God’s Servant, Reverend Arthur Schlak, was called home on April 23, 2024 at the age of 91. He was born July 14, 1932 in Okalew, Poland to Adolph and Natalia Schlak. His parents prayed over him as an infant that he would be used by God all the days of his life. He died of sepsis from a perforated appendix at Hospice House in Prince George, a place he helped start in the late 80s.
After fleeing the advancing Russian army, Arthur lived with his family in Germany and chose auto mechanics as a trade. His love of German automotives continued his whole life. It was during this period that Arthur gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized in 1948.
Sam Mitchell, a Canadian farmer from Oxbow, Saskatchewan that sponsored Arthur, his parents and sister Linda, challenged Arthur to seriously consider his chosen line of work suggesting that only what is done for God will last; cars end up in the junk pile, souls are eternal. After moving to Winnipeg Arthur followed God’s call into the ministry. He graduated from Prairie Bible College in 1962 with a Bible and Missionary training certificate with Pastor and Music Minors. He pastored at several churches through the 50 years of ministry in Calgary, Winnipeg, Prince Rupert, Chilliwack, Prince George, Saskatoon and also did 2 missions trips to India and 1 to Russia.
He met his wife Christel in 1970. They married in 1971 and by 1972 moved to Chilliwack just in time to welcome their first daughter, Corina. A second daughter Angie, came just over a year later. The family moved to Prince George in 1983 to pastor Bethel Baptist Church until it closed in 1998. While in Prince George he served on committees to start the local Hospice House, the Christian Seniors, and the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. At 66 he wasn’t ready to retire and went on to preach another 15 years in Calgary Alberta before returning to Prince George to be closer to his children, son-in-law Blake Cookman and his three grandchildren, Daniel, Matthew and Evan Cookman.
At 81 years of age, Arthur was still interested in advancing God’s kingdom whenever possible. He would serve on the church board at Fort George Baptist Church. He still did a few German funerals for friends. He played the trumpet for special music and he planned Christmas concerts to include his grandchildren. He used his mechanic skills at 88 to change the brakes on the car of a single mother renting the house next door, sharing the gospel and Jesus’ light to those around him. He had plans in the last week of his life, to call the new pastor at College Heights Baptist church and offer him words of encouragement as they start a new church outreach. The prayer of his parents fulfilled, a life dedicated to God and the glory of His Kingdom.
The service will be on Saturday May 4, 2024 at Fort George Baptist Church, 1600 Johnson Street at 1:00 PM.
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