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North Pointe

OUT OF THE ASHES: THE GIFFORDS’ STORY Uncategorized

OUT OF THE ASHES: THE GIFFORDS’ STORY

They will always remember the moment the windows simultaneously blew out in their home. Minutes earlier Phil Gifford had been on the roof trying to extinguish what he believed to be a chimney fire. Phil, a volunteer firefighter, was familiar with chimney fires. His wife Tess had smelled smoke and so he used a ladder to get on the roof for a better assessment. NOT OUR HOME It was Thursday November 19th, 2015. Phil started to rip off parts of the roof to to get a better look at the source of the smoke. As he worked, his thought was, "I'm not going to let a fire get our farmhouse." Tess called the fire department while Phil rigged up garden…
Bob Jones
November 25, 2015
A CANADIAN’S VIEW OF REFUGEES: STEVE HERTZOG’S STORY Uncategorized

A CANADIAN’S VIEW OF REFUGEES: STEVE HERTZOG’S STORY

It’s the children I will always remember. At least two dozen of them. As soon as they saw our little convoy of vehicles turn up the dirt road to the refugee camp, they emerged from the dilapidated tents and abandoned, boarded-up apartment buildings they now called home and ran right for us. Dressed in dirty hand-me-downs, they smiled and giggled and kibitzed with one another as they looked us over with bright, curious eyes, full of life. Good to see kids are still kids - even here - I thought. This is a guest post from Steve Hertzog, past President of Vanguard College and new Regional Director for Eurasia with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Steve and his wife Patti…
Bob Jones
November 22, 2015
A NEW BEGINNING: THE DERKSENS’ STORY Uncategorized

A NEW BEGINNING: THE DERKSENS’ STORY

My family is disowning me. My father-in-law will not let me come home for Christmas. My daughter Emily is telling me to take it off. My wife can't believe what I have done.   This is a guest post from the Eric Derksen, President of Vanguard college and newest family to North Pointe. (When I had coffee with Eric I realized you can take the man out of Jet country but you can't take the Jets completely out of the man.) My name is Eric Derksen and I am a disciple of Jesus. I am also a husband and a father, and now serve as the President of Vanguard College in Edmonton, Alberta - the home of the Oilers. Our…
Bob Jones
November 4, 2015
THE FLYING BOW: TREVOR DICK’S STORY Uncategorized

THE FLYING BOW: TREVOR DICK’S STORY

When Trevor was four years old, his dad tragically died in a car accident leaving his mom with seven children to raise on her own. His parents were medical missionaries and had moved to Nigeria from Canada in the 1960’s to plant a hospital, and serve people in a little village called Iyale, deep in the tropical rain forest of central Nigeria. FEAR AND FAITH As a result, Trevor grew up with some deep insecurities and fears: the fear of his future without a dad, the fear of death, and the fear of separation from his family. He was that child who asked the tough questions like: “Why did daddy have to die? “ and “Why did God take daddy…
Bob Jones
November 1, 2015
3 CONFESSIONS OF A LEAD PASTOR TO PASTORS OF YOUTH Uncategorized

3 CONFESSIONS OF A LEAD PASTOR TO PASTORS OF YOUTH

I have a confession…actually, three of them. They relate to pastors of youth, like North Pointe's Jeremy Gifford who is one of the finest pastors I know. That's not my confession...its my conviction. Some people view the role of a youth pastor as a "stepping stone" to becoming a "real" pastor. Not me. I served as a pastor of youth for ten years of my thirty-six year pastoral ministry. Those ten years were some of THE best years that I experienced as a pastor and I've had a lot of great years. Read my 3 confessions here... I write to inspire people to be real, grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover their life purpose. If…
Bob Jones
October 20, 2015
YOU MATTER TO GOD Uncategorized

YOU MATTER TO GOD

People matter to God - those four words  sum up who North Pointe is and why we do what do. The North Pointe family includes people from 85 nations and every continent of the world! People come as they are.  They belong, believe and become the person God created them to be. 10 MEMORIES FROM 2015 ONE: We launched our 3rd Sunday service in September 7, 2014 as an option for people who needed a later service time on a Sunday.  This service quickly developed its own unique character. If you haven't attended a 3rd service yet, come to one this year! A hi-lite was our Hispanic after-church luncheon with delicious foods from El Salvador and Guatemala cooked by none…
Bob Jones
October 14, 2015
A CLASSROOM CALLED “LIFE” Uncategorized

A CLASSROOM CALLED “LIFE”

You are part of an education in unconditional love. Every person you meet is your homework. Life is the classroom. God is the teacher. You are His student. Life long learners go to the head of the class. Problems are simply part of the curriculum. Sometimes you may feel like you're failing but this is when you are learning the most. What doesn't challenge you, doesn't change you. In school you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In God's classroom you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson. Jesus turns tests into testimonies, messes into messages and trials into triumphs. Pain doesn’t mean God is punishing you; He is preparing you. Trust His plan not your pain.…
Bob Jones
September 20, 2015
WHY WE HOST FREE CARNIVALS AT NORTH POINTE Uncategorized

WHY WE HOST FREE CARNIVALS AT NORTH POINTE

Cotton Candy, Sno-Kones, Face Painting, a Petting Zoo, Horseback rides, Bouncy Castles, Hot Dogs, and prizes. Put ‘em all together with sunshine and you’ve painted a picture of a perfect Saturday at North Pointe's Annual Family Carnival. We’ve been holding Fall and Winter Carnivals for elevn years. Here’s why… 11 Reasons Why We Host Carnivals at North Pointe 1. We were first in to our community. In 2006 when we moved in, our nearest neighbors were deer, rabbits and moose. Being first into a community is a privilege so we want to set the pace as a good neighbor. North Pointe a welcoming community Sunday to Saturday. 2. Our carnivals are FREE community parties. People like FREE. (our next Carnival…
Bob Jones
September 12, 2015
THE MOST VALUABLE QUALITY IN A MAN Uncategorized

THE MOST VALUABLE QUALITY IN A MAN

What is the best measure of a man? Is a man a man because of his biceps, triceps or concepts? Is it strength, toughness or kindness that makes a man? Or is something else? Garry Lefebvre: A True Gentle Man One of the toughest and the most gentle man I know is Garry Lefebvre. He served as an elder and a leader of men at North Pointe Church. His wife Sandy, their four children and grand kids knew that best. Garry was a two-time Grey Cup champion. His award-winning CFL career spanned a decade in which he played wide receiver and punter for the Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes. Tough? Garry played through a broken ankle, dislocation and shredded ligaments…
Bob Jones
September 2, 2015
OUR CHOICE: A WORD TO THE CHURCH ABOUT CHILDREN AND YOUTH Uncategorized

OUR CHOICE: A WORD TO THE CHURCH ABOUT CHILDREN AND YOUTH

I had a front row seat to witness the profound results of a choice. We'd just concluded the first week of summer Day Camp at North Pointe. The entire facility was turned over to our Children's Ministry team so that kids to experience "Cave Quest: Following Jesus." North Pointe came alive with over 200 energetic campers and leaders on site. North Pointe’s Children’s Ministry delivered a multi-media rich, entertaining and inspiring presentation entitled, “The Choice” on a Sunday morning. Of the seventy plus participants, 90% are less than 5 feet tall on their tiptoes (that includes one of our vertically challenged adult leaders). They did us proud as they took us on a journey of choices from the first verse…
Bob Jones
August 23, 2015