EMI Canada News - Spring 2019 by Engineering Ministries International

CANADA

NEWS SPRING 2019

Walking the project site in Ethiopia

INTERSECTING FAITH AND VOCATION “...use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms...” I Peter 4:10 Every design professional’s work can become their vocation, given meaning as a tool for building God’s kingdom. Each can play a specific but important role in the Body of Christ and, for this reason, EMI is called to equip the next generation of Christian design professionals, inspiring each to a missional approach to work, regardless of the context. EMI’s Internship Program has long embodied EMI’s core value of discipleship. It’s been a professional and spiritual incubator for senior-level university students and recent graduates. Numerous EMI staff and even office directors got their start in the EMI internship program. In July 2018, EMI Canada launched a brand-new program - Exploration EMI - for recent high school graduates and undergraduate students following their first or second year of design studies. This three-week program provides young people with an opportunity to explore how the design professions can intersect with ministry. Participants receive hands-on experience in the context of a multi-disciplinary, faith-oriented, international development organization. That first summer, two participants joined us in the Calgary office. They participated in our office daily devotions; learned about the history, mission, and work of EMI; gained exposure to various design software platforms; and assisted with the completion of that term’s projects. Beyond their interaction with staff and interns in the office, they explored the local area, which included a day trip to Banff National Park. Participant feedback was very positive, with one reporting that her time at Exploration EMI helped to clarify her educational direction and affirmed her desire to one day engage in vocational ministry.

Exploration EMI participants join interns and staff on a hike in Banff

In July 2019, EMI Canada will again host Exploration EMI students. Contact the EMI Canada to learn how to apply. In the EMI Canada Summer Newsletter, we will introduce the brand-new EMI Fellowship Program, an intensive earlycareer development program geared to those who seek to go beyond the standard EMI Internship.

DESIGNING HOPE AROUND THE GLOBE In February, an EMI Canada team travelled to Awassa, Ethiopia to serve the Hiwot Berhan Church of Ethiopia, a partner of WorldServe Ministries. This ministry currently provides elementary and seminary education out of a multi-purpose ministry centre, classrooms, and dormitories which are both aging and undersized. After a productive week on-site, the team completed a new, comprehensive site master plan, the design of new facilities, and proposed infrastructure upgrades. A second EMI Canada team traveled to Verrettes, Haiti to serve MS Academy Verrettes. The team developed a master plan for a K-12 school, church, medical clinic, and regulation soccer pitch on a 13-acre property. The Academy will serve the holistic needs of the surrounding community and launch Haitian youth into brighter futures.

WELCOMING THE CHONG’S We are grateful to welcome Dan and LiAnn Chong to the EMI Canada team. Dan will serve in the roles of Project Leader and Architect, will help launch the new EMI Canada Fellowship Program, and assist with project development. Dan’s professional education was Canadian, his practical experience has been mainly American, but his heart has always been to serve internationally. The Chong’s moved to Calgary from Pennsylvania in January, and Dan has already been to Haiti and back, co-leading a project trip with Greg Young.

EMI FUNDRAISING GALA IN VANCOUVER We’re excited to announce that EMI Canada will be the featured charity at this year’s Business As Missions (BAM) Conference Fundraising Gala, taking place in downtown Vancouver on April 13. Gala guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, live music, a silent auction, and spectacular city views, while discovering how they can partner with EMI. We welcome our EMI friends in the Lower Mainland and beyond to consider attending this event, and we look forward to similar events across Canada in the future. To purchase Gala tickets, click here. If you can’t attend but would like to support the work of EMI Canada, click here.

SAVE THE DATE: March 29-31 Jesus to the Nations (Halifax) April 13 Business As Missions Gala (Vancouver)

JOIN TEAM EMI IN THE CALGARY MARATHON Watch your inbox for your opportunity to participate in one of our annual fundraisers, The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, taking place on May 26. All funds raised go to the EMI Canada Fund, which enables us to serve ministries around the world. Our goal for 2019 is to raise $10,000, which will help us send a project team to Romania this spring to masterplan a Christian camp. Whether you live in Calgary or beyond, you can join Team EMI by: Registering to Run or Sponsoring Team EMI.

April 25 EMI Canada T1 Social (Calgary) May 26 Scotiabank Marathon (Calgary) October 5 Ride for Refuge (Canada-Wide)

Do you have a favorite local fundraising event? Let us know and we’ll see how we can bring EMI to your hometown!

WAYS TO PARTNER WITH EMI CANADA GIVE Visit emiworld.org/give to learn more about giving options.

GO Visit emiworld.org/trips to learn about project trip opportunities.

PRAY Visit emiworld.org/pray to subscribe to EMI’s prayer calander.