...fresh ways of looking at G od’s globa l missio n
Digital Mission
By Charles A. Cook, PhD
A question I find myself regularly asking these days as I teach in Canada and minister in various parts around the world revolves around the use of the digital tools in mission. As Jesus followers, are we effectively using the remarkable internet and digital resources at our disposal to engage our world and provide people with creative access to Jesus? The global church continues to do a remarkable job of finding ways to engage with people to incarnate the gospel to transform our world and develop reproducing communities of faith in accessible regions of the globe. Yet what about those places or spaces of the world where few or none have yet to have access to Jesus?
The late Andrew Walls referred to missiologists as the “magpies” 1 of the academy who draw attention neglected topics or aspects of the mission of God that the community of faith or the academy has yet to engage with in a thoughtful manner. One such area revolves around digital missions and the equipping and discipling of the missional people God for opportunities to minister on the digital edge of cyberspace. The ubiquitous nature of the digital world provides a unique opportunity for the community of faith to use the electronic tools to engage people in spiritual conversations.
There are few definitions of “digital missions” developing in the mission community. One organization that has been involved in this space for a few years in CRU. CRU defines digital missions as “… the spirit-filled act of sharing, promoting, and confessing the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world via digital and online products and strategies, is an effective form and natural extension of the commission given to us, by God, to glorify Him and make Him known on this earth.”2 They have been historically committed to assisting Christians with evangelism and discipleship.
Digital Missions the work of equipping missional people with digital resources that extend the reach of the Gospel in all its fullness to every tongue, every tribe, and every touch screen accessible to the global church through a myriad of digital platforms.
Charles A. Cook
Another less know organization is in this “digital missions” space is Indigitous3 Their mission and focus is simply to help “… fulfill the Great Commission by engaging and unleashing believers into digital missions through global events, digital-resourcing and community building.”
Perspectives is published twice a year for the Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives at Ambrose University
2022-2023 IN THIS ISSUE
globaLearning Events
3-part Ambrose hosted events
A Reflection of the First Second Generation By Rev. Dr. David Heng Event Calendar 2022/2023
Friends of Jaffray Karis Le
Making God Known : To Least-Reached People in Extraordinary Ways - Volume 3 Ron Brown
A New Generation’s Heart for Intercultural Ministry Claire Misura
Do you have a favourite memory with the Jaffray Centre? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with us at jaffray@ambrose.edu
Digital Mission
When we speak of engaging in digital missions at the Jaffray Centre, we are simply referring to the importance of equipping missional people with digital resources that extend the reach of the Gospel in all its fullness to every tongue, every tribe, and every touchscreen accessible to the global church through a myriad of digital platforms.
It is about ultimately having a presence in our world through the various digital spaces at our disposal in order to accelerate living out and communicating the good news of Jesus to the world around us.
We are all aware that we live in an increasingly globally digitized world where new resources are at our disposal to assist in taking the good news of Jesus to places where traditional methods or strategies have not or cannot go. The exponential growth and impact is far reaching. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo4 captures it well when he writes,
“We are in the midst of a digital eruption. Digital technology has done more than interrupt or disrupt our everyday lives: it has erupted and completely transformed the landscape around us. S.I.M. technology (Social media, Internet technology and Mobile technology) along with its younger sibling G.R.A.I.N. (Genetics, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Nanotechnology) are reshaping our world so fast that we rarely take the time to stop and take note of what is happening and how we are adapting (or not adapting) to the new digital landscape.”
It is in this context that you and I are called to engage our world and serve. As we step fully into this new era I am buoyed by the fact that the church, the community of faith, has a rich history of being attentive to new ways of engaging its local context and contextualizing the Gospel.
The 21st century digital mission simply builds on a long rich heritage of creativity and innovation that has enabled the Gospel to make inroads into new spaces created by technology down through the centuries.
Welcome to the ongoing conversation. Come join us at the Jaffray Centre as we explore the significance and the implications of engaging our world digitally. u
1 Andrew Walls article
2 CRU https://www.cru.org/digitalmissions/
3 Indigitous https://indigitous.org/
4 Bryce Ashlin-Mayo, Digital Mission: A Practical Guide for Ministry Online. Toronto, Tyndale Academic Press, 2020
”S.I.M. technology (Social media, Internet technology and Mobile technology) along with its younger sibling G.R.A.I.N. (Genetics, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Nanotechnology) are reshaping our world so fast that we rarely take the time to stop and take note of what is happening and how we are adapting (or not adapting) to the new digital landscape. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo ”
GlobaLearning Events
This past year, the Jaffray Centre has had the privilege of hosting several seminars at Ambrose University as part of the globaLearning initiative. Each three-hour event focused on a different concept relating to global trends and issues relevant to the Church and mission community.
The first event, held on September 10, 2022, centered on the topic of Digital Mission. Ambrose Dean of Theology, Rev. Dr. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo shared on his research relating to the topic. He was joined by a panel of ministry practitioners who are working in different areas of digital ministry and each shared their unique experiences. Cory Haraysm discussed the virtual reality church and online church community at First Alliance Church in Calgary; Jeremy Cook talked about his ministry to online gamers; Paul Brooks discussed the Alliance Canada’s digital mentoring program engaging least reach people groups in South Asia; and Dr. Rafik Wagdy Barsoum shared about his ministry Message to All Nations.
On October 14, the second globaLearning event was held at Ambrose. This event was hosted in partnership with the Canadian Bible Society, and focused on the topic of the Second Generation and the Diaspora Church in Canada. Passing along the faith to the next generation is a challenge facing the diaspora church, so this seminar was a great opportunity for diverse leaders to share their experiences and insights. This seminar will be the first of what will become a series of seminars on the topic. You can read more about this initiative on the next page of this newsletter
A third globaLearning seminar was held on November 19, 2022. This seminar discussed the concept of Marketplace Ministry. Harv Matchullis shared about how marketplace ministry enables you to use your vocation as a means of building the Kingdom, and the event featured speakers who have intentionally engaged as ambassadors of Christ in and through their profession in the Middle East and Central Asia. u
If you are interested in future globaLearning events hosted by the Jaffray Centre, please visit: https://jaffrayglobal.com/events .
A Reflection of the First Second Generation Event
By Rev. Dr. David Heng
An experience with a pod of insights. Not so long ago, after Bible study, a few adults congregated at the residence entrance, dressing up and having some last-minute conversations before calling it a night when a six-year-old child blurted out, “I’ll never marry a Chinese girl!”
Everyone, including his parents, was startled by his explicit loud burst, followed by humungous waves of laughter that evaporated the child’s resolute exclamation. Although this incident seems harmless and inconceivable to many, the child’s statement contained a pod of insights.
The insights began to blossom like the Japanese cherry trees in the Spring. One evening, I was about to call it a day when a mom urgently called me to come mitigate a very difficult situation between her husband (a first-generation immigrant) and daughter (secondgeneration Canadian). Both had declared a sociocultural war against each other. With relational mitigation, the tensions between father and daughter were averted.
These two incidents shed insights into the apprehension between generations. Changing socio-culture may sow family discord and compromise the diaspora church’s existence. Relationships are closely knit between immigrant families and the church. If there is disharmony in families, it could deplete the church’s human resources for God’s work.
It raises, therefore, a pertinent concern. If immigrant parents do not understand how the Canadian social context impact their children, it could spark a massive exodus of the second generation from immigrant churches.
...a mom urgently called me to come mitigate a very difficult situation between her husband (a firstgeneration immigrant) and daughter (second-generation Canadian). Both had declared a socio-cultural war against each other. With relational mitigation, the tensions between father and daughter were averted. GNanotechnology) are reshaping
Addressing this pertinent concern would significantly strengthen families to bolster the church; a united family builds a united church. If this synergy is a reality, the church becomes a safe platform for both generations to leverage coaching synergy in which both generations can listen and learn together. If this happens, it could inspire generations to proliferate a massive kingdom mission movement in Canada. With these anticipations, however, a catalyst group of likeminded people assisting diaspora churches in narrowing generational gaps is essential.
After many months of discussions, diaspora church leaders were invited to the first Second-Generation seminar at Ambrose University on
October 14, 2022. Admittedly, the hope was for the diaspora church’s leaders to participate in addressing the challenges of “Passing along the faith to the next generation.” There was trepidation of how people would react to the seminar, knowing it could fuel the fire to widen more substantial generational relational gaps.
Forty-five participants in attendance was a great start. Additionally, the panel and table group discussions addressed generational gaps and provided bridging insights to harness Christlike relationships. The two hours of stimulating discussions, nuked the trepidation like dews slowly disappearing in the morning sun. Observing and listening to the audience’s conversations excited many souls.
Here are some observations and learnings from the seminar:
First, the large number of people in attendance showed that a seminar addressing generational gaps is part of the diaspora church’s concern. Many fi rst-generation immigrant leaders acknowledged the problem of an exodus of the second-generation to other culturally sensitive churches, or even abandoning their parents’ religion altogether.
Second, the second-generation participants resonated with the gaps discussed between the generations as outlined in the presentations. Undoubtedly, nodding heads and vigorously taking notes on paper projected a silent generation desiring the first generation to give ears to their voices.
Third, the panel interactions provided some solutions to address the uneasiness between generations. One that stood out for me was inviting first-generation and second-generation to interact and serve God with a common cause, indicating a Kingdom resolve to liquefy divisive barriers and unite generations to serve King Jesus and humans.
It was a great start! And it’s only the beginning of an incredible journey of bridging relational generation gaps in the diaspora churches. An intentional space, such as Ambrose University, is essential in gathering generations for interactions and inspiring transformation.
As the socio-cultural cracks begin to narrow between generations throughout these seasons of listening and learning, it hopes to lay strong foundations to raise culturally fluent and Christlike leaders to shepherd God’s church into the future to guide a kaleidoscope of cultural people’s redemption in King Jesus. u
Event Calendar
Cultural Fluency Workshops – Living Hope Alliance Church January 29, 2022
Introduction to Cultural Fluency Workshop – The Genesis Centre February 15, 2022
Classic ReBoot – Ambrose University July 15-22, 2022
Digital Mission Seminar – Ambrose University September 10, 2022
2nd Generation and the Diaspora Church Seminar –Ambrose University October 14, 2022
Marketplace Ministry Seminar – Ambrose University November 19, 2022
Introduction to Cultural Fluency – Harvest Hills Alliance Church January 28, 2023
DAI Certificate of Organizational Leadership – UK Cohort January – March 2023
2nd Generation and the Diaspora Church Seminar –Ambrose University March 24, 2023
Ambrose Pastor’s Conference Cultural Fluency Workshop –Ambrose University May 4, 2023
Kairos Course – Ambrose University May 8-12, 2023
Digital Missions Research Project Ongoing
Global Missions Podcast (globalmissionspodcast.com) Bi-Weekly
For more information on these and other Ja ray events and projects, please visit us at www.ja rayglobal.com or send us an email at ja ray@ambrose.edu.
Friends of Jaffray – Karis Le
I am blessed to be a child of God and to experience His mighty power in my life through many miracles. The mighty God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through as they walked on dry land is the same God who woke me up after my heart could not beat by itself in nearly 19 hours in 1995. In 2010, the doctors told us that I had to terminate my pregnancy if I wanted to keep my life, that same God once again proved to us that He can make the impossible possible. Anna, our girl, will turn 11 this coming December.
I am blessed to have various opportunities to serve God with among the needy and the diasporas. Four years serving with World Vision for children with disabilities has helped me to see the image of God in every human being regardless of their abilities. Two years serving the Vietnamese people in Malaysia has taught me about God’s powerful works in and through the diaspora people.
After 8 years serving with a mission agency reaching out to the unreached people group in Vietnam, I came to Ambrose for a MDiv in Intercultural Ministries in 2017 and celebrated a virtual commencement with our family during the pandemic in May 2020.
As I am now serving as an English Ministry Pastor for a Vietnamese church in the Central District, it is my desire to see the Canadian-born, second generation of Vietnamese here know God and to serve Him with their God-given gifts. It is a challenging era foryoung Christians today to choose Jesus’ way over the way of the world, to listen to His will in the midst of all distracting voices.
Your prayer for our family to be guided and strengthened by God for our Vietnamese diasporas as well as many other diasporas in our neighborhood will be greatly appreciated. u
Karis, Hung and Anna
As I am now serving as an English Ministry Pastor for a Vietnamese church in the Central District, it is my desire to see the Canadian-born, second generation of Vietnamese here know God and to serve Him with their God-given gifts. It is a challenging era for young Christians today to choose Jesus’ way over the way of the world, to listen to His will in the midst of all distracting voices.
Making God Known : To Least-Reached People in Extraordinary Ways - Volume 3
This is book three in a trilogy that was evolving over the past several years to celebrate the story of the Canadian Alliance’s global engagement. The idea was to capture the story from Canadian workers who lived and worked in these diverse countries. We wanted them to tell their stories and bring their insights, experiences, and memories to us. We did not want to live with the regret of missing the opportunity to capture the contribution of retired international workers in the context of our movement. Three years ago, Dr. Richard Reichert sent me the final draft of his chapter for a previous book; he was with the Lord two weeks later. His chapter has a certain poignancy because of that.
In the early days, we often thought of mission work primarily as a church-planting process. The first two books highlighted the work of missionaries who were able to easily pass cultural barriers,
evangelize openly, and plant churches as they did in Vietnam, Ecuador, Congo, and the Philippines.
In this third book, we understand that the Gospel has reached most of the easy places, so it is now the more difficult people groups who need to be reached. Many of them live where you cannot access them with a missionary visa. Many countries are hostile to Christianity as they have their major religion governing their peoples.
You will discover various methodologies where a growing number of professional people from Canada with specific skills are going to live among unreached peoples. Some run businesses that help the local economy (note chapter 25a on tentbakers), some are engaged in compassion
and justice projects (see chapter 22 on Heather’s ministry in Mexico and chapter 26 on Ruth’s ministry to those enslaved in sex trafficking), some go as pastors in international churches (chapter 13 by Warren Reeve), or as teachers in local universities (chapter 27 by Michaela).
While the goal remains the same, to give the least-reached people access to Jesus, the methods used will vary. Whatever the method, the international worker lives out the light of the Gospel in that social context among a leastreached people group. u
Ron Brown
About Ron Brown
(note chapter 25a tent-
Edited by Ronald Brown and Charles Cook. Mississauga, ON: The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, 2020. You can nd a copy of the book at: https://www.cmacan.org/resources/
Ron Brown was born and raised in Africa by missionary parents. With his wife Myra he had a 26 year missionary career in Africa where they raised their two daughters. He is a missions coach with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and a Senior Associate at the Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives at Ambrose University. Ron is on the National Coordination Team for Kairos Canada. His doctorate in missiology is from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He lives with Myra in Calgary, Canada. Ron is the editor (with Charles Cook) of the trilogy The God You May Not Know. (https://extraordinarystories.ca/)
A New Generation’s Heart for Intercultural Ministry
The Jaffray Centre was excited to hire a summer intern through the Canada Summer Jobs Grant program. We are pleased to let her introduce herself to you here
My name is Claire Misura and I am in my second year of my undergraduate degree at Ambrose University. I am an intercultural ministry student and am now the Jaffray Centre’s intern for the next 6 months.
My interest in intercultural ministry has been around almost as long as I have. When I was 4 years old, my parents adopted my younger brother from Ethiopia. Since then I’ve felt a connection to Africa and the idea that I have family all over the world. The more I grew and learned, the more I longed to serve the oppressed.
When I graduated high school, I chose to do a gap semester program in Thailand called Justice Semester. It is run by For Freedom International in Phuket. This city hosts one of the largest red light districts in Asia which opened my eyes to the existence of intense evil. Seeing this place greatly increased my desire to be a part of changing the world. I started to understand what being in intercultural ministry is actually like and what it means to be a missionary working in a country far from home. Thailand was an amazing experience and it taught me I have so much left to learn about ministry and about what it means to be a disciple of Christ.
I hope to grow in both these areas through my studies here at Ambrose and, now, through working at the Jaffray Centre.
So far, working here has been an opportunity to learn much more about the mission field and what’s required of a disciple doing Jesus’ work internationally.
I’m hoping it’ll continue to be a fruitful and important experience and that it will help me discern what God wants me to do with my passion for missions. I’m excited to be a part of this year’s team and to get to be a part of the work the Jaffray Center does on both local and global levels. u
God Bless, Claire
Thailand was an amazing experience and it taught me I have so much left to learn about ministry and about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. ”
ABOUT
We often refer to the Jaffray Centre as a combination incubator/greenhouse where new ideas, collaborative initiatives, and fresh ways of looking at God’s global mission are nurtured, developed and then launched into service in the church and in the world.
Each of the four hubs (Research Projects and Publishing; Educations, Training and Global Awareness; Global projects and partnerships; and Church in Mission Events and Services) houses the different initiatives we’re working on, and we’re always adding more.
The Jaffray Centre is made up of people like you and me who want to engage the world around them in new and meaningful ways. Through collaborative project development, training, and research projects, the Jaffray Centre seeks to rekindle and ignite a passion for God’s unending concern for people. Interested in any of our current initiatives or have ideas for new ones? We’d love to hear from you.
Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives at Ambrose University jaffray@ambrose.edu jaffrayglobal.com 403-410-2000