April 2011:

Dear Partners,

Interviews of the candidates who applied for a SEMBEQ bursary took place last December.  What a blessing to meet these twelve serious students, men of God, most of them married with children, ready to sacrifice the security of a full-time job to get more intensely involved in the ministry.  What encouraging testimonies from their coaches!  We are exhorted by the reports and letters we receive from cohort members and scholarship students from which we share a few excerpts.

"I was edified by attending SEMBEQ's courses on the doctrine of man and sin, with R. Frauli, and Histoire III, les reveils with M. Haykin.  Brothers and sisters, by His grace, I should finish my degree in 2011." (Donald Rodier, St. Hyacinthe Church pastor)

"As JBEQ's regional trainer in the Estrie and Monteregie regions, I am blessed  to see the Lord going before us and guiding us in this undertaking... I see young people rising up with a burning heart for His cause... in St. Hyacinthe, Granby and Drummondville's GEEs (Student Evangelical Groups." (Pascal McElhaw, Granby cohort student)

"I would feel guilty not to mention the significant contribution of my new coach Francois Turcotte, who is turning my philosophy of ministry upside down and is greatly challenging me toward a conquering vision for RDP, as well as my mentor, Dominique Guichard, who is guiding my growth as a pastor... I sincerely thank all of you for SEMBEQ's support through the grant I received for 2011.  The RDP Church is also very thankful..." (Miguel Richard, RDP Church pastor and scholarship student)

"I offer you our most sincere thanks for accepting our request for a bursary in order to support us during our theological training.  We know this grant is the fruit of many sacrifices made by men and women we don't even know.  Transmit to them our most sincere thanks.  We wish to use their hard-earned gifts as managers who are accountable for what they are given." (Narcisse Yopa, scholarship student)

Heartfelt gratitude!  The gospel is growing in these men's lives thanks to your generosity.  Thank you!

Francios Picard

P.S. My health is much better and I am glad to be back; thank you for your prayers.