Summit Pacific College - Call Yearbook (Abbotsford, British Columbia Canada)

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HASTINGS STREET It is six-fifteen. A small group of students begins to gather in the chapel. They are wrapped warmly in their winter coats, scarves, and gloves. Their prayer goes up with one accord, Lord, guide us. Give us the words to tell these people of Thy love. Open their hearts that they may receive Thy word. Six-thirty comes, and they pile into the waiting cars-one, two, maybe three of them-to make their way across the bridge into Greater Vancouver. Cars-pull up at the curb, and the students tumble out. lt is dark and dirty here on the street. Little shops and cafes line the sidewalk. From the cafe windows glare the lurid headlines of pornographic magazines. The students each take a handful of tracts and gather in the spotlight of a lone neon sign. Their cheerful countenances are in marked contrast to the lost expressions on the faces of the passers-by. The accordionist plays a bar of introduction and the whole group bursts into song. Would you be free from your burden of sin? . . A few people turn and look, but do not stop. Someone slips out and offers a tract. They talk for a moment but pass on into the night. An old man stops. He listens in- tently and his fact lights up as he recognizes the old familiar words of the chorus. He joins in, and when the song ends, goes on his way, heart up- lifted. As the last note dies, a student steps out to testify, lf you are looking for peace in a troubled world, he says, you can find it by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. He rejoins the other students and a few choruses are sung. Then the group breaks up into twos and threes and moves out to different street corners. Gospel tract, Sir? a student asks. The man does not slow his pace as he takes it and continues HARVEST up the street. A woman, her lips in a firm line and eyes directed ahead, brushes aside the outstretched hand as if it were not there. Following her a drunk- ard staggers up and takes the paper. He totters uneasily as he stares at the words without really seeing them, then folds it up and puts it in his pocket. Perhaps he will find it there another day. But here comes a youth. He takes the tract and glares at it in disgust, then turns on the young man who offered it to him. Don't talk to me about God! I don't want anything to do with Him! From his mouth flows a stream of profanity which con- taminates the ears as his breath contaminates the air. On the opposite corner a man silently ignores the offered tract. Threateningly he grabs the collar of the girl's coat, then drops it with a sneer and turns away. With a puzzled expression on his face, a young man stops to inquire, What is this all about? Silently he listens as God's perfect plan is unfolded before him. He knows that he is a sinner, he sees in the death of Christ hope for himself. Then tears roll down his cheeks as a student describes the peace and joy that he has found in Jesus. Although he expresses interest he will not commit himself there, so he is directed to Teen Challenge with the accompanying prayer of the young witness. Half- way down the block, an older man, with tears streaming down his face, bows his head and invites Jesus into his heart. lt is time to return to the college. Hands and feet are cold, but hearts are warm as each student shares with the others the result of the evening's mission and praises God for all He has done. for the Lord on Skid-row has but the fields of Hastings and each Saturday evening eager to gather every pos- lvlaster appears in His glory Gathering sheaves been rewarding work Street are still white, faithful reapers return, sible sheaf before the to mark the end of the harvest. 51

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CHRISTIAN SER VICE lVlrs. E. Morrison and Miss F. Clemo Christian Service Directors Western Pentecostal Bible College is an institution dedicated to the training of young men and women for greater usefulness in the field of Christian service. Although this training is comprised largely of academic studies, day by day opportunities for practical Christian service abound both on and off the campus. Students are encouraged to attend regularly member churches of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and to take an active part in their youth programs, Sunday school. and worship services. Apart from this, however. a college Christian Service Commit tee selects groups ot students who are assigned to hold services in various churches and hospitals in the Vancouver and Lower lVlain- land areas. These assignments are so arranged that each student is given the opportunity to participate regardless of his abilities. A further opportunity for Christian service is provided through street meetings in downtown Vancouver every Saturday evening. Students attending find ample opportunities for personal witnessing and tract distribution. These are only a few of the many ways in which students may assume an active role in real ministry. -John Doerksen tl. 5 vs X v- ,, .. t is

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GHRISTIAN YUUTH HAS A CHALLENGE Everywhere today youth is being trained to meet the challenge of our age. There is a consciousness of the fact that our great west- ern society is unstable at the core and that impoverished nations are not making pro- gress in their struggle to gain a healthy stability. When one looks at modern human- ity he sees immorality, unrest, and instability. Billy Graham, in his London Crusade, stated that within five years the United States will not be able to determine her own destiny be- cause of the anarchy and unrest of her people. lt is evident to us Christians that the reason for the prevailing conditions is ab- sence of an experience with Jesus Christ. How is youth meeting the challenge? The youth of the world is both contributing to, and seeking to better the appalling situation in which it finds itself today. The cry of young do-good enthusiasts today is ban the bomb or send more wheat to lndiaf' Youth groups are springing up all over the world. For example, there is the Company of Young Canadians, the Peace Corps Volunteers, and the Papal Volunteers CRoman Catholicj. Youth is attempting to help, but youth is also the cause of many of the problems in our society. Juvenile drug addiction, delinquency, and general degradation have reached uncontrol- lable proportions. Ironically, today's young people find themselves contributing to the very problem they are challenged to solve. 52 By Ron Costley Who then can cessfully? Christian itely can. There is today upon whom meet this challenge suc- young people most defin- a group of young people God in His mercy has placed his hand. They believe that The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. Acts 22:14,15. They are seeking to see Jesus, hear His voice, and then demonstrate and minister to this world of spiritual nothingness that which they have seen and heard. Pascal said that in the heart of every man there is a God-shaped vacuum. When this vacuum is filled with God, man's life is in harmony. Only the young people, who know the anointing of God on their life-who know Jesus as a way of life, can meet the challenge of dissatisfied and degraded mankind. Only they have the God-given capacity and ability to meet man's perplexion with an answer. Here at Western Pentecostal Bible College there are young people seeking to know Jesus in His fulness so that He can minister through them. Young person, if you know God, you have the poten- tial to meet the crying need of humanity. Therefore, give diligence to make your call- ing and election sure. Call upon the Lord Jesus and He will help you to fulfil your heart's desire.