Psalm 24
(This article can also we found on our website
at http://www.bethelkingston.com under the tab called "Blog")
This Touching Base is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching is discussed outside of the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build healthy community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
In our service today, the big idea was “Be Incredible in the Nation”. Our vision at Bethel is to be “Responding to the Heart of God; Transforming the Heart of the City, the Nation and the World”. Our national focus is Constance Lake First Nation. In order to “be incredible in the nation”, we have to do two things well:
1. Know and understand the issues:
To gain further understanding of our First Nations people, consider visiting these websites:
- “8th Fire” is a new CBC TV series on First Nations’ issues (4 documentaries): http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire//2011/11/indigenious-in-the-city.html
- Here is a link to a copy of the Indian Act - take a look at how this document changed the lives of First Nation people forever: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/I-5.pdf
- The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada: http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca
- Constance Lake First Nation Website: http://www.clfn.on.ca
- Constance Lake Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/146661252070132/
2. Get engaged and make things better:
There are 3 things that you can do to engage and make things better: Give, Go and Pray.
Give: More information will be coming in October as to how you can give to Operation Constance Lake (shoeboxes).
Go: Would you like to go and minister at CL? If you’re in grades 9 to 12, consider March Break 2013. If you’re not, consider going during the summer of 2013.
Pray: There are a number of ways you can pray into these issues:
A. Spiritual bondage: that it would be broken, and that the King of Glory would become the centre focus of CLFN
B. Salvation: to the best of our knowledge, there were no “first-time salvations” during our summer trip, although the gospel was presented to the children in a very creative and relevant manner. Pray for seeds to grow. Bibles were handed out as well - pray that they are read.
C. Education: hat the children would become engaged in their education and attend school each day
D. Health concerns: teen pregnancies, Type 2 Diabetes and head lice are some major concerns
E. For peace: in homes that are sometimes filled with fear
F. Bethel's partnership with CLFN: to grow, flourish and really begin to transform CL.
G. Drug addictions: many 12-year-olds will admit to smoking pot. As well, the Principal of the school, Zandra, and Patty and her son Theo speak of an issue with over-prescription of certain drugs. Pray for medical integrity, wisdom, truth and justice to reign. This is especially importance as CLFN is 6 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway and 44 km from Hearst, which is described at the Drug Capital of Northern Ontario.
H. The need for long-term on-site missions and workers: Bethel Toronto Church (yes they too are called Bethel!) and Café Church have also sent teams to CLFN. In fact Bethel Toronto has been sending teams for 14 summers! All three churches agree that there is a need for long-term full-time workers to go to Constance Lake and be integrated into the community. Pray for workers to be called and sent.
I. The local church: Bethel Toronto and Café Church enjoyed meeting with the Anglican Church and Bethel Kingston enjoyed meeting with the Full Gospel Church. There seem to be Christ followers in these churches that just need more encouragement.
J. Local leadership: Pray for Chief Roger and for his council.
Thank you for being an incredible in the nation! We are open to answering your questions and concerns. Feel free to email fred@kingston.net
Fred
If interested in joining or starting a small group contact bethelcommunitygroups@gmail.com
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