Nanoose EFC was planted in 1987. “Nanoose,” I am told is a First Nation’s term that means to “push forward.” This term originally was applied to people heading out to sea from the sheltered bay. Perhaps this is an appropriate term for every church!
Nori and Shelley Anderson have pastored Nanoose EFC for the past year and a half. They assumed this ministry after the retirement of Chris and Verna Wilson, who had pastored the church since 2003. The Wilsons and Andersons continue to enjoy a warm relationship, and Chris serves on the Board of Elders.
Over the past year, Nanoose has invested time in revisioning and refocusing their church, and have enjoyed energy and renewal in doing so. Through this time of COVID-19, the church has remained unified and Pastor Nori is posting his messages online each week. Their motto is, “Come as you are and journey with us.”
Please pray this church family as they continue to seek the Lord, and in keeping with their name, “push forward,” both in faith and ministry. https://www.nanoosechurch.com/
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Which Lives Matter in Your Church?
Over these past weeks, sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, our collective attention has largely shifted from COVID-19 to the issues of race, inequality and the catchphrase “blacklivesmatter.”
While it might be easy to dismiss this challenge as being one of relevance “south of the border,” we are certainly not immune as Canadians, as Christians and as churches. We need to listen, to learn, to “own” and to make necessary changes in the Name of Christ. We need to live our message.
On my Facebook page, I have witnessed posts that reflect all sides of the debate. Most simply represent and reinforce the chosen narrative of those posting them – a kind of public venting of their biases, anger or fear. What I have not witnessed is a posture of listening. People are so busy “shouting” that they speak over and cannot hear the voices of others.
As I myself posted on Facebook, I encouraged that we pause to listen to one another, and included the following prayer from the Apostle Paul to the Church at Philippi,
So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. (Phil 1:9-11, the MSG).
In the spirit of listening, I have contacted two pastors in our fellowship who are black. In speaking to them, I invited both of them to share their thoughts with us, their brothers, sisters and co-workers. As I share what they have written, please listen. Please seek to both hear and understand. Please also join me in soul searching as to our actions, both corporately and individually. I urge you also reach out to these brothers and their families, to engage in dialogue, and join in honouring Christ as we walk together.
Sammy and Eva Kabyemera came to Canada, along with their six children, from Congo (DRC), via Uganda, where they planted several churches while in a refugee camp. They pastor Jesus Grace International Church in Vancouver, and Sammy also works as a security guard.
I asked Sammy to share his thoughts with us, and we did this by me emailing him some questions that he has kindly answered for us. Here is our exchange below:
Good morning Sammy,
I trust that you, Eva and family are well, and that you are encouraged with God’s work in JGIC.
I value you as a brother and co-worker in Christ, and I seek your counsel and perspective on the current “blacklivesmatter” action and discussion.
Pastor Rob, thank you for your concern. Although it may look that nowadays only black people are discriminated against, I believe that every life matters before God, and that there is no group which doesn’t face discrimination. Asians, East-Indians, Indigenous, Caucasians and Africans are all suffering this in one way or another. I can tell you that even in Africa, some groups are discriminated against by others. That is what we call tribalism and it is the reason for our immigration here from abroad. So, there is no discrimination-free country, tribe, group or people. Racism is real and does exist. But as a follower of Christ Jesus I believe Galatians 3:28-29 (KJV), “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
What has been your experience, and that of your family, in coming to Canada – and coming to the EFCC?
I thank God for the only place I haven’t suffered discrimination is with EFCC. That is why I never want to miss any programs. Here I feel accepted just the way I am, and I am proud of being part of the family. However, there are many other places where my family and I suffer discrimination. For example, on the bus, on the Sky Train, at the hospital, shopping mall many times we do suffer this thing. My children also testify that at school or at work they have been discriminated against many times.
What has been the experience of your congregation? Have you experienced racism – either systemic or personal?
On the ministry level, as I told my colleague at the EFCC conference this year 2020, I feel discouraged because after I have preached to many Caucasians and they got saved and even baptized, they don’t stay together with us. I always wonder if it is a culture conflict or racism. I don’t know much. On the congregation level, yes, they faced discrimination. Once when we went to the recreation centre we had rented, I recall one Sunday when we were not informed that our room was occupied by a different group until when we came on Sunday. That shocked everybody. It looked like they did not consider us much because we are blacks. Couple of times I was personally discriminated against at a Baptist church by a pastor who after he saw me sitting, told the church that the black color is the color of death. It was very shocking because that was the place I was negotiating rental of their building for Sunday use of our small group. Another day, in a Filipino congregation, I came late, and they were all in prayer. As soon as they opened their eyes, they saw me, and some people unfortunately screamed and left me alone on the chair. And their pastor didn’t say anything but I was flabbergasted that in the church such things can happen. One of the reasons I had to learn to drive was to help my wife to stay away from discrimination that she was facing on the bus or sky train. She said whenever she wanted to touch the poles in the bus or sky train people were running from her arm.
What would you want to say to us, as your brothers and sisters, and also denominational family?
I think this is a common thing in the whole world. White people are discriminated against overseas like in South Africa, and in the USA, Chinese are discriminated against because of this Covid-19 and so on. Muslims are discriminated against because of their religion etc.
My suggestion would be that if EFCC could implement a special program where the church would be instructed against racism. I would be happy to share my experiences if they are willing to have me talk. That would help raise the awareness, and also teach people how to see everyone the same, but as I said again, I never experienced any kind of discrimination while being with EFCC.
I don’t know if this is something you wish to share about, but I want to provide you the opportunity to share what is on your heart.
Yes, for sure I wouldn’t take part in this “blacklivesmater,” because I don’t believe one particular group of people matters but that everyone of us matters. Therefore, I opt for Anti-Racism rather than supporting one group. Jesus is the Lord for all mankind.
A second pastor I contacted is Henry and Kim Ngugi. Henry was born and raised in Kenya, and his wife Kim is Caucasian, and grew up in North Delta, where she attended North Delta EFC (Northside Community Church) as her dad and I pastored together. Henry has served as a pastoral intern at New Westminster EFC, and now, he and Kim are missionary candidates to his native Kenya. Henry, at my request, has kindly put this thoughts on paper, and I include a link to his article below for your reading and insight.
Please take time to read this, to learn from Henry’s experience and to consider his appeal.
Henri Ngugi (Christified)
What_can_we_do_Henry_Ngugi.pdf
Here is an article from the Evangelical Free Church of America blog, written by Cedric Brown, pastor of Commitment Community Church and EFCA Eastern District Association Superintendent. It is worth a read for constructive dialogue and action in the church.
efca.org/blog/reaching-all-people/unmuted-gospel
My intention in posting these articles is to begin a dialogue, and to give voice to our brothers and sisters of colour who serve alongside. This is not the end of the matter, but I trust only the beginning of reflection, dialogue and constructive action. While all three share different stories, there is a common thread in what they share – they and their families have experienced the pain of racism.
I welcome your feedback, encourage you to reach out to Sammy and Eva and to Henry and Kim. I also encourage you to take time to join me in reflecting personally, as a local church and as a district and denomination – are we as “multicultural” and inclusive as we assume that we are?
As Sammy has challenged us to remember and demonstrate, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:28,28). May our message and actions be in alignment for all lives, in the Name of Christ.
Upcoming Opportunities
SEARCH FOR JESUS
God is doing some special things through this time of pandemic! One of these is that many people are seeking answers for life and faith. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has launched their PeaceWithGod.net (https://peacewithgod.net/).
Several people at Johnston Heights Church are training to become online chat coaches through their Search For Jesus training.
This ministry introduces people to Christ, and purposes to introduce and engage new believers in a local church. There is a need for host churches, and we encourage your church to participate in this opportunity. It would be great to see all LPD Churches become host churches!
Here is the link for information and to register: https://churches.goingfarther.net/
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EFCC National Conference – Virtual
June 27, 2020
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. Steve shares coaching insights for pastors, church leaders and church planters. This week, he writes on, “The High Cost of Disciplemaking.” Here is the link: COUNTING_THE_COST_12Jun2020.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
Daniel and Joyce Wong (Steveston Project)
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)
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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. Please email Josephine.
Please contact us for help on:
Here are some useful resources for you:
– LPD COVID-19 Response Phase 2 Policy: LPD_COVID_19_Safety_Policy_Phase_Two.04.pdf
– Evangelical Fellowship of Canada webinar on church re-opening of churches from June 3:
evangelicalfellowship.ca/Resources/Webinars
– “Some considerations and questions in the church’s journey through COVID,” an
article by EFCC Leadership Catalyst, Terry Kaufman: EFCC_COVID_response.pdf
– BC Restart Plan for Churches: BC_Restart_Plan_Churches_May_2020.04.pdf
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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:
