Highlights for Prayer and Praise in the LPD: Elisha Neufeld, coordinator of children’s ministry at Langley EFC, has been spending Wednesdays this summer at the community park near the church. She reports that their days in the parks have been really encouraging. Lots of kids came out, had fun, and learned about Jesus! The church was able to make some really great community connections which has been wonderful! Langley is also starting up a 2:1,2 mentoring

program for young leaders. Six people have committed to be mentored, serve in the church and continue their education this fall. Rob (Karen) Stewart was glad to join Burnaby Chinese EFC as they celebrated their 20th anniversary. BCEFC is rejoicing over God’s faithfulness over this past year as they undertook a significant renovation and expansion of their building. This has increased their ability to minister significantly. Johnston Heights Church (Surrey) celebrated with their pastors Phil

(Laura) Harris (Pastoral Care Pastor), Jon (Ang) Theissen (Student Ministries Pastor), Clint (Karin) Botha (Kids Pastor), and Greg (Nina) Norlin (Worship Arts Pastor). These pastors serve alongside Lead Pastor Justin (Sue) Dennison. Rob Stewart joined them on September 18 to present them all with certificates of credentialing. This is a part of the EFCC ordination process. Congratulations!

Langley EFC has been sharing Jesus with kids at the local park.

Burnaby Chinese celebrated their 20th anniver-sary in August.

Ben and Anna Crumback, from Fox Creek Alberta, candidated at Sointula Community Church on the wind and rain-swept weekend of Sept 25. They both have west coast connections, and Ben’s dad has preached at the church in his ministry on the West Coast, and Anna’s family has vacationed nearby at Telegraph Cove. The church has extended a call to Ben and Anna, and they are currently in the process of moving from Fox Creek to Sointula. Welcome Ben and Anna!

Wildwood Community Church in Bowser has had some changes this summer. With the resignation of Paul and Shelly Budd, effective in July, the church began searching for a new pastor. Around the same time, Rick and Sandy McAllister left Sointula, moved to the area and served as needed with pulpit supply. At a congregational meeting on September 11, the members invited Rick and Sandy to serve with them as their pastor. Congratulations to Wildwood for a smooth transition. God bless your ministry this fall! Coquitlam Chinese EFC has called Andrew and Jeanie Chan to come and serve as their Pastor of English Ministries. Andrew began this ministry on September 1st., and a service of installation is scheduled for October 30th. We give thanks that Christ Community Church unanimously extended a call to Miles and Lorie White to come and serve as their pastor. Miles and Lori have served in an interim capacity over the past year. We are thankful for the way the Lord has led, and we look forward to this next chapter in the lives of Miles, Lorie and family and Christ Community Church. Miles began his full-time ministry on September 1

st.

On Sunday, October 2

nd, Vancouver

Immanuel Church dedicated their recently purchased church facility in Cloverdale. This is the first Korean Church in the EFCC to obtain their own building, and we rejoice with them. We congratulate Senior Pastor Young jin Song, and the entire church family in this, and pray for God to be glorified and bless their ministry in and through this facility. Please stop by to see their church at 17957 - 55 Ave. Surrey (behind McDonald’s in Cloverdale).

Pastor Young jin Song

For years, Rob (Karen) Stewart has lived in a ‘mainly boys’ family. However, the tables are beginning to turn. Daughter, Sarah, is the only child still at home, and this summer two granddaughters have joined the clan. Son Tim and his wife Emily were delighted with their sweet bundle, Miriam Joy, born June 23. And son Jon and his wife Jackie were glad to welcome a second daughter, Amy Rose, born August 17. Rob can occasionally be found having ‘boy’ time with the new puppy, Gus. Please pray for potential church plants and churches considering joining our LPD. There are several on the go. Please pray specially for a potential Mandarin Church plant! Want to know more?

Please call or email us at our office to be added to the “Friends of the LPD’ email newsletter list. It will keep you up-to-date on all the news and prayer requests in our district. Please remember our District’s need in your church budgets and giving. It is our desire to invest Endowment Funds to support your local churches in church planting and ministry expansion and not to fund District operational expenses. Thank you!

• Please pray for our LPD Board as we are committed to encourage and resource our growing family of churches to reflect Jesus Christ.

Board members are:

Tom Hilchie - Island Link Evans Hundermark - Church Planting Joshua Lok - Chinese Church Liaison Craig Murdoch - Innovative Ministries Liaison Bill Steller - finance & properties Rob Stewart - Superintendent Ken Strom - Member at Large David Williaume - Secretary Ron Unruh - Chairman LPD Office: c/o Johnston Heights Church, 9612-152 St. Surrey, BC V3R 4G4 Phone: 604-582-1925 Email: office@lpd-efcc.ca Web: www.lpd-efcc.ca

October, 2011

Rob, Miriam, Erin, Karen, and Amy Stewart.

By God’s grace, we are committed to encourage and resource our growing family of churches to

reflect Jesus Christ.

In everything, give thanks. Last Sunday, Karen and I had the joy of joining Grace Community Church for their service of thanksgiving.

Pastor Colin Peters had the children come to the front of the church, and he asked them what they are thankful for. To the surprise of many, one child shouted out, “school!” Let’s face it. Sometimes, it is easier to be thankful than others. For Karen and me, we have recently experienced the joy of our second and third granddaughters being born. We have much to be thankful for! Last year,

the joy of our son Daniel’s wedding to Sara was tempered by the passing of Karen’s father in January and my brother Bruce in July. Yes, sometimes, it is easier to be thankful than others.

It is perhaps in circumstances like these that we learn to distinguish the difference between thankfulness and happiness. Thankfulness is certainly more precious! As you read through this edition of the Lower S’Pacifics, I trust that you will be both thankful for what God is doing and also moved to pray for what remains to be done. In this Thanksgiving season, we pray that you will know God’s peace and joy in your lives and that your celebrations will be a witness to your neighbours, friends and family of God’s faithfulness and care. As you give thanks to God, please also take the opportunity to give thanks for those through whom God has blessed you. October is, “Pastor’s Appreciation Month,” and as our pastors are not likely to remind you, I will gladly do it for them. A little encouragement goes a long way! Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. (Ps 115:1). Yours and Christ’s servants,

Rob and Karen Stewart, lpd superintendent

News from your Lower Pacific District Family October, 2011