Outreach Canada Blog

Serving Leaders. Making Disciples.

 
Serving Leaders
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We Remember Our Heroes
On Remembrance Day we pause, and remember the sacrificial service of those who have fought for our freedom. Let us never forget. In this po...
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We Remember Our Heroes
On Remembrance Day we pause, and remember the sacrificial service of those who have fought for our freedom. Let us neve...
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The Multi-Purpose Pastor: 10 Helpful Tips for Pastors
Many years ago, when I was a kid, my dad gave me a Swiss Army Knife for my birthday. That red handled knife was more than just a pocketknife, it...
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The Multi-Purpose Pastor: 10 Helpful Tips for Pastors
Many years ago, when I was a kid, my dad gave me a Swiss Army Knife for my birthday. That red handled knife was more th...
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3 Dynamics of Conflict Every Church Should Know
Conflict happens— it is an inevitable part of life . This holds true in our personal and communal journeys.  During a discussion about my ...
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3 Dynamics of Conflict Every Church Should Know
Conflict happens— it is an inevitable part of life . This holds true in our personal and communal journeys.  Duri...
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3 Stats Every Church Should Know about their Neighbourhood
How can your church better understand & serve your community? Here are 3 stats that we believe every church should know about their neighbourhoo...
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3 Stats Every Church Should Know about their Neighbourhood
How can your church better understand & serve your community? Here are 3 stats that we believe every church should know...

5 Ways to Pray for MORE Network in 2024

At the MORE Network, the key verse we’ve chosen for 2024 is Exodus 33:14: “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 (NIV)

Prior to this verse, God had told Moses to lead the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey but that He would not go with them. In response Moses says in verse 15, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.”

Just as Moses did not want to go forward without God, neither do we in the MORE Network. Not only do we want God to direct us in the way we should go in 2024, but we also want His presence to go with us.

Here are 5 Areas of Prayer for the MORE Network in 2024! 

5 Ways to Pray for MORE Network in 2024

At the MORE Network, the key verse we’ve chosen for 2024 is Exodus 33:14: “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 (NIV)

Prior to this verse, God had told Moses to lead the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey but that He would not go with them. In response Moses says in verse 15, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.”

Just as Moses did not want to go forward without God, neither do we in the MORE Network. Not only do we want God to direct us in the way we should go in 2024, but we also want His presence to go with us.

Here are 5 Areas of Prayer for the MORE Network in 2024! 


A Church Story: Living in Deep Community as Disciples of Jesus

At Outreach Canada, we love to share stories, and today we are excited to share this story from a church in Canada: South Delta Baptist Church in Delta, British Columbia. 

Paul Park, the Lead Pastor at South Delta Baptist Church, is spearheading a growing Korean language speaking congregation within SDBC. Pastor Park's bilingual skills and passion for making disciples are the catalyst for uniting all who attend to engage and support this multilingual staff and congregation.

We are excited to share this story from this Canadian church - as it touches on key themes that are core to Outreach Canada: disciple-making; innovation in ministry; and Diaspora in Canada. 

A Church Story: Living in Deep Community as Disciples of Jesus

At Outreach Canada, we love to share stories, and today we are excited to share this story from a church in Canada: South Delta Baptist Church in Delta, British Columbia. 

Paul Park, the Lead Pastor at South Delta Baptist Church, is spearheading a growing Korean language speaking congregation within SDBC. Pastor Park's bilingual skills and passion for making disciples are the catalyst for uniting all who attend to engage and support this multilingual staff and congregation.

We are excited to share this story from this Canadian church - as it touches on key themes that are core to Outreach Canada: disciple-making; innovation in ministry; and Diaspora in Canada. 


The Eternal Benefits of Debriefing

I recently returned from RE-VIEW, a week-long family debriefing retreat, where I served as an adult facilitator and debriefer.

While there, I had the honour of hearing the stories of missionaries who have worked in the overseas ministry context for many years. And boy, did I feel inadequate for the task as some of them had faithfully served a lifetime, having much more cross-cultural experience than I have and the wisdom that accompanies such incredible life experiences.

But what struck me the most and motivated me all the more to listen, was that many of these seasoned missionaries never had the opportunity to actually share their full stories with anyone – that is their deeply personal and valuable stories, the good, the bad and the ugly. And that’s really a reflection and a limitation of our modern missionary movement; missionaries often feel obligated to share only the positive experiences and their successes, lest they be judged or misunderstood, or worse, lose vital financial or personal support...

The Eternal Benefits of Debriefing

I recently returned from RE-VIEW, a week-long family debriefing retreat, where I served as an adult facilitator and debriefer.

While there, I had the honour of hearing the stories of missionaries who have worked in the overseas ministry context for many years. And boy, did I feel inadequate for the task as some of them had faithfully served a lifetime, having much more cross-cultural experience than I have and the wisdom that accompanies such incredible life experiences.

But what struck me the most and motivated me all the more to listen, was that many of these seasoned missionaries never had the opportunity to actually share their full stories with anyone – that is their deeply personal and valuable stories, the good, the bad and the ugly. And that’s really a reflection and a limitation of our modern missionary movement; missionaries often feel obligated to share only the positive experiences and their successes, lest they be judged or misunderstood, or worse, lose vital financial or personal support...


Caring for Wounded Hearts

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. -Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

Mental Health. Trauma-Informed. PTSD. Healing.

We’ve heard these words a lot lately – from diverse sectors of society across our country, and in relation to both Canadians and newcomers. As we think about what is going on around the world, here in this country, in our countries of origin, and the experiences we, and family members, bring with us when we settle here in Canada: How then, should we respond? As the church. As fellow neighbours. As friends reaching out. In our diaspora churches and ministries.

This article expands on the topics of heart wounds, trauma, and our response as Christians. It also offers next steps --- pointing to opportunities to experience healing groups and/or to be trained as a Trauma Healing facilitator...

Caring for Wounded Hearts

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. -Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

Mental Health. Trauma-Informed. PTSD. Healing.

We’ve heard these words a lot lately – from diverse sectors of society across our country, and in relation to both Canadians and newcomers. As we think about what is going on around the world, here in this country, in our countries of origin, and the experiences we, and family members, bring with us when we settle here in Canada: How then, should we respond? As the church. As fellow neighbours. As friends reaching out. In our diaspora churches and ministries.

This article expands on the topics of heart wounds, trauma, and our response as Christians. It also offers next steps --- pointing to opportunities to experience healing groups and/or to be trained as a Trauma Healing facilitator...


Simply Mobilizing Canada: Synergy & Momentum

Last month 24 Canadians got on airplanes and travelled to Chiang Mai, Thailand to attend the Simply Mobilizing Global Conference.

What was the result of their investment of time, money, and effort? While it’s impossible to encapsulate all that happened, here are some snapshots of what God did as we worshipped and learned in community with over 300 delegates from almost 70 different countries ...

Simply Mobilizing Canada: Synergy & Momentum

Last month 24 Canadians got on airplanes and travelled to Chiang Mai, Thailand to attend the Simply Mobilizing Global Conference.

What was the result of their investment of time, money, and effort? While it’s impossible to encapsulate all that happened, here are some snapshots of what God did as we worshipped and learned in community with over 300 delegates from almost 70 different countries ...


Empowering the Church: 5 Steps to Impact Your Neighbourhood

I remember sitting in a seminar once hearing the presenter ask, "If your local church disappeared, would anybody in the neighbourhood notice?"

Stinging words. Sobering. Sit with that question and chew on it. Let it disturb you the way it disturbed me.

Christian community is intended to be noticeable, and it’s intended to be transformative to the surrounding community—light in a dark place. And what makes us noticeable and transformative, according to Jesus, is our good works.

So what good works is your church offering your community that are being seen and noticed by your neighbours, bringing light to the surroundings, and causing them to give glory to our Father? What are you offering that would be missed if you stopped?

Empowering the Church: 5 Steps to Impact Your Neighbourhood

I remember sitting in a seminar once hearing the presenter ask, "If your local church disappeared, would anybody in the neighbourhood notice?"

Stinging words. Sobering. Sit with that question and chew on it. Let it disturb you the way it disturbed me.

Christian community is intended to be noticeable, and it’s intended to be transformative to the surrounding community—light in a dark place. And what makes us noticeable and transformative, according to Jesus, is our good works.

So what good works is your church offering your community that are being seen and noticed by your neighbours, bringing light to the surroundings, and causing them to give glory to our Father? What are you offering that would be missed if you stopped?