Vancouver UCG Elder Receives Prestigious Award
by David Palmer · Vancouver

"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work" (1Timothy 3:1).
We find this admonition to Timothy from the Apostle Paul in his first recorded letter to the evangelist. One of the statements that he emphasizes in this letter is that an individual called to the office of the ministry is to obtain or earn a good reputation both within the church of God and from those in the world around us.
(See 1 Timothy 3:7.)

On June 22 of this year Lorne Davies received the prestigious "Order of British Columbia." It is an award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the province of B.C., the local community and Canada as a nation. The award is the provincial version of the "Order of Canada." It is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a citizen of the province of British Columbia, and is most often reserved for well-known former politicians, judges, business magnates, and those in the entertainment field.
But every now and then, they recognize an individual whose reputation was gained more by the "quiet" achievements to society rather than by how well people recognize their name.

Vancouver UCG Elder Lorne Davies was first ordained to the ministry in 1977. Over the years both Lorne and his wife, June, have attained a reputation as a loving and caring couple who are always willing to serve the brethren in God's church. June Davies was employed by the church for a number of years and worked in the Vancouver office.
Lorne gained the "good report without" through his many contributions in the sports world. Accomplishments started early for Davies who, as a student at a Vancouver high school, took on the responsibility of player/coach guiding his football team to the provincial finals. His coaching exploits would continue for the next three decades. He made significant contributions to a number of football and rugby programs including American universities in Washington and Oregon as well as the University of British Columbia, and even with the B.C. Lions professional Canadian football team.
In 1965 Lorne Davies was offered the position of Head Football Coach and Director of Athletics and Recreation at the newly-built Simon Fraser University.

Under Davies' astute guidance, the success of Simon Fraser is unparalleled in Canada. The most significant factor is the high level of competition provided by more than 480 American institutions that comprise N.A.I.A.
As head coach of the SFU football team the "Clansmen," Davies amassed a 34-21-1 winning record. The SFU football program has placed more athletes in the Canadian Football League than any other institution in North America (100 total, 25 current, 48 All-Americans).
A number of other accomplishments at the University were attained, and still are, in Wrestling, Track and Field, Men's Soccer, Swimming, Basketball (both men's and women's) Golf, and Women's Softball.
The sports information officer at SFU recently wrote, "Davies' vision and foresight has been an example for all athletic administrators in Canada to follow."

SFU was the only Canadian university to offer athletic scholarships and the first to provide full time coaches and equipment. Davies was a pioneer among Canadian institutions in the areas of recruiting, marketing and facilities. He established the first endowment fund to support a university athletic program.
Lorne Davies founded and chaired the first task force on drugs in sport for the province of BC. The Task Force was set up to encourage athletes to stay drug-free and to oversee any violation of drug rules.

Davies' philosophy of success as Athletic Director at Simon Fraser was to combine top-quality coaching with a high level of competition and to provide the best facilities possible. He created an atmosphere of success that has given many top athletes in Canada an opportunity to excel at their chosen sport. With the advent of sports scholarships, including women's sports, a legacy of equality was created at SFU. Both world figure skating champions Karen Magnussen and track star Debbie Brill attended the university. Football place-kicker Dave Cutler honed his skills so well he would go on to establish a world record for points scored in professional football, only to have SFU grad Lui Passaglia break Cutler's record. Passaglia, is still active with the B.C. Lions of the CFL.
Davies' time, efforts and commitment to all aspects of sport over the past 45 years is unparalleled. His initiative and courage in taking sports to a level of excellence has been a tremendous asset to the hundreds of athletes who had the privilege to attend Simon Fraser under his jurisdiction.

Today, retired as Athletic Director at SFU, Davies is the executive director of one of the most respected humanitarian programs in Canada: The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program. Davies has been involved with the award program since its inception in 1982. He has served on the board of directors alongside University presidents, the head of the Toronto stock exchange and Canadian Senator Ray Perrault.
Terry Fox attended SFU, but was stricken with cancer, a cancer that required one leg to be amputated. Eventually Terry trained up and down the hills of the university with one goal in mind ­ to run across Canada (6000 miles) on one leg to raise money for cancer research. He made it as far as Thunder Bay when cancer reoccurred and took his life. Today Terry Fox is considered by many to be Canada's greatest hero. Schools, roads, statutes, stamps, all bear the name Terry Fox. His "Marathon of Hope" that he never finished is observed each year by thousands of school kids, and the money raised for cancer is in the millions.

As head of Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, Lorne Davies and staff select individuals, many young cancer victims, or those with other life challenges to receive scholarships in Terry's name. They are selected based on a submission to the awards program displaying courage, the ability to overcome adversity and service to others. Each year, 100 scholarships valued at over $8 million, give the opportunity to a young adult to achieve dreams and goals that otherwise might be unattainable.

The prestigious Order of BC, reserved for those who dedicate their lives to leaving a legacy in their community, is a well-deserved recognition of UCG Elder Lorne Davies, who continues to have an impact on the lives of hundreds of people, both within the Church of God and without.
And so it is with sincerity that we offer congratulations to Lorne Davies, for the accomplishments achieved and the "Order of BC" award that recognizes those accomplishments. -UNC