Arctic Mission Outreach Trust Fund Newsletter Click here for ARCHIVES
	Winter 2003 - 2004

IN MEMORY OF JOHN SPILLENAAR

John Spillenaar 1916 to 2003                                                    John's First Plane

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In 1936, as a young man, John Spillenaar heard the call of God to go north and began a life time of service for Lord Jesus that spanned sixty-six years. On the evening of Friday December 12th, 2003, John answered another call form His Lord and went to be with Him .

In his book "Wings of the Gospel", John recounts how he accepted the Lord at the age of twelve and at the age of nineteen began a life of ministry with only a Bible, a few tracks, a friend and the call to go north. The first church he planted was in Kirkland Lake. It was there that he met Finnish Evangelist, Tyyne Nykanen ("a beautiful blond," as John described her in his book) and they were married on January 15th, 1938. In the years following they were blessed with four children, Rose, Grace, Daniel and David all of whom are serving the Lord today.

In 1949 John again felt impressed to go further north and after 13 years of ministry in many of the northen Ontario communities including Charleton and Hearst where he planted two more churches. During this time, his ministry led him to South Porcupine which would later become the base for his ministry. In the following years, the Lord miraculously provided for him to attend the Missionary Aviation program at Moody Bible Institute, This was one of many financial miracles that kept John flying for over thirty-five years.

As a Missionary-Aviator John served under the covering of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada for approximately 31 years. He first retired at the age of 65 years. But retirement was not for John and as the calls from the north continued to come he founded two additional ministries which were to reach into Canada''s Arctic North. For the past 20 years John ministered under the covering of the Indepnedent Assemblies of God International (Canada)

On November 7th, 2003 a new church was dedicated to the Lord in Cape Dorset, Nunavut under the covering of Arctic Mission Outreach Trust Fund, John''s last Ministry Outreach to the Arctic. This church was the last project that John started before turning the reins of that ministry over to a new director.

Two years ago, I attended an Arctic Bible conference in the small northern community of Akulivik, Northern Quebec. In one sevice three generations of members of one family testified how John had led them into a personal knowledge of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although we a have a written record of over forty-six churches built under John''s ministry, the real record is written on the hearts of the people whom he led to the Lord in countless communities;

Paul wrote, ". . . I have run the race, I have finished the course.'' Thank you John for your faithful witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Tyyne and your family for the sacrifices you made, that so many could hear, receive and believe Thank you Lord Jesus for choosing your servant who has now become one of that ". . . great cloud of witnesses."

Our prayers go with the family, may the God of all comfort be your strength during this time of separation, until we are all gathered around His throne singing God''s praises with John once again.     D. E.

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A Holy God Has Chosen You! 

Report on the Arctic Bible Conference ––by Ellie Muir, Arctic Mission Outreach, October 4, 2003, Puvirnituq, Quebec

Since my husband, Bob, is on his first teaching assignment in Puvirnituq (POV), Quebec, I was blessed to be able to travel to the Arctic Bible Conference in Baker Lake, Nunavut, with my new friends and church family from the North. We arrived in Baker Lake, the geographical centre of Canada, to be greeted enthusiastically by Pastors, leaders and townsfolk.

The Bible Conference abounded with good teaching The majority of the speakers were from the North and their messages were very powerful. We were challenged to forgive each other and live in unity, letting go of strife and envy. We were repeatedly challenged to live a holy life worthy of the calling of Christ Jesus. We were heartily challenged to support our pastors not only in spirit but in practical ways; seeking to find out how we can each serve within the body of believers in our home churches.

The presence of God was real and powerful throughout the conference. People were healed, blessed and set free throughout the services. Many were saved and many recommitted their lives to the Lord. The Holy Spirit qas moving among us: here, there and everywhere. It was a delightful and special experience to see how our Inuit brothers and sisters flow so easily in the Spirit. Their hearts are so open and they respond so freely. God is good.

Overall, the conference was a wonderful experience for me. I feel so honoured that God made it possible for me to be much more than a visitor; I was a participator in every way in this Bible Conference. I am also thankful for the Full Gospel Church in POV because they included me as family on their charter. The Lord has healed me physically and spiritually. Hallelujah. I feel closer to my Inuit sisters and brothers, who indeed are becoming my >family=. Hallelujah. God told me last June not to worry about anything in our move to the north because I was after all >going home=. He was right. I feel it ‘‘in my bones=. And I am very happy

p.s. My heart=s desire is to be fluent in Inuktituk by Christmas time. God is able. Please agree with me in prayer that God will pour out His divine favour upon Bob and me to learn the language quickly. This would enlarge our borders more than anything else for ministry in the North. Hallelujah.

Now What?  We had a good time at the conference, now what? I hope that everyone who attended took the teachings as seriously as the Full Gospel Church in POV. As testimonies have been given one by one, it is clear that we have all been changed. We are excited about what we saw God do and we want it to happen here at home as well. Pastor Eliyassie is stirring us up to a greater commitment in prayer and service. I can''t wait to see what God is going to do in the weeks ahead.

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Cape Dorset Church Dedication

On November 6th, I flew from Ottawa with intentions of connecting and continuing on to Cape Dorset.  The weather said different and  once again it was my pleasure to over night in the home of Pastor James and Looee Arreak.

We were up fairly early on Friday and  made oueselves ready for the trip.  James, Looee and Pastor Wayne Moore and his family are also heading to the church dedication.  Evangelist Bill Prankard would also join us for the trip.

We met Bill at 1:30 p.m. and every one checked in and proceeded to their  planes and  preparation for take off.  Our flight was in the air by 2:30 p.m. arriving safely about 90 minuts later.

  The Friday service was held in the old church.  I ministered the word of God, and Bill Prankard shared  in this service This church was dedicated just over twenty-five years ago in memory of brother Prankard's mother. There was a good attendance and response to the altar call.

On Saturday morning we met at the new church to prepare for the dedication service, There was cleaning, wiring of a dozen or so light fixtures and the un-packing of the chairs that has arrived just a week before on the last sea lift.  We stopped briefly for lunch, and worked until just after 2:30 p.m. We moved sound equipment and other items. from the old building.  We were just ready by 3:00 p.m. as people filled the new church.

Bill Prankard peached the dedication service. Many years ago his ministry provided the finances for the materials for the first church and John Spillenaar provided the organizational structure and the laborers to build the church. He preached from the text, "So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

.God told me to tell you, "He is big." I said, "but they know that Lord" He replied , "But they dont live like it." God also told me to tell you., "the devil is small."  From there he challenged the people of Cape Dorset to believe for what God has for the community, a new beginning, and fresh hope.

James Arreak spoke in the evening Youth Service,  he challenged those present by saying, ". . .  people of Cape Dorset, you' re facing a new future,  just as God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, so He has chosen us , that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." 1Cor. 130  But of Him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God -- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption --

Sanctifcation .  Set yourself apart onto G od.  Sanctification. does not mean you don.'t sin anymore, it means si n is no longer normal in your life.

 Men we need to learn to walk holy lives.  God is stiring us up to be doers of the Word. 

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