Don thought that he
wanted to have a career
in medicine, however he
followed his high school
sweetheart
Linda
to
Bible School. That move
changed Don’s life in a
number of ways.
It didn’t take long
for Don to realize that
God was calling him
to ministry. To test the
waters, Don spent a year
as a full time volunteer
at Parksville Fellowship
Baptist
church
in
Parksville, BC. “After
that I knew ministry
would be the path I
would follow.” That
path included Linda.
Don and Linda
tied the knot in Surrey,
BC in 1994. They will
celebrate their 20 year
anniversary this spring.
“We are privileged to
have two fantastic kids,
Marissa who is in grade
11 and Isaac who is in
grade 9”
“Our
ministry
started in Sparwood,
BC. Imagine a 23 year
old senior pastor. We
learned
lots
about
life
and
ministry,
particularly in a unique
coal mining community.
Don and Linda and
the kids then moved to
Armstrong where Don
pastored at the First
Baptist church. “We
thoroughly enjoyed our
time in Armstrong and
had the joy of being part of
a vibrant church family.”
Then Don and Linda
felt called to Woodstock,
Ontario. While Don was
born in Campbell River,
he spent his elementary
school years in Barrie,
Ontario, before his family
moved back to Surrey,
BC in senior high. “It
is encouraging to know
that there is such a large
Christian
community
right across the country.
We experienced five years
of God’s blessings in
Woodstock.”
The Reeves reached
the decision to accept the
invitation to join the staff
team and church family at
Emmanuel.
Don said, “We are
happy to be part of
Emmanuel’s
vision...
following
Jesus
and
sharing His love. A
big part of that
vision is the focus on the
community. We count
it an honour to be able
to participate in events
like the Winter Carnival
Parade and Canada day at
Polson Park. We also are
blessed to offer a variety of
events and programs that
are intended to be a part
of our local community...
such as Bethlehem Star,
Breakfast club at Mission
Hill Elementary, summer
soccer camp and day
camp, weekly moms and
tots, youth groups, etc.”
Don said that what he
likes about Emmanuel is
it is big enough to offer a
diversity of programs but
small enough that people
who are not accustomed
to attending church can
feel comfortable and
easily make friends.
“For us, we knew
Emmanuel was a church
where my kids would be
encouraged and engaged
in their faith, where we
all as a family would
be challenged to put
our faith into practice,
and where we would
constantly be surrounded
by people who genuinely
loved Jesus and us.” “We
have a great church
family, amazing leaders,
and fantastic volunteers
throughout
all
the
ministries of the church
so I am very excited
about the future for
Emmanuel.”
Don shared that his
first sermon series was
going to be about the
book of Mark. He said
“It is all about Jesus,
how he came to offer us
forgiveness from sin and
freedom from the power
of sin, but also how he
calls us to follow. We
aren't just forgiven to
then go live however we
please, but rather to serve
Jesus by serving others.”
Don said, “I have had
some interesting twists
and turns along the way in
my life, but my family and
I feel fortunate to be part
of the community here
in Vernon and are even
more thankful for the
very kind reception we
received at Emmanuel.”
“I hope others who
are new to Vernon will
consider joining us on
a Sunday and meeting
some great people who
believe that faith in God
is the greatest thing in life
and a great way to live.”
Colin Mayes MP
Okanagan Shuswap
4
April
2015
|
Connecting Communities with Christian News
THE WELL NEWS
K e i t h & E v e l y n F r a n k l i n
Valley Monuments
Memorials of Distinction
4316 – 29
th
St., Vernon, B.C.
Phone/Fax: 542-6411/1-877-511-8585
Emmanuel Fellowship Baptist Church
Pastor Don Reeve's and Family
Submitted by Terry Jones (Vernon)
The Reeves family, Pastor Don, Linda and children Isaac andMarissa.
Photo Submitted
Democracy
In the past I have shared some of
the doctrines of democracy,one being
that democracy is not just the freedom
an individual citizen has in a secret
ballot, but also the right to freedom
of religious expression, freedom of
speech,…At times though, academics
and citizens have added definitions
to democracy that are not logical nor
enhance the foundations of a healthy
democratic nation.
Great insights to this fact are
evident in “The Screwtape Letters” by
C.S. Lewis, when Dr.Slubgob delivers
the keynote speech to the young
devils. Although C. S. Lewis died
the same day JFK was assassinated,
51 years ago last November, his
comments are very prevalent today.
Lewis tells us that many people think
democracy is a doctrine of equality.
The sense that“I’m as good as you” to
which he states: “…this is the overall
movement towards the discrediting,
and finally the elimination, of every
kind of human excellence-moral,
cultural, social, or intellectual”. Think
about some of the music that is
produced today. The fact that today,
the average IQ is 14 points lower than
the Victorian Age. Much of our art is
offensive, and our social norms have
corroded to the point where young
people do not know what moral
and ethical limits are. Much of these
outcomes result from that lie that we
all are equal, “I’m as good as you” no
matter how I live my life.
God accepts us all equally in love
and value,but have you not read in the
book that we are known by our works,
that we are called to be disciples, that
we store treasures in Heaven through
our good deeds, or the crowns of
righteousness, crown of rejoicing,
crown of life, are all rewards for our
participation in the good race of our
faith? The book is full of faith heroes
that were counted for their faith and
their service.
The lie in today’s society is
propagated in the term “politically
correct”. We cannot celebrate the
people in society that achieve
through discipline and hard work. An
English politician remarked long ago:
“A democracy does not want great
men/women”. This statement is not
logical. If we do not start to celebrate
excellence in our society we shall soon
become a society that will succumb to
our superiors that have embraced the
praise of excellence.
Yes, we do celebrate the sport stars
for their athletic ability; the movie
and music stars for their talent, but
the real substance of our society,
ethics, morals, good parenting, solid
marriages, great teachers, sound
leadership, and servant-hood are
seldom praised and seldom attained.
If we celebrated those in our society
that stood a little taller in these areas
maybe they would become models
for those that are following. No, we
are not all equal, as some citizens are
motivated to use and exercise all the
gifts God gives themfor His service
and His glory.
Our government, before the 2010
Olympics, funded athletes under our
“Own the Podium” funding so they
would be able to train to be the best
they could be. Guess what? We did
just that in Vancouver, and again in
Sochi. The interesting comments
from some said “Own the Podium”
slogan was very un-Canadian.Well, we
all cannot be the star, but we can all
encourage those that have the ability
and gifts to be the star. All Canadians
were very proud of the achievements
of our athletes as they competed and
we shared in their successes.
We as Christians are in a faith race.
We need to put on the breast plate
of righteousness, the shield of faith,
helmet of salvation and the sword of
the Spirit (Word) which is our uniform.
Those that excel in this contest should
be praised and encouraged for their
gifts and endurance.
