CENTRAL
EVANGELICAL FREE
CHURCH
– our LPD Church of the Week
Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!
Plan “B.”
In 2018, Central EFC
in Courtenay had opportunity to purchase and renovate an office building that
had been used by a local newspaper. It was located in “downtown”
Courtenay, and not far from where their church had a small office.
Plan “A” was for the church was to build upon vacant land that the
church had purchased some years earlier, but the building project itself had
not been realized.
The church was finding it increasingly difficult to minister in their rented
facilities, so it seemed time to set out in faith for “Plan B,” a
smaller facility that was easily renovated for their purposes, and that placed
them in the heart of downtown, and away from the more suburban location where
they had met before.
We are thankful to have been able to partner with Central EFC in this step of
faith, and trust that this facility will prove to be an instrument towards a
renewed ministry to the people of Courtenay/Comox.
Please pray for Pastor
Dave (Lydia) Koleba as they provide servant-leadership, and for
the leaders and congregation, as they seek to reach the people God has placed
them in the midst of.
In God’s hands and providence, “Plan B” can be prove to be much more
effective than any “Plan A” – Moses,
Gideon – and many of us can speak to that …so please remember to pray for
Central EFC.
***
Evangelical,
Evangelical – Free?
If you have been to a
recent LPD/EFCC Orientation, you have heard my story about a lady who called
our office from Vancouver one day.
She began our conversation very pleasantly, suggesting that ours is a
denomination that she resonates with, as
she does not like evangelicals either… Her being from
Vancouver, that is “nuclear free,” and from a culture that speaks of
being “gluten-free,” “GMO free,” “peanut free,”
etc., I quickly knew what she meant.
I asked her what she meant by “evangelical,” and she painted a
picture of people who are negative, judgemental and unloving. I acknowledged
that I was not fond of such people either, and went on to explain that
“evangelical” is actually about sharing Good News, words of hope,
grace, forgiveness and new life in Christ. She listened with great interest,
and I trust that some seeds were sown toward her coming to faith.
As we are coming to the home stretch in our federal election, I am aware that
“evangelicals” are not held in high esteem by many in our country.
Often, evangelicals are not known for love and a message of hope, but are
perceived for being negative and self-serving. While often not fair, perception
is reality.
A recent article in LIfeway speaks of politics and Christians, and while
written to the American context, does speak to something of what we may be
seeing in Canada. Here is a link:
do-political-wins-matter-for-the-church/?
Here is another
article that speaks to the perception of “evangelicals” in America,
and you will find this insightful. It asks, “Can the Word Evangelical Be
Saved?”
can-the-word-evangelical-be-saved/
As you peruse the
articles, you will be reminded that no political party speaks for all
Christians, and that there are not “white hat” and “black
hat” political parties or platforms.
As I, as an evangelical, have personally journeyed through the current
campaign, my moral and fiscal convictions align largely with one party, whereas
my convictions on other issues such as the environment and care of the
disadvantaged may lie more with others.
I am deeply concerned that political parties are seeking to gain current votes
with tomorrow’s debt, and I do want my grandchildren to look at the legacy of
my generation as those who have left them with with crippling debt and an
environment that is at best badly damaged.
When it comes to our times, I pray that we will be known as those who are evangelical, with a
message of the Holy, yet loving and gracious God who has reached out to us
through His Son; of pro-life,
in that all life, from conception through death has inherent value, as created
in the image of God – this means that “all lives matter” – the unborn child, the sick, the
addict, the homeless, the aged...; pro-environment, as stewards of God’s
creation; and as pro-fiscal
responsibility to “live within our means” and not
saddle future generations with debt. While no political party has a
“perfect” platform, it is my personal responsibility to live by my
convictions and calling.
Let’s pray for our leaders, both current and future, and may we be those known
for our grace and integrity. “
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high
positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in
every way. ” (1Tim 2:1,2) (ESV).
***
Please Help
Vancouver Gospel Home
Church is a Korean church plant that meets in Coquitlam. We have
enjoyed coming to know Pastor Daeho Cho, and are working with them, as they
make application to join our district and the EFCC Family.
Sadly the facility their church rents was recently broken into, and all their
sound equipment was stolen.
If your church can donate either equipment or funds towards replacing what was
stolen, this would be a great blessing to these brothers and sisters in Christ.
Here is a list of what
is needed: Speakers 2~3 (under 100W)
Speaker stand 2
Microphone 2~3
Sound mixer(up to 10chn)
Projector 1
Please contact me (Rob) for more information, and thank you for considering
this need. (rob@lpd-efcc.ca).
Update: One church has already
responded with a used soundboard – thank you! More equipment is still needed.
Please pray for:
Upcoming Events:
LPD Pastor and Staff Cruise
a day of fellowship,
learning and encouragement with co-workers in Christ–
Wednesday, October 30
Here are the details:
Pastors_Cruise_Oct._30_2019.pdf
MAINLANDERS
–
PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE AT:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/lpd-pastor-and-staff-cruise-2/
***
LPD Pastor and Spouse Retreat
Nov. 22-24, 2019
Hello LPD pastors, we’d like to invite you to join us on Nov. 22-24, 2019 for a Pastors’ retreat! We’d like to encourage you to take a breather in late November (before Advent begins) with your fellow pastors at Camp Charis in Chilliwack.
Registration is open
on our LPD Website. Please see:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/lpd-pastor-and-spouse-retreat/
