Parkdale 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!
Parkdale EFC is in Victoria. Karen and I used to attend this church when we lived in Victoria from 1980-1985, while I was on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
It was while attending Parkdale that our first two children, Jon and Tim were born, and both were dedicated there.
Little did we know that years later, our son Tim, his wife Emily and children Miriam, Malcolm and Wesley would return to pastor this church. Since Tim and Emily arrived, the church has grown in numbers, believers and in diversity of cultures, and we are thankful for this.
Very recently, the church called Joshua Fast to be Intern of Children’s Ministries, and we are thankful for this step. Joshua and his wife Nicole have been blessed with their dear son Malakai, who deals with some special needs. Through their experience, they have felt called to begin a ministry to families with special needs children and youth, and they have named this, “Priceless Youth Ministry.” We celebrate this ministry, and have appointed Josh to be a Lower Pacific District Missionary as he establishes this work.
Here is a link to some information on this ministry. Please contact Joshua for information and see our LPD website for information on support.
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Today is the Global Climate Strike – will you be there?
Chances are, as an evangelical
Christian, you won’t be. Yes, you, like me, may need to work. Others may not
see this as a priority or simply choose to not be involved.
Whether we join a protest, ignore it or just go about our business, we all
share the same environment, and the consequences of our actions and inaction.
Evangelical Christians tend to not be engaged in environmental studies, let
alone the “environmental movement.” Here is a link to a study that
argues that western Christianity has contributed to environmental degradation:
Why
conservative Christians don’t
believe in climate change
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0096340215599789
As an evangelical Christian, I am
frankly somewhat disturbed by this article. I am also somewhat conflicted when
it comes to supporting the position of political leaders.
As we are in the midst of a federal political campaign, I find myself aligning
more with the moral stance and financial policy of one party, and aligning more
the with the environmental policy and emphasis of another party. Must I
choose between leaving our grandchildren a legacy of a polluted and damaged
environment, or that of financial indebtedness and moral compromise?
As it is, I will work today, but
will ride my bicycle to do my part for the climate – and my health. At 20k
return, it provides a good work out, and an opportunity to greet my
Indo-Canadian neighbours who are out walking the paths.
Pastors, when was the last time you
preached on God’s creation? On our stewardship of creation? When was the last
time you gave thought to the environment?
I ask these questions, not to embarrass anyone, but simply to say that we as
evangelicals need to step up the plate with a voice. One of our sons is a
botanist, and I am so proud that he is actively involved in studying and caring
for God’s creation. If I wasn’t a pastor/DS, I would likely be out there with
him in environmental work!
Here are some articles to get you thinking. First is a short article I wrote,
entitled, “Me and God’s Creation,” a brief reflection on our
relationship to and stewardship of our Father’s creation.
Secondly, here is a much more
extensive paper by Dr. Daniel Block, “A Biblical Theology of
Biodiversity,”in which he addresses our Christian responsibility as
stewards of creation:
Biblical_Theology_of_Biodiversity_Block.pdf
Though God has most perfectly revealed himself in His Son, He has also through “natural revelation,” revealed himself through his creation. Many today worship the creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:18-25), and we have the opportunity to join with others in caring for the environment and sharing of our Hope in the God of Creation.
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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).
Please pray for:
Upcoming Events:
YeBit Praise Folk Dances
& Concert Party(Korea) and Continental Singers Mission Choir(Korea)
at Fort Langley Evangelical Free Church
(8870 Glover Rd., Langley)
5:00 pm – Tomorrow -September 28, 2019
Both are excellent Christian artists groups from Korea, which are well known to Korean churches for their outstanding performance. Through this performance, you will be able to feel how Korean traditional music meets the Christian gospel. They are currently visiting Canada to support aboriginal mission of the Korean churches in Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley areas.
Admission is free and children are welcome(but babysitting not provided).
please contact Dr. Rev. Paul Yang if
you have any question(1-604-996-8439).
Here is a poster for the event:
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Best Practices for Mission Workshop
The Best Practice for Church Missions Workshop, developed by Fellowship International and Northwest Baptist Seminary, has benefited almost 50 churches across Canada. It has been designed to help churches navigate the maze of missions options to become effective and strategic partners in God’s mission to the world.
This one-day workshop provides church leadership and missions committee members the opportunity to revisit and clarify their missions program. The interactive format encourages vision and passion as participants see a role and purpose for their leadership in missions involvement.
Join others in a day of discovery and decision making that will give clarity, purpose – and a plan – for impacting missions participation.
Book your table soon, there is only room for 6 churches.
Date: Saturday October 5
Time:
9.30 – 3.30
Cost
per church (includes lunch): $80 (up to 6 participants), $100 (7-10
participants), $120 (11-15 participants)
Venue: Vancouver
Chinese Evangelical Free
3295 E Broadway (at Rupert)
Missions_Committee_Workshop_brochure.doc
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Theology
in Culture: Of God and Games Public Lecture
The first instalment of ACTS’ new Theology in Culture series will explore what it looks like to think critically about God, faith, video games and gaming culture. With presentations from John Auxier, Ph.D. (Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at ACTS Seminaries) and Kevin Schut, Ph.D. (Professor of Media and Communication and creator of the new Game Development program at Trinity Western University), this event will offer a chance to learn and discuss the interaction between faith and games.
The seminar will be hosted by SouthRidge Fellowship Church in Langley
on Saturday,
October 5th from 9am-3:30pm and the cost of $40 includes
lunch.
For more information, please check out the webpage at actsseminaries.com/culture.
Online registration is available through Event Brite.
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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
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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/
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