Pray for the Osoyoos Project
– and for Church Planting Missionaries Dan and Sharon Williams
– our LPD Church Plant of the Week
Dan and Sharon Williams, until March 31, pastored the English Ministries at Vancouver Chinese EFC. After their “virtual farewell,” (it was not possible to physically gather), they headed to Osoyoos to begin planting a church.
I have known Dan and Sharon since the 1980’s. Dan and I served together with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, and since then, we have both served in pastoral ministry. Dan and Sharon have served in a variety of church ministries, including house church and church planting contexts, as well as Vancouver Chinese EFC.
In recent months, it has been on the heart of Dan and Sharon to both move to Osoyoos, and to plant a church there. They have met with local pastors, have made contacts in the community, and their vision for church planting has become more clear and compelling to them.
Our district, in collaboration with the Canadian Pacific District (in which Osoyoos is located), have affirmed the Osoyoos Project, and the calling of Dan and Sharon to this ministry. We are partnering together, as our district provides the service of receiving and receipting funds for Dan and Sharon as “employees” of our district, Steve Sharpe is providing coaching and the CPD is providing oversight and fellowship. God is honoured in such collaboration.
Please pray for Dan and Sharon, as they step out in faith, and please check out their project and giving opportunities through our LPD Website at: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/donations/osoyoos-project/
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So, how is it going??? How does one answer that question these days of Covid-19?
Our world has changed to say the least. For those of us who are accustomed to gathering together, and to shaking hands as a sign of friendship and good will, it has been challenging. Today, if one approaches someone to shake hands, it may be perceived to be a threat, and certainly as an inappropriate breach of social distancing.
There are some positives:
- if we personally remain virus-free, that is a good thing.
- churches have become more creative and tech savvy in learning to worship, preach and fellowship in a “virtual environment.” From YouTube to ZOOM, we are “out there!” Last Sunday, I spoke to Grace EFC in Richmond from our home in North Delta, as Pastor Ping Su translated the message into Mandarin – from her home in Port Coquitlam! Something new, for sure!
- churches are reaching out to attendees through telephone. Without being able to meet face to face, a “personal touch” is important, especially to those who are sick and/or alone.
- we have more time to be at home with one another and to read, communicate and take time with God.
- we have more time to pray for our neighbours, leaders and church family.
There are also some challenges:
- people are missing one another. While “virtual” is helpful, nothing substitutes for meeting face to face.
- live streaming and video-casts, while useful, are also somewhat impersonal. One can listen to online sermons all day and from all over the world, and all while multi-tasking…
- feeling “ZOOMED-OUT?” Any novelty of virtual meetings and messages is wearing thin. A ZOOM meeting, while handy, is also a reminder that things are not as they “should be.” There really is no substitute for assembling together!
- some churches are feeling a financial pinch. Those who are used to giving in the offering plate may be challenged to adapt to online giving, or to drive-in giving.
- many in our churches have been laid off from their jobs and businesses may be closed. This impacts everyone.
Be encouraged. God is in control, and will take care of you, me and your church! Here are three thoughts:
- Keep learning and keep trying! I am “perfecting” technology every week. Here is an encouraging article regarding adjusting to a temporarily virtual church: why-its-good-your-transition-to-online-church-hasn’t-been-perfect
- Consider and know your primary tasks. Ministry is and must be different in this time of pandemic. What will be your church’s strategy? 4-priority-shifts-your-church-must-make-during-covid-19
- Think through the day you will transition “back to” an assembled church. It will not be status quo. It cannot be status quo. What “reset” will you make to your Sunday gatherings? In this season of no”formal” ministries, what ministries will you discontinue in the future? What new ministries might you consider? Here is an article for your thoughts: 4-new-habits-to-keep-beyond-the-pandemic
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Here are Some Pandemic Opportunities for You:
- Volunteer – People are seeking Christ, and Billy Graham Association needs volunteers to help them meet the need to respond to inquiries! This can be done via the telephone or via email. Here is the information: https://www.billygraham.ca/what-we-do/evangelism-outreach/internet-evangelism/
- Worship with other churches – from the comfort of your own home! You will find online services and messages. As you visit, please pray for them. Here is the link to our district churches where you can visit website and “virtually” visit: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/locations-2/
- Pray and connect – call people in your church, as well as neighbours, friends and workmates. People are feeling isolated and will be glad for conversation. Ask them how you might pray for them – and do so.
- Turn your neighbourhood exercise walk into a prayer walk! Pray for your neighbours as you walk the neighbourhood! I do this as I walk our dog “Gus” each evening.
- Reflect and Evaluate: Normally in church life, we are in full program mode, and busy. Right now, programs and “regular” worship have ceased. We are in “Plan B” mode, and should not default into “normalcy” when we are able. What a great time to reflect and evaluate! LPD Missionary of Church Planting and Development, Steve Sharpe and EFCC National Mission Director, Neil Bassingthwaighte have teamed up in offering a Revitalization Ministry, for your local church. This is helpful to focus/refocus energies on becoming a disciple-making church. Nanoose EFC has recently been blessed through this ministry.
- Take time in the Word, to reflect and to rest in Christ. Step away from the routine, and practice spiritual disciplines and things that enrich you.
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Please remember all of our LPD Missionaries (and all missionaries) at this time. Here is the link to their information and how to support them:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/donations/
LPD Missionaries
Allen and Hannah Chang (Steveston Project)
Joshua and Nicole Fast (Priceless Youth Ministry)
Jorge and Emily Lin (Church of All Nations/”new”New West EFC)
Noel and Lynda Macasaet (New Living Assembly)
Jonathan and Harmony Ng (Inner City Ministry)
Steve and Gillian Sharpe (Missionary of Church Planting Development)
Dan and Sharon Williams (Osoyoos Project)
Daniel and Joyce Wong (Steveston Project)
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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR CHURCHES REGARDING COVID-19
We in the LPD are here to serve you and your church through this time. Several churches have contacted us about caring for/managing their church staff at this time, and we are glad to help. As information and government assistance programs change daily, Josephine has been continually updating our information, so has the most current information available. This week, there have been several additional promises of greater help for Non-profits.
- Please also check our LPD website, and resources on our blog: lpd-efcc.ca/blog/
- Please also contact our LPD Office for information for Online Giving Options for your church – helpful, especially when your church cannot physically gather.
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Please pray for:
- Pray for first responders and our political leaders through this time. May they humbly seek the Lord for His wisdom. 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
- Josh and Clara Lok, as they have successfully completed their church planter assessment, and we look forward to moving forward with them toward church planting.
- Town + Field Church, in their time of pastoral transition. Pray for Matt (Val) Myers and team, as they provide interim leadership. Pray for their pastoral search process. http://townandfield.ca/leadpastorhiring/.
- Fort Langley EFC, in their search for an Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults. https://www.flefc.org/news/hiring-associate-pastor-of-youth-and-young-adults–210
- LPD Board. Board members are Randy Lemke (Allana) – Chair, Patrick Chan (Sarah) – Property and Finance, Ben Crumback (Anna) – Island Liaison, Charles Labun (Carolyn) – Church Board Liaison, Rob Stewart (Karen) – D.S., Tim Stewart (Emily) – Innovative Ministries, Sang Hyun (Sam) Cho (Eun Young) – Korean Church Liaison; Phil Yung (Grace) – Church Planting, Philip Leung (Karen) – Chinese Church Liaison and Josephine Papp, LPD Office Administrator – Recording Secretary. We met via ZOOM on Wednesday, April 15.
