Equipping Deacons
Overcoming Spiritual Roadblocks in Ministry – Devotion #3; Why Pray?
What exactly is prayer, and how does it fit into the work which the Lord calls us to do?
At its heart, prayer is a form of communication. It is a conversation with our Heavenly Father. But dialogue is only the start. Just as in earthly relationships, communication is essential for growth and health. It is the same with our relationship with God. As the apostle John reminds us, we need to abide or remain in Christ. As we remain, we grow in relationship with him.
Read MoreCovid Grant Helps Church Address Mental Health
Video Produced by; Victoria Veenstra We recently chatted with Jenn Burnett, the lead pastor from The Well in Kelowna, BC. Their church received one of our Covid-19 grants last fall to address mental health with their community. In spite of changing lock down protocols, The Well has continued to be creative in the use of…
Read MoreCarePortal Equips Churches to Care for Vulnerable in their Community
The world of social justice and charity can feel overwhelming. There are so many options of where to get involved and how. Doing a fundraiser is great, but are you fostering relationships with the recipients? Doing a food or clothing drive is good, but how is the church learning to walk alongside the people who are in need of that support?
Often when we look closer at issues of justice and care for our communities, we recognize how interconnected many aspects of poverty are. These aspects create cycles that are very difficult to leave behind. One crucial characteristic of those who are able to step out of those cycles of poverty, is the presence of healthy and supportive relationships and community.
Enter Forever Families Canada- a ministry that aims to connect, equip and mobilize churches to effectively journey with vulnerable children and their families…
Read MoreOvercoming Spiritual Roadblocks in Ministry – Devotion #2: Prayer Changes Things
When we step into the place of prayer, it is often to ask the Lord to change circumstances. We pray for healing for someone who is sick, comfort for someone who is grieving and for the Lord to change the heart of someone who is walking away from God’s kingdom. Prayer changes things, and the Lord is able to move in people’s lives and circumstances because we pray.
But prayer does not just change a situation…
Read MoreServing God’s Church and the Community as a Diaconal Coach
Len Bakelaar served as a Diaconal Coach in Classis Huron for over 18 years. When Len ‘hung up his hat’ and retired from being a Coach back in June of 2020, we asked him to share about his time with Diaconal Ministries.
Read MoreSowing Seeds of Community in a Pandemic
The city and region of East Preston, Nova Scotia is now considered a “food desert”. With the help of a Covid-19 grant from Diaconal Ministries and World Renew Canada, John Calvin CRC in Truro is working with the community of East Preston and sharing their community garden expertise.
Read MoreOvercoming Roadblocks in Ministry – Devotion #1
STEPHEN – FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 6 describes the establishment of the role of deacon within the community of believers. A dispute over meeting the needs of the Greek and Hebrew widows led to the leadership making the decision to find people who could meet the needs within the community.
The leaders looked for people who were described as being full of the Holy Spirit. They found Stephen who is described as being “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5)…
The fact that the apostles specifically looked for people who were full of the Holy Spirit suggests that some of the congregation were not! So were some only half full? Were others empty? Just exactly what did the apostles mean when they looked for people full of the Holy Spirit?
One Door Closes, Another Opens with help of Covid Grant
The Bridge, a church plant in Fergus, Ontario, had to close a regular community meal program when the pandemic hit.
With a COVID-19 grant from Diaconal Ministries and World Renew Canada, it was resurrected again in a new way!
Read MoreLet’s Learn About Stewardship!
Are you interested in learning more about what stewardship really means – beyond just money in the offering plate?
Our next online book study will start Monday, October 19th and run for 5 weeks. Together we’ll look at the book “What Do I Owe? Managing the Gifts God Gives You”. Through this study we’ll learn how Christ-followers can use our time, talents, and even trees to live a grateful and generous life in service to Him.
Edmonton Day of Encouragement Goes Online
Deacons from across the country can now be part of this annual event as organizers modify plans in light of Covid-19.
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