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Elliot Late & Manitoulin Island Mission Report 2013
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Elliot Lake & Manitoulin island
Mission
2013
Prepared by: Eastern Canada Youth for Christ
Executive Committee !
! " !
2013/2014 Monthly Executive Committee meeting agendas
September 2013 - 2014 Convention Programming Finalize the main speakers, theme, and location for the 2014 ECYC convention
October 2013 – Expansion into Maritimes Even though we are an EASTERN Canadian movement, and have a Maritimes youth director on our
Board, ECYC has as yet to hold an event or do a mission in PEI, Nova Scotia or New brunswick. ECOM
will assess and vote on various proposals in making inroads into the Maritimes, if at all.
November 2013 – Collaboration with other ministries The Manitoulin mission proved that collaboration has tremendous benefits. Other youth ministries like Jafa,
ACTS and GYC have interest in doing missions. There are media ministries like It is Written Canada.
Other organizations like AMEN, Outpost centers International and LIGHT focus on medical evangelism.
ADRA Canada focuses on community service. ECYC may be interested in hooking up with 3ABN or
HOPE channel to share its story. ECOM will assess and vote on various proposals on who to collaborate
with and for what purpose.
December 2013 – Methods of doing Short-term missions Up until this point, ECYC missions have focused on canvassing, door-to-door, and health expo. It has yet
to undertake a major evangelistic series, medical work, youth program, or community service project.
ECOM will consider and vote on missions committee’s assessment on the current state of ECYC missions.
January 2014 – Launching long-term missions Short term missions are great but their effectiveness is limited. To truly reach the un-reached areas requires
a long duration of on-going mission work. ECOM will explore and vote on various proposals on how to
undertake long term missions or whether ECYC should even do so.
February 2014 – Urban evangelism The General Conference and local unions are making a major push for reaching the large cities. This call is
grounded on a similar call made by Ellen White. The Canadian Union and local conferences will each
select three major cities to hold evangelistic meetings. The Union has stated their interest in ECYC getting
involved. Should ECYC get involved in such endeavors? Is this going away from ECYC’s vision of
reaching unreached places? ECOM will assess the various options and vote on a proposed course of action.
March 2014 - 2015 Convention Programming Finalize the main speakers, theme, and location for the 2015 ECYC convention
“This Gospel of the Kingdom will
be Preached in All the World
for a Witness unto All Nations;
and then shall the End Come”
Matthew 24:14
Until EVERYONE in
eastern Canada is reached,
NONE of us will Experience the
second coming ….
Considering the rapid advances of the
Three Angels’ Messages in distant lands like
China, South America, India, and Africa,
many bemoan the state of the church in
North America. However, there is evidence
that the zeal for missionary service among
the un-reached is still burning within the
hearts of God’s young people in Canada.
It is our prayer that this story will inspire
many other young Canadian Adventists to
have a burden for the un-reached places of
our beloved country.
“Every true disciple is born into the kingdom
of God as a
missionary.”
Ellen G White, Desire of Ages
Elder Mansfield Edwards, President of the Ontario
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, challenged
ECYC to consider organizing a mission to the un-
reached island of Manitoulin. ECYC’s young
leaders considered it a privilege to be entrusted with
this project and they agreed to the undertaking.
ECYC’s KNOCK program in Windsor provded
invaluable training for the larger scale mission
ECYC would undertake a year later. Many of the
missionaries who finished the KNOCK 2012
leadership training program are presently leaders in
ECYC.
ECYC’s successful
mission to Grand-
falls Windsor,
Newfound land in
2012 inspired
young people to
focus missions on
the unreached
places of Canada.
President Edwards preaching at ECYC 2011.
KNOCK 2012 missionaries with Pastor Marian Kossovan of Windsor SDA church.
The Manitoulin-Elliot Lake mission was modeled after the template designed from
the Windsor mission.
Pastor Daniel Saugh,
district pastor for the
Elliot Lake and
Manitoulin regions
was very supportive
of the mission and
provided invaluable
insight and logistical
support.
He is pictured here
praying after a
worship service
during mission.
During a season of prayer regarding where Generation Youth Christ
(GYC) should do mission work, the Lord impressed Thando Amankwah,
Vice President of missions for GYC to contact ECYC. It proved to be a
divine appointment. The two organizations worked very effectively
together to execute the mission. The mission was promoted at GYC’s
annual convention and resulted in approximately 20 American young
missionaries joining in the project.
ECYC is indebted to Jonathan Zita, director of the Canadian Literature
Evangelism program for providing much
needed guidance and the
organizational framework
for ECYC’s KNOCK
program.
Som
e of
the
Am
eric
an m
issi
onar
ies
“The Manitoulin mission was a jarring reminder that we have a vast mission field in our own backyard
here in North America, and that one does not always have to go across the sea to be a missionary.”
Thando Amankwah,Vice President for Missions, GYC
Grigore Decev and Benjamin Middleton
The missionaries spent the first weekend in Toronto.
Worship, prayer, fellowship, and training helped
prepare the missionaries for the challenges ahead.
In total there were 40 missionaries in attendance from
a wide range of geographic locations such as
Montreal, Quebec, as far west as British Columbia,
from all across the states, and even from France and
Puerto Rico.
It was also a racially diverse group. It represented well
an Adventist church that is global in membership. The
missionaries ranged in age from as young as 14 to the
late 30’s.
Though very diverse, the
team
was unified by a spirit of
service, determination to be
faithful, and a common
identity as Adventists.
Au
drey Segu
erra, 14
years of age.
Grigore Decev of Moldova and Benjamin Middleton of the United States pray together. (above)
Missionary Alexandra Yeboah takes time for personal bible study. (Below)
Some of the leaders in a meeting at the Western Toronto Korean Seventh-day Adventist church where the revival weekend took place.
Missionary Debbrah Blain introduces herself to the rest of the team.
Florenda Blain (left) and Lydie
Paul (right) from Montreal.
Lydie decided to spend her last
three weeks in Canada on
mission.
Both found it challenging to
canvass in english, but Florenda
would go on to sell the most
books in a single day.
Omar Ramus, at the age of 17 was
one of the younger missionaries.
Kenneth Folkman drove
from Wisconsin and went
door to door despite
challenges in mobility. James Irvin III, a former
football player, had given up
the sport to keep the
Sabbath. He served as one of
the unit leaders.
On Sunday, August 28, a train of five vehicles
including a 12 passenger van and a cargo van
traveled north five hours into the wee hours of the
morning to Elliot Lake, Ontario. The city of
approximately 11,000 is a major uranium town. It
also has a very large elderly population and is a
retirement locale.
Missionaries in front of one of the many northern
Ontario Lakes.
One of the many rural homes of
Manitoulin island.
The very next morning, 13 missionaries travelled
an additional two and a half hours to Kagawong,
Manitoulin.
Manitoulin is the world’s largest fresh water
island and has a considerable native population
with several large reserves including the unceded
Wikwemikong reserve. It is a popular summer
getaway and in the
summer season, the
population can reach
up to 10,000.
FACT
The Seventh-day Adventist Church
has no official presence on the
island of Manitoulin. For all intents
and purposes, it is an un-reached
area. There are many such areas in
Ontario.
Missionaries debriefing in one of the mission tents after a day in the field at Manitoulin island.
For the first week, the larger team at Elliot Lake was hosted at the Elliot
Lake Seventh-day Adventist church.
At Manitoulin, the advance team was graciously offered the property of
Dennis Leblanc who is the only Adventist on the island. The team set up
camp in the open field.
Missionaries kept a very optimistic and cheerful attitude despite sleeping
on the ground, in tents, eating outside, and having limited access to
showers.
It was a joy to partake in a little of the difficulties experienced by our
Adventist pioneers and the other great Christian missionaries of the past.
7:00 – 7:30 AM – Morning
Devotion
7:30 – 8:30 AM – Breakfast break
9:00 – 11:00 AM – Physical labor
11:00 – 12:00AM – field prep and
debriefing
1:00 – 8:00 PM – Canvassing /
Health Expo
9:00 – 9:30 PM – Evening prayer
and devotion
** Lunch was taken and eaten in the field
Missionaries pray during worship at Elliot Lake SDA church
Doctor Neeta demonstrates blood glucose assessment
Almost all the missionaries had no colporteuring experience.
But God used them powerfully. God enables those He calls.
There many divine appointments and rewarding experiences. One of the
missionaries had a divine appointment with a young teenager who was
contemplating suicide.
“The most amazing and rewarding part of this trip was
canvassing, it touched my life in a way that I don’t know what
else could have.”
Missionary, first time colporteur
The missionaries canvassed about six to seven
hours a day faithfully bringing life changing
literature into the neighborhoods.
The team sold and distributed a wide variety of
books covering health, marriage and spiritual
devotionals including the writings of Ellen White.
Missionaries Leticia and Lydie stand with a gentleman they canvassed. He is holding
the Great Controversy.
“There are many places in which the voice of the
minister cannot be heard, places which can be reached
only by our publications,…”
Ellen G White, Manuscript 127
Statistics
• Knocked on every single door of
Elliot Lake, a city of about
11,000
• Reached all but approximately
three communities on
Manitoulin island.
• Sold and distributed more than
1100 health books & spiritual
books such as Foods that Heal,
Happy Couples, Step To Christ
and the Great Controversy
• Distributed 1000’s of GLOW
tracts
Missionaries were divided into units of six
individuals. Each unit had a team leader who
was also the driver. These units worked
together for the door to door colporteuring
program. (Picture on left)
Out on the field, the missionaries went out in
pairs. At first, the missionaries went in pairs
to each door, but as they became more
comfortable, the missionaries went
individually to each door. This allowed the
team to knock on every door in Elliot Lake,
the surrounding towns and almost all the
doors of Manitoulin island. (Bottom picture)
COMMUNITIES REACHED
Elliot Lake
Massey
Spanish
Espanola
Gore Bay
Mindemoya
Kagawong
Little Current
Sheguiandah
M-Chigeeng
Providence Bay Spring Bay Sheshegwaning Meldrum Bay Evansville
David Kayumba, a 17 year old from the Windsor Seventh-day
Adventist church was assigned to be a unit leader. Though
intimidated at first due to his youthfulness, he trusted in the Lord to
give him the abilities and wisdom he so desperately needed. He
executed his duties with faithfulness and demonstrated tremendous
leadership.
“The g
reatest w
an
t of th
e wo
rld is th
e wa
nt o
f men
-men
wh
o w
ill no
t be b
ou
ght o
r sold
; men
wh
o in
their in
mo
st sou
ls are tru
e a
nd
ho
nest; m
en w
ho
do
no
t fear to
call sin
by its rig
ht n
am
e; men
wh
ose co
nscience is a
s true to
du
ty as th
e need
le to th
e po
le; m
en w
ho
will sta
nd
for th
e righ
t tho
ug
h the h
eaven
s fall.” ( Ellen
G W
hite, Ed
ucatio
n)
From left: Alexandra Yeboah, Sarah Hitlal, Rebecca Torres, David Kayumba, Elliot Lake resident, Latoya Anderson. The man is holding Foods that Heal, one of the books the team canvassed.
“The medical missionary
work is as the right hand
and arm to the third
angel’s message”
Ellen G White, Medical Ministry
Heeding Ellen White’s counsel to integrate the
medical ministry with gospel evangelism , the
missionaries engaged in a four-day free health
exposition at the Gore Bay pavilion in
Manitoulin island.
Dr. Neeta Hillman, a physician with Weimar health institute and a member of
the GYC mission committee, lead out in this program. d
The attendees were blessed with daily healthy vegetarian cooking
demonstrations and assessments of their blood glucose, blood pressure, mental
health, body fat …etc.
Dr. Neeta Hillman gives free consultations
Dr. Albert Kim gives a health talk
“We have come to a time when Every member of the church needs
to take hold of medical missionary work.” EG White, Manuscript Releases Vol. 16
Missionaries canvass
life-changing
literature at one of the
health expo booths.
Jooho Lee measures waist
circumference on some
young people.
Christina Diana Hopkins, a
nurse from Kettering, assesses
blood pressure on a resident.
The Lord blessed the efforts
and their were many
evidences of His providence
and power at work.
During one of the mornings, it
poured heavily but minutes
after the missionaries prayed,
the rain ceased so that the
health expo could take place.
Individuals were able to have one on one
counseling sessions with physicians and many left
with health and spiritual literature after going
through each booth.
Everyone had the opportunity to get involved in the
health expo. God can even use
Those without medical
Credentials to be involved
in Christ’s healing ministry.
Dr. Gemali Leon ofLoma Linda University and Debbrah Blain assisted
with the cooking demos.
As an American, I was drawn to this
mission because I found it not too far
from home. Canada made me feel like I
was reaching out to those closer to home,
my backyard, being that I live 40 miles
from the border with Alberta. This is
something that I had wanted to do,
because so often we go to far away places
to make a difference, to impact lives, yet
we forget our surroundings, those closest
to us, those we daily come in contact with
When you stop to think that God actually
longs to have us work along with Him, and
see how he opens doors and people’s
hearts, it leaves you in awe. It’s an
experience that definitely draws you
closer to God, and is extremely satisfying,
a kind of satisfaction that is unbeatable by
any other worldly gain.
Chantal Kayumba (left) and
Rebecca Torres (right) developed a
friendship during the mission.
I really benefitted from the encouragement to keep sharing my faith
and God’s love to every person that I come in contact with, whether it be
a smile, a hug, a short prayer, an encouraging word, or the study of
God’s Word. We are responsible for every person that God puts in our
path. And this work that God has entrusted us with, is life changing, not
only for the person being reached, but for the one who reaches out.
Eastern Canada Youth for Christ wants to specially thank the
following individuals and groups:
All the international missionaries who sacrificed to serve the Canadian people.
Pastor Mansfield Edwards, president of Ontario Conference, for implanting the
vision and trusting the young people with this large undertaking
Mr. Jonathan Zita and Canada Youth Challenge for collaborating with ECYC,
providing literature , training, organizational and legal support.
Leaders at the Canadian Union of Seventh Day Adventists: Elder Daniel
Stojanovic, Legal Counsel Grace Mackintosh, Communications Vice President
Stan Jensen and President Mark Johnson for providing counsel and unwavering
support for the mission.
Daniel Saugh, head pastor of Elliot Lake SDA church for his support, guidance,
counsel, enthusiasm and logistical support.
Mr Denis Leblanc and the Elliot Lake SDA church for hosting the missionaries
Thando Amankwah and Generation Youth Christ for collaborating and providing
financial support
Benjamin Alan Middleton, Marc Marcos and UnSCENE media group, for
filming the mission and collaborating to create a documentary.
NEWSTART at Weimar Institute for providing the materials needed for the
health exposition
ECYC is exploring various ways to continue to support the work of the
north and to see the first church on Manitoulin island a reality.
There is no doubt that the thousands of seeds planted in the hearts of
Elliot Lake and Manitoulin island residents will reap a wonderful harvest
one day, but there is still a desperate need for follow up work. Even if
they do not see the results of their work in this life, the missionaries
count the sacrifices as nothing compared to the joy that is set before
them in the saved souls they’ll encounter
at the second coming of Christ.
May all who encounter our story
be inspired to take part in the
revival of the missionary spirit
and the vision that is beginning to
captivate the imagination of
Canada’s young Adventists.
A clarion call is going out to return to the primitive godliness of our
apostolic forefathers and the missionary zeal of our pioneers. May every
church leader, parent and young person heed the call to warn all the un-
reached in eastern Canada about the second coming of our Savior and
the impending crisis that is on the horizon. ECYC gives the glory to our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the workings of His mighty Spirit
without which we could accomplish nothing. By that same power we
will continue to push the vision forward and we invite any young person
who wants to take the mission of the Advent movement to join the
movement.
“Befo
re the fin
al visita
tion o
f God’s ju
dgm
ents u
pon th
e earth
there w
ill be a
mong th
e peo
ple o
f the L
ord
such
a reviva
l of p
rim
itive
godlin
ess as h
as n
ot b
een w
itnessed
since a
posto
lic times…
.” (Great C
ontro
versy, E
llen G
White)
“This trip, with the
numerous blessings,
wonderful opportunities,
leadership and the lifelong
Christian friends that I made,
will forever stay in my mind,
and heart.” Missionary, 18 years old, USA
GANDER MISSION, NFLD (June 26 - July 11, 2014)
Contribute to the planting of the first Seventh-day Adventist church in
the un-reached city of Gander, Newfoundland!
KNOCK 2014 – Timmins, Ontario
(August 01 - 17, 2014)
Millions can trace their conversion to our
literature. Leave life changing literature
among the residents of this northern
Ontario city.
Angie Cho’s life was completely changed at an
ECYC convention. She spent a summer
canvassing and then served one year as a full-
time missionary on a public university campus
in the United States. She was very pivotal in
engineering ECYC’s missionary program. She
is now involved in an African missionary
movement and helps with ECYC’s Canadian
missions.
Through the Lord’s power and your
contribution, ECYC continues to impact the
lives of young people like Angie. .
Whether it’s the young lady who decides
to become a full time missionary after
attending ECYC’s annual conference; the
young man who participates in his first
Canadian mission; the Catholic who
receives his very first Great Controversy,
or the diabetic native who learns life
changing principles of health, God is
using ECYC’s young people to
powerfully impact Canadians for the
gospel. By contributing financially, you
are supporting ECYC’s vision to see
eastern Canada reached in this
generation.
CONTRIBUTE
Online: www.eastcanadayouth.org
Mail: 800 7 ieme avenue app1, Montreal (Quebec) H1b4J3
Cheques payable to: “Eastern Canada Youth Conference”
Marc Kisner giving a relaxing massage to an attendee at
the Health Exposition.
!
! " !
2013/2014 Monthly Executive Committee meeting agendas
September 2013 - 2014 Convention Programming Finalize the main speakers, theme, and location for the 2014 ECYC convention
October 2013 – Expansion into Maritimes Even though we are an EASTERN Canadian movement, and have a Maritimes youth director on our
Board, ECYC has as yet to hold an event or do a mission in PEI, Nova Scotia or New brunswick. ECOM
will assess and vote on various proposals in making inroads into the Maritimes, if at all.
November 2013 – Collaboration with other ministries The Manitoulin mission proved that collaboration has tremendous benefits. Other youth ministries like Jafa,
ACTS and GYC have interest in doing missions. There are media ministries like It is Written Canada.
Other organizations like AMEN, Outpost centers International and LIGHT focus on medical evangelism.
ADRA Canada focuses on community service. ECYC may be interested in hooking up with 3ABN or
HOPE channel to share its story. ECOM will assess and vote on various proposals on who to collaborate
with and for what purpose.
December 2013 – Methods of doing Short-term missions Up until this point, ECYC missions have focused on canvassing, door-to-door, and health expo. It has yet
to undertake a major evangelistic series, medical work, youth program, or community service project.
ECOM will consider and vote on missions committee’s assessment on the current state of ECYC missions.
January 2014 – Launching long-term missions Short term missions are great but their effectiveness is limited. To truly reach the un-reached areas requires
a long duration of on-going mission work. ECOM will explore and vote on various proposals on how to
undertake long term missions or whether ECYC should even do so.
February 2014 – Urban evangelism The General Conference and local unions are making a major push for reaching the large cities. This call is
grounded on a similar call made by Ellen White. The Canadian Union and local conferences will each
select three major cities to hold evangelistic meetings. The Union has stated their interest in ECYC getting
involved. Should ECYC get involved in such endeavors? Is this going away from ECYC’s vision of
reaching unreached places? ECOM will assess the various options and vote on a proposed course of action.
March 2014 - 2015 Convention Programming Finalize the main speakers, theme, and location for the 2015 ECYC convention
Facebook:
Eastern Canada Youth Conference
Website:
www.eastcanadayouth.org
Contact Info:
info@eastcanadayouth.org
Listen and download sermons from previous ECYC conventions
!
! " !
2013/2014 Monthly Executive Committee meeting agendas
September 2013 - 2014 Convention Programming Finalize the main speakers, theme, and location for the 2014 ECYC convention
October 2013 – Expansion into Maritimes Even though we are an EASTERN Canadian movement, and have a Maritimes youth director on our
Board, ECYC has as yet to hold an event or do a mission in PEI, Nova Scotia or New brunswick. ECOM
will assess and vote on various proposals in making inroads into the Maritimes, if at all.
November 2013 – Collaboration with other ministries The Manitoulin mission proved that collaboration has tremendous benefits. Other youth ministries like Jafa,
ACTS and GYC have interest in doing missions. There are media ministries like It is Written Canada.
Other organizations like AMEN, Outpost centers International and LIGHT focus on medical evangelism.
ADRA Canada focuses on community service. ECYC may be interested in hooking up with 3ABN or
HOPE channel to share its story. ECOM will assess and vote on various proposals on who to collaborate
with and for what purpose.
December 2013 – Methods of doing Short-term missions Up until this point, ECYC missions have focused on canvassing, door-to-door, and health expo. It has yet
to undertake a major evangelistic series, medical work, youth program, or community service project.
ECOM will consider and vote on missions committee’s assessment on the current state of ECYC missions.
January 2014 – Launching long-term missions Short term missions are great but their effectiveness is limited. To truly reach the un-reached areas requires
a long duration of on-going mission work. ECOM will explore and vote on various proposals on how to
undertake long term missions or whether ECYC should even do so.
February 2014 – Urban evangelism The General Conference and local unions are making a major push for reaching the large cities. This call is
grounded on a similar call made by Ellen White. The Canadian Union and local conferences will each
select three major cities to hold evangelistic meetings. The Union has stated their interest in ECYC getting
involved. Should ECYC get involved in such endeavors? Is this going away from ECYC’s vision of
reaching unreached places? ECOM will assess the various options and vote on a proposed course of action.
March 2014 - 2015 Convention Programming Finalize the main speakers, theme, and location for the 2015 ECYC convention
“With such an army of workers as our
youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how
soon the message of a crucified, risen, and
soon-coming Saviour might be carried to
the whole world!”
Ellen G White, Education, ch. 31
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