Christian Veterinary Missions of Canada

Each year our friends at CVM US hold a workshop for Christian Vets interested in missions and ministry. This conference/workshop is one that members of CVMCanada attend each year, and those who have gone in the past have really learned a lot. The conference has a lot to offer, not only for Vets interested in long-term missions, but also those interested in building their faith, and learning great tips for their practice. It is also a great time of fellowship and networking with other Christian Vets and their spouses.

The Annual CVM Short Course session is designed for those seeking God’s will in discovering the role full-time missions will play in their lives. The session will be seek to answer the following questions:
o   How do you know if God is calling you?
o   Where could you serve?
o   How can God use a Vet?
o   Is CVM the best agency for me to serve with?
o   How is a vet missionary funded?
 
If you are interested, come join CVM staff  and Veterinary Missionaries at the CVM Shortcourse in Kansas City Missouri August 24 to 26th.
 
Register now to get the early registration rates at Shortcourse 2011.
 
If you are not interested in the learning about long-term missions, there are other sessions which might interest you still. Other topics include:
o   How to do effective Short Term Mission
o   Disaster preparedness Training
o   Using God’s word to address interpersonal relationships at work and at home to address life the way God intended 

A great highlight of the conference is the great worship, sharing and fellowship. Hope to see you there!
email shortcourse@cvmusa.org for more information.

CVMCanada had the privilege of attending the 2011 AAHA/OVMA conference in Toronto with our American counterpart/sister organization, CVM (Christian Veterinary Mission). The event took place over the weekend of March 24-27, and proved to be fruitful in advancing our ministries and building fellowship amongst Christian, Canadian vets. CVMCanada board member, Becky Holvik, wrote an update on her experience at the conference:

"As many of you know the OVMA conference was a combined event with the AAHA conference and it all occurred in Toronto.  There were good things (quality of conference) and bad things (crowding) about a large event like this.  But, for us at CVM/CVMC it was a good thing.  We had a unique chance to meet and share our message with veterinarians from all over North America right in Toronto and we made some new contacts.  We had a seminar on the Friday night led by Dr. Wendell Cantrell from CVM USA (I did not get to attend this due to my work schedule, but I am sure it was excellent).  We also had a very well attended fellowship breakfast on Saturday morning with a devotional from Dr. Cantrell followed by a time of sharing and prayer.  I left wishing I could have spent more time with our American brothers and sisters and it increased my desire to make a trip to their "Short Course" or other events."

Were you at the AAHA/OVMA conference this year? What did you think?
We're gearing up for the CVMA convention in Halifax in July. See you then!

     Here we are - March 2011 and CVMCanada is at a very important time in its history. After a couple of lean years financially, CVMC had to make some key changes. Thanks to faithful donors and leaders, it is well and we are ready to move on to even greater things in God’s work, but CVMC still needs you!

     I am an old timer and have enjoyed so much the veterinary profession. Some of the very special blessings of the profession are the great clients, staff, and fellow veterinarians. We have met many great Christian people in the veterinary profession, people who have crossed our paths, touched our lives in a meaningful way – and sadly moved on. Ever sit and wonder where they are?  What triggered these thoughts was a visit to our home on the event of the annual meeting of CVMC - a meeting attended by one such individual. You see when I was a young student, starting to make my way in the veterinary world, there was a professor who invited us into his home – he and his lovely wife cooked us a great meal, ministered encouragement to us in a low key way and sent us on our way. Dr. Barnum ministered in his professional way for so many years to so many students and it was a thrill to see him again on that evening! 

     There are so many more special individuals – people who love Jesus Christ and are involved in the veterinary world. Has it ever occurred to you how great a body of people we could be  working together for His kingdom  if we stayed attached as a body and pooled our unique abilities for Christ?

    I believe that this is the current mission of CVMC - how can we draw back together many of you to minister together – to minister here in Canada – to minister around the world – to help our veterinary college students as they launch their careers – to help one another in business – to offer help to one another’s staff members – we have such unique gifts given to us by our God!

    How can we help one another? Any ideas? Leave us a comment and lets hear those thoughts and move forward helping one another to use our gifts for His kingdom. We can start by continuing in prayer for one another.

- Dr. Len Carr (Interim Executive Director)