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The Citizen, 2011-07-21, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2011. That is a lot of beef Brad Beuermann was one of many chefs who worked a large grill outside the Huron Beef Producer’s barbecue on July 13 cooking steaks to perfection. (Denny Scott photo) Brussels church welcomesnew pastor, elder from EthelThe Brussels Community Bible Chapel received an infusion of fresh blood with the arrival of new elder and half-time pastor Andrew Versteeg. Versteeg, who was a member of the Gorrie Bible Fellowship through which the Brussels Community Bible Chapel was created through, said that, while from Ethel, he was comfortable with many of the parishioners of the new church. The Gorrie church, which has approximately 200 parishioners according to Versteeg, is bigger than the Brussels chapter, which currently has around 70 members. The Brussels Bible Community Chapel church doesn’t have a sanctuary, and meets at 10:30 a.m. weekly at the Brussels Public School during the spring, fall and winter and in the Brussels Legion during the summer. “While we do eventually want a building, we have no specific plan to get one,” Versteeg said. “We’re praying and talking, and we would ideally like a building, but we’re not set on one particular place yet.” “The Brussels church is a church plan from Gorrie,” he explained. “We were getting full, and we noticed a lot were from Brussels. A lot of people know me and I know them because of that and because I’ve preached there.” Versteeg said that there are still many of the original members that were transplanted to Brussels. Versteeg originally came from the Fordwich area before his family moved to Cambridge. He says he became a Christian at 23. While his family did go to church, that is when he feels he found his Jesus to be his saviour. I grew up going to church, but it more nominal in my mind,” he said. “I went because I was taught to. When I was 23 I realized I was a sinner, that’s when I came to know Jesus as my saviour. I was born again at that time.” After that he attended Prairie Bible School in Alberta, went to Toronto Baptist Seminary and, after graduation, moved back to Ethel in 2001. He was the part-time pastor at the Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Ethel for three years before it closed due to low draw. Versteeg married his wife Tricia last year and his family includes four children from her previous marriage and one on the way. Versteeg’s family has also found themselves spreading the Christian word as Tricia’s daughters are either currently or have been involved with missionary work, something Versteeg did in his youth when he went to Angola for a summer. “Emily is in Zimbabwe right now,” he said. “And Becca, Tricia’s eldest, went on a similar trip.” The new pastor has also gone on several brief trips to deal with short term issues. Versteeg stated that the opportunity for him to become part of the Brussels church started a year and a half ago, however he wasn’t quite ready to make the switch yet. “I was quite involved in Gorrie, as I was an elder there as well,” he said. “I wanted to finish the Children’s Ministry there first, which ended in May.” Versteeg began at the Brussels church in June. NEWS FROM BRUSSELS Heat makes this a good week to vacation near water We certainly got all the heat units we needed this week. It was the week to be on holidays and very near water and shade. We lucked out and spent the hot time with Jordan, Robyn and Jill at Sibbald Point, Provincial Park at the bottom of Lake Simcoe. Beautiful water, good trails and good weather made for another memorable holiday. A visit from the Barrie cousins, Ella and Sloan made for a fun and frantic day. Ralph and I learned that canoeing with girls and spiders is not a good thing, they all recovered. The Armstrong homestead is a little quieter this week as the folks from Brazil returned home. Jim and Leona enjoyed their hostess time with their long-time Pietenpol friend Edelson and his family. They enjoyed the return visit, especially the open spaces of Canada. There were several stories of folks bringing clothes in from clotheslines and shutting doors when the threat of rain came early Monday morning. The rain was welcome but some of the stories came with some questionable details. Be sure to make the ball park part of your weekend plans as the Fun At the Branch Youth places in field event By Jo-Ann McDonald It has been a quiet week at the Brussels Legion Branch with no functions, no fish fry events and no meetings. The Branch did have two young men participate at Provincial Track and Field held in Chatham last weekend. They met in Wingham and travelled by bus, sponsored by the Legion to the event. Adam Cousins and Anthony Vader had qualified at the District competition a couple of weeks ago and were excited to attend. Adam participates in the 17- and-under category and found he was the youngest competitor in his division. He jumped well in the high jump event but did not place and he managed a personal best in the javelin event but was well short of the winning throw. Anthony Vader, who participates in the 15-and-under category had a fantastic result. Anthony placed second and won a silver medal in the javelin throw. We have been told that this is the first year for Anthony to participate in track and field events and that he has a great natural ability. Anthony also had an eighth- place finish in the discus event. Anthony and Adam report that they had a fantastic time, a blast, and Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. *Fridges and freezers must be 15 years of age or more, in working condition and between 10-27 cubic feet. Access conditions apply. †Window air conditioners and dehumidifiers must be 10 years of age or more and in working condition. Funded by the Ontario Power Authority and offered by Festival Hydro Inc. A mark of the Province of Ontario protected under Canadian trademark law. Used under sublicence. OMOfficial Mark of the Ontario Power Authority. Used under licence. The Citizen will be closing for holidays The Blyth Office will be closed on July 27 at 5:00 pm until Monday, August 8 at 9 am The Brussels Office will be closed on July 25 at 2:00 pm until Monday, August 8 at 10 am There will be no paper printed on August 4th. All advertising must be in by July 25th at 2:00 pm in Brussels and 4:00 pm in Blyth for the July 28th paper. By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 A NOTE FROM BETTY Continued on page 22 Continued on page 22