Storyline Spring 2020

Storyline
magazine
Spring 2020
06 Our Dependency on God
WHAT
LED ME
TO THIS
PLACE OF
DARKNESS
AND DESPAIR?
08 Artist in the Spotlight
12 God Saved me from Myself
FAC Experience
App

I WISH I HAD KNOWN IT WOULD BE OUR LAST SUNDAY TOGETHER.
I WOULD HAVE GATHERED YOU CLOSER.
I WOULD HAVE HUGGED YOU TIGHTER.
I WOULD HAVE SUNG LOUDER.
I WOULD HAVE LINGERED LONGER.
I REALIZE NOW..
I TOOK SO MUCH FOR GRANTED.
I WAS SO DISTRACTED.
I MISSED SOME THINGS ALONG THE WAY.
I FOCUSED ON THE SERVICE INSTEAD OF THE SENDING,
ON THE GATHERING INSTEAD OF THE SCATTERING,
ON MY SUNDAY INSTEAD OF YOUR MONDAY.
I GAVE YOU INFORMATION,
BUT DID IT BRING TRANSFORMATION?
I PREACHED AND PROGRAMMED FOR YOU,
BUT DID YOU KNOW HOW I PRAYED FOR YOU?
I WORRIED ABOUT BUDGETS AND BUILDINGS AND BOARD MEETINGS,
BUT DID YOU FEEL HOW I BORE YOUR BURDENS TOO?
I REALIZE NOW..
YOU DIDN’T REALLY NEED ME,
AT LEAST NOT IN THE WAY I THOUGHT.
YOU DIDN’T NEED ME TO DO CHURCH FOR YOU,
YOU WANTED TO BE THE CHURCH WITH ME.
AND I REALIZE THAT NOW.. IS OUR MOMENT.
THIS IS THE HOUR. WE ARE THE PEOPLE.
THE CHURCH WAS MADE FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.
IF I HAD KNOWN IT WAS OUR LAST SUNDAY TOGETHER.. FOR NOW..
I WOULD HAVE RAISED MY HANDS OVER YOU,
I WOULD HAVE LOOKED YOU IN THE EYE,
I WOULD HAVE BLESSED YOU,
AND SENT YOU, WITH THE SPIRIT,
INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL BROKEN WORLD.
AND I WOULD HAVE SAID,
NOW. GO. BE THE CHURCH.
THE LORD BE WITH YOU, YOUR PASTOR.
WRITTEN BY A PASTOR FROM NEW YORK
2

a note from
Pastor James
How has God transformed you?
That’s a huge question. Many of
us at FAC have experienced God’s
transforming grace in new ways
this year already as we’ve paid
attention to various aspects of our
lives: spiritual, physical, mental,
emotional, relational, financial, and
vocational. Sermons, seminars, and
small groups have all been focused
on these challenging circumstances.
We’d love to hear your story … Why
not reach out and share your
story with others?
Storyline
A platform for stories
to be shared here at
FAC: stories to make us
smile, cry, laugh - and
ultimately guide us
towards a transcendent
hope in Jesus in the midst
of a broken world. This
quarterly publication uses
the talent of volunteer
photographers, graphic
designers, and writers.
Storyline is a publication
of First Alliance Church,
Calgary, Alberta of the
C&MA in Canada.
our team
At a very personal level I have sensed God
working in my spiritual life as I’ve been on
my health journey. God has challenged me
to trust deeper, continued to mould me to
become more like Jesus, taught me what it
really means to surrender, and drawn me
into such communion that I wouldn’t want
to go back. But nor do I want to stand still.
And so I wonder how transformation will
continue in my life. What will God teach me
this year? How will I be transformed?
It will soon be Easter. We’ll remember the
sacrificial death of Jesus on Good Friday,
and I want to invite you to participate in a
moving contemplative worship service that
will place you right there. Allow God to meet
you and melt your heart. Easter weekend
will be a celebration of triumph – the grave
could not hold Him! Who could you invite
to hear the amazing story of how Jesus
continues to change lives today?
So, what do you think God will do through
your life this year? I can’t wait to find out.
In light of the recent AHS restrictions on
public gatherings we’ve made the decision
to suspend weekend gatherings at the Deerfoot
and Southwest campuses. Our online campus will
continue to broadcast on both Facebook and our
website faccalgary.com. We invite you to gather
with your family or small group to worship together
with us – in a different format, but at our usual
times: Saturday 6:30 pm and Sunday 9:15 am and
11:15 am. The best way to receive regular updates
from FAC will be through our FAC Experience app.
The app also has an online giving option which will
help us to continue ministry operations. We’ll also
post regular updates on our website.
I love being your pastor.
Pastor James
Editor In Chief
Heather Wile
Managing Editor
Suzanne Van Herk
Graphic Designers
Deon Watson
Janina Resus
Ken Born
Peggy Xia
Photo Editor
Ken Born
Photographers
Enoch Tseng
Jill Hopkins
Ken Born
Quinn Hystad
Audio/Video
Bethanie Klob
Russell Moore
Lloyd Smith
Story Editor
Cheryl Siebring
Article Contributers
Deon Watson
Erik Freiburger
Janice Wong
Judith Tuck
New York Pastor
Odum Abekah
Wendy Nilsen

content
02 I Wish I had Known by New York Pastor
05 Throwback to Christmas by Enoch Tseng
07 Our Dependency On God by Janice Wong
09 Artist in the Spotlight Odum Abekah
13 God Saved me from Myself by Deon Watson
16 Elevate Kids' Choir by Wendy Nilsen
18 Prayer for Healing Minds by HS
22 Abundance in Adversity-Dave Thiessen's Story by Judith Tuck
24 Tremors that Transform our Lives by Erik Freiburger
contact us
Phone 403-258-4359
Email storyline@faccalgary.com
Web faccalgary.com/storyline-magazine
Volunteer with Storyline serve@faccalgary.com
Share your story faccalgary.com/storyline-magazine

throwback to Christmas 2019
Check out more photos of what's happening at FAC!
5

Find us on social media: @faccalgary.com
6

Our Dependency On God
will always lead to His faithfulness
Written by Janice Wong
For example, I am currently taking language classes
each day, which has always been a part of my shortrange
plan. Another International Worker from FAC
gave me great advice, saying,
have been in Ghana as an International Worker
I since January, and I’m so grateful for the support
I’ve received from my church family at FAC. It’s so
encouraging to be a part of a larger body of Christ,
as we work together towards building lives that
honour God.
At the start of the New Year, I reflected on a theme
for 2020. Naturally, the transition of moving to a new
continent with endless changes in my life prompted
the theme of dependency on God. Needless to say,
this new season of my life has already been filled with
several circumstances requiring my dependence on
God’s providence, peace, and presence.
While God remains sovereign and is in complete
control of my life, He often reveals one “next step” at
a time. I am learning that it is my times of uncertainty
which draw me closer to God’s presence, making room
to develop a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
“Keep your eyes open to the Holy
Spirit’s work around you. You’ll
be surprised when He reveals
something else that He may
invite you to be a part of.”
A couple of weeks upon my arrival in Ghana, the loose
plans I’d made already changed as God directed and
presented the opportunity to be a part of the local
church’s ministry reaching out to the local children in
a predominantly Islamic community, while still being
able to learn the language 4 hours a day. Though
some of the details of life and ministry constantly
change, God continues to show up in so many ways
that are uniquely personal to me. He plants me in
different circumstances that are rarely clearly laid out;
but yet He is faithful to provide all that I need to do
what He has set out for me. I consider it a blessing to
be a part of His Kingdom work here in Ghana.
7

Thank you for all
your prayers, support
and encouragement
you continually
bless me with.
Please pray for the people of
Ghana, especially as relationships
are continually built with the
children, youth, and families in my
community. God is on the move,
working everything together for
our good and for the glory of His
Son Jesus! Our dependency on God
will always lead to His faithfulness
revealed in immeasurably more
ways than imagined!
Click Here
to learn more
about Missions
8

When did your passion/calling begin?
How has God led you to where you are?
Odum
Abekah
My passion and calling have changed somewhat, but
God has been bringing it more into focus over the past
year especially. I feel an excitement and stirring in my
soul for music (especially production/performance)
and leadership – He’s been helping me grow in
confidence to say that with assurance. I’m blessed to
be both the weekend Music Director (Music Associate)
at FAC, as well as the Residence Director at Ambrose
University and have been humbled by the strength
and intersection of the two in my day-to-day life.
For music, the calling began when I realized what
groups of people could do together when they
brought an earnest heart and thirst for excellence
9

Artist
in the Spotlight
to the table. Going from learning classical music to
feeling the emotional impact of bands like Switchfoot
and Hillsong United in middle school helped me
realize that music is so much more powerful when
it’s done in a team. Connecting with David Klob near
the end of high school and affiliating with Kingswood
University through the Exalt Youth Choir changed my
life. I owe so much of my desire in musical calling to
those formative years with him back east.
My calling to Student Life was born at university – I
wanted to leave the first day I moved in, and if it
weren’t for those key people that helped me feel
comfortable, I would have. I never want anyone else
to feel that anxious or scared. I’m coming close to a
decade working with Residence Life especially, and
the lessons God has taught me through this time
have been difficult sometimes, but invaluable.
How have you seen God working through
your music, in you, and in others?
I think the biggest thing I’ve seen is God starting to
heal and grow me in different parts of my life through
my connections and relationships with people in
music – that includes the community here. The
biggest thing that God has been saying to me in this
season has been “Trust My timeline.” I’m sometimes
impatient or discouraged at my personal and spiritual
progress, and He’s been showing me that it’s okay to
be in the waiting season, because He still works there
too. “Letting go and letting God” has been a big theme
of mine as of late and has really had a positive impact
on the connections I share with my band mates, my
staff at Ambrose, and the FAC Music Community.
10

What’s the hardest part about the creative
process? What challenges have you
encountered? How has God been with you
through this?
The hardest part about the creative process for me
has been just that: trusting the process and doing
my best to see it through. Questioning that what I
create could actually be of some worth.
I spend a lot of time wrestling and working on that
(in my songwriting, technical musicianship, ability to
lead effectively, production … I’m trying to wear a lot
of hats!).
God has brought me through so much and
enriched my life with so many experiences and I
can see those blessings now thanks to hindsight
– even when I didn’t feel equipped and struggled
with feelings of low self-worth and depression,
God placed people in my life who were able to
speak truth and encouragement to me when I
needed it.
I am so thankful to those people that never gave up
on me and to God for placing those supports so well.
Wonder of Love
Tell us about what you’re currently working
on, or some recently completed projects.
I’m currently working on developing myself as an artist
and producer. On the artist/sideman side, I perform
regularly with a surf noir band in Calgary called The
427s. I recently released my first professional single
this fall called Wonder of Love, and also released an
EP of experimental originals from my time as a music
major at Humber College. They’re available on all
streaming platforms!
As a producer, I personally wrote, recorded, and
mixed Wonder of Love with several members of
FAC Music, and was one of the mix engineers and
songwriters for the Elevate Kids’ Choir release,
Won’t Stop Growin’. We’re so humbled (Noah Travis,
Grace Young-Travis, David Klob, and I) to have been
nominated for a Covenant Award for our original
on that album and are eagerly awaiting seeing the
awards in the spring!
I collaborated with Cory Bitner to co-produce the
new Hope’s Creed record, Know You Better, and also
collaborated with my great friend Nick Katz on Kara
Joy’s (Pastor David’s daughter) holiday singles, Vanilla
and Wishes. All of those are on streaming platforms
as well. 'I am also working FAC Music’s first EP', The
Ascend Recordings, Vol. 1 for a release in April. I
am releasing a vocal collaboration with a producer,
Biipso, called Wake Me Up on May 1, and am working
on writing for my own album as well. I’ve also been
working on connecting with producers and audio
engineers for mentoring and am starting production
mentorships with engineers at Elevation and Hillsong
Church – hopefully more to come!
11

Playlist
Odum Abekah
FAC Music Associate
12

God
saved me from myself
Written by Deon Watson
I was breathing every day but inside I was already
dead – my body just hadn’t caught up yet. I felt like
the only escape was for me to end my life. My first
attempt was at about age 17; I jumped from a moving
vehicle. As I lay in agony in the street it became very
clear to me that my attempt had failed as I was in
even more pain now than before. I walked away from
that incident with scars on my left shoulder, and a
determination that next time I could not fail! I began
stockpiling leftover prescription drugs, trying to get
my hands on the deadliest of combinations. All the
while I was partying with friends, drinking, anything
to rid myself of this relentless pain; but they were all
temporary solutions. Nothing was lasting – they all
seem to offer something but delivered nothing.
“The wages of sin is death” …
You either die instantly or
you decay slowly …
How did I get here? What led me to this place of
darkness and despair? I was raised in a home where
both parents loved and cared for me. There was
nothing I needed that they didn’t do their best to
provide. I performed really well academically and
had the privilege of being able to afford tertiary level
education. When I was 15 years old my dad bought
my sister and me a car so we could easily commute to
and from school. This was a package deal that came
with an increase in our allowance to cover the cost
of gas and 2 main rules: get home before my dad;
and drive within the city limits. As minuscule as these
restrictions were I still struggled to keep them.
Meanwhile I formed a relationship with a young
man I was convinced was the man of my dreams.
He was ambitious, responsible, smart, charismatic,
handsome, and my family and friends adored him.
We spent most of our time together, and our families
grew very close. In my mind the only logical outcome
was marriage. However, my fairytale was short-lived.
An almost 6-year relationship ended with quarrels,
deception, heartache, and an abortion. One bad
decision led to another and now I felt so powerless
to escape. I seemed OK from the outside, but deep
down I knew I wasn’t. I was deeply wounded searching
for something to heal my wounds; heartbroken,
ashamed, and disappointed in who I was becoming.
Finally, I was so deeply depressed that my emotional
wounds took on a whole new form. I could now feel a
tangible pain deep within the recesses of my chest. It
felt like I had an open wound constantly being irritated
by everything and nothing all at the same time.
I had completely lost my way. I spent most of my days
plotting the best way I could successfully hurt myself
for good. I tried to imagine what people might say
and the look on their faces when they would come
to realize what I had done. It’s like my mind was on a
runaway train and I was powerless to find the brakes
or even change direction.
13

One night I was alone in my room, tired of carrying
this pain in my chest. I cried out to the God I’d heard
about but never known. A part of me thought for
sure this was a long shot … After all, going to church
was an occasional thing for me. I cried out for help!
I told God I didn’t want to be in pain anymore and I
promised that if He took the pain away I would live
the rest of my life to serve Him. I called Him by name,
I asked for help – and in an instant the pain left! I was
in shock. I looked around the room with my hand
on my chest searching for the pain that had been
haunting me for what seemed like an eternity.
I yearned to have a relationship with God, so I began
to set aside moments in my day where I'd just sit and
talk to my new Friend who had saved my life. This
may sound weird but every minute I spent reading my
Bible, praying, or just having conversation felt like I
was finally getting the right medicine.
At that moment I was certain
about 2 things: I had been
sick, and now I was not!
A part of me kept waiting for the relief
to subside and for the pain to return,
but it never did. You would think
that this would’ve been the turning
point in my life, but as we often
do as humans I completely forgot
about my end of the promise –
until tragedy struck and 2 of my
friends were brutally gunned
down and killed. I immediately
recalled that despite my current
circumstance, the pain had not
returned and yet I was not
doing what I had promised.
The following weekend I
made a public declaration
and was baptized. This was
only the beginning ...
Deon's
Playlist
14

Initially I thought God had only removed the pain.
But the more I read and began to follow His Word,
the more I realized He had done a complete overhaul
on my life. He replaced fear with confidence – for the
first time in my life I could speak in front of a crowd
without shaking uncontrollably. He replaced sorrow
with joy that wasn’t dependent on my circumstances.
He elevated me to leadership roles in ministry I could
not have imagined. He connected me with a small
network of friends that I could journey through faith
and life with. I knew some of the same things I knew
before, but I now felt like I had the power to do them.
I found my manual – the way I’m supposed to live!
I make time to read God’s Word because my life
depends on it! Everything that was ever created
comes with instructions for set-up, use, and care;
without it we may end up putting something in the
dishwasher that was meant to be hand-washed – and
then wonder why it fell apart. God created each of us
with a purpose and He gave us the Bible (His Word) –
instructions on how to live our best possible life. The
best part is, regardless of how much damage we’ve
sustained in life, He offers free repairs with a lifetime
guarantee!
On February 1, 2020 I celebrated my 40th birthday
and the pain has never returned. I’m married to one
of my best friends and God has blessed us with 3
beautiful girls and a baby boy. I’m living a life I never
dreamt possible. Having my own little family comes
with a myriad of emotional extremes. I’m often
overwhelmed by the depth of love and joy they bring.
It’s far from a perfect life – riddled with heartache,
disappointments, tragedies, losses; but through it all
I’m learning to trust God. I say “learning” because life’s
a journey, not a destination – and every day comes
with the opportunity to learn something new.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that I prayed
to God and He answered me. Every day comes with
challenges and it’s easier to face them with God than
without Him. I’m now grateful for every opportunity
God gives me to breathe. When I look at my family,
and how God has journeyed with us, I’m so grateful
He saved me from myself.
I’m the woman you almost didn’t meet,
sharing a story I almost didn’t live - telling you we all
have a future, but it demands that you live!
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
15

kids'
choir
Written by Wendy Nilsen
Music is such a powerful gift. How many times have
you caught yourself humming or singing songs
you learned when you were younger? In times of
celebration and joy and through some of the most
difficult times of my life, I have found myself coming
back to songs learned when I was younger, songs
packed with Biblical truths. Many of the songs chosen
for Elevate incorporate God’s Word, and He promises
us: “… My word … will not return to Me empty, but will
accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for
which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV)
for each other. I have seen this group grow to carry
each other's burdens and love one another deeply.
It is discipleship – a place where we discuss God's
truths and then meditate on them as we practice and
practice and practice them again.
It also offers a place for young people to serve
without being considered "too young." What a gift to
watch these precious students rise as leaders, taking
their theme verse to heart, and minister to their peers
Elevate is a student choir done with excellence. There
are vocal skills taught and honed each week. We desire
to bring our best to the Lord and so train and work on
skills required for a choir to excel in their talents.
1 Timothy 4:12 has been our theme: "Don't let anyone
look down on you because you are young, but set an
example for the believers in speech, in faith, in love,
in life, and in purity." I still well up with tears thinking
of our discussions about how it impacts their lives.
I believe choir is an absolute gift on so many levels.
It is community, a place to belong. After rehearsals
we would often break into small groups and pray
16

and those older than themselves – in DiscoveryLand,
Grade 5&6, and the main weekend service; at Seton's
Age Care Centre a few times a year (a highlight); at
a few other venues in the city; alongside the adult
choir and orchestra in the "Wonder & Gloria"
Christmas service.
However, I think the greatest experience I’ve
witnessed with Elevate these past 3 years was their
opportunity to record a CD. I wish I could convey
what I was privileged to see in the recording room
… Elevate students worshiping from their deepest
as they sang truths they have come to believe and
love and desperately desire others to know. These
students have caught the passion of reaching others
with the gospel and sharing His love and truths with
those they might not even know yet.
We were created to worship God! When we worship
the Lord, we are acknowledging His kingship in our
lives. It changes us. I believe the highest purpose of
Elevate is to teach our children to worship our true
Lord of heaven and earth and send them out to
minister to others.
GMA Dove Award
NOMINEE

Prayer for those
who need Love,
Hope, and Healing
for their Mind
Written by HS
The following prayer is intended to
express that we are a community …
We’re all in this together, supporting
and caring for one another in our
need. It is in no way intended to
endorse any action or omission
leading to isolation, further
deterioration of mental health, or selfharm.
Professional care and resources
are an important part of living with
mental or emotional struggles or
illness.
Lord, I lift up those who are
feeling overwhelmed with
anxiety, depression, delusions,
hallucinations, suicidal thoughts,
fear, shame, untrue voices,
psychosis, inability to eat/sleep,
gender dysphoria, and social
withdrawal … every form of struggle
within the mind.
We know that often there is
underlying grief, loss, and trauma
that has not been dealt with – give
revelation to the person and those
around them to the core issues.
Often we lie and live lives of shame
and secrecy which makes our
souls and bodies sick. I pray for an
openness to treatment and healing
of those who struggle.
18

I ask You to forgive us for labeling
these precious people who are
struggling. It is wrong – help us
to see them as our neighbours
and friends who need love,
encouragement, friendship, and
hope.
They need medical help – help
us to be willing to care for them
through practical means … Driving
them to doctor appointments and
sitting with them or visiting them in
the hospital … Helping them with
financial costs from treatment or
lost wages … Cleaning or caring for
their homes and making meals …
Whatever need they might have.
Give us a spirit of creativity and
energy to care and get involved.
Help us not to think of it as a
burden. Your Word says, "Bear one
another's burdens and so fulfill the
law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
Struggle has been around since
the beginning of time. Help us
to rephrase our language to
communicate, "Life is a struggle that
we can face courageously together."
Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this
world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world."
I ask You, God, to help us cling to
these words.
Help us to open up to one
another to share past struggles
and victories so that we can learn
and grow from one another.
I Cor. 12:26, 27 says, "If 1 part
suffers, every part suffers with it;
if 1 part is honoured, every part
rejoices with it. Now you are the
body of Christ, and each one of you
is a part of it."
Father, I pray for salvation for
everyone. John 3:16 says, "For
God so loved the world that He
gave His one and only Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not
perish but have eternal life." I ask
that You would reveal this truth.
In John 6:44a, Jesus says, "No one
can come to Me unless the Father
who sent Me draws them." I ask
that You would draw us, all of us.
We are in desperate need. You
are our only hope.
Our world is sad, full of despair
and hopelessness. Some people
think we’re going to experience
mass extinction … God, You
have a plan; we are not going to
disappear.
Psalm 33:11 says, "But the plans
of the LORD stand firm forever, the
purpose of His heart through all
generations."
In Proverbs 15:3 Your Word says,
"The eyes of the Lord are in every
place, keeping watch on the evil
and the good."
19

Break through
our hardheartedness.
Ezekiel 36:26 says, "I will give you a new
heart and put a new spirit in you; I will
remove from you your heart of stone and give
you a heart of flesh." Change us, God, from
being mean, hurtful, and angry to people
who are kind, thoughtful, and loving. "But
if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we
have fellowship with one another, and the
blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all
sin." (I John 1:7)
Your Word says, "So if the Son sets you free,
you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) I claim
this scripture for each hurting person.
"For God has not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound
mind." II Timothy 1:7 is a verse of hope and
victory. God, I pray this truth would be real
and deep to those who are hurting.
In Romans 8:31-39 Your Word says, "What
then, shall we say in response to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us? He
who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him
up for us all – how will He not also, along
with Him, graciously give us all things? Who
will bring any charge against those whom
God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who
then is the one who condemns? No one.
Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who
was raised to life – is at the right hand of
God and is also interceding for us. Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or
famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: For your sake we face death
all day long; we are considered as sheep
to be slaughtered. No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through
Him who loved us. For I am convinced that
neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able
to separate us from the love of God that is
in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I ask for wisdom, compassion, patience,
understanding, discernment, and
strength for every practitioner – first
responders, police, security guards,
doctors, nurses, pastors, social workers,
and counselors.
20

Corinthians 14:33a Your Word says, "For
God is not the author of confusion, but
of peace." I ask that You would put that
scripture deep into our souls.
I ask, God, that we would value those that
are hurting – those who seem lost to a
world of drugs, alcohol, psychosis, and
wrong thinking. You made the mind. In
Psalm 139:14 Your Word says, "I praise
You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it
very well." I claim this scripture for every
hurting person – You see their distress and
for some, their desire to die.
I pray that for each hurting person, You
would give them a desire to live. In Jeremiah
29:11 it says, "’For I know the plans I have for
you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.’” I pray that You would give
each person a future.
God, change our policies – help us to get
to the heart of the problem, the deep
woundedness people carry. Help us to stop
allowing excuses to prevent people from
getting well.
Philippians 4:4-7 says, "Rejoice in the
Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known
to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do
not be anxious about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus."
Father, by Your Holy Spirit help us to
obey these words with Your help. You
do not want us to live in fear, doubt,
and shame.
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress
and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in
whom I will trust; My shield and the horn
of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm
18:2)
In Jesus’ Name I pray … Amen.
The gospel is for everyone. You are for
everyone. You see the confusion. In I
21

ABUNDANCE in Adversity
Dave Thiessen's Story Written by Judith Tuck
“My wife died of cancer.
Now my son has cancer.
My faith has been
challenged but God
has given grace
and even joy in
the morning!”
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conversation with Dave Thiessen is filled with
A deep reflections about faith learned through
lessons in grief, loss, and challenge. Hope echoes
in his story, a story which is woven intrinsically to
his wife’s story. Dave is filled with energy as he
talks about faith, a faith in Jesus strengthened as he
processes the loss of his wife, Pam, and the news
of his son’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis. “Abundant life
often starts in adversity,” he shares from his notes.
Pam, his wife of 42 years, passed away from cancer
in 2018. The following year, in November 2019,
Dave received the devastating news that Michael,
his youngest son, was diagnosed with stage 4
cancer. The prognosis for Michael is short-term; he’s
seeing a cancer counsellor who has told him to stop
thinking about the numbers. Dave ties this back to
the faith journey, as he reflects on the way
we influence others, observing, “It’s not
always about numbers, is it?”
Tying the subject back to faith is
constant in a discussion with
Dave; as he shares truths of
the faith journey his thoughts
are often expressed starting
with phrases like, “Talk about
the grace of God.” Or, “It
takes crisis and heartbreak
before we reach out to God
as we are supposed to.” Dave
ministered to his wife as she
battled appendiceal cancer, a
very rare form of cancer, for 9
years, considering it his ministry
– and considering her, “next to
salvation, the greatest gift of
my life.”
Dave knows about ministry. With
a Master of Divinity and years of
pastoring different churches in
Ontario, he explains how “it’s a
blessing to know theology but the
downside is that it's sometimes
harder to live it. You have the love
of intellectual activity but [faith] is what makes it
lived out. I had a lot to discover about my faith –
how much it would have to grow and how much I
had to learn.”
Speaking of learning, he shares how he is currently
learning a lot about soul care, talking about the
3 components of an environment for a soul to
be changed: anointed preaching, confessional
community, and the presence of God. Dave talks
about how FAC has provided him an encouraging
environment for soul care and about how “God is
always there for you and me. He never leaves us. I
am learning to appreciate how much He loves me.”
Reflecting on his faith journey, Dave explains how
he’s “far from where I hoped I’d be – you go through
these regrets but in the end you have to let it go
because it becomes false guilt. You have to accept
God’s love. I don’t have regrets now but I have a lot
of days that I don’t feel God’s presence – but I know
He’s there. Trusting God for the present and the
future are key to experiencing an abundant life in
Christ.” Dave then quotes from 1 Peter: “Cast all your
anxiety upon Him for He cares for you,” saying, “My
hope is in Him.”
Dave has a lot of hope and insight to share with
others. He spoke of learning patience in waiting on
God’s timing;, of knowing he doesn’t have to wait
until he’s perfect because God uses broken people;
of coming to an understanding of how the things
of this life are not important in light of eternity; of
experiencing how God holds us in our most difficult
times; and of witnessing the blessings every day
– small and big – of God’s graces, mercies, and
undeserved favour.
With regards to blessing, Dave is deeply grateful
for the ministry and care of people who have come
alongside him in support including “friends from
FAC [who] have been and continue to be critical to
helping me in my journey. God has shown His love
and grace so often through His people who have
taken time to encourage and pray.”
23

Tremors
That Transform Our World
The Story of Lynn Reiten-Scragg
Written by Erik Freiburger
It’s known as ‘Chaos Theory’ … If a butterfly flaps its
wings in South America, can the wind it generates
create a hurricane? The story of Lynn Reiten-Scragg
also begins with a small tremor in her life that grows
into a world-changing testimony for many.
Meeting in the corridor of FAC, Lynn stretched out her
slightly tremorous hand to greet me – “You must be
Erik!” Working our way down to the café we exchanged
small talk and I could not help but notice a small
quiver in her voice. She was full of the spirit of joy and
had an unforgettable smile as we settled at a table.
Lynn began her story, “I was born in England but
my family moved to Canada when I was 18 months
old. Growing up in Edmonton, we didn’t attend
church with my parents, but I was sent alone. As an
adolescent I did help with Vacation Bible School
and sang in a small choir but still didn’t grasp
the concept of who Christ was in my life.”
She married at 24 and had their first son, Aaron. But
they parted ways after a year, and Lynn braved single
motherhood for the next 10.
It was during this time that the tremor in her hands
became more evident and it was now obvious that
she had a hereditary condition from her father’s side
known as a “Familial Tremor” or Essential Tremor (ET),
a medical condition that causes involuntary rhythmic
contractions or twitching movements in certain
muscle groups of the body. Over the next several
decades Lynn could only treat this condition
first with medication and then
Botulism injections.
24

As I listened to the amazing journey that Lynn was
on, I could hear God’s words over her: “For I know the
plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jer. 29:11) Set in motion by the unseen works of the
Spirit’s guiding, Lynn began her search to rediscover
her faith while attending West Edmonton Baptist
Church. “For the first time ever,” Lynn would say,
“(I heard) the gospel preached in a language that I
understood.” Visiting her after church one afternoon,
the pastor handed her a small package wrapped in
brown paper. Opening it, she found a New Testament.
“It would be an experience I will
never forget,” she exclaimed.
“This is God’s gift to you,” he said.
She would also meet Greg while a part of this church
community. The “best buddy” of the pastor, Greg was
introduced to Lynn as, “fulfilling most of her wishes in a
man, but he wasn’t tall.” On a blind date, Lynn greeted
him at the door. She then quickly ran and exchanged
her high heels for flats and patted down her poufy
hair in hopes that now they would be the same height.
“Greg was an amazing man. He was as loyal as the day
is long, trustworthy, and loved the Lord.” In 1990 Lynn
married Greg; in 1995 Amy was born.
The deep communal intimacy they found through
involvement in several church plants would carry
them both when Greg was diagnosed with cancer.
Passing away in 2012, Greg left a huge quake in not
just Lynn’s life, but their children’s lives and the many
relationships they had all fostered together. Lynn
explained with tears in her eyes, “It was really hard.
I struggled wondering if I’d ever feel normal again.”
While talking about God’s presence during these
times she explained, “I don’t think that I had forgotten
about God. I think I just didn’t have the energy.”
Turning to her relationship with her daughter, I could
hear the love Lynn has for her children and the bond
they now share has become much stronger because
of the journey. “All along I sensed God’s love and that
He would not forsake us.”
The last few years have seen an increase in Lynn’s
tremors and with her body beginning to become
immune to the treatments, the doctors recommended
a new plan for her ET. Lynn’s brother Tom had
the same condition and had already undergone
Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery. Beginning the
process with her brother’s doctor in Edmonton, she
thought it would take at least 2 years. With many
praying, that process amazingly took a single year.
“Month after month,” she explained, “they just kept
opening appointments for me.” It was incredible; she
exclaimed, “It was a gift from God.” On November
12, 2019, Lynn underwent surgery to have the device
implanted that would hopefully diminish her tremors.
While healing from the initial surgery, Lynn
experienced a setback after contracting a staph
infection. While leaving the initial deep brain
implant intact, the doctors had to remove 2 of the 3
components, delaying the activation of the device.
Another surgery would need to take place now
but only after 2 months of healing and letting the
infection clear (scheduled for a week after our visit).
There were so many works of the Spirit that Lynn
shared with me over the table that day, I simply could
not tell all of her story in this single article. Filled
with the hope and courage of God’s words to her in
Jerimiah 1:9, Lynn embodies His voice, “Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you
go.” Telling me stories of how she shared her faith in
the hospital, she was even excited to return so as to
have more opportunities to share the hope and love
Jesus brings to her life. Seeing her faith so vibrant, I
thought to myself,
"This is a tremor that will surely
turn into an earthquake
that brings down prison walls and sets captives free."
(Acts 16:25-26)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
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