Canada's National Bible Hour

Dear Christian Friend,

You may have heard – but I wanted to write you as soon as possible and tell you that our beloved friend and colleague, Dr. James O. Blackwood went home to be with the Lord he loved and served on January 20, 2010.

Following several years of ill health – while all the time serving enthusiastically as Director of CANADA’S NATIONAL BIBLE HOUR he is now in heaven. A nurse commented that he had “never seen such a peaceful passing.”

Dr. Blackwood completed the February programs just a few days before his home going – and one of the last things he said to me was “I completed the February programs.”

There are a lot of things we might say about Jim Blackwood – and you can read some of it on our web-site at www.missiongo.org – but here is what his granddaughter – Meghan Zappe had to say at his memorial service:

“Doctors may have said that my papa had a sick heart the past 20 or so years of his life, but to me he had the BIGGEST most healthy heart in the world, for as long as I’ve known him. He loved with everything he had. I feel INCREDIBLY blessed to be his only grandchild. He has been one of the most influential people in my life because He taught me to put NOTHING before Christ, to let Jesus shine through me in all that I do. I know every time I looked at my papa, I saw how much dedication he had to serving the Lord and he did that through Global Outreach Mission but also, through his family. He instilled in us a foundation that was unshakeable. He was a true family man. My papa did many amazing things in his life and was so loved, but nothing can even begin to compare to the new beginning he now has in heaven. I am comforted to know that he is now in the arms of Christ; and I like to think he’ll be one of the first to greet me in heaven when I get there. I love you, Papa with all my heart.”

Jim was always honoured by Ernest C. Manning’s selection of Global Outreach Mission to take over the program and treated it as a special privilege to communicate the Gospel across Canada – a country he grew up in and loved so much.

Your support of Canada’s National Bible Hour was a real blessing to him – and to all of us here at Global Outreach Mission and, of course to the listening audience of the broadcast. For these many years this broadcast has been a beacon of hope for the proclamation of the Word of God across Canada.

My association with Jim Blackwood and Global Outreach Mission goes back many years. In the 70’s I served as the Business Administrator and then sensing the call of God to enter the Pastoral Ministry I moved to Dallas and attended Dallas Theological Seminary. Following that I served as Senior Pastor for fourteen (14) years. During that time I served on the Board of Directors of the Mission. I was on the Board of Directors when we accepted the responsibility for this broadcast and then Jim Blackwood became its host starting January 1, 1990.

The broadcast started in 1929 – and has been on the air for 81 years.  For 21 of those years the program has been under the auspices of Global Outreach Mission and directed by Jim Blackwood.

Jim Blackwood began to talk to me about re-joining the staff and transitioning into the role of President as he anticipated his retirement. Dr. Blackwood was the President Emeritus from November 2003 when I became President of the Mission. It is hard to imagine anyone more dedicated to serving Christ than my colleague Jim Blackwood.

This week I am working on the March broadcasts. My voice will be new to you and our many listeners – but the message will be the same. Brother Art Larson has participated in past broadcasts; and in one of the programs, we plan to share his sermon that he preached at Jim’s memorial service. You will find it to be a rich blessing.

We are preparing a special memorial booklet including a transcript of Art Larson’s message as well as some of the comments I was privileged to make concerning Jim and his family. His wife Sadie, and the children – Ruth, Nanc and Bob would welcome your prayers – and if you would like to send them a note to let them know you are praying for them I will see that they receive it.

You need to know that we are committed to continuing these broadcasts as long as the finances allow us to do so. These programs have been a blessing to the country of Canada – and in these times of spiritual decline Bible teaching ministries like this are needed more than ever.

My heart as a Pastor and as President of Global Outreach Mission is in evangelism and missions. I have a burden to see souls won to Christ. Your gift now is needed to help us keep these programs on the air.

Your gift to Canada’s National Bible Hour is needed and you may give it in honour of and in memory of Jim Blackwood who worked so tirelessly to keep this broadcast communicating the eternal truths of God’s Word to Canada.

Sincerely in His Matchless Name,

Brian Albrecht, President

GLOBAL OUTREACH MISSION

Director of Canada’s National Bible Hour

P.S. If you knew Jim – or simply appreciated his ministry please consider a note to Sadie and the family to let her know of your appreciation; and also ask for your memorial booklet. God bless you.