North Douglas Church

I was raised a Muslim. I remember asking my Dad about God’s love, salvation, security, and the certainty of heaven. He couldn’t give me adequate answers to my many questions. I gave up on the Muslim religion at a very early age.  

A precious couple from the Centennial United Church got permission from my parents to take me to Sunday School. I just loved it!  I was 5 1/2 years old and remained in the United Church until the day I accepted Christ Jesus as my Lord and Saviour when I was 19. I have always felt a call to the ministry.

A great opportunity came and I enrolled in the British Columbia Bible Institute in September 1948 (now known as Summit Pacific College). I spent 3 thrilling years at the Bible College learning about my Saviour Jesus Christ. I was blessed and honored to be chosen as the graduation speaker at our graduation  held at Broadway Pentecostal Tabernacle in Vancouver, BC on May 4th, 1951.

I launched into the Evangelistic Field preaching the gospel in May, 1951. Churches opened up to my ministry and kept me busy conducting meetings that stretched 2, 3 and 4 weeks at a time. We called them evangelistic crusades.

In June 18th, 1955, I married my beloved angel, Isabel May Dawson. The marriage took place in Winnipeg, Man. The Pastor that performed the wedding was one of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and the Apostolic Church of Pentecost. Isabel was a consummate pianist, accordionist, organist and had a great alto voice. We combined our musical talents and presented concerts in every meeting.

In October 1964, we received a call to pastor a church in Bowmanville, Ont. We accepted the call and enjoyed our ministry there.

The PAOC asked us to give 2 years to Canada for Christ Crusades. The Don Cantelons, James MacNight and the Kudras traveled across Canada conducting meetings. Our secretary was Keith Parks who settled in Bowmanville and arranged the meetings for us.

When our tenure was finished, we settled in a pastorate in Toronto, Ont. We also pastored in Napanee, Ont. and Woodstock, Ont. The last church we  pastored was St. Thomas, Ont. We enjoyed these years pastoring 5 great churches. I retired in 1993…perhaps, retreaded would be a better word. The District Superintendent asked us to be interim pastors. We did this type of work for over 9 years.

My precious wife Isabel passed away on Nov. 22, 2001. It was a sad time for me. We had ministered together for over 46 years.

However, God was not through with this preacher…I often said that I wanted to die preaching - with my boots on.

Through some unusual circumstances, I contacted Marion Turner whom I met in Melfort, Sask. in 1949. She lived in Victoria. I took a trip to Victoria in 2002 and renewed my friendship with Marion. We decide it was God’s will for us get married and we set a date: November 30th, 2002.

Meanwhile, The District Superintendent got wind of this and David Wells phoned me in Burlington, Ont. and asked if I would be interested in becoming the senior interim pastor of North Douglas Church. (he had heard that we were experienced in this type of ministry.) I replied “yes!, I’ll be glad to take this challenge.”

I arrived in Victoria on October 26th and assumed my responsibilities as interim pastor of a wonderful congregation on Nov. 3rd. Marion and I were married at Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church on November 30th.

The Lord took Marion home suddenly on October 21st 2004, just 40 days short of our 2nd anniversary! I lost both wives within 3 years. It was tough going but the Lord gave me strength to carry on the work of Jesus Christ.

The new pastor and board asked me to become the Seniors’ Pastor and pastor of Pastoral Care. I accepted this position which I hold to this day.

Folks, Jesus is a wonderful Saviour and God is precious to me. I am enjoying my ministry fully at North Douglas Church.

Oh, did I mention I plan to die with my boots on?

Pastor Abe's blog http://www.northdouglaschurch.org/blog/pastor_abe