Fellowship Hall

“The world is going to be a better place”

Chantal Kreviazuk congratulates Redeemer students on donation to War Child Canada

After three shaved heads, a collection of painted fingernails, and weeks of fundraising efforts, the Redeemer student body presented $5056 to War Child Canada. Celebrating the efforts, Canadian singersongwriter Chantal Kreviazuk visited the school on April 6 for an hour and a half of storytelling, discussion and song

Sociology professor Dr. Timothy Epp contacted Ms Kreviazuk through her MySpace site, inviting her to speak to his Popular Culture class. She agreed, providing Redeemer students raise $2500 for War Child Canada (WCC), a charity dedicated to providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to waraffected children around the world. Long an advocate and supporter of WCC,

(left to right): Chantal Kreviazuk applauds as Redeemer students Laura Mainland and Melissa Hogeboom present a cheque for $5056 to Alyson Rowe, Manager, Public Outreach for War Child Canada. Ms Hogeboom agreed to shave her head if students raised more than $2500 for the charity.

Although the minimum donation required for her visit was $2500, the students more than doubled that amount. During the presentation, Alyson Rowe, Manager, Public Outreach for War Child Canada, announced that the donation by Redeemer students was the largest of any college or university in Canada. “I want to thank you all for stepping up to the plate and making my cause your own,” said Kreviazuk. “The world is going to be a much better place because of the journey that you are on. Keep up the good work.”

After speaking about War Child, Kreviazuk sang two of her hits -- Feels Like Home and Julia -- before opening up the floor to questions. During the Q & A period, she answered students’ questions about topics such as motherhood, musicianship and the role of faith. Kreviazuk shared how she relies “on the two ‘humes’ -- humility and humour,” to remain balanced while being both a successful musician and a human rights activist.

Kreviazuk was in Hamilton as part of her latest tour. She began her concert that night at Hamilton Place by praising the work of Redeemer students in supporting War Child. Melissa Hogeboom and Laura Mainland, two of the students who headed up the fundraising efforts, were guests of Chantal at the concert, and were publicly thanked for their work.

Work Research Foundation becomes Cardus

Hamilton-based Cardus is now North America’s newest non-partisan think tank, specializing in examining the interactions of economic, social, cultural, intellectual and religious spheres of public life. Cardus will expand upon the work of its precursor, the Work Research Foundation, said President Michael Van Pelt.

“We have grown as an organization by 30 percent per year over the last five years,” said Van Pelt. “It had become clear that the old structure was no longer capable of sustaining either our growth or our aspirations.”

Kirk Giles chosen to lead Promise Keepers

There is a new leader about to take the helm of Promise Keepers Canada.

Kirk Giles, who has been a member of the Leadership Team at Promise Keepers Canada since 2000, will become the Burlington-based organization’s president effective April 1.

Kirk has served in various roles at Promise Keepers Canada for almost thirteen years. Most recently, he has served as the Director of Ministry Advancement – overseeing the areas of Events, Marketing, Resources, and Discipleship.

Kirk was the original visionary behind the “Leave No Man Behind” theme of Promise Keepers Canada, and has also written three study guides for men’s groups. In 2007, he was named one of Canada’s top 35 Christian leaders under 35.

Brian Stewart –         'Faith on the Frontlines'

CBC television journalist Brian Stewart has covered many of the world’s conflicts and reported from nine war zones, and has discovered how faith and love prevail even in the darkest places.