Niagara Business Group

The Niagara Business Group met in September 2010. There was both a noon and an evening session to handle the now close to 50 businesses in the group.




The completion of phase 1 for John Calvin Christian School and the funding of phase 2 was celebrated with a new video.

The group agreed to support the new Palabra Christian School building in Guatemala with 50% of their donations and to support both the Behavioral Change Program for young people in Malawi (25% of donations) as well as the home for abused girls in Colombia (25% of donations).

Below is a picture of one of the classes at La Palabra Chrisitan School (current facility).

Business Group Meetings in British Columbia

The Abbotsford/Langley and Chilliwack business groups had their annual meetings in June, 2010. Both groups decided to complete funding of the John Calvin Christian School in Colombia and then to designate remaining funds to 2 projects: The expansion of 2 Christian schools in Nigeria (with a combined 2,000 students) and a youth program in Malawi which equips 1500 youth per year with a biblical view of marriage, parenting and sexuality.

Above is the Abbotsford/Langley Business Group (a number are missing).

Here is the Chilliwack Business Group.

The Chilliwack business group organized a dinner and round of mini-golf at Tap-ins situated in beautiful Cultis Lake.

Business Group meeting in British Columbia

Recently completed Phase 1 (John Calvin Christian School). From trip taken in late May, 2010. This project partially funded by both BC Business Groups.

Join us for Business Group meetings in British Columbia!

Business Group of Abbotsford/Langley
On Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 8 p.m., we hope to have our second annual Abbotsford/Langley business group meeting at Darvonda Nurseries, 6690 216 Street, Langley. Click here for directions.
To find out more about Word & Deed business groups, click here.
Anyone interested is welcome.

Business Group of Chilliwack
On Thursday, June 17, 2010, we hope to have our third annual business group meeting. The meeting will include a round of mini-golf at scenic Tap-Ins on Cultus Lake, a catered dinner and presentation. Please RSVP to attend the mini-golf or dinner (Corney Les: 604-795-6938). The meeting will take place at 7:30 pm at the Chilliwack Free Reformed Church on 45471 YALE RD. Click here for directions to the church. Anyone interested is welcome.

Business Group meetings in Alberta - you are invited!

The third annual meetings are being held for all four Alberta Business Groups at the end of April. Updates on projects which have been selected will be provided and new projects to support, where applicable, will be chosen.

In all cases, new members are warmly welcomed to join us. Please contact Rick Postma for more information publicrelations@wordanddeed.org or 877.375.9673.

Business Group of Southern Alberta
On Monday, April 26, 2010, we hope to have our third annual business group meeting at the Vanee Livestock Truck Wash (3716 9 Avenue North Lethbridge, AB) at 7:30pm, the Lord willing. Click here for a map.

Business Group of Calgary, Alberta
On Tuesday, April 27, 2010, we hope to have our third annual business group meeting at the Free Reformed church building at 7pm, the Lord willing. The address is 6167 6 St SE, Calgary and it is near the Blackfoot Inn. Click here for directions.

Business Group of Edmonton, Alberta
On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, we hope to have our third annual business group meeting at the Edmonton ORC (URCNA) building, 11610 95A St NW, at 8 pm, the Lord willing. Click here for a map.

Business Group of Central Alberta
On Thursday, April 29, 2010, we hope to have our third business group meeting at the Parkland Reformed Church at 7:30pm, the Lord willing. Click here for a map.

Changing Lives

By Rick Postma

The Word & Deed Business Group initiative continues to flourish under the blessing of the Lord. Since the Business Group of Southern Alberta was launched in December of 2007, 11 additional groups have been formed and over $650,000 donated in support of various projects in Africa and Latin America.


New Groups
In June a new group was started in the Abbotsford area of British Colombia with $57,000 pledged to be split between a home rebuilding project in Nicaragua and the John Calvin Christian School building project. This group was masterfully organized by Ineke Floris who is the group coordinator.


Also in June, Jeff Postma took an innovative approach and invited the sub-trades of his company, Postma Construction, to form a business group. Many did and $27,000 was pledged to support the John Calvin Christian School building project and Health Brigades in Colombia.

How does it work?
The business group program provides an opportunity for business people (you need not own your own business) to form a local group, to choose a project, to give an anonymous pledge towards the project and to have representatives of the group visit the project once it is completed. Updates are provided to the group periodically and the group meets once a year to hear about the project and to choose a new project for the next year.

If I join, what would be expected of me?
You will be asked to attend an annual meeting of your group. A goal of $1500 per member per year is set, but lesser amounts are also gratefully accepted. Some are in a position to give more. Others are in a position to give more in some years and less in others.

What kinds of projects are being supported?
Business Groups are given several options to choose from. A number of the groups are supporting the John Calvin Christian School building in Barranquilla, Colombia (a major project that is also receiving support from fundraisers, churches and individuals). Other projects chosen by business groups include micro-loans in Colombia, a multi-purpose building for the orphan program in Malawi, well-cleaning and agricultural projects in Nicaragua, and the Health Brigades and School of Practical Ministries project in Colombia.

How can I join or find out more?
If there is a business group in your area, you will be most welcome to join. If not, then you may be able to help form one. In either case and to find out more, contact Rick Postma: 877.375.9673, publicrelations@wordanddeed.org


Rick Postma is the Director of Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries.

Niagara Business Group - 2nd Annual Meeting

The Word & Deed Business Group met on September 24th for their 2nd annual meeting. There was both a noon and an evening session. For the noon session, all the chairs were filled with 32 group members in attendance.

The meetings took place in a very beautiful rustic barn at the home of Lawrence and Sharon Overbeeke. Attendees received an update on the projects they supported over the past year, learned about the other business groups and were given some networking time.

The group pledged over $57,000 the second phase of the John Calvin Christian School in Colombia.

Business Groups in British Colombia

Business Group of Chilliwack
On Thursday, June 11, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. we hope to have our second annual business group meeting at the Chilliwack Cattle Company at 47749 Prairie Central Rd. in Chilliwack. We will be using a board room above the machine shop. Click here for directions.

Business Group of Abbotsford/Langley
On Monday, June 15, 2009 at 8 p.m., we hope to launch the Abbotsford/Langley business group at Darvonda Nurseries, 6690 216 Street, Langley. Click here for directions.
To find out more about Word & Deed business groups, click here.
Anyone interested is welcome.