Each Sunday, a group of African immigrants and refugees has gathered in Vancouver to worship and fellowship together. They have come from Congo, from Uganda, from Kenya and other African countries and now reside in Greater Vancouver.
Each person comes with a story, and all are glad to make their home in Canada. Their worship is spirited. It is sincere. It is in community, and it is always a blessing for me to worship with them. It has been hard for them to not be able to physically gather together these days.
While they love Canada, they have left something of their hearts with family and friends in Africa. They are aware that those they have left behind may remain in refugee camps and in hardship, and they care deeply for them. They pray and find ways to be a support to them.
I am thankful for Pastor Sammy and Eva Kabyemera, their leadership team and their church family. They love our Lord and they love those they serve in His Name. Please pray for this church family as they minister and fine their way in Canada, and as they reach out to brothers and sisters in Africa.
Here is a link to their website: https://www.jgiccanada.com/
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“Phase Two” and your local church
For the past couple of months, we have learned to “preach,” worship and fellowship in a virtual world. To be honest, we all have somewhat mixed reviews as to how successful we have been thus far.
As I have been speaking with LPD pastors and leaders, I have been encouraged to know that, in many cases, there are more people hearing messages online than would be in a church on a Sunday AM. Messages are being delivered over Facebook, YouTube, ZOOM, and sermon manuscripts are being delivered by email, DvD and by hand.
I am hearing that worship is challenging. We may feel self conscious to worship via ZOOM (are people watching me?), and we may find worship streaming convenient but impersonal.
Children’s Ministry, both through”online” services and during the week has been specially challenging. it is hard to engage children via ZOOM, or include them in a service.
As we look to the weeks ahead, we are sanctioned to meet in groups of up to 50 people. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Just because we can meet, should we? Are you ready? Have you done your homework? As we do meet, what will we do? Will people be glad to gather, or will they be fearful?
Here is a link to a newspaper article with the latest from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. Religious_Services_and_Retail_Stores.pdf
Here are some questions I have been asking of our LPD Pastors during this time of pandemic:
While our ability to gather will be restricted to 50 people or less at this time, there is opportunity to rethink, to refocus, and even “re-invent” how we minister as a church. How will you best use your opportunity to gather together? What ministries will you introduce in the summer months?
Here are some articles/resources for reflection:
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Upcoming Opportunities in the LPD
EFCC PRAYER MEETING – via ZOOM
Sunday, May 24, 1:30 PM
watch for the ZOOM link:
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EFCC National Conference – Virtual
June 27, 2020
With COVID-19 response, we are unable to physically meet for EFCC National Conference this year. We will be meeting for an abbreviated conference on June 27. Here is a letter from George Budd, EFCC Board of Directors Chair:
Letter_from_the_Chairperson_of_the_EFCC_Board_of_Directors.pdf
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Coach’s Corner – with Steve Sharpe, LPD Missionary of Church Planting and Development (srsharpe@shaw.ca). Steve shares coaching insights for pastors, church leaders and church planters. This week, he writes on, “TRUST: Impact on Church Life” Here is the link: TRUST_15May2020.pdf
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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
Dan and Sharon Williams (Osoyoos Project)
Steve and Gillian Sharpe (Missionary of Church Planting Development)
Jonathan and Harmony Ng (Inner City Ministry)
Noel and Lynda Macasaet (New Living Assembly)
Jorge and Emily Lin (Church of All Nations/”new”New West EFC)
Joshua and Nicole Fast (Priceless Youth Ministry)
Allen and Hannah Chang (Steveston 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. Josephine has been continually updating our information, so has the most current information available on resources available to you and your church in this time. Currently, six LPD Churches have successfully applied for assistance, with our help. There are several resources available for Non-profits, and we will be glad to share these with you. Please email the office.
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Please pray for:
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We are excited and thankful for how God has led and called Henry and Kim Ngugi to serve with EFCCM, and we invite you to join in their prayer and support team. They trust to travel to Kenya to begin this ministry in September. Here is a link to their newsletter, “The Daily Move.”
Website:
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In 2020, our Lower Pacific District is assisting in the birth and revitalization of churches. We have also stepped out in faith with local churches through providing financial support and seed money. To this end, we appreciate the gifts of many district churches and also of individuals. You can participate through both cheques and online through PayPal at our website.