Master’s program, Immerse, was a perfect fit. Three
mentors – academic, denominational, and pastoral –
guided him through instructional seminars and learning
experiences. “I was discovering in an academic sense while
in the safety and intimacy of life-on-life discipleship,” explains
Dan.
Dan spent two-thirds of every day working with his pastoral
mentor. “If the picture of
Christian leadership is to ‘imitate
Paul as he imitates Christ,’ then
the nature of mentoring must be
to live into that truth by creating
a structure of godly imitation,”
comments Dan. Dan’s pastoral
mentor not only embraced this
truth but worked to develop a
protégé who would be worthy of
‘godly imitation’.
This trickledown effect, facilitated by holistic formation
as a follower of Christ with specific formation in pastoral
ministry, is what success looks like to Northwest.

thrive-magazine.ca
thrive / 19
Francois Turcotte, President of SEMBEQ
Nicholas Cotnoir has had a strong relationship with SEMBEQ
for many years. It was there that he took his first theology
classes in 2000 while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering
and working part-time at Emmanuel Evangelical Baptist
Church (EBEE) in Pierrefonds, QC as a Servant-in-Training.
Upon completion of his engineering degree in 2003, he began
full-time secular work.
When SEMBEQ launched its very first cohort the next year,
Nicholas was only too happy to join this group of students, with
whom he would take classes and build strong relationships over
the next six years. In 2006, he felt God’s call to ministry and left
his job as an engineer to become a full-time Servant-in-Training
at EBEE. The coaching he received within his church was an integral
part of his training, which focused on developing the heart
and practical skills in addition to knowledge.
He became an elder-pastor in 2009, at which time he also
completed his cohort training. Two years later, it was with
great pleasure that he completed his undergraduate degree in
theology with SEMBEQ, a journey that took over ten years! He
decided to further his preaching skills by completing a Doctor
of Ministry in Expository Preaching at The Master’s Seminary
in Los Angeles from 2018 to 2021.
SEMBEQ is part of Nicholas’ DNA. Not only did he complete his
undergraduate theological training there, but he now teaches
Pastoral Theology and coaches several students, including
many from his church. He believes that investing in the multiplication
of leaders is not optional. He is also a member and
administrator of the SEMBEQ Foundation which helps churches
accelerate leadership training through scholarships—yet
another way for him to contribute to the training of the next
generation of leaders.
Godfrey Thorogood, Vice President of Ministry Partners and
Internships, Heritage College & Seminary
Over the past 40 years, I have witnessed — in my own life and
in the lives of dozens of others — the value of a more robust,
intentional, and intensive internship for those preparing for
vocational ministry. Yes, there is value in a seven- to ten-hour
per week internship or a full-time summer ministry internship,
but those who are immersed in the ministry of a good teaching
church or para-church ministry for two years, full-time, while
completing their theological education are better equipped for
long-term ministry as a result of their more intentional and
intensive internship experience.
Listen to the experience of Pastor Andrew Melo, a graduate of
Heritage College & Seminary who is now serving as lead pastor
of Calvary Gospel Church in Beamsville, ON. During his schooling,
Andrew interned at Grandview Baptist in Kitchener, ON
and then served as youth pastor.
“The two-year full-time internship through Heritage College
and FEB Central was instrumental in my development as a pastor.
The hands-on church ministry experience allowed me to
implement the training I received in the classroom in a reallife,
yet protected, context. The internship took me ‘behind the
scenes’ of a church and into the lives of its staff and congregants.
In two short years, I forged life-long relationships, tested
the waters in a variety of ministries, received affirmation from
pastors and congregants, and learned the indispensable value of
servant leadership. In these ways, the internship provided me
with invaluable exposure to ministry that continues to influence
my pastoral approach to this day.”
At Heritage College & Seminary, our passion is to see our
graduates “stay strong and go long” in serving the Lord and His
Church.

20 / thrive Spring/Summer 2023
SUPPORTING FEB CENTRAL’S
CHURCH PLANTERS by Tom Haines
Training, coaching, and mentorship are critical to the church planting process with
FEB Central. Our vision is to inspire and facilitate a church planting movement
across Ontario and English-speaking Québec until every man, woman, and child belongs
to Christ. We have the privilege of walking alongside church planters throughout
the process of discerning their call, assessment, training, equipping, and ongoing
coaching toward effective ministry.
Aaron Johnson was unclear about his calling as a church planter and took a course at
Heritage Seminary called “Strategic Advance: Church Planting Theology and Praxis”,
which is part of the Graduate Certificate in Church Planting. Through this course and
the subsequent church planter assessment Aaron took, he became sure of his call to
plant a church. He and his wife Holly participated in FEB Central’s Church Planter
Greenhouse training and then planted Cornerstone Church in the small town of
Hensall, ON in May 2022. They have already seen six people come to know Christ!
Aaron has been assigned an experienced coach and also enjoys attending the monthly
Round Table training days, which are designed to equip planters with the skills and
competencies required to plant successfully, as well to provide opportunities to network
with other church planters through peer coaching.
WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WALKING ALONGSIDE CHURCH PLANTERS THROUGHOUT THE
PROCESS OF DISCERNING THEIR CALL, ASSESSMENT, TRAINING, EQUIPPING, AND ONGOING
COACHING TOWARD EFFECTIVE MINISTRY.

thrive-magazine.ca
thrive / 21
Russell DeGraaf felt
led to plant a church in
Northern Ontario. To
help prepare him for
that, Russell enrolled in
the FEB Central Church
Planter Apprentice program
through which he
joined staff at Fellowship
Baptist Church in
Cobourg, ON. There he
was able to gain experience
in preaching, leading,
and discipling men
one-on-one. Russell and
his wife Hannah also
went through our Greenhouse Training, where we covered
topics such as biblical principles for church planting, personal
preparation, core team development, ministry plan development,
and fundraising. Through the training, Russell was
equipped and empowered to plant a church. In October of 2022,
Russell and Hannah moved to Manitouwadge, ON where they
have since begun ministering. They continue to be coached,
mentored, and equipped as they serve.
Aaron Roeck was a firefighter actively involved in his local
church. The leadership of his church approached him and
asked him if he had ever considered church planting. Aaron
and his wife Mariah took the Church Planter Assessment. It was
incredible to see how God made it clear to him that this was his
calling. Along with our Greenhouse training and enrolling in
part-time studies at Heritage College & Seminary, Aaron was
paired with an experienced
church planting
coach who meets with
him on a regular basis.
Even after the launch,
Aaron continues to
have ongoing coaching
and mentoring. Aaron
and Mariah planted
Heritage Grace Church
in Kitchener, ON in 2019
and have seen God do
incredible things in their
community.
Each one of these planters ended up coming to church planting
through a slightly different path, yet it was vital that each of
them receive well-rounded training, coaching, mentorship, and
networking to equip them to successfully launch a brand-new
church for God’s glory.
—Tom Haines is FEB Central Church Planting Director.
FELLOWSHIP PACIFIC:
PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS
by Elizabeth Faulkner
As Fellowship Pacific determines to go “Boldly Forward, Never Alone”, we are using the following tools to coach and mentor
new leaders.
At our annual EQ Bootcamp retreat, leaders work with a coach/mentor and a small cohort of leaders to explore how ego, autonomy,
and insecurity get in the way of Christ-centred self-awareness. This is done through teaching on Emotional Intelligence,
coaching through an EQ 360 and Birkman assessment, group discussion, self-reflection, and prayer.
Last year, we piloted a new Leadership Mentoring project called “Leverage Pods”, where we saw over 100 women leaders participate
in mentoring relationships focused on leadership development. Churches will soon have easy access to this life-on-life
leadership mentoring resource.
Currently, most of our staff are trained as professional leadership coaches. This allows us to offer professional coaching as a
follow-up to all of our training, and as an ongoing resource for pastors and leaders who want to be confident in overcoming
challenges to reach their goals and vision for their church.

Spring/Summer 2023
>
NEXT LEVEL PREACHING NETWORK,
LED BY STEVE ADAMS,
CAMBRIDGE, ON, 2022-23.
TRAINING AND COACHING FOR
REVITALIZATION by Tim Strickland
THE LAST WORD
Jesus developed His disciples to be
leaders through teaching, discussion,
practice, and reflection. FEB
Central Leadership Development
follows this model through our
Next Level Leadership Networks on
Church Revitalization, Leadership,
and Preaching. The networks consist
of five to ten pastors who meet in a
cohort over eight to ten months. They come together for
training and peer learning and then apply the teachings in
ministry, while receiving coaching from experienced leaders
and from one another.
Dave Gray is the Lead Pastor at Trentside Church in
Fenelon Falls and Bobycaygeon, ON, where he co-led the
merger and revitalization of the two-site church in cottage
country. Dave is leading a Next Level Leadership Network
based in Oshawa, ON after coaching pastors in previous
networks. Dave states, “The coaching, peer support, and
training of the Next Level networks has strengthened my
own leadership, as well as given me opportunity to help
other pastors lead revitalization and grow as leaders in several
churches in the region east of Toronto.”
Jack Flietstra serves as a FEB Central
District Shepherd and led revitalization
as Lead Pastor of Lansing Avenue
Baptist Church in Sudbury, ON. He also
has led several networks and coached
pastors in church revitalization. Jack
comments, “Revitalization is not easy
work, but coaching and training make
a significant difference in helping
churches to move forward. Our current
network and coaching in Sudbury is
helping pastors grow in their leadership
and apply the principles in their
ministries.”
Steve Adams led revitalization and dynamic outreach as
Lead Pastor at Forward Church in Cambridge, ON. He now
serves as a Leadership Catalyst, coaching pastors, boards,
and staff across Ontario. Steve is leading our new Next
Level Preaching in Network in Cambridge, and his coaching
and teaching are helping pastors there to grow in their
preaching abilities.
Steve comments, “Pastors can find great benefit from learning
skills and principles in the art of preaching that they
can apply immediately. We are utilizing pastors and leaders
in FEB Central who have enjoyed fruitful and prevailing
preaching ministries to bring these skills to others. We are
finding our pastors encouraged, equipped, and taking their
preaching to the next level.”
We see this cohort-style network training and coaching as
a central tool in our development of leaders. We have developed
Next Level training manuals and would be pleased
to share them with other regions who are interested in
launching Next Level Networks. For more information,
please contact us at LD@febcentral.ca.
— Tim Strickland is FEB Central Leadership Development
Director.
“SKILLED LEADERS AND COACHES WHO CAN SPEAK AND TEACH FROM VARIOUS
AREAS OF EXPERIENCE ALONG WITH PEERS WHO ARE APPLYING THESE SAME
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN THEIR OWN LOCAL CHURCH CONTEXTS HAVE
ALLOWED ME TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND THRIVE ON MY LEADERSHIP JOUR-
NEY.” – WES HILL, LEAD PASTOR, FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH, BANCROFT, ON
“MY EXPERIENCE AT REVITALIZATION WAS PIVOTAL ON THREE FRONTS:
RELATIONAL SUPPORT FROM FEB LEADERSHIP AND PASTORAL PEERS; A
SOUNDING BOARD FOR THE WRESTLINGS AND CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED
WITH REVITALIZING A CHURCH; AND EQUIPPING WITH PRACTICAL INSIGHTS,
WISE PROCESSES, AND TIMELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN ONE’S CHURCH.”
– JON FITTER, LEAD PASTOR, CHURCH ON THE RIVER, PORT LAMBTON, ON

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