Leading people to intimate places with God where his voice can be heard.
The Adventure Has Just Begun
October - December 2005
The Adventure has just begun!
Steve Klassen
The first building phase of the MARK Centre is over. The grand opening is behind us and we are enjoying full usage of the beautiful four-level chalet. We’ve entered a new phase in the journey and with the help of many great people we are learning how to actually run the MARK Centre ministry.
Now what?
I’ve been surprised at how many people have asked me recently,
“Now what?” As though we have arrived and now need another
vision to pursue. Evy and I want to make it very clear to all you
who are with us in this journey, that we feel the adventure has
just begun!
A band of friends
Now that we have finished the building phase, we believe the next
season will include the continued forming of a community of people
around this ministry. In line with the logo of the MARK Centre,
we envision a band of friends who are rooted in God, tapping into
the various streams of refreshment God has to offer us, growing
like trees. We are excited about the potential of this kind of fellowship
and see signs of it emerging already.
We want to provide a refreshing home base for TREK participants and missionaries, and a peaceful retreat experience for all who come. Part of that challenge is behind us – we have a beautiful chalet constructed. And while we don’t want to downplay the significance of the peaceful physical setting that has been created here, we know that part of what this ministry needs is a refreshing group of people that will help to define the very atmosphere of the MARK Centre.
Finding our Niche
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| Andi Baier led a mission team to Thailand this summer and now is on TREK preparing to lead the Germany team. |
In the first months of operation, the MARK Centre chalet is primarily being used for discipleship and mission training experiences for young adults and training and debriefing sessions for missionary families. Beyond this, spiritual leaders are coming for prayer retreats and monthly spiritual direction sessions. Small groups are coming for weekend retreats as they spend time planning or seeking direction or refreshment or rest. Individuals are using the rooftop chapel for hours of prayer and reflection. A group of men is meditating through the Psalms every Wednesday morning and a women’s group has just begun to meet Wednesday evenings to do the same. Next week a husband and wife will take 2-3 days for a silent retreat. We are saying NO to certain requests and YES to those that we feel really fit the values and the vision of the MARK Centre. By God’s grace, the MARK Centre is being used to lead people to intimate places with God where his voice can be heard.
A new beginning for Alex
By Andi Baier
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| 19 TREK participants and two children are based at the MARK Centre for their 8 weeks of training before they depart on assignments that will take them to Germany, Thailand, Portugal, Costa Rica, Panama and Burkina Faso. |
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| This team will serve in Thailand with MBMS International’s TEAM 2000. |
As we arrived at the MARK Centre and then unloaded our vehicles I began to cry. What would be different about this time? My brother Alex had never thought my Christian lifestyle was something desirable. Why now?
The first ten hours of our drive from California were the worst as Alex cussed out two of his team members and almost got us into an accident because of his unmanageable temper. Was I really hearing God when I felt him guiding me to invite my brother along on this mission trip? Maybe he missed the part about Jesus and only heard that he would be helping people devastated by the Tsunami.
When Randy Friesen began to speak about the walls of Jericho coming down I looked across the room at my brother. “God, you pulled down those walls of Jericho, but you will never be able to pull down the walls around Alex’s heart.” But sure enough, it started to happen that night. Alex began to surrender. As the week of training continued I saw an amazing change take place. He didn’t tell me that he surrendered his life to Jesus but he did something he had never done before – he apologized to me. I was so astonished at his sincerity and gentle spirit that I could barely respond.
In hindsight I can see that God brought my brother to a place like the MARK Centre to experience his love in a tangible way. Far away from his comfortable setting with friends and family, God tore down the walls and gave Alex a new beginning.
How can you help?
Can you join us in any of the following ways; praying for us as
you receive weekly email prayer updates, baking treats for people
coming on retreats, volunteering on the MARK Centre board, weeding
or planting on the grounds, giving freely out of the finances God
has given you, placing the last rocks on the rock wall, advising
us as we shape our strategic plan for the future.
How is the MARK Centre doing financially?
As we finish off the final details of the building phase we are
amazed that we still do not have a mortgage! A credit line was established
along the way and it looks like we owe about $90,000 to finish this
project. We are inviting anyone who is willing to give gifts of
any size to help us finish the project. This week somebody donated
$5,000 to get us a few steps closer. Though we are open to setting
up a mortgage, we believe God has encouraged us with signs that
this entire amount will be eliminated soon. Can you get us a step
closer by giving $500 or $1,000?
The ongoing costs of staffing this ministry and running the chalet are a big part of the challenge of being in our first year of operation. Besides the money that comes in from the use of the chalet, we are continuing to build a team of supporters who give every month to the MARK Centre to help make this ministry happen. But we need more help than we currently have! Are you willing to get involved at this level? We have the option of automatic withdrawals now arranged with our bank for those who find this most convenient.
In Canada, cheques can be made payable to MARK
Centre, and sent to:
31605 Old Yale Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 2B4
In the United States, cheques can be made payable
to MBMS International, and mailed to:
4867 E. Townsend Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727-5006
Thank you to all of you who are supporting the MARK Centre in so many different ways.
For those of you who are giving monthly to this ministry, the option of electronic debit is now available.
| MARK Centre Board Members
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MARK Centre Advisory Council Members
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Home phone: (604) 852-3562
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