Posts Tagged ‘community engagement’
When Church & Community Come Together
Over ten years ago, a group of people at John Calvin CRC began dreaming about how to combine the assets and resources of the church with their local community while addressing food insecurity and promoting wise, environmental stewardship.
Located behind the church, the Glenwood Drive Community Garden was born! Today this garden is a shared space for all who enjoy the beauty of nature; growing their own food, or just getting their hands dirty! Watch their 10th Anniversary video here…
Read MoreWorshiping 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.
Read MoreWearing the Mark of Mercy
I am thankful that I was introduced to the writings of Tim Keller and highly recommend his devotional book: “A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs – God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life”. In it, he says that mercy isn’t just the job of the Christian: mercy is the mark of the Christian. This quote just stops me in my tracks. Wearing the mark of mercy is one of the most practical and beautiful ways that we can show the world that we are Christians. Sometimes I overcomplicate it, over-analyze the means by which I show it, or even find excuses why someone isn’t worthy of my mercy. This quote stops the noise in my head.
Read MoreDriving the Community Forward
In 2010, the CARS ministry in Wingham, ON, received a NewGround grant to renovate the shop and get a hoist. This was the boost they needed (literally!) and the ministry has grown since then. Today, CARS is a thriving non-for-profit business that fixes and maintains around 100 cars every year, catering primarily to those on government assistance of some sort – single moms, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Read MoreNewGround 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!
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreBethel 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!
Read MoreBuilding 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!
Read MoreThinking “Local” at Christmas
“We wanted to encourage our congregation to be generous both locally and globally and find ways to use their gifts and passions in ways that would contribute to the partnerships we were trying to establish with a few local organizations,” shared Jean DeBeer, former deacon, current World Renew Ambassador, and Diaconal Coach for Diaconal Ministries Canada. “Getting our church more ‘invested’ with a local Giving Tree is one way we as a church are growing our relationship/involvement with our community.”
Read MoreHamilton 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.
