In this time of COVID-19, we hear about the challenges of social-distancing among the homeless population on the downtown – Eastside of Vancouver. There are special challenges among this population – physically, socially, financially and also spiritually.
We are thankful that we can support Jonathan and Harmony Ng, members of Vancouver Chinese EFC and missionaries with the LPD, as they minister to this population in the Name of Christ.
Please pray for them in this ministry, and please read their current newsletter to be informed of current ministry news. Jon_Ng_DTES_Report_March_2020.01.pdf
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The “New” Normal
As we have journeyed through life with COVID-19, we have all been asking, “when will life return to normal?” As things have moved on, we have come to face the reality that “normal” will not be what it used to be – there in all likelihood will be a “new normal.”
As this sinks in, it leaves us with some questions about church, at least for the foreseeable future. As we contemplate a “new normal,”
When we can assemble together, and resume programs, church will not be the same – whether you and your congregation want it to be or not! Embrace this as an opportunity for change for the better! Why seek to be normal, when, by God’s grace, we can be used of God in a new and greater way!
God is speaking through this time of pandemic, and we as leaders of churches, are both humbled and challenged in fresh ways. Here is an article, “10 Ministry Idols Being Exposed by COVID-19” that provides food for thought: 10-ministry-idols-being-exposed-by-covid-19
Some Great Ideas in LPD Churches through this pandemic opportunity:
Pandemic Opportunity for You and Your Church:
The Profitable Pause
Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength. Look at the mower in the summer’s day, with so much to cut down ere the sun sets. He pauses in his labour – is he a sluggard? He looks for his stone, and begins to draw it up and down his scythe, with a rink-atink, rink-atink, rink-atink. Is that idle music – is he wasting precious moments? How much he might have mowed while he has been ringing out those notes on his scythe! But he is sharpening his tool, and he will do far more when once again he gives strength to those long sweeps which lay the grass prostrate before him. Even thus a little pause prepares the mind for greater service in the good cause. Fishermen must mend their nets, and we must every now and then repair our mental waste and set our machinery in order for future service.
Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), “Lectures to my Students” – Volume 1 – Page 174
COVID-19 Blessing or Curse? Zoomed-in! . . . or Zoomed-out? “These are challenging times for the local church. Christian leaders are challenged to provide content through technology and challenged to make face-to-face contact and maintain physical distancing. The LPD Church Planters I (Steve) am coaching view our current COVID-19 crisis as a God given opportunity to revitalize their church and their ministry. I would love to share these insights with you and encourage you as you lead your church and ministry. We are all in this together.” writes LPD Missionary of Church Planting and Development, Steve Sharpe. He and Neil Bassingthwaighte (EFCC National Mission Director) have teamed up in offering a Revitalization Ministry, for your local church. This one-day workshop is helpful to focus/refocus energies on becoming a disciple-making church. Nanoose EFC has recently been blessed through this ministry, and Pastor Nori writes: “Last September, Steve Sharpe led our island revitalization workshop, hosted here at NEFC. It was a very special time together. We had many come out from our church and it was a fruitful time to begin to understand what God is calling us to as a church. It was interactive, enjoyable, impacting for everyone and in a heartbeat, the day was over. This workshop served as an important foundation and catalyst for our own revitalization process that we were beginning – just one month later. We are so thankful for Steve and his willingness to come and journey personally and strategically with us for that day!” Please contact Steve at srsharpe@shaw.ca or Neil at neilb@efccm.cafor more info!
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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. 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.
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Pastors and Churches, how can a person with need or questions contact you? As I have been phoning pastors and churches this week, I have noticed that several have no one present to answer the phone and no operable voicemail. Please consider how you might be available to serve the people of your community in the Name of Christ!
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We are blessed in Canada, that we are able to provide financial assistance and medical help to those impacted by COVID-19.
Many other nations are not so fortunate.
Pastor Sammy Kabyemera, of Jesus Grace Evangelical Church, and his family came to Canada as refugees from Congo, and en route, spent five years in a Ugandan Refugee Camp. Sammy writes this week about the plight of African Refugees, and requests help for our brothers and sisters overseas. He writes:
Hello brother and sister ,
Hope you are all doing fine . My wife Eva and I are doing fine ,except that she is very scared of this covd-19 she feels difficult going out side of our house, but on the other hand in this inconvenient time our young son Samson has been very closer to us . Let us pray that God gives my wife confidence and peace instead of fear .
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, when the news is full of worrying statistics and advice on social distancing, there is a bright light to be found in the acts of kindness that everyday people and companies are sharing and can be willing to share. Right now, a little help can go a long way. Suppose that we were neighbors to the refugee camp and how much we would like to practice kindness during this challenging time. Uganda is in lockdown and people are not allowed to move around , many families are facing terrible hunger in this challenging situation. As I was thinking of helping them, I thought that if we could rise $2000, that is $20 per family ,that will help many families in the camp. However, as led by God in your heart, please prayerfully join me to send assistance to the refugees in Kyaka, Uganda . You can do that by sending your help (donation) to EFCCM Account: 2-7295. We at Jesus Grace Int’l Church are raising any amount we can and send it by May 15th 2020. God bless you .
sammykabyemera.
Please pray for:
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It is exciting to know that God is calling some of our own to service overseas! I had the privilege of being Kim’s (then Kim Holbrook) pastor at North Delta EFC, and her dad, Bruce served alongside as youth pastor. She married Henry, after meeting him in Kenya while on a short term mission, and they returned to Canada so Henry could pursue theological studies. While studying, Henry interned at New Westminster EFC, while our son, Tim (Emily) Stewart pastored there.
We are excited and thankful for how God has led and called Henry and Kim, and we invite you to join in their prayer and support team. They trust to travel to Kenya to begin this ministry in September of this year. Here is a link to their newsletter, “The Daily Move.”
Website:
