SMT: Fellowship Ministries

People - Dobson, DaveI count it to be a wonderful privilege to serve our Fellowship as part of our Senior Ministry Team (SMT).  I am not new to this team but have now been serving in a new department for just over two months.  I thank God for the opportunity I had to lead the Fellowship Communications Department from early 2009 up until the end of April this year, at which time I was entrusted with the new responsibility of leading the Fellowship Ministries Department.  This new role has allowed me to align my national responsibilities much more with my leadership in the Fellowship French Mission and burden for Quebec.  For that I'm very thankful!

Ruth and I have had the great joy and privilege of serving as pastor and wife in three of our Fellowship churches in three different provinces including West Island Baptist/Dorval, QC ('71-'78); Elliott Heights Baptist/Hamilton, ON ('78-'88); and Ladner Baptist/Delta, BC ('88-'98).  God has used that national exposure to prepare us for one of the greatest challenges of our lives.

In early 1997 we were called to serve in leadership with the Fellowship French Mission, and that summer we went to language school to learn French at Laval University in Quebec City.  At our national convention in November 1998, I was appointed to succeed Marcel Cotnoir as the Director (of Deputation) for the Fellowship French Mission.  Now more than twelve years later, I can truly say that I still love this work and give all the praise, honour and glory to our great God for what has been accomplished.

Let me now turn from our biographical background to the Fellowship Ministries Department.  This is the department in our Fellowship which oversees the following ministries:

1.  Chaplaincy: This ministry has had a rich history in our Fellowship's past, but we've now come to a crucial turning point.  Thomas Hopkins will be giving focused leadership to this ministry, and together (over the next six months) we will be developing a strategic plan to refocus and revitalize this much-needed ministry.  Please remember us in prayer as we take on this vital task.

2.  Church Planting Consultation: Terry Cuthbert is totally engaged as Director of Church Planting in Quebec and as an urban coach for our Fellowship International missionaries in church planting.  Terry will be offering his help, expertise and encouragement in church planting (on a one quarter time basis) to all of our regional church planting directors and regions.  Please pray for Terry as he seeks to inspire greater participation in church planting across our nation.

3.  Fellowship French Mission: I continue to have the joy of leading our team of 26 missionary couples and two singles in this the 54th year of the "French Mission."  We are currently 18 months into a 60-month transition process as we seek to effectively and fully "pass the baton" for the French work to AÉBÉQ, our French Region of churches.  Please pray for wisdom and that our donors will continue to be committed in prayer and finances to the French work during and beyond the transition process.