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It was the mid-1930's,
and spiritual darkness reigned in Canada's North. There is no record
to be found of any evangelical work being carried on at that time.
The work of the Methodists, that during the late 1800's had brought
such blessedness, had lost its vigor, fundamental nature and
evangelistic fervor. Formalism characterized the worship patterns
that remained. Hopelessness once again was paralyzing the hearts of
Canada's Indigenous peoples. Prospects for change appeared bleak.
However, the time was
ripe, and God began stirring certain men's hearts.
A Rustle of Concern
In 1936, Isaac
Reine, who was working at Goldfields, in northern Saskatchewan,
became deeply moved by the sight of the bondage of sin of Native
people wherever he traveled. Although under appointment as a
missionary to Africa, he took time to share his burden with
concerned Christians across Canada.
God Deals With a Homesteader
It was shortly after
this that a rancher in the Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan area by the
name of Stan Collie found Christ. With a heart burning for the lost
he endeavored to go to Africa, but was turned down due to his age
and the size of his family. Undaunted, he turned northward, and in
1939 caught a ride on a freighting expedition carrying supplies to
outposts along the mighty Churchill River. What he saw that summer
left an indelible imprint on his soul. He returned home, sold the
ranch, loaded his family and belongings into a covered wagon pulled
by four horses, and headed north. When the bush trail they traveled
on came to an end, they traded the horses for a scow and sailed up
Deep River to Buffalo Narrows where they settled.
Serving Alone
The first winter was
rugged. With no church behind them or any regular financial support,
it was touch and go for that first missionary family. But the flame
of God's love burning in their hearts and a growing awareness of the
tremendous needs in the North kept their faith strong, and the first
rigorous winter passed into history, a whole story in itself.
A Common Calling
In 1944 Arthur and
Martha Tarry, along with their young family, left a pastorate in
south-central Saskatchewan to join the Collies in Buffalo Narrows.
Having sprung from a rural background, the work rather naturally
became associated with the Canadian Sunday School Mission. With
expansion, there came a growing realization that this ministry to
Indian people could best be performed under a separate organization.
Thus the missionaries were led, in mutual agreement with the CSSM,
to establish an interdenominational mission board particularly
devoted to reaching Canada's northern Native people.
A Mission Established
In June of 1946 the
northern missionaries met in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, and founded
the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission with nine charter members
and three mission stations. The Mission functioned with its
headquarters in the isolated village of Buffalo Narrows. An office
building was constructed and a printing press was acquired. Soon a
language school was initiated for candidates applying for missionary
service.
Vision & Growth
The vision of these
early missionaries extended far beyond Buffalo Narrows and
northwestern Saskatchewan. The Lord blessed their prayers and
efforts to expand the work and by NCEM's 10th Anniversary there were
80 workers on 30 stations.
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