OC Director's Blog: February 2023

I know that not everyone follows sports, and certainly, not everyone follows American Football, but our family does along with millions of others. Last week was the NFC and AFC championship games and the determination of who will go to the Superbowl this Sunday. My team lost last week, but I still enjoyed watching the games. In a way, I can relate to those players on the field, not because I could do what they do, but because I understand what it means to work as a team.

There is a lot of attention on the Quarterback in the game, but it takes a lot more than a good QB to have a winning team. I am reminded of how many people it takes to score a single point on the field.  Each team can only have 11 players on the field at one time but they bring a roster of 53 players, 11 coaches, and additional support staff. I just learned that there is also a medical team of 30 people at every game! Along with all of these people are the fans: the people who buy jerseys, fan ware, and tickets to attend the games. Without the fans’ support, there can be no NFL team and no points on the scoreboard.

As a missionary, the work we do and the victories we see are the fruit of a big team. When one of our Chaplains introduces someone to Jesus, or our LMT team shares the gospel with a new immigrant to Canada, or one of our Discovery Bible Studies welcomes new people who are learning about Jesus for the first time, we experience a “victory”. Those wins are the result of a big team effort. Our staff, and the people we train, are the players on the field, supported by a finance team, a team leader or coach, an IT and communications team, researchers, ministry partners, pastors, partnering churches, and all of our individual donors and prayer partners. The work on the field is the fruit of the whole partnership, where each one does what he or she can in accordance with the gifting and calling that we have received.

I want to say a great big thank you to everyone who is part of our OC Team.  We couldn’t respond to all the opportunities we have without you!

For the body does not consist of one member but of many… If all were a single member, where would the body be?... If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. - 1 Corinthians 12:14,19,26

OC News

As we enter the new year we have a lot going on at OC. In addition to all of the great ministry being done by our family of ministries, we have begun a “leadershift” process. We have identified a transitional leadership team that will work with our board to guide Outreach Canada until a new Executive Director is identified. This leadershift team is made up of our executive officers, some team leaders, and our board chairman. We have chosen to transition slowly as we wait upon the Lord to guide us, shape us, and prepare us for an exciting and fruitful ministry in Canada and beyond.

I will continue to work with the leadershift team and provide guidance as I am able. I am also working toward finishing well in the role that I have filled for over fourteen years. One of the large tasks that I am working on is documenting the details of my responsibilities and preparing all of my files and documents to be passed on to the next leader. 

Our team is doing well and optimistic about the future. In fact, we continue to have new people approaching us to join our team. I am confident that there are great things ahead for Outreach Canada and our amazing family of ministries.   

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.