April 9 marked the annual dinner gathering of the Canadian Bible Society (CBS), Centre Wellington Branch.
Approximately 180 people from the Centre Wellington community gathered to eat, sing and pray at the Alma Bible Church. This annual dinner is a fundraising event for the local chapter, but it is also a wonderful way for the many church denominations in the community to gather in fellowship and worship, as well as have an educational component all wrapped up in one evening.
The Alma Bible Church caterers provided the roast beef dinner. Some members of the Wellington Branch led the evening and welcomed Rev. Wilbert Dawson, director of the southwestern Ontario District of the CBS to bring greetings. Dawson spoke about the need for Bibles for all countries and all social levels in our community. Bibles are distributed from the CBS to soldiers, prisoners and the needy in society, as well as those in countries suffering from tsunamis, earthquakes and droughts.
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong, also offered greetings and spoke of his education and how one of his university professors spoke of the English language and the Bible as being something that should be in every home and in the hands of all who need the guiding force of God by their side, which is all of us.
The praise portion of the evening was conducted by The Hilltop Singers, a group of male voices led by Doug Sargent and accompanied by Joan Wilson from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Fergus.
Floyd Brobbel, Chief Operations Officer for The Voices of the Martyrs, Canada, was the guest speaker. Brobbel travels extensively around the world reaching out to those who are persecuted for being Christians.
His stories highlighted the need in our world to stand up for beliefs and be active in helping others. He commended the CBS on its commitment to put Bibles in the hands of anyone who wants one, and hopes to work with the CBS on a global basis in the future.
Rev. David Whitecross led the evening in a grace for our meal and Rev. Tony Albano gave the benediction for the close of the evening. Rev. Paul Hudson led a pastoral prayer for the evening.
Organizers wish to thank those three men for their “Christian leadership” in the community.
Organizers also wish to thank the sponsors for this evening. Nineteen local companies and businesses stepped forward to help defray the cost of the evening, thus allowing the proceeds to go directly to the CBS’ mission of translating, producing and distributing Bibles.
