We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Brian Townsend. According to media reports, Brian Townsend, a Seventh-day Adventist from Alberta, went missing on December 24th, 2013 and his body was found in Guatemala on January 2, 2014. CTV Edmonton did a story about Brian Townsend that can be viewed at http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=269190&binId=1.1203428&playlistPageNum=2. Police in Belize say they are searching for three people of interest. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this difficult time.
Brian moved to Belize from Canada to build the Valley of Peace Seventh-day Adventist High school and ended up staying after it was finished. Dennis Slusher, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Belize, said “Townsend came to work in the Valley of Peace Community, helping build a school and church which now has about 50 members. He stayed on after the construction was finished, continuing to work for the betterment of the local community."
Many people in Alberta will remember that Brian was also at one time the volunteer Men’s Ministry coordinator for the Alberta Conference. Ken Wiebe, president of the Alberta Conference, said, “Brian Townsend was a very passionate and committed individual who approached everything he set out to do with zeal. Our condolences go out to the family. The world has been enriched because of Brian’s presence and he will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched.”
A Facebook page celebrating Townsend's life and work can be found at https://www.facebook.com/briantownsendmissing.belize.3