Meet our new BC Conference President

The BC Conference has a new president! Below is a press release from the Canadian Union about our new conference president.

British Columbia conference elects new president

ABBOTSFORD, BC – On January 24, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (British Columbia Conference) unanimously elected Dr. Wesley Torres to be their next conference president.

Torres will succeed current president, Wayne Culmore, who will retire on February 29, 2016. “Because of Wesley’s gracious heart and his passion for soul-winning, I believe that we will see much growth for God’s Kingdom in British Columbia and the Yukon,” Culmore affirms.

Dr. Wesley Torres is currently the Vice President for Administration and the Executive Secretary for the British Columbia Conference. Torres has served in ministry for over 31 years as church pastor, departmental director, and conference administrator. He has shared the love of Jesus and the message of the gospel in four different continents, leading over 600 souls to Christ.

“Wesley Torres is a man who loves Jesus and loves people,” says Mark Johnson, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC). “I am confident that through his leadership, many people will come to appreciate the hope and wholeness that we have in Christ.”

His wife, Angela, and their three children, Kelly, Kevin, and Kenny, will join Torres in ministry.

“This call only enhances my commitment and responsibility to be of a greater service to God and His children,” Torres states. “I kindly request the prayers of all our church members as we move forward to fulfill His commission together!”

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in British Columbia and the Yukon comprises approximately 11,300 members in 101 churches and operates 15 schools.

Their mission is to REACH people with a Christ-centered message of Hope and Wholeness. REACH is an acronym which stands for revival and transformation, education for discipleship, alignment within the church, community outreach and evangelism, and healthy leadership and management.

By Stan Jensen, Communication Director, Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada.

Please keep Pastor Torres in your prayers as he prepares to step into his new role.

Week of Prayer - Day 4 October 7th, 2015

It was very interesting to see how different the Week of Prayer meeting was tonight than last night.

This time it was at Son Valley Church on Gordon Drive, and members of that church greeted us and had the praise time.

It is wonderful to sing together. The songs chosen were a good mix of choruses and hymns.

Jean played his guitar and helped lead the Praise Time along with his wife.

Tanya played the keyboard and sang to lead us in the hymns and choruses.

It was Pastor Cam's turn to have the talk this evening and he shared Bible verses and the special Beatitude for tonight.

"Blessed are the merciful... for they shall receive mercy."
He ended with a powerful story about a lady who forgave the man who killed her son and later her husband.
She not only forgave him but asked to take him as her son so she could continue to have someone to pour out her love on.

After a special music by Jean and Tanya, Pastor Cam had us involved in a responsive prayer time.

He gave pauses for us to pray silently and then times were we could add our prayers for others or our praises or share a Bible verse or song. This was a very special time.

After we ended the evening, people gathered in the foyer for refreshments and visiting.

These boxes were stacked up in the foyer and reminded me that we might want to fill some boxes
for children who might get no other Christmas gift. If anyone wants to fill a box I can pick some up at the Alliance Church on Cooper and Springfield.

Hope some more of our OCC members can join in this Week of Prayer at Kelowna Church with OKAA leading out.

Week of Prayer - October 4, 2015

I am so sorry I missed out on the first two evenings of this month's Week of Prayer meetings.

I heard the first one was at our OCC with Pastor Jim Weir having the talk, and then the second evening was at Westbank Church with Pastor Robbie leading.

Tonight it was at Wildwood Church and while they hosted the praise time, prayer, special musics, and refreshments, Pastor Abraham from the Son Valley Church led in the talk.

It was really wonderful to enjoy the mix of people from all of the area churches and to see so many pastors out too.

If you can possibly make it to Wednesday evening's program at Son Valley, please come and bring a friend or relative along, too!

The first special music was by Beverly and her friend with Marilyn M. playing the piano and Eldon playing the harmonica.

Pastor Abraham sharing from God's Word.

Bethany and Pastor Robbie sing and play a sweet benediction at the close.

Wildwood Church

Fire in Joe Rich area

Yesterday - July 3rd, 2015 - a grass fire started up near 8 Mile Ranch in the Joe Rich area.

Several of our church members and families had to evacuate on short notice and are now staying in Kelowna at various places.

Let's pray together for the firefighters working so hard to keep the homes in this area safe, and for rain to cool the earth and get the drink and refreshing it needs.

Thank you.

Home Concert Series

Five classical concerts will be presented in five Kelowna homes beginning Sunday, March 15 and running every two weeks through May 10. The series is a fundraiser for the new Adventurers Club for kids between the ages of four and nine. Our musicians are violinist Emily Désirée Traversy, pianist Eloise Kneller, cellist Rob Folkenberg III, harpist Bethany Folkenberg, and lutenist Clive Titmuss. Tickets are $22 per concert or $100 for the whole series. To book, message or call: Lori-Anne Charlton Poirier, Bethany Folkenberg, Rob Folkenberg III, or Glenda Quiring (250-868-2235).

There are a limited number tickets for each concert, so do not delay if you want to attend.

Bethany - playing her harp at Orchard City SDA Church on February 28th, 2015.

Emily - playing her violin in the beginning of January at Orchard City SDA Church.

CANstruction at the mall

This year Okanagan Adventist Academy entered a CANstruction building in this event and here is the report of the winners.

It was great to visit the OKAA area in the set-up with the other structures and see their sign board and their entry in the middle of the mall.

Good going, students!

The Information board to go with OKAA's CANstruction.

Loaves and Fishes CANstruction OKAA students built at Orchard Park Shopping mall.
Do you see the loaves of Silver Hills bread in the background?

Another group CANstrusction building project.

For more information about the event, read this Castanet story: CANstruction a big success.

Adventurer Club begins

This coming Sabbath, February 21st, 2015 at the Rutland Church, Adventurer Club will having its first meeting. It will be from 2-3:30 p.m. Registration will be held on Sunday afternoon from 1-2 p.m. in the Rutland SDA Church. Feb - June fee is $20.

Adventurer Club is for children ages 4-9. This club is for children who are not yet Pathfinder age, but want to have activities and adventures also, learning about Jesus and His great love for us all.

Lori-Anne P. is leading the group with assistants, Bethany F. and Glenda Q. Adults are welcome to contact Lori-Anne to see how to help out with the clubs activities.

Just like the Pathfinder Club, the Adventurers have a Pledge and Law to learn and keep in their hearts.

Pledge & Law

PLEDGE

Because Jesus loves me, I can always do my best.

LAW

• Be obedient
• Be pure
• Be true
• Be kind
• Be respectful
• Be attentive
• Be helpful
• Be cheerful
• Be thoughtful
• Be reverent

There are many badges to earn and games to be played. It will be a fun time where parents will be involved in their child(ren)'s learning.

For further information, please call: Lori-Anne at 250-862-1487.

Listen to the Adventurer Song here:

WWU I Cantori concert & prayers needed for WWU student

Tonight there is a concert at the Rutland Church at 7 p.m. put on by the I Cantori choir from Walla Walla University. Please come out to support this group.

Also please keep this college student in your prayers, too:
Adventist community comes together to support critically injured WWU student (Spectrum Magazine)

Prayer Basket - delivered April 16th

Our dear friend, Audrey T., died this past week.
Her husband is so sad.
Our little church brought cards and good things to put into a basket for him.
We called it our prayer basket.
Hopefully this will let him know we care and love him and his family and are so sorry for his loss.