Canadian Convention Report
The autumn, 2012 Canadian convention is now history, and a brief overview would be helpful for our friends and supporters who were unable to be with us this year. The three Canadian British-Israel organizations were all represented at this conference, and have fostered a very amicable relationship.
The B.I.W.F. Canada organization, ably led by Kent Purvis, was again the host of the convention at their long-time headquarters building in downtown Toronto. This was their 83rd Annual Dominion Convention, and the entire weekend went very smoothly, with plenty of good learning and fellowship, warm smiles, and of course, lots of good food! I am sure that all who attended enjoyed the conference very much and were very glad they came. In addition to the learning and Spiritual strengthening, the convention each year gives us a chance to forge, or renew, some deeper friendships with those of like mind and heart.
Kent led a very moving “Prayers for the Israelite Nations” program on Saturday afternoon, and does a wonderful work overseeing the organization and its programs in Toronto and across Canada. Their organization publishes a magazine, “The Kingdom Herald” which is sent out ten times a year to those who are interested. Their newly designed website address is www.britishisrael.ca.
Brooks Alden arrived with his son from Burnaby, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver, representing the Association of the Covenant People. This organization was founded in 1909, making it the oldest B.I. organization in Canada with over a century in existence. Brooks gave a two-part related message: “The Final Assault On True Israel” and “The Greatest Rescue Ever.” Although things look bleak in our world today, he encouraged us with Scripture promises, such as Ezekiel 34:27, which reads, “And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.”
Ezekiel doesn’t stop there, but continues his great hopeful prophetic statement: “And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.” (Ezek. 34:28-31)
Other encouraging verses discussed by Brooks included 2 Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 51:28-30 (in the Ferrar Fenton translation), and many others. The Association of the Covenant People is the publisher of “Thy Kingdom Come” magazine, which publication also serves as the member magazine for the Canadian British-Israel Association, also known as “The Servant People.”
CBIA-The Servant People was represented by our chairman, Mary Francis Bennett, as well as other members including this author, Pastor Jory Brooks. Our organization is the “youngest” of the three B.I. groups, having been founded in 1956. Our website address is www.israelite.ca, and book site is www.migrations.info.
My convention addresses were entitled, “Who Was Abraham, and Where Did He Come From?” and “The Three Sisters of Prophecy.” The subject of the patriarch Abraham, especially, is so very important to us as Christians, for three times in the New Testament we are told that, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted (or imputed) unto him for righteousness.” (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; James 2:23). How little do Christians understand Genesis, the foundational book in the Bible! For those who spend little time reading their Bibles anymore, Professor and theologian Robert P. Carroll (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) insightfully advised, “Read Genesis in order to save yourself reading the rest of the Hebrew Bible.” If our young people would do even that much, they would see for themselves the wonderful covenant promises that provide the bedrock of the B.I. belief!
The attendees were fed some good informative and inspirational Spiritual food at this conference, and we will be posting audio copies of the conference on the CBIA website audio page (under the button, “Other Helps.”) Video copies of the addresses will also be posted on the video pages of both the CBIA and ACP websites.
In addition to the worship, fellowship, and board meetings that took place, we also set aside time to record some helpful video interviews on important Biblical topics. Brooks Alden served in the role of moderator while interviewing this pastor, all unrehearsed and live. Due to scheduling constraints, we were not able to spend time in preparing beforehand. That may seem a bit “unprofessional,” but our videographer really liked the fact that it gave a realistic sense of authenticity and came out very good.
These video programs, lasting about ten minutes each, will be edited and posted on our websites by late October, 2012, for you to view and to ask others to view as well. The subjects covered in three Bible interview videos included “The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel,” “The Lost Tribe of Dan,” and “Ezekiel’s Prophecy of the Two Sticks.” We hope that you will not only watch these videos yourself, but encourage family members, friends, and acquaintances to learn our truths as well. Sometimes it is indeed true that a picture is worth a thousand words.
These annual conventions are an enjoyable experience, but there is seriousness about them also. The nation of Canada and our western nations as a whole are sinking in sin, growing poverty, and economic malaise. At this conference the signs of the times were all around us. As Brooks Alden noted, the city once called, “Toronto the good,” is now the drug capital of Canada. Instead of moral or religious worship and music, the youth are interested in hard rock music and its sleazy lyrics. Toronto now boasts a great deal of pride in being one of the most multicultural areas in all of Canada due to a seriously declining white Christian population, while the now three and a half million city inhabitants have clogged the roads and streets making them nearly impassable during rush hours, and there are fresh memories of the Eaton Centre gang shooting in which seven died just a few months ago close by our Bond Street hotel. Alas, these are issues besetting a growing number of municipalities throughout our western world today.
Only the Word of God and a knowledge and appreciation of our heritage and responsibilities can change our world. I pray that you will ponder these things, dear reader, and consider committing your life to Christ and rededicating yourself to His, and our, righteous cause. The British-Israel organizations of Canada and the western world cannot accomplish this task without your help. May God bless you in the part you play in promoting Biblical truth!
