My Favourite Cities In The World ~ Part 1

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Mark Cole

When people find out that I have spent ten years of my life on the road and have travelled to over 70 countries, they often ask me about my favourite places that I have visited. Here are some stories from some of my favourite cities.

1. Paris, France

On my first trip to Paris, my buddy, Matt and I took a huge 250 passenger and 30 car carrying hovercraft across the English Channel. It was an adventure in itself. There was a huge gale in the Channel and it was a wild ride. I remember the hovercraft going up and down thirty foot waves. The pilots were amazing but it was definitely a ‘white knuckle’ experience. There more than a few people reaching for brown paper bags (if you know what I mean)!

When we arrived, we covered as much of Paris as we could in the few days we were there. Matt and I took the subway everywhere. And Paris has a great subway. We literally ran from world-famous museums to spectacular churches and to so many other great sites. I remember running through the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and then running to see the famous statue ‘Venus de Milo’. There is so much to see, I wish we had days there instead of hours to see everything. And the churches are magnificent also. Notre Dame Cathedral and the Basilica of the Sacre’ Coeur stand out as two of my favourites.

The second time I went to Paris was with my beautiful wife as a Mother’s Day gift. We were doing ministry in southern Holland and we took a high-speed train from Brussels to Paris. What a great ride.

We stayed near the Notre Dame Cathedral and did lots of walking. One of my favourite memories was walking to the Paris Opera House and seeing the magnificent statutes of the many composers who worked there. Then we walked to Place de la Concorde where we saw an elegant military ball in progress with ladies in gorgeous full length gowns and men in splendid French military regalia.

Then we walked to the Louvre and had coffee at an outdoor cafe’ while a Dutch Men’s Chorus regaled us with Broadway tunes. Then we walked through a gorgeous archway where a flautist played some gorgeous classical music in that beautiful echo chamber.

Right after that we walked across a spectacular pedestrian bridge where large groups of students were having wine and cheese parties. Then, to top it all off, we saw a spectacular light and fireworks display shooting from the Eiffel Tower. Wow! And all that was for free on one spectacular May evening. Paris really is my favourite city in the world to visit!

2. Vienna, Austria

I have been to Vienna a number of times. Once in late fall, when I was with Living Sound and another time in the dead of winter to do some music with Charles Ndifon. But my favourite time was with my wife, Anna, in the springtime.

We stayed at a simple hotel near the centre of the city and walked everywhere. The first evening we arrived, we went to one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, Wiener Reisenrad and enjoyed an evening of old-fashioned amusement rides. The next day we went to one of the most famous palaces in Europe, the Schonbruun Palace. The grounds and palace are spectacular. The art, architecture, and opulence were amazing.

That evening we went to a concert of Mozart music played by an orchestra in period costumes. They played Mozart’s ‘greatest hits’. What gorgeous music! Then we headed to a small coffee-house for some traditional Viennese strudel. The cafe had great atmosphere. There was a pianist playing German folk songs and then a little old lady came, pulled out her violin and together they serenaded us for the rest of the evening while the clientele sang along. A magical evening!

3. Rome, Italy

Ahh… Roma. My wife, Anna, went to Bible School in Rome, so she knows the city well. We have been there numerous times. We love to people watch at the Trevi Fountain and then walk around the old city. I love visiting all the piazzas in that ancient area of the city. Piazza Navona is one of our favourite places to sit, enjoy a great meal and people watch.

Another one of our favourite stops is the Spanish Steps. Anna often makes fun of me when we go back there. One time, when I had just come back from Africa, I was craving a hamburger so I insisted that we eat at the MacDonald’s there. She has never let me live that down. Imagine, eating fast food when all those great Italian cafes were just feet away! 🙂

There is so much to see in Rome; first, there’s the Roman Coliseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Then there is the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. I recommend you dedicate a minimum of a full day to the Vatican itself. One of my favourite memories there was walking to the top of the dome of St. Peters Basilica. The view of the city and the Vatican gardens is spectacular. I highly recommend it. The other special memory for me was taking communion there. You need to make sure you are dressed properly but there was something very special about having communion in that ancient historical cathedral.

4. Florence, Italy

My wife, Anna, has a cousin who lives in Florence. He has lent us his apartment near the centre of ‘Firenza’ a number of times. Florence is a great walking city. I remember one particular trip when our kids were in their teens; the weather was gorgeous, the street musicians world-class and the outdoor art was magnificent.

Florence is such a romantic city. From the magnificent statue of David in the Uffizi Gallery, to the Ponte Vecchio spanning the Arno River, to the Piazza della Signoria and the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, there is so much to see and experience.

5. Singapore, Singapore

A few years ago, my wife and I went to Singapore for the month of January to do some church consulting. We were totally blown away but how beautiful, safe, modern and clean this spectacular, English-speaking, Asian city is. Singapore is just 137 kilometres (85 mi) north of the equator and the temperature is usually around 30 C (90 F) in the day and 23 C (76 F) at night. For a couple of Canadians escaping a sub-zero winter, it seemed like paradise.

Singapore is one of the safest and cleanest cities that we have visited in the world. My wife, Anna, felt so safe that she would often head downtown on their world-class subway, by herself, to sight-see and shop while I was working in the evenings. And clean, we were amazed at how clean this city of 5.3 million was. We have never seen another city that equaled it.

Some of our other favourite sights and attractions were Sentosa Island and it’s beautiful beaches, shopping at Mustafa’s, the Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo and strolling and eating at the Waterfront Promenade.

Speaking of eating, the food in Singapore was spectacular. Because of it’s history and geography in the middle of Southeast Asia, there are great food influences from India, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Thailand and many other parts of the world. Singaporeans love to eat out, so there are many small, inexpensive eating kiosks and food courts everywhere. And because Singapore is so clean, we felt like we could eat at any of these places.

Singapore is a long way away from North America, it is on the other side of the planet, but it is a spectacular destination. And it is also a great hub from which to fly to see Vietnam, Thailand, Bali and other great Asian destinations. I highly recommend it.

Question: What are your favourite cities to visit? What interesting tales do you have to tell from those visits?

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

Posted in Family, God Adventures, Music, Travel | Tagged Florence, food, hovercraft, museum, Opera House, Paris, Rome, Singapore, statue, travel, Vienna, walking | 3 Comments

What I’ve Learned About Starting A Youth Worship Band

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Mark Cole

I was recently asked if I could give some advice on how to start a Junior High Worship Band. One of the churches that I worked at, had a small Christian school and I was put in charge of working with the worship team. I worked with that team for a number of years and they all became very good. In fact, when I was doing outside ministry, they were usually the group that I took as my band. Now, a number of them are leaders in their own right. Here is what I learned through the process.

Youth Worship

1. Get the kids to take private lessons

Of the core group that I inherited, more than half of them took private lessons. Two brothers took private electric guitar lessons and became quite strong players. The drummer and the piano player also took lessons and improved immensely over the course of 3-4 years. When you don’t have to teach the basics of the instruments, the team moves along exponentially faster. You just have to teach the music, not the instrument.

I would still help the drummer understand the groove that I needed. I would write out and play the piano riffs that I needed the keys player to learn. And I would still help the guitar players understand the lead lines and strumming patterns that they needed to play. But at least the kids had some basic skills that I could help them build on.

I also taught an acoustic guitar class. It was great to see the kids develop their guitar skills quite quickly and join the worship team. I highly recommend that you encourage the parents to get the kids private lessons. At the least, have your older players come in and set-up some kind of mentoring system.

2. Run separate rehearsals for vocals

Most young singers are not that good at picking out harmonies. I would write out the vocal parts and have separate rehearsals with the vocals. My general pattern was to put the song in a good key for guys. The top note would be a C# of D and they would sing the melody. I would stack the harmonies (2 or 3 part) on top of that with the girls on the tenor and alto part.

Then I would give the kids the written music and teach them the parts by singing through them. After a while they got quite good at following along and picking out their parts.

I actually had a large group of students sing in my vocal class. Then I would have auditions for singing on the actual worship team. My experience is that only about 10% of students are actually musical enough to be on a worship team.

3. Rehearse as much as you can

Since this group was in a Christian school, I ended up having three separate rehearsals per week with them. First, the one hour, vocal only rehearsal. Secondly, the one hour band and vocal rehearsal. And then, a rehearsal just before the chapel to work on the flow, worship and performance details.

That school team also became the backbone of the youth worship team. That meant they would also rehearse one night per week and lead for the youth services. That gave them the chance to grow on their own. It also meant that they were doing worship music a minimum of 3-4 hours per week. As they became older, they also joined my Sunday team. That gave them added experience and time spent playing, singing and worshipping.

4. Repeat the music on a regular rotation

I taught two new songs per month and had a regular rotation for the music. I would repeat the new song the next week, give it a week off and then bring it back for the fourth week. That helped the chapel group really learn the songs and also helped the student body learn to be confident with the worship songs also. Also, we only did three songs per week in chapel. That gave us time to really work on those three tunes.

5. Teach the team about stage presence and worship

I would frequently encourage the kids about getting over their stage fright. When you are young it is often a little frightening to be up in front of your peers. We would talk about fears and insecurities and I would tell stories of my triumphs and failures so they would understand how common this is for most people.

I would also explain and model how important it was to be an example in worship. I would show them where I wanted them to clap, or raise their hands. I frequently reminded them to smile and look at the people they were singing to. I also got the singers to memorize the lyrics.

6. Bring new leaders along slowly

For many years I would lead most of the worship times. Then when I was away, I would often get one of the kids to lead. When I came back, I would find out what worked and what didn’t work and help them learn from the process.

My goal was for them to be successful. I would give them the tools, rehearsals, music, systems and experience so that worship would be a fun experience. I would give them the support they needed so they could grow in confidence.

7. Challenge them to be excellent

I have found that my toughest teachers were the ones that helped me to grow and learn the fastest. So, I have learned to be a little tough with the kids. In rehearsals, I would really get on their case when they sang flat or missed cues. I really challenged them to concentrate and play to the best of their ability. I expected them to be excellent.

You do need to quickly read the characters and personalities of the different students. You need to learn when to be tough and when to be patient. You need to sense when kids are struggling for personal reasons or just being lazy. But, challenging the kids to be excellent really is the best way to get the maximum results. Trust me, it works.

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

For other advice on rehearsals and picking music, check out my other blog posts.

Question: What has worked for you? Do you have any questions that I can help you with?

Posted in Church, Music, Worship | Tagged Christian, leader, lessons, rehearsals, youth worship | Leave a comment

15 Great Reasons To Read The Bible Daily

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Mark Cole

Studies have shown that the single most powerful catalyst of people’s spiritual growth is personal Bible study and reflection. Here are 15 great reasons to spend time reading God’s words daily.

To be rid of anxiety and have peace (PSALM 119:165)

Those who love Your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

To set things right when life is out of control (PSALM 19:7-8)

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.

To have direction and know God’s will (PSALM 119:105)

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

To experience healing and deliverance (PSALM 107:20)

He sent out His word and healed them,
snatching them from the door of death.

To grow in the Lord (I PETER 2:2)

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.

To have strength comfort and hope (PSALM 119:28,50,114)

I weep with sorrow;
encourage me by Your word.
Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.
You are my refuge and my shield;
Your word is my source of hope.

To shape yourself and your life correctly (PSALM 119:11)

I have hidden Your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.

To be able to see clearly (PSALM 119:130)

The teaching of Your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.

To know what’s really in your heart (HEBREWS 4:12)

The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

To build faith (ROMANS 10:17)

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

To have joy (PSALM 16:11)

You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of Your presence
and the pleasures of living with You forever.

To understand God’s power (JOHN 1:3)

God created everything through Him,
and nothing was created except through Him.

To have more life in this life (JOHN 10:10)

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance.

To distinguish good from evil (PSALM 119: 101-102)

I have refused to walk on any evil path,
so that I may remain obedient to Your word.
I haven’t turned away from Your regulations,
for You have taught me well.

To understand God’s love for you (JOHN 3:16-17)

For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.

Here is a link to some great Bible reading plans.

Posted in Church, God, Healing, Jesus, Wisdom | Tagged anxiety, Bible, comfort, deliverance, faith, God's will, good, grow, healing, heart, hope, joy, life, love, peace, power, see clearly, wise | Leave a comment

Top Adventures

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Mark Cole

I love the adventure of following God and seeing where that leads. The Bible promises that: “If you trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding, He will direct your path.” I have trusted in that promise since I was 18 years old.

Years ago, I surrendered my life to the Lord and told Him I would go where He wanted me to go, do what He wanted me to do and say what He wanted me to say. I was recently reminded of all the great places that I have been blessed to have travelled to and the great doors that God has opened for me. Jesus said it this way:

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” – Matthew 10:39 NLT

Here are various lists, goals and dreams from my journey so far. They are my way of giving tribute and thanks to God for all He has done. Every good thing in my life is from the Lord. He is so faithful!

How many of these places have you visited? What common interests and activities do we share? What adventures is God challenging you to do?

* already done
The unnumbered ones, with no dates, are adventures that I still want to do

Family List

Marry an amazing godly Christian wife* Anna Cole: 1983
See my kids have a personal relationship with Jesus* 1990’s
Take my wife & children on ministry trips to Africa, Asia & Europe* 1987-present
Take my kids to Disneyland & Disney World* 1992 & 1998
Take my kids on sailing trips* (San Juan Islands & Gulf Islands) 1997
Take my son to Legoland in Denmark* 2005
Take my daughter on U.S. ministry trips* (Louisiana & St. Thomas) 2004, 2006
Help my kids get their university degrees* 2000-2010
See my kids marry awesome Christian, godly spouses* 2006 & 2011
Vacation with my kids & grandkids in Italy* 2015
Take my son on a ministry trip to India* 2016
See my grandkids get water baptized – 2/3 so far 2019, 2021
Take Ezra up his first mountain (Hai Ling)* 2021
Take Ezra up his second mountain (Yamnuska)*2022
Teach my grandkids to play an instrument and sing* 2005 to present

Pray for my kids and grandkids to be mightily used by God
Take my grandkids on a hiking & camping trip.
Take my grandkids on a sailing trip
Vacation with my whole family on a Caribbean Cruise
Live to 100 years old. (Live a healthy lifestyle & be blessed of the Lord)
Have all my kids & grandkids live close by
Celebrate my 70th wedding anniversary with Anna (40th anniversary so far)
Personally hold all my grandchildren & great-grandchildren in my arms (3 so far)

Education List

Graduated from Burnaby South High School* 1972
Grade 5 Royal Conservatory Harmony Certificate* 1970
Grade 8 Royal Conservatory Piano Certificate* (with honours) 1973
Moody Music Student Of The Year Award* 1973
Bachelor of Music Degree (minor in English)* (UBC-Vancouver) 1979
Read the Bible cover-to-cover yearly* 1981-present
Write and publish a book* (Leading Worship: Notes From A Grand Adventure) 2014
3.6 million reads by over 1.5 million visitors from over 185 countries – 2022

Memorize the Top 50 Bible verses (38 of 50 so far)
Learn to speak Italian
Get a Master’s Degree
Read all ‘Top 50 Books That Have Shaped Evangelical Christians‘ (I have read 21 so far)
Read all of John Grisham’s books (I have read 30 of 35 so far)
Read or attend the Top 15 of Shakespeare’s Plays (I have seen or read 10 so far)
Watch all the Academy Award winning ‘Best Picture‘ movies from 1954 and on. (I’ve watched 52 of 61 so far)

Music List

Do a 5 month/9 country tour of Asia with Living Sound II* 1973-1974
Play with Living Sound on Waikiki Beach, Hawaii* 1974
Play with Living Sound in Poland with Cardinal Wojtyła/Pope John Paul II* 1974
Perform in the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, Poland* 1974
Play on a cruise ship to South Africa* 1974
Play with Living Sound & Nicky Cruz, Cape Town, South Africa* 1975
Play a major concert tour of South Africa with Living Sound* 1975
See the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall, New York* 1975
Play with Living Sound in Jerusalem, Israel (with Kathryn Kuhlman)* 1975
Play with Grammy Award winning artist: Andre Crouch* 1976
See Tom Scott & the LA Express at the Hollywood Bowl* 1976
Produce an album* (18 so far) 1977
Play on a radio show* (Taipei, Taiwan) 1978
Lead a worship band on a tour of Taiwan* 1978
Music Director for Living Sound III* (US & Europe Tour) 1981-1982
Choir & Orchestra Conductor, Glad Tidings Church, Vancouver, B.C. 1982-1984
Write music for an orchestra* (200+ arrangements) 1982 – present
Produce a musical* (20+ so far) 1983-present
Produce & write the script and music for a Passion Play* (11 so far) 1983
Chairman of Music for the Billy Graham Crusade in Vancouver* 1984
Play with Grammy Award winning artist: Phil Driscoll* (California) 1984
Go to the Montreal Jazz Festival* 1984 & 2015
Watch a Broadway Musical* (10 so far) 1984-2003
Conduct the African Children’s Choir 1st public performance*1984
Worship Pastor, First Assembly, Calgary, Alberta* 1984-1988
Take a youth choir to Vancouver Expo 86* 1986
Take a worship band to Kenya (twice)* 1987 & 1992
Arrange and produce a choir and orchestra album, First Assembly* 1987
Go to the Crystal Cathedral’s Easter Show* 1988
Worship Pastor, Christian Life Assembly, Langley, BC* 1988-1994
Watch an outdoor opera in Verona, Italy* (twice) 1990, 2004
Watch the Puyallup Passion Play* (Washington State) 1991
Arrange and produce 5 worship CD’s in Mandarin* 1991-1992
Conduct for Dove Nominated, Alvin Slaughter* 1992, 1998, 2008
Arrange and produce my 2nd choir album: Christian Life Assembly* 1991
Take a worship team to Buenos Aries, Argentina* 1993
Worship Pastor, Glad Tidings Church, Vancouver, B.C.*1994-1999
Record my own CD* (6 so far) 1995
Write music for a TV show* 1996
Music Director for Canada Arise, Vancouver, BC* 1996-1999
Founding Arranger for Praisecharts.com* 1998
Play with Dove Award winner, Ron Kenoly* 1998
Music Director for Promisekeepers* (Vancouver) 1998
Play with Darlene Zschech & the Hillsong Worship Team* 1999
Music Director for the International Worship Institute* 1997-2002
Play with Dove Award winning worship leader, Paul Baloche* 2001-2002
Lead a worship seminar in Kampala, Uganda at Watoto Church* 1998
Travelling Worship Leader for Christlove Ministries* 2000-2006
Record a live worship CD in Copenhagen, Denmark* 2003
Visit Hillsong Church* (Sydney, Australia) 2004
See an opera in the Sydney Opera House* 2004
Lead a worship seminar in Adelaide, Australia* 2004
Lead a worship seminar in Copenhagen, Denmark* 2005
Watch jazz at the Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City* 2005
Arranger & performer: Calgary Stampede* 2008, 2009, 2012
Musical Arranger for ‘Heaven’s Rehearsal‘, Toronto* 2008
Worship Pastor at Eastside City Church, Calgary, AB* 2008-2014
Lead worship playing electric guitar* 2010
Sell over one million dollars of music* (arrangements, songs & CD’s) 2000-2010
Worship Consulting & Seminar in Singapore* January, 2011
Attend the Willowcreek Arts & Worship Conference, Chicago* 2012
Go to the Blues Festival in Chicago* 2012
Conduct at the 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede* (280,000 people) 2012
Attend the Gateway Worship Conference, Dallas, Texas* 2012
Lead a worship seminar in Haiti* 2013
Attend the Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Drumheller, Alberta* 2013
Worship & Staff Consultant, C3 Church* (Calgary, AB) 2015-2016
Watch an outdoor opera in Sicily* (Carmen – Teatro Antico di Taormina) 2015
Lead a worship seminar in Chennai, India 2016
Worship Pastor & Choir Director: Centre Street Church, Calgary, AB* 2016-2017
Worship Pastor: Living Stones Church, Red Deer, AB* 2017-2020
Associate Pastor: Love City Church, Calgary, AB* 2021-
Lead a worship and choir seminar in Vancouver, Glad Tidings, Feb 2022
Perform with Mark Cole Piano Trio* 2010 to present

Teach and train 1000’s of worship leaders and musicians all over the world
Write at top #100 CCLI worship song (top 2000 so far)
Write a sound track for a movie (I’ve done a couple of TV shows)
Take a band and play Christian music in Red China

Musical Instrument List

Piano* (Grade 8 honors) 1965-1973
Drums* (drummer for the first band I ever played in) 1970
Alto Sax* (B. Music) 1979
Tenor Sax* (B. Music) 1979
Flute* (Minor – B. Music) 1979
Soprano Sax* (B. Music) 1979
Baritone Sax* (B. Music) 1979
Clarinet* (Minor – B. Music) 1979
Harmonica* (learnt from Don Moen) 1975
Tambourine & Percussion* (Living Sound) 1975
Recorder* 1985
Tin Whistle* 1986
B-3 Organ* 1990
Synthesizer (Yamaha, Roland, Kurzweil, Nord, Korg) * 1992 – present
Acoustic Steel String Guitar* (Takamine, Taylor, Fender) 1994 – present
12 String Guitar* (Fender) 1998
Piccolo* 2001
Nylon String Guitar* 2004
Electric Rhythm Guitar* (Stratocaster & Telecaster) 2011 – present
Ukulele* 2015
Lead Guitar* 2021 (still learning)
Bass Guitar* 2022 (still learning)

Air Travel List

Fly in a helicopter* (New York-LGA to JFK) 1974
Skydive* (5x’s in South Africa & Oklahoma) 1975
Parasailing behind a boat* (Tampa, Florida) 1981
Bungee jump off a bridge* (Nanaimo, BC) 1985
Pilot an airplane* (Vancouver) 1985
Fly around the world* (Vancouver ~London ~Nairobi ~ Calcutta ~Bangkok ~ Taipei ~ Hong Kong ~ Vancouver) 1992
Fly first-class to Europe* 2003-2005

Animal Travel List

Ride a horse* (Penticton) 1970
Ride an ostrich* (South Africa) 1974
Ride a donkey* (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) 1988
Ride in a stage-coach* (Barkerville, BC) 1990
Ride a camel* (Mombasa, Kenya) 1991
Ride an Icelandic Horse* (Reykjavik, Iceland) 2006
Ride in a horse-drawn carriage* (Old-City Rome) 2007
Drive a dogsled team* (Canmore, AB) 2008
Ride an elephant* (Phuket, Thailand) 2010
Ride a water buffalo* (Thailand) 2010

Hiking/Climbing List

Hike from Woodfibre to Salmon Inlet, BC* (3 days) 1970
Hike down from Table Mountain* (1085m – Cape Town, SA) 1975
Hike the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail* (5 days – 47km – Vancouver Island, BC) 1999
Scramble – Cascade Mountain, Banff* (2998 metres-9835 ft) 2007
Hike Black Tusk* (18km – Squamish, B.C.) 2006
Hike & Jog Cinque Terra, Italy* (13 km) 2008
Hike the Iceline Trail* (23km- Yoho National Park, BC) 2009
Scramble – Fortress Mountain Hike* (22km – Kananaskis, AB) 2009
Scramble – Yamnuska, AB* (2240 metres-7349 ft) 3x’s – 2010 & 2022
Hike the West Coast Trail* (7 days – 72km – Vancouver Island, BC) 2010 & 2018
Do the ‘Grouse Grind‘ in under 60 min* (West Vancouver, BC -853 metres/2,800 feet) 2010
Scramble – Temple Mountain, Lake Louise* 3543 m (11,624 ft) 2011
Hike the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska & Yukon* (5 days – 53km) 2012
Ha Ling Peak, Canmore, Canada* (2407 metres-7896 ft) 2014 & 2021

Hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (19,340 ft.)
Climb Mt. Fuji, Japan (12,388 ft)
Hike Machu Picchu (Peru)
Hike to the base camp of Mount Everest (Nepal)

Land Transportation List

Take a train across Canada* (Vancouver-Ottawa, 4441 km/2759 miles) 1967
Ice-Buggy Glacier ride – Columbia Icefield, Canada* 1970
Drive to Tijuana, Mexico from Vancouver, Canada* (2276 km/1414 miles) 1971
Ride the cable cars in San Fransisco* 1972
Ride in a bicycle rickshaw in Bangkok, Thailand* 1974
Take a bus from Cape Town, SA to Salisbury, Rhodesia* (2518 km/1565 miles) 1974
Take the Blue Train* (Johannesburg to Cape Town), 1398 km/869 miles) 1975
Take a bus across the US* (New York-Los Angeles, 4518 km/2808 miles) 1975
Take a train from Vancouver to Los Angeles* (2058 km/1279 miles) 1977
Do a 3 day motorcycle trip* (mountains of Taiwan) 1978
Take a train from Nairobi to Mombassa* (Kenya) 1991
Motorhome vacation* (Vancouver Island, BC) 1999
Quading in Mexico* (Cabo) 2003
Go snowmobiling in the mountains* (Whistler, BC) 2004
Ride the subway in New York City, London, Paris, Toronto, Montreal and Singapore* 2001-2021
Drive from Rome, Italy to Avignon, France and to Barcelona, Spain* 2009
Bicycle 320 km from Jasper to Canmore, AB. 2014
Mountain Bike from Banff-Canmore, AB return* 2012-2015

Take a train thru the Chunnel (France-England)
Take a train from Paris to Hong Kong
Ride in an armoured tank

Water Travel List

Water ski* (Deep Cove, BC) 1969
Surf in Hawaii* 1970
Cliff dive* (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico & Hot Springs, AR) 1974
Canoe trip* (Arkansas River) 1975
Body surf* (Port Elizabeth, South Africa) 1975
Swim in the Dead Sea, Israel* 1975
Snorkel in Cape Town, South Africa* 1976
Do a ‘180’ on trick skis* (Lake Samish, WA) 1977
Barefoot water ski* (Lake Samish, WA) 1978
River-raft the rapids of the Thompson River, BC* 1979
Ride a hovercraft across the English Channel* 1981
Sail a Hobie Cat Sailboat with trapeze* (Florida) 1982
Windsurfing* (Penticton, BC) 1984
Scuba dive* (Hawaii & Mexico) 1985
Get my sailboat captain certification* (Vancouver) 1988
Captain a sailboat* (B.C., Washington & British Virgin Islands) 1989-2001
Houseboat* (5x’s-Shuswap Lakes, BC) 1990-1995
Go deep-sea tuna & swordfish fishing in Mazatland, Mexico* 1993
Ride a gondola in Venice, Italy* 1994
Hydrofoil boat ride from Naples to Capri, Italy* 1994
Jet Ski* (Shuswap Lake) 1995
Salmon fishing* (Bamfield, BC – 25 lb. Salmon) 1997
Sea-kayak in the Gulf Islands, B.C. Canada* 1998
Zodiac whale watching trip* (Tofino, BC) 1999
Overnight ferry ride from Finland to Sweden* 2005
Yacht vacation – Princess Louisa Inlet* 2007
Ride in a submarine* (Barbados) 2008
Cave Tubing* (Belize) 2014

Get my scuba diving certification (Scuba diving twice but not certified yet)
Scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Favourite Beach List

Daytona Beach, Florida* 1965
Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, Canada* 1968
Okanagan Lake Beach, Penticton, BC, Canada* 1969, 1971,
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii* 1970, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1985
Seaside Beach, Oregon* 1971, 2006
Tanjung Bungah Beach, Penang, Malaysia* 1974
Subic Beach, Philippines* 1974
Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa* 1975
Gonubie Beach, East London, South Africa* 1975
Addington Beach, Durban, South Africa* 1975
Jerusalem Beach, Tel Aviv, Israel* 1975
Jericho Beach, Vancouver, Canada* 1977
Sand Key Park, Clear Water, Florida* 1981
Blackpool Sands Beach, Devon, England* 1981
Playa El Salado, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico* 1988
Newport Beach, California, USA*1990
Playa del Amor, Cabo, Mexico* 1993, 2001, 2003
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil* 1994
The Baths, British Virgin Islands* 1995
Long Beach, Vancouver Island, BC* 1997
Mindanao Beach, Philippines* 1998
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia* 2003
Magens Bay, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands* 2004
Destin Beach, Florida* 2005
Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida* 2013
Wards Island Beach (Toronto Islands), Ontario, Canada* 2013
Miami Beach, Florida* 2014
Roatan Beach, Honduras* 2014
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas* 2014
Condofuri Beach, Calabria, Italy* 2015
Argostoli, Greece* 2019

Cruises Ship List

Southampton, England to Cape Town, SA: 10 days: Castle Lines* 1974
Cape Town, SA to Canary Islands: 8 days: Castle Lines* 1975
LA-Puerto Vallarta: 7 days: Carnival (10th Anniversary)* 1993
Puerto Rico to Aruba: 10 days: Celebrity (25th Anniversary)* 2008
Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica: 5 days: Carnival (30th Anniversary)*2013
Miami to Belize: 7 days: Carnival (31st Anniversary)* 2014
Miami to Bahamas: 7 days: Carnival (31st Anniversary)* 2014
Sicily to Venice: 6 days: Celebrity (Birthday Celebrations)* 2019

Cruise the Panama Canal
Mediterranean Cruise (Istanbul-Egypt)
Take an Alaskan cruise
Cruise to Antarctica

Sports List

Snow ski in the Canadian Rockies* (Banff, Lake Louise & Whistler) 1970-to present
Go Caving* (Cango Caves, South Africa) 1975
Snow-ski in Sweden* 1975
Run 10 km Vancouver Sun Run* 2001-2003
Snowboard* (Switzerland & British Columbia) 2005-2007
Attend the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament (London, England)* 2005
Road Bike from Calgary to Bragg Creek return* (70 km) 2007
Do an overnight cross-country ski trip* (3x’s:Banff, Bow Hut, Asulkan Hut) 2007-2010
Finish a Sprint Triathlon* (Calgary – Swim-750m, Bike-20km, Run-5km) 2010
Snow Shoe to Arnica Lake* (11-km, Banff, AB) 2009
Mountain Bike the Elbow Loop (2x’s)* (44 km – Kananaskis, AB) 2009-2011
Bike the Lachine Canal in Montreal* 2011
Win the 3.0 Oakridge Tennis Club Championship* 2012
Watch a Blue Jays game in Toronto* 2014
Attend Rogers Cup Tennis in Toronto* 2014
Bicycle from Jasper to Canmore: 320 km* 2014
Become a 4.0 Tennis player* 2015
Mountain Bike from Banff-Canmore return* (43 km – Rundle Riverside/Goat Creek Trail) 2015
Club 4.0 Tennis Champion* 2021
Become a 4.0 Pickleball player* 2023

Become a ‘C’ level Squash player (currently D+)
Do the STP Bicycle Ride (Seattle-Portland)

Museum, Historical & Zoo List

Vancouver Aquarium* 1970
San Diego Zoo* 1971
Auschwitz, Poland* 1974
Metropolitan Museum of Art* (New York) 1975
British Museum* (London) 1975
Smithsonian* (Washington, D.C.) 1975
Holocaust Museum – Jerusalem* 1979
Louvre (the ‘Mona Lisa’), Paris, France* 1982
Pompidou Center – Paris* 1982
Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington* 1984
Butchart Gardens* (near Victoria, BC) 1987
Royal London Wax Museum* (Victoria, BC) 1987
Vatican Museum – Italy* 1988
Colosseum, Rome, Italy* 1988
Calgary Zoo* 1989
SeaWorld, San Diego, California* 1992
Accademia (Statue of David)* (Florence, Italy) 1999
Disney Animal Kingdom* (Florida) 2004
Tower of London* 2005
Night Safari, Singapore* 2010
Pompeii, Italy* 2011
Leonardo Di Vinci Museum, Rome, Italy* 2019

World Travel List (maps)

Visit all 50 US States* finished 1984
Visit all 10 Canadian provinces and 3 territories (6 Provinces. & 1 Territory. so far)
Visit 100 countries (72 so far)
Visit all 7 continents (only Antarctic left)
Visit the top 25 major capitals of Europe (20 so far-Prague, Budapest, Dublin, Moscow, Lisbon are still left to do)

Drive thru Redwood National Park, USA* 1970
Celebrate Christmas in Hong Kong* 1973
Visit Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia* 1974
Walk thru Stonehenge* (England) 1974
Celebrate my 20th birthday in Salisbury, Rhodesia* 1974
Dance the ‘Hora’ in an Israeli Kibbutz* 1975
Go on safari in Africa* (3x’s-Kenya & South Africa) 1975, 1987, 1991
Jog around the Old City of Jerusalem* 1977
Dine on a floating restaurant in Hong Kong* 1978
Have dinner at the top of the Seattle Space Needle* 1983
Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park* 1983
Visit the West Edmonton Mall, Alberta, Canada* (largest mall) 1986
Visit the “Christ The Redeemer’ statue* (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil) 1991
Visit the ‘Calcutta Mercy‘ (Mark & Hulda Buntain) in Calcutta, India* 1992
Visit Juliet’s Balcony in Verona, Italy* 1993
Walk across Ponte Vecchio, in Florence, Italy* 1995
Visit the source of the Nile* (Lake Victoria, Uganda) 2001
Climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica* (Rome, Italy) 2001
Visit Kronborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark* 2001
Walk up the Eiffel Tower* (Paris, France) 2002
See the ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa* (Italy) 2003
Climb the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral* (London, England) 2003
Take Anna to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark* 2003
Go to the top of the Empire State Building* (New York City) 2004
Swim in the volcanic hot pools of Iceland* (Blue Lagoon) 2004
Visit the Tower of London* (England) 2005
Visit Edinburgh Castle* (Scotland) 2005
Walk thru Piazza Del Campo, Sienna, Italy* 2005
Walk across the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, Switzerland* 2006
Visit the Schoenbrunn Castle in Vienna, Austria* 2006
Walk thru Central Park in New York* 2006
Ride the ‘London Eye’* 2006
Visit the windmills in Amsterdam* (Holland) 2007
Tour the Atomium, Brussels* 2007
Visit Windsor Castle, England* 2007
Tour Berlin, Germany by bicycle* 2008
Visit the Papal Palace, Avignon, France* 2010
See La Sagrada Familia church, Barcelona, Spain* 2010
Go to the top of the CN Tower (Toronto, Canada)* 2011
Go to the top of Mount Etna, Sicily* (active volcano) 2012
Visit mount where St. Thomas was martyred (Chennai, India) 2016
Walk the length of Venice, Italy 2019

See the ‘Aurora Borealis’ (Northern Lights) in northern Canada
Visit ‘Petra’ (Jordan)
Go to Churchill, Manitoba to see the polar bear migration.
Visit Red Square (Moscow)
Visit St Petersburg (Russia)
Visit the Pyramids (Egypt)
Visit the ‘Taj Mahal’ (India)
Walk the ‘Great Wall Of China’
Take a trip to Antarctica

Following God List

Follow God: be water baptized & filled with the Holy Spirit* 1968
Go into full-time ministry* 1973-present
Play at the largest church in the world: Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, Korea* 1973
See 18,000 people accept Jesus in 3-1/2 weeks in Communist Poland* 1974
Preach* (Vancouver) 1976-present
Read the whole Bible* (42+ time’s so far) 1981-present
Lead worship playing keys* (Calgary) 1985-present
See 368 people water baptized in one year (over one per day) at Christian Life Assembly* (Langley, BC) 1992
Do a 40 day fast* (Vancouver & Philippines) 1998
See 15,000 people accept Jesus in 1 week in Copenhagen, Denmark* 2000
Personally see a real miracle* (Copenhagen, Denmark) 2000 ~ MarkCole.ca – ‘The Coolest Miracle I Have Personally Seen’
Personally healed of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* (Denmark) 2004
Lead my neighbour to the Lord* 2005
Play at the largest church in England: Kingsway International Christian Centre* 2006
Lead worship playing acoustic guitar* (Calgary) 2009
Visit the largest church in North America: Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas* 2012
Lead the ‘Alpha Course‘ and see people saved and water-baptized* (Calgary) 2010-2012
Lead worship and the annual Christmas Production at Centre St. Church 2016

Personally see over million people come to Jesus (over 350,00 so far)

…. and any other adventures that God brings my way!

The most beautiful adventures are not those we go to seek ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Jesus ~ Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.. and all these things will be added you..

Posted in Church, Exercise, Family, God, God Adventures, Healing, Music, Travel, Worship | Tagged Book, Bucket List, bungee jumping, climbing, cruise, elephant, great wall, hot air balloon, Pyramids, scuba, wedding | 2 Comments

The Bucket List

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Mark Cole

I love adventure. I love having new mountains to conquer and new experiences to enjoy. Here is my current list of what I have done so far and some exciting adventures that I still want to do. I have done around 75% of the list but it keeps growing. My prayer is that God will give me great health, favour and finances so I can complete the rest of the list over the next 25 years. All things are possible!

* already done

Write at top #100 CCLI worship song (top 2000 so far)
Write and publish a book. *2014 ~ Leading Worship: Notes From A Grand Adventure
Ride an elephant* 2010 in Thailand
Ride in a hot air balloon
Visit 100 countries (72 so far)
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa (19,340 ft.)
Climb Mt. Fuji, Japan (12,388 ft)
Eastern Mediterranean Cruise (Istanbul-Egypt)
Lead worship playing electric guitar* 2010
Personally see over million people come to Jesus (over 350,00 so far)
Celebrate my 65th wedding anniversary with Anna (40th anniversary so far)
Personally hold all my grandchildren & great-grandchildren in my arms. (3 so far)
Live to 100 years old. (Live a healthy godly lifestyle)
Visit the Pyramids (Egypt)
Visit the ‘Taj Mahal’ (India)
Walk the ‘Great Wall Of China’
Get my scuba diving certification (I have dived twice but no certificate yet)
Ride in a glider
Walk up the Eiffel Tower (Paris)* 2002
Go to the top of the Empire State Building, (NY)* 2004
Walk thru Stonehenge* (England) 1974
Ride a gondola in Venice* 1993
Bungee jump off a bridge* (Nanaimo, BC) 1985
Skydive* (5x’s – South Africa & Oklahoma) 1975
Drive a dogsled team* (Canmore, AB) 2008
Barefoot water ski* (Lake Samish, WA) 1978
Jog ‘Cinque Terra‘ Italy* (approx. 13 Km) 2006
Ride a camel* (Mombasa, Kenya) 1988
Finish an Sprint Triathlon*- Calgary 2010
Captain a sailboat in the Caribbean* (British Virgin Islands) 1988
Visit all 50 US States* (finished 1984)
Visit all 10 Canadian provinces and 3 territories (6 Prov. & 2 Ter. so far)
Go to the Montreal Jazz Festival* 1984, 2015
Take a band and play Christian music in Red China
Climb the dome of St. Paul’s (London)* 1980
Visit Edinburgh Castle (Scotland)* 2005
Scuba dive in Hawaii* 1985
Take my kids to Disneyland & Disney World* 1992 & 1998
Visit the Smithsonian* (Washington, D.C.) 1975
Take an Alaskan cruise
Go on safari in Africa* (3x’s so far-Kenya & South Africa) 1975, 1987, 1989
Play on a radio show* (Taiwan) 1978
Pilot an airplane* (Vancouver) 1985
Ride in a submarine* (Barbados) 2008
Personally see a real miracle*(Copenhagen, Den.) 2001
Cruise the Atlantic* (Southampton, England to Cape Town, SA) 1974
Visit the source of the Nile* (Lake Victoria, Uganda) 2001
Snow ski in Switzerland* 2005
Drive a snowmobile* (Whistler, BC) 2004
Read the whole Bible every year* (42 x’s so far)
Go to the top of the CN Tower (Toronto)* 2011
Body surf in South Africa* 1975
Cruise in the Caribbean* 2008, 2013, 2014
Cruise the Mexican Riviera* (LA-Puerto Vallarta 10th Anniversary) 1993
Surf in Hawaii* 1970
See the ‘Statue of David’* (Florence, Italy) 1988
See the ‘Mona Lisa’ in Paris* 1980
Swim in the volcanic hot pools of Iceland* (Blue Lagoon) 2004
Take a train across Canada* (Vancouver-Ottawa) 1967
Climb Table Mountain* (Cape Town, SA) 1975
Visit the “Christ The Redeemer’ statue* (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil) 1987
Take ballroom dancing lessons with my wife* 2003
Climb Cascade Mountain, Banff* (2998 metres-9835 ft) 2007
Visit Red Square (Moscow)
Visit St Petersburg (Russia)
Cruise the Panama Canal
Visit all 7 continents (only Antarctic left)
Snow ski in the Canadian Rockies* (Banff, Lake Louise & Whistler) 1970-to present
Do the STP Bicycle Ride – 325 km (Seattle-Portland)
Do a 40 day fast* Vancouver & Philippines 1992
Jog around the Old City of Jerusalem* 1980
Ride a cable car in San Francisco* 1970
Get a Bachelor of Music Degree* (UBC) 1979
Cliff dive* (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico & Hot Springs, AR) 1974
Houseboat* (Shuswap Lakes, BC) 1990-1995
Do an overnight cross-country ski trip* (3x’s:Banff, Bow Hut, Asulkan Hut) 2007-10
Dine on a floating restaurant in Hong Kong* 1978
Record my own CD* (6 so far)
Hike the West Coast Trail* (2x’s – Vancouver Island, BC) 2010, 2017
Hike the San Juan Trail* (Vancouver Island, BC) 1999
Ride a hovercraft across the English Channel* 1981
Take a train thru the Chunnel (France-England)
Visit the top 25 major capitals of Europe (20 so far)(Prague, Budapest, Dublin, Moscow, Lisbon still left)
Snowboard* (Switzerland & British Columbia) 2005-2007
Parasail behind a boat* (Florida) 1974
Hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim:
Sell over one million dollars of music* (musical arrangements, songs & CD’s)
Dance the ‘Hora’ in an Israeli Kibbutz* 1975
Hike ‘Machu Picchu’ (Peru)
Visit ‘Petra’ (Jordan)
Go to the base camp of ‘Mount Everest’
Scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
Watch an outdoor opera in Verona, Italy* (twice so far) 1993, 2005
See the ‘Aurora Borealis’ (Northern Lights) in northern Canada
Go to Churchill, Manitoba to see the polar bear migration.
See the ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa’* (Italy) 2003
Get a Master’s Degree
Climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica (Rome)* 2001
Hike the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska & Yukon (5 days)* 2012
Write a sound track for a movie (I’ve done a couple of TV shows)
Do a motorcycle trip* (mountains of Taiwan) 1978
Fly around the world (London, Nairobi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangkok, Taipei, Hong Kong, Vancouver) *1992
See an opera in the Sydney Opera House* 2004
Go Caving. * (Cango Caves: South Africa 1975)
Climb Temple Mountain, Lake Louise* 3543 m (11624 ft) 2011
Take my grandkids on a camping trip.
Take a carriage ride thru the old city of Rome* 2007
Do the ‘Grouse Grind‘ (Vancouver, BC) in under 60 min* 2010
Go to the top of the CN Tower in Toronto* 2010
Visit the Tower of London* 2005
Bike the Lachine Canal in Montreal* 2011
Learn Italian (be able to converse)
Conduct at the 100th Anniv of the Calgary Stampede*2012
Become a ‘C’ level Squash player (currently D+)
Become a 4.0 Tennis player* 2014
Bicycle from Jasper to Canmore: 320 km* 2014
Attend an outdoor opera in Taormina, Sicily* 2015
Take a boat tour to the base of Niagara Falls* 2018
Central Mediterranean Cruise* 2019 (Sicily, Malta, Greece, Croatia, Venice)
Eastern Mediterranean Cruise (Istanbul, Egypt, Israel)
Become a 4.0 Pickleball player (currently 3.7)
Take my grandson up a mountain every year from 10-18 yrs old.* 2 so far.
Teach my grandkids to play and sing with an instrument.*2 so far.

and any other adventures that God brings my way..

“The most beautiful adventures are not those we go to seek” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Jesus ~ “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.. and all these things will be added you.”

Jesus ~ “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Question: Do you have a bucket list? What adventures are still looking forward to?

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

Posted in Family, God, God Adventures, Jesus, Music, Travel | Tagged anniversary, Bible, Book, countries, elephant, Masters Degree, miracle, Pyramids, tennis | 3 Comments

Best Vacation Ever!

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Mark Cole

A few years back, I was at a 50th birthday party with some good friends. I asked the guest of honor what her favourite vacation was… she said it was her honeymoon in Hawaii.

That got me thinking about my vacations… So here are my ‘Best Vacations Ever’!

Cruising the Mediterranean & Touring Italy – In 2019, Anna and I decided to celebrate some big birthday’s in a spectacular way. We started by visiting Anna’s family in Reggio Calabria for 10 days, then caught a Celebrity cruise ship to Sicily, Malta, Greece, Dubrovnik, Slovenia, Venice. Then we took a fast train to Rome, Italy. The weather, family time, cruise, accommodations, destinations and time together was amazing.. One of our best trips ever!

Bareboat sailing in the British Virgin Islands – In 2001, I organized four couples and we chartered a 40 foot sailboat and went sailing around Tortola for a week. I love sailing! All of us guys had been certified to sail and the week of living in our bathing suits, 20 knot winds, 83F/28C weather, world-class sailing, incredible beaches, snorkeling, good company and great food made for a fantastic vacation.

Walking Cinque Terra, Italy – Cinque Terra is five small villages on the north-western coast of Italy linked by a pathway. In 2006, my wife and I met some good friends there and spent the next couple of days walking along the coast, enjoying great meals and exploring the Italian culture. I even got up early one morning and jogged the whole thing (13 km/8 miles). The driving portion of that vacation also included Rome, Monaco, Marseilles, Cannes, Avignon, Andorra and Barcelona. It was my favourite driving trip of all time.

Caribbean Cruise – A few years back my wife won a free trip anywhere Westjet flies, so we flew to Miami and hopped on a two-week cruise of the Western and Eastern Caribbean. It was actually two, one-week cruises and we just stayed on the same ship the whole time. Cruising is such a great vacation. The food is incredible, you stop at a different amazing beach every day, the weather was outstanding and the onboard entertainment is fun. Stops included Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman Islands, Bahamas, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk.

Hawaiian Honeymoon – When Anna and I got married, Hawaii was the place to honeymoon. It did not disappoint. The gorgeous beaches, spectacular islands, sailing, surfing, great food, relaxing atmosphere, good shopping and nice hotels were a great way to start off our wonderful married life together.

Hiking The West Coast Trail – In 2010, my buddy and I trained to spend a week hiking a 75 km (47 mi) long backpacking trail along the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of survivors of shipwrecks along the coast, part of the treacherous Graveyard of the Pacific. It is now part of Pacific Rim National Park and is often rated by hiking guides as one of the world’s top hiking trails. The weather can be unpredictable and rainy so Mike and I picked the first week of August and had great weather. Do you like a challenge? If so, you will love this hike! I had such a great time the first time.. I did it again seven years later.

Safari in Masai Mara, Kenya – Going on safari in Africa is one of life’s great adventures. To see herds of elephant, a pride of lions, giraffe, cheetahs, leopards, crocodiles, rhinos and a host of other animals in the their natural environment is unforgettable. I was blessed to be able to take my whole family and my band to do music in Africa and then tour this incredible part of the world.

Weekend in Paris – In 2002, my wife joined me for a week of ministry in Holland. At the end of the trip we decided to celebrate the Mother’s Day weekend in Paris. Great decision! Paris is my favourite city to visit. We stayed in a hotel near the Notre Dame Cathedral and spent that weekend walking, touring, eating and visiting some of the most spectacular city sights in the world. From the Eiffel Tower, to the Paris Opera House, to the Arc De Triomphe, the Louvre and the Champs Elysees, there is something great to see around every corner.

Singapore and Phuket, Thailand – In 2010 my wife and I had the incredible opportunity to minister in Singapore for the month of January. Singapore is the cleanest, safest and most modern city that I have ever visited. It also only 85 miles from the Equator and so the year-round temperatures are gorgeous. After enjoying the fantastic food, beaches and sights of Singapore, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary in Phuket. We stayed in a spectacular hotel on the beach and topped the trip off with an elephant ride in the jungles of Thailand. Wow!

House-boating on the Shuswap’s, B.C. Canada – For a number of years I helped organize a bunch of friends and families to vacation on houseboats on some spectacular lakes in central British Columbia, Canada. One year we had three ski-boats, a jet ski, windsurfer and around 30 people on 3 different houseboats. What a great time: we skied, swam, sun-tanned, ate, sat around campfires and had the vacation of our lives. What a spectacular family vacation!

Touring Israel – When I was 20 years old I was very blessed to travel in a band that was asked to do the music for a conference in Israel. Even though we played twice per day, we spent every afternoon touring throughout Israel. Some of my personal highlights were jogging around the Jerusalem’s Old Cities walls on a Sabbath morning and seeing a school of young Rabbinical students dancing and singing their way to the Wailing Wall, swimming in the Dead Sea, going up to Masada and dancing the hora in an Israeli Kibbutz. If you get the opportunity to do a trip to Israel, go for it! Seeing many of the original places in the Bible helps bring your Bible reading to life!

Question: What is your best vacation ever?

Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’ available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

Posted in Family, God Adventures, Travel | Tagged Caribbean, Cinque Terra, cruise, elephant, France, hiking, Hora, house-boat, Israel, Italy, Jerusalem, lion, Masada, Paris, safari, sailboat, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Virgin Islands, Waikiki, West Coast Trail | 5 Comments

The Scariest Night Of My Life!

Posted on February 11, 2023 by Mark Cole

One winter weekend a bunch of my friends and I decided to cross-country ski into Bow Hut for an overnight in the Canadian Rockies. Bow Hut is an alpine hut located at an elevation of 2,350 metres (7,710 ft) on the eastern edge of the Wapta Icefield in Banff National Park. I knew the trip was going to be a little wilder then usual because we were all told to rent some avalanche beacons from the University of Calgary Outdoor Program.

The plan was to meet on Friday in Calgary, then drive up to Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on the Icefields Highway (Hwy 93). We would park our cars there and then spend the rest of the day cross-country skiing into Bow Hut. The hut sleeps around 30 people.

Well, we got a late start and by the time we got to the Lodge it was around 3 PM. We spent a bit of time learning how to use our avalanche beacons and by the time we headed out across the frozen lake, a snow storm was coming in. Winter days are quite short in Canada and the sun went down around 6 PM. So, we soon found ourselves skiing in the dark up a narrow gorge called the mousetrap, with our headlamps on, in a snowstorm.

The trip into Bow Hut is about a five hours so we knew we had our work cut out for us. But the group was up for a challenge. We love this kind of stuff. We had a couple of girls travelling with us. One girl, Chunlee, had boots on that were too small and she quickly developed some severe blisters. So, we split into two groups. A small group went a little slower with Chunlee and the group that I was in went ahead.

After about four hours we found ourselves working up a headwall (steep side of a mountain) in the pitch dark in a full blizzard. The snow was so deep that if you stepped off your skis you would sink up to your hip. Unfortunately, the girl in our group also had faulty equipment and she was frequently coming out of her bindings and finding herself stuck in snow up to her waist.

Then something very scary happened. We heard an avalanche coming down the mountain. We could only see a few feet in front of us, so we had no idea where it was. We did not know if it was coming down on us or coming down behind us. Trust me, it was very unnerving!

And on top of that, we did not know if the slower group might be caught in it. There was just no way to know in the darkness and blizzard. Fear plays tricks with your mind and the girl in our group started to become a bit panicked. Frankly, it was quite understandable. It was not a good situation.

Have you ever had to deal with extreme fear? It has not happened to me very often, but I have learned that fear does not help. Fear can paralyze you. It can cause you to make bad decisions.

That night, we stopped and prayed. Prayer is always a good idea! Trusting God to help you is one of the best ways to conquer fear!

Then, we took time to support and reassure the girl in our group. We told her, that ‘if worse came to worse, we would personally carry her to the cabin.’ She quickly calmed down and within the hour we saw a small stream of light and followed it safely to the cabin.

I have learned that fear does not come from God. The Apostle Paul said it this way: “God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” If you are ever in a situation where fear comes, learn to trust God. God has given us power over fear. God wants to remind us of His love. God says that “perfect love casts out fear.” Also, God wants to remind you that He has given you a sound and whole mind. Fear does not have to be a part of your life. Fear can be conquered! Trusting God is powerful!

Comment from Michael Stewart: Yes Mark I recall this trip – it was David Peterson, Chunlee and myself in the second group with David out front looking for ski tracks that had blown in….and I think I kept Chunlee nourished with all my yummy snacks…it was a relief to finally see the light of the cabin!!

Comment from Chunlee Jackson: haha yes! I’m so glad we made it back alive but I do have to be honest, I was praying the whole time! And now we have a story to tell about our adventure! 🙂

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

Posted in God Adventures, Leadership | Tagged adventure, alpine, Banff, Bow Hut, fear, God, hut, mountain, prayer, Rockies, skiing, Trust | 1 Comment

My Wild Dream

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Mark Cole

When I was 19 years old, I had just finished doing a 10 month tour of Southeast Asia and United States with the Christian band, Living Sound II. So I began to pray about what God wanted me to do next.

DREAM

Early one Tuesday morning, I had a dream. Normally, I never remember my dreams. But, in this dream God was talking to me and was telling me that I was supposed to join Living Sound I which had just left for Poland. I argued with God in my dream. I told Him that I had no money but God gave me the names of three people to phone. He said they would give me the money.

When I awoke from my dream I talked to the head music director of Living Sound, Larry Dalton. I told him my dream and asked what he thought. He said to phone those three people, and if the money came in ($1200 – which seemed like a huge amount at the time) then it must be God. I phoned those three people that morning and by noon that day, all the funds came in.

So, I booked a flight to Chicago to get my Polish visa and flew out on Thursday. The Polish taxi driver was so thrilled to hear my story that he gave me a free ride to the Polish embassy.

On Friday of that same week, I flew into Warsaw, Poland with a photographer, Scoti Domiej, and joined Terry Law, Don Moen and Living Sound I. They had no idea I was coming because it was before the time of email and cell phones.

For the next three and a half weeks, we played in huge Catholic Cathedrals all over Poland. The cathedrals were packed with thousands wherever we played. One night in particular I remember 5,000 people packed (standing shoulder to shoulder) so tightly that the whole crowd swayed as one.

At every concert, our speaker, Terry, would give an invitation to people to receive Jesus as their Saviour. In those three and half weeks, over 18,000 people indicated that they wanted to believe in Jesus to forgive their sins and start a relationship with God! Wow! What an amazing time of ministry. What an incredible breakthrough behind the Iron Curtain!

As a byproduct of those concerts, we had lunch with Cardinal Wojtyla who later became Pope John Paul II. The team was later invited to sing at the Vatican.. but that’s another story!

Question: How has God talked to you? Have you ever had a dream from God?

Here is a follow-up story from Scot Law, Terry’s Law’s son, of the impact of those times in Poland..

Terry Law Story

It’s the Fall of 2005, and Dad and I are grabbing a quick lunch at Goldie’s when his phone rings. Dad didn’t recognize the number but answered anyways and, a moment later, his face lit up with joy. He motioned to the door with his left thumb and headed outside to talk more freely with this mystery caller.

I continued to savor my Goldie’s special with cheese and gravy for my fries (nod to Dad – it’s a Canadian thing), and Dad soon walked back to the table with his eyes wide. His face begged the obvious – what was that call about? “Thanks for abandoning me,” I joked.

The caller, who shall remain nameless, was a close personal confidant of the late Pope John Paul II, who had passed away earlier in the year. The caller, who Dad had known for many years, was thinking of Dad and wanted to catch up, as they hadn’t spoken for some time. They both talked fondly of the late Holy Father and all that he meant to the both of them.

When the subject of the fall of communism came up, Dad said, “You know, I, along with the rest of the world gives credit to John Paul II for bringing the Berlin Wall down.” The caller said, “This is part of the reason why I wanted to call you. During one of the last conversations I had with the Holy Father, I mentioned the same thing to him (the Pope being responsible for the wall coming down). The Pope interrupted me and said, ‘No, Terry Law and Living Sound were responsible for bringing down the Berlin Wall down.’”…. Wow!

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

Posted in Church, God, God Adventures, Jesus, Music, Travel | Tagged adventure, direction, dream, God, Poland, Pope, Trust | 2 Comments

Great Script for Good Friday Service

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Mark Cole

Pastors and Worship Leaders: Are you looking for a script that really works for a one hour Good Friday Service? Here’s one that I developed and have used successfully. I’ve also added links to the songs and media.

Pre Service

Background Music & Stage Lights Down

Announcement Slides

Service countdown timer

Video Opener: Good Friday

Stage lights up – Fade B.G. music Cue from Worship Leader

Good Friday Service

Worship Leader Intro – Congregation stands

Song: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – E

Song: Cornerstone – A

Congregation seated

Video (3:09): Last Words Of Christ: John the beloved (Skit Guys)

Worship Leader: Congregation stand

Song: I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) – G

Congregation seated

Video (3:48) : Last Words Of Christ: Martha

Worship Leader asks ushers to serve communion

Song: Living Hope – C (congregation remains seated)

Communion – Pastor directs

Video (3:10): Last Words of Christ: Adulteress

Worship Leader: Congregation stands

Song: This I Believe – G

Song: O Praise The Name – G

Worship Leader: Prayer & have the congregation greet each other

Congregation seated

Message: Pastor – 15 minutes

Closing: Live piano in background

Cue live background music

If you like this script and are planning to use it this Good Friday. May I suggest that you support this blog with a small gift ($1-$5) via this PayPal account. (You can also use a credit card). Thanks!

Also… Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure ’available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

Posted in Church, Entertainment, God, Jesus, Music, Worship | Tagged communion, congregation, Good Friday, John the Beloved, living hope, message, script, ushers, worship leader | 5 Comments

My Best Summer Job Ever!

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Mark Cole

One of the things I’ve learned in my adventures with God is to expect the unexpected. When I was finishing my third year of music at the University of British Columbia, I had the pleasant surprise of being asked to go and replace a missionary and work in Taiwan for the summer.

The missionary, Bob Wagar, was teaching music in the Glad Tidings Bible School in Taichung, Taiwan and he was also writing a music theory book in Mandarin. I was asked to take over his teaching and writing responsibilities.

So right after my last exam, I was winging off to Taichung, Taiwan. Fortunately, I already had a good friend there. Brian Rubuliak was there working on the print side of the music project and also teaching some other classes.

That summer job turned out to be the best summer job ever. Brian and I were given motorcycles to trip around Taiwan on. I remember taking a missions motorcycle trip into the mountains, crossing suspension bridges and riding down mountain paths to visit remote churches. So much fun!

Even doing the laundry turned out to be eventful. The mission compound we stayed on had a washer and dryer, but the timer on the dryer was not working too well! I remember putting some clothes into the dryer and finally remembering, a good 24 hours later (when I heard the dryer still running), to take them out… needless to say.. they were a bit smaller than when they started!

At that point in my life, I still had not learned about the importance of separating the coloured clothes from the whites! Brian was not impressed when I mixed his new red shirt with his white undies. Pink undies was not the trendy colour for guys!

The first month that I was there, Brian and I took a very memorable trip to the capital city of Taipei. While we were there, we attended a live broadcast of a national Christian radio show that taught English. When they found out that we were both musicians, they asked us to play on the show. That lead to us working on a tour to take a band around Taiwan and perform in many of the major music halls in the country.

This is Doug Moody & myself with Brian, Morris, & Ed Rubuliak at a rehearsal in Taiwan.

I remember the day when a bunch of musician friends from my home church landed in Taiwan. Doug Moody, John Skidmore and Morris & Ed Rubuliak were among the group of 15 that came together to form a band and play in packed venues all over the country. We did not have a speaker, so I had the privilege of asking people every night if they wanted to know Jesus. Taiwan is mainly Buddhist and Taoist, so to see many people responding every night to the call to follow Jesus was very exciting.

That summer still holds so many great memories for me: teaching music, directing the Bible School choir, the motor cycle trips, witnessing in the park, learning the Mandarin Chinese language, experiencing the Chinese food and culture, directing the band as we travelled around Taiwan. What a great summer! (And…. it was a way better than my other summer jobs: driving taxi and packing bricks!)

Question: Has God ever surprised you? What was your best summer job?

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

Posted in God Adventures, Jesus, Leadership, Music, Travel | Tagged adventure, band, choir, God, laundry, motorcycle, mountains, Music, summer job, Taiwan, teaching, witnessing | 1 Comment

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