National News: Leadership Transition

Dear Friends,

God provides for ministries in many ways. One of the Lord’s most gracious provisions is the raising up of leaders to take a ministry securely into the future. When I became Director of the entire Canadian ministry back in the Spring of 1994, Barb and I began to ask God to provide a dynamic team of missionaries in order for WOL to grow with stability and excellence! As I look  at the staff across the country today, I am overwhelmed with how God has answered that prayer.

Preparing the ministry for leadership succession has been a key stewardship focus of my heart and so 24 months ago I approached the Board of Directors to share that I believed God had identified the next Canadian Director and that we should begin a planned and prayerful process of transition. Back in those very early summers here at Owen Sound a young summer staff teenager committed his life to serve the Lord at one of our campfires and, just like in my own experience as a teen at a WOL campfire, a journey began for Scott Foreman. After high school in Ontario he went to the Word of Life Bible Institute in NY, completed his college training at Tennessee Temple University and, along with his new bride, joined Word of Life in Schroon Lake where he served in many capacities of leadership, ministry development and discipleship. Several years ago God then led Scott and Rachel Foreman, along with their 4 young boys, back to Canada to become part of the WOL Canada missionary family.


I am thrilled to share that Scott and Rachel accepted the unanimous invitation extended in January 2010 to lead the Canadian ministry. So, April 27th, 2012, Scott Foreman and his family will be officially installed into the top leadership role of Word of Life Canada!  He will be the Canadian Executive Director, responsible for all the ministries and staff of Word of Life Canada.

Barb and I will continue to serve in WOL as faith missionaries using the gifts God has given us to do preaching, teaching, recruiting, representation and donor relations work for the ministry that we love. We are thrilled with all that has transpired and look forward to this next phase of ministry within WOL that God has for us.

In His Loving Service, 

Gary Stairs - Executive Director

Word of Life Fellowship Canada, Inc.

Phil. 1:6