Register for Alliance corporate prayer
General Assembly
Envision Summit
Register for the Journey Through The Alliance Vision prayer
Bill C9
Transcript
Hey Alliance Canada, Glad to be able to give you this next update. Over these last three and a half years, I haven't been able to participate in a lot of short term missions trips, but we're here in beautiful Thailand with multiple churches across multiple districts learning about Woven, our anti-human trafficking efforts.
And we're here in Thailand, specifically at the ministry centre that Naomi and I in our family partnered with for many, many years. And I'm just thrilled to be able to share some of this with you. And I'm a little embarrassed to be shooting from a tropical destination when I know that many of you have been experiencing record cold and have been buried in record snowfall.
It's beautiful thing to see our churches and our international workers coming together and supporting one another. And it’s part of our origin story and our namesake, The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Churches and pastors, if you have been sensing a stirring to restart, or re-energize, or to strengthen even in greater ways, your existing global partnerships and experiences, please consider taking the next step. Both woven, for our anti-human trafficking efforts and justice and compassion, and Envision for the many ways to engage in experiences such as trips overseas, and internships, and gap semester programs like Justice Semester—the shirt that I'm wearing.
There's a few things that I want to highlight in this update, because these are important updates for you. I want to talk about quickly about Bill C-9. I want to talk about our next national prayer events. There's two things coming up. And thirdly, talk about Assembly registration, which is just around the corner.
You may have seen various posting and comments online regarding Bill C-9, which is this federal piece of legislation intended to address rising hatred and violence towards religious minorities.
At the same time, it includes an amendment that would remove the religious belief defense. We are in regular communication with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, as the EFC represents over 100 affiliate organizations, including 60 denominations. And they are constantly updating their website with resources for churches and how to respond. And so you can find that information I wanted you to have that information. It's in the email, and there'll be some more information underneath this video.
Now, prayer on February 12th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Eastern. I know that's early for some of you in the west, but we're having another national prayer call, and this time it's for and with our international workers who will be joining the call from all over the world at all hours of the day. And we're coming together to pray. And so I think this is something we don't want to miss. You don't want to miss this opportunity to pray for and with our international workers, for international missions. And I encourage you, it's a great opportunity to invite your church to this.
Secondly, about prayer, we're having a 40 day prayer guide that begins April 20th and concludes on June 7th, before we gather together, First Alliance Church in Calgary for General Assembly. This is a seven week prayer curriculum with daily Bible readings, reflection questions, and prayer prompts designed to lead us through the seven movements of our vision prayer. Prayer for different regions in Canada and regions globally. So please consider highlighting this at your church, your small group, as yet another opportunity to join together in corporate prayer.
Now, lastly, registration for Assembly launches very soon. I was hoping to have everything
launched February 1st. I don't think we're going to meet that deadline. We're still nailing down a few logistics, but there will be early bird pricing, so stay on the lookout for that very soon.
But pastors, as as you are signing up, please remember that is part of Assembly the very first night after the International Desert Night. The very first plenary session is a youth rally and I asked for you to pray with me for a speaker. And I'm thrilled to share that Jason Ballard has agreed to be with us.
Jason has significant experience in youth ministry. He's helped to co-write the original Youth Alpha series and is now pastoring in Vancouver. This means that the opening night of Assembly will be for students and this youth rally. All of our delegates, all of us crammed together into First Alliance Church to hear about Jesus and how the Spirit would convict and challenge us. It's going to be incredible,
Now, especially for those in Alberta or perhaps provinces next door, of course, this is for everyone, but those nearby—please plan to bring your youth groups, your teens—not just another rally, but a uniquely Alliance DNA filled evening that will only continue to build on the many ways the Lord is calling the next generation to himself in Canada and in our families of churches. I can't help but wonder how many more the Lord will call to himself that that first night and first time commitments and also vocational ministry.
Please be praying on who you should all invite specifically for students. I mean, I am praying for a thousand students to join with us and so would you pray with me and know that I am praying for you, as the Lord would reveal to you who to invite.
And especially I recognize doing the hard work of planning to bring others with you and praying that God would move with us in and through us in mighty, mighty ways. Love our church family. Have a great day everybody.