Jim Carne never aspired to be a pastor. “I’ve always just wanted to help people,” the
79-year-old says.
Carne become a believer at
12 through a Free Methodist
church-plant near Hamilton, Ont.
“I’ve always felt God detoured
to find me,” explains the great-
grandfather. “I am the product of
an outreach ministry, and outreach
has been my passion ever since.”
After marrying his high-school
sweetheart, Lorraine, Carne
spent 31 years ministering in the
Niagara region through the Free
Methodist Church, and 13 at an
Evangelical Missionary church in
Auburn, Ont.
Carne’s congregations have
all expanded rapidly, but not on
account of his sermons – dynam-
ic as they are. It’s his involvement
with the community that has made the difference, he says.
“My ministry verse has always been Paul’s statement – ‘I am made all
things to all men that by all means I might save some.’ ”
Over the years, Carne has assisted farmers with their chores, repaired cars
for people who could not afford a mechanic, and driven transport trucks.
Despite retiring at the age of 67, Carne continues to minister as an interim
pastor in Ontario, a chaplain for international cruises and a construction
worker for Haiti’s Mission of Hope.
“I’ve always had a focus on world ministry,” he states. “The local pastor’s
involvement should not stop short of the Great Commission.”
Carne’s passion for outreach sends him to Haiti on missions each January,
and it recently inspired him to start learning 15 new languages while tutoring
150 students through the website My Happy Planet.
“I wouldn’t be doing anything like this except for the sense of God’s direction,” says Carne, who resides on a 49-acre farm near Clarksburg, Ont., with his
wife. “I hope to spend the rest of my life loving people into the Kingdom.” FT
–EMILY WIERENGA
retired pastor has lofty goal Pastor Jim Carne laying blocks for a construc- tion project in Nigeria.
Mom Succeeds in
Global Fundraising Effort
Ann Voskamp and her six children, ages three to 14, were among the 1,000 riders at the 2009 Ride for
Refugees in Waterloo, Ont.
With 94 online supporters paving the
way, Voskamp raised the second highest
amount in this year’s global ride, with a
total exceeding $7,300.
“As Canadian farmers, we may be
experiencing a very bleak financial situa-
tion,” says Voskamp, a home-schooling
mother from Listowel, Ont., “but even
the worst economic situation for most
of us in Canada is still infinitely better
than displaced individuals who have lost
their homes and, in horrific cases, have
watched the brutal abuse and even mur-
der of family members.”
Voskamp and her family were inspired
to do the ride after reading Isaiah 58 each
day for a month. “The Ride for Refugees
was our way to respond to the call God has
for his people to share and provide for the
poor,” Voskamp explains.
In spite of terrible weather, the family
biked a collective 60 km. “One of the children on our team said, in the midst of the
hail, ‘It may be hard for us – but it’s harder
for the refugees!’ ” reports Voskamp.
Initiated in 2004 by Brian Carney, development director for International Teams
Canada, the ride has grown from 20 local
participants to 6,000 worldwide. Occurring annually across Australia, the United
States and Canada, close to $2 million has
been raised to date.
Funds are split between the preferred
refugee ministries of the riders and the work
of International Teams, a Christian mission
organization, to relieve the physical and
spiritual needs of underprivileged people.
of thousands of refugees. I can see it,”
says Carney. “I believe this vision is true
to the heart of God. After all, His Son was
a refugee once.” FT –EMILY WIERENGA
About 1,000 riders
took part in the
Ride for Refugees
in Waterloo, Ont.
