OC Blog Digest: Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our Outreach Canada team!

In this OC Digest you will find: 

• An article on the Hope of Christmas - not the sugar-coated, Hallmark movie kind of Christmas, where everything turns out okay in the end - but the true Hope found in Jesus!
• A fun look back at some favourite Christmas memories from around the world! 
• A reflection on peace ... where is peace this Christmas? 
• 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.

The Hope of Christmas

I am so grateful for Christmas, for The Hope of Christmas. Not the sugar-coated, Hallmark movie kind of Christmas, where everything turns out okay in the end. Not the presents and candy canes and tinsel. Not even all the messaging about love and giving and togetherness.

Our Hope has a name. Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us ... Read More

Christmas Memories from Around the World

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

Where's the Peace?

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 ... Read More

OC Director's Blog: The Last One from Craig Kraft

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 ... Read More