The Berlin Wall hadn’t yet fallen and
the Cold War was still in effect, and his military role wasn’t something he
could talk about. However, I know he was in communications and learned to speak
Russian and that he spent some time each year at the Canadian Forces Station at
Alert, in the Arctic. This is the world’s northernmost permanently inhabited
place – although the population is mostly comprised of rotating military and
scientific personnel.
My wife and I came to know Levi
Samson Beardy, an Aboriginal Canadian, in the early 1980s during our time in
Kingston, Ontario. He was newly posted at the Canadian Forces Base there. He and his family fitted right in, from the
first service they attended at our church.
Eager to learn and willing to
participate, it soon became evident that Levi was the ‘real deal.’ His commitment to his family, to Jesus Christ
and our church fellowship proved solid, and he took on significant roles, such
as teaching an adult Bible class, leading segments in worship services, serving
on the church board and occasionally filling in for me in preaching.
What brought Levi and his family to
mind today was that May recently came across an old photo featuring him with me
and two other men from the congregation. She posted it on Facebook; Levi saw it
on a mutual friend’s Facebook wall and connected with May.
Perhaps you have certain internet
social networking connections that you’d rather be without, while others you
appreciate and enjoy. Levi’s one we are glad to have. He has updated us on what
he’s doing nowadays. Since his retirement from the armed forces he studied at
Bible college and seminary.
For several years he taught at an aboriginal
college, and then in 2008 he became co-founder and President of North American
Aboriginal Bible College (NAABC) – a role he still fulfils. He is also a
co-pastor at an Aboriginal church in Toronto.
NAABC is “an interdenominational
Bible College with the mission of preparing Aboriginal (First Nations, Metis,
Inuit) people and non-Aboriginal people for ministry.” Levi is an equipper –
training others and helping them succeed. He understands authority, for his
military training taught him how authority structures operate. He knows that in
order to develop strong and equitable, honest and balanced leadership, one must be given
responsibilities incrementally, with accountability.
I’m grateful to God for the small
role our lay leaders and I were privileged to play in allowing this fine man’s
natural and spiritual gifts for Christian leadership and teaching to grow and
flourish. These abilities are still being used to elevate lives and bless North
American Aboriginal communities with faith and hope and love, through the grace
of our Lord Jesus.
My thanks is due those leaders who,
in my youth, allowed me to share talents and spiritual gifts with others, and
entrusted me with levels of responsibility, even when I felt inadequate to bear
them. They took risks, and I made mistakes, but they were patient and helped me
grow through them.
Levi expressed that his time in our
Kingston congregation was a period of growth personally and for the church.
With his military career far behind him, he continues “in communications,”
teaching and investing in the lives of young leaders who will help others come
to know the love and peace of God.
~~+~~
Peter A. Black is a freelance writer in Southwestern Ontario, and is
author of “Parables from the Pond” – a children's / family book (mildly
educational, inspirational in orientation, character reinforcing).
(Finalist -- Word Alive Press ISBN 1897373-21-X)
His inspirational column, P-Pep!
appears weekly in The Guide-Advocate. His articles have appeared in 50
Plus Contact and testimony, and several newspapers in Ontario. Peter’s
current book project comprises a collection of 52 column articles. The post above has been slightly modified
from a P-Pep! column article,
published Sep. 19, 2013.
~~+~~
3 comments:
Peter - I found Levi's story so interesting. Doug and I met a man this year who spent 15 years in Alert. It takes a certain type of person to live in the far north. Sounds like his stint there was preparation for ministry at the Bible College. Thanks for sharing, Rose
Thanks Rose. I received word from Levi today. He was affirming of the article; however, he corrected me on the matter of his Alert stints. They weren't yearly, but occurred every three and a half to four years. (Almost 3 decades of brain rust, on my part, eh!) He also provided several additional details that I could use in a potential slightly expanded version.) ~~+~~
It's interesting to hear how Levi's military training prepared him to lead people in their faith development.
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