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| Current
ministry: |
Daniel and Marie began church planting efforts in Boisbriand/Sainte-Thérèse in April 2004. Until the summer of 2007, they worked alongside team members John and Lise Francis. Since then, John and Lise have taken on the challenge of relaunching the church in Chibougamau.
The church in Boisbriand/Sainte-Thérèse is trying to reach a region known as the North Shore. This is a growing area with a population of 170,000 people. This cell-based church was incorporated and recognized in the spring of 2006. |
| Family: |
Daniel and Marie were married on July 19, 1975 at the Baptist church in Asbestos. The Lord blessed them with two daughters. Julie was born in March 1980 with a congenital heart defect. This was a great trial but over time it taught them great lessons about trusting the Lord. With God’s grace she is well now. Their second daughter Nadia was born in 1986. |
| Spiritual
Background: |
Daniel heard the gospel for the first time in 1975 while he was training as a mechanic at the mine in his hometown of Asbestos, Quebec. André, one of his co-workers, was touched by the testimony of Mr. Gosselin and spoke of it often. A fervent Roman Catholic, Daniel began talking with Mr. Gosselin in order to convince André that he was wrong. When he started to read the Bible, Daniel noticed discrepancies with teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. This led him to commit himself to Jesus Christ and not to a religion. As he read and searched for God, he became aware of his sin. He understood the work of Christ at the cross for his salvation and began to comprehend the depth of His love.
Marie was deeply affected by Daniel's spiritual journey. She says, "One evening in April 1975, although we were engaged, I told him that I could not continue with our relationship because of his new religious orientation. I gave him back all his gifts and the engagement ring. My world had capsized. Alone that night, I read these words in the Bible: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. I turned to God and said, 'If what I read is true, then I believe that you came to save me and to change my heart.' I suddenly felt a great peace."
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| Ministry
Experience: |
Soon after his conversion, Daniel felt a call to ministry. Over a number of years he earned a B. Th. with SEMBEQ. He worked alongside Pastor Lionel Gosselin in his home church in Asbestos for nine years. Then, in 1984, he accepted the challenge to lead a new church plant in Richmond.
In 1987 he responded to a new challenge. He became the associate pastor at Église Baptiste Évangélique de Chomedey (now called Île Jésus) where he worked with Ernie Keefe for several years. He participated in the construction of a new building for 300 people. After Mr. Keefe's departure, Daniel became the senior pastor of this congregation of over 200 people.
For 15 years Daniel had a varied ministry that included teaching the Word of God, evangelism, youth work, cell groups, and worship. During these years he was co-founder of Action Jeunesse, a regional youth ministry. He also taught communication to parents in community centers and schools.
Daniel says, " It has now been 28 years since I experienced reconciliation with God and I ask the Lord to give me the grace to persevere. A verse from the Word of God often reminds me of the simplicity of God's expectations of me. Micah 6:8 reads, He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
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