Church Ambassador - Peterborough Free Methodist

1.Full name: Peter Belfry
2. Age: 19
3. Year in University: 3rd
4. Program: history and computer science for teacher's education
5. E-mail: peterbelfry@gmail.comWas in my hometown, and I like that its a smaller schoolMy mom raised me catholic but as years went by I really didn't understand what being a Christian meant. I changed schools in grade 5 and had a lot of trouble making new friends. I became depressed and started thinking about my purpose in life. Then when my mom found a new church, the Peterborough Free Methodist I understood what being a Christian meant and it became my purpose, serving God. I developed many new friendships and following God has made me who I am today. I'm still growing and changing and learning every day.
I was influenced a lot by my Grade 8 teacher Mr. Sawada, youth pastor Dave, and pastor Eyre.Peterborough Free Methodist. It always focuses on learning things that will change you when you actually go out in the world, focuses a lot on outreach to youth, kids and missions trips. I always learn new things because the pastor looks at things in creative ways. And there's some super cool people!

Church in the Caf Coordinator

Name: Sarah Joy Petersen

Age: 19

Year: Second

Program: Nursing

E-mail sarahpetersen@trentu.ca

What brought you to Trent? 

Well... when I was applying to various schools I got pretty stressed out about where I should be going, because I knew that the decision would have a huge impact on the next four years, and the rest of my life.  So as I was praying about the decision, I told God, “You know what, it would just be really nice if I only got accepted to one school, because then I would be sure that it’s where You want me to go”.  I got accepted by Trent at the beginning of March and then didn’t get another acceptance till just a few weeks before the deadline despite having an excellent high school average.  I guess you could say that God answers prayer and that’s why I’m here!

How did you become a Christian?

I grew up in a strong Christian home, and have always been deeply involved with my church family.  At the age of 8 or so, I realized the importance of giving Jesus complete control of my life and my walk of faith began.  Because I grew up in Sunday school and Salt and Light (our church’s kids club, something like AWANA)  I have always been able to get the right answers to Bible questions and spout off a whole bunch of Christianese in my conversations.  However, I’m realizing more and more that it’s not about me knowing the bible backwards and forwards or memorizing the book of Ephesians, or participating in 17 church activities a week.  In fact, it’s not about me at all.  Ultimately everything I do or say or think is a tool for God to use for His glory and greater purpose.  Humbling? Yes! And that’s the point.  It really is all about HIM!

What is your favourite Bible passage?  Why?

Wow, there’s so many that have really spoken to me a different points in my life, but the one that is standing out right now is John 15:4-5 “Abide in Me and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine you are the branches.  He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”  Now when Jesus says “without Me you can do nothing”, he really means “without Me you can do nothing”.  If Jesus isn’t in it, anything that I can do is completely worthless.  This is a great lesson which I am embarrassingly prone to forget when I set my heart on one of my own plans.  Learning how to abide in Him is a lifelong pursuit, but it’s an exciting one, because the more I discover about God’s character, the more I realize there is yet to be discovered.

What do you hope to see happen in TCF as a whole this year?

Well, I guess several things... I don’t want us to suffer from visions that are too small.  I would love to see us become a close-knit group that is used by God for His glory at the Trent campus and across Peterborough.  And so much more that I can’t think of right now.  I want the Trent community to see a glimpse of the awesomeness of God through us.

Special Events Coordinator
1.Full name:  Sydney MJ Kuipers
2. Age:  19
3. Year in University:  Third
4. Program:  Forensic Science and Chemistry
5. E-mail:  luvin_eagles_4ever@hotmail.com  or sydneykuipers@trentu.ca
There are only five universities in Ontario that really offer forensic science.  In looking at all the other options they all eliminated themselves by either being too far or too close or I just didn’t feel an inner spark when I thought of the idea of going there.  Trent on the other hand was this school I knew nothing about so couldn’t formulate an opinion about at all so it seemed somewhat spontaneous to just be like “I’m going there.”  To be honest, I don’t feel I really let God in on the decision.  I just looked at the college and university book in grade ten, and the inside of me just picked it.  Looking back though I suppose I could say the inside nudge was all God.  If not – He’s so awesome He let me pick this time and worked with it.

I would say that it is the part of my life that has had to experience divorce with my parents in grade nine of highschool.  That is an experience that continued through the rest of highschool and still continues in bits and pieces into my post-secondary life.  It’s a whole mess that can really attack you in a lot of different ways – but it makes you stronger and really opens your eyes to how big God is – and how much He loves you, as well as how He is the master schemer... I mean planner... it’s me who likes to scheme sometimes haha.

“Reality, however, is found in Christ.”  Colossians 2:17
This is my favourite because I feel like that is such a powerful statement.  In one sense, one of the most common things you hear, or even one of the most common things you may feel is this sense that God isn’t real.  That it’s just there making you feel nice or a way to give yourself a reason, a way to give yourself a purpose.  This isn’t so – and there are things everyday that I can look back on and that can confirm this reality for me.  I want to know the truth and knowing I’m living with and in the truth – well that is joyful and something to give praise about.

My goal is to make us one big happy and fruitful community of people who serve and praise God.  My job is to do this by bringing us together with fun events and creative entertainment (sometimes provided by yourself – yay talent shows!) I hope to draw more people in to seeing that the Christian life really is full of fun, that it’s not this big list of rules we all walk around solemnly following.  Rather, I want to reveal the joy that Christ brings and how sharing that together is something God intends for us.

Outreach/Evangelism Coordinator

1.Full name - Jennifer Knight
2. Age- 21
4. Program- International Development Studies
5. E-mail- sunnfyre@hotmail.com I became a Christian when I was 15 years old. I think I always knew that God was there- I remember praying sometimes as a kid, and we did go to Church on Christmas and Easter, but my family wasn't really practicing, and by the time I got to highschool I had a lot of questions about faith. I started seeking God on my own- I think I was of the idea that if I wanted to be a good person, I should go to church. That idea changed for me pretty quickly. Over the next year I went through some pretty intense personal and family struggles and finding myself on my knees one night, I gave myself to Christ and started asking Him for help. Until that point, the idea of God was a kind of distant abstract concept-- but then He started answering my prayers. At that point I had to make a decision; either this was legit and I lived for it or I kept doing what I was doing, and ignor it. But the way I saw it, it wasn't even really a choice. If God was God- I had to follow Him. So I did- Later that year I got baptized and joined a local church. I was saved back then but I am still being saved, I became a Christian but am still becomming one today.

I just got back to Canada a few months ago, but I currently consider the Gathering my home church. The best part of this church is the way it acts as part of the body of Christ- and this I mean in every way. I have experienced real fellowship in the last year- even in being away across the ocean and the world- that we can fellowship in the suffering, the resurrection and the love of Christ together. This is a sincerily beautiful thing, and I consider myself blessed to be part of such a working body.
Philipians 3:7-11 ^"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead" This passage has always stuck out for me. I think it speaks for itself.
Fellowship, community, growth, continual prayer, and love. My hope is that we can be one- in every way- and that we can work together for the Kingdom of Heaven, God's will be done at Trent this year. I can't wait!! :)


Communications Coordinator
1. Name: Samantha (Sam) Andrea McIntaggart

2. Age: 20
3. Year in University: 2nd
4. Program: Psychology major, Sociology minor
5. Email: sam.mc13@gmail.com

What brought you to Trent?
The main reason that I came to Trent was TCF. I had heard lots about TCF and the community it provided was a real draw for me. The fact that Peterborough isn't too far from home helped too.

What was your biggest faith-building experience?
My biggest faith-building experiences are on-going. My first year at Trent was definitely a large part of building my faith, as I have been on my own since high school and finances have been difficult. I had a lot of difficulties with OSAP as I was repeatedly given the wrong information, and it was November and December, and I still did not know how I was going to pay my second installment of fees in January. Miraculously God provided the finances by getting my story to the right people, and in the middle of December I was notified that not only had my appeal gone through and that OSAP was giving me enough to pay for my fees, but I received well beyond what I needed! God continues to teach me to trust and believe in Him, and although it is at times a struggle, I know that He is a God who provides.

What is your favourite Bible passage? Why?
My favourite Bible passage is Lamentations 3:22-23, and I love the wording of it in the King James Version especially:
These two verses have gotten me through a lot of rough days, knowing that although problems and stress continued, God refreshes His mercy and his compassion each morning, and they are new for us as well. These verses always bring me hope.

What church do you attend? What are the best parts of your church?
I attend Ferndale Bible Church. I really enjoy it because the people are so friendly and they have a lot of ministry directed towards students. Every Sunday morning there is a Bible study for students during the traditional service, which I enjoy because it helps me to delve deeper into Scripture, and to prepare my heart for the service.

Prayer and Quiet Worship

Come to the Lady Eaton College Pit at 3 pm Tuesday, September 14th for a time of prayer and worship. Drop in even if you only have a few moments. If you have an instrument please bring it along, there is a piano there as well if you are interested in playing.

Open House: Ultimate Frisbee

Meet Friday, September 17th at the Athletics Complex Field for a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Invite friends and let's have some fun! We will be meeting at 7 pm.

Church in the Caf

This Sunday, September 19th we will be having our first Church in the Caf of the year. Church in the Caf is a monthly event where we gather to worship and learn more about the awesome God we serve. It starts at 8 pm and goes until approximately 10 pm, and will be at the Lady Eaton Cafeteria.

Fall Retreat

Our annual fall retreat is approaching fast! It will be the first weekend of October, with more details arriving soon. It will be from Friday to Sunday. If you are interested in coming but are unable to afford to do so, please notify us as we have additional funding to allow students to come. We require 30 people to come in order to be able to run the retreat, so please let us know soon if you would like to come. Email Sydney Kuipers or Sarah Harris for more details.


Testimonies and Prayer Requests:

Have a testimony (a short life story detailing some faith experience) or a prayer request that you would like to put before the community? If so, please contact us via email at trentchristianfellowship@gmail.com so I can send it to the group! If you wish it to be anonymous or to have only your first name sent out, just say so!