OC Director's Blog: January 2022

What a fantastic Christmas and New Years' holiday we had! We wrapped up the end of a challenging year with a great time with all of our kids. It was a special treat to have everyone with us camped out in various parts of the house for several days. It was very cold, but we found lots of fun things to do. While many people may have long lists of hardships from 2021, Heather and I have a long list of great things that happened last year. Yes, we experienced grief and loss with the death of Grandma Marjorie and the restriction of freedoms and travel. Still, we also celebrate that we visited our family in Arizona and Tennessee last year. We had a wonderful wedding for Joel and Melissa. We got to celebrate significant birthdays with both of our dads. Heather and I were able to have four great weekend get-aways. We sold our home and were relieved of a lot of financial stress. We have grown closer to each other and God through extended time together. We have so many things to be thankful for in 2021.

As we enter the new year, I find it challenging not to get caught up in all the negativity we see in the news and social media, but I am trying to stay focused on positive things. I am excited about the year ahead and what it holds for us as a family and ministry. I am choosing to look at uncertainties as opportunities.

I am looking forward to seeing how we will connect with God this year and be a part of what he is doing in our neighborhood and nation. I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve the Outreach Canada team and our OC Global Alliance as we engage with our world in transition.

This year I am embracing the words of Paul to the church in Thessalonica.

"… Always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for You." -1 Thess. 5:15-1

Dr. Craig Kraft is the Executive Director of Outreach Canada. After 15 years of pastoral ministry in western Canada, Craig, with his wife Heather, served with OC in southern Africa before returning to lead the ministry in Canada. Craig is a graduate of Northwest Baptist Seminary at ACTS and a graduate of Asia Graduate School of Theology with a Doctor of Intercultural Studies. His study has focused on diaspora missiology in Canada.  His dissertation explores the potential for revitalizing Canadian churches through the practice of biblical hospitality with refugees and immigrants. Craig loves to watch sports, work in the yard & spend time in the woods.