New BC Conference President

 So nice to welcome Brad and Kandus Thorp as the new president team for our conference! Let's support them with our prayers.  Cherries and flowers from their farm in Oliver. 

Brad Thorp elected as new BC Conference President

Sad News Story

https://news.adventist.org/en/all-news/news/go/2018-08-20/adventist-pastor-loses-family-in-tragic-fire

Pray for the Page Family

So sorry to have to post this...

"Derek's brave battle ended peacefully at 4:45 this morning. The hope of heaven is cemented in our broken hearts."
~ From Heather Page's FB post this morning

Derek Page - from his Uncle Kevin Page

Derek's uncle, Kevin Page, wrote this note on Facebook recently: "Please reach out to Vincent, Heather, and Kristen with all the love you can muster."

The following is what he wrote this morning.


Derek passed away this morning at about 4:45 am. This ended a five year epic battle with cancer.

When he was diagnosed with Leukemia the first thing Vince and Heather were told was, This is very treatable, his type of Leukemia has about an 80% survival rate.

It went downhill from there. Then they were told, Well, it's the T-cell Leukemia. More like a 20% survival rate. Then they learned that in fact Derek had one of the rarest types of T-cell Leukemia known. About 100 cases in the world.


Then they learned in fact he had TWO forms of cancer: Leukemia AND Lymphoma.

They soldiered on. Derek wanted to live and they wanted him to live. Countless chemotherapy treatments, radiation, bone marrow transplant, spinal taps, and on and on and on.

Meanwhile, science marches on. In the five years Derek was sick, cancer treatment has transformed. Now it's all about genes now. Chemotherapy is now targeted at specific proteins, genes, etc.

Derek was involved in numerous clinical trials and experimental treatments. Without these, he would have been dead years ago.

Saturday I talked to Vince, and there was hope at Stanford. Treatments that have been very successful in adults, but never tried in children. The research doctors at Stanford were willing to take him on as a one-person clinical trial, trying things that had never been done before. At this point, Derek's case had become the very tip of the cutting edge of Leukemia research.

So, Heather and Derek made the trip by ambulance from Loma Linda Children's Hospital to the Louise Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. After the trip his fever spiked, then the organs started shutting down. His immune system was out of control. Large masses of T-Cells were building up in different places in his body and putting pressure on the organs. It was decided that further treatment was futile and possibly cruel.

They tried. Oh, they so tried.


From Heather Page:
Derek's memorial service will be held on September 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the Azure Hills Church in Grand Terrace, CA. It will be especially for children - all the children who have prayed faithfully for Derek for five years. So don't wonder whether to bring them or not. Do it. The service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. Details will follow as they are worked out, including where memorial gifts may be made.

Vice President for the BC Conference

Dr. Ern Brake Elected as VP for Administration

On March 20, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (British Columbia Conference) unanimously elected Dr. Ern Brake to be their next Vice President for Administration and Executive Secretary, effective immediately.

“Dr. Ern Brake has served the BC Conference members faithfully for over 19 years,” explains Wesley Torres, President of the BC conference. “He is skilled, friendly, creative, and passionate about leading people to Christ.”

For the last two years, Brake has served as the Assistant to the President in strategic planning for REACH, an acronym for the five core ministry values of the British Columbia (BC) Conference. He has presented training seminars to pastors and congregations across the BC conference in order to help them successfully fulfill the conference’s mission. Prior to his work with REACH, Brake served as a pastor in Newfoundland after graduating from Canadian Union College (now Burman University) in 1985 and as the Ministerial Director for the BC conference in 2010.

“Ern Brake’s years of dedicated labour have prepared him for this important role,” says Mark Johnson, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC). “Ern loves Jesus and I am confident that he will be an effective leader in the British Columbia Conference.”

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in British Columbia and the Yukon comprises of 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 using 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

Hope Channel President Steps Aside

Many of you know Brad Thorp. Here is an article from the Adventist Review about his recent decision to step down from being president of Hope Channel and also some interesting history of the channel and how it all began.

Brad Thorp, Hope Channel’s visionary president, steps aside - Adventist Review

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.

Update on David Asscherick and his family

This past Sabbath I shared with you about David Asscherick and what they found when they got home from their mission trip. Below is an update.

*Stolen Goods Update*

First, a huge THANK YOU to all of you for the prayers and words of encouragement regarding our recent misfortune with the burglarizing of our home! I've read many of the comments, but still have hundreds to go. Wow, the outpouring of concern and prayer has buoyed us through an understandably difficult time. So, again, THANK YOU!!!

What happened? Well here’s what we know: our home was broken into and left a mess by thieves about a week ago. The police have come and done their thing and they said it looked like the work of professionals who knew what they were looking for. Fortunately, most of our treasures are in heaven! In reality we’re not a particularly good target for thieves; we have no jewellery, hidden cash, liquor, television, fancy stereo, etc. Many of the items would-be thieves would find most desirable (laptop, cameras, lenses, spotting scope, binoculars) were with us in Tasmania, thankfully. Another blessing: my hidden hard drives with all my photos and sermon material were unfound and unmolested.

It could've been worse. Between the musical instruments, bicycles, guitar amp, and other assorted items, we conservatively estimate the value of taken things around $25,000 AUD. All of our keys were also taken, which will require changing the keys for our home and cars, which is a giant and expensive hassle. Fortunately, we have great landlords who have already changed the house locks. Thank you Phil and Gail!

And perhaps worst of all, our youngest son’s prized Lego collection was taken. This is beyond devastating to him. There are Lego maniacs and there are Lego MANIACS, and Jabel is the latter. Many of his sets are no longer made and are essentially irreplaceable. At this point, he is crushed; pray for him. I want my youngest to learn the valuable lessons of trust and heavenly-mindedness through this. He’s no theologian, so his questions are predictably pointed and raw. I feel his frustration. It’s the world we live in, yes, but it stings most when your children are its victims. God knows this pain well.

Did we have insurance? Unfortunately, no. Right after we purchased the family road bikes in December, I said to Violeta, “When, we return from Tasmania we need to get renter’s insurance.” True story. We will certainly have insurance going forward!

Many of you have asked if you could help in some way. That’s a tough one to answer. The answer is yes, of course, but as we all know, it’s not easy to ask for help, even when it’s needed. It’s humbling and difficult. I’ve raised money for others on dozens of occasions; I actually love doing it! But I never really imagined myself on the needy end of such an enterprise.

Amazingly, a church on the other side of the world, in Florida, started a gofundme account on our behalf. We didn't ask them to do this and didn't even know they had until a couple days ago. We are humbled and HUGELY thankful. If you feel inclined to help, thank you. We know that not all are in a position to do so and we have no expectations. Like I say, this is not something we initiated, though we are very appreciative to those who did—you know who you are.

On behalf of myself, Violeta, and the boys, THANK YOU for your prayers, words of encouragement, and, should you feel inclined, financial assistance. We cannot say this strongly enough or too many times.

The gofundme “goal” has been set by the church in Florida at $10,000 USD. Whether or not we get there, or even beyond there, or not isn’t our greatest concern. The love we’ve felt since this happened is what has really put our hearts at rest.

God is still good! And always will be!

Humbled and thankful,
The Asscherick Family

Click here to support David Asscherick Restoration Fund by Palm Coast SDA

As many of you have heard, our beloved friend Pastor David Asscherick had his home broken into while away in Tasmania preaching at campmeeting. His…

GOFUNDME.COM

News story about an Adventist young lady from December 2, 2015

Our prayers go out to those injured and killed in the California shooting and to their family members. The article below highlights ad Adventist woman who was shot, but is recovering.

Adventist woman injured in California shooting speaks of Jesus' return - Adventist Review

Nepal mission

Beverly has sent us some emails about her son-in-law, Larry, and his dog, Sammy, leaving Mission, B.C. to go with a rescue team to help in Nepal.

This is a very big undertaking and they will need our prayers. Please remember them often as you pray throughout your day for all the workers over there in Nepal and all the people of Nepal going through this terrible time.

Here are a couple of pictures to help put a face to the names to pray for, and below the photos is a news story with Larry and Sammy in it.

Larry W. - fire chief in Mission, B.C.

Sammy the dog, with small firefighter boots along side him.

British Columbians heading to Nepal to provide assistance - Global News


Another way you could help if you want to is through this link: Help AHI Help Nepal - Adventist Health International

Michael Woodruff is encouraging people to donate through this site as he knows what this organization is really doing there. Michael went to UCA with Tyler, and our students from OKAA went on a mission trip to the Philippines with their family when Bryn was in grade 11, I think.

 

Below is a write-up about what the funds from AHI will help with over at the Scheer Memorial Hospital in Nepal.

Scheer Memorial Hospital in Banepa, Nepal, is rapidly becoming a major treatment center after the 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal recently. None of the buildings at SMH were damaged significantly and there were no casualties among the staff. Aftershocks are frequent and remain a cause for concern. Two medical students from Loma Linda University recently completed rotations there and are also safe. Initial medical supplies are adequate, but many patients are now flooding into Scheer from the surrounding valleys, and more supplies and help will be needed soon. Both water and electricity are intact at the hospital.  The army had supplied tents for the hospital to function in as patients did not want to stay inside the buildings due to the frequent aftershocks. Full clinical operations were continuing in these temporary quarters.

As of Monday morning, the current inpatient census is about 180 patients. Most have been moved back onto the wards. Scheer Memorial Hospital is a member of Adventist Health International, based in Loma Linda, California. Until we can clearly get a sense of what is needed, funds are being solicited to support the operation of the hospital and those they serve in the Banepa region of Nepal. Once needs are identified, appropriate medical equipment and supplies will be procured to enable the hospital team to care for the many injured patients coming for care. In addition to this, specialty teams are being identified to travel to Nepal when the request comes.

Though far away, Scheer Memorial Hospital is in need of your help. Every small donation can make a huge difference. Please continue to visit this website for up-to-date information on these AHI sites and click on the link below to get involved and make a donation.

 

Nepal Earthquake Fund

Adventist Health International (AHI) is committed to utilize philanthropic gifts in the manner donors desire.

Occasionally, conditions in the field may alter program goals or activities.  If this occurs, AHI will redirect funds to similar projects.

 *Adventist Health International (AHI) is a multinational nonprofit corporation with headquarters in Loma Linda, California. AHI has been established to provide coordination, consultation, management, and technical assistance to hospitals and health care services operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, primarily in developing countries. AHI is not a funding agency and depends on various organizations, foundations, governments and individuals to provide financial assistance when needed.

CNN report on Dr. Elsworth Wareham

Aase mentioned this video in Sabbath School class today, so I thought you might like to see it, too.

100 year-old shares secrets to long life - CNN

Video of Madison B. & a prayer request for a Union student

Thank you for your prayers and concern for Madison Baird from WWU. Sadly, Maddy passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The family and friends will still need our prayers in the coming days, weeks, and months.

Here is a video that tells about what kind of a person Maddy was.

We Will Never Forget - Remembering Madison Baird from ASWWU Video on Vimeo

Another young lady needs our prayers - Heather B. who is a 23-year-old senior at Union College.
Here is a Review article talking about her situation: Union College gymnast badly injured in fall.

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)

Online Review article about the Finleys

This is an interesting article about a project Teenie Finley is embarking on.

Teenie Finley to run first marathon at 70

Pastor Manual Silva prayer request

There was a lovely photo of the Silva family on the front of the Rutland bulletin for Sabbath, April 13th, 2013. Pastor Manual Silva was remembered by congregations all across British Columbia this past Sabbath with the singing of his favourite hymn, "Day By Day," and having a special prayer for him and his family.

Orchard City Church was led in song and prayer by Roland S. and Pastor Bob as we remembered this family also.

Thank you, Rutland Church, for the lovely bulletin.
Thanks to Esther and Walter Wecker for sharing your bulletin with us. 

The hymn is #532 in the SDA Church Hymnal if you want to look it up and sing it this week when you are at home and remember the Silva family in prayer.
(The words to the hymn are as follows if you do not have access to the hymnal at home: Day By Day.)

Click the following link if you want to listen to the YouTube video of a choir singing Day By Day.

Our Orchard City Church family singing "Day By Day" for Pastor Manual, and then Pastor Bob Tetz praying for him and his family during our church service on April 13th.

The OCC congregation joining together in song

Pastor Tetz in earnest prayer for Pastor Silva

Morris Venden's memorial - March 3rd, 2013

For those who would like to watch Morris Venden's memorial, here is the link to do that.

http://www.lluc.org/article/40/media/worship-live

Morris Venden, Asleep in Jesus

An article by the Upper Columbia Conference about the death of Pastor Morris Venden: Morris Venden, Asleep in Jesus

Hannity Interviews Dr. Ben Carson about National Prayer Breakfast Speech

Listen to this interview with Dr. Ben Carson if you enjoyed hearing his speech on Thursday.

Video from RealClearPolitics.com

It was great for so many of you to watch the video of Dr. Carson we posted on Thursday.

SDA article sent by a student of Auntie Beth's

Paul Scott still keeps in touch with Beth Brown and says she was his best teacher.
He e-mails Beth's sister, Esther Wecker, and sometimes Beth's niece, Glenda Quiring, too.  He likes to keep in touch with Esther and Glenda so they in turn can let Beth know what he is up to.

He sent us an article from USA Today. It might be interesting to some of you.
Thanks for sending it on, Paul.

Adventists' back-to-basics faith is fastest growing U.S. church - USA Today

Prayer Breakfast Speech by Dr. Ben Carson - February 7th, 2013

I think you will all enjoy hearing Dr. Ben Carson speech this morning at President Obama's National Prayer Breakfast.

Video from C-Span Video Library

For those interested, you may read the article about Dr. Carson's speech by clicking here.

News Item of Interest

This has been a long time coming.
So happy for both Michael and Lindy.

Story from Adventist News Network: Australian coroner rules dingo indeed took baby in 1980
Story from The Guardian: Dingo baby ruling ends 32 years of torment for Lindy Chamberlain