We trust that you have had a blessed Christmas and are looking forward to 2020.
When I used to fly, one of the requirements was an annual flight medical exam. Much of this focused on the eye test, and I would always impress the physician with my 20/15 vision (I could see at 20′ what most would see at 15′). This was great for looking ahead! My vision is no longer what it was, and while it is still good, I have succumbed to wearing reading glasses.
So it can be with life – and with ministry. We begin by looking to the future, and we can find ourselves bogged down in the day to day. We focus on what is before us more than what is ahead of us on the journey of life and ministry.
The beginning of a new year brings opportunity for reflection. What can you celebrate from 2019? In your life? In your family? In your church?
On the other side, what would you hope to change in 2020? In your life? In your family? In your church?
How will these changes stick? I heard this week that gym memberships and activity peak in the first two weeks of January – and quickly drop off… How will changes we make “stick?”
Here are a couple of articles for your reference at this time of year.
The first is one by Dan Reiland: It is titled, “Year End Reflections,” and provides good food for thought as you begin another year.
Year_End_Reflections_2019.pdf
On a more personal level, here is another article by Rob Hurtgen:
3-questions-to-evaluate-this-year-and-plan-for-the-next/
May God bless and keep you all in 2020! Karen and I look forward to serving you in Christ’s Name in the year ahead!
Your Partnership Is Appreciated!
As our district serves our Lord, and you and your church in His Name, and it would be a blessing to end the year with our budget met and our missionaries fully supported. We are serving 31 churches, church plants and 7 LPD Missionaries, and have committed nearly $50,000.00 in “seed money” to partner with churches and church planters as they step out in faith. Our current shortfall is approximately $25,000.00. Might you consider a special gift to our ministry as we approach year end? As we approach year end, both regular giving and special gifts are especially appreciated.
Gifts to the LPD should be written to the LPD-EFCC, and mailed to our district office. Please also explore giving online to our district or missionaries through our district website, at https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/, or contact our office for electronic and automatic withdrawal options. Thank you again for your partnership with us!
Please pray for:
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Upcoming Events:
LPD Conference
at
Grace Hanin Community Church
March 6,7 – 2020
with Dr. Randy Wollf of ACTS Seminaries.
“The Heart of Discipleship”
Dr. Randy Wollf, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Leadership Studies; Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary at ACTS. Randy (Lore) Wollf became our first LPD Missionaries in 2005. Randy is a practitioner when it comes to church, and believes that there are several practical essentials for effective discipleship in local churches.
Please plan to join us for this important time of sharing together, learning together and providing direction to the ministry of our Lower Pacific District. Our schedule will include the workshop with Randy on Friday (all are welcome), informal dinners with ministry colleagues on Friday evening, and a Saturday morning time for teaching, ministry reporting and decisions. We will end off with lunch together, including an informal fellowship lunch and prayer time for ladies in ministry and ministry wives with Karen Stewart. We also anticipate one or more churches joining our LPD Family at conference.
Please watch for information and registration materials early in the New Year.
