From early on and well into my adult years I was privileged to hear the gospel message from my own pastors, travelling evangelists and Billy Graham on the television and airwaves. The good news that Jesus saves was presented to mass audiences worldwide and directly to me.
During the 1960s an evangelistic team of Ken Campbell and Jim Reese came on a regular rotation to Sundre, our town at the time. We met with our neighbours, crowded into the pews and lined the walls of the tiny Nazarene Church to hear the dynamic teaching of Ken Campbell and the musical prowess of Jim Reese.
Each time they came to our area volunteers stepped up to fill the choir. Farmers, bankers, teachers and youth stood shoulder to shoulder to sing the hymns and praise songs that drew our hearts and minds to God.
Over the years the local churches began to meet in an updated, larger facility along the main street where Highway 27 entered the town limits. The Youth for Christ Centre became the site for regular joint evangelistic services, youth events and hymn sings.
John Hutchinson, a speaker focused on youth, came several years running to our community. I recall one planned gym night being on the schedule. Each of us was urged to invite our classmates to participate.
I was one who stood on the sidelines, observing. I gathered the lonely and neglected and befriended them. I rarely interacted with the rest of the group. However, I decided that I was going to make those phone calls. I made a list, wrote down all the phone numbers and wrote out exactly what I wanted to say; a speech presentation. I didn’t give myself any opportunity to back out, lose my train of thought or leave out any details.
My class totalled 35 or so. I recall about six who did attend that event, perhaps out of curiosity. I remember breathing easier after my self-appointed task was complete.
My family always attended family camp, both at James River and at Camp Harmattan. Those church camp meetings were generally an entire week of inspired preaching, often with two speakers taking turns. Friday night service was aimed at the youth, with topics that were of interest to them; the worship band was from one of the youth groups of a nearby church.
We also drove into Olds to attend several services with Barry Moore, a well-known Canadian preacher. We assembled in the Olds High School gymnasium, a spacious venue, the same one that later was burnt by vandals. Those services also provided opportunity for volunteer choir members. I recall a large professional presentation. Those crusades were a means of introducing the gospel Canada-wide. The events were hosted by many larger cities, but also smaller towns like ours.
Once I went with my parents to Calgary to hear the preaching of Leighton Ford, an associate minister of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Years later when I returned to Olds with my children I was privileged to be a part of the Ralph Bell crusades here in town. He too was an associate of Billy Graham.
Here in Canada we are free to listen to and participate in worship services as we choose. We tend to lose sight of the fact that not all countries allow such freedom. May we never take it for granted.
– Joyce Hoey is a longtime Gazette columnist
