TORONTO, Ontario — (CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NEWS SERVICE) — The Canadian Bible Society (CBS) is mobilizing resources and meeting with local ministry leaders as they support those who have been evacuated from Fort McMurray, Alberta. More than 80,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes and communities as devastating wildfires continue to rage out of control.
“A disaster like this hard to believe at times,” says Marvin Busenius, Regional Director of Ministry Advancement for CBS. “I have been meeting with pastors and other church and ministry staff from the Fort McMurray area, many of whom know they have lost their own homes. I’ve also had talks with representatives from Christian organizations, including the Salvation Army and Samaritan’s Purse, to strategize about how best to get helpful resources into the hands of those who urgently need them.”
The Canadian Bible Society has been quick to respond, sending 7,000 copies of Words of Comfort-a booklet that contains passages of Scripture to bring hope and healing in times of crisis-to partner ministries caring for the evacuees. In addition, thousands of Scripture portions have been sent, including:
1,600 copies of the Gospel of John with a ‘youth’ cover
3,000 copies of the Gospel of John “Hope for Life”
2,000 copies of the New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs “Hope for Life”
“The Salvation Army is just one of the partner organizations that will be helping us deliver God’s Word into the hands of those who want and need it most,” says Busenius. “But we will be partnering with other ministries too. Gull Lake Centre, for example, is making their space available for evacuees, and contacted us asking for Scripture resources. We will also be walking alongside the members of the ministerial in Fort McMurray as they care for their people.”
“Like so many Canadians, our staff and volunteers are praying for the thousands of people affected by this tragedy,” says Jonathan Dent, National Director of the Canadian Bible Society. “And we pray that God’s Word and God’s people might bring comfort to them in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”
In its 110th year, the mandate of the Canadian Bible Society is today as it always has been: to promote and encourage, without doctrinal note or comment, the translation, publication, distribution and use of the Bible, and to co-operate with the United Bible Societies in its worldwide work. CBS is a uniquely inter-confessional organization that transcends denominations to partner with individuals, churches, and para-church organizations who similarly believe that God’s Word changes hearts and lives.
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Photo of Scripture resources being sent in response to Fort McMurray crisis.
For more information or interviews,
Contact: Shelley D. McLagan, Communications Consultant
Email: smclagan@biblesociety.ca
Phone: 1-800-465-2425 x3424
Web: www.biblesociety.ca