Dr. Gary Nelson

Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) announced this week that General Secretary Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson, has elected not to renew his contract and will depart from CBM in June 2010 to assume the role of President and CEO of Tyndale University College & Seminary in Toronto.

Over the past 10 years, Gary's has faithfully served this "tribe of Canadian Baptists" (as Gary calls us). He has brought leadership and wisdom in a time that was critically needed to guide the organization through changes and growth. He has helped to equip a leadership team that will propel CBM into the future as they face challenges and exciting new possibilities.

There are two upcoming events at Acadia Divinity College that may be of interest. The first is the Simpson Lectures (February 8-10) with guest lecturer Dr. Marva Dawn, Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, BC. She will be speaking on "Worship in an Age of Weary Skeptics and Confused Millennials." The Simpson Lectures are a free annual series of lectures in the area of preaching and the practice of ministry. This also provides continuing education for students and pastors. For registration information, follow this link: The Simpson Lectures.

YLTP 2010

Excitement was in the air on Saturday, January 16th, when the first YLTP class met at Petitcodiac Baptist. Twenty students from twelve different churches will spend six Saturdays over the next year and a half together. As a cohort, as well as building invaluable friendships with other youth leaders, they will learn under the instruction of nine veterans of youth ministry from within our Convention. Primarily designed to prepare them for volunteer ministry in their church, this program is expected to bring revitalization to many youth ministries. At the end of the first day, one of the class members, said “It was an incredible day." The instructors were well prepared and presented a lot of interesting and relevant material.”

Looking for a good worship resource? Many worship leaders in our churches who are looking for good ideas and help, often access resources and conferences from beyond our region and around North America. Few churches have the resources to have a worship person on staff. Many worship leaders are volunteers that have little time and opportunity for training.

BWA's Rescue 24 Team

Here is the latest information about how you can help in the relief efforts in Haiti. The information provided in the previous news story, UPDATE, is still correct with one addition about churches involved in fundraising.