James Brian Vaughan

He was husband and best friend to his beloved wife Cheryl (nee Trelenberg) for 37 years, and the father of five sons, Jason (Michelle), Jarrett (Ashley), Jamie (Nicole), Justin (Brenda), Joel (Tanesha) and the proud “Granddad” of twelve grandchildren. Brian was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Truro, Nova Scotia and he graduated from St Francis Xavier University with a degree in Commerce. He then moved to California and graduated from Long Beach State University with a degree in Business Administration.

During the Vietnam War he enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed in the Philippines. It was after he returned from a tour of duty that he felt compelled to attend a Billy Graham Crusade in Anaheim, California. Making his way from the top bleachers he surrendered his life to Christ. Forever changed, this tall soft-spoken man became a champion for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He moved back to Canada and settled in Chilliwack, bringing the very first McDonalds Restaurant, which he owned and operated for 20 years, and is still located on Luckakuck Way. During this time he met and married the love of his life Cheryl. It was during this period while raising a family and managing a business that he also obtained a degree in Pastoral Theology from Summit Pacific Bible College (formerly Western Pentecostal Bible College).

In 1994 the Lord called Brian out of the business sector to establish the Jesus Film Project as a part of Campus Crusade for Christ Canada. Brian gave leadership to this ministry for 11 years. During this time he and his team successfully translated and distributed new JESUS films in 250 unreached languages, and raised millions of dollars with over 3 million people coming to Christ directly as a result of the films being shown globally. He then served as Vice President of Development for Global PartnerLink, a division of Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada Inc., where they translated the bible to reach over 170 people groups. Until he passed, he served as CEO for Great Commission Media Ministries (GCM Ministries) raising money for city wide media campaigns and assisting in building evangelism and church-planting. These campaigns have reached over 207 million people, with thousands from each city responding to the Gospel message.

Little did he know when he stepped off the bleachers to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1969 that he would be forever changed, forever challenged and forever grateful. Over his 50 years of ministry Brian has been committed to making Jesus’ last command, his first priority. (Matthew 28:18-20) He lived his life with passion, intention and purpose, and impacted millions of lives for the Gospel.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 7 :00 pm at Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, 45865 Hocking Ave. Chilliwack.

A Celebration of Brian’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 1:00 pm, at First Ave Christian Assembly, 46510 First Avenue, Chilliwack.