Good Friday morning from the LPD – on Thursday evening – (I have an early ferry to catch over to Parkdale Church).
It was September 13, 1941.
My father had just begun his term as principal of South Westminster School in North Surrey. Only 2 weeks into the school year, he received a registered letter from the Department of National War Services. Dad had volunteered for service in the forces and had already passed the medical. As of September 13, 1941, he was officially “called out.”
The notice reads:
BY PROCLAMATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL
You have been called out to undergo military training and, in accordance with the National War Service Regulations 1940 (Recruits) have been medically examined and found fit for training. Therefore, you are hereby notified to report on Thursday OCT. 2, 1941, to the Officer Commanding Military Training Centre at Vernon…
Since finding this notice in my late father’s papers, I have often thought of what it must have been like to get a notice like this. He had just been promoted to principal. After 2 just weeks, he was required to resign, put his affairs in order and report to Vernon for military training. There could be no second thoughts and there was no room for wavering. There was no turning back. He was called into service and had to go.
Dad went to Vernon for basic training. He was then stationed on Yorke Island, a coastal defense station on the Central BC Coast in Johnstone Straight. Later, he was transferred into the Canadian Intelligence Service, where he was trained in the Japanese language, and served as a translator until he was discharged in 1945, after the end of the war.
I appreciate and respect my father’s sacrifice and service for our country. He gave four years of his life for the cause of our freedom, and others gave still more – even their lives and future for this cause. On November 11, we will remember and will make our way to the local cenotaph for the Remembrance Day services.
In rereading this registered letter of call to service, I have been thinking about the call we have received in Christ. I have also been thinking about our call to the Lord’s service.
Jesus’ call is no less definite that what my father received years ago. Come and follow! Come and serve! There is no room for second thoughts and no room for wavering. There can be no turning back.
For those in vocational or volunteer ministry, it is the conviction of one’s call that will sustain one in ministry. I attach an article by Gordon MacDonald titled, “God’s Calling Plan,” that explores the subject of God’s call and what it means to be called into service today.
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May God guide and keep you through this day and through the weekend ahead.
Please see the attached Five Minutes on Friday, with news and prayer items from the LPD, and also see the attachment featuring Central Evangelical Free Church in Courtenay, our LPD Church of the Week.
Please note the following dates:
May God bless and keep you as you look to the Lord, and trust him for his good work through the week ahead.
In Jesus,
Rob
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This year, as our Lower Pacific District assists in the birth and revitalization of churches, we also step out in faith with local churches through providing financial support and seed money. To this end, we appreciate the gifts of many district churches and also of individuals. You can participate through both cheques and online through PayPal at our website. See LPD website for more info.
