President's Message

WE ARE SAFE GOD IS WITH US!

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

In the quietness of my home office, I found peace in my heart while watching the beautiful white snow falling on the ground from heaven. During my devotional time this morning, the clear distinction of the seasons here in Canada reminded me of God’s love and protection for His children – He never changes: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b NIV) Yes, God takes wonderful care of His children – no matter what the circumstances or situations we may face while on this side of His universe – He is always there for us!!!

Another year is coming to an end in a few days. It is hard to believe it, isn’t it? As we look back and consider all that has happened in our own communities and around the globe, it does not take much for us to realize that the past year and a half have been challenging for many. There have been times of trials. It is so comforting for us as believers in God’s Word and in the SOP to be encouraged with messages that lift up our spirit and give us direction in times like these. Again, my heart was touched as I reviewed some promises found in those trustworthy sources. They increase my confidence in our loving God every time I read them:

1 – “To wait patiently, to trust when everything looks dark, is the lesson that the leaders in God’s work need to learn. Heaven will not fail them in their day of adversity. Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on God.” (EGW, PK, 174)

2 – “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28 NIV)

3 – “…waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13 ESV)

4 – “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20 ESV)

5 – “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” (Jeremiah 17:7 NIV)

6 – “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33:20 ESV)

7 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

So, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to keep reminding us of and fortifying in our hearts the message that God is always in control. Whatever we may be facing, He promises that He will NOT fail us—His Word is true!!!

Please find the link below to our latest video from the Conference. Pastor Lucian Poama shares with us his story – the way the Lord saved him as a child and teenager and inspired him to give his life to Him. His story is heart warming!

Lucian – "Watching Over Me" from British Columbia Adventist on Vimeo.

Also, as this year is coming to a close, on behalf of the BC Conference Administration Team, I would like to sincerely thank you for your faithful and sacrificial service to God’s Cause in our Conference. God’s work in our field is tremendously blessed by your vision, passion, dedication, efforts, and hard work – it does not go unnoticed! I pray that God continues to bless you richly!

Inspired by Jesus’ words “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13 KJV) and knowing that our Heavenly Father is the only One who knows the exact time for our final redemption, I would like to share some news that will surely put a smile on your face as we continue to do His work together. Please rejoice with us:

A – This past week, after several years of planning and hard work, we have finally submitted our new BC Conference office building project application to the City of Abbotsford. The city had already previously approved our development application for that project and this submission now is the final stage before we can “put the plow on the ground” and start the construction phase. We thank God for our current office building, which has served us for over 48 years. However, we needed to act on this matter. Our current office is completely outdated and it would not be wise and feasible to renovate it and keep it. For more information on this matter, please check our Reach Magazine, May 2019 and May 2021 editions online. We thank the previous BC Conference Administrations and Board of Directors (BOD) for having that vision and dream and for “laying the foundation” for this day to become a reality. Also, a special thank you to our current and committed Building Committee and BOD for their vision, support, and tenacity, which inspired us to move forward with this much needed capital project in our Conference. Lastly, but not least, a special word of appreciation and gratitude to dozens of private donors for their sacrificial donations earmarked to this project. May God bless you all! So far, we have gathered 95% of the required funds for this project to be completed debt/loan free for the Conference, by God’s grace.

B – The BC Conference has invested over $615,000 in our BC schools during the 2020 and 2021 school years, above and beyond the fulfillment of what is required by our voted SDA policies. We realized that our schools experienced a major challenge with COVID-19. Then, with the support of our BOD, the Conference was able to provide that extra financial help for our schools’ programs to continue to run smoothly, by God’s grace. We want our children to continue to enjoy a solid Adventist Christian education in our field. Thank you, school principals, teachers, and staff for providing that special and safe Christian environment for our children while you teach them the academics and for the extraordinary work done during these unprecedented times. We love you!

C – Thank you for your support and prayers for our ABC, which is also having another great year in service and financially. Yes, we have a wonderful and committed small team in our ABC who “move and go through the mountains” to be of service to you! Thank you ABC Team – you are tops!

D – Our Camp Hope Staff and BC Conference Youth leadership have gone far beyond the call of duty to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Hope and in our Conference as a whole. They served the Lytton First Nation (summer wildfire and some of them till this day) and those stranded on Hwy 7 during the flooding in a way that words cannot describe. Camp Hope is our BC Conference Sanctuary and they have caused a major positive impact in our society, nationwide recognized. We love you!

E – ADRA Canada Team has partnered with us so well when we needed them. We are proud of our humanitarian agency. They live by their vision: “Justice. Compassion. Love. To serve humanity so all may live as God intended.” Thank you ADRA Canada!

F – Our Conference is blessed by the precious souls who were reached for God’s Kingdom this year so far! A heartfelt “thank you” to our pastors, church elders and leaders, and our dedicated members for sharing God’s love with those new members. Maybe there is someone else who would like to give his/her heart to Jesus this year still… . Thank you for your commitment to the Great Commission!

G – Our churches members have responded amazingly to support God’s Cause in our Conference this year, again. Thank you all for faithfully returning the Lord’s tithe and your sacrificial offerings to assist in growing God’s Kingdom in our Conference and around the world. May the Lord continue to bless all of you richly.

H – Thank God for life – He is always good!

May God bless all of you richly during this festive season and throughout the New Year. We are one more year closer to seeing and being with Jesus, forever!

Happy Sabbath!

In His Service,

Wesley Torres, D.Min.

President