The Good News

I am excited about the possibilities of Mobilizing for Mission (MFM) and how it can be a catalyst or resource for mission. I just finished reading “The Forgotten Ways” by Alan Hirsch and am more convinced than ever that our role is not to direct but to stir the soil and through the Spirit’s leading, enable dreams to surface and them to help them become a reality as we are asked for help.

We already have 2 churches indicating that they will implement the intensive Vantagepoint3 discipleship/leadership process this year and another plans to do so next year. We have approved one grant application and will receive another soon.

Lantzville has a preliminary application for a grant to help hire a full-time pastor to equip their people to implement their new Vision – a Vision that came about through a process subsidized by a MFM grant. Port Alberni plans to start the Visioning process soon.

Welland has initiated a new outreach program and the Executive is being asked to affirm the CP&D’s approval of a related MFM grant request.

We have already been given the heads-up of a sabbatical grant application which we will receive later this week.

We are excited about the Calling Lake initiative actually starting soon.

We set also set aside monies for sending planters to Thrive – at this time it seems that 8 are attending – and what excites me is the diversity of the group – Jose (Hispanic) and Arlett (African-Canadian originally from Trinidad and Tobago) Garreton who are starting a new church in Toronto, Adriana Borges (Portugese-speaking, Brazilian-born starting another new work in Mississauga under Vida Nova), Paul and Sharon Menacinen (Caucasian couple from Forestview – who are preparing and studying to plant  a church), Meine Veldmen (more traditional, Dutch background) who is hoping to be contracted for the Laval ministry, and Norman (Cree) and Maria (Caucasion) McCallum of Calling Lake. How exciting when people from all nations and backgrounds unite in mission.

The Concern

I am somewhat concerned that as the ground is stirred and God raises dreams, that we do not quench these dreams by saying that we may not have funds. I do not suggest we blindly approve all requests, but we need to provision dreams when that is needed.

As of this date, we have received $30,000 ($1,000 is in the mail) for MFM. Approximately $10,000 of this was through CCGF askings.  I am thankful for this but as we have discussed we need to intensify our efforts as the opportunities for mission stand before us.

We also need to have a good cash flow management and focus in place. A cash forecast has been prepared based on current contributions and on actual and potential grant requests. I believe we will and can raise more than projected but I also believe the demand for funds will be greater as more dreams arise.

The Response

The response to this, as indicated, is to intensify our Fundraising efforts. Three ways in which we can do this are presented.

The first is to encourage the churches in the RSC to hold a special offering this fall and to suggest fundraising ideas to them. This allows all people to be involved in MFM. My understanding is that our President, Bill Zwiep is spearheading this.

The second is to approach the churches and have them include MFM in their budgets or to increase the amount budgeted. One main focus will be on Calling Lake and to get churches to support this mission with an annual pledge over 5 years. I (John) will seek to meet with consistories (and congregations?) to promote this.

To help us in both of the above, we are in process of having a video created.

The third way is to visit individuals within our churches who may be able to make direct donations or to have some long term giving options presented to them. Although we only have little money left from the denomination for covering the costs for this, my hope is that the Foundation will allow individual Foundation members or others to accompany me on such visits. I already have some people who would welcome such a visit. I hope we may begin this during the summer.

God is on the move! I could share many other stirrings that have and are taking place.

May we not be left behind.

Blessings

John Kapteyn
Executive Secretary

Greetings in the name of the Lord!

The Good News

I am excited about the possibilities of Mobilizing for Mission (MFM) and how it can be a catalyst or resource for mission. I just finished reading “The Forgotten Ways” by Alan Hirsch and am more convinced than ever that our role is not to direct but to stir the soil and through the Spirit’s leading, enable dreams to surface and them to help them become a reality as we are asked for help.

We already have 2 churches indicating that they will implement the intensive Vantagepoint3 discipleship/leadership process this year and another plans to do so next year. We have approved one grant application and will receive another soon.

Lantzville has a preliminary application for a grant to help hire a full-time pastor to equip their people to implement their new Vision – a Vision that came about through a process subsidized by a MFM grant. Port Alberni plans to start the Visioning process soon.

Welland has initiated a new outreach program and the Executive is being asked to affirm the CP&D’s approval of a related MFM grant request.

We have already been given the heads-up of a sabbatical grant application which we will receive later this week.

We are excited about the Calling Lake initiative actually starting soon.

We set also set aside monies for sending planters to Thrive – at this time it seems that 8 are attending – and what excites me is the diversity of the group – Jose (Hispanic) and Arlett (African-Canadian originally from Trinidad and Tobago) Garreton who are starting a new church in Toronto, Adriana Borges (Portugese-speaking, Brazilian-born starting another new work in Mississauga under Vida Nova), Paul and Sharon Menacinen (Caucasian couple from Forestview – who are preparing and studying to plant  a church), Meine Veldmen (more traditional, Dutch background) who is hoping to be contracted for the Laval ministry, and Norman (Cree) and Maria (Caucasion) McCallum of Calling Lake. How exciting when people from all nations and backgrounds unite in mission.

The Concern

I am somewhat concerned that as the ground is stirred and God raises dreams, that we do not quench these dreams by saying that we may not have funds. I do not suggest we blindly approve all requests, but we need to provision dreams when that is needed.

As of this date, we have received $30,000 ($1,000 is in the mail) for MFM. Approximately $10,000 of this was through CCGF askings.  I am thankful for this but as we have discussed we need to intensify our efforts as the opportunities for mission stand before us.

We also need to have a good cash flow management and focus in place. A cash forecast has been prepared based on current contributions and on actual and potential grant requests. I believe we will and can raise more than projected but I also believe the demand for funds will be greater as more dreams arise.

The Response

The response to this, as indicated, is to intensify our Fundraising efforts. Three ways in which we can do this are presented.

The first is to encourage the churches in the RSC to hold a special offering this fall and to suggest fundraising ideas to them. This allows all people to be involved in MFM. My understanding is that our President, Bill Zwiep is spearheading this.

The second is to approach the churches and have them include MFM in their budgets or to increase the amount budgeted. One main focus will be on Calling Lake and to get churches to support this mission with an annual pledge over 5 years. I (John) will seek to meet with consistories (and congregations?) to promote this.

To help us in both of the above, we are in process of having a video created.

The third way is to visit individuals within our churches who may be able to make direct donations or to have some long term giving options presented to them. Although we only have little money left from the denomination for covering the costs for this, my hope is that the Foundation will allow individual Foundation members or others to accompany me on such visits. I already have some people who would welcome such a visit. I hope we may begin this during the summer.

God is on the move! I could share many other stirrings that have and are taking place.

May we not be left behind.

Blessings

John Kapteyn
Executive Secretary