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Ministry
Report, September 2010 |
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Local Parish – Global Mission This Sunday (Sept. 12) a graduate student from overseas attending a local university will be baptized in St. George’s R.E. Church (Hamilton, Ontario) after participating in the life of the parish for a year. We praise God for what He is doing this week in World Outreach through one local parish. How did St. George’s parish contact and nurture an International student that had no Christian background? Realizing that many university students rented housing in their neighborhood, The Rev. Dr. John Ferns suggested having an OPEN DOORS barbecue on the church lawn one Saturday in September when the students arrive for classes. The congregation supported the idea and 800 hamburgers were consumed the first time they tried it! The goal was to invite students to church services and to a monthly Student night with pizza and Bible Study. This graduate student came to both the worship and Student night last year. In fact, he was the only one who showed up for the first Student night. But the church was not discouraged. A bilingual Bible was presented in the student’s mother tongue. Attending services regularly and observing the life of the Church he asked to be baptized in the Christian faith. His baptism is planned for this Sunday, just 12 months after his first invitation to the Church. The Rev. John Smith, Rector, says, “Please share this story. It shows that if we address our mission for long enough, there will be fruit.” He goes on to say, “Think of how many students walk past our door each day but keep going! It can be discouraging, but this has given us a jolt and a reminder to trust that God knows who will come.” We can pray for the 2010 OPEN DOORS outreach at St. George’s Church which is scheduled for September 25. All the churches in the neighborhood will participate this year in inviting students to visit their building and meet members in the afternoon. The program will end with a barbecue on the front lawn of St. George’s Church. You can consult the parish website for other news of this parish: God willing, Bishop David Hicks will ordain Robert Lyon to the order of Deacon on Saturday, September 18 and the Rev. Dr. H. John Ferns to the order of Presbyter on Sunday, September 19. |
Prayer Requests Additional opportunities to serve God's Church through networking and technology The 2010 Open Doors outreach event at St. George's Church To receive a copy of the Jerdans' monthly report by email, send them a message at jerdandw@gmail.com |
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