The Memorial for Dale Cummins

The room was filled with faithful friends. All that lived at the Shepherd Village where Dale completed his ministering days filled the front seats. But loving friends from all over the city of Toronto and from all over Ontario continued to pour through the doors. Many had struggled with miserable traffic coming into the city of Toronto and were late. Then after arriving in a steady stream more chairs were found for each guest. From what I saw there were three waves of chairs needed for unexpected guests. Many hundreds came to see their friend off and support his wife Alberta Cummins and her family.

What an expression of love and a declaration of support by so many. But this was only the small North American, small Canadian, small Toronto, and small community from Shepherd Village representation that came to honour him. If there had been all the people that he had ever touched we would have needed the Skydome(Rogers Centre) in downtown Toronto to accommodate them.

For some of you that never met this unassuming man you will not really understand. Why would so many come to be there for the gentlest man to ever enter their lives? I think that statement alone may describe what we witnessed and knew so well. Through Dale’s peaceful countenance and demeanor he expressed a love that encompassed all. Once you met Dale you wanted more Dale.

Dale was born in Shell Lake, Saskatchewan May 2, 1926 and completed his life journey on October 17, 2007. The life journey took him to University where he would become a school teacher…then to schools where he impacted many, many children. Later he would complete his Theological training where he would then enter ministry as an ordained man. In this role he would continue to impact hundreds upon hundreds wherever he worked. Above all he loved to teach and encourage lives of young men and women coming into their own.

Yesterday we all heard how the drive to help others had taken him many places around the world. I may not get the information completely accurate but here goes. They lived in Saskatchewan, Ontario and British Columbia. They ministered to Aboriginal people of Canada, and I think every possible nationality that our country has ever received. Together, Alberta and Dale went to Kenya with their small family and remained many years as a teacher. Later they lived in Sera Leone, Tanzania, and the Ukraine. Dale lived to pour into others and help anyone.

Yesterday a man by the name of Steve stood beside me to express his love for Dale. I know the story well. Steve had walked into Dale’s office in Scarboro Gospel Temple. As Steve described it, “Every few words I sprinkled my language with the “F” word, but that didn’t phase Dale. Instead when it came close to lunch time Dale invited me to his home for lunch. He loved me no matter what.” Steve had been in trouble with the law when he walked into Dale’s office and in the next few days would be in court to face the music. Dale went along with him. Dale also shared with me later that there wasn’t a dry eye in the court when Steve shared his story.

Accounts were given yesterday of people in Africa that Dale had touched. In one account Dale had helped a struggling African man by driving him somewhere with Dale’s mission vehicle. The man wanted to know how he could repay Dale for helping him. Dale had instructed him that some day the African man would have a vehicle as well. At that time he should help other people get to church with his vehicle. It was a simple interaction between a needy man and Dale. Murray Cornelius, the Director for World Missions for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada(PAOC) told how he had met this man in the past year or so. This needy African man has done very well now. He has been a business owner that has made much money. He has sold that business and is now serving in a very influential role helping other Africans. When the African man spoke with Murray he told how Dale had helped him in his time of need…Dale’s instruction… and his eventual purchase of a vehicle. When he had the vehicle he began to help others get to church – just like his teacher had told him to do.

Who knows how many people were helped later in life after Dale’s teaching and instruction was followed?

One account was given of a school that Dale taught in at Prince George, B.C. One of Dale’s former students is now the Principal of that same school now. When that was shared the whole audience of his friends nodded in approval. That summed up Dale’s work so well. He gave with hope and belief in big and little people he taught… so that some day they would become capable people that would help others.

Oh – I almost forgot… this Steve… that I mentioned earlier… is about to start a small church to reach out to “Bikers” in the Toronto area – broken men and women that desperately need help – people just like Steve used to be.

The stories would take too long to relate here… and possibly make sense of…God only knows how much one man’s life has accomplished.

Before I complete this account I have to share the most important tribute given. It came in four parts. One was given by Murray, the next by Andrea, the next by Cara and finally by Ian. The four of them are Dale’s grand kids. Even though Dale was a man that shared with a huge world out there… he never was too busy for to take time with each of his grand kids. He poured into their lives through walks and talks. He was there for them all the time. It wasn’t until they began to share what Grandpa meant to them – that I got that big lump in my throat and began to cry quietly. As I glanced around I wasn’t the only one. The audience was touched very deeply as they caught a glimpse of a man they loved so much… being loved so much by his own grandchildren.

Not every Memorial service is like this one. I have seen children, at funerals, hold their parent in contempt for their own lives and what the parent has done to them. I have heard grandkids laugh with disgust when the old man is now gone – they didn’t have any relationship with the old guy they are burring at all. I wish they all could have seen and felt what we did yesterday.

Finally… Dale loved wood working. It is not the kind that I do…but more detailed. At the service yesterday they had his work on display. It was every bit like what Dale did through out his life – careful and accomplished with great grace. The photos will not likely catch what the true work is like.

One of the intricate works shown here is the “Lord’s Prayer”. You can see the relative size when you look at the photo of the grandkids speaking. Then look closer at the other shots.

One more thing you need to know… there was no power machines used at all… only the simple tools laid on the table… a small drill… a sanding device… one file and a fret saw.

“Thank you God for letting Dale be in my own life when I most needed him… God I AM REALLY GOING TO MISS HIM…. REALLY MISS HIM… When he came to see how we were doing in Peterborough two months ago… I wish we had spent more time together. God help me to be more like Dale’s example today and with your help I will be….”

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln – through many tears today… ~