Oh Canada - A Mosaic Without An Artist

I don't know how frequently I will be able to keep this particular thread going, but my hope for the Oh Canada feature is to share a thought about living as a Christian, or ministering in a Canadian context.  Here is the first post under the new title:

Can a mosaic be a beautiful work of art without the guiding hand of a loving, talented artist? 
In his book entitled "What Happened to Christian Canada?", a short book exploring the dramatic, almost overnight shift in religious thought in Canada, historian Mark A. Noll makes the following observation:

"...in 1971 the government started to promote multiculturalism as a national policy...Equal access and mutual respect were assuming the public place that had once been occupied by recognition of the deity."  (Noll:WHTCC, 30)

It seems sad to me that we talk of one without the other, and that multiculturalism is in replacement of recognizing God.  I happen to appreciate the multiculturalism around me, the different foods and the exposure to different cultures, and relationships with people with a wealth of different experiences.  I can't help but think that it is in part what is described in full in Revelation 5:9 when it describes the redeemed from every tribe, language, people and nation.  In Revelation, however, while holding onto what is unique, they also celebrate what is in common.   In contrast to the "Melting Pot" of the United States, a term that focuses on loosing distinctness in favour of a common identity, Canada is often described as a "Mosaic," in which peoples retain their unique cultures and identities.  Mosaics can indeed be stunning works of art, with an incredible depth and richness to them.  They do, however, require the vision and oversight of a master artist to avoid becoming just a cluttered mess that misses the sum that is greater than its parts, or worse, sees its parts in conflict.   By replacing Jesus with our ideas of multiculturalism rather than bringing that multiculturalism under His authority, are we creating a Mosaic without an artist? 
 

This past Sunday was a bit of a sad one for our group as we said goodbye to two of our sisters who have gone back home to Korea after being in Canada to study English.  Although it was sad for us, we know it is not good-bye but see you later.  Looking for the positive, we now have at least two more spots open around the dinner table at our weekly Fellowship meeting.  We will be endeavoring to fill these shortly!
This week is another busy week for our Fellowships.  I am heading to Liberty University while things carry on here at home including Fellowship meetings and Outreaches.   We would appreciate continued prayers for the following:

• My visit to Liberty University.  Pray for good connections with students and for possible summer interns.
• Please pray for Gerry McGibbon and for Michael Wilson who will be stepping in to lead the study part of our two Fellowships respectively.
• Please pray for my colleague Jeremy Langley as he works to further relationship with Mohawk students.
• Please pray for George Qua-Enoo as he leads a team doing a big outreach on Thursday.  They will be hosting a free photography sitting for clients of the food bank/family services at Mission Services here in the city.  George is lending his services and the Fellowship will be covering the cost of a framed portrait for each person or family.  

 There is definitely a part of me that wishes that I was staying back this week to see, and oversee all that is going on.  I also recognize, however, that this might be a big step in the growth of the ministry as leadership has begun to be spread around and is not all dependent on one person. 
Once again, thanks for your continued support and prayers.  We know that we are in a spiritual war, and the work of our prayer warriors is extremely important!

Missional Monday - meet someone

I have gotten away from writing consistently but will try to rectify this, if for no one elses' sake but my own.  It is a good challenge to keep thinking ans sharing.  Each Monday I will try to have something missional in nature, it could either be a small nugget or a deeper fleshed out idea, but something missional none the less.  Today is a small nugget.  

This week try to meet someone new.  Seriously, try it.  It is a small step but everyone has to start somewhere. 

Friday Art

Well, it has been a while since I have posted any art related things on a Friday. This past Monday was a holiday here in Ontario for Family Day, and it afforded me a few hour of painting.
This painting is of an old building down one of the alleyways in my neighbourhood. I was reminded of it by an instagram photo that someone took and posted to Facebook. I used that photo as a rough guide.

Update Tuesday-prayer requests

This past Sunday was a blistering -8 degrees celsius here in the Hammer, but The Hamilton Fellowships faithful were out on the street with hot coffee, sandwiches and lots of coats, hats, mitts and blankets (Thanks to our friend Wendy and her youth group for doing the coat drive!).
We will be out again this coming Sunday with help from the folks at our new Fellowship in Stoney Creek.
We had a great first meeting in Stoney creek last week as we gathered with leaders to pray for this new endeavour. We would ask you to join us in prayer as we have our first official meeting this Thursday with friends from the neighbourhood.
We would also ask for continued prayer for our work at Mohawk College. Although we were a bit disappointed that we were not able to connect with a more international students at our events this week, we do think that we may have found a "person of peace," an international student interested in our work, who could be a bridge to this student body. We are praying that he may be the way in which we can meet more students and serve this community who are far from home, in a brand new culture and often lonely and struggling to find a place of belonging.
Lastly, I would ask that you pray for George and Alison who are faithful members of our Fellowship. They moved to Hamilton to start a new photography business as well as be a part of a community in which they could be helping to care for societies most vulnerable people. Since moving and joining with us they have had many problems with their home resulting in significant costs. Now that their family is growing they have been trying to arrange to combine the two lower rental units of their home to move into as well as have a workspace for George, which would mean no longer having to rent studio space. They are now having trouble, however, in removing one of the tenets who is currently there. This is an important transition for their family in terms or room and economically. Please pray for a positive outcome for them.
That is it for this week. Thanks for the continued prayer and support.

Update Tuesday - Hit the Ground Running

I am fresh off a two week trip to Florida during which we got to meet with Mickey and the gang, the Universal crew as well a some great friends and ministry partners as we slowly made our way back up north.  I arrived back to a lot of snow (thanks Graham for shoveling!!), as well as a lot of ministry just raring to be started.  This month we have three different outreaches planned, another trip to Liberty University as well as lots going on in our Fellowships.
February has been particularly cold and snowy.  Record snowfalls and low temperatures has made it especially challenging and uncomfortable for those living below the poverty line, especially for the homeless.  With this in mind, we have two street outreaches scheduled for the 17th and the 24th during which we will be handing out coffee and sandwiches as well as warm blankets, coats and winter accessories.  We are collecting warm, winter outerwear so contact me if you have anything to donate.
On February 28th, we will be going with George Qua-Enoo to Mission Services (a large organization that run shelters, food banks and soup kitchens among many other programs) where we will be hosting a free portrait sitting for the clients of the food bank.  This will be an opportunity for them to have a professional portrait done at no cost.   George is donating his talents and our Fellowship will be covering the cost to have the photos printed and framed.   Please pray for this opportunity to bless some of our neighbours in need.   
Please also pray for my next trip to Liberty University to speak at the Church Planting Emphasis Week.  I will be connecting with individuals who expressed interest in coming for a summer mission internship during my last trip, as well as sharing about Canada, and the GTA specifically with a new group.  I have a goal to host a team of four interns this summer through the NAMB Current program so pray that I might meet the right indivicuals. I will be travelling with my friend and NAMB colleague Andrew Lamme and hope to further solidify a relationship with the folks a Liberty. 

Perhaps the most exciting update that I an share however, is the beginning of two new groups this very week.  On Thursday I will be heading to Stoney Creek to host the first official meeting of our new Fellowship.  We will be starting with a prayer meeting with some of the leadership as we prepare to host a number friends and neighbours the following week.  Please be in prayer for our new group, that we will be able to have a very positive impact in this Stoney Creek neighbourhood for the sake of the gospel.  I am toying with the name The Fellowship @ Fifty, a part of the Hamilton Fellowships.  we will see what people think on Thursday!!

Lastly, we are starting a new group at Mohawk College, with a focus on international students.  we have had some contact with the students in the past, and my colleague and friend Jeremy Langley was able to attend a student orientation while I was away, where he made some great contacts.  We will be inviting the students to help with our outreach this Sunday as we serve the homeless, and will be following up with the relationships and contacts that we have made to begin a new group.   I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn from Jeremy's experience with students, and in particular international students, as we work together to see this new work come to fruition. 

All in all a busy month!  We thank you for your continued support and prayers.