me the position. Once again I didn’t hesitate, as this would relieve Marion of her responsibilities of being a pastor’s wife, give me the opportunity to still be involved in Christian service, and of course make it possible for me to continue to provide the necessities of life for my wife and sons.
Keswick—as it was affectionately called by the thousands of Canadians and Americans who had been there as guests through the years—was the largest and most prestigious Christian summer resort in North America. I commenced my new type of Christian ministry in April 1972. I write about other Keswick details in part 1, chapter 2.
CHAPTER 2
Loss of Employment
It has been said that when your employment is terminated, there’s not only a financial matter to be concerned about but emotional pain that results from not knowing what to do next, especially if you still have a dependent family to support.
That is the situation I found myself in when I was informed that Canadian Keswick Conference could no longer afford my salary, and being the highest-paid employee I was first to be given my termination notice. When I was hired as the conference director, as I have mentioned in chapter 1, there was a fly in the ointment that I was not informed about but should have been.
First some details about Keswick, as it was popularly known. It was a large and very successful Christian retreat and resort in beautiful Muskoka, where thousands of Christians from Canada and the United States would gather together during the summer months for a vacation in a Christian atmosphere. The program featured well-known Bible teachers from around the world and the very best in Christian music. The chapel, which could accommodate over one thousand, was always filled to capacity on Sundays and weeknights. It also became well-known for many other reasons, including its magnificent gardens, the very best in cuisine served in the 400-seat dining room overlooking beautiful Lake Rosseau, and an action-filled recreation program.
In the late 1960s, three factors played out that eventually put this amazing Christian conference into bankruptcy and me out of employment. At a time when interest rates were rising exponentially, the conference was hit with huge unplanned costs relating to the following:
1. Directives of the Muskoka Region Health Department to upgrade the sewage system.
2. Directives of the Office of the Fire Marshall to upgrade the safety systems.
3. Conference board of directors’ decision to proceed with the building of the youth camp on property across from the conference without first having all the funds in place. They didn’t take our Lord’s admonition seriously when He said, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28).
During the centennial year the federal government was dispensing millions of dollars in grants to organizations that were involved in reaching out to inner-city youth. The board of directors applied for a grant for the camp, and they were so sure they would receive one that they proceeded with construction. Keswick Youth Camp was to be no tent or cabin operation but first class in every way. The program included the teaching of canoeing, sailing and even horseback riding. The purpose of the camp was to reach unchurched youth of well-to-do-families with the Christian message, a noble concept to be sure.
Partway through construction the board of directors learned that their application for a government grant had been turned down, as the rates that were going to be charged were out of reach for the families of inner-city youth and would only be appropriate for youth from well-to-do families. What to do now? The board had to apply to the bank for a huge mortgage, placed on the equity of Keswick Conference. The bank granted it but in hindsight probably wished it hadn’t. A bank is always reluctant to declare bankruptcy in the case of a religious organization, which is why they seldom get involved in a mortgage on a facility to be used for religious purposes.
Construction on the youth camp was completed, and it operated very successfully for a number of years under the very capable leadership of John Wilkinson; but when the conference was not able to keep up with even the interest payments, the bank moved in and put the conference and the youth camp into bankruptcy. As I was the highest-paid employee, I was the first to be let go.
So here I was with a family to support with no income and no equity to fall back on. Once again my mom’s oft-repeated Bible promise brought peace of mind (“God will provide”), and we would bank on that! We did, and I would soon have employment again, which is an amazing story that follows in chapter 3.
KESWICK IN HINDSIGHT
In hindsight the Keswick experience brought great blessing to our family.
1. It enabled Marion to be free of the duties and responsibilities imposed on her as a pastor’s wife. Being the gregarious person she was, she enjoyed socializing with the guests, and they in turn enjoyed socializing with her. She was a great asset to my ministry at Keswick, as she was in my pastorates!
2. As a family, it gave us the opportunity to spend the summers together in beautiful Muskoka and to enjoy all the amenities of the conference, including gourmet meals in the elegant dining room.
3. It provided summer employment for our sons and the opportunity to have fellowship and fun with over 75 youth who were members of my staff.
4. It gave me an opportunity to continue—although in a little different way—my pastoral ministry. I became the summertime pastor to the youth on my staff, and that was a delightful experience. Early every morning I met with the staff and shared a thought with them from God’s Word and prayed with them that God would make each one of them a blessing to the guests. I have always loved working with youth, and through the years God has been pleased to bless my ministry among them.
5. I was able to continue my preaching ministry. Every morning after breakfast the guests would gather in what was known as Delectable Mansion and I would lead a 15-minute devotional time. Many guests said that they received as much spiritual blessing from those few minutes as they did at the hour-long chapel services with well-known preachers from around the world.
There are many times when our lives take twists and turns that we find challenging to face, but when we face them knowing that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV) and that “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19), we can then look back and thank God for what seemed at the time to be an exasperating detour.
It has been said that when one door closes, God will open another door. That door was about to open! Praise be to God!
CHAPTER 3
Loss of Employment Again
When my employment at Keswick Conference was terminated, I needed to pray for God’s guidance as to my next step. In my youth I learned a biblical proverb that says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV). The apostle James writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). I have banked on those promises throughout my life, and once again I needed to put the principle into practice. As I walked the streets of Barrie and along the shoreline of beautiful Kempenfelt Bay (walking is good for us physically and therapeutic emotionally), pondering what my next step (pardon the pun) should be, I felt only a sense of peace, knowing that God was in control and something would turn up in His time. It was a difficult time of uncertainty for Marion—as her health was continuing to decline—and for our boys, who were still in school.
LIGHT IN THE TUNNEL
