During the 16 days that we were in Vancouver, we had many opportunities to minister to the people of inner city Vancouver. This was my first ‘real’ experience of what city living looks like, and I was definitely out of my comfort zone. The organizations/Churches that we had an opportunity to be a part of for our mission’s trip were New Beginnings Fellowship Baptist Church and Potters Place Mission. New Beginnings Fellowship Baptist Church is a ministry for aboriginal people and for the poor who live near the edge of East Hastings Street. We interacted with numerous people who worked at New Beginnings, many who had previously grown up in Vancouver, and thus had a giant heart for the ministry that was taking place there. New Beginnings definitely embraced the outreach aspect of the Church mission, even in the few encounters I had with people that the Church reached out to I was given the picture that New Beginnings truly cares for those it gives aid to. At Potters Place we participated in what was called the H project; a week of being immersed in the broken, hopeless, drug-perpetuated culture of East Hastings Street.
Something thoroughly entertaining that happened while we were in Vancouver was the time when Denver and I were driving through downtown Vancouver, following the 3 ton truck in a van. The driver of the truck was driving much faster than I was confident driving, and he would go through yellow lights quite frequently. One such time was on a left hand turn, he had just turned just before the light turned yellow, and I was intent on following him. So I'm turning, looking forward at the truck, when Denver starts yelling, "GRANDMA GRANDMA GRANDMA!" because this small old Asian lady had just stepped off the curb as we were turning. After we finished driving we looked back at that time with fondness and laughter.
One of my experiences where I was put most out of my comfort zone was when Denver and I were tasked with the job of delivering several beds and couches to a single mother’s apartment. I had to drive the 3-ton delivery truck, which I had next to no experience driving, and then we had to go into a woman(who I had never met)’s house and deliver and build these bunk beds, along with the other furniture. I felt extremely uncertain and apprehensive at the start of the job, but as we chatted with the mom, we got to learn a lot about her; her oldest son had been home sick all day, so this new bunk bed would allow him to sleep in a separate bed as his sister. Also her master bedroom had recently flooded, so the queen-size bed was also a blessing for them. That was only one of my many days worth of experiences at New Beginnings, but the situations that I was able to observe certainly gave me new vision and perspective for people struggling on the east-side of Vancouver.
Pastor Deborah, the founder of Potters Place Mission, had many stories that I found showed how much God was working to keep Potters Place open. When she bought the second building, a small apartment complex over an art gallery, she soon discovered that one of the tenants was a major drug dealer; he never left the building and had several running drugs for him. She prayed about the outcome of the situation, but resolved at every opportunity to take this drug dealer and lay hands on him and pray for him. He eventually got so sick of it that he stormed out of the apartment, and was promptly seized by the police.
The Potters Place experience was very different from that of New Beginnings; it was much more intense in terms of the physical and emotional toll.
When we first arrived we were told, almost word-for-word the same that we learned in class; “Don’t think that you are going to make a difference for the people here. I have been here for 15 years now, and it hasn’t changed.” With that in mind, we were able to act with humility, coming alongside the people who came into Potters Place and simply talking with them. Although someone who has not experienced brokenness might not see what we were doing as extremely affective, it truly had an impact on the people we talked to. Leon, an older man who has worked at the bottle depot next to Potters Place for 15 years, was openly crying as our conversation about God’s spirit continued. I could tell that his heart was in the right place, he knew that he was a sinner and needed God, and that is why he came to Potters Place, “I don’t come here for the food, I don’t need that. I come here for my spirit.” Another older man, Hammond, had a story that gave me insight into some of the homeless people’s situations on East Hastings. Hammond grew up in Iraq, and was enlisted at the army at age 18. He deserted the army after ten months in service, and escaped to Iran as a refugee. After 2 years of living in Iran, he immigrated to Canada, originally staying in Saskatchewan. He has no family in Canada at all, and that realization was incredibly stunning to me, knowing that he had left behind everything he had known in order to come to Canada and start a new life. Even though I was completely shocked at the prevalence of drugs on East Hastings, and the blindness that the authorities show to it, I am glad God gave me the opportunity to see and hear the depth of the drug market for myself. Overall, I believe that the mission’s trip was a beautiful success. I think the effect the trip had will be lasting on everyone who participated.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Online Ministry Journal número seis
So two weeks ago we were in the middle of our Perspectives in Missions course. reflecting on the content of the course, I'm realizing the sheer amount of content we learned. I would say we covered literally everything about Mission; overseas and in our own backyards. We started off with the Biblical foundations of Missions, so we looked at Paul's life in the New Testament, and how Israel functioned in terms of Mission in the Old Testament. Then we went into the history of Christian Mission. My favourite story was about the missionary Boniface, who went into an area where people worshipped a tree that was supposedly protected by the god Thor. Boniface was incredibly forward and got an axe and chopped it down! He saw an opportunity to minister to a people group by revealing their false god in a vey dramatic fashion. Afterwards, since Thor didn't "strike Boniface down with lightning", the people realized that God was the one true God.
It was a really good course I would have to say, Tim Stabell covered a lot of ground, and I've really gotten to value my own role in Mission because of it.
Looking forward to our missions trip in Vancouver, I would have to say I am definitely feeling that God is going to do great things in my life and the lives of the whole team that is going on the trip. Since this will be my first missions trip, I don't really know what to expect; but I do know that I will experience things that I have never been exposed before, and that is one of many things that I am turning over in my mind.
One thing in specific that I have been anticipating is the eight days that we will be serving in Potters Place. I grew up in a small rural town, so I haven't seen homelessness or poverty to any great extent like it is in the city. Thinking ahead, I'm praying that I will be able to look at everything with the same attitude that Christ had when he was on earth. Jesus would consistently associate himself with those of lower status in society, so I am hoping that I will portray some aspects of Jesus' character while I am there.
While I am looking ahead, some challenges that I think I will face are accumulating in my head. The greatest one, I think, will be for me to not see the people that I am interacting with as lower than myself. I feel like I may be looking at everything and distancing myself from what I'm seeing and feeling, and I will have to stop myself from doing that.
Although I've pretty much just been saying what I haven't been looking forward to I am definitely extremely glad that God has given me this opportunity. I'm reminded of the motto for the Bible Institute that I grew up near, in 2 Corinthians 5:20 it says, "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." It is with this verse in mind that I am going into these next few days, and the weeks to follow.
It was a really good course I would have to say, Tim Stabell covered a lot of ground, and I've really gotten to value my own role in Mission because of it.
Looking forward to our missions trip in Vancouver, I would have to say I am definitely feeling that God is going to do great things in my life and the lives of the whole team that is going on the trip. Since this will be my first missions trip, I don't really know what to expect; but I do know that I will experience things that I have never been exposed before, and that is one of many things that I am turning over in my mind.
One thing in specific that I have been anticipating is the eight days that we will be serving in Potters Place. I grew up in a small rural town, so I haven't seen homelessness or poverty to any great extent like it is in the city. Thinking ahead, I'm praying that I will be able to look at everything with the same attitude that Christ had when he was on earth. Jesus would consistently associate himself with those of lower status in society, so I am hoping that I will portray some aspects of Jesus' character while I am there.
While I am looking ahead, some challenges that I think I will face are accumulating in my head. The greatest one, I think, will be for me to not see the people that I am interacting with as lower than myself. I feel like I may be looking at everything and distancing myself from what I'm seeing and feeling, and I will have to stop myself from doing that.
Although I've pretty much just been saying what I haven't been looking forward to I am definitely extremely glad that God has given me this opportunity. I'm reminded of the motto for the Bible Institute that I grew up near, in 2 Corinthians 5:20 it says, "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." It is with this verse in mind that I am going into these next few days, and the weeks to follow.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Online Ministry Journal nombre de six
Missions fest was, to me, an excellent opportunity to expand my knowledge on a wide variety of topics concerning Mission, both here in Canada and abroad. When i entered into the weekend, I really didn't know what to expect, since I had never been to a "missions fest" before. Looking back at the weekend, I feel like I have actually grown in terms of knowledge of the Church's Mission, and how I am able to fit into that field. After we returned from Vancouver, I returned with a wealth of knowledge from the many seminars, general sessions, and Missions representatives we interacted with.
My favourite general session, the Young Adults Rally, consisted of some beautiful worship music and an excellent speaker; Luis Palau. Luis talked about his own life, touching on things like how his father died ("singing worship songs and praising God") and his banking job that preceded his work in ministry. His speaking was incredible! He was honest, authentic, and I felt like his central theme of "Are You Available" was actually applicable to my life as a young college student. One thing that I found absolutely incredible was the fact that Luis, at the prime young age of 78, was still as spry and active as he was; a goal I have is now to be like him when I'm that age.
Throughout the weekend, all of us Kalèo program students were given free reign on the countless seminars that the various groups put on. The first seminar that I went to was probably one that I liked the most, because it was on "When it's ok to be selfish. That seminar focused on the idea that the reason why most missionaries return from their field early is because the missionary is not looking after his/her own spiritual, emotional, and physical health. The teacher compared a missionary that is not emotionally/spiritually/physically etc. healthy to a flat tire on a car - you are just dead weight, and the team has to put more work into "fixing" you than you are putting into the team.
Over the weekend I also had a chance to interview a member of an organization called Loveworks, who focus on "finding tangible ways of using peoples talents and time to show Gods love in practical ways." The organization wants to raise awareness for international justice, most of the money they raise goes to help against injustice in Africa. The representative described how they work as, "helping people who are struggling to find meaning, help those who are struggling to find the means to live, when we do that something beautiful happens."
I feel like my understanding of mission has changed immensely after missions fest, before I did not put much thought into our work in Mission overseas. But now I have a much deeper understanding of how we are as Christians called to "go out into the world and make disciples of all nations." I feel that now that i have the understanding of the practical and Biblical foundations of Mission I will be able to move ahead in my life with more openness to the field of Missions.
My favourite general session, the Young Adults Rally, consisted of some beautiful worship music and an excellent speaker; Luis Palau. Luis talked about his own life, touching on things like how his father died ("singing worship songs and praising God") and his banking job that preceded his work in ministry. His speaking was incredible! He was honest, authentic, and I felt like his central theme of "Are You Available" was actually applicable to my life as a young college student. One thing that I found absolutely incredible was the fact that Luis, at the prime young age of 78, was still as spry and active as he was; a goal I have is now to be like him when I'm that age.
Throughout the weekend, all of us Kalèo program students were given free reign on the countless seminars that the various groups put on. The first seminar that I went to was probably one that I liked the most, because it was on "When it's ok to be selfish. That seminar focused on the idea that the reason why most missionaries return from their field early is because the missionary is not looking after his/her own spiritual, emotional, and physical health. The teacher compared a missionary that is not emotionally/spiritually/physically etc. healthy to a flat tire on a car - you are just dead weight, and the team has to put more work into "fixing" you than you are putting into the team.
Over the weekend I also had a chance to interview a member of an organization called Loveworks, who focus on "finding tangible ways of using peoples talents and time to show Gods love in practical ways." The organization wants to raise awareness for international justice, most of the money they raise goes to help against injustice in Africa. The representative described how they work as, "helping people who are struggling to find meaning, help those who are struggling to find the means to live, when we do that something beautiful happens."
I feel like my understanding of mission has changed immensely after missions fest, before I did not put much thought into our work in Mission overseas. But now I have a much deeper understanding of how we are as Christians called to "go out into the world and make disciples of all nations." I feel that now that i have the understanding of the practical and Biblical foundations of Mission I will be able to move ahead in my life with more openness to the field of Missions.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Online Ministry Journal número V
So a little bit of my own church history: I went to the local Alliance Church in my hometown from when I was very young until about three years ago. At that time, there were some things going on in the church, conflict issues and other things that I did not pay attention to at my rebellious age. We then went to the Alliance Church in the next town, and I continued to go there right up until I started the Kalèo program.
Looking back with the knowledge that we gained through our Church Ministry course, I can definitely see many things that I appreciate from the Churches that I have been a part of.
When I was growing up in the Hythe Alliance Church my parents ran the Awana kids club, and as I grew older I started helping counsel in that. Upon reflection I have noted that it was really cool how the Alliance Churches from Beaverlodge and Hythe worked together, sharing responsibilities and areas of focus. Both had young children's groups, but Beaverlodge Alliance focused much more on high school and junior high youth groups, and that was an interesting thing that I noticed.
I also really love how it is such a small town church, everybody knows everybody else and that community aspect is really cool. It is awesome to be able to see someone from Church during the week and interact with them outside of the Church setting. I have found that those sort of interactions really help build those friendships that are much deeper than those based on solely the Church environment.
That being said I still find The Meeting Place as an absolutely amazing church, I am just reflecting on the positive differences that one can see when they compare the different communities side by side.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Looking back with the knowledge that we gained through our Church Ministry course, I can definitely see many things that I appreciate from the Churches that I have been a part of.
When I was growing up in the Hythe Alliance Church my parents ran the Awana kids club, and as I grew older I started helping counsel in that. Upon reflection I have noted that it was really cool how the Alliance Churches from Beaverlodge and Hythe worked together, sharing responsibilities and areas of focus. Both had young children's groups, but Beaverlodge Alliance focused much more on high school and junior high youth groups, and that was an interesting thing that I noticed.
I also really love how it is such a small town church, everybody knows everybody else and that community aspect is really cool. It is awesome to be able to see someone from Church during the week and interact with them outside of the Church setting. I have found that those sort of interactions really help build those friendships that are much deeper than those based on solely the Church environment.
That being said I still find The Meeting Place as an absolutely amazing church, I am just reflecting on the positive differences that one can see when they compare the different communities side by side.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Online Ministry Journal Number Four
So over the past couple months I have had the chance to minister in both my Church and at Juniors and Junior High retreats. The experience I have gotten while being an Allstar here at Camp Qwanoes and being a Kidz Place have been pretty great. Since I have been working almost exclusively in ministry with kids around ages 5-13 it has been a really new experience, mostly because the kids are at that age where they are best influenced, and have the most interest in God and Jesus.
At The Meeting Place in Nanaimo the way our kids ministry works is each volunteer comes for one week a month, with Janelle and I basically being the only exception. This has given me a great chance to see how many different leaders work together for the benefit of all these kids. The way that our director Rebecca organizes the classes and the team as smoothly as she does is definitely a gift from God. In fact, all of the other volunteers that I work with show their God-given gifts while we all work together for the Good of Gods kingdom. One specific example that God has shown his hand was when Rebecca was talking about the number of volunteers that our Church has for the year, she had said that several people who were scheduled to be in the Kidz Place had become unavailable several weeks before she heard that there were Qwanoes students who would be helping out on Sundays, so she said it was cool to see God working to provide for the Church in that way.
At Qwanoes, I can echo many of the things I have already said in regards to seeing the spiritual gifts I those I work with come to fruition at the retreats. But i would probably add that being an Allstar and helping on the challenge course has definitely been a highlight of my time here. Although even though I feel like I'm having more fun than the kids sometimes it is still an awesome opportunity to minister to them during the fun stuff we do.
"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4
At The Meeting Place in Nanaimo the way our kids ministry works is each volunteer comes for one week a month, with Janelle and I basically being the only exception. This has given me a great chance to see how many different leaders work together for the benefit of all these kids. The way that our director Rebecca organizes the classes and the team as smoothly as she does is definitely a gift from God. In fact, all of the other volunteers that I work with show their God-given gifts while we all work together for the Good of Gods kingdom. One specific example that God has shown his hand was when Rebecca was talking about the number of volunteers that our Church has for the year, she had said that several people who were scheduled to be in the Kidz Place had become unavailable several weeks before she heard that there were Qwanoes students who would be helping out on Sundays, so she said it was cool to see God working to provide for the Church in that way.
At Qwanoes, I can echo many of the things I have already said in regards to seeing the spiritual gifts I those I work with come to fruition at the retreats. But i would probably add that being an Allstar and helping on the challenge course has definitely been a highlight of my time here. Although even though I feel like I'm having more fun than the kids sometimes it is still an awesome opportunity to minister to them during the fun stuff we do.
"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Online Ministry Journal the Third
So far in Kaléo, we have been taught such great values through out classes, our out trips and through observing the examples of our awesome leaders. I think the leadership aspect of the Kaléo program is having a profound effect on us, the students.
So far, I have observed and been told many excellent characteristics that a leader needs to have. There are always the main ones that anybody typically thinks of when thy hear the word "leader"; confidence, resolve, charisma, strength - but some characteristics that we have been shown go deeper than this. In OLd Testament Literature, in the book of Isaiah, Prof. Don Taylor showed us three defining characteristics that a King should have. They were leadership, the ability to be a good warlord, and servitude. It was extremely profound for me that servitude was a characteristic a king should have; it didn't fit with any description of a king I had ever heard. But the verses didn't just refer to how kings should be, it was essentially a description of Christs character. Because Jesus is the perfect example for Christians to follow I thought it was awesome how our OT Lit course really related to him.
Personally, I find the idea of servant leadership really hard to wrap my head around. The other characteristics I find pretty easy to follow, since they are pretty much common-sense.
An example of when followed the characteristics of leadership well would probably be during the filming project. I feel like I used my gift well, was led and leaded in a productive way, and helped in any way I could. These are only my own observations, so I am probably being a little vain, but even recognizing that in myself I realize is a good part of being a leader.
A time when I didn't embody the good characteristics was during my first time serving at my church in The Kids Place. I pretty much just hung out in the background, not really getting involved in any activities or discussions. Now I feel like if I am hesitant about getting involved or anything like that I just need to give it all up to God, and be led by Him without any hesitation.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
- Jeremiah 29:11-13
So far, I have observed and been told many excellent characteristics that a leader needs to have. There are always the main ones that anybody typically thinks of when thy hear the word "leader"; confidence, resolve, charisma, strength - but some characteristics that we have been shown go deeper than this. In OLd Testament Literature, in the book of Isaiah, Prof. Don Taylor showed us three defining characteristics that a King should have. They were leadership, the ability to be a good warlord, and servitude. It was extremely profound for me that servitude was a characteristic a king should have; it didn't fit with any description of a king I had ever heard. But the verses didn't just refer to how kings should be, it was essentially a description of Christs character. Because Jesus is the perfect example for Christians to follow I thought it was awesome how our OT Lit course really related to him.
Personally, I find the idea of servant leadership really hard to wrap my head around. The other characteristics I find pretty easy to follow, since they are pretty much common-sense.
An example of when followed the characteristics of leadership well would probably be during the filming project. I feel like I used my gift well, was led and leaded in a productive way, and helped in any way I could. These are only my own observations, so I am probably being a little vain, but even recognizing that in myself I realize is a good part of being a leader.
A time when I didn't embody the good characteristics was during my first time serving at my church in The Kids Place. I pretty much just hung out in the background, not really getting involved in any activities or discussions. Now I feel like if I am hesitant about getting involved or anything like that I just need to give it all up to God, and be led by Him without any hesitation.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
- Jeremiah 29:11-13
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Online Ministry Journal #2
Well than, apparently I have been here at Kaléo almost exactly a month. And that is crazy.
So, as I stated in my last journal entry, I have been going to The Meeting Place for the past few weeks, and things are going quite swimmingly!
Me Janelle and Jim have all had some excellent opportunities to build some ground level relationships with many people who attend and work at TMP. In regards to intentional connections with youth and children, I would have to say I haven't really had any opportunities to talk or interact with many past the surface level. I think part of this is because we are just starting out, but also because we are involved in only the friday fun night youth group, and not the Wednesday Bible study. Although I do enjoy playing games on Friday nights, and I understand that in Kaléo we have a fairly time restrictive schedule, I feel like I am missing out on a lot of spiritual growth that is happening in the kids that I see on Fridays.
The Sunday morning service goes a little differently though. I typically work with kids who are in grades 2-6, and the time I have with them is quite short. One thing i really like is the way TMP leaders organize our Sunday school plan; each week I receive an email that contains the entire lesson, along with anything I need to be prepared for and everything. I have found this incredibly helpful, because it allows me to be in the right mindset as I am walking into the Kids Place, preparing to help with a lesson.
With regards to pastors and other leaders in our church, I have been mostly connecting with the youth pastor. Jordan and his wife Jen are fairly new to the pastoral role at TMP, but so far they have done awesome! Each Friday that I have seen them organize has ended up providing a safe environment where kids can come to have fun and be active. I feel quite confident in my connections at our church, but I am still looking forwards to building stronger and deeper relationships with many others with whom I haven't yet talked to.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more ad you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-26
So, as I stated in my last journal entry, I have been going to The Meeting Place for the past few weeks, and things are going quite swimmingly!
Me Janelle and Jim have all had some excellent opportunities to build some ground level relationships with many people who attend and work at TMP. In regards to intentional connections with youth and children, I would have to say I haven't really had any opportunities to talk or interact with many past the surface level. I think part of this is because we are just starting out, but also because we are involved in only the friday fun night youth group, and not the Wednesday Bible study. Although I do enjoy playing games on Friday nights, and I understand that in Kaléo we have a fairly time restrictive schedule, I feel like I am missing out on a lot of spiritual growth that is happening in the kids that I see on Fridays.
The Sunday morning service goes a little differently though. I typically work with kids who are in grades 2-6, and the time I have with them is quite short. One thing i really like is the way TMP leaders organize our Sunday school plan; each week I receive an email that contains the entire lesson, along with anything I need to be prepared for and everything. I have found this incredibly helpful, because it allows me to be in the right mindset as I am walking into the Kids Place, preparing to help with a lesson.
With regards to pastors and other leaders in our church, I have been mostly connecting with the youth pastor. Jordan and his wife Jen are fairly new to the pastoral role at TMP, but so far they have done awesome! Each Friday that I have seen them organize has ended up providing a safe environment where kids can come to have fun and be active. I feel quite confident in my connections at our church, but I am still looking forwards to building stronger and deeper relationships with many others with whom I haven't yet talked to.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more ad you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-26
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