REFLECTING THE DIVERSITY OF MINISTRY EXPRESSION WITHIN THE FREE METHODIST FAMILY | Summer 2015 | Volume 12, Issue 2
Children and Youth Ministry
DISCIPLING THE NEXT GENERATION INSIDE Meet My heroes
Living Open Handed Marc McAlister
Reaching The Next Generation
page 3
page 4
page 5
Bishop Keith Elford
Ministry In The Midst Of Conflict Dan Sheffield page 16
MOSAIC is a publication of The Free Methodist Church in Canada | www.fmcic.ca
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
TIME, LISTENING & BEING REAL
MOSAIC is a publication of The Free Methodist Church in Canada
4315 Village Centre Court Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1S2 T. 905.848.2600 F. 905.848.2603 E. lisa.howden@fmcic.ca www.fmcic.ca For submissions: lisa.howden@fmcic.ca Dan Sheffield, Editor-in-Chief Lisa Howden, Managing Editor and Production
This issue of the MOSAIC focusses on discipling the next generation of Christ-followers. As a former youth worker, I know the joy and the struggle of trying to reach kids, both inside and outside of the church. Their unspoken list of “needs” was pretty straight-forward, and although it was not an exhaustive list, I found myself focusing on these three things: (1) (2) (3)
they need your time they need you to listen and hear them and they are searching for something that is real.
The first two points, time and listening/hearing, go hand in hand. It’s impossible to hear what’s really being said unless you are listening, and if you don’t take the time to do it, you will never form any kind of friendship. I can remember many, many times sitting out on the church steps listening and offering advice way after the youth service had wrapped up. Their search for “something or someone real,” in my mind, is the most crucial part of the equation. Being “real” or “authentic,” in my mind should be a natural bi-product of following Jesus. It’s not about talking like them, or listening to the same music or starting a twitter account, it’s about connecting them to the “real” Jesus and in order to do that we have to be connected to Jesus as well. A very good thing, I think.
Lisa Howden, Managing Editor | lisa.howden@fmcic.ca
CONTENTS FEATURE
2015 Family and Youth Camps ................................................... 9
MINISTRY AREAS On my mind — Bishop Keith Elford Meet My Heroes .......................................................................... 3 Church Health — Marc McAlister Living Open Handed ................................................................... 4 Church Planting — Jared Siebert Reaching The Next Generation .................................................... 5 Leadership Development — Kim Henderson Tomorrow’s Generation is also Today’s Generation ..................... 6
Tomorrow/Today’s Generation
8
COLUMNS Editorial — Lisa Howden Time, listening & being real ........................................................ 2 Photo Gallery ...................................................................................6 Passages ....................................................................................... 10 The Little Big Picture — Alison McKinnon Not Easy ..................................................................................... 11 Financial Q&A ............................................................................. 12 Our History — Dan Sheffield A Call For Christian Workers in China ........................................ 13 International Child Care Ministries — Paula Moriarity ICCM Graduate Students .......................................................... 14
Stewardship Ministries — Sandy Crozier The Time To Teach Children Is Now ............................................ 12
Following Jesus Modules ............................................................... 14
Global Ministries — Dan Sheffield Ministry In The Midst Of Conflict ................................................. 16
Student Ministries Why Camps Are Important ....................................................... 15
on my mind MEET MY HEROES John Ball, Ross Creighton, June Snider and Evelyn Perry are four of my heroes. John Ball (my grandfather’s age) went out of his way every Sunday to greet my brothers and me at church with a focused cheerful “How are you doing today, boys?” Ross Creighton, a big hearted farmer who took on a Sunday school class of rambunctious boys, wasn’t real slick in presentation, but we knew that he loved us and prayed for us. If any of us gave a testimony at church, his big hand would pat us on the back afterward and he’d say something like “At-a-boy Keith. Good testimony.” June Snider gave leadership to the weekly kids club. How she could maintain such gracious decorum in the midst of chaos, I do not know. Evelyn Perry was our youth group sponsor. She put up with a lot of nonsense, but every Friday night she was there. She encouraged us in our quiz teams, went to youth rallies with us and always had a quiet encouraging word. Now at 63 years of age, I still remember with deep fondness, these heroes (and others in the Uxbridge FMC) who invested their lives in ministry to children and young people. Fast-forward to Palm Sunday 2015 at Kingsview FMC in Toronto. When we walked in the door, some smiling young boys proudly handed us bulletins under the remote supervision of an older man. Of course, the children paraded down the aisle vigorously waving palm branches while everyone else held their breaths hoping that nobody would get poked in the eye. When it came time for the offering, four young girls passed the plates and Dennis Patton, a kind and gentle older man walked with them to help them get the pattern of passing the plates to alternate pews. Later in the service, we heard from another person whom I am adding to my list of heroes. Nancy Brown is a mother of university-aged children and teaches in the public system. Yet, on most Sundays you will see her exiting the worship service with the children.
Before he invited the children to join him on the platform for the morning’s message, Pastor John-Mark Cockram interviewed Nancy. She told us that she has been involved in children’s ministries at Kingsview from the time that she was recruited as a helper at the age of 15. She does not see her regular ministry to children as a chore, but finds great blessing in thinking through the lessons that she teaches and asking the Lord to help her present truth from God’s word in a way that the children can receive. Children and young people are important at Kingsview. The teens came to the Good Friday service well-prepared with their drama. In fact, this happens at least quarterly at our church. But I’m thinking about more than Kingsview. I hope that John Ball and Ross Creighton (now in heaven) and June Snider and Evelyn Perry know that, at 63 years, I’m still loving and following Jesus just as they urged me to do. More importantly, I hope that you are thinking about how you can graciously influence the next generation. Keith Elford is the Bishop for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | keith.elford@fmcic.ca
Read the Bishop’s Notes
They are sent out every Tuesday – if you would like them to be emailed to you let us know at info@fmcic.ca You can also read them from our homepage @ www.fmcic.ca The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 3
{Church Health}
LIVING OPEN HANDED One of my jobs when I go to my small group is to help look after Olivia. Olivia is two and full of energy and I try and give her parents some space to engage with the rest of the group when I can. I basically have two jobs in this helper role. Job one is to open snacks. Job two is to spend time handing toys back and forth. That’s about it. And I am pretty good at those two things. But there was this one time I saw Olivia coming towards me so instinctively I held out my hand (to either receive a toy or a snack to open.) Except that wasn’t what Olivia needed. What she needed was a place to spit out the carrot she was eating and didn’t like. So naturally when she saw my hand sticking out I got the carrot. Here is where this matters to all of us. From time to time, people tell me that the “magic formula” for their church to get healthy is to get more children and young people in the doors. My concern is that we know what we are asking for when we say we want children and young people at our churches. Why do we want them there? So they can discover a real God who really loves them and who longs to be in a life transforming relationship with them? Or so we can feel good about children and young people being at our church? The difference will be seen in how we handle carrots being spit in our hands (at least metaphorically.) Did I yell at Olivia for what she did? Did I tell her she can’t come to small group until she “grows up”? Did I run a seminar on proper carrot disposal? Nope. That’s what kids do. They are messy sometimes. They spit things out sometimes. You can’t get mad at that. You clean up and move on (and you keep loving by holding your hand out again) – especially if you say you want kids around. And when the time is right Olivia’s parents will work on how to properly deal with subpar carrots (because you have to deal with subpar carrots.) If we want children and young people in our church, we have
to expect them to be children and young people. Stuff will get scuffed or spilled. Also, hard questions will get asked and important things will get questioned. It will be messy (literally and figuratively). We have to be ready for that. In fact, the posture of a healthy church is that it holds out its hand – even after you got the carrot. That’s our prayer right? It should be (as we consider disciple making at any age but especially with the next generation). Lord make us open handed in our response to people. And make us ready for the carrot. Help us deal well with messes (literal and figurative) so that your love is what shines through. Marc McAlister is the Director of Church Health for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | marc.mcalister@fmcic.ca
TWITTER FEED @ mcalister_marc 4 :: MOSAIC :: Summer 2015
CHURCH HEALTH BLOG fmcic.ca/category/church-health/
{Church Planting}
REACHING THE NEXT GENERATION It’s no secret that sharing our faith isn’t just about our reaching friends and neighbours: it’s also about reaching our kids. After all, we get to spend lots of time with our kids. We get extended periods of our kid’s attention to talk about the important stuff of life. We get to daily demonstrate our care and concern for them. Our kids get to see what a real Christian looks like. When do you get to do all that with a neighbour or friend? We have all of the advantages in the Christian home, and yet, if you pay attention to the statistics these advantages don’t seem to be working in our favour. A recent study of 2,049 Canadian young people between the ages of 18 and 34, revealed that if you grew up attending an evangelical church you have a 46% chance of being meaningfully engaged in your faith as an adult. That study also found that – you guessed it – parents are the number one deciding factor in whether their kids become engaged Christian adults. Here is the question I think this information should raise for us as Free Methodist churches, “How do we, as churches, help support Christian families as they take on the important task of sharing their faith with their children?” Speaking as a parent, here are some suggestions that I think will get the conversation going. Seeing our churches as equippers first — When we imagine the challenge of reaching the next generation with the gospel some of our churches go immediately into program mode. Hire a youth pastor! Start a youth group! We need better Sunday School teachers! Perhaps we’ve forgotten that the primary task of the church is not to do the ministry of the saints but to support the ministry of the saints? As a Christian parent, I need my church to support me in my role – not take it over. What might that look like? Well for starters, how about getting parents and families together to talk? What about, picking up a copy of the “Hemorrhaging Faith” study by the EFC and have that inform the conversation? It may surprise you to learn that many participants in the study say that they lost their faith in the middle school years (between grade 7 & 9) not after high school, as we often
SEABASS TRAVELCAST
Follow Jared as he chats with church planters and leaders about their stories
imagine. Let’s begin by talking about the challenges that we face as parents and children right here and right now. Challenge parents to make it a priority — We are a busy generation of parents. We can get so caught up in trotting our kids around to soccer, hockey, and piano that we sometimes lose sight of the faith sharing task. Sometimes, all that will be required will be to remind us to slow down, or at times, getting ourselves untangled from the busy to focus on the important. Challenge parents in their spiritual disciplines — A huge factor, according to the study, is what our spiritual lives as parents look like. Spiritual disciplines not only help us navigate the complex spiritual and emotional world of parenting, they provide our kids with a real window into the nuts and bolts of the Christian life. Let’s give our kids real opportunities to practice their faith — Another key factor, according to the study, is the opportunity for kids to practice their faith. Especially, if that practice includes leadership opportunities. 70% of those who became engaged Christians as adults said that their faith came alive when they went on a mission trip. 50% of that same group said that their faith came alive at a Christian Summer Camp. Many also said that part of the reason they left the church was that their church really wasn’t interested in them. Instead their church was focused on meeting the needs of the older people. What does your church budget say about your priorities? What would someone from the outside say about who receives the most investment? I am excited that we have decided to tackle this topic at our Regional Gatherings in 2015. I know there are a lot of churches that are looking intently at this problem. Let’s keep talking together and sharing what we have learned. If you would like to read more about the “Hemorrhaging Faith” study you can follow this link [http://tgcfcanada.org/hemorrhagingfaith/] Jared Siebert is the Director of Church Planting for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | jared.siebert@fmcic.ca
TWITTER FEED @jaredsiebert
The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 5
Here are some of our latest community images! They help to connect us and tell the story of who we are and what we do. You can check out even more pictures on our flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/fmc-gallery
Photo Album What’s been going on?
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Starting at the top row (left to right) • Network Leaders Training January 6-8 at Mount Carmel Retreat Centre. Praying for Peter Goodyear. • National MEGaP Training January 23-25. • Christmas Breakfast at Kipling Collegiate Institute hosted by Kingsview FMC. • Bishop Keith with newly ordained ministers in Ghana, February 2015. • Ghana, celebrating during the Ordination Service, February 2015. • John Wesley Covenant Service at Kingsview FMC, February 22, 2015. • Official opening of the Claire Heureuse Hosptial in Haiti in March. • Dedication of Trulls Road FMC’s building expansion, March 29, • Bishop Keith visits Église Méthodiste Libre Espérance in Quebec City, March. • Una’s Partnership Sunday, Kitchener, ON on March 29. • Bishop Keith and Donna visiting Smith Falls FMC on April 12. • Bishop Keith and Donna visit Pivot Church Plant in Ottawa, ON in April. • Rev. Arthur Perry and Don Eaton (with John Carr in the background) at the Trulls Road FMC building expansion dedication.
{Leadership Development}
TOMORROW’S GENERATION IS ALSO TODAY’S GENERATION God loves diversity – all of us can know that just by looking around. We’ve been designed to reflect His love of variety. We don’t act the same, think the same, look the same or make decisions the same way. Some of us are big picture thinkers. We’re dreamers. We live for the future. We are all about the possibilities, the options. The thought of ‘what could be’ excites us. Others of us are more rooted in reality, in the here and now. We like to know pieces and steps needed so that we can understand the big picture. We are realistic and the thought of ‘what is’ is what excites us. Neither way of thinking is wrong; they’re just different. We need the differences. It’s not a case of either/or. Here’s a big surprise: it’s a case of both/and! I believe the same is true when we think of the children and youth in the church. We know that they are the generation of tomorrow but they are also the generation of today. They need to belong now, believe now and become now, so that those same things are true for their entire lives. I know some would say that ‘believe’ should happen first yet often there is a need to be accepted first, to be genuinely welcomed and to belong. It can be as simple as kids knowing they are welcome in the building. I remember a time when the parking lot and cement steps at New Horizons Community Church in Sarnia, ON were a huge attraction for the neighbourhood kids, usually those with skate boards, bikes and basketballs. There was a church building right across the street that had just put in a cement ramp and of course that was an attraction too. Right after the first time a few of the neighbourhood kids played on the cement ramp at the church across the street, signs went up. Signs that said ‘no trespassing’ and if someone was caught, the police would be called. Some of the kids were really upset by this; they really didn’t mean any harm. On the realistic side of things, kids are kids and safety is often not at the top of their list. Some leaders were genuinely concerned at New Horizons as well – accidents happen easily and often and we do live in a world of liability and insurance. We had a choice to make. We had conversations to figure out how to be welcoming and still have a few appropriate boundaries. No one wanted to put up ‘no trespassing’ signs or act like the signs were there when they weren’t. Living in the both/and isn’t always easy. There was quite a bit of turnover in the neighbourhood so we’d have the kids with us for a while and then they’d move to another part of the city. But they were welcome – they knew it, they felt it and they belonged. We all have that longing – to be wanted, not just tolerated. The future generation of the church will happen if we welcome that generation now. Kim Henderson is the Director of Personnel for The Free Methodist Church in Canada kim.henderson@fmcic.ca
Did you know? The deadlines to apply for scholarships every year are February 15 for the winter semester and October 15 for the fall semester? Visit the website {fmcic.ca} Leadership Development section or contact Susan Deplanche to apply. MOSAIC :: 7
ARLINGTON BEACH CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTRE It all started with a vision. Men and women who saw the value and potential of providing a place where a community of believers of all ages could come, be rejuvenated, and meet with Jesus Christ in a fresh way. www.arlingtonbeachcamp.com Junior Camp July 5-10 & July 26-31 Young Teen Camp July 19-24 & August 2-7 Squirt Camp, August 9-11 Family Camp, July 12-19
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ECHO LAKE CAMP Located on the beautiful shoreline of Echo Lake in Southern Ontario, a short drive north of Kingston, Ontario. Echo Lake Camp is located was founded in 1956 as a youth-oriented facility. For over 50 years, Echo has been continuing to follow its mission statement of “Winning youth to Christ and equipping them to glorify God.” www.echolakecamp.org Youth Camp, August 22-29
MAPLE GROVE
KAKABEKA FALLS Located 30 kilometres from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Kakabeka Falls is offering two camps this summer. Children’s Camp, July 12-17 Teen Camp, August 6-9
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Family and
Youth
Camps
PINE ORCHARD CAMP A Christian camp that has been around for over 60 years. It is situated on 10 acres of land with mature trees and offers numerous facilities provides the perfect place for relaxation, recreation and spiritual growth for people of all ages.
WESLEY ACRES
www.pineorchardcamp.com Day Camp 1, June 29 - July 1 Day Camp 2, July 6-10 Kids Overnight Camp, July 12-17 Teen Camp, September 4-7 Young Adults, September 25-26 Family Camp, August 7-16
SEVERN BRIDGE CAMP Located 60 kilometres north of Barrie, Ontario. Family Camp, July 17-26
Wesley Acres has been a place of renewal and a haven of rest for over 40 years, and continues to invest holistically in the lives of our guests. www.wesleyacres.ca Family Camp 1, June 27 - July 5 Family Camp 2, July 25 - August 2
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{Passages} APPOINTMENTS
Michael Morris Lead Pastor Malvern Methodist Church Toronto, ON
Len Bruce Assistant Pastor Peterborough FMC Peterborough, ON
Adam Curtis Assistant Pastor Peterborough FMC Peterborough, ON
Angel Valentin Network Leader Mentor
Joseph Jobin Network Leader Muskoka Region
ORDINATIONS APPROVED CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Holly Raymond Peterborough FMC Peterborough, ON May 17, 2015 (Ordination)
MINISTERIAL CANDIDATES
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Athens FM Church (Jack Bradley, Transition Pastor)
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Bramalea FMC, Brampton, ON
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Campbellford FMC, Campbellford, ON (Joe Schaefer, Transition pastor)
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Cole Lake FMC, Godfrey, ON
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Cordova Mines FM Fellowship, Cordova Mines, ON
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Cornerstone Community Church, Almonte, ON (Gary Landers, Transition Pastor)
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Crestview Park FMC, Winnipeg, MB (Kevin Kay, Transition Pastor)
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First FMC, New Westminster, BC (Doug Wood)
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Pine Grove Community Church, Seeley’s Bay, ON (Dave Heasler, Transition Pastor)
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Through the Roof FM Church, Flinton, ON
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Wawota FMC, Wawota, SK (Dennis Camplin, Transition Pastor)
Adam Curtis Peterborough FMC Peterborough, ON
LIFEPLAN
CHURCH HEALTH
The Free Methodist Church is committed to the health of its local churches. We have developed a strategy we call the LifePlan to ensure that we are faithful to both God and our neighbours. LifePlan is a cyclic health conversation designed to lead congregations into responding and faithfully adapting to their changing context. LifePlan Seminars – a one day indepth look at the LifePlan process. This seminar is designed to train lay leaders and pastor’s to effectively use the tools of the LifePlan process. Call 905-848-2600 to book a seminar. For more information visit www.fmcic.ca/lifeplan/ 10 :: MOSAIC :: Summer 2015
A 16 question online survey that gives a snapshot of where churches are at in key Church Health areas (including vision, life change, leadership development, Great Commission engagement, community engagement, etc.) One of the great outcomes of this survey is the discussion and conversation it provokes among leaders as the results are unpacked. The survey can be done by the whole board and/or the leadership team. There is also a French version of this survey. For a link to the survey please contact Marc McAlister.
Our Facebook page is a great way to connect to the larger Free Methodist body.
Like us on facebook :)
{the little BIG picture} To read other Little BIG picture stories go to: fmcic.ca/category/fm-blog
Have a story to share? Contact Alison @ alison.fmcic@gmail.com Following twitter.com/fmcic is a great way to stay in the loop! @FMCIC Our Free Mehtodist photo gallery is hosted on www.flickr.com/photos/fmc-gallery
NOT EASY So I have to admit I had no clue what to write for this issue of the MOSAIC. Yes, I was part of the brainstorming session where it was decided this issue would focus on ministry to the next generation. And yes, I have two children who are part of that next generation. So you would think this would be an easy piece to write. Sadly that was not the case. Until, “Lightbulb!” I have been working the student ministries page of the FMCiC website and I should let you all know! If you visit the www.fmcic.ca, hover over “Ministry Areas” and then look WAY down on the bottom right side of your screen you will see “Student Ministries.” Click and enjoy! Besides practical stuff like event and camp dates/information there are also tons of photos and a blog. To keep this part of the website AWESOME, I need your help! Please send me photos and stories from your youth events or student ministry at your church. Find my email in the “Contact” section of the website. Can’t wait to hear from you! Alison McKinnon, Social Media Journalist | alison.fmcic@gmail.com
The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 11
{Stewardship Development Ministries}
THE TIME TO TEACH CHILDREN IS NOW… Our heart is to see our children grow into faithful believers. And summer camps are a quiet refuge that provides a perfect opportunity to teach children the things of God and following Jesus. Teaching our children is important to God. In Deuteronomy, God’s commandments start with loving God above all else (which includes money) and then instructs us on how to live with others and to avoid all types of greed. He then tells us to “teach our children and our grandchildren… Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:4-7, 11:18-19) But when it comes to teaching about money, many are not sure where to start. Try adapting these five keys to help them grow into generous stewards: •
GIVE FIRST – Because this reminds us of where it comes from and because we love God with all our hearts.
•
LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS – Don’t covet what your neighbour has. Be thankful and content with what God has given you and make the most of it.
•
AVOID DEBT – Debt is a trap that promises more things now. But this is a lie. Debt does not give us more, but takes away money from our daily living with repayment and interest costs. The Bible calls debt bondage. And God calls us to live free.
•
SAVE – Savings builds flexibility for when life happens. Without it, you cannot break the cycle of always turning to debt. It also teaches the principle of delayed gratification.
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SET LONG TERM GOALS – Setting goals tells you what you do with your money today. It also sets the focus of our heart. Jesus tells us to build our treasure in heaven – not on earth.
Sandy Crozier is the Stewardship Ministries Director for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | sandy.crozier@fmcic.ca
FMCIC GROUP BENEFITS COVERAGE Group Benefits Coverage is available to any church employee working at least 20 hours per week (mandatory for ordained ministers.) This cost is shared 50/50 between the church and the employee (employee is responsible for 100% of LTD.) The Group Benefits Enrollment Form should be submitted prior to the 26th of the first month of employment. Otherwise, you must complete a late entrance form which is subject to approval by the plan provider. Late entrance also has reduced dental coverage ($100) in the first year. Effective April 1, 2015, benefit coverage for eyeglasses has increased! You are now able to claim $200 in any 24 month period ($200/12 months for those 18 and under). This benefit increase did not result in any change to the premiums. The Benefit Plan covers 90% of all eligible dental expenses with no deductibles – but there is a maximum of $1,000 per year per member or dependant. You can review your complete coverage details, your claims as well as check when you can schedule your next dental and eye visit at mysunlife.ca. An electronic version of the benefit plan booklet, claim forms and other information is available at http://fmcic.ca/group-benefits. 12 :: MOSAIC :: Summer 2015
{Our History} A CALL FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS IN CHINA Bessie Reid ( from Kingston, ON) was serving as a missionary in China when she wrote this poem. Bessie had come to Christ under the ministry of Charles Fairbairn and subsequently served as part of his tent ministry evangelistic team. After pastoring at Frankford and Peterborough and graduating from Greenville College in Illinois, she served in China from 1925-1940. She was ordained as a minister in 1934. In 1942, Bessie married Luther Kresge and together they served as missionaries in South Africa (1945-1953). This hand-written, untitled, and signed poem was discovered recently by Grant Sigsworth (Whitby, ON) in the personal belongings of his parents. China’s broken heart is aching, aching fiercely in the night, And God alone can heal it, and God alone give light; And the ones to bear that message and to speak the Living Word, Are you and I, dear sisters, and the multitudes who have heard. Can we close our eyes to duty? Can we fold our hands at ease, While the gates of night stand open to the pathways of the seas? Can we shut up our compassions, can we leave our prayers unsaid, Till this land which Hell has blasted has been quickened from the dead? We grovel among trifles, and our spirits fret and toss, While above us burns the vision of the Christ upon the Cross; And the blood of Christ is streaming from His broken hands and side, And the lips of Christ are saying “Tell thy sisters I have died.”
Photo courtesy of Olwen Sigsworth: Bessie Reid’s hand-written letter {Missionary to China}
“O voice of God, we hear Thee above the shocks of time, Thine echoes roll around us, and the message is sublime; No power of man shall thwart us, no stronghold shall dismay, When God commands obedience, and love has led the way.”
Yours to Obey Him, Bessie C Reid — Free Methodist Church Missionary to China
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES Heart of Canadian Free Methodism November 6-8, 2015 in Ontario*
Culture and the Missional Church TBA – Western Canada*
Wesleyan Theology November 6-8, 2015 in Ontario* November 6-8, 2015 in western Canada*
Personal and Church Stewardship 8-week online course Starts September 7, 2015 (English)
*These locations will be selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early! For those tracking for credentialed ministry, the Heart and Wesleyan Theology courses need to be taken first. Registration is online for all courses at this link: http://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/
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{
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ICCM GRADUATE STUDENTS ICCM does more than provide children in developing countries with the necessary food, clothing, medicine and education to meet their basic needs. They also ensure that each child is attending a Free Methodist church or an affiliated Free Methodist church; where they have the opportunity to learn of Christ’s love for them, while pursuing His will for their lives. Here are the testimonies of two former ICCM sponsored children:
“As always, it is great to know that we can count on ICCM, who always go the extra mile in helping us and meeting needs. From notebooks, ball pens to school uniform, tuition fees, school projects and food, ICCM helped meet those needs for me when I was a sponsored child. ICCM has been a big part of my life – a million thanks for the impact you have had on me. Cheers!”
HOW TO BECOME A CHURCH PARTNER Our vision is to activate change locally to impact children globally. It begins here with our Free Methodist churches. We are looking for churches who will partner with ICCM to create opportunities for children to develop mentally, physically, socially and most importantly spiritually. We want to see long term partnerships form with our Free Methodist churches abroad which will ultimately benefit our children, their families and the communities that surround them. It’s 1. 2. 3.
Nova Havana Nuez is now Project Director of the ICCM assisted Door of Hope St. Ministry, Davao City
“My wife Immaculate and I have two sons, who are five and two years old as well as a daughter who is three months old. I am now 37 years old and I would like to say to my sponsor that I am who I am today because of her loving heart, sacrifices in monetary giving, prayers, encouragement and demonstrating to me real and true love. I have had a chance to skype with Alice, who continues to correspond with me at 95 years old! In October of 2015 I will have the opportunity to meet with Alice face to face. In short, my wife and I and our children are the fruits of the tree my sponsor watered and fed for so many years. Please pray with me that ICCM may expand its activities in Rwanda to serve more children like me who have been transformed through the love of Christ and a sponsor who said ‘yes’ to God’s call.”
easy as 1, 2, 3… Focus on an area of the world Partner with children in that area Develop long term relationships with your children and our Free Methodist churches
Wondering how your church can focus on an area of the world? Have a chat with Dan Sheffield - dan.sheffield@ fmcic.ca.
Ephaste Niyigena is the ICCM National Coordinator in Rwanda
Paula Moriarity is the International Child Care Ministries Director for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | paula.moriarity@fmcic.ca | childcareministries.net
Following Jesus Modules This journey is about believing the good news story of Jesus; it is about belonging to the Body of Jesus – the Church; it is about becoming more and more conformed to Jesus’ lifestyle in our values and behaviours. Who:
The Following Jesus studies (5 modules, 5 sessions each) are designed for seekers who have had an introduction to the life of Jesus, in one form or another, and are looking for a broader understanding of the Christian faith. It does not assume that a faith decision has been made.
What: Short modules (5 sessions) allow for flexibility in planning around busy schedules of adult learners. Adults prefer face-to-face learning and derive benefits from inter-actional activities with others who differ in age, level of experience, and professional preparation. Where: These modules could be used with church attenders who may not have made a faith decision. Through the series of five topics – Christian Foundations, Christian Growth, Our Faith Community, God’s Mission, and Spiritual Gifts – participants will explore basic teachings and practices of the Christian . For more information please contact Dan Sheffield {dan.sheffield@fmcic.ca} or Marc McAlister {marc.mcalister@fmcic.ca}.
14 :: MOSAIC :: Summer 2015
{Student Ministries} Thinking about attending a Free Methodist youth or family camp this summer? We thought you might so we spoke with an experienced camper and youth leader to give you an idea of what you can expect at one of our camps. We chatted with Sharon Lindsay (Kingsview FMC, in Etobicoke ON) to give us the scoop on her experience at Echo Lake Camp located just north of Kingston, ON.
What kind of stuff goes on at Echo Lake Summer Camp?
As a Camp Leader at Echo Lake what have you experienced?
Why should young people attend a youth camp?
What is one of your fondest memories from Echo Lake?
Campers 14 - 21 years old are in for a fun-filled week. Every day there are sports, Chapel, team discussions, waterfront program, memory verse and games/competitions such as the Midnight Run. There is also a Sadie Hawkins Dinner and a fun night event such as a beach party or a carnival.
Volunteering at Echo is an opportunity to serve Christ and be a part of an environment that allows teenagers to come as they are, find who they are in Christ, learn more about him if they don’t know him, as well as grow in their relationship with him. Strong friendships among the campers are made for a lifetime. That happened to me as a camper and now I volunteer with some of those same people on staff.
I would encourage them to attend because it brings them to a place where they can get a break from the daily pressures of life, they can ask those difficult questions about Jesus and the teenagers come alongside each other and pray for one another. They also have a lot of fun and the food is fantastic especially the famous Chelsea buns!
My fondest memories are prayer times with friends and the opportunity to have others pray for you. As well, as learning to water ski! I remember the time and patience that the staff had for me and others, to teach us.
Student Ministries Mission Our mission is to love God, love people and make disciples. We want to lead students into a lifelong relationship with Jesus. We want to create a community of youth who are passionate and spiritually engaged. We want to equip, develop, encourage and connect students and leaders. The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 15
{Global Ministries}
MINISTRY IN THE MIDST OF CONFLICT The events of Saturday January 17, 2015 will remain in my memory for a long time to come. As we drove into Niamey, Niger, we could see tall plumes of black smoke in dozens of locations across this city of just under one million people. Very soon, we were confronted with crowds of young men covering the streets, moving as a mob. We quickly turned around and completed our trip to the Wright’s home by alternative routes – making a 20 minute ride more like an hour and a half. For the rest of the day, reports trickled in about what was going on. The demonstrations-cum-targeted-attacks were in response to continued publication of blasphemous cartoons about the Muslim faith, by Parisbased magazine, Charlie-Hebdo. For some reason, the secular humanist satire magazine was conflated with “Christian” in the minds of the mob instigators in Niamey. In the end, 47 church buildings, three bars and one French cultural building were looted and burned. Many of the church buildings had pastoral homes in the same property that were also looted and burned. Including the Free Methodist church and pastor’s home. The next day, Sunday, was to be the ordination service for this pastor, our first in Niger. Churches throughout the city had decided not to conduct worship services on Sunday morning because of continued threats. However, since the church building was unusable, Free Methodist church leaders moved the afternoon ordination service to an alternate location. This was a challenging moment for such a service. We would certainly understand questioning this act of commissioning to ministry – “Do I really want to go ahead, knowing what the cost of identifying as a Christian pastor might mean in the days to come?”
Church looted and burned, (avove) Two men sort through the debris.
One of the persons who attended the ordination service was the pastor’s Muslim neighbour. The day before, his household had sheltered the pastor’s wife and several other female family members throughout the period when the mob was looting and burning. These neighbours had known the pastor and his family for years, knowing that they in no way deserved this treatment, and so offered asylum. For me, this was an important insight in the midst of the destruction. This pastor and his family was/is an example of Peter’s encouragement: “Live such good lives among (them) that, that though they may accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God…” (1 Peter 2:12) Please continue to pray for followers of Jesus in Niger that they may stand firm in Peter’s continued advice: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:13-15). In light of current world events in Syria, Egypt, Kenya, China, Nigeria, and even in our own setting here in Canada, these are good words of challenge and fuel for our prayers for ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. Dan Sheffield, Director of Global and Intercultural Ministries | dan.sheffield@fmcic.ca
Population 17,830,000 Religions Muslim 80% Indigenous beliefs 18% Evangelical Christians 0.2% Languages French (official), Hausa, Djerma
The Free Methodist Church in Canada :: MOSAIC :: 16