SCA VOLUNTEER MISSIONARIES HAVE RETIRED - Read HERE
SCA Volunteer Missionaries are those who wish to serve with SCA as missionaries but do not wish to receive a salary. The ministry work of SCA Volunteer Missionaries is supported by SCA’s Board as they work with SCA in ministry, keeping the same mission and the same values. Even though a salary is not received in this position, donations may still be made on their behalf to go towards approved ministry expenses. SCA Volunteer Missionaries are 100% part of the SCA team and have the full backing of the mission.
John & Judy Shultz
For almost three decades, John and Judy Shultz have served the Lord through SCA International (known as Shantymen Christian Association when they joined). They have served Him well. They have served Him in a very difficult ministry – ministering primarily to inmates in Ontario’s Correctional Institutions serving and helping to disciple them, along with many ex-inmates from among them. In fact, that aspect of the work continues to develop to now attract and include other ex-inmates that John and Judy had not worked with previously in the prisons, as well as their families. God is good.
On January 1, 2013, John and Judy’s status as “active SCA employee missionaries” changed to approved “Volunteer Missionaries” continuing as much of their current work as possible with the full blessings of our SCA Board. The Shultz will no longer receive a regular missionary salary; however, SCA will continue receipting donations for their ministry to cover directly related approved ministry expenses. We believe in what they’re doing and want to support it in this way.
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Past Ministry and What's Ahead
From John & Judy: We have thoroughly enjoyed our years as SCA International Field Missionaries. We have had experiences that others only read about – some were exciting, some were scary, some taught us humility, and others taught tenderness and grace. All have showed us the power and love of our Heavenly Father that is available to every one of His children.
Our donors and supporters allowed us these experiences! Without your donations and prayers, we could never have continued through all the years in ministry. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! God has worked through you and us and it’s amazing the people that have been reached for Christ.
In our new “Volunteer Missionary” role, we will no longer be doing chapel services in the prisons. However, we will continue with our weekly Bible Study as well as follow-ups with the many men who we have ministered to after prison. We will counsel by phone, correspondence, and visits. We will not be holding our annual Christmas party; however, we will continue with a big summer picnic. Visits to our “Hospitality Home” will increase throughout the year for ex-inmates and their families, because we will be home more.
More about John and Judy Shultz
John and Judy were born in Pembroke, Ontario and raised in Chalk River. They were married in 1967 while living in Ottawa, where Judy worked in a bank and John was on the Ottawa City Police Force. They were blessed with 2 children: Tim in 1970 and Debbie in 1972.
They had always had a deep respect for and faith in God because of their upbringings, but it was in 1974 that they, together, responded to an altar call. At that time, John recommitted his life and Judy gave her life to the Lord. From 1974 to 1982, they experienced many fields of service: community volunteering; youth leadership; group home relief parenting; and foster parenting. In 1982, they were invited to sing at Guelph Correctional Centre. To their surprise, they felt very at ease sharing with the inmates and continued as volunteers for the next 2 years. In 1984, they made a decision to start working full-time with inmates and ex-inmates.
In 1985, they felt led by the Lord to join Shantymen International. Their ministry, directed by the Holy Spirit, has included programs in many different federal and provincial institutions. They functioned as team members with chaplains and community workers. The programs they provided include: Sunday worship services, Bible studies, one-on-one visits and correspondence (to encourage men and women in their spiritual walk).
John and Judy also have a follow-up ministry from their “Hospitality Home” in Wateloo, Ontario, for ex-inmates and their families who contact them. Here, the ex-inmates are helped with job search, nutrition, budgeting and Christian family counselling. Follow-up correspondence, phone calls and visits are also an integral part of the ministry. John and Judy have formed lifelong relationships with many ex-inmates and their families and are like parents or grandparents to many.
John & Jean Tibbles
For almost 2.5 decades, John and Jean Tibbles have served the Lord through SCA International (known as Shantymen’s Christian Association when they joined). They have served Him well. They have served Him in a very difficult ministry – ministering primarily to individuals, couples, and families in British Columbia whose lives have either been shattered by a personal loss or ruined by an unwise decision or just dealt a heavy load by life itself and its circumstances. John and Jean have worked, and continue to work with them, showing them there is hope and a future when they turn their lives over to Jesus Christ. The need for that type of work continues to grow in our world today. And John and Jean are committed to continue doing their part as the Lord allows.
On January 1, 2013, John and Jean became “Volunteer Missionaries”. This means they will continue their current ministry work as much as possible (depending on health and energy). The Tibbles will no longer receive a regular missionary salary. However, SCA will continue receipting donations for John and Jean’s ministry to cover directly related approved ministry expenses. We believe in what they’re doing and want to support it in this way.
More on past ministry and what’s ahead…
From John & Jean: Ministering as field missionaries with SCA International has been a wonderful blessing to us. We have seen the LORD work in many people’s lives, bringing them to know Him, grow in their faith, and receive His healing. Your prayers and support have made this possible, and how thankful we are to you!
There are still people in our area who have not met Jesus as Saviour. We also see a great need for ongoing discipling. We long to be able to do everything our health permits to continue reaching these people.
More about John & Jean Tibbles
John and Jean Tibbles were both born in Quesnel, BC. John came to know the Lord as an adult, Jean as a child. In 1970, they married and moved to Clearwater, BC. They have two adult sons: Michael is married to Cathy and they have three daughters: Haley, Emma, and Megan; Alan is married to Jesi and they have one son, Wyatt.
In 1984, the Lord moved John to leave a career position in corrections to attend Peace River Bible Institute for 4 years. During the summers, the family ministered in the Fort St. James area. During the fourth year, when seeking the right place of ministry, John & Jean received a call from the Northern BC field director of Shantymen. They joined Shantymen in May 1988, moved to Prince George in August of that year, and have since moved to the Hixon area of BC.
Their goals are twofold: to win people to Christ and to disciple them. In John’s words we need to do what Jesus told the people when He raised Lazarus back to life again, “loose him and let him go.” Ministry, through prayer and counselling, is one of their strong points as well as counseling and disciple-making through activities such as small group Bible Studies and one-on-one sharing of the Gospel.