Standing at the head of the trail that will wend through 2024, we at Outreach Canada can see clearly where we are right now, and perhaps even a step or two ahead.

But although we think we know where we’re going, very quickly the actual path disappears into the future - potentially full of twists and turns, unknowns that are unseen from where we stand, and opportunities and challenges alike, just around the corner.

None of us can know what the year ahead will bring, so would you join us in praying for Outreach Canada as we start the year?

Here are 5 trail markers to guide your prayers for us...

Have you made a new year’s resolution for 2024?

Many of us are afraid to make resolutions because we have failed too many times.

According to the Journal of Clinical Psychology (University of Scranton), 45% of Americans make resolutions – only 8% achieve them. 

If your desire is to make a resolution to know God better – but you are afraid of failure – let me introduce you to a centuries-old practice full of promise that’s flexible and forgiving ...

This is the last Director's Blog from Executive Director Craig Kraft, before he transitions to his new role as Director for Global Collaboration with the OC Global Alliance.

(Have no fear, in this season of transition, we will continue to publish Director's blogs in the New Year, written from our OC LeaderSHIFT team!)  

"This month I will finish my fifteenth year as Executive Director of Outreach Canada and next month I launch fully into my new role as Director for Global Collaboration for the OC Global Alliance.

As I look back over the past fifteen years I have so many great memories. I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and to be a part of some great ministries and projects. I am very thankful. But when I remember all the way back to the beginning, when I returned from South Africa to take on the role of Executive Director, I remember feelings of fear and intimidation. At that time, I was the youngest guy on the team and I had never led an organization like Outreach Canada; everything was so new to me and I wondered why God had called me to this new challenge..."

Watermelon, Handprints and Fireworks ... What do they all have in common? They are all elements of favourite Christmas memories and traditions from our MORE Network staff, from around the world! 

No matter where you are from, if you’ve lived in Canada through more than one or two Christmas seasons, you have probably heard a Christmas carol or saw a card with the phrase, “Peace On Earth”.  

And you may be wondering, what peace?

Whether it was Israel 2000 years ago, under the brutal occupation of the Roman Empire, or Israel today, peace is not the word anyone would use to describe it. Peace, for most of us, is the absence of conflict and suffering. No more wars. No more fighting. If the events of that first Christmas were supposed to usher in “peace”, there’s no evidence of it.