The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
With its far-reaching lakes and lush forest, the Flin Flon area is sometimes called God's country. And for the past four years that is what it was, in the literal sense, for B.J. and Krista Loder. So it is with heavy hearts that the Salvation Army captains have moved on, recently departing for another church posting in British Columbia. 'We were blessed to be able to be in Flin Flon for four years,' says B.J. through a thick Newfoundland accent. 'It's been an excellent place to raise our kids. The surroundings are beautiful, people have been great to us.' Like her husband, Krista says she will miss the people and the scenery of Flin Flon and area. 'It's been a lot like home for us,' says Krista, who is also from Newfoundland and Labrador. The Loders arrived in Flin Flon in the summer of 2009 after a five-year stint in Portage la Prairie, Man., their first Salvation Army posting. They set out to make the Flin Flon church more active and visible, and to a large degree succeeded. 'We find we're getting more involved in the community now as a Salvation Army, which is normally what the Salvation Army does globally,' B.J. says. 'Here it hasn't been as much like that, but it seems to be that's the direction that it's going, and it's being received well and there's a lot of people who are very excited about that.' As one initiative, the Loders held community barbecues at Pioneer Square and the Walmart parking lot, doling out free hot dogs and pop. During the holidays, they continued the church's involvement with the Christmas hamper program for area residents in need. This past winter the Loders also helped launch and operate Soup Days. Based in the Legion Hall, the weekly program supplied warm food and beverages to Flin Flon's needy. 'I think that was one of the big things that we're pretty proud to be able to leave behind,' says B.J. 'There was a lot of community support and, surprisingly to some people, a lot of need for it as well.' Krista came to Flin Flon enthused about helping others. She sees the ministry as a perfect fit for her life. 'For me, it's just a calling,' she told The Reminder in 2009. 'It's just where I have to be. There's no other thing I could be doing and be satisfied.' B.J., who was introduced to the Salvation Army by his wife, feels just as strongly. 'What I really liked about the Salvation Army is that I could live my faith out and it was a very practical way of helping people,' he said during that same previous interview, 'and it wasn't about what can I get out of it, but what can I do for other people.' As busy as they were serving their faith, the Loders found time in Flin Flon to expand their family. They arrived here with two young children and left with three and another well on the way, as evidenced by Krista's bulging belly. 'We had one child born here, and it really becomes a part of who you are,' comments B.J. After hosting a farewell service in late June, the Loders left days later for their new posting of Powell River, B.C. It's about four hours and two ferry rides outside of Vancouver. 'So it's a little bit isolated, but it should be nice,' B.J. says. The Loders' replacement at the Salvation Army, Maj. Debbie Allen of North Bay, Ont., is due to start next month. Reflecting on his time in Flin Flon, B.J. observes that 'everybody seems to know you.' 'Of course that's good and it's also bad at times,' he says. 'But I think that's one thing we're going to miss as well.'
