How Deacons Impacted my Faith and Family

The interactions my family had with the deacons at our church profoundly influenced my family’s journey toward becoming members of the Christian Reformed Church. They impacted our lives in tremendous ways. I am convinced that my story would have a very different ending if it wasn’t for the support, kindness, and hospitality offered by the deacons, along with God’s leading and direction in our lives. God brought light back into our world through the deacons at Hope, who supported us and showed the love of Jesus.
Let me share some of our family’s story with you…

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Worshiping with our Hands and Feet

On Service Sundays, members at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Burlington, Ontario, put on their work gloves and boots and head out of their building to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their local community.

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NewGround Partnership Goes Beyond Financial Support

“I appreciate the support of NewGround for our ministry, Cross Town,” shared Greg Houldcroft at this year’s Annual Ministry Networking Day. “NewGround gives back to their partners; not just through grants but by pouring into the lives of their partners and its leaders.”

This is what has set the NewGround program apart for over 40 years. The annual Ministry Networking Day is a day that brings past, present, and potential community ministry partners and church partners together to listen, learn, celebrate, and collaborate!

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The Call to Listen

Throughout Hilke Wierenga’s life of service, the one thing he believed God showed him was the highest calling of a deacon is to listen well.

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Online Course Redefines Stewardship

A brand new, self-guided, online stewardship course is now available to deacons and churches. We often say that everything we have is a ‘gift’ from God, but sometimes that thinking can lead us a little astray. When someone gives a gift, it’s not theirs anymore – it becomes ours, to use as we please. But stewardship isn’t like that…

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Bethel Church Puts Love in Act(i)on with Coffee Trailer

Bethel CRC in Acton has worked intentionally over the past years to be an integral part of their local community. While at the annual fall fair, church members noticed there was no hot beverage vendor. They began to dream and wonder how they could use this opportunity to move toward their community. Then an idea came to them – a mobile coffee trailer they could bring to any and all community events!

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Building Community Ministries from the (new)Ground Up

For years, Bethany CRC in Fenwick, Ontario, was engaged in global missions work. Yet each time their teams returned, they wondered what missions might look like in their own backyard. The church had a huge heart for youth and was already running a summer kids camp. After much discussion and prayer, it was decided they would start by canvassing in various neighbourhoods in the nearby city of Welland, to invite children to come out to a free Saturday afternoon program in a downtown church. Rose City Kids (RCK) was born!

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Online Stewardship Course Going Live January 2023

Deacons are to encourage their congregations to live stewardly. More practically, to ask the question: “How can my whole life show that Jesus is my Lord?” It’s no secret that deacons often struggle with carrying out this part of their mandate. Help is now here!

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Hamilton Church Plant Offers Unique Internship Opportunity

Are you looking to serve and learn alongside lifelong urban ministry leaders working out their faith in urban Hamilton?
New Hope, an emerging Christian Reformed Church in East Hamilton, Ontario, is hosting a unique internship for Classis Hamilton and surrounding churches which will launch this fall.

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