Testimony

Your Story First Nations for All Nations

“God has a plan for the Indigenous People,” Deloris assured me. It was a Friday morning and I’d called Deloris Netmaker to chat with her about a miracle regarding a stolen car and a bag full of money. Marvin and Deloris Netmaker are both professional educators. Before coming to Saskatoon and starting All Nations Church, they had spent 10 years at Big River First Nation teaching and working in the local church. In 2012, God called them back to Saskatoon, and they landed at...

Arts & Culture When a Nation Prays

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:13,14). Dunkirk, the movie, with its superb acting and riveting scenes, tells of a Second World War military miracle—but fails to in...

Worldview Lost Inn Translation

Hanging on the wall of my basement office is a framed piece of my early writing. It is dated December 11, 1964, written in pencil, and titled “The Meaning of Christmas.” It goes like this: Jesus was born on Christmas in a stable and his mather name was Mary they had sheeps and a cow and a donkie Jesus sleeped in a manger and he grow up to be Jesus crist and his birthday was on Christmas to. The end. It loses some of its charm when it’s copied from my childhood script—I wa...

Everyday Thoughts One Extra-Ordinary Flight

For Maureen Scraba, ministry doesn’t end when she walks out the door of her church. On an ordinary day in the fall of 2006, Maureen was on a flight from Toronto to Edmonton. She had ended up in the worst spot on the plane—back row, middle seat. Always one to look for the extra in the ordinary, Maureen often prays before boarding a flight that God will lead her to touch someone’s life. Since faith requires action, Maureen introduced herself to the woman seated next to her and l...

Perspective A Passion for the Return of Christ

Since its earliest days, around the start of the 20th century, the modern Pentecostal movement has been characterized by a fervent belief that Jesus’ return is imminent. For the early Pentecostals, this was not simply a doctrinal confession, but a heartfelt persuasion and one that many writers agree led to passionate missionary service.1 Within a Canadian context, the pioneers of the Pentecostal movement in this country were certain they were living in the final days of the age of grace.2 ...

Seven Questions SEVEN QUESTIONS FOR: PATTI MILLER

Two things Patti Miller is passionate about are urban ministry and equipping women for leadership in the church. Patti is the lead pastor of Evangel Pentecostal Church in Montreal, Quebec. Prior to coming to Evangel, she was lead pastor of Crossfire Assembly in Hamilton, Ontario, and before that was on the pastoral staff at Christian Centre in the Jane and Finch area in Toronto. Patti serves as a member of the General Executive of the PAOC. Q1: You were in Hamilton for a long time. What ...

Our Story Owning the Vision

It all started with prayer. Twelve years ago, long before the PAOC launched the 2020 Initiative, Malvern Christian Assembly (MCA) started doing regular community prayer walks. They divided the 183 streets of Malvern—a community of over 44,000 residents located in the northeast corner of Toronto—into seven districts and placed a deacon and a pastor in charge of each district. Once a month on a Saturday morning, congregants walked the streets as ambassadors for Jesus, praying for and b...

Our Story Transforming Canada Together

On July 1, 2017, we will be celebrating our 150th birthday as a nation. I admit, studying Canadian history was not among the top 100 things I appreciated in my Grade 10 history class. I found it monotonous compared to the tales of European monarchs and wars, or to the history of our tumultuous neighbours to the south. However, my perspective has evolved into a deep appreciation for the rich history of this country. Our shared historical narrative is filled with exciting stories of adventure, ris...

Perspective And Then the Rains Came

It was a dusty spring. The snow melted too early, leaving the grass exposed to the sun. It burned dry and brittle in a matter of days. Even the dirt seemed scorched. Little grey dust clouds covered my feet when I walked across the “lawn.” Tree branches hung limp, longing for water. The bushes snapped when I brushed up against them. We had gone far too long without rain. It was the spring of 2016 and wildfires were spreading in hundreds of locations across the province of Alberta. Bu...

Seven Questions SEVEN QUESTIONS FOR ROB MOORE

Rob Moore is the son of a PAOC pastor and church planter. He served as a member of Parliament for the Conservative Party of Canada from 2004 to 2015. After his defeat in the 2015 election, he was asked to fill the role of Atlantic Critic for the official Opposition. Last May, Rob was elected to the General Executive of the PAOC. Moore lives in Quispamsis, N.B., with his wife and three children. Q1: Your father was a pastor and a church planter. When did your faith become your own, and not just s...

Perspective LOVER OR LORD

I have a confession: I’m struggling with how we usually present what God expects of us. I grew up with The Four Spiritual Laws. I recall one youth service when a friend of mine was speaking, and he had the small golden booklet in his possession. In its pages the plan of salvation was presented—and presented well. The last portion of the booklet was written to “smarten up” any Christians who had given their hearts to Jesus but were slacking. There was a nice illustration ...

Your Story Falling Into God's Arms

On a summer Friday in 2012, I awoke at 3:30 in the morning. Half of my body lay on the road, the other half on the curb. Flesh was torn from my elbows, forearms, knees and shins. Blood seeped from my wounds. I didn’t know where I was or what had happened to me. Had a car struck me? I tried to get up and realized I was stinking drunk. As my mind cleared, I remembered I’d been walking home from the bar. A recent, nasty divorce had caused me to lose everything and sent me into a deep d...

Interview SEVEN QUESTIONS FOR FLORENCE JUMA

The Rev. Dr. Florence Juma was called into full-time ministry while growing up in Kenya. She has a doctorate in Historical Theology, a Master of Divinity, and a Masters in Education (Policy Studies). She is ordained with the PAOC, is an associate faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, and is the author of three memoirs and two children’s books. Dr. Juma attends Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly. Q1: You are pursuing a number of different educational and ministry opportuni...

On The Season The Focus of Advent

Advent is a beginning. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it offers an invitation to see the world afresh. Advent is the beginning of the year according to the church calendar. And though connected to Christmas, it has its own focus as a season. The season of Advent lasts approximately four weeks, beginning the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing until Christmas Eve and the celebration of Christmas Day. The church calendar is a way to pattern our days and mo...

Lifestyle Chronic Sorrow

The sun was bright that July day, the lake was still, and the air was thick. I stood with my son in the long check-in line of junior high campers and parents. It was then that the thing hit me. My face grew hot. I was thankful for the sunglasses that hid my tears. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath, trying to shake free of it, but there was no escape. Choking back tears, I forced a smile and whispered to my son, “You realize, if things were different, I would be checking Annie and Aud...

Perspective Where Have All the Millennials Gone?

Someone’s missing in the church today. Millennials (those born between 1982 and 2004[1]) are not engaging in our church communities like youth and young adults used to. So what has changed in our churches to lead to this problem? The problem is, not much. As a 20-year-old Christian, I often think about this issue. Why, despite the investment of time, effort and thousands of dollars in the development of youth and young adult ministries, is the church not seeing results? The short answer is...

On The Issue Some of Jim’s Finest Living

I sat with him in a darkened room. Light caused nausea and discomfort for Jim. It was easier for him to relax in the dimness. As we began to talk, Jim was quick to speak of the pain and the struggle of the last couple of days. He wasn’t complaining or whining—simply reflecting the reality of the journey. It was easy for us to go down this pathway. In fact, it was expected. Jim found it helpful to talk about the moment of dying and the struggle of leaving the people he loved so deepl...

Worldview Lost and Found

“God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side!” (Psalm 71:12, THE MESSAGE). Have you ever lost something you valued, only to find it again? Of course you have, and it is a happy moment. I have a stainless steel travel mug I have lost at least three or four times, but somehow it keeps coming back to me. That old beat-up but lovable travel mug has now become a symbol to me, a symbol of “found-ness.” Jesus tells three parables of “lost and found&rd...

Interview SEVEN 7 QUESTIONS FOR: CARLENE HORNBY ALLEN

Carlene Hornby Allen is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) and partner with KPMG in Vancouver. She is the daughter of a pastor and remembers clearly the moment she decided to follow Christ at seven years of age. She has served on the General Executive of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada since 2006 and is a trustee of the PAOC Pension Plan. Carlene is known for her professional expertise and for her dedication to ministry and non-profit work. Q 1: What led you to a career in finance? God dir...

Perspective Musings on Prayer

I am a theologian and a biblical scholar. I teach courses on spiritual formation, Pentecostal history and theology, and New Testament theology, with a special interest in the Gospels and Acts. In these courses I teach that prayer is a foundational discipline. I stress Pentecostal emphasis upon prayer and intimacy with God. I underscore how Jesus and His first followers practised prayer, taught about prayer, and expected us to follow suit. I’m an expert, right? I have a confession: when it...

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Editorials

From our General Superintendent The Responsibility of Representation

From the Editor Great is Thy Faithfulness

From our General Superintendent A Culture of Honour

From the Editor A Long Range View

At Work in the World

Mission Canada CALLED TO THE URBAN CORE

Mission Global FOR GOD SO LOVED TURKANA

ERDO BLINDSIDED BY WAR