Blessings seeks financial restructuring
Blessings Christian Marketplace — a chain of 23 bookstores across Canada, with headquarters in Chilliwack, BC — has filed for creditor protection but has not gone bankrupt, according to co-owner Mark Hutchinson. “Blessings is not bankrupt and is not in receivership. The Blessings management team is in full control of the day-to-day operations of the company,” he told CC.com. “We have filed for creditor protection under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and we are looking at all options prior to a financial restructuring for the future of the company. There are a number of options being pursued by Blessings Management at present.” Hutchinson said the strength of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. is the “central challenge” faced by stores such as his.
Gateway of Hope
The Salvation Army’s planned $13 million ‘Gateway of Hope’ centre in Langley, BC passed the third reading with the city council Dec 10. The three-story 31,000-square-foot building will offer a 30-bed emergency shelter and 25 beds of transitional housing for men and women and will be substantially funded by all three levels of government. The Salvation Army is initiating a capital campaign mid January to raise $2 million firstly targeted at corporate Canada, followed by ‘The Square Foot of Hope‘ targeted at smaller donors who can sponsor the centre at $200 per square foot. — Salvationist.ca
Tyndale offers Beds
Brian Stiller, president of Tyndale University College & Seminary, announced that Tyndale has been given final approval to offer a 12-month Bachelor of Education program preparing teachers for primary, junior, and intermediate grades. “After months of careful preparation, building contacts within the government, meetings with community leaders, and fundraising to pay the costs, it is done!” said Stiller, who thanked MPP David Zimme for his effective work in the process. Zimmer called Tyndale “a symbol of academic excellence and a jewel in the Willowdale community.” The first class of the Bachelor of Education program will begin July 8 at Tyndale’s new Bayview campus.
Focus media guide
Focus on the Family Canada has designed an online resource for families concerned to better discern the modern media. ‘Mapping the Media — a family guide to modern media’ can be downloaded as a PDF file.
Forces chaplains needed
The Canadian Forces is asking Canadian churches to provide at least 25 – 30 new chaplains a year over the next five years. With operations in Afghanistan, deaths, injuries, and family needs, the spiritual and religious requirements of Canadian soldiers, sailors, air personnel and their families are increasing. For more information contact Chaplain Kevin Klein at Klein.KE@forces.gc.ca. — Lutheran Church Canada
The Covenant comes out on DVD
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has released a DVD called The Covenant. It is an original musical stage presentation that recounts the miraculous story of the people of Israel, from the calling of Abraham until the establishment of the modern State. The Canadian presentation of The Covenant, featuring over 60 stage performers and musicians, represents the culmination of seven years of touring throughout Israel, Europe and the United States. The production was filmed May 13 at the renowned Toronto Centre for the Arts which featured a powerful combination of performers from Israel and other parts of the world along with a Canadian cast of approximately 30 people.
Full Gospel Bible College implements new name
After announcing its name change last summer, Saskatchewan’s Full Gospel Bible College will be implementing its new name, Eston College, from January 1. All links and email addresses replace ‘FullGospelBibleCollege’ with ‘estoncollege.’
Keep connecting in the New Year
Lutheran Hour Ministries has released a six-week DVD series, entitled ‘Parenting Families: From ME to WE’ based on a parenting concept originated by David Ludwig, a leading Christian psychologist, counsellor, and author. The program aims to help churches and schools reach out to families in their communities. For more information, contact the Lutheran Church – Canada at 1-800-555-6236.
FaithLife aids Bangladesh
FaithLife Financial, a non-profit Christian financial service, has donated $10,000 to World Vision for Bangladesh after the recent devastation by Cyclone Sidr. A United Nations report confirmed that damages caused by the cyclone are much worse than previously thought. More than two million people are believed to be in need of immediate, life-saving assistance and approximately 8.5 million were affected. FaithLife Financial operates in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.
Toronto GDOP and MissionGTA
Dexter Quinlan, chair of Toronto’s Global Day of Prayer (GDOP), has relinquished his role committee to focus on his responsibilities as executive director of MissionGTA that oversees GDOP Toronto. Linda Ferrante has joined the MissionGTA leadership team as the new director of GDOP Toronto.