Inspiring ideas

BUILDING NEW BRIDGES

In-person relationship and Bible study are central to Bridges, a 30-year-old outreach to Ottawa residents living with poverty. Unable to invite needy people into a church because of Covid-19 restrictions, the ministry recently trained teams of volunteers in conversational evangelism and Bible study methods. Where restrictions allow, the teams now distribute food, but they also stay to share a meal. Their new model allows them to maintain relationships with their guests and meet needs – physical, emotional and spiritual. WWW.SPUROTTAWA.COM

A LEGACY WRITTEN IN LOVE

Personal letters are a fundamental part of Christian child sponsorship programs. Receiving letters helps children with literacy, builds their self-esteem and helps them learn to express themselves. Compassion Canada helps this happen by recruiting volunteers to write at least three letters per year to sponsored children who might not otherwise receive a letter. Volunteers also write special notes for each of those children’s birthdays and Christmas. On top of supporting the children’s personal development, Compassion encourages the volunteers to share the gospel to help their spiritual formation. WWW.COMPASSION.CA/VOLUNTEER

UNITED IN A COMMON LOVE

When Covid-19 first hit, Christian leaders in Vancouver rallied together to form the Christian Leaders Response Fund. Vancouver Christians raised more than $700,000, which was distributed to local ministries caring for vulnerable seniors. Last winter the fund organizers put out another call, aiming to raise another $500,000 for ministries addressing homelessness and food-insecure families. By the anniversary of Canada’s first lockdown, Vancouver churches had already raised 60 per cent of the fund’s second goal. WWW.CHURCHFORVANCOUVER.CA

TASTE AND SEE THE LORD IS GOOD

Founded by a Tyndale Seminary student, Burger’s Priest is not a typical fast food place. The business is built on biblical principles, complete with Bible quotes on the walls and menu items named Fiery Furnace and Tower of Babel. The burger chain, with locations in Ontario and Alberta, also aims to give back to the community. Their 10th anniversary was the year Covid-19 hit the restaurant industry hard. In response they launched a Have Faith campaign where proceeds from certain products were donated to a Toronto charity helping displaced hospitality and restaurant workers. WWW.SALVATIONIST.CA

A MESSAGE OF LOVE

Territorial Drive Alliance Church in North Battleford, Sask., has links to a multi-lingual evangelistic video on their church’s homepage. The short video provides quotes from Scripture to walk viewers through the gospel and encourages them to find a church and perhaps speak to a pastor about questions they might have about Jesus. WWW.TDAC.CA —CRAIG MACARTNEY