Howdy folks!
Having left Ontario some 27 years ago, I must must confess I'm looking forward to our upcoming tour of that province. I just checked the calendar and realized that one week from today we'll be on the trail again. Those of you who follow this blog are aware that we will be touring Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario during May and June. Our ministry partner on this tour will be Great Lakes Christian Ministries. Their ministry focuses on church planting and Suzann and I will be supporting their efforts with some good old fashioned gospel songs and cowboy poetry.
For the past several weeks, we have been getting the truck and trailer serviced, buying necessary supplies and getting our programs ready. One big difference on this tour is that I didn't have to ship my CDs and books to the USA. This time, we'll be able to carry our product with us. I'll also be able to watch the Stanley Cup play offs and, if the Calgary Flames get past the first round, I'll be one happy hockey fan.
As usual, the weather in Cochrane is unpredictable. Last night we had another major snowfall and expect more snow over the next several days. The snow will make it messy to load the trailer and, hopefully, most of it will be melted before next Friday. A travel trailer is not the warmest accommodation on a wintery night. This week, I had the opportunity to entertain the Calgary Retired Teachers' Association at their annual symposium. My eclectic collection of cowboy songs and poems seemed to go over well and garner some interest for future events. It seems I'll have to keep up the cowboy side of my program.
While we are on the trail, I'm going to try and keep this blog up-to-date. In meantime, we certainly request your prayers that the Lord will bless our ministry, as well as that of Great Lakes Christian Ministries.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
MISSION ONTARIO 2009
Howdy folks;
Well, things are sure coming together for the planned church planting mission trip to Ontario in May. Halls have been booked in Kenora, Midland, Penetanguishene and Coldwater. A gospel concert has also been set up for Alzilda, Ontario. I don't want to calculate the distance we are going to travel but, let me say, Canada is a big country and these communities are a long way from Cochrane, Alberta. In the past several weeks, promises of support have been received and it is evident that the Lord's hand is in this church planting mission effort.
For Suzann and I, this will be a different kind of tour. While I will still be singing and reciting, the emphasis will be upon church planting. Team members will be prayer waking during the day and following up after each meeting. Hopefully, the folks in the East will relate to my western style of presenting the Gospel the old fashioned way.
Over the next several months, we will be getting the truck and trailer ready for travel. I will also be setting up Songs of Faith concerts along the way to and from Ontario. Calvary Baptist Church in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan has already confirmed May 3rd for a concert. To the best of my knowledge this church planting strategy has never been attempted before. Your prayerful support will be greatly appreciated.
In the meantime, my efforts will be directed toward writing some new cowboy gospel poetry and learning more of them old gospel songs.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Well, things are sure coming together for the planned church planting mission trip to Ontario in May. Halls have been booked in Kenora, Midland, Penetanguishene and Coldwater. A gospel concert has also been set up for Alzilda, Ontario. I don't want to calculate the distance we are going to travel but, let me say, Canada is a big country and these communities are a long way from Cochrane, Alberta. In the past several weeks, promises of support have been received and it is evident that the Lord's hand is in this church planting mission effort.
For Suzann and I, this will be a different kind of tour. While I will still be singing and reciting, the emphasis will be upon church planting. Team members will be prayer waking during the day and following up after each meeting. Hopefully, the folks in the East will relate to my western style of presenting the Gospel the old fashioned way.
Over the next several months, we will be getting the truck and trailer ready for travel. I will also be setting up Songs of Faith concerts along the way to and from Ontario. Calvary Baptist Church in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan has already confirmed May 3rd for a concert. To the best of my knowledge this church planting strategy has never been attempted before. Your prayerful support will be greatly appreciated.
In the meantime, my efforts will be directed toward writing some new cowboy gospel poetry and learning more of them old gospel songs.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
FROM OUR OUTFIT TO YOURS
Howdy Folks!
Time sure slips by. It seems like I keep falling farther and farther behind every day. Keeping this blog up-to-date is a case in point. Folks have told me that they enjoy reading it and look forward to regular updates. So, I'll try to do better in 2009.
Since we got home in October from our northern Alberta tour, we have become involved in some additional ministries at Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, In addition to our role as a deacon family and regular members of the praise team, Suzann and I have been promoting a small group ministry and, recently, I took on the responsibility of Minister of Christian Education. In this capacity, I will be developing a training program for Sunday school teachers and others. Once completed, this training program will be implemented at our church and, then, made available to other churches.
As to Songs of Faith Minisitres, we have committed ourselves to a church planting mission in the Spring. The focus of this initiative will be on northwestern and northern Ontario. We have partnered with a couple from the Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Pat and Nadine Armstrong, who feel called to this ministry. Plans are still tentative, however, we anticipate they will be firmed up in the near future. Pray with us that souls will be saved and churches planted for the glory of God.
For the next several months, our schedule will be directed toward our responsibilites at Cambrian Heights and planning for our mission trip. I hope to be able to schedule another tour of the western states later this year. We've had some inquiries about our availability and are looking forward to the opportunity to share our ministry.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support over these past several years. As we take Songs of Faith Ministries on the road in 2009, we ask for your continued prayers that the Lord will open up opportunities to share the Gospel the cowboy way.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Time sure slips by. It seems like I keep falling farther and farther behind every day. Keeping this blog up-to-date is a case in point. Folks have told me that they enjoy reading it and look forward to regular updates. So, I'll try to do better in 2009.
Since we got home in October from our northern Alberta tour, we have become involved in some additional ministries at Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, In addition to our role as a deacon family and regular members of the praise team, Suzann and I have been promoting a small group ministry and, recently, I took on the responsibility of Minister of Christian Education. In this capacity, I will be developing a training program for Sunday school teachers and others. Once completed, this training program will be implemented at our church and, then, made available to other churches.
As to Songs of Faith Minisitres, we have committed ourselves to a church planting mission in the Spring. The focus of this initiative will be on northwestern and northern Ontario. We have partnered with a couple from the Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Pat and Nadine Armstrong, who feel called to this ministry. Plans are still tentative, however, we anticipate they will be firmed up in the near future. Pray with us that souls will be saved and churches planted for the glory of God.
For the next several months, our schedule will be directed toward our responsibilites at Cambrian Heights and planning for our mission trip. I hope to be able to schedule another tour of the western states later this year. We've had some inquiries about our availability and are looking forward to the opportunity to share our ministry.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support over these past several years. As we take Songs of Faith Ministries on the road in 2009, we ask for your continued prayers that the Lord will open up opportunities to share the Gospel the cowboy way.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
NORTH TO THE PEACE COUNTRY
Howdy folks!
We left Cochrane on Sept. 5th for the Cowboy Church in Sherwood Park, to start our tour of Northern Alberta. With the promise of warm weather, we looked forward to spending some time in the trailer. This will be the first time we will visit two of our Canadian National Baptist Convention churches in the northern part of the province (Peace Country). These are well-established churches and it will be an exciting opportunity to share the gospel in music and poetry, the cowboy way.
The Cowboy Church was well-attended and seemed to have grown since our last visit in February. Pastor Kevin was his usual welcoming self and we immediately felt right at home. Our first night out in the trailer was a new experience, as we we ran out of propane and spent a cold night under many blankets. Our next stop was in Evansburg at the Baptist Church. Pastor Al had been sick and we were glad to be able to help out with special music and poetry at the morning worship service and, a program for seniors at the Pembina Village in Evansburg in the evening. All in all, it proved to be a very full day of ministry.
After a day of rest, we were back on the trail heading for the Fairview Cornerstone Baptist Church in Fairview, Alberta. Again we had a very full day of ministry. I led the music and presented special music and poetry at the morning worship service. Later, in the afternoon we presented an outdoor cowboy gospel concert. This was the launch of their Sunday School ministry and both of these events were well attended. The weather was holding very warm during the day and it has sure been a very pleasant tour to this point.
We travelled only a short distance from Fairview to spend time with our friends Jerry and Rose Hale in Cleardale, Alberta. We first met them at the Cleardale Gospel Jamboree in the spring. They let us park in the yard and I was able to spend the week catching up with some writing projects, touring the area and having a good time of fellowship with the Hales. I even got to help out with my first branding! Jerry branded 10 cows and he was able to find something for me to do.
Our last concert was at the Worsley Baptist Church, Worsley, Alberta. Pastor Dick Hale and his congregation sure gave us a warm welcome. The church is of log construction, which added to the ambience of the cowboy gospel concert. We returned for the evening service and had a great time singing the old hymns and accompanying some of the songs with the guitar and harmonica. Next time, I'll bring the bass. What a great way to finish a tour.
On the way home, we stopped in Buck Lake, Alberta, to meet up with some dear friends, Iven and Lynne Bryant, and spent a couple of days touring the area and enjoying the fall weather. The Bryants have been supporters of our ministry since its inception and it was good to have an opportunity to fellowship with them.
After our short "vacation" at Buck Lake, we headed back to Cochrane to begin the serious work of getting the trailer winterized for storage and the yard cleaned up for the winter. Although the tour was shorter than usual, it was a real blessing to meet the pastors and folks in Fairview and Worsley. Their acceptance of our ministry was certainly encouraging and we look forward to another time when we can visit them again.
Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for us as we reach out with the gospel to folks in the small churches, especially, those in Alberta.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
We left Cochrane on Sept. 5th for the Cowboy Church in Sherwood Park, to start our tour of Northern Alberta. With the promise of warm weather, we looked forward to spending some time in the trailer. This will be the first time we will visit two of our Canadian National Baptist Convention churches in the northern part of the province (Peace Country). These are well-established churches and it will be an exciting opportunity to share the gospel in music and poetry, the cowboy way.
The Cowboy Church was well-attended and seemed to have grown since our last visit in February. Pastor Kevin was his usual welcoming self and we immediately felt right at home. Our first night out in the trailer was a new experience, as we we ran out of propane and spent a cold night under many blankets. Our next stop was in Evansburg at the Baptist Church. Pastor Al had been sick and we were glad to be able to help out with special music and poetry at the morning worship service and, a program for seniors at the Pembina Village in Evansburg in the evening. All in all, it proved to be a very full day of ministry.
After a day of rest, we were back on the trail heading for the Fairview Cornerstone Baptist Church in Fairview, Alberta. Again we had a very full day of ministry. I led the music and presented special music and poetry at the morning worship service. Later, in the afternoon we presented an outdoor cowboy gospel concert. This was the launch of their Sunday School ministry and both of these events were well attended. The weather was holding very warm during the day and it has sure been a very pleasant tour to this point.
We travelled only a short distance from Fairview to spend time with our friends Jerry and Rose Hale in Cleardale, Alberta. We first met them at the Cleardale Gospel Jamboree in the spring. They let us park in the yard and I was able to spend the week catching up with some writing projects, touring the area and having a good time of fellowship with the Hales. I even got to help out with my first branding! Jerry branded 10 cows and he was able to find something for me to do.
Our last concert was at the Worsley Baptist Church, Worsley, Alberta. Pastor Dick Hale and his congregation sure gave us a warm welcome. The church is of log construction, which added to the ambience of the cowboy gospel concert. We returned for the evening service and had a great time singing the old hymns and accompanying some of the songs with the guitar and harmonica. Next time, I'll bring the bass. What a great way to finish a tour.
On the way home, we stopped in Buck Lake, Alberta, to meet up with some dear friends, Iven and Lynne Bryant, and spent a couple of days touring the area and enjoying the fall weather. The Bryants have been supporters of our ministry since its inception and it was good to have an opportunity to fellowship with them.
After our short "vacation" at Buck Lake, we headed back to Cochrane to begin the serious work of getting the trailer winterized for storage and the yard cleaned up for the winter. Although the tour was shorter than usual, it was a real blessing to meet the pastors and folks in Fairview and Worsley. Their acceptance of our ministry was certainly encouraging and we look forward to another time when we can visit them again.
Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for us as we reach out with the gospel to folks in the small churches, especially, those in Alberta.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
STILL LEAVIN' SOME DUST
Howdy folks!
It seems I've neglected to keep our ministry schedule up to date on our blog. For folks who follow our travels, it could look like we are packing it in for the fall. Not true! In fact, we leave Friday morning (Sept. 5th) for a short tour of Alberta churches. Over the next three weeks, we will be ministering in Sherwood Park at the Cowboy Church, Evansburg Baptist Church, Fairview Baptist Church and Worsley Baptist Church. This will give us an opportunity to say howdy to some old friends and meet some new ones. The churches in Fairview and Worsley are new to our ministry and we are looking forward to being with them.
It was a pleasant surprise to have the editor of the Baptist Horizon (our denominational newsletter) interview me and write an article about my winning the Golden Note Award, Songs of Faith and my cowboy poetry book. She even included one of my poems in the article. I've already been contacted about our ministry from folks who read the article. Several ministry opportunities are now in the works for 2009.
Right now we are very busy putting the last things in the trailer and trying not to forget anything. We appreciate your prayers and have no doubt that they keep us on the road.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
It seems I've neglected to keep our ministry schedule up to date on our blog. For folks who follow our travels, it could look like we are packing it in for the fall. Not true! In fact, we leave Friday morning (Sept. 5th) for a short tour of Alberta churches. Over the next three weeks, we will be ministering in Sherwood Park at the Cowboy Church, Evansburg Baptist Church, Fairview Baptist Church and Worsley Baptist Church. This will give us an opportunity to say howdy to some old friends and meet some new ones. The churches in Fairview and Worsley are new to our ministry and we are looking forward to being with them.
It was a pleasant surprise to have the editor of the Baptist Horizon (our denominational newsletter) interview me and write an article about my winning the Golden Note Award, Songs of Faith and my cowboy poetry book. She even included one of my poems in the article. I've already been contacted about our ministry from folks who read the article. Several ministry opportunities are now in the works for 2009.
Right now we are very busy putting the last things in the trailer and trying not to forget anything. We appreciate your prayers and have no doubt that they keep us on the road.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Sunday, July 20, 2008
TRAIL DUST OF A BUCKAROO
Howdy folks!
It's been some time since I last wrote. After the Cleardale Gospel Jamboree, Suzann and I applied ourselves to the house and yard work that we had neglected over the past few years. I also got serious about getting my book of cowboy poetry to the print-ready stage. It took four edits but is now being printed and should be ready for sale in the next few weeks. Getting it to this stage has been a steep learning curve, but it has been a useful experrience. I certainly appreciate the work other cowboy poets have done to get their books to market.
The book is titled Trail Dust of a Buckaroo and is an eclectic collection of my cowboy poetry. Included are all the requested favourites such as: The Catalogue Order; A Senior Moment; Ol' Coosie; and, At the End of the Cowboy Trail. The cover art is by Cochrane western artist Shannon Luyendyk. Her picture "Church In the Field" was a perfect cover for the book.
Well, the 2008 Calgary Stampede has come and gone and we participated in our church's stampede breakfast. I was able to share some cowboy poetry with the folks as they ate their pancakes and sausages. As usual, a good number of people from the neighbourhood came out to enjoy the food and the music. This is an annual event at the church and allows us to meet the folks who live near the church.
We are still waithing the Lord's leading for the Fall. A number of opportunities have presented themselves, but we are still waiting on the Lord. So, please continue to pray for us as we seek to share the Gospel the cowboy way.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
It's been some time since I last wrote. After the Cleardale Gospel Jamboree, Suzann and I applied ourselves to the house and yard work that we had neglected over the past few years. I also got serious about getting my book of cowboy poetry to the print-ready stage. It took four edits but is now being printed and should be ready for sale in the next few weeks. Getting it to this stage has been a steep learning curve, but it has been a useful experrience. I certainly appreciate the work other cowboy poets have done to get their books to market.
The book is titled Trail Dust of a Buckaroo and is an eclectic collection of my cowboy poetry. Included are all the requested favourites such as: The Catalogue Order; A Senior Moment; Ol' Coosie; and, At the End of the Cowboy Trail. The cover art is by Cochrane western artist Shannon Luyendyk. Her picture "Church In the Field" was a perfect cover for the book.
Well, the 2008 Calgary Stampede has come and gone and we participated in our church's stampede breakfast. I was able to share some cowboy poetry with the folks as they ate their pancakes and sausages. As usual, a good number of people from the neighbourhood came out to enjoy the food and the music. This is an annual event at the church and allows us to meet the folks who live near the church.
We are still waithing the Lord's leading for the Fall. A number of opportunities have presented themselves, but we are still waiting on the Lord. So, please continue to pray for us as we seek to share the Gospel the cowboy way.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
CLEARDALE GOSPEL JAMBOREE
Howdy Folks!
At the invitation of Jerry and Rose Hale, Suzann and I drove to Clearwater, Alberta to participate in the fifth annual gospel jamboree. In addition to having the opportunity to sing a few old gospel songs, I brought the message at the Sunday morning shurch service. Over 125 recreational vehicles crowded into the RV parking area, tents were set up in the tenting area, and folks drove in each day for the jamboree. Estimates of crowd size ranged from 1,000 to 1,500 over the weekend.
It was great to hear the old gospel songs and hymns sung in the old-fashioned way. Groups traveled to the jamboree from Alberta, British Columbia and Saskachewan to share their messages in song and testimony. What a time of fellowship!
Suzann and I enjoyed meeting each of the participants and sharing "road stories" but, most of all, it was a real bessing to take part in the jamboree.
This week, we will be participating in an outreach event at the Northmount Baptist Church in Calgary. Certainly, not so far to drive, but another opportunity to share the old story in song and poem. As many of you know, we look forward to these opportunities to minister as we continue to wait upon the Lord.
Please continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord's direction for our ministry.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
At the invitation of Jerry and Rose Hale, Suzann and I drove to Clearwater, Alberta to participate in the fifth annual gospel jamboree. In addition to having the opportunity to sing a few old gospel songs, I brought the message at the Sunday morning shurch service. Over 125 recreational vehicles crowded into the RV parking area, tents were set up in the tenting area, and folks drove in each day for the jamboree. Estimates of crowd size ranged from 1,000 to 1,500 over the weekend.
It was great to hear the old gospel songs and hymns sung in the old-fashioned way. Groups traveled to the jamboree from Alberta, British Columbia and Saskachewan to share their messages in song and testimony. What a time of fellowship!
Suzann and I enjoyed meeting each of the participants and sharing "road stories" but, most of all, it was a real bessing to take part in the jamboree.
This week, we will be participating in an outreach event at the Northmount Baptist Church in Calgary. Certainly, not so far to drive, but another opportunity to share the old story in song and poem. As many of you know, we look forward to these opportunities to minister as we continue to wait upon the Lord.
Please continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord's direction for our ministry.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)