Things Happening in November!
- The next Theology For the Ordinary Book Club meeting will be held on November 2, to discuss Nijay K. Gupta’s 15 New Testament Words for Life. RSVP to heartland@cbwc.ca. Also watch for our next book review coming out Nov 16!
- Pray for rest and renewal for all the ministers heading to Banff Nov. 7-10.
- CBWC Sunday resources are now available! Choose a worship service in November to celebrate what it means to be part of the body of CBWC and take advantage of the many components that have been provided.
- Join us for the next free Evangelism Masterclasses on November 1 and January 24.
- Monday, November 7 is the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer hosted by Baptist World Alliance Women. The 2022 theme is “Victorious Life” drawn from the truth of 2 Corinthians 2:14. Find more details and resources here.
- GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity. Find out how we can band together this November 29 to support the important work of Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church in Winnipeg as they sponsor many families fleeing unrest in the Ukraine.
GivingTuesday: Fundraiser for the Ukranian Refugee Crisis
On Tuesday November 29th, the CBWC will participate in the International Day of Giving, known as GivingTuesday. Last year, we raised funds for Moosomin Baptist Church’s Grow Hope Project.
This year, we are excited to support the amazing work of one of our oldest affiliated churches, Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church, Winnipeg (UEBC). Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UEBC has welcomed 18 refugee families, with an expectation to bring over many more.
“We have not reached the peak of people needing to come over. We are just at the start,” Pastor Alex Andrusyshyn said, sharing that all the people they bring over and support are families who have lost everything because of the war and were forced to flee.
While Winnipeg has one of the best programs for Ukrainian refugees (covering full cost for three months or so in hotels), the financial burden to support all these families has been significant. Pastor Alex, has given much of his own personal money to help families with the basics to begin their new lives in Canada.
The money raised on GivingTuesday will go towards some of these costs, such as damage deposits on rent ($500-$1000) and furniture for their new homes (roughly $2,000-$3,500 per family, depending on the amount of people).
Some money will also go towards helping families with their initial grocery bill. Pastor Alex said the minimum he has paid to start a family off with food is $500-$700, which doesn’t go very far with the high price of food.
Before the influx of refugees, UEBC had a congregation of around 30 people. Now, they have 80-plus attending church, with many people coming to the Lord and asking to be baptized. Being able to practically support people in need has been a powerful ministry opportunity for UEBC, and we are excited to partner with them for the GivingTuesday fundraiser.
If you would like to take part and support, click HERE to give.
Partner Spotlight: CBM
It seemed that almost overnight, the world changed with the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us had hoped that making it through to the other side would bring a new sense of normal and a return to pre-2020 times and rhythms. Unfortunately, this has been far from the case.
While the world continues to grapple with the social and economic implications of the pandemic, many nations have been burdened with new crises. Changing weather patterns have impacted millions of small-scale farmers around the world, and the war in Ukraine is threatening millions with food shortages—especially the numerous African countries that heavily rely on wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine. Hunger is on the rise.
We know the prices for everything have risen—just look at your grocery and gas bills. There is not a country in the world untouched by current events. Uncertainty requires us to be prepared and flexible so that we can be in the best position to assist when needs arise or when economic or political shifts suddenly change the landscape. CBM continues to respond to the needs of communities all around the world.
In this year’s Hopeful Gifts for Change Catalogue, giving to Where Most Needed will be matched. It is the best way for you to help us respond to the most immediate needs arising from each context and location in which we serve expediently and efficiently.
As you browse the catalogue, you’ll hear about the situation on the ground from our Field Staff Team Leaders. From their perspectives, they highlight the context and needs arising from their communities. In this time of global upheaval, your gift can make a lasting difference. These gifts represent the hopes and dreams of individuals empowered for a future beyond these times.
Your faithful gifts and prayers empower us to act with generosity and compassion in places where the transforming power of the gospel needs to be felt. Your support allows our church partners on the ground to aid their communities and display the hope of Christ amidst the darkness.
To explore the catalogue and give gifts of hope, visit www.hopefulgifts.ca.
Celebrating Our Veterans
The CBWC has a long history of members serving in the Canadian Armed Forces; from veterans who served, to chaplains who worked with military personal, to members and families who have recently served or have loved ones still active today.
This Remembrance Day, we want to highlight two individuals from First Baptist Church, Regina who have both served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Eva McMillian, from First Baptist Regina, will be celebrating her 100th birthday on Remembrance Day. During the war, Eva worked in a clerical capacity. In the period following the war, she was involved in the discharging and repatriation of Canadian soldiers, spending time in both England and Germany while filling this role. Happy Birthday Eva, and thank you for service!
Norman Latham, 82, was in service in military for quite a number of years. During his time, he went on tours in the Congo and Vietnam. The tours took place from 1955 to 1960. Thank you, Norman and family, for all that you sacrificed!
Advent Resource & Christmas Reading
The Advent season is almost upon us! This year the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec have put together an Advent Resource for the upcoming season, which follows Isaiah 40 as a framework. Check out their page here.
If you are looking for some short Christmas themed books to read this season, here are a few recommendations! (Descriptions take from synopses provided on Amazon.)
Hidden Christmas by Timothy Keller: Even people who are not practicing Christians think they are familiar with the story of the nativity. Every Christma,s displays of Baby Jesus resting in a manger decorate lawns and churchyards, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet despite the abundance of these Christian references in popular culture, how many of us have examined the hard edges of this biblical story?
The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren: In his powerful yet compassionate voice, Pastor Rick Warren sounds the clarion call to “remember the reason for the season,” taking readers back in time to the most wonderful story of all—the birth of the baby Jesus.
Pastor Warren encourages readers to identify and confront what drains peace from their lives. Warren explains that the way to respond to these peace-robbers is to learn how to surrender to God’s will and not feel defeated or discouraged when life does not go as planned. True peace of mind is found by having an unshakeable faith in God—knowing that His empowering Spirit will guide His children through life’s challenges.
Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel: Who was in the manger that first Christmas morning? Some say He would become a great moral leader. Others, a social critic. Still others view Jesus as a profound philosopher, a rabbi, a feminist, a prophet, and more. Many are convinced He was the divine Son of God.
Who was He really? And how can you know for sure?
Consulting experts on the Bible, archaeology, and messianic prophecy, award-winning legal journalist Lee Strobel searches out the true identity of the child in the manger. If Jesus really was God in the flesh, then there ought to be credible evidence, including:
Eyewitness Evidence—Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted?
Scientific Evidence—What does archaeology reveal?
Profile Evidence—Did Jesus fulfill the attributes of God?
Fingerprint Evidence—Did Jesus uniquely match the identity of the Messiah?
The Case for Christmas invites readers to consider why Christmas matters in the first place. Somewhere beyond the traditions of the holiday lies the truth.
Christmas Playlist by Alistair Begg: Christmas is a great time to give a non-Christian friend or church visitor a short book getting to the heart of what it’s truly all about. This is perfect for giving out at church events, or with a present.
Music is everywhere at Christmas—chart-toppers, carols, children’s tunes… Alistair Begg takes us to four songs that were sung by people at the very first Christmas (and his favourite carol).
In this short, winsome book, a teenage girl, a respected priest, a group of angels, and an old man bring readers to the heart of Christmas, showing them the joy and peace that comes from meeting a baby who lay in the food trough and changed eternity.
Implementing New Faith Communities in Rural Canada
Tim and Joel on Bivocational Ministry
A reality facing many rural pastors is the need for bivocational ministry, that is, taking on another job in addition to their roles in the church. We spoke with two CBWC ministers, Tim Challen and Joel Usick, about their perspectives on the opportunities and difficulties they face as pastors in small-town Manitoba. I hope their stories encourage you towards deep thinking on the nature of pastoring as a calling, job, lifestyle and more! ~Cailey Morgan
CBWC Church Planting: Tell us a bit about you and your ministry context?
Tim Challen:
I’ve been a pastor now for three and a half years, serving in Virden, MB: a small town of 3000 people in South-West Manitoba.
When I started looking for pastoral jobs, I didn’t give any thought to working as a solo pastor of a small town church. I expected to find a job as a youth pastor or associate pastor in Greater Vancouver, which is where I grew up. But after more than a year of searching, with no success, I decided to expand my search to the rest of Canada.
I found that there is less competition for jobs in rural churches. So, when people ask me why I moved all the way out here, I usually respond, “this is the first place that offered me a job.” Although, to be fair, I wouldn’t have taken the job if I had not genuinely felt that God was calling me to serve in this particular church. And after all this time, I still believe that I made the right decision, and that this is where God wants me.
Joel Usick: Shoal Lake Baptist Church became my first solo pastorate in July of 2021. In a town of about 700 people, we are located on the main street a short walk from the school. Through an incredible succession of God’s providence, it was clear to the church and us that we were to begin pastoring here. After a few years of ministry and completing my undergrad in Saskatoon, we ventured home to small town Manitoba where Heidi and I grew up.
Celebrating 40 Years with Canadian Centre for Christian Charities
The CBWC has been part of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC) for the past 40 years. On top of that, we have recently gone from just being a member to earning our accreditation. The CCCC sent us the below letter in recognition of our long history with them. Thanks, CCCC!
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Making Connections is the monthly newsletter of the CBWC.