“I chose you!”
(story reprinted with permission from LIFE Recovery, an Operation Manna partner ministry) I came to LIFE Recovery with no hope; addicted to crystal meth, homeless and penniless. My only child was not speaking to me, and my mother had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. I was hard, angry and full of hatred. My…
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Growing a Stronger Missional Heart
“Over the last 10-15 years, Bethel CRC transformed from the church ‘out on the highway’ to the church that loves the community.” This is how Diane Leferink describes what God has been doing in Bethel CRC in Acton, Ontario. Many things have undoubtedly contributed to this transformation, but in 2007, the church started a Community Opportunity…
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NEW! Devotion #7
Here is the seventh devotion for deacons in the latest set of devotionals from Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC). In our conversations with deacons across the country, DMC often summarizes the ministry of the deacon into 4 areas: community ministry, compassion, justice, and stewardship. This devotion is the first of 3 to focus on deacons and justice. Each devotion…
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Easter and Earth Day
What do Earth Day and Easter have in common? Well, they are both around the same time of the year (Earth Day is always celebrated on April 22, so they are sometimes even on the same day)…but the real answer is Christ, obviously! Not so obvious? Consider this. Christ is described as “the firstborn of all…
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Deacons Challenge Congregation to Participate in Reverse Offerings
When Rachel Vroege (Regional Ministries Developer -West) from Diaconal Ministries Canada visited the Deacons of Bethel CRC in Saskatoon last year, one idea she presented to us was that of a Reverse Offering. We were immediately taken with the idea, and went about trying to make it work for our local Rosthern Food Bank. We explained…
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Refugee Sunday
Have you seen a robin yet? There has certainly been extremely cold and stormy weather in many parts of Canada this winter! Some areas have had excess snow whereas other areas have had incredibly cold temperatures. In Ontario, we experienced the coldest February on record! I find great comfort knowing this weather is in His…
Read More“Sharing many passions”
Diaconal Ministries Canada provides many resources for deacons in the Christian Reformed Church. At the very top of the resource list are the Diaconal Ministry Developers (DMDs). These passionate and creative individuals are encouragers and coaches for deacons. They are experienced in diaconal work and are available to help deacons understand their role and work…
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NEW! Devotions for Deacons #6
Here is the sixth devotion for deacons in the latest set of devotionals from Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC). In our conversations with deacons across the country, DMC often summarizes the ministry of the deacon into 4 areas: community ministry, compassion, justice, and stewardship. This devotion is the third of 3 to focus on deacons and compassion. Each devotion…
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A New Year: setting goals as deacons
The beginning of 2015 may feel like a new start after the break for Christmas. Of course there is some continuation of existing ministry patterns and activities; however, some of those activities may follow the established agendas of past leaders or they may cause your diaconate to lose focus because of old dilemmas and diverse…
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Offering More
What started as a one-time fundraiser some 40 years ago has become a very popular annual tradition that church members look forward to every Thanksgiving. Hebron CRC in Renfrew, Ontario held their first Thanksgiving Day auction as a fundraiser for the Calvinette (now GEMS) program. It was so popular that congregational members suggested that it take…
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DoJustice Blog
- Justice Prayers - September 20, 2023 September 20, 2023
- Reflection for National Truth and Reconciliation Day 2023 September 20, 2023
- Gratitude and My Faithful Bit September 11, 2023
- When Love and Brokenness Collide August 4, 2023
