Our Executive Director and his wife, Lynn, visited Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton Islands two years ago. Although it was a beautiful experience, what struck Mark the most were the problems he saw in the coastal communities. When he returned, he learned that nine years ago not only had the fishing industry been decimated throughout the Maritimes, but the coal and steel industries virtually shut down in Cape Breton itself at the same time. As a result, there is a 30-40% unemployment rate in some of these areas, coupled with all the struggles associated with this unsettling statistic.

After networking with a number of professionals and numerous local folks, Mark was able to determine and identify that the two greatest needs in the fishing communities are in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and marriage and family counseling, but the resources to address these problems are limited. Although everyone in Canada is covered medically, the backlog for those who need help in these two areas continues to increase. Exacerbating this problem is the inability of the clergy to handle this crisis adequately. Since most if not all of them serve multiple-point charges, they simply do not have the time to care for everyone. After having served a five-point charge twenty years ago and knowing the demands associated with that responsibility, Mark was fully able to identify with them.

When he returned home and updated The Board of Directors of CRM a second time, a two-fold vision began to emerge about what we sensed God may be asking us to do. First, we should focus on the fishing communities where these problems were brought to our attention. These would be the initial steps we would propose.

1. Secure two Nova Scotians--or at least two Canadians from the Atlantic Province--who are credentialed in these two areas and offer them an academic debt reduction program similar to the one offered in the metropolitan areas here in the United States.

2. Offer an entry level salary for those who would agree to work in the community for at least three to five years. As most know, it takes at least a couple of years to develop one's trust.

3. Contact graduate schools to utilize any interns completing their practicums in these two areas which may provide a bridge into such a ministry within these fishing communities for those individuals once they have graduated and become certified.

4. Secure assistance from the Canadian government and or other resources to fund this effort.

5. Secure, rent or build small facilities to make this happen.

Obviously, many other details would need to be hammered out, but it would be our hope that this initial endeavor could begin helping others, one person at a time.

The second phase of this vision would be to assist those in the interior of Nova Scotia who have been affected by the collapse of the coal and steel industries. These needs are quite different, especially with the indigent in Sydney and New Waterford. If this is what God would want us to do, however, the model for ministry in the Maritimes would already be in place.

The inspiration behind this vision is the words “rise again,” a lyric in a chorus written by the late Stan Rogers. He was one of the most well-known Canadian singer-song writers of our time. Although early in his career he wrote songs about other areas of Canada, he settled on writing about Nova Scotia and the Maritimes where both sides of his family lived in years past. Many continue to enjoy his body of work, but one of the most popular songs he ever wrote is called the Mary Ellen Carter, a song which has inspired a vision for CRM to consider exploring the possibility of creating counseling centers throughout the Maritimes. It is hymn-like in its hope that one can overcome the difficulties of life with the help of others.

The lyrics tell the story about the sinking of a ship which sank due to a skipper and his mate who were inebriated. After the owners of the ship received the insurance money, the crew of the Mary Ellen Carter committed itself to salvaging it by making her “rise again.” The motive behind this great undertaking was the fact that the ship herself had saved them by weathering many a storm, so it was the very least they could try to do for her in return. Although it was an extremely difficult task as it goes, they were successful. It is not the story, however, that has inspired so many of us since Rogers wrote it.

As he applies the lyrics, Rogers specifically addresses it to those “to whom adversity has dealt the final blow.” Can you even comprehend how many people throughout this region have been devastated by what has happened? Within this vision, however, there is an answer for anyone who might find themselves in such dire straits at this point in their life. If a person is willing to take that first step and admit there is a problem, and commit themselves fully to seek help, there would be another committed “crew” someday to assist them to “rise again” as well. As the final chorus puts it:

Rise again, rise again – though your heart be broken

And life about to end

No matter what you’ve lost, be it home, a love, a friend,

Like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again.

This is yet another glimpse into the heart and sensitivity of Country Road Ministries. Although we're aware there are times the Holy Spirit doesn’t allow people to pursue particular locations in ministry, (Acts 16:7) we remain open to where ever He may lead us.  If you would like to discuss this, feel free to contact us.