We gathered together in the cool (-25 degree) weather of a Regina Winter’s night to hear God’s faithfulness and our commitment to one another and to Him. Our hosts were FBC Regina – thanks to Mark McKim and his team. We responded to both last year’s questions and this year’s new questions. (Shelby list both). You will notice that this year’s responses tended to embrace the idea that individual church communities were not asking for things as much as they were offering to others.
Last year’s questions:
- What has God called you to?
- What resources has He given you?
- What resources do you lack?
- How might we partner together over the next year to see God’s call lived out in your ministry and community?
And this year’s follow-up questions:
- In what ways does your church engage and make a difference in your community?
- In what ways does your church partner to minister with other churches?
- In what way can your church energize or enhance the work of our denomination (our family of churches in Canadian Baptists of Western Canada) in the next year?
Two last features that were particularly significant for me were John Prociuk’s invitation to each church to spontaneously reflect on the past year and how God had encouraged and met them. The second very moving part of the gathering was when John lit candles for those churches that were not able or had chosen not to be present.
Warmly,
In Christ,
Jeremy Bell
Lent 2008
Regina Gathering – 18 January 2008 – 9 participating churches
First Baptist, Moose Jaw – will continue our financial commitments to the denominational programs and making good use of the gifts given to us through the denomination
Moosimin – will work closely as a sister or mother church for the church plant project (alongside Kevan and Hyacinte Sears) in Carlyle
First Baptist, Regina – will solidify our refugee ministry and share growth of youth and children’s ministry
Argyle Road – will send a team to Angola to help at the pastor’s retreat and in any other way possible while there
Carlyle Plant – will encourage and enable a missional spirit and movement within Moosimin Baptist and other churches and leaders within our influence
Westhill Park – will renew our commitment to the Great Commission in Regina, Canada, and the world
Swift Current – will give 5% or more, and let our pastor serve on the Church Health and Planting team
Yorkton – will continue to be involved in service to our community and thus be a good representative of our denomination
Ormiston – will make a covenant to pray for our denomination