Alpine Newsletter (May 26th, 2025)

This last week the Alpine Baptist Association held a meeting in Kelowna, BC (May 22-23rd). Redeemer Baptist Church (Redeemer Baptist Church) hosted. Pastors Ross Odnokon and Vince Kuipers, their wives, and the other church members showed amazing hospitality. Besides Ross and Vince, Pastors/church leaders present included: Zacharie Jean (Cornerstone Baptist, Kamloops), Leyton Freeman (Uplands Baptist, Terrace), and Rory St. John (Coram Deo Baptist, Grande Prairie). We also had a visit from Ben Lane who works with HeartCry Missionary Society and was the former pastor of Coram Deo.

On Thursday we held a business meeting, then in the evening went out for evangelism down by the lake, followed by fellowship and pie at the Odnokons' house (thanks Kara!).

Friday morning took us to Redeemer Classical Academy for a tour (Redeemer Academy). It is a growing classical school operation run by Redeemer Baptist. The afternoon included some discussion and fellowship time between the pastors. In the evening, we gathered for a worship time, where Pastor Ross preached from 2 Timothy 4:1-8:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

It was an excellent reminder of the primary calling of all of us pastors: preach, preach, preach! Watch below:

At the Friday meeting, we also honoured Pastor Zacharie Jean for his 30 years of ministry and 25 years at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Kamloops. We had several men give testimonies and presented him with a new Bible. We were all moved, and Pastor Zacharie was very surprised and encouraged! Praise the Lord for his sustaining grace for 30 years of ministry, and 25 at one church!

We praise the Lord for another encouraging meeting. We can't help but feel there are good things ahead for our little association. The Lord has been good to us! We look forward to the Annual meeting (September 18-20) where Lord willing, we will be hearing from Dr. John Snyder (Media Gratiae, Behold Your God).

In Christ,

Rory (Current Moderator)