Autobiography with stimulating effect

Reflections of My Life: Jacob (Jack) Block Surrey, B.C.: Coastline Mountain Press. 1983. 205 p.

Jack Block, currently living in South Surrey, B.C., with his wife Lena of 50 years, is a retired teacher and businessman. He came to Canada as a two-year-old in 1925 with his immigrant parents, John and Helena Block. During World War II he served in the non-combatant medical corps. Block tells his story with an enthusiasm that ignites hope and confidence in the reader. His pilgrimage, from a meagre to an intense faith, from poverty to wealth, and from a lack of education to a strong search for knowledge, serves as a motivator worthy of emulation.

Jack Block shares his story with a high degree of authority and authenticity because of his life experiences in the business world, in the educational field, and as a man, a husband, a father and a grandfather. He does it well and in a simple language style.

The author makes a valiant attempt to put his move from poverty to wealth into a positive biblical perspective. He makes no claim that he has attained. An overriding theme that surfaces repeatedly is the author’s desire and determination to please and to serve God. Jack’s desire, in his senior years, to dream and define these in noteworthy purposes and relationships is a challenge to people in his generation as well as generations to follow. Jack’s self-exposure defines him as he has been and as he is in life today. Besides Jack’s professional achievements, he has left his mark on Columbia Bible Camp (now Stillwood) and Columbia Bible College, as well as a number of congregations and Conference boards. The book will stimulate readers to integrity and openness in all of life. Jack and Lena have three children, Jim, Marjorie and Judith. Photos of Lena do much to enhance the book.

Herbert J. Brandt is a retired pastor and a member of Fraserview MB Church in Richmond, B.C.