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FAQFREQUENT QUESTIONS
About the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Credentials
Directions to the District Office
Fellowship News
Marriage Registrations
Missions
About the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Q. What do we believe?
A. For complete information about what we believe please visit our "Statement of Faith" page.
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Q. What is the History of the BC & Yukon District?
A. Pentecostal services were held in Vancouver prior to 1919 and in Victoria, Nanaimo, Abbotsford, Nelson, North Vancouver, and perhaps a few other places prior to 1927. These churches came together for the 1st Annual District Conference in July 1928 at the Sixth Avenue Assembly in Vancouver. Reverend G.A. Chambers, General Superintendent of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, was Chairman, and Reverend F.R. Maddaford was elected District Superintendent, the position he held for two years.
Reverend J.E. Barnes was District Superintendent for the Conferences of 1930 through 1935. Brother Barnes formed an evangelistic party and opened many churches in the province by means of crusades. Among them were Fernie, Kimberley, Kelowna, Merritt, Kamloops, Port Alberni, Salmon Arm, and Grand Forks. During this period sectional Field Directors, forerunners of today’s Presbyters, were appointed to assist in the administration of the work.
The District Conferences from 1935-1938 were chaired by District Superintendent Reverend J.A. Hughes. Of special interest was the fact that two of the Conferences were held in the interior of the province, the 1936 one being held in Kelowna, and the 1938 one in Grand Forks.
The Conferences of 1939-40 were under the Chairmanship of Reverend Tom Johnstone, followed by Reverend C.A.C. Storey who was District Superintendent from 1941-1944. In the fall of 1941 British Columbia Bible Institute was opened in Glad Tidings Tabernacle in Victoria with Reverend E.W. Robinson as the first Principal. The Gospel Boat work had its beginning in these years with Reverend and Mrs. Frank Harford, and in 1944, approval was given to establish the work of the Women’s Missionary Council with Mrs. Harold Goodwin being appointed the first Provincial Secretary.
The post-World War II years of 1945-53 saw Reverend P.S. Jones as the District Superintendent. With the War over, many young men coming out of the services entered Bible School and Brother Jones challenged them with the slogan “A Pentecostal Flag in Every Community in British Columbia.” A great number of young men and women responded to this challenge and as a result a great many new churches were opened in this era. In 1946 a Sunday School Department was established in the province and Miss I. Westad was appointed the full-time Supervisor. She traveled promoting Sunday School work and planned and directed a summer vacation Bible School program for several years. In the same year the Christ’s Ambassadors work was organized in the province and Reverend John Peel became the first provincial C.A. President. The Fraser Valley, Kootenay and Nanoose Bay Camps came into being during Brother Jones’ years in office and also the establishment of the B.C. Church Building Society. In 1951, the Kingsley Brothers Private School in North Vancouver was purchased to be the home of the British Columbia Bible Institute. Attendances at District Conferences grew to about 200 in the early 1950’s.
Reverend C.W. Lynn succeeded Reverend P.S. Jones and was the Superintendent from 1953 to 1966. It was during this time that the District Office moved from Summerland to North Vancouver. Carman Lynn had a vision for the north entitled “Alaska Highway Mission”. During this time the Yukon became part of the BC District. In the 1956 Conference approval was given to merge the Christ’s Ambassadors and Sunday School Departments with a full-time Director and Reverend Marvin Forseth was appointed to this office. Reverend Tom Johnstone became President of British Columbia Bible Institute which position he held until 1958 when he was succeeded by Reverend V.R. Morrison. The Minute Men Program was launched in 1957 and continues to assist Home Missions churches to this day. The name of the British Columbia Bible Institute was changed to Western Pentecostal Bible College in 1959. Mr. Ray Whellams became the first Men’s Fellowship Director for the District. In the early 60’s Miss Bernice Gerard became the first Pentecostal chaplain at U.B.C. and a little later at Simon Fraser University.
Reverend E.A. Hornby was Superintendent following Reverend C.W. Lynn, and chaired the Conferences of 1967 through 1972. During these years the work continued to prosper and several new churches were built and dedicated. At the 1971 Conference in Kamloops, the decision was made to build a new Bible College campus on Clayburn heights above the Fraser Valley Camp. Reverend L.T. Holdcroft, who was President at the time, worked tirelessly with Brother Hornby and later with Brother James House on the planning of the new college campus, and with the help of God and the family of churches in the District, the new college was opened in the fall of 1974.
Reverend James House was elected District Superintendent at the 1972 Conference. In August of 1980 the District Office moved from the house in North Vancouver to occupy the former credit union building on 176A Street in Cloverdale. At the same time, Reverend Harold Pendray became the District’s first Administrator, and served in this capacity for 12 years. It was also during this time that the BC District became the first District to reach the $1 million mark in World Missions giving.
At the 1982 Conference Reverend Reuben Schmunk was elected District Superintendent. Following Reverend Schmunk’s departure to serve in the PAOC International Office, Reverend Lester Markham was elected as Superintendent at the 1988 District Conference. He too was called to serve in the International Office, and in 1993 Reverend Bill Gibson began an 8-year term as District Superintendent. In 1994, the office of Assistant Superintendent became a full time position, with John Caplin being elected and currently serving in that position. In order to bring specialized ministries to the District, the 1997 District Conference made the decision to separate the position of Church Ministries Director into a full-time Youth Director position and a half-time Children’s Ministries Director position. Last year in 2001, Reverend David Wells became the 13th Superintendent of the BC/Yukon District.
Aboriginal Ministries has always been a large part of gospel ministry within the BC/Yukon District. For a number of years John Nygaard was the Field Director for Gospel Boats and Native Evangelism. Others involved in the Gospel Boat ministry included the Shannon’s, the Personeus’ and the Benterud’s. The 1982 District Conference approved the appointment of a Coordinator of Native Evangelism and Gospel Boats, and the District Executive appointed Mrs. Peggy Kennedy to serve in this capacity. Then in 1990 Reverend James Kallappa was appointed as the Director of Native Ministries. Most recently, in 2000, Reverend Edgar Lapeciros was appointed the Assistant Director of Mission and Church Development with responsibilities in the areas of Aboriginal and Cultural Language ministries. The Conference of 2000 also approved the creation of an Aboriginal Section, and elected Reverend Dan Starlund as its first presbyter. Today there is a PAOC witness in nearly 20 different aboriginal communities.
The number of churches and preaching points in the BC/Yukon District in 1927 was 10, and has increased to nearly 200 by the year 2002 when the District celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Over 35 of these churches are among a variety of cultural language groups. Giving to World Missions peaked at $2.37 million in 1998 and has consistently averaged around the $1.9 million mark for the past 10 years. Current ministry emphases include a return to church planting, and efforts to attain growth through increasing the health of both churches and credential holders.
We are grateful to God for the dedication and sacrifice of all the District Superintendents, District staff, Directors , Presbyters, and Leaders, and the contribution of all the faithful Pastors and Credential Holders of the past and present together with the many hundreds of faithful church members and adherents who have backed the movement with their prayers and finances through the years. And should Jesus tarry, together we will continue to sow abundantly that we might reap an abundant harvest. To God Be The Glory!
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Q. How do I get information on the various ministries in the District?
A. For complete information on what the various ministries in our District and details on all events visit our section on "District Ministries"
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Credentials
Q. How can I obtain credentials with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada?
A. Please contact Shane Flanagan, Administrator at sflanagan@bc.paoc.org or phone 604-533-2232.
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Q. What Credentials are available through The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada?
A. 1. STANDARD CREDENTIALS
Standard Credentials with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada are issued to those
- who have completed a standard Ministerial Bible College program approved by the PAOC.
- who are in agreement with the Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths and doctrinal positions of the PAOC,
- who have completed the Initial Credentials Application, Credential Questionnaire, including satisfactory references, Criminal Record Check and interview by the District Credentials Committee.
The Standard Credential is the Licensed Minister Credential. After three full and continuous years of ministry, a person with the Licensed Minister Credential may be recommended to the District Conference for Ordination.
2. EXCEPTIONAL CREDENTIALS
Exceptional Credentials may be granted by the District Leadership Team to those who do not qualify under section (1) above, and/or who may qualify for a mature exemption because of age. Exceptional credentials are:
A. Recognition of Ministry Credential
For persons engaged in full time PAOC ministry who have not completed the standard ministerial Bible College program approved by the PAOC, such candidates must have completed the following:
1.Systematic Theology - 9 credits (including Pentecostal Distinctives)
2.Bible - 9 credits (including Hermeneutics)
3.Practical Studies - 6 credits (including Pastoral Theology)
4.General Studies - 3 credits (including Pentecostal History)
5.Ministry Formation - 3 credits (including Communication (Homiletics)
These courses may be obtained from any PAOC Bible College, or by correspondence from either:
Summit Pacific College Distance Education
Box 1700, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7E7
Phone: 604-851-7228
Email: distanceed@summitpacific.ca
OR ICI/Global University
c/o Master's College and Seminary
3080 Yonge St., Box 70, Suite 3040
Toronto, ON M4N 3N1
Phone: 416-482-2224 Ext. 227, Fax: 416-482-7004
Email: mcuff@mcs.edu
B. Church Related Credential
For persons who serve in PAOC appointed ministry positions other than Senior Pastor, and who do not meet the academic qualifications for the Recognition of Ministry credential. This credential is limited in that the holder does not qualify for District Conference privileges.
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Directions to the District Office
Q. Where are we located?
A. Our address is 20411 Douglas Crescent. We are located on the corner of 204th and Douglas Crescent in Langley, B.C. directly across from the Langley City Hall and Library.
From Vancouver: Take Hwy 1 East to the 200th Street Exit - head South and turn Left on Fraser Highway. Proceed to 204th Avenue - turn Right. Our building is just before the next intersection on the left hand side.
There is 2 hour free street parking.
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Fellowship News
Q. How do I submit an article?
A. If you would like to make a submission to the newsletter,or have any questions regarding your submissions, please contact Mary Ann Spielmacher mas@bc.paoc.org OR phone 604-533-2232
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Q. Is there a cost for submissions to the newsletter?
A. There is no cost involved in submitting articles or ads to the newsletter.
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Q. What are the Deadline Dates for submissions to the newsletter?
A. 2008 Deadline Dates for the Fellowship News are as follows: 2008 Dates: January 11 , May 16, August 22, November 14
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Marriage Registrations
Q. How do I obtain a Registration Number to perform marriages in BC?
A. All Ordained Ministers who have a PAOC pastoral appointment will be registered by the District Office to perform marriages. All other requests must be made in writing to
District Secretary-Treasurer Ron Davis
20411 Douglas Crescent
Langley, BC V3A 4B6
Email rdavis@bc.paoc.org
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Missions
Q. How do I sponsor a missionary?
A. Whether you are an individual or a church all sponorships are directed through the International office of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
For more information see our section on missions or you can visit the International Office website at www.paoc.org
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Q. What is Shared Funding?
A. Shared funding is a funding model through which approved missionaries take the primary responsibility to directly raise the funds for their approved mission budgets. This would include their personal support (salaries, housing, transportation, etc.) and the funds required for their ministry work.
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Q. How do I give to missions?
A. There are several ways that you can give to missions:
1. You can directly sponsor a missionary
2. You can sponsor a country that you have a specific burden for.
3. You can do something that is called "Directed to budget." This means that the money you send will go where it is most needed.
Regardless of which option you choose, all missions giving is to be sent to THe International Office of the PAOC at 2450 Milltower Court, Mississauga, ON io L5N 5Z6 or if you have more questions you can call them at (905)542-7400.
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Q. How do I become a missionary?
A. For complete information on becoming a PAOC missionary visit the Missions section on the website of the International Office of the PAOC at www.paoc.org or you can email the World Missions Division at the International PAOC office at wmd@paoc.org.
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