By David Bacon
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--This year's Festival theme was highlighted by the addition of a praise and worship service at sites across Canada.
For many this was their first experience with such a service and it was received well.
Carrying on the tradition begun last year, all Canadian sites featured workshops. Topics included Bible study, prayer, grace, small groups, discovering your spiritual gifts, dealing with depression, and finances.
Some said the sermons gave an overview of our life in Christ, while the workshops provided the "how to" ingredients to this way of life.
One of the smallest sites in North America is also known for its hospitality. This year the churches in Newfoundland were hosts to 20 transfers.
Some harvested vegetables for the needy in St. John's. More than 100 brethren worked the fields, bringing in potatoes, carrots, turnips and cabbage, followed by a "boil-up and mug-up."
More than 300 people joined in worship services and enjoyed the Maritime scenery, including Canadian director Frank Brown and his wife, Sharon, who spent the first part of the Festival here.
A traditional Maritime evening of song and dance, the Ceilidh, featured local talent and foot-stomping music.
Members made generous donations to a food bank and volunteered for a Habitat for Humanity project.
The French Canadian Celebration of Salvation took place in Granby, in eastern Quebec.
Those attending the English site in Sherbrooke, Quebec, joined their French-speaking brethren for a family activity at Granby Zoo.
Dozens of people whom members had not seen in several months joined us to renew their fellowship with Christ. Members also invited to services friends from other fellowships.
Brethren from Quebec, Ontario and the northeastern United States worshiped at the Granada Theatre, built in the 1920s.
Activities included family day at a zoo, a children's party, a seniors luncheon, and a concert by the Christian rock group Innocent Blood.
The International Day of Prayer for persecuted Christians, and the untimely death of former Quebec premier Robert Bourassa, were marked by comments and prayer.
The atmosphere was warm and friendly at this new Festival site.
One of the highlights was The African-Canadian Heritage Tour. It started with a visit to Uncle Tom's Cabin in Dresden, the northern terminus of the Underground Railway, and ended at the First Baptist Church in Chatham with a musical presentation of the struggle of those escaping to freedom in Canada.
Regina featured a spiritual smorgasbord of exciting opportunities for prayer, worship, fellowship and sharpening of spiritual tools.
A Seventh-day Adventist pastor who had heard of our new covenant approach, joined us for one service. He said he felt the Holy Spirit was motivating our worship and celebration.
These sentiments were echoed by two visiting former members, who also enjoyed the focus on Jesus.
A youth ministry seminar was presented by Marv Penner, a faculty member of Briercrest Seminary in Caronport, Saskatchewan. He is a recognized authority on youth ministry.
A congregational prayer in Edmonton was answered in a touching way for a 6-year-old boy (grandson of members) suffering from leukemia. Apparently while the congregation prayed--part of the prayer was for a bone marrow donor of the proper type--the doctor came to the hospital room and told the boy's parents that a donor had been found.
"From what I've seen this week, I feel we've reached a turning point in the church," said coordinator Bob Morton.
Many agreed. One member said, "I'm leaving this Feast with a much deeper appreciation of what grace is and of what Jesus Christ has done for me!"
St. John's, Newfoundland 141
Halifax, Nova Scotia 325
Granby, Quebec 411
Sherbrooke, Quebec 331
London, Ontario 1,521
Regina, Saskatchewan 560
Edmonton, Alberta 1,020
Penticton, British Columbia 864
Penticton, British Columbia 1,514
Oct. 29, 1996 Worldwide News, page nine
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