20411 Douglas Crescent, Langley, BC V3A 4B6 | p: 604-533-2232 | f: 604-533-5405 | e: office@bc.paoc.org | www.bc.paoc.org Assistant Superintendent, Dave Solmes @solmes_ I am often asked, ”How are things in the District?” I confess in the last 7.5 years I have never once answered that question well. It has been more awkward on my part than necessary. I realize that my hesitation in answering good or bad is because the question triggers two pictures and I never know which picture to speak of. The first picture I see is of how things are now. The second picture relates to a picture of a preferable future. All leaders are continually faced with the challenge of narrowing the gap between the real and the ideal. This is not what I am hesitant to speak about. I must say I am thankful for the real. There are some fantastic things happening across our District. God is using so many people in great ways. It really is really awesome! To me, the ideal is to see more of God working among us. I picture a PAOC District that has many more churches serving the people living in British Columbia and the Yukon. What do you see? I believe an appropriate response to the needs and spiritual landscape within British Columbia and the Yukon is to plant many more churches. During our annual Cluster Leaders’ Retreat in October, we were pleased to welcome Gordon Fleming and Bill Hogg, both of whom are C2C Network national leaders. Both Gordon and Bill shared a prophetic word about why our PAOC District needs to plant more churches. Among the many words spoken, eight reasons were shared: 1. 2. 3. 4.
In order that we as a PAOC District may contend for the gospel - “So Jesus can have dominion of sea to sea” - Psalm 72:8 It's biblical - we extract ideas from the book of Acts. Multiplication is God’s design scripturally and historically - Acts 6:7, Acts 9:31 To magnify King Jesus - Romans 15:15-16 To saturate British Columbia and Yukon with the gospel - Acts 8:14, Acts 19:10
5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
To get in sync with Jesus - Matthew 16:18 For sanctification of the soul - Ephesians 3:21 Because it is a journey towards fruitfulness 2 Corinthians 9:10, John 4:35 It is stewardship of gifts within the body - Luke 10:2 Pentecostal people have been empowered to extend the church - Acts 1:8
During our 2015 Conference we initiated a “Partnered to Plant” initiative for these eight reasons. I am thankful for our District Superintendent, Ken Russell. I appreciate his passion for growth and multiplication of the church for the glory of God and his whole-hearted interest in seeing our churches and ministries partner to plant. As budgets are prepared, prayers are shared, and goals are set for 2016, I trust your efforts will be centered on evangelism and the extension and multiplication of the church. I trust that your 2016 budgets and plans include involvement as a Partner in Planting within British Columbia and Yukon.
this issue Assistant Superintendent 1 BCYD Global Workers 2 BC Campus Ministries 3 Youth, Young Adults, Family 3 Aboriginal & Cultural Ministries 4 District Superintendent 4 Children & Preteen Ministries 5 Happenings Around the District 6 District Calendar/Events 6-7
Involved as a PLANTER: Congregations calling forth entrepreneurial leaders as “sent ones” to neighborhoods and communities across our district to plant churches. Involved as A PARENT: Congregations planting an offspring of a new congregation through multi–site, multi– campus or simply by strategically releasing people to gather others for the purposes of evangelism and discipleship. Involved as a PARTNER: Congregations serving in a supportive role by each year being fully engaged in strategic relationships that supply resources and facilities or some congregational members being sent to support another plant’s people.
Pray to the Lord of the Harvest...