live magazine November-December 2020

live A Baptist resource for women on a mission November - December 2020 ¡ $3.50

boldly

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in this issue COLUMNS/RESOURCES

2 CONNECTING connect to MISSION 3 Releasing Women Ministry insights from Karen Wilson 11 Love Kindles Boldness It transforms the weak 13 Leading Boldly Uptick Baptist Women - Submitting to the Spirit 15 The Many Faces of Boldness Why Matthew Houses are flourishing 17 Who is Praying Now? Warriors with walkers 18 Strategic Giving 2020 Meet Lilian Yang 20 CBM Appoints New Executive Director 21 A Window on Latin America 21 Great Canadian Bible Study 2021 Supporting vulnerable children in Bolivia 22 Conversations about Race Upcoming events in our racial justice series BIBLE STUDY 8 Chosen | Holy | Called Called to be bold CONNECT TO GOD 5 The Perks of Being a Confident Cat Know who you are 7 Encouraged Forward Fanning boldness into flame connect to others 23 Staff News 23 We Remember

Cover photo courtesy Karen Wilson Artist: Corina Jasmin from Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, painted this piece after Karen Wilson shared with her the vision God had given her about her five-year tenure as president of Baptist World Alliance Women. Read the full story on page 3.

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cONNECTING This September, Baptist Women launched Complete, its missional leadership development program for women at any age and stage. We connect online once a month and keep busy with homework between meetings.

Our latest homework was to chat with a neighbour and ask them how they felt when conversations turned to spiritual matters. I wrestled for three weeks after asking God who He wanted me to approach.

Norm (not his real name) lives in our neighbourhood and I’d been avoiding him for months. I recoiled every time I saw him swaying back and forth on his front steps, or heard him late at night swearing loudly into his smartphone. When I saw Norm, I knew from experience with a close family member where addictions could lead them.

“Really God? You want me to approach Norm?” I asked. “Alcoholic, stoned, know-it-all, wasting-awaybefore-the-neighbourhood’s-eyes Norm?”

I rationalized why spending some intense intercessory prayer time on Norm’s behalf instead would be far more appropriate than the undignified physically-distanced conversation we’d surely have.

God was having none of it.

Four days ago, when I’d had enough of God’s nudges, I did it.

“Hey Renée! Hey Christopher!” he shouted as Christopher and I walked to the corner store.

“Norm,” I smiled. “It’s a great day.”

He smiled back.

“Luv you Norm,” I felt led to say.

Those words felt truer than I thought. I did love this young man who grieved his mother’s death; who drank non-stop; who wanted his equally alcoholic father to stop buying him beer and help him get sober.

Saying those words freed me. Boldness begins and ends with love. So does mission.

RJ 

VOLUME 93, NUMBER 6

live (formerly The Link & Visitor) began as The Canadian Missionary Link (1878) and Baptist Visitor (1890). Published bi-monthly by Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 416-620-2954 Fax 416-622-2308 bwoq@baptist.ca baptistwomen.com Executive director Rev. Diane McBeth Editor and communications director Renée James 416-651-8967 rsejames@gmail.com Art director Donna Lee Pancorvo of GEPM Group Inc. (gepmgroup.com) Contributors Kathy Bousquet, Linda Ellsworth, Dan Grove, Laura Matthews, Rev. Tabitha Mui, Rev. Tina Rae, Morgan Wolf.

“Bold Warriors” reprinted courtesy Tidings magazine.

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CONNECT TO MISSION

releasing women Ministry insights from Karen Wilson, new president of Baptist World Alliance Women

Karen Wilson

Imagine the whole world praying for the release of women; for the half of God’s kingdom that’s been silent and silenced for too long—to speak up.

Phenomenal.

Live Life Boldly. These words flashed onscreen at the end of the announcement video that presented Australian Karen Wilson to the Baptist World Alliance family as the new president of Baptist World Alliance Women (BWA Women). Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec is a member of BWA Women.

Personality wires Karen to be bold in the classic meaning of that word.

“In Australia, they say that the middle child is the outspoken one,” she laughs. “I’m the middle child!” When you look at the scope of Karen’s ministry, you’ll be forgiven for thinking that its breadth must be because of her innate ability to lead from the front. She’s co-pastored a church of 1,500 with her husband, been an executive minister in a large city church in Perth and held various other leadership roles. Fourteen years ago she founded Fresh Conference—an Australian Baptist women’s conference that has since raised over $1.2 million to give to missions. She was the Director for Strategic Relations for Baptist World Aid Australia/Transform Aid International. She’s led dozens of short-term mission trips into Asia.

She’s currently the vice-president for Asia Pacific and Communications with the Global Leadership Network.

When live magazine sat down with Karen to talk about boldness in ministry, she offered three surprising lessons about boldness. Here they are.

Boldness means you don’t push harder—you surrender more.

This lesson emerged through an encounter with God that was “absolutely life-changing” in her work with the Lord. “I realized that fear had been a stronghold in my life for 32 years,” she remembers. “Even co-pastoring a church that was 900 people strong, fear had made me ineffective.” With her husband Mark, she prayed until 3 a.m. one morning, naming situations in which her fear had held them both back, and asking God to remove her fear. live • November - December 2020

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“Everything changed after that,” she says. “The Spirit of God now had freedom in our home.

Our kids changed. On Sunday at church, people noticed. I was humbled because I realized how much I’d been co-pastoring in a controlled, constrained way. I had controlled my faith. Peoplepleasing and perfectionism had been my thing!”

After that encounter and prayer time, Karen’s approach to ministry shifted. Her daily choice to walk in the Spirit’s freedom meant that a healthy awe of God began to permeate every thought and action.

“I’m more in awe of God than fear of man,” she affirms. And that awe translates into quick obedience, perhaps because she is so surrendered to God and His purpose for her life.

Boldness means you speak up and lead—but with grace.

For 10 years, Karen prayed that a particular fruit of the Spirit— gentleness—would grow in her.

“Then God suggested to me that gentleness wasn’t all about being soft and quiet. That in fact, it was

Karen’s prayer requests • Wisdom in leading forward • True biblical leadership as she invites women to speak up and lead with grace.

• Protection 4

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about being able to speak into hot intense situations without the angst of bitterness or the hurt of the past.

“In fact, gentleness means we stand up and speak strong—with God’s grace—and not give in.

Sometimes our voice will be like a hammer or sometimes like a trickling brook. But it’s strong and it cuts through. Our words need to be like that, so that every time we speak, repentance happens, because it ‘s God’s grace that we speak.”

As she prepared to assume her five-year tenure which began in July 2020, God placed a vision in her heart of what the next five years could bring.

“I see women who are giants, standing alongside one another, right around the coastlines of the world. They are waiting for the spirit of God to come to their land, to their nations and are protecting those who are behind them. They are all magnificently tall, strong, brave, and united. There is no distinction of age or race as they stand dressed and ready in the full armour of God,” she shared in her first newsletter to executive directors and board presidents.

Boldness requires you to know your shape.

Her letter continues: “Women in leadership, taking responsibility, standing shoulder to shoulder and stepping into all God has called them to be. [This] will be a time when racial walls will crumble,

Proverbs 31:8 (NIV): ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.’ when economic and geographic walls will come down and when women will begin to powerfully speak out.”

She’s the first to admit that we can’t stand, taking the long view on what God is doing in the world, and ready to speak up with grace, unless we know our shape . . . how God has wired us. This knowledge is critical when taking a stand against historical or cultural practices that are not biblical.

“It goes back to identity,” she says.

“David’s armour was a slingshot.

Each woman’s armour will be different from another’s because her life and ministry experiences will be different. And for all of us, our armour will take on the hue and patina of whatever season of life we’re in. But we can’t be less than who God’s made us to be!”

RJ  Mark the dates Baptist Women Virtual Spring 2021 Conference Tue, Apr 20-Fri Apr 23 7 p.m. each night We are thrilled that Karen will be our plenary speaker.

While the conferences is free for all, we invite you to donate to the ongoing work of Baptist Women.

CONNECT TO GOD

Lizzy had a lion with a big, bad roar And she kept him in her bedroom By the closet-cupboard door Lizzy’s lion wasn’t friendly Lizzy’s lion wasn’t tame Not unless you learned to call him By his secret lion name…1

StoryBlocks.com

The Perks of being a Confident Cat

Know who you are

A lion lions.

Years ago, we had an illustrated copy of Dennis Lee’s children’s poem Lizzy’s Lion that my mom found in the discard bin at the library. The poem tells the story of a girl whose pet lion defends her piggy bank against a B&E. When the robber shows up, Lizzy’s lion makes short work of the threat despite the candy that the rotten robber had brought along ‘to make friends with a lion; a lion should he meet.’ Looking back over it now, it is—perhaps—a little grim in its outcome for the robber, as lion maulings are apt to be, but it was one of my favourite read-aloud stories as a kid. It just made good sense, it seemed to me, to have a lion on your side.

“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1, NRSV) There are a lot of reasons to flee these days. Fear has wrapped itself around the planet like a python with an insatiable appetite and everyone is feeling the squeeze. Whether it is wearing masks like bandits, staying in our homes, yelling at strangers for ignoring the arrows on the floor of the

Lee, Dennis. Lizzy’s Lion. Toronto: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1993.

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by Morgan Wolf Morgan is a writer from Calgary. She blogs about her faith and writing at anothergratuitousmdash.blogspot. ca. Morgan has just published her book, Altruism in Gophers.

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grocery store, or ritually bathing in foul-smelling hand sanitizer, we’ve come up with a few talismans to ward off 2020’s evil eye. Fear is the zeitgeist;—the spirit characterizing this age that we’re all living in. The measures we’ve all had to take at the behest of our various jurisdictions have left a lot of time to think.

What is required of us in this time? Is this merely the moment to hunker down until the danger passes like a bomber flying overhead while we wait in our underground shelters until the all clear is sounded? Or is this the season of spiritual opportunity that we didn’t know we were waiting for? What does it mean to be bold in the climate of

fear? Is boldness merely the province of reckless adrenalin junkies?

Is it some superhuman quality only enjoyed by a few whose names and feats we sometimes recall with awe?

To be bold is to know who you are. It is living from one’s God-given identity and to thrive in the fact that you are God’s creation. A lion doesn’t question its role on the savannah; or whether or not it should hunt or loll in the sun. A lion lions.

It has no crisis of self-confidence. It never doubts.

These big cats narrow their eyes and calculate their moment. They never flee. They don’t have to— they are lions, after all.

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When Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born again from above, He is speaking about this Godgiven identity to be like the Son of Man in being sons and daughters of God. It is our spiritual inheritance to live as boldly and confidently as the Lion of Judah Himself. It is no longer our nature to flee with the crowd as panic overwhelms, but rather to narrow our focus and calculate our moment.

My girlhood dream of having a lion on my side was not merely fanciful thinking. I’ve got one—He even has a secret Lion name—and He calls me one too. 

CONTEST - PRIZES! Become a monthly donor to Baptist Women!

While it’s hard to get together, sign up your members for auto donations.

Get individual prizes now.

Then you could win a group prize to celebrate together.

Send a void cheque to our office or arrange a credit card payment online.

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Encouraged Forward Fanning boldness into flame

Over the past year I have felt led to help people worship God through art. At first, I wasn’t exactly sure how to do that, but the idea to write an art-themed devotional came to mind.

I had a concept and plan for the book and I was pretty excited, but the first person I shared the idea with wasn’t as enthusiastic as I was.

They looked at what I shared and asked, with a practical mindset, “Is there even a market for a book like that?” Being fairly practical myself, I mulled the question over and convinced myself that I must have gotten it wrong. However, God kept tugging at my heart.

A few months later a faith-based art podcast called The Deep Place reminded me about the idea that I had shelved. As I listened to the episodes I decided to share the idea with others around me again.

This time, every person I spoke with affirmed my idea. I even started taking the first step of actually writing ideas for devotions that

by Rev. Tina Rae Tina is the family and children’s ministry pastor at Westview Baptist Church in London, Ontario.

came to mind. I moved forward slowly, still a little unsure, but at least I was actually taking steps to follow through.

After writing a few devotions, I found myself at a meeting of female clergy where we were asked to find someone in the room that we hadn’t spoken with yet. We were asked to share prayer requests and I shared that I wanted to bridge art and faith and I wasn’t quite sure how to do it. I wasn’t ready to share with her that I had an idea because I still struggled to know if an art-themed devotional was the right step. I was still moving forward cautiously.

When this pastor prayed for me, I felt my timid steps affirmed.

As she prayed, she specifically prayed that I could bridge faith and art through writing a book . . . or a devotional! I was taken aback because I had not told her about writing a book. How could she have known to pray those words unless it was a prompting from the Holy Spirit?

After that moment, I no longer proceeded timidly. I wrote the remaining devotions quickly, even as difficult circumstances emerged in both my life and ministry that

God kept tugging have really tested me. It hasn’t been easy. Yet writing this book during this time has helped me step out and share from a deeper place. This has been an unexpected benefit.

I discovered another benefit to saying “yes” to God and writing this book: I have found such encouragement with it as I have moved forward. I found friends to review my book, I looked for and found a publisher, and I am continually encouraged each day when I get emails from my publisher. I also love finding myself in amazing conversations as I keep sharing about it with people because I am so excited about what God could do with it.

Despite the doubts and despite the worries and challenges that may follow me, I can say that stepping out and following God’s leading has blessed me. I hope that however God may be calling you in your life that you would feel the courage to step out because God can do amazing things when you do. 

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CHOSEN | HOLY | CALLED Called to be bold Unsplash.com/BeccaTapert

by Linda Ellsworth Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada.

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Boldness Through Succession: Joshua READ Deuteronomy 34 and Joshua 1:1-10.

Summarize the end of Moses’ life: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Why was Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land, after his decades of faithful service to God? (Deuteronomy 32:48-52) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ What had Joshua’s “leadership training” involved? (cf. Joshua 1:1, Deuteronomy 34:9) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ What was the prime characteristic developed in Joshua to prepare

him for leadership? (vs. 9) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Discuss a time when you found yourself in a position of training towards succession. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ In what ways were you equipped for the upcoming transition? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Did you feel adequately prepared to boldly take over from your predecessor? Explain. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Often in our human context, we feel unworthy of and unprepared

BIBLE STUDY

for the tasks God lays on our doorstep. Bravery is not a prime characteristic in our demeanour. Even so, take time to dwell on God’s commissioning of Joshua—the new leader of the Jewish people . . .

• Joshua was clearly spoken to by ________________________ • Joshua was clearly __________ to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land • Joshua was promised a) the entire ______________ b) complete __________ over their enemies c) God’s continuous _________ • Joshua was warned to (verses 7 and 8) __________________ _______________________ _______________________ • God told Joshua three times to be _____________________ _______________________ _______________________ • Joshua was to neither be afraid or be dismayed because _____ _______________________ _______________________ As a result of this amazing “conscription” by Jehovah, Joshua (verse 10) __________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Joshua—a man well mentored; a man of integrity, courage and faith throughout his 110 years. To see the legacy of this brave leader, read Joshua 24, noting especially verses 14-16 and 29-31. Could these things be said by, and of us?

Boldness in Battle: Deborah READ Judges 4 and 5 Describe the condition the children of Israel were in at this time: (verses 1,2) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Read Judges 4:4. Isn’t it interesting, in the midst of this mess, that Deborah steps into the foreground as a prophetess, and the ONLY woman judge to sit in all of biblical history! She even had a tree named in her honour to mark her seat of judgment. (Judges 4:5) Describe the events as they unfolded in verses 6-24. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Judges 4:1-5:31 – Deborah and Barak The role of women is particularly important in these stories.

Deborah’s courage and faith in persuading Barak, discerning the activity of God, and stirring others to accept their responsibilities were instrumental in the victory.

The prose account closes with the introduction of another heroine (4:17-24).

Sisera, realizing he has lost, flees to the tent of Heber (“Ally”) the Kenite for sanctuary. Heber’s wife, Jael (“Wild Goat”), welcomes him, and gives him food and a place to sleep. But instead of guarding the tent, as Sisera has requested, she takes a hammer and drives a tent

peg through his temple, killing him and fulfilling Deborah’s earlier prophecy (verse 14).

Readers may rightly question Jael’s actions, as many have done, but this story praises the faith and loyalty with which she responded to a serious situation. Her faith might be contrasted with the lack of fidelity that Israel would soon display as the cycle inevitably repeats.” https://www.enterthebible.org On November 11 we remember those who gave their lives in two great wars in defense of freedom.

As well, we celebrate the lives of those who have continued to fight for freedom worldwide in the years since. With a son-in-law and daughter who serve Canada in the Armed Forces, I am particularly aware of the strength, courage, and dedication necessary to preserve the freedoms we enjoy in Canada.

As you remember Deborah and the many men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, prayerfully state three characteristics which YOU feel stood out in the life and position of Deborah as a woman who willingly accompanied a commander into battle. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ How might these three characteristics apply to YOU today, as you daily engage in the “war for freedom and truth?” _________________________ _________________________ live • November - December 2020

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_________________________ As you consider the retelling of this story in poetic form in Chapter 5, what parts of Deborah’s song could you retell about your own life? Try writing your own song of victory to the Lord. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Deborah: A woman of extreme wisdom, duty, and bravery: “O my soul, march on in strength!” (chapter 5:21) Boldness in Humility: The Hem of His Garment READ Matthew 9:18-22 and Luke 8:40-48 Describe the scene and events as they take place between Jesus and this woman: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ In biblical times, women who were menstruating were considered to be “unclean.” Read the explanation below, taken from https:// www.womeninthebible.net/ Menstruation: what did the Bible teach?

How did this affect women’s lives?

The biblical law states when a woman menstruates she is unclean for seven days. The text says that “whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening.

And everything upon which she lies during her impurity shall be unclean; 10 live • November - December 2020

everything also upon which she sits shall be unclean.

And whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

And whoever touches anything upon which she sits shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be unclean until the evening…

And if any man lies with her, and her impurity is on him, he be unclean seven days; and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean.” (Leviticus 15.19-24) Note especially this Bible law that governed the life of the menstruating woman cured by Jesus: “If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness; as in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean.” (Leviticus 15:25) God in Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, who caused those laws to be transcribed in Leviticus for the protection of His people, sensed the impurity of one poor outcast woman as she touched the hem of His robe. He felt healing power flow out to her. He knew her in her need and did not recoil. His power healed her body . . . His love healed her soul!

WATCH this beautiful video on YouTube: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=iSoijT7tQlU (may

take a little time to download) The Woman with the issue of blood: a woman of bold humility. A woman who recognized the Great Physician. A woman who, in quaking faith reached out . . . and touched the hem of His garment.

Think of a time in your life when you felt “unclean” in the presence of Jesus, when you felt neither bold nor brave, when your faith waivered. How did you get past your feelings of fear, of insecurity, of shame? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Perhaps you are in a position right now, where you need to come to Jesus in bold humility, with faith that says: “I WILL bring you all of my uncleanness, all of my failures, my shortcomings, my impure thoughts and attitudes. I WILL believe that You will heal me.

That you will cleanse me of all my faults, both known and unknown. Jesus, I WILL kneel at Your feet, and with trembling hands, reach out and touch the hem of Your garment of grace. I WILL accept Your strength, and Your forgiveness, and Your peace.

Take my hand. Raise me to my feet. I WILL go on in boldness with YOU.” 

CONNECT TO MISSION

love kindles boldness It transforms the weak

Photo: Ministry with a family in Romania Photo courtesy Kathy Bousquet

by Kathy Bousquet Kathy attends Heron Park Baptist Church in Scarborough, Ontario

At the age of 16, I turned my back on my family in the UK, boarded a plane and immigrated to Canada alone. Remarkable, given my fearful, timid nature. Whatever possessed me? Where did I find the courage to leave everything behind and head into the unknown?

It was love. I was following after a young man I’d known only briefly before he’d headed home to North America. Love for him kindled in me an unprecedented boldness and a desire to be with him.

Thirty years later, leaving home and family behind in Canada, I flew off once again into the unknown. This time I would spend 10 years in Romania; a country recently freed from Communism, but still bearing its horrific effects. I was assigned to minister to a devastated people living in a shattered economy and infrastructure. Was I fearful? You bet! But again it was fervent love that drove me. This time I was following the call of the One who had become the true love of my life—Jesus Christ.

Some of us are born with the strength of boldness. I was not. Heartfelt love for our Saviour, however, has the power to transform the weak and live • November - December 2020

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foolish into the bold and courageous when the situation merits it. I knew missions would present challenges requiring character traits, gifts and talents I didn’t naturally possess. But in the years previous, I’d learned to depend on the Holy Spirit for a supernatural boldness to overcome fear and timidity.

I had married a few years after arriving in Canada, and surrendered my life to the Lord just a year later. Unhappy with my transformed life, my husband became angry and abusive. I learned to depend on the Holy Spirit for strength. I needed to be lionhearted in the lion’s den! Even in the face of physical threats if I didn’t turn away from my faith, whenever I called on the Lord, a strength not my own would rise up from the depths of my being.

Faith then filled my heart, producing a boldness to stand firm and declare my commitment to Him. My husband eventually ended

our marriage, but throughout those painful years I had grown strong in my faith and in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence. So when it came to facing mission’s challenges in Romania, I knew that, while I don’t come by it naturally, boldness was there simply for the asking.

And so it was, for example, when unexpectedly confronted by a horde of rowdy, glue-sniffing kids from the underground sewers of Bucharest, I called on the Holy Spirit’s help. A courage I don’t normally possess moved me to begin loudly sharing the gospel with them, and a supernatural calmness filled the atmosphere.

All eyes were riveted on me as I spoke of Jesus’ love for them.

When visiting Romanian churches, I was often invited to speak from a pulpit typically reserved for men only. Shaky knees notwithstanding, at every opportunity I stood in that same boldness, opened my mouth wide, and

q Left: Preparing for a radio broadcast; Right: One-on-one ministry

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shared what He laid on my heart.

As I led a weekly Bible study, an angry giant of a man frequently leaned across the table shaking his big fist under my nose, demanding answers to difficult questions.

Each time, with a plea to the Lord, I opened my mouth and boldly shared the Word with him. His countenance would soften and temper subside. We eventually became great friends!

Over the years since Romania, depending on Holy Spirit boldness has become a good habit for me, because I’m assured that when we are at our weakest, God manifests His greatness through us. Our passionate love for Him and His Kingdom will inevitably find us in difficult places. Even now, we are being called to be strong in faith, preach the gospel fearlessly, and take a stand against evil and injustice. Assuredly, as we obey, His supernatural boldness will equip us, and He will be glorified in and through us. 

CONNECT TO MISSION

p Current 2020 cohort shares a funny moment

Leading Boldly Uptick Baptist Women—submitting to the Spirit

When we think about bold leadership, some obvious qualities come to mind—confidence, courage and a readiness to act and speak. These are good and necessary.

by Laura Matthews Baptist Women’s program coordinator and Uptick Baptist Women leader

But if we look closer, leading boldly is also about cultivating patience and the ability to listen and submit to what the Holy Spirit is prompting. Why is that bold?

Because it’s countercultural.

We live in a world that expects results and certainty from our leaders. The trap of self-reliance with immediate answers and solutions becomes the norm. However, when we study Jesus’ leadership

style, we see that He made time to stop, abide and surrender to the Father. While less certain and seemingly risky, when we follow His example, we free the Spirit to direct our path—and that’s bold.

In this patient, abiding process, confidence and courage can authentically emerge.

In our Uptick leadership experience, we spend a lot of time reflecting on the necessity of abiding live • November - December 2020

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and working from rhythms of rest.

This not only centres Christ in our midst and welcomes the Spirit to move, it gives us clarity and focus. Our dependence on Christ deepens.

Leading comes out of a relationship with God. Jesus reminds us of this in John 15:4, “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me” (NIV).

Over the past three years, we’ve witnessed Uptick alumni live out their calling by prioritizing abiding. When we see their leadership through the lens of surrender to the Spirit’s prompting—clear examples of bold leadership emerge.

Alumni Helen Lenz entered and exited her Uptick experience without a clear idea of where God was leading her after graduating with an MDiv in spiritual formation.

Months later, but at exactly the right moment, the Spirit led her into a position she never would have considered: children’s director at Kingsway Baptist Church in Toronto. “My gifts and calling have been affirmed, challenged and stretched,” says Helen. “I’ve found the place God has called me to minister from, and the people he’s called me to minister with.” Had Helen moved quickly into the ministry setting she’d expected to find herself, an opportunity God had

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intended for her would have been missed. It takes courage to wait, but she trusted the Spirit’s perfect timing while abiding and deepening her dependence on Christ.

Rev. Melissa Memmot, pastor at Graceworks Baptist Church in Hamilton took a risk after identifying her heart for evangelism during her Uptick experience.

“Following God’s lead, I invited my neighbours to our house and began a Bible 101 group,” she remembers. By spending time to identify her gifts, Melissa was able to respond to this prompting and has seen fruit among her neighbours.

If we’ve learned anything from 2020, we know that nothing is certain and much can change in an instant. Now, more than ever, leading boldly means practicing a rhythm of stopping, abiding and surrendering to what the Spirit is directing.

Currently, the Uptick leadership has sensed God’s calling to redirect the program’s focus for 2021: Instead of moving forward with a cohort that may not be able to meet in person because of COVID-19 restrictions, the leadership team will focus on other important areas of the ministry.

Thank you for partnering with us, and growing female leaders for the Kingdom. 

How can you join us?

Here are some options  Pray. Pray for the alumni God has equipped and for future participants that we trust God will reveal. Pray too for our leaders—many of whom are volunteers and alumni. They give much and will continue to work behind the scenes to make 2022 an incredible experience.  Learn more: We want to share how God has been using this ministry to serve our churches. Book a leader or alumni to come to your in-person or virtual church service or gathering to share about their experience and how God has transformed their ministries. To book a date for 2021, contact leader: Kathleen Wilson at: kathleen.wilson56@gmail.com.  Give financially. When you give a one-time gift, or start a monthly-automated donation designated to Uptick, you ensure that young female kingdom leaders are supported and equipped for long-term ministry.

CONNECT TO MISSION

The Many Faces of Boldness Why Matthew Houses are flourishing

Matthew House Fort Erie “Boldness is to be able to have courage and conviction to perform the duties that you are called to do, and to take risks in what you believe in even when it is not popular with those who are in authority. It is often [about] our faithfulness to God and [then] seeing God respond and provide above and beyond our imagination.” ~ John Mtshede, executive director

Matthew House Windsor “Boldness is acting, by the power of the Holy Spirit, on an urgent conviction in the face of some opportunity, crisis, or need.” ~ Rev. Mike Morency, executive director

Your faithful support of Baptist Women means you have invested in the lives of every family that’s arrived on the doorstep of one of these Matthew Houses. Since the 1990s, Baptist Women has disbursed significant grants yearly to Matthew Houses across Ontario. In fact, your gifts helped the very first Matthew House to open in Toronto, and today, your donations ensure that these Matthew Houses continue their bold welcome.

by Tabitha Mui Tabitha is an Uptick Baptist Women alumni and a recent MDiv graduate of Tyndale University and Seminary.

Matthew House Ottawa “Boldness is being willing to take risks, adapting and innovating as needed, and being courageous one step at a time (even while many are fearful).” ~ Allan ReesorMcDowell, executive director live • November - December 2020

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In early fall, live magazine contributor Tabitha Mui filed this report on Matthew Houses in Ottawa, Windsor and Fort Erie.

The pandemic has forced the entire world to learn how to live in a state of uncertainty. During my interviews with Rev. Mike Morency from Matthew House Windsor, Allan Reesor-McDowell from Matthew House Ottawa, and John Mtshede from Matthew House Fort Erie, I realized that they and their residents have learned to live with uncertainty even before the pandemic began.

God’s provision in the ordinary When it comes to witnessing God’s provision in the ordinary, Allan, John and Rev. Mike shared some of the stories of trust and provision that the residents at the different Matthew Houses have experienced.

For example, one time, no volunteers or staff were onsite so older and more experienced residents took the initiative to call the ambulance for a pregnant young female resident.

Even before he got his work permit, a father with three children and a pregnant wife knocked on the door of every employment agency in the area to secure a job he could start as soon as the permit was in hand (which he did).

Some of the female residents decided to pursue personal support worker certification so they couldprovide additional support in long-term care homes during the pandemic.

And over the years, residents have emerged as leaders in their Houses, for example ensuring that any refugees who arrive after hours are well-received.

These residents are in a new country, adjusting to a new way of living and even so, they continue to make the decision to live boldly, trusting in God’s provision while supporting each other and those in the wider community.

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For the staff and volunteers at these different Matthew Houses, God’s provision for the residents, and the resiliency that residents display inspire them to continue to do the work, especially during the pandemic.

God’s provision in the unexpected This season has not been easy for many non-profit organizations that rely on fundraising, but all three Matthew Houses made the bold decision to continue to invite their donors and the wider community to financially partner with them.

After a local CBC spotlight during the pandemic, Matthew House Windsor received over $32,000 to support their operations. A business that was previously not a partner pre-pandemic made a donation of $15,000. An older lady from a neighbouring town asked for someone to pick up a box of dishes and a cheque for $1,000.

Financial donations like these offset the increased operational costs at the different Matthew Houses, and fuel their growth.

Matthew House Ottawa not only expanded their refugee services program during the pandemic, but also opened a second home with 14 additional beds on September 1. In August 2020, Matthew House Fort Erie had planned to launch the 32-unit dwelling built on the 0.6 acre of land they had purchased in 2019.

Although they have decided to launch in August 2021 instead, leadership has put those funds towards their mortgage, so that the units may be built debt free.

The scale of these stories could hide the seed of truth at their core: these God-sized answers to prayer began with people taking a bold step forward to trust in God’s provision regardless of the circumstances.

To live boldly requires a deep trust in God’s provision every day—from finding a safe place to sleep in a new country to purchasing new houses. All these acts—grand and ordinary—are bold in the eyes of God. 

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Who Is Praying Now? Warriors with walkers Around 2700 BC, the King of Kish, Enmebaragesi, defeated the Elamites in the first recorded battle in history. Since then, mankind has elevated warriors for their prowess, strength, discipline and loyalty. Even today, many movies and stories are made and told about people whom the world considers great warriors.

How would you describe a warrior? How about, “She was not rich, didn’t have great health, lived on her own on a meager budget.”

Or what about, “She was tiny and moved slowly?” Or, “She couldn’t get out much and spent most of her time in the chair by the heater.” Or, “She needs help to get out of bed.”

The greatest warriors I have known personally were mostly like that. They were older women, often widows or single ladies.

And they prayed. They prayed for

by Dan Grove Dan and his wife Melody were former global field staff with Canadian Baptist Ministries in the Cameroon.

The full version of this article ran in the April 2020 issue of Tidings magazine with the title Warriors With Walkers and is used with permission.

me and my family as we served in Africa doing Bible translation.

I cannot tell you how many of these great warriors told us either in person or by letter, “I have your picture on my fridge and I pray for you every day!” I can tell you that there were three men who told me the same thing over the years.

I had wondered about my boys growing up and what kind of role models they would have as they got older, and so I was encouraged to hear from these men that they prayed very specifically for my sons.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that we are in a spiritual battle and need to be equipped with spiritual armour. Romans 8 tells us that we are more than conquerors through Christ as we face trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword and that nothing can separate us from the love of God: not even death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, any powers, height, depth or anything else in all creation.

So it is that the true warriors, in the most important battles of this world, are not those that the world holds up as “heroes.” In fact, it is usually those that the world doesn’t even notice!

The lives of mission staff are fueled by the prayers of those who

have sent them. I am convinced that the reason that missions even happens is because God moves people to pray. They are helping the Word to impact many hearts in their own communities and around the world.

There is a problem, however.

The warriors are leaving us. I just turned 57 and that means that not only am I 25 years older than when my family got ready to head to Africa, so are all those who have helped us go and upheld us while we were there. Many who have told me that they pray for me every day are in their 80s and 90s, and some have gone to the place Jesus has prepared for them.

We are losing this huge power source that helped change the world. It begs the question, “Who is praying now?” With so many more distractions—cellphones, television, the Internet, busy schedules—I am afraid that we as a Church are growing weaker because fewer people are taking up the mantle of prayer from those who have gone before us. What do we do? I would love for this to be just the beginning of a discussion of how we can keep prayer a priority in our homes and ministries. 

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Strategic Giving 2020 Meet Lilian Yang Lilian reminds us of the call to missions that so many of our Baptist sisters heard through the 19th and 20th centuries and for whom women at home organized themselves in circles of support. As you commit to Baptist Women’s support of Lilian, pray for her and for women in your church who are considering overseas mission—even in this time of COVID-19.

p One of the multi-purpose buildings in a Lahu village q The first worship service in a new building in a Lahu village

Thailand

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Target: $7,000 Lilian Yang is the National Field Staff for Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) in the Golden Triangle Region in Thailand. She is Chinese by ethnicity, born in a multicultural area in Eastern Myanmar. Lilian grew up in church and got baptized at 12. “I had the chance to teach children in Sunday school since I was a teenager,” she says. “It was an important and special experience of my life because I discovered that I was very interested in the Bible. I also realized my Bible knowledge was limited. Since then, I’ve wanted to learn more about God and His Word. I am eager to serve God by teaching the Bible to others and I felt that it was a calling from God that became clearer as time passed.”

After obtaining her college degree, she traveled to Malaysia to study theology and complete her graduate degree in pastoral ministry. She obtained her MDiv in Taiwan, after which she came to serve with CBM. Today, Lilian works with Thailand Bethel Theological Institute (TBTI) managing the library, teaching theological courses and equipping local pastors and laypersons. She also helps local churches, organizations and seminaries in developing ministry training on sharing the Gospel and expanding community outreach.

Thailand Bethel Theological Institute (TBTI) In the Golden Triangle Region, there are a lot of ministry needs and opportunities. However, a lack of financial resources blocks ministry development. For example, lack of finances for education means pastors often need to wear multiple hats—preacher, counselor, worship leader, administrator—even when they’ve only been educated or trained in one area.

TBTI closes this gap by providing scholarships and training in different areas of ministry for pastors, church leaders and lay persons so that church growth, church planting and integral mission can happen.

“The students of TBTI respond positively to my teaching,” shares Lilian. “One student told me that she was encouraged when she realized that she also

came from a similar background. Some students are from Myanmar, as am I, and we all know how it is to grow up with limited education and financial resources. It is the reason that I understand their situation.”

Lilian’s other ministry area is with the Lahu Villages project, where she assists in communicating with the local pastors and translating for meetings between team leaders and the local pastors. Before COVID-19, Lilian also worked with SENT teams who came to serve the region.

Lahu Villages In the Lahu villages in Shan State, Eastern Myanmar, more and more people are coming to Christ. This began when Myanmese pastor Duodu brought the gospel to them. With villages in far-flung locations in the mountains, villagers don’t have access to some basic necessities such as education, electricity, sanitation or healthcare. CBM began supporting Pastor Duodu’s ministry, helping to provide resources for multi-purpose centres. These learning centres serve as a venue for medical services, a place of worship and a site for other community development initiatives. Through partnership with Pastor Duodu, many people in the Lahu villages have given their lives to Christ and continue to grow in the Lord.

One villager shared that he and his family used to live in fear before they came to know Jesus. They used to be animists, believing in the spiritual essence of objects, places and creatures. But, as Pastor Duodu ministered to them, they received the saving knowledge of Christ, replacing fear with peace and joy.

“When I take part in the Lahu project, I see that God uses our very limited resources to bless so many people. The villagers shared that they benefitted by having better water supply and having the multi-purpose building as a place for regular worship service and a venue for children to study,” Lilian shares.

Lilian finds it satisfying when she sees the fruit of God’s ministry—from congregation members who learn more about and grow in the Lord, to seeing Lahu villagers’ lives improve from services they’ve received. She shares, “Before joining CBM, I was mostly live • November - December 2020

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serving in churches. I didn’t have many opportunities to serve in the frontlines of the mission field. But now God has enlarged my vision and my ministry through CBM.” Ministry in COVID-19 In July 2020 TBTI started the new semester with physical classes following guidelines that will prevent the spread of the pandemic and as permitted by the Thai government. However, some of the students from Myanmar are not able to return to the campus as the Thai-Myanmar border is still closed. Those who are not able to be physically present are able to join classes online.

Local church pastors are still able to travel to the Lahu villages, sharing gospels and providing for some health needs.

Though some churches have commenced physical Sunday worship services, some are still held online. For these, Lilian connects with the congregation through recorded devotional and Bible study videos. Even so, Lilian remains hopeful: “I feel that God let me serve Him in a better way by joining CBM. I am excited for what God is going to do through CBM’s mission projects in Golden Triangle Region.” 

Rwanda Literacy Project Please consider supporting the Rwanda Literacy Project as 2020 draws to a close.

Read all about the project and the impact your support will make on our website at baptistwomen.com/causes/ international-projects.

CBM appoints new executive director we are pleased to announce that our mission partner, Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM), has appointed Jennifer Lau to the position of executive director effective November 1, 2020.

Jennifer began her service with CBM in 2002 as communications manager. Over the years, she brought her deep faith in the Lord and her excellent skills in management, marketing and communications and fundraising to bear as she moved into senior leadership in the organization.

Most recently, Jennifer served as the associate executive director.

Baptist Women wishes Jennifer God’s favour and blessing as she assumes this role.

We wish to thank CBM’s former executive director, Rev. Dr. Terry Smith, for his partnership and wish him the best.  Jennifer Lau 20 live • November - December 2020

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When the Baptist World Alliance Women met virtually this past summer, the Baptist Women of North America (BWNA) was given their new Continental Union prayer partner . . . the Unión Femenil Bautista de América Latina (Latin American Baptist Women’s Union, or UFBAL). Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec is a member body of BWNA.

Lily Muir, secretary of the Unión Femenil Bautista de América Latina (UFBAL) will share prayer requests with us. Our thanks to Lily for these regular updates.

Prayer requests for November and December Please pray for: • Opportunities to reach women and teach them to follow Jesus.

• Our participation in improving the quality of life of women through the offering of the Day of Prayer.

• The use of technology to develop the Day of Prayer program in a video, so sisters who don’t have the opportunity to connect via Zoom will participate.

• The Board of UFBAL . . . that these women who represent a family, a Women’s Union, a church, a state, a city, a county, a country . . . will grow in their faith in Jesus.

• On the last Sunday of November, Venezuela celebrates the Thanksgiving Day of the NATIONAL BAPTIST WORK.

Great Canadian Bible Study 2021 Supporting vulnerable children in Bolivia Every year, Baptist women across Canada meet in small groups to do a pre-set Bible study that focuses on women from the Bible. Participants bring a small offering to support a joint project that lasts for three years. This year’s offerings continue to support the work of Canadian Baptist Ministries and their specific projects to vulnerable children in Bolivia.

How the project will work Most women’s groups pick a date in January but any date that works for you and your women will do.

2021’s Bible Study: The Wives of David In reading through the books of Kings this past spring, Rev. Faye Reynolds, author of the Great Canadian Bible Study, became intrigued with three of David’s wives and their particular character traits within their stories, each one so different from the other.

“In each woman, I believe we can see the essence of their character, both the good and the bad, all woven into David’s story—a man after God’s own heart.”

You’ll find the guide and a collection form on our website at baptistwomen.com/resources. 

Photo credit: Meghan McIntosh

A WINDOW ON latin america

You will also find a wealth of information on the UFBAL website: https://www.ufbal.com/ 

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Conversations About Race Upcoming events in our racial justice series We hope you’ve had a chance to read through your SeptemberOctober issue and share it with your church community, friends and family. As part of its ongoing advocacy for racial justice, Baptist Women made the issue free for anyone who is able to download it from our website.

We thank all our contributors who shared their insights with us: Darlene Lucas, Carol Parsons, Tabitha Mui, Evie Klein Whittingham, Rev Della Bost, Lis Cristina Lam, Laura Matthews and Linda Ellsworth.

Looking ahead, we’ve planned different ways for you to engage the issues and join this advocacy work.

Please save and share these dates!

Ways to join Baptist Women in advocating for racial justice Follow the Pray and Fast for Racial Justice Guide (see the SeptemberOctober issue).

Meet some of the contributors from the September-October issue. They’ll share about their experiences writing their articles and what they’ve been learning.

Watch the documentary Finding Salvation with us via YouTube.

Find out about our 2021 book club.

A conversation with Rev. Denise Gillard on black church history.

(Read Denise’s article in the March-April 2021 issue.)

Book Club virtual gathering. We’ll discuss Black Dignity in a World Make for Whiteness, by Austin Channing.

Date If you weren’t able to take part in October, choose 5 days in November.

Wednesday November 18 7 p.m. This is a Zoom meeting so you will have to sign up on our website to get the link and password.

Wednesday December 9 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Announcement: week of December 7.

E-LINK (our free monthly newsletter) and Facebook group.

Wednesday January 13, 2021 7 p.m.

(You’ll need to sign up via our website to get a Zoom link and password to join the meeting).

February 2021 (date to be announced) 7 p.m.

Unsplash.com/Sunyu

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congratulations Laura!

We are delighted to announce that our program coordinator Laura Matthews and her husband Greg are expecting a baby in February 2021.

Laura will be on maternity leave for 16 months effective January 2021. Laura runs, with excellence, our annual Women’s Conferences and leads Uptick Baptist Women, our leadership development program for younger Baptist Women leaders.

We do need someone to fill Laura’s maternity leave (this will be a part time 15 hours/ week contract position). We have posted the job description on our website (you’ll find it in our Blog/News section and also on our About page). Please pass it along to anyone you feel may be qualified and interested in serving this way.

Bernice’s Picks . . .

Be Bold: Finding your Fierce

by Rachel Billups $17 Women Who Move Mountains: praying with confidence, boldness and grace

by Sue Detweiler $18 ReadOn Bookstore is open online.

Order online, call or email.

Free shipping on your order (for now).

All titles available from ReadOn Bookstore 5 International Blvd.

Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 Tel: 416-620-2934 Fax: 416-234-8840 E-mail: books@readon.ca readon.ca

New Remittance Forms on Our Website You’ll find several updated remittance forms on our website: Day of Prayer 2020 Circle Life Membership + Pin Dominion Life Membership + Pin As always, please make out your cheques to: Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec (Our bank will not accept cheques made out any other way.)

We REMEMBER Each generation has the opportunity to fuel mission for the next. We are thankful for the following gifts: In Memory of Evelyn Aristone, St. Thomas Madalin Binstead, Peterborough Carolyn Ingram, London Phyllis Junop, Pembroke Ruth La Flair, Sarnia Lois Lohnes, Cobourg Tom Morikawa, Toronto Karen Phillips-Tait, Tillsonburg Patricia Popov, New Liskeard IN HONOUR OF Madeleine Jenkins, Aylmer (birthday) Audrey Males, New Liskeard (90th birthday) Gladys Ogelvie, London Irene Zavitz, Arkona (90th birthday)

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“we have boldness and access to God because of Christ’s faithfulness . . . ” Ephesians 3:12 (NET)

Join us In a time when how we connect with each other has had to change, live magazine keeps our bonds lively and strong.

Let a woman in your community know about live magazine. A subscription costs just $20. Pay at baptistwomen.com or call the editor, Renée James. Choose from three formats: print, audio (CD) or online.

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Send your old mailing label and your new address to: live Magazine Circulation Dept., 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER 40007159 REGISTRATION NUMBER R9703 RETURN UNDEliverABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: live MAGAZINE CIRCULATION DEPT. 5 INTERNATIONAL BLVD ETOBICOKE, ON M9W 6H3 live@baptist.ca