Small Business Week in the Boundary

What do people who are committed to Jesus as Lord of their life do Monday to Saturday, outside of church? They serve their communities through volunteer work and through their businesses. Through business, Christians can impact the community by providing services and goods that are needed in a community. By operating their business with entrepeneurial spirit and integrity, and by being wise stewards of the Earth's provision, their calling is publically lived out, bringing glory to God.

Last night I attended an awards ceremony at the Community Futures Boundary Offices in Grand Forks to acknowledge the contribution of small and medium size businesses to the well being of the community. I was surprised to find many Gospel Chapel members in attendance and even more surprised to see the number of Gospel Chapel members that had been nominated to receive awards.

The first three awards stood out in the event because they were awards that relied on community nominations rather than internal criteria from Community Futures Boundary. There were many nominations for each award, as you can imagine, in a community as diverse as the Boundary. Nominations were made for businesses and community groups from Christina Lake to Beaverdell.

Gospel Chapel members received 2 out of 3 community business awards last night at the Community Futures Small Business Week Awards -- Congratulations to Bill and Cheryl Williams of Mobetta Farms and to Jackie Wolff of Yakie Jackie's Cafe for your successful contributions to the community through your businesses.

Bill and Cheryl run a certified organic vegetable farm in Grand Forks. Mobetta Farm employs not just the family but also area youth. They are committed to taking care of the soil and stewarding the land in an ethical way and their green contribution to the community was acknowledged in a special Green Entrepeneur award, sponsored by The Boundary Sentinel.

Yakie Jackie's Cafe was awarded the Community Entrepeneur of the Year award. Yakie Jackie's Cafe was started in 2009 and has become a community meeting place with great food, really good coffee, and a peaceful atmosphere -- a gathering place. Open for breakfast and lunch only, it is the place to meet a friend for coffee and a snack. These awards were nominated by the community at large and presented by Community Futures Boundary.

Thanks for being salt and light in our community, Jackie, Cheryl and Bill.

Creation Calls are you listening

Using footage from the BBC Plantet Earth Series this was put together by The Branch Church. See the original.

Turn on your speakers to enjoy the sound track.

Refresh with Canada's Double Portion

The plans for Refresh are in the works. Canada's Double Portion from North Battleford, Sask. have been booked for the weekend.

On the Friday evening Youth Emphasis night, February 4th at 7pm, the band "Cities Under Fire" will be igniting our worship. Then on Saturday and Sunday morning the Gospel Music band "Double Portion" will be with us.

Here's what their website says about "Double Portion":

CANADAS DOUBLE PORTION from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, has become one of the busiest Canadian Gospel groups since its formation in 1982. They've crisscrossed the country from Newfoundland to British Columbia, Nashville to Alaska, performing to thousands of people and travelling tens of thousands of miles.

The group originated when the Hemmerling family, three sisters and their brother began singing while their father ministered. Duncan Hemmerling, now an ordained reverend, continues on the calling with his wife Debbie and their nine children. Their oldest son Andrew is the group's drummer and joining him on stage are his brother Jardeth, the groups guitarist, who also adds his smooth vocals and his sister Christina who plays fiddle and provides strong vocals.

Multitalented Amy Olson joins the Hemmerling family on fiddle, piano and vocals. Since beginning full-time ministry in August 1990, there have been many opportunities to share the gospel message. They have appeared on the Grand OlOpry stage, were guest artists of the legendary Cash family and the largest county fair in the U.S.A. They have performed numerous times at both the Artist Spotlight Showcase during the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky and the Canadian Gospel Music Celebration in Red Deer, Alberta. Tours have taken them to all of Canada as well as thirty-four States including T.V. appearances on local, national and international shows.

Abundant songwriting talent has resulted in fourteen albums, three recorded in Nashville, Tennessee produced by Dove award nominees Vic and Toni Clay. They have received numerous award nominations in both the Saskatchewan Country Music Association and the Gospel Music Association Canada (GMA Canada). They have been honored with the Country Gospel Song of the Year, Album of theYear, Live Band of the Year and Southern Gospel Song of the Year Awards.

CANADAS DOUBLE PORTION'S strong family ties and deep faith in the Lord has sustained and motivated them to bring their music to people everywhere. They count it a privilege to minister in any setting.

So mark February 4 to 6, 2011 on your calendar and join us at Gospel Chapel. Be refreshed.