Heartbeat April 2015

HEARTBEATApril 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS3. Editorial4. How Our Edmonton Seasons Reflect Easter5.Necessary Friday6. Reconciliation and the Easter Season8. MBKIDS10. Financial Update12. Ironmen Bible Study13. ABA Men`s Retreat 14. Missions16.Seeking Authentic Relationships18.Ryan Allen`s Story

HEARTBEATof McKernan Baptist Church

MINISTRY STAFFSenior PastorLyle Buyer Executive PastorTerry OkkenMissions & Outreach Pastor (PT)Sam Nikkel Adult Ministries PastorDan Schroth Pastoral Care Pastor (On Sabbatical)Sharon HarewoodInterim Pastoral Care Pastor (PT)Christine OkkenYouth PastorDave SchneiderCollege & Career Pastor (PT)Daunavan BuyerChildren’s Ministries Director (PT)Jerilyn Bayer

SUNDAY SERVICES AT MCKERNAN SCHOOL11330 76 AVE NW

THE LIGHTHOUSE11125 76 AVE NW

CONTACT US:CHURCH OFFICE (MON-FRI 8:30-4:30)11119 76 AVE NW

[email protected] www.mckernanbaptist.ca780.436.0611

to contact the pastors by email just type “first name”@mckernanbaptist.ca

MANAGING EDITORNaomi Voss

DESIGNERRobin Hellewell

CONTRIBUTING EDITORSTricia UnsworthRobin HellewellTerry Okken

McKernan Baptist Church uses The Canadian Press spelling standards.

Our Church would also like to acknowledge the invaluable help of all the article writers for their contribution.Copyright © 2015 McKernan Baptist Church

| MCKERNAN BAPTIST CHURCH |HEARTBEAT | 3

Editorial | Senior Pastor

During the past several months, our Sunday services have led us through the book of Revelation. We have seen that this book not only reveals God’s plans for the future, but also makes known many unseen realities that give perspective to our present. Central to these realities emerges the picture of Jesus in the many descriptions we find of Him scattered throughout the

Lyle BuyerSenior Pastor

book.

During this Easter season, it is especially appropriate to be reminded of Jesus’ own words recorded in Revelation 1:18, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!” At Easter, we gratefully remember Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and joyfully celebrate His victorious resurrection from the dead. Can there be a greater picture of Christ’s love and power than this description of Him crucified and risen? What the book of Revelation emphasizes is that this picture of Christ is not just something we look to as a past truth, but as a very present reality. In the same passage where Jesus declares Himself as the Resurrected Lord, we read that He walks among “the seven golden lampstands” (Rev. 1:12-13). Symbolically this means that He walks among His churches (Rev. 1:20). As the Risen Christ walked among the original seven churches that received this revelation, He continues to walk among us today.

The implications of this are staggering. This means that the same love that sent Christ to the cross and the same power that raised Him from the dead are available to us, corporately and individually, today. As we face the many opportunities and challenges of moving into a new facility, we know we do so with the very loving, guiding, and empowering presence of Jesus. He still walks among His lampstands. Also, as individuals facing various opportunities and challenges, we can know that we are not alone. The One who said, “I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever” walks with us. As you read through this edition of the Heartbeat, I encourage you to trace the presence of Christ active in our church congregation. Also, as you walk through whatever this season holds for you, remember that you do not walk alone. The Risen Christ walks with you.

I’m blessed to be filling in for Pastor Sharon as she takes her sabbatical this season. I’ll have my own small season in the next several months, serving some of the pastoral needs of the church and each of you. After 10 years here in youth ministry, it’s a good and significant time for me to test a new calling in my life and switch gears a little bit in the type of ministry I’m involved in, prayerfully listening to God’s guiding. I’m grateful for this season with you.

Seasons are such a symbolic image of the work of God in our lives. As much as we complain about it, I love living in an area of the world that knows 4 distinct seasons (despite how much you want to insert a joke in here about the length or breadth of some seasons you don’t like). I love the warmth and restful places of summer, the kaleidoscope of colours and crispness of fall, the purity and bundled-up times of winter and the budding hope and green of spring. All woven together, it’s clear we live in a wonderful place that helps us see the variety of creation. We can also see how God weaves time and season together to help us appreciate His work displayed in front of us each day. We celebrate Easter at a poignant time in the year. Because it’s a celebration that varies in date between March and April on the calendar, it is sometimes in the midst of snow and cold, and other times, we’re already busting out our spring bonnets. To me, it’s a bit like the layers of the Easter season.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRIES

HOW OUR EDMONTON SEASONS REFLECT EASTER

There are vivid elements of dark winter bleakness in Easter. We sorrow and mourn at what it cost our Saviour to pay for the sin that separates us from God. We see loss and death and the brokenness of life right there in front of us on Good Friday. We pause and remember, and it’s costly as we see our own frailties and sin. And then, Easter Sunday ushers in immediate change. We wake to a brand new season and what Jesus bought us, and brought us in the Resurrection; new life, hope, freedom, a life of purpose and meaning, identity and intimacy with God. Life lives, and we rejoice! Hallelujah! But even in this, the contrasting pieces of the seasons are woven together, layered over each other. They are each important. We need the season of darkness and brokenness. We need to come face to face with our sin and what it cost Jesus. Then I think it gives us a real understanding of the celebration, liberation and joy of this season of life. We rejoice with gratitude! Today you might find yourself between seasons, or even dwelling in a dark season for what feels like too long. Hold tight to the hand of the Saviour who has walked through the deepest darkness for you. I believe the fact that He is a man familiar with sorrows comforts each of us in sorrow. There is no trouble or brokenness that He cannot conquer and heal. I trust that no matter what today looks like, He can take you and me into new seasons of hope because that is what He does.

4 | HEARTBEAT | MCKERNAN BAPTIST CHURCH |

Christine OkkenInterim Pastoral Care Pastor Photo by Megan Voss

HEALING PRAYER MINISTRY


During this time of year, a question can form in our minds. “Why did Jesus HAVE to die?” The whole of Scripture tells us the answer. When God created mankind He didn’t want robots to rule and reign over with an iron fist. He created us to be in relationship, in friendship, with Him (Genesis 3). But when the choice was made to obey Satan, believing his lie, sin entered the world and man’s relationship with God was completely broken.

Genesis doesn’t tell us how man knew to do this, but Cain and Abel offered sacrifices to God, hoping He would look on them with favour (Genesis 4:4 NIV). Favour--could that have been forgiveness and relationship with God being restored? The whole of the Old Testament is the system of man sacrificing animals to find favour with God. But try as we might, it is impossible for man to sacrifice enough animals to keep up with our sin. The whole sacrificial system was pointing us to something else.

Romans 6:23 tells us “the wages (payment for) of sin is death”. Something had to die. God’s plan was that someone had to die. Jesus entered the world as man/God. He lived without sinning. When we see the image of Jesus on the cross, we see the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. Jesus on the cross is all about God’s greater plan to have our sins paid for, so that forgiveness could be offered to us. That’s why Jesus came; to buy us back from the domain of Satan and offer us forgiveness and abundant, eternal life, ultimate favour. As Romans 6:23 concludes, “...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Forgiveness of sin is what mankind received in Jesus’ death. He carried the sin of man on the cross.That’s why His Father had to turn His face away and Jesus felt forsaken by Him (Matthew 27:46).Sin caused a debt we could not pay and Jesus paid it for us. He took our sins to the depths of hell in order to place a stamp on mankind: “PAID IN FULL!” We were redeemed, bought back, with the price of Jesus’ blood. That is why it’s called “Good” Friday! “Necessary” Friday is the truth of it.

Forgiveness. Jesus died for it. Jesus offers it to us. He modelled it for us (Luke 23:34). He also commands it of us. (Matthew 6:14,15). Forgiveness is the key to freedom for us. Freedom in God and freedom with man. When we don’t forgive one another, we live in bondage and are out of relationship with others and God. In the next Heartbeat we’ll explore “Living a Forgiving Lifestyle”.

Jeannie BuyerMcKernan Healing Prayer Team

COLLEGE & CAREER


First of all I want to start by saying thank you to you as a church. This has been a tremendous season of my life and I could not have done it without the support of my church family. I am nearing the end of my Master’s Degree in Missional Leadership (as of now only one semester left) and I have seen an incredible buy-in from the church in regards to what God is teaching me and how it can be applied in our context. I am truly grateful for you all and wish God’s best as we continue on His mission together.

For the purpose of today’s article (which is rightly, Easter themed) I want to look at a passage in 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15, 19.

“For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And He died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for them. All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” In this passage Paul is saying that, because of what Christ was able to accomplish on the cross - reconciliation between God and man - we are to be ‘ministers of reconciliation’ to one another and to the world. All dividing walls are to be broken down between us. Because of Easter, we are truly to live as family!

One of the initiatives that I have taken on for College & Career is getting my student leaders partnered up with mentors. It was extremely encouraging to see the response that many of you had in taking a student and pursuing a mentorship with them, but this whole process has made me think more intentionally about what being reconciled to one another looks like here at McKernan in terms of our inter-generational identity.

McKernan is a special church; it truly is a family church. We have people of all ages and races joining together in worship every Sunday. This should not be a hindrance to ministry. This should be a strength. Because of the immense diversity, we will not always get along perfectly and we will bump into each other once in a while, but that’s where the ministry of reconciliation comes in. If we truly believe that we can be reconciled one to another, then our differences should be regarded as strengths and our diversity should be something that we celebrate and strengthen.

What would this look like practically? I believe that all three of our services would be more generationally diverse. Each of our young people would know that they have older ones to talk to and glean from on a regular basis while our older ones know they have young people willing to serve them when needs arise. The issues (like how a church service should run, what types of songs we sing) become a little less important in light of serving one another in love and ‘being family’ together.

I want to propose that, in light of Easter we move forward as ‘ministers of reconciliation’ in regards to how we understand our diversity here at McKernan. There is no telling what God will do in us as we pursue Him together. We are all family; we are all on the same mission. God will move in profound ways as we ‘make room’ for one another as His disciples.

Daunavan BuyerC&C Pastor


Photos by Daunavan Buyer

For this Easter edition of “Heartbeat”, we asked the members of our “Parent Leadership Team” to share. This “Team” is the group that represents the parents to Children’s Ministry leaders and represents us to the parents. A blessed Easter to all of our families!

CHILDREN

Nicole Pedde

As I prayerfully pondered what I could say about Easter, the first thing that came to my mind is how much the meaning of Easter has changed for me. Memories of egg hunts, Easter presents and special Easter songs filled my mind and life as a child. As kids we would wake up early Easter morning, run full speed for our Easter baskets, and then scavenge through the house looking for all the hidden chocolate eggs and treats. I remember one Good Friday morning coming home from church, only to find out that our cat Ginger had a litter of kittens while we were gone! Within a few hours friends and neighbours were over, and every Good Friday after that we would reminisce, “remember the Good Friday morning when Ginger had her kittens?”

Years have gone by and those egg-hunt, present and kitten-filled days of Easter are over. Thankfully my perspective of the true meaning of Easter has changed as well.

Good Friday has turned sacred, a time to reflect on the great sacrifice of our Lord, Saviour, and King. He died for me?! I get overwhelmed by it. Visions of Christ being betrayed, hanging on a cross, and mocked at bring tears to my eyes. It’s time to pause and once again repent and give thanks for the incredible sacrifice He has made for us. Reflections of the cross now mean forgiveness and healing. Memories of good old Gaither and Easter choir cantata songs fill my mind, their words penetrate my heart (“…in the shadow of the cross, pain will finally cease...”). Songs like the “Old Rugged Cross”, and “What a Day that Will Be”, fill my spirit.

Easter Sunday morning I now say, “He is risen indeed” with true gratefulness, acceptance, and joy in my heart. The same power that raised Christ from the dead many years ago is working in and through me today, through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am forgiven, washed clean, and have the joy of heaven and meeting Christ one day to look forward to. What incredible gifts! These are things I am so thankful for and rejoice about! I love thinking about heaven. I love to imagine every knee bowing and every hand being lifted to Him in honour and praise.

My walk with God is strengthened so much more when I take the time to reflect on His great sacrifice for me not only at Easter, but daily as I walk with the Lord. I am inadequate, not worthy, and merely nothing without the blood of the Lamb covering me.

God has never left me hanging, has always granted me forgiveness, peace and hope, and continues to lead and guide me as I seek His will and walk with Him.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

His love endures forever.1 Chronicles 16:34


Jerilyn BayerChildren`s Ministry Director

Alanna Toews

Andrew & Krysta Siggelkow

Every year I read the Easter story to my pre-school students, and discuss as a group the fun and important parts of this celebration. Their thoughts or questions never cease to amaze me!Student reflections:‘They put sticks in a crown and made Jesus bleed!’‘He rode a donkey, and people waved pom poms,’‘In the morning we had to hide from the Easter eggs so we don’t know where they are – I finded 6!’‘They still have holes!’ (discussing the holes in Jesus’ hands and feet).‘Why did Jesus have to die?’‘The Easter bunny comes to our house, and hides the eggs, then we find them, and take off the wrappers, and then we eat them!’‘He (Jesus) died and came alive again’.

“Is God in my tummy?” “Is God in this jug of water?” “How can God be everywhere?”Children are explorers of the world around them. They wonder about things that we have long stopped pondering, asking questions that can often seem silly.

As parents we have an opportunity and a duty to encourage and intentionally guide our young children’s sense of awe, not only at important occasions such as Easter, but throughout the year as well. We need to intentionally set aside time in our often busy schedules to develop biblical principles

in our children, as well as recognize opportunities in our everyday activities to do the same. We need to view Sunday School as a single block in our children’s spiritual lives and not the place where they receive most of their spiritual foundation. This responsibility starts with parents. George Barna, in his book ‘Revolutionary Parenting’, asserts research has shown that “in assessing the impact of churches, schools, and

parents, it is the latter who have the most dramatic personal influence on a child.” This also needs to start now, as Barna is convinced “the spiritual war occurring in individual lives is pretty much won or lost by age thirteen”. We have a precious few years to really build into our children and, by God’s grace and His calling, raise children who are resilient and passionate followers of Christ.

A resource we have found very impactful in our family for both children and adults is “The Jesus Storybook Bible”, which weaves the redemption story throughout the entire Bible. It paints a very vivid picture of God’s “never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love” and how this is reflected in the Old Testament and ultimately shown in Jesus.

This Easter we remember that our Saviour took our sins upon Himself and paid our penalty, conquering death. Let’s make sure our children know it too.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

McKernan Baptist Church HEARTBEAT | 9

FINANCIAL

Terry OkkenExecutive Pastor

2014 Giving

General Fund$1,149,468

Building Fund$963,610

Missions$183,958 God’s Unfolding Story

Building Project as of February 28, 2015

Project CostsMBC DesignDelnorMBC Furniture/Equipment

$416,173$7,267,402

$278,749

Total Estimated Cost $7,962,324

Total Funds Receivedto February 28, 2015

$3,542,225

Remaining Pledges $1,058,464

Projected Long-Term Debt $3,361,635

The new C

hapel

We want to start by saying “thank you!” You’re an amazingly gracious and generous church and it’s a huge honour to serve you.

In 2014, you donated a total of $2,297,036 to the General Fund, Missions Fund and Building Campaign.

We are so grateful for your partnership in the life and ministry here at McKernan Baptist Church and cannot wait to see what God has in store for all of us in 2015!


As you can see, we have different “funds” that we manage throughout the year. Our General Operating Fund includes the operating budgets for the different ministry areas, the cost of operating a facility and the salaries of our church staff.

Our Missions Fund is dedicated to supporting over 50 missionaries and mission agencies and is a portion of what each missionary and/or agency is required to raise each year to be able to continue to fulfil their missionary calling. We divide our $188,466 missions budget into three payment periods (May 1, September 1, December 31) and it is our desire that we are able to meet 100% of our commitment at each of these scheduled payment times ($62,822).

And finally, we have our God’s Unfolding Story Capital Campaign Fund/Building Fund. Construction is nearing completion on our new two-storey building with a developed basement on the east side of the sanctuary. We are looking forward to being back inside our new facility. This fund helps pay for the cost of our new facility through pledges and other donations designated for the Building Fund.

We are sincerely grateful for all that you have given to McKernan over the years. For some of you, you may be wondering how you can give to each of these areas and we want to let you know that we offer several ways to donate to McKernan.

The first way, and probably the most familiar, is through the offering plate on Sunday. We use an envelope system that allows the donor to help direct where their tithe and offering goes.

The second way you are able to give is through our Pre-Authorized Giving Plan. A Pre-Authorized Giving Plan (PAGP) is a convenient option for donors to make regular donations to a charity of their choice. When you set up a PAGP you authorize McKernan Baptist Church to charge your bank account once or twice a month for an amount pre-established by you, in the same way as if you had personally written a cheque to the church. This authorization remains in effect until such time as you personally notify MBC that you wish to end or amend this agreement. Just like the envelope system, you can designate where you would like your donation to go. For more information on PAG, email Tricia at the church office or pick up a brochure at the Welcome Centre.

2015 General Operating BudgetNeeded Each Month

$123,0002015 Missions Budget ($188,466) $ 15,706


BIBLE STUDY


Caleb Henry

Easter is one of Christianity’s more significant events, as it is a time when Christians recognize Jesus’ life, death, and His subsequent resurrection. Here at McKernan Baptist, ministries delve into both the existential and academic aspects of Christianity where one is challenged to lead a more Christ-centred life.

Ironmen (Men’s ministry) has challenged my walk with Christ in multiple ways. This year the group has studied The Reason for God by Timothy Keller, and Tactics by Gregory Koukl. Early in the Keller study, I admittedly found myself struggling with the prejudicial thought of “how can one be Christian and believe in this or that?”. However, through an honest engagement in the ministry and with personal Bible study, I have learned that this prejudicial thought was merely a reflection of my ignorance to the spirit of the Gospel. The ministry reinforced an important concept that to sharpen one’s view, one must welcome antithetical opinions as an opportunity to mature into an informed individual. As the famous 19th century philosopher John Stuart Mills writes in On Liberty, “It is only by the collision of adverse opinions that the remainder of the truth has any chance of being supplied”. Although Mills is endorsing freedom of speech, the quote would suggest that conflicting opinions could allow for learning and personal reflection. More importantly, the ministry has taught me to look to Jesus and not to the man next to me. The

Apostle Paul writes in Romans 14, that it does not matter what one eats, drinks, or what one wears, as these are relatively insignificant to the reason we have hope in Jesus Christ. Jesus did not teach that to inherit the Kingdom of God one must prescribe to a socially preferred theological, philosophical, or scientific concept. Rather, Jesus taught that the only way to the Father is exclusively through faith in Him – to believe in Jesus’ mission, death, and His resurrection is the Christian’s imperative. With sobering prose, the philosopher Thomas Hobbes writes, “The only article of faith, which the scriptures make simply necessary to salvation, is this, Jesus is the Christ”. This Easter, immerse your heart and mind in the Gospel and search for the key to Jesus’ heart. Your world-view will not lead you to Christ; rather, it is the hope you have in Him that will.

Immerse your heart and mind in the Gospel and

search for the key to Jesus’ heart.

ABA MEN’S RETREAT


A bunch of guys and I played with an axe a few weekends ago. A double-sided axe at that. And then we stood around a ten foot high bonfire insightfully talking and laughing until midnight. Many of the men weren’t even wearing a jacket. And nobody tried to stop us - in fact we were encouraged. I’m certain that God was smiling and laughing with us. He likes it when a group of men praise Him in a natural, albeit intentional, way.I’m a one-man revival after the ABA Men’s Retreat. I could have gone on for another week talking with my brothers. My mind was in that great place whereby I was intentionally looking to discover the “gift” that God laid on the person to whom I was speaking, and I always found it. I’ll be honest. I love meeting new people but sometimes I find (perhaps intentionally) a character trait about a person that amusingly annoys me. I know this isn’t a good habit. Writing this article I now realize that I didn’t do that at any time during the weekend. God certainly used the weekend to destroy some bad habits and, as He always does if we let Him, fill the space with good ones. I meditated on the “callings” that I heard throughout the sermons. By the end of the day my brain was burning; not “bad burning” but rather “Burning Bush burning”. The Holy Spirit wouldn’t allow me to sleep!

The theme was “Seek Justice – An Everyday Choice To Be Courageous.” At times there were some pretty heavy, real life stories in the sermons. But I have to tell you, those heavy stories inspire me to seek justice for the poor, marginalized and oppressed. I feel so courageous, too. “…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.

The streets that I walk are safe. Billions cannot say the same. My person and property are safe. Billions will never say the same. I have lawful recourse when a wrong has been committed against my family. Billions only dream of the same. But I refuse to feel guilty. I’m blessed (that’s for certain), but guilt will only weigh me down! I realize that I’m a steward of my blessings. I have so much to share, and God is counting on me to act – so act I will.

Aaron Cranton

Men praying for Jim Crozier.

MISSIONS



YOUTH



Kyle KurtzYouth Ministry Intern

During the month of February at MOBY/FIT Youth Ministries, we had an incredible opportunity to move our Wednesday Oasis services into homes based on gender and grade. It was a unique opportunity to place ourselves in a more intimate setting in order to really dive into the material together. What was extremely special about this material was that it was all focused on accountability and authenticity.

I was at the high school guys’ group for the four weeks that we were in these homes, and I feel as though I was able to learn more about this group of boys during these weeks than I have over the entire ministry year so far. It was amazing to see these guys engaging in worship in a different space and posture. The conversations during small group time were more challenging and authentic—we all opened ourselves up to each other and more of the work of the Spirit in our lives.I found that much of the conversation in our group

specifically pointed back to relationship with Jesus. We often talked about bringing desires, dreams, hurts, disappointments, fears, certainties, joys, pains, and everything in between to God and Christ with a heart of authenticity. We were encouraged to always let God know rather than just assuming that He knows. We explained that even if you’re struggling to believe in God in general, it is something that can and should be brought before the Lord.

I believe these conversations were an awesome reminder that Christ died to repair the broken relationship between man and God. It reminds us so much of the fact that honouring God can be done by simply coming to Him in prayer and being honest, authentic—real. During this Easter season, be encouraged to go to Christ authentically, both individually and in community.

Honouring God can be done by simply coming to Him in prayer and being honest, authentic -

real.

REAL LIFE


On April 24, 2014 our doctor delivered the news we were dreading: “We believe your son has lymphoma.” In that moment we knew our lives were about to change. We also knew that surviving this would require more strength and courage then we would be able to muster up…a lot more.

Ryan’s PET/CT showed he had a mass 13.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 17 cm wedged between his ribs and left lung. Despite this rather large mass, he had only a few mild symptoms; certainly none that made us think of cancer. But we soon realized just how sick he was. He was not allowed to leave the hospital until pathology confirmed the type of lymphoma and the first cycle of chemotherapy had been completed. The first two weeks were a wave of information and procedures as we entered into the world of oncology. But everything made sense and we had a clear understanding of what was happening to Ryan and what our role would be in his recovery. Other parents we met on the ward talked about being in a fog during this time but that was not our experience. God kept us calm and focused.

Ryan required six cycles of aggressive chemo. A cycle would consist of admission for five days and then home for two and a half weeks while his neutrophils returned to normal. The list of side effects from chemo was very long and our prayer was that the chemo would kill the cancer cells but leave his body unharmed. Ryan’s doctor warned us that all patients return to hospital during their recovery times for antibiotics to treat an infection/fever, blood transfusions to treat low blood counts or both. Ryan’s treatment ended in August but not once did he require an admission for antibiotics or a transfusion, a first for the oncologists who cared for him. God is truly the Great Physician!!

In September Ryan had a repeat PET/CT that showed a small piece of the tumour had failed treatment and so an excision was scheduled for October 6. Unfortunately the mass was not amenable to a laparoscopic procedure but the surgeon was able to obtain a biopsy. Pathology showed lymphoma cells were present. The decision was made to do a month of radiation and 2-4 more cycles of chemo until Ryan was in remission. Then we would be sent to Calgary for one cycle of high dose chemo and a stem cell transplant. Our stay in Calgary was expected to last 1-2 months. We would also need to find a stem cell donor for Ryan

(in addition to using his own stem cells). Certainly there were several hurdles to overcome. Ryan would be in isolation the entire time we would be in Calgary, we would need to take a lot of time off work and we needed to keep life normal for our daughter, Courtney, here in Edmonton. I wasn’t able to comprehend a solution for all this but gave the situation to God “…who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”.

A PET/CT at the end of January showed that the tumour had not responded to the additional treatment. We had a feeling that the doctors would opt for surgery, and we also knew an open procedure would be the only way to access the tumour which was located just above his heart. It was a difficult week as we faced the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

On the weekend of February 7-8, we felt the Holy Spirit leading us to pray for Ryan’s healing, as Jesus instructed his disciples to in John 14:12-14. Sunday afternoon we heard that Dr. Randy Clark was in Leduc teaching on Divine supernatural healing so we attended the service that evening. It was an amazing evening of worship and waiting on God. We experienced the power of Jesus as we claimed victory over death and disease in His name and witnessed the calm and reassuring presence of the Holy Spirit. We left knowing Ryan had been healed.

Testimony is the invitation

to imitation.

Dr. Randy Clark

BUT I DON’T WANNA WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF

THE SHADOW OF DEATHWritten by: Heather Allen


The following Tuesday we were informed that Ryan’s oncologist was meeting with the CCI tumour board to discuss Ryan’s case. It struck me then that we had a bit of a dilemma. We knew Ryan was cancer free—our message from the Holy Spirit was clear—but we didn’t want Ryan to have his chest cracked open just to find out there was no cancer. How would we convince his doctor to order an expensive test to confirm this? And even if she agreed to do more imaging, it would take several weeks to get the test done. Again, we knew that God’s abundant creativity isn’t limited to the Ephesians so we trusted that He would take care of the details.

The following Friday Ryan’s oncologist asked to see us. When we arrived to our appointment her announcement was swift and direct: Ryan was in remission. No further procedures were necessary; no surgery, no transplant, no high dose chemo and no trip to Calgary. Hallelujah!! All the concerns we had were resolved! Praise God!!

BLESSINGS IN THE VALLEY

At the CCI tumour rounds it was determined that the scans and pathology were not interpreted as they should have been and five lymphoma specialists agreed that Ryan was in remission. It was explained to us that Ryan’s lymphoma is considered an “adult cancer”. We were also told that radiation and chemo are both necessary in the treatment of this type of lymphoma so he did not receive any unnecessary treatments. The Peds team had no plans to do radiation initially and had the scan and pathology been read correctly the first time, radiation would not have been done and Ryan would have ended up receiving only partial treatment. To be clear, the expertise, care and compassion we received from the doctors, nurses and technicians at the Stollery was phenomenal. We did have some obstacles on the journey but God intervened and oversaw it all.

Looking in the rearview mirror it is easy to see where God was at work; the magnitude of complications that were expected to happen but

didn’t, the necessary modification to the treatment protocol when there were no initial plans to do so, the invasive procedures that were scheduled but then cancelled and the immediate confirmation of remission without performing surgery or additional tests. God’s love and mercy are unfailing. His Name be glorified.

We are immensely grateful for the prayers and kindness of our church family. There were so

many practical ways you walked along side us; the delicious meals, snow removal and the notes and emails of hope and encouragement helped get us through some difficult days. You cried with us and rejoiced with us. We are overwhelmed with gratitude.

So when exactly was Ryan healed? We’re not entirely sure. We do know this--Ryan is a miracle. Can God answer a prayer in the past that is prayed in the future? Of course He can. He has all of eternity.

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Heartbeat April 2015