It’s Monday Again
The Ridge (Mike Agrell) Kids led Palm Sunday worship yesterday with an exciting visit from a special guest. A miniature donkey led a lap outside the church before the Ridge Kids led the congregation in worship! One of the kids rode the donkey and the others waved palm branches and sang Hosanna. It was live streamed inside the church as everyone sang along in celebration of the His Triumphal Entry. Following the service a very committed new Believer wanted to be baptized in the river (yes, that is snow on the banks) – exciting days on The Ridge!
- Mark Soone (The River) shared, “We celebrated with a special baptism [yesterday] morning and we have 4+ scheduled next Sunday as well!”
One Conference was formed out of the desire to see churches in our region united in their pursuit of Jesus. Over the last few years, we’ve gone from being in ONE arena with massive crowds and energy, to being exclusively online during the pandemic. This year, we are excited to take a step toward having everyone together again soon! One Conference will be hosted at three sites throughout the region this year in Halifax, Moncton, and Saint John! Combined, these three sites will be able to accommodate everyone who wants to attend, and we’re thrilled to make this transition toward being together in ONE room once again in 2023. CLICK HERE for more information about how to register your youth group for your preferred location.
By action of the Atlantic DBA this week – Beulah Family Camp is back for the summer of 2022!!! CLICK HERE for the Camp Evangelists’ bios. CLICK HERE for a downloadable PDF version of this poster to print off for your church bulletin board. We can’t wait to see you all again as we pack into the Tabernacle to praise our God and to be challenged with a fresh call to holiness through the theme: Now Is the Time for Renewal!
The Atlantic DBMD convened this past week for a full day of interviews with our prophets-in-process. Chair Dale MacDonald provides excellent leadership for our ministerial tribe in serving the journey of discernment and preparation for those who sense God is calling them to vocational ministry. Thanks to all those above for investing so generously in the development of these emerging Kingdom leaders!
Hope (Joanne Ozon) held their annual Illuminate event on Saturday to provide an exciting night for many special needs children in the community. Joanne shared, “75% of these families are unchurched. Our goal was to let them know that the God of this universe loves them so much and that they are perfect in every way! The joy, love, and compassion that spilled out over the 160 people in attendance was indescribable. We serve such a good, good Father!” God is blessing the reach of the Hope family into the community under Joanne’s passionate leadership.
Journey (Matt Maxwell) hosted this weekend’s Fredericton Ukrainian Community fundraiser. The goal of $15K was blown away as they reached a total of nearly $35K! Matt shared, “And this whole cooperation has opened up some amazing conversations about faith!”
- And last night, Lower Brighton (Jacob Ebbett) got in on the action. A special concert of “Fred & Friends” raised $1,874 dollars for World Hope International (Canada) to provide relief for the people of Ukraine.
It was an honour to have our General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt on the Atlantic District for a few days this week. In addition to his connection with a couple of our pastors, Wayne engaged with the student body at Kingswood University. He also convened the leaders of The Wesleyan Church of Canada at the invitation of National Superintendent Steve Elliott to discuss the future of our established national conference.
Preacher’s kids (PK’s) are pretty awesome! One of the perks of my Kingdom role is the regular opportunity I have to interact with so many of our ministerial families. Nathan Perry (13) has a VERY impressive and professional workshop in the making and has already made quite a name for himself through Nathan’s Design. Naomi Eisan (11 this week) recently won 1st Place in the County at the 4H Club speech competition! Thanks to the Perry’s and the Eisan’s for modelling family as first ministry in how you invest in the lives of these impressive PK’s!
It is my semi-annual privilege to chair the Kingswood University Board of Trustees. As we convened on Friday we enjoyed the largest in-person attendance of Trustees since our fall 2019 session. Our enrolment team is eager to connect with any of the students in your church who may be exploring a call to ministry or are looking for a place to get grounded in their faith while preparing for marketplace Kingdom impact. CLICK HERE for a helpful overview of the innovative options available for residential and/or online training.
And speaking of KU, it was encouraging yesterday to experience 4th year ministerial student Seth Short leading worship during his internship at New Hope (Scott Prime). Our Atlantic churches are blessed by the opportunity to invest in young leaders and to benefit from their practical ministry.
Points to Ponder
- There is no redemption for denial without grief. (Scott Prime)
- If I don’t do what God is putting in front of me to do – even in my brokenness, who will be the Good Samaritan for those who need Him? Give me a heart that breaks for what breaks Yours. (Barb Farrow)
- The epochal change in our culture requires that we change our pastoral practice in order to place our parishes on a more missionary footing. (James Mallon)
CLICK HERE to visit the official HQ website for UNLEASHED, our 14th North American General Conference. The full schedule and all of the Memorials (resolutions for voting) are available. Thanks in advance for praying for the Atlantic District Delegates as we take part in these historic days of leadership in our denomination.
National Superintendent Steve Elliott (The Wesleyan Church of Canada) is calling Wesleyans to partner financially with World Hope International (Canada) as our official relief and development arm. CEO Tanya Nace gives stellar leadership to this world-class, highly effective and trustworthy organization. World Hope International is working with global and local partners in response to the invasion of Ukraine and the outflow of refugees into neighbouring countries. CLICK HERE for more information on how to give through WHC.
I joined David Zigler (Coastal Community) and AJ Plaizier (Yarmouth) in February to share our perspectives and experiences in developing and implementing what Pete Scazzero calls a Rule of Life. This was a companion conversation for the panel discussion offered on February 10th regarding Emotionally Healthy Leader. If you are new to the idea of having a Rule of Life, you will find the following resources helpful:
- CLICK HERE to watch the recording of our conversation about having a Rule of Life (Feb 24th Zoom).
- CLICK HERE to review why Emotionally Healthy Leader is so different from just any book on pastoral leadership (Feb 10th Zoom).
- For those of you just getting started, CLICK HERE for an excellent resourceprovided by Dave Zigler to walk you step-by-step through the creation of your own Rule of Life.
- CLICK HERE for access to additional materials that will help guide you through the prayerful creation of your own Rule of Life.
Pastor Cluster Leaders are encouraged to use these resources to inform and inspire the journey of renewal unfolding in the months ahead in our Clusters. I completed my 48-hour retreat in February to develop my own Rule of Life. I will be praying for each of you to make it a priority sometime before summer to go on a personal retreat as you ask the Lord to show you better ways for better days of abiding in The Vine.
Registration for Caton’s Island camps skyrocketed in the opening week of February 15th with 397 registrations plus 45 families for the two family camps. Registrations are continuing to roll in! Don’t delay registering to ensure the camps/dates you want for your family summer schedule are still available.
Are you looking for a resource that your church could use to help people discover and live out their God-designed missional calling?
Ed Love’s team partnered with Jon Wiest (through Groundswell) and created a version that any church can use at any time. LIVE SENT is a timely resource to help people clarify who they are in Christ and how they can use their gifts to pioneer a new mission that will reach people who are far from God. In this five-session course, participants will learn how to discover their calling and discern the voice of God in your life and ministry. Jesus told his disciples in John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” It’s time for every follower of Christ to discover their calling and “live sent!” This DIY resource is FREE for individuals and groups within a local church setting. Simply download the PDF leaders guide, personally invite your participants, craft a timeline for connection or coaching, and link your participants to the online platform. The Leaders Guide and details can be found here => LIVE SENT!
Registration is open for Kingswood University’s Fall Vision Tour Cruise. For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Debbie Benson (506-432-4411 or bendsond@kingswood.edu).