Unwritten

Book Review.
Baergen, John and Lorraine. With Malcolm Petch UnWritten. There’s still hope for your greater dream. Unwritten Ventures. 2010. Printed by First Choice Books.
Comment. Henry.
Having known John and Lorraine and their family for over 25 years and been volunteers (my wife and I) at the Leadership Centre for about ten years, I found this book a most fascinating read. Our lives have been impacted by their leadership and friendship. This is a riveting story of tragedy, survival and overcoming challenges that most of us only read about. John and Lorraine have impacted thousands of people positively with their ministry. Although that ministry has had many different ‘faces’ the results have been similar. At the time of writing they have begun yet another unique ministry that marks another chapter of their productive lives.
The Baergen story centers on a horrific automobile that happened on New Year’s Day 1981 that totally changed the lives of John and Lorraine and their boys Byron and Brent. During that first week after the accident all of them were in hospital with lives hanging in a balance between life and death.
Prior to the ‘crash’ John and Lorraine were living busy lives that involved several businesses including operating a large farm in the Peace River area of Alberta. They had become involved in doing friendship evangelism through hosting home barbeques and bring in speakers to present a gospel message. Dr. Terry Winter became a frequent speaker, a trusted friend, and a spiritual mentor to them.
Lorraine spent her hospital stay in the small town of Whitecourt, two hours from Edmonton. John and the boys had been airlifted to the Royal Alex hospital in Edmonton. After being discharged Lorraine moved in with some friends in Edmonton, Jack and Carol Klemke, who lived not far from the hospital. She spent her days at the hospital.
Each member of the family had sustained severe injuries in the accident. (They were hit by a drunk driver.) Lorraine had received severe facial injuries and broken ribs. John had multiple fractures and other injuries to the extent that he was not expected to live. Byron had severe head injuries and was in a coma. Brent had a lacerated scalp and a fractured leg and pelvis. Lorraine was the first to be discharged from hospital. She had been there a week. Then Brent left hospital to live temporarily with his grandparents. He was still in a body cast. Some months later John was discharged, having to use two canes to get around. Finally, after ten months, Byron was discharged. The hospital psychologist recommended strongly that he be placed in an institution. There was no way John and Lorraine were prepared to do that.
The road to recovery and/or rehabilitation is an ongoing story of challenges, setbacks, victories and “unwritten” chapters of the Baergen experiences. Several striking chapter headings, “Silence Deafens (93) and Silence Amplifies (99)”, give some indication of the challenges they had to cope with. There were significant financial set-backs that impacted recovery. They had their share of ‘Job’s comforters’. Major obstacles in family relationships were part of recovery and adjustments.
Several years after the crash the family moved to Kelowna and a new chapter of their lives began. For a brief period John and Lorraine joined the staff of a church in Edmonton. When they returned to Kelowna they became involved in a unique ministry to church leaders across the country. They led the Leadership Development organization which for the last number of years included Willow Creek Canada. It is through this organization that they have had a significant influence on the Canadian church scene.
In recent months John and Lorraine have entered yet another chapter in their lives as they give leadership to a ministry that is appropriately named “Unwritten Ministries. The story goes on!
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