Program and Personnel encompasses the coordination of Development Education, Service
Personnel/Voluntary Service, Aboriginal Neighbours, HIV/AIDS Education, and Employment
Development Services. All of the activities related to these areas in one way or another
are intended to prepare the way for people to meet the Lord or to be engaged in preparing
the way for others to meet Him, and to acquaint our constituents with what is happening in
this regard in the context of MCC.
During the course of the year particular emphasis was placed on inviting youth and adults
to consider Christian service. The response has been gratifying; some have been placed,
including young people who have been accepted for SALT positions abroad. The short-term
program options for older persons, known as SOOP, received a focused attention.
The challenge, nevertheless, remains, to promote Christian service effectively, particularly
in the context of High School and College and Careers.
We engaged in building bridges between our constituents and people in our global context,
by inviting guests from abroad. These people came from Iraq; the former Soviet Union;
Honduras and Nicaragua; Nepal; Ethiopia; Palestine; North Korea; Sudan; Europe; the
MCC Personnel with overseas responsibilities from the head office. In this context the
Global Church received a special focus because of the shift in the locus of the Church to
a strong "Two-thirds world" context.
Highlights of 1998-99:
- Coordinated the vibrant Employment Services, HIV/AIDS Education, Aboriginal Neighbours and
Voluntary Services programs in BC, and witnessed an increasing sensitivity toward people
who are living on the margin and for whom the terrain of life is not "plain" or fair. In
particular, we pay tribute to Ruth Thiessen for her perseverance in encouraging a
compassionate response to persons with HIVand AIDS. She has graduated to an even more
challenging assignment in the same field in Botswana. We most warmly thank her and
pray that God will sustain her and her husband. Carol Ballard has been assigned to
carry on the coordination of the program until October 2000.
- Education: MCC BC sponsored a Learning/Ministry Tour to Jamaica and Haiti for seven
individuals from the constituent churches, in order to build connections with
Christians and service workers in these countries.
- We hosted guests from a variety of countries abroad, and engaged people in the
churches and schools. These guests included returned workers, as already identified above.
- Developed program plans for a more intentional Church-affiliated Christian presence and
ministry in Vancouver, particularly in the Downtown East Side.
- Engaged in numerous acts of good will for MCC. For example, assisted in the return of
the body of a Filipino person, who had been affiliated with MCC in the Philippines, and who died en route to Victoria for an international conference.
Bill Thiessen, Director of Program and Personnel
Bill Thiessen recently retired and MCC BC is pleased to announce that
Wayne Bremner has been hired as the new Director of Program and Personnel.
For more information on Programs, Personnel or Voluntary Service Opportunities,
contact Wayne at (604) 850 6639, 857 0011 toll free from Vancouver or 1 888 622 6337 or
e-mail him at bremner@uniserve.com
