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Strong and Free:

UNITED IN PRAYER FOR CANADA

Christian HERALD

Volume 32, No. 2 • April 2025

Founded in 1994, Christian Herald serves the Christian community across the Southern Ontario region, and is published ten times a year.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Fazal Karim, Jr.

Contributing Writers

Cheryle Dueck, Roger Helland, Nancy Kingdon, Daniel Zekveld

Volunteer Distributors (Print Edition)

John Campbell, Edgar Daniels, Sandra Diaz, Michelle Foster, Rochan Goonoo, John Howes, Rick Pacholko, Greer Roberts, Terence Roberts, Henry Stevens, Cendrawati Wijaya, Hydro Wong.

Contact the Publisher to inquire about becoming a volunteer distributor.

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Christian Herald welcomes submissions and feedback from the Christian Community or other interested parties, in the form of Letters to the Editor, Press Releases, Opinion columns, Calendar of Events listings etc.

Viewpoints expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the publishers.

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Christian Herald’s general circulation (print edition) presently stands at 25,000 copies per issue. [April 2025]

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Christian Herald

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Tel: (905) 874-1731 • E-mail: info@christianherald.ca www.christianherald.ca

LET’S TALK ABOUT FAITH and MENT AL HEALTH

May 20 -22, 2025

You will learn from these keynote speakers, and many more workshop leaders, all leaders in the field of faith and mental health.

WHERE Tyndale Unversity 3377 Bayview Ave, North York, ON

PROF. JOHN SWINTON

Dr. HILLARY MCBRIDE

KAY WARREN

CURT THOMPSON, MD

DANIEL WHITEHEAD

Canada's MAID law is out of control and must be rolled back

Vulnerable Canadians are turning to MAID

because they are unable to get the care they need.

What started as medical assistance in dying (MAID) for the terminally ill has morphed into something far darker.

Today, Canadians with disabilities and chronic illnesses—people with years or decades left to live—are being euthanized under laws that have expanded too far, too fast. Even the United Nations is sounding the alarm, urging Canada to roll back its 2021 expansion and stop the spread of state-sponsored death.

After 10 years of MAID expansion and with a federal election looming, party leaders must commit to halting this dangerous drift and protecting vulnerable Canadians.

MAID was first legalized in Canada in 2016, intended as a limited program for terminally ill adults facing unbearable suffering at the end of life, what is now known as Track 1 MAID. But in 2021, the federal government created a second category, Track 2 MAID, opening eligibility to Canadians who are not dying but who live with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

In 2023 alone, more than 600 Canadians were euthanized under Track 2. The actual number could be even higher, as the criterion of a “reasonably foreseeable natural death” has been interpreted loosely. Some groups have argued that no clear prognosis is necessary at all.

Since this expansion, Canada has witnessed alarming consequences. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities highlights several, including the devaluation of the lives of persons with disabilities and Canada’s ongoing failure to provide adequate supports for

by Daniel Zekveld

those in need.

The committee monitors compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an international treaty that Canada has signed, making its recommendations especially significant. It has called on Canada to repeal Track 2 MAID, reject any expansion to include mature minors or advance requests, invest in support services, and establish a federally independent oversight body.

As a state party to the Convention, Canada is bound to take these concerns seriously. How will the next government respond?

Closer to home, reports from the Ontario coroner’s office reveal that people are accessing euthanasia due to socioeconomic and psychological vulnerabilities. Mental illness, lack of social support and addictions are going unaddressed, while vulnerable Canadians are being approved for MAID.

The Ontario coroner’s committee reviewing MAID in the province also found that a higher proportion of those accessing Track 2 MAID come from highly marginalized populations compared to Track 1 recipients. As Dr. K. Sonu Gaind observed, “The medical disability becomes the foot in the door to open eligibility for MAID, but social suffering pushes the marginalized through that door to seek state-sponsored death for their life struggles.”

Rather than receiving the care they need, Canadians are being offered MAID

simply because they have a condition that makes them eligible. Health Canada’s own data confirms this grim reality: among Track 2 recipients, more than 47 per cent cited isolation or loneliness, and nearly 50 per cent reported feeling like a burden to family, friends or caregivers. These are not medical conditions.

When veterans seek help and are offered MAID instead, or when a Canadian man with disabilities is offered death rather than support, their lives are devalued. Others consider or choose MAID because of inadequate supports, services or treatment

“Among Track 2 MAID recipients, more than 47 per cent cited isolation or loneliness, and nearly 50 per cent reported feeling like a burden to family, friends or caregivers. These are not medical conditions.”

options. Offering euthanasia as a solution to disability or chronic illness undermines efforts to improve treatments and care for those living with these conditions.

Despite these warnings, the federal government continues to pursue further expansion. MAID is still scheduled to include people with mental illness as their sole condition by 2027. Ottawa has also launched consultations on expanding MAID to allow advance requests from people who may lose the capacity to consent at the time of their death, for example, individuals diagnosed with conditions such as dementia.

With the election underway, party leaders must commit to halting further expansion of MAID. But they must go further. They must promise to protect Canadians by prohibiting MAID for those who are not dying.

We have seen the consequences of Canada’s current MAID regime. It is time to reject state-sanctioned death as an answer to suffering and commit to suicide prevention and life-affirming care for all Canadians, not just the able-bodied.

Daniel Zekveld is a policy analyst with the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada.

Samaritan’s Purse Canada airlifting field hospital and aid to Myanmar after deadly quake

Samaritan’s Purse Canada is responding to the deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28.

The earthquake was followed just 12 minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. This powerful quake has caused widespread destruction across both countries—collapsing buildings and infrastructure, killing more than 1,700 people, and injuring countless more. Search and rescue efforts are still underway, and the death toll is expected to climb. The Ministry of Health in Myanmar has requested assistance as tens of thousands are suffering.

In response, Samaritan’s Purse Canada, an international relief organization with its national headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, has mobilized its initial Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and will send its first-ever Canadian Emergency Field Hospital to Myanmar. The cargo plane will depart Calgary on Tuesday, April 1st, along with 28 disaster response specialists, including Canadians. The Emergency Field Hospital will include two operating theatres, an emergency room, in-patient wards, a pharmacy, and a laboratory—the largest model of this scalable unit.

“This deadly earthquake has killed over 1,700 people, and it’s left thousands of people in need, destroying entire communities,” said Fred Weiss, Executive Director of Samaritan’s Purse Canada. “It is for this exact purpose that we have our Canadian Emergency Field Hospital prepared, ready to meet the critical needs for victims of conflict and natural disasters. It is our privilege at

Samaritan’s Purse to represent thousands of Canadian donors and be ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Please pray for all those affected and for our teams as they serve.”

Samaritan’s Purse International is actively assessing needs across the region, and already has team members on the ground in both Myanmar and Thailand. In the coming days, Samaritan’s Purse will also airlift additional components of the large-scale field hospital, water filtration systems, emergency shelter material, flashlights, and hygiene kits. The organization is working closely with local authorities and trusted church partners on the ground to coordinate relief efforts.

“I’ve been able to serve in and lead the mobile field hospital for the past eight years,

with deployments in conflict zones in Iraq and Ukraine, and earthquakes in Haiti and Turkey, and grateful to draw on that experience as we mobilize quickly to meet needs in Myanmar,” said Melanie Wubs, International Health Manager, Samaritan’s Purse Canada. “It never ceases to amaze me how we can be ready at a moment’s notice to meet critical needs in such practical ways.”

Samaritan’s Purse has a long history in Myanmar, having responded to Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and maintained an in-country office from 2017 to 2022. Through its Operation Christmas Child program, the organization has continued serving children and families in Myanmar—sending more than 22,000 shoebox gifts last year alone.

www.samaritanspurse.ca

Canadian government announces $4 million grant for Canadian Foodgrains Bank to address growing hunger crisis in Sudan

Humanitarian organizations around the world are sounding the alarm on the rapidly worsening hunger situation in Sudan, as millions of Sudanese people face the bleak realities of starvation and acute malnutrition, and the complete loss of livelihoods.

Over half the population of Sudan (24.6 million people) are facing acute hunger (IPC3+) since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023, and up to 640,000 people are already experiencing famine-like conditions. According to the UN’s Integrated Food

Security Phase Classification Famine Review Committee, famine is projected in an additional five areas of Sudan, and a further seventeen areas are at risk of famine.

In response to the escalating needs, the Government of Canada has provided $4 million to Canadian Foodgrains Bank and its member agencies to provide emergency food assistance to thousands of families most affected by the hunger crisis in Sudan.

“As the crisis in Sudan continues, Canada’s support to those in dire need is unwavering,” says Minister of International Devel-

Redeemer's expanded Wellness Centre opens

Redeemer University’s expanded Wellness Centre celebrated its opening on February 27 with a ribbon cutting and open house for students, faculty, staff and supporters. Attendees were able to tour the new space, which includes a welcoming reception area, mental health triage, a health clinic with access to appointments with a nurse practitioner, in-person counselling spaces and quiet spaces to retreat.

A short program included remarks from Redeemer’s president Dr. David Zietsma, as well as student senate president Kaiden Groombridge, director of student health and wellness and nurse practitioner Julie Kingma, and a prayer of dedication from dean of students Kevin Johnson.

“We’re pleased to formally open such an inviting wellness centre for student mental and physical health services,” said Zietsma. “Caring for the whole student is an expression of Redeemer’s Reformed Christian identity where each person is treated with compassion, dignity and respect as image-bearers of God. We’re grateful to the generous support community that has helped us provide for Redeemer students in such a practical way.”

CCC launches Chargers Athletic program

Canada Christian College has officially launched its athletics department, the Canada Christian College Chargers!

The Chargers symbolize power, courage, and perseverance, inspired by the white war horse–the white charger–that Jesus rides on in Revelation 19:11.

opment, Ahmed Hussen. “We will continue working with our humanitarian partners to support their life-saving efforts while working alongside global partners to find lasting solutions.”

The CCC Athletics Department will build champions who are driven by faith, inspired to lead, and committed to excellence in all pursuits – on and off the field.

With competitive varsity teams, dedicated coaching, and a vision that puts Christ at the center, this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Canada Christian College community.

For now, CCC will be offering the following sports for current and incoming students:

- Men’s 6v6 Indoor Soccer

- Men’s Basketball

- Women’s Volleyball.

www.foodgrainsbank.ca

Foodgrains Bank has five active projects in Sudan, including three projects which will be funded through this grant. The new funding is helping to provide emergency relief for over 28,000 people living in Sudan, such as supplying food assistance via food baskets, cash payments or vouchers for markets.

PHOTO: Samaritan’s Purse Canada DART team members pose for a photo on the tarmac before departing for Myanmar on April 1.

Christian communities in Syria, dating back to the Apostle Paul, could face extinction

Christian Solidarity International’s (CSI) project liaison for Syria was recently able to visit the country for the first time after jihadist groups overthrew the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad in December. In Damascus, she found a “complex mix of cautious optimism and palpable fear,” in a country transformed.

During Syria’s long civil war, the Assad regime, for all its brutality, acted as a protective force for Christians, who were often targeted by jihadist groups fighting to overthrow the regime and set up an Islamic state. Many Christians feared that the fall of the regime would lead to large-scale violence and oppression against Christians. So far, those fears have not come to pass. But the situation is still tense.

Some of the victorious jihadist fighters who now patrol Damascus’s streets have begun pressuring Christian women to cover their hair and separating young couples in public. There are also alarming reports of attacks on Christian businesses, particularly those selling alcohol.

The economic situation is also dire. Fourteen years of civil war and an inhumane sanctions regime imposed on the Syria by the United States and its allies have reduced most of the country to poverty. A civil servant in Damascus earns a salary of $25 a month, while the diesel to heat an apartment in Syria’s winter costs $150 a month. For now, the sanctions remain in place, even though the former regime is gone.

On January 29, Ahmed al-Shara’a, declared himself the new president of the Syrian Arab Republic. In an address to the nation, he appeared wearing a neat Western style suit, and standing in front of the flag of the original Republic of Syria in 1930. He called on “all Syrians to participate in building a new homeland” and promised “free and fair elections.” Al-Shara was once known as “Abu Mohammed al-Jolani,” the founder of al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, whose fighters long struck fear into the hearts of many Syrians, especially religious minorities. His rebels attacked Christian communities with car bombs and expelled Christians from their homes in the Idlib province. In the Christian town of Sadad, al-Jolani’s forces murdered over 40 Christians during their

brief occupation of the town in 2013.

But the campaign the rebels launched in November 2024, which overthrew the Assad regime in just 11 days, was different. From its outset, they broadcast assurances to Christians that they would not be harmed, and that the “new Syria” would have a place for all Syrians, regardless of religion.

Despite their doubts, Christians in Syria are seizing the opportunity to participate in building a new Syria. In Aleppo, churches have formed an ecumenical committee to bring the priorities of the Christians to the new president. President al-Shara’a recently named a seven-member committee of five Islamist men and two women, including a Christian, to prepare for a national dialogue. Outside of the capital Damascus, however, an orderly transition seems harder to sustain. In the countryside of Homs and Hama provinces and along the Syrian coast, former rebels are carrying out a campaign of revenge killings against their enemies. In Hama province, gunmen recently executed nine people, including two mayors and their family members.

In the northeast, clashes continue between the Turkish-backed “Syrian National Army” and the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led “Syrian Democratic Forces”(SDF). President al-Shara’a demands that the SDF integrate into the Syrian army on his own terms; so far, they have refused.

If Syria’s fragile peace collapses and the country returns to civil war, or if the new regime seeks to build an Islamic state, the consequences for Syria’s Christians could be devastating. Church leaders estimate that over two-thirds of the Christian population has left Syria since 2011. More emigration could lead to the disappearance of one of the oldest Christian communities in the world – one that dates back to the days of the Apostle Paul. - CSI

“...Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

John 17:23

IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES, THE CHURCH FACES A CRITICAL MOMENT

Canada’s spiritual landscape is shifting, with many feeling disconnected from faith and community. Secularism and individualism have led to a retreat from traditional faith-based communities, creating a void.

The Ignite Hope: Power in Unity campaign calls believers to unite, reshaping Canada’s spiritual landscape and extending Christ’s love globally.

Burlington, Mississauga Prayer Breakfasts to gather city-wide leadership in May

The Burlington Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be held Thursday, May 1 with a hot buffet-style breakfast being served at 6:30 a.m. at the Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Drive, Burlington, featuring guest speaker, Kevin Shepherd.

Shepherd has almost 30 years of pastoral experience, including twelve years as Lead Pastor of Glad Tidings Church in Burlington, Ontario. Under his leadership, the church experienced significant growth, expanding to multiple services across two sites, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and leadership development.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Crossroads Christian Communications and YES TV, leading with a vision to leverage media as a powerful tool for spiritual transformation, cultural impact, and global outreach. Crossroads to continue to pioneer faith-based storytelling, engage audiences through innovative digital strate-

gies, and equip future generations to carry the message of Jesus into a rapidly changing world. Through YES TV, Kevin champions values-driven entertainment, ensuring a platform that uplifts and inspires audiences

across Canada.

Recognizing the importance of unity, Kevin continues to be actively involved in interdenominational dialogues and conferences, fostering understanding and respect among diverse groups across Canada. He shares his insights on effective leadership and the role of faith in navigating modern challenges.

Join over 500 community members including local leaders, church groups, businesses, emergency services and local community groups as we pray for our com-

munity, municipal, provincial, federal, and national leaders. This is an opportunity to come together in celebration of our faith and connect our faith with the workplace and the community.

Individual Tickets are $30 each, and $300 for table of 10 seats. Register online at www.burlingtonprayerbreakfast.org

The 2025 Mississauga Prayer Breakfast will be held on Thursday, May 8 at the Mississauga Convention Centre, located at 75 Derry Road West.

The event is chaired by Pastor Derek Ramkissoon of In Christ Alone Ministries, and will feature ‘Unstoppable’ Tracy Schmidtt as Keynote Speaker. Ghada Melek will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

Doors open at 6:30 a.m. Individual Tickets are $55, and $500 for a table for 10 seats. Tickets and more information are available at www.mississaugaprayerbreakfast.ca

Easter Blood Drive takes off in GTA

This Easter, as Christians ponder the blood sacrifice Jesus endured for us, many will demonstrate God’s love to their neighbours by donating blood or plasma through the Easter Blood Drive Toronto/ GTA.

First organized in Ottawa by Edward Ng, the campaign has come to the GTA and allows believers to easily donate individually or in organized groups.

To begin, you create an account on the Canadian Blood Services website, specifying the EBD by going to www.blood.ca/ EasterBloodDrive. You can also create an account on an iPhone or Android phone by downloading the GiveBlood app.

Once your account is created, select the ‘partners’ option, then ‘join an existing team’ and select Easter Blood Drive Toronto. From there, you can book an appointment to donate, and you can track donations from the whole EBD-Toronto team.

For more information, visit www.easterblooddrive.ca.

Kevin Shepherd

Noah’s ark, an engineering marvel

The God-given design in Genesis is perfectly ingenious

How would an engineer design a massive container which would meet the following specifications?

• Accommodate and protect a family of eight, and thousands of animals.

• Provide storage capacity for a large quantity of food and supplies, needed for a year.

• Withstand a global Flood, severe earthquakes, volcanoes, and the resulting tsunamis.

A land-based building, on the surface or underground (like a bomb shelter), would not be able to survive the devastation of a worldwide Flood. The only feasible solution to meet the initial specifications would be to develop a strong waterborne container. Additional specifications would also have to be met:

• Maintain structural integrity while flexing due to hogging (across a wave crest) and sagging (across a wave valley) through a continuous onslaught of large waves (at least 30m high).

• Be nearly impossible to capsize

• Remain waterproof for an entire year, without springing a leak.

The engineer would probably determine that the best design would be a large floating flat-bottomed rectangular barge. It would be constructed of wood, because of wood’s natural ability to flex when placed under stress. In addition, it would have a strong roof—not merely for protection from weather but as a structural element.

Modern engineers have examined the design for the ark, given in Genesis 6:14–16,

and have found it difficult to improve upon, as a floating vessel rather than as a vessel which needed to move directionally. Therefore, it should not surprise us that God, the master engineer and creator of the universe, would design the perfect vessel to meet the challenge of bringing Noah and his family safely through the Flood.

The ark had other design components which made it ideally suited for its intended purpose. The interior had three decks divided into rooms and pens. These decks would have allowed for functional separation—keeping large animals away from the supplies and the smaller animals and human

“God gave to Noah a design that was possible for him to build, and which was ideally suited to the purpose for which it was intended.”

inhabitants. The decks may have surrounded a central open ‘court’ (from floor to roof), similar to the design of buildings in the ancient Middle East. The decks could have had balconies looking into the centre of the ark. This would have allowed air and light to reach most parts of the interior of the ark.

The .5m opening extending around the top of the walls under the overhang of the roof provided for fresh air and allowed some light into the interior of the vessel. It also had a window (Genesis 8:6) which could be used to provide a view onto the flooded world, and eventually onto the land as the waters began to recede. The window could be opened, and Noah was able to send out birds through the window (Genesis 8:6–7). The ark had only a single door, thus minimizing the area needing a waterproof seal. Finally, the ark was coated inside and out with a plant-based or animal-based resin such as a tree sap or shellac to make it watertight.

When we consider the ark from an engineering perspective, we marvel at the ingenuity of its design. This should lead us to bow in awe before the one who designed it. God gave to Noah a design that was possible for him to build, and which was ideally suited to the purpose for which it was intended. This reminds us that God did the same thing in creation—making a purpose-built earth for human habitation.

To learn more about God’s work in creation and governance of the world, invite a speaker from Creation Ministries International to come to your church. For more information, go to creation.com.

Want to serve your city? Volunteer Distributors needed

Connecting over 500 churches in over 50 denominations across the entire Greater Toronto Area is no easy task.

Getting an issue of Christian Herald out takes time and effort.

The job gets done with the help of our team of committed, responsible Volunteer Distributors who devote 2-4 hours each month out of their busy schedule to getting the newspaper delivered to churches, bookstores, colleges and businesses within their local communities.

Please keep our distribution team in prayer as they venture out to deliver Christian Herald each month.

We are currently in need of volunteers in cities and towns across Greater Toronto. An average route takes about three hours to complete, once a month.

Deliveries need not be made during business hours.

For more information about volunteering in your community, contact Christian Herald by phone at 905-874-1731 or send an email to info@christianherald.ca.

Bridges for Peace Tour coming April 27 to May 11 Ignite Evangelism

Bridges for Peace has been supporting Jews in the land of Israel for over 50 years. In response to the tragic events of October 7, 2023, this Christian ministry has carried out over 300 special projects to stand with a traumatized nation and to help it recover.

Leaders of Bridges for Peace Canada are planning a trip to Southern Ontario and the GTA from April 27-May 11 to report on this work and to connect with Christians who are standing with Israel. Rev. Don James, Interim National Director, and Uwe Betzing, Eastern Canada Regional Coordinator hope that through these connections, they can inspire a greater understanding of Israel's pivotal role in biblical prophecy and God’s unbroken covenants with the Jewish people.

Bridges for Peace was founded in 1976 by Old Testament professor and Dean of the Institute of Holy Land Studies, Dr. G. Douglas Young. Following years of living in Jerusalem, he sensed the need for Chris-

tians to understand their Jewish roots and, even more, to understand that God was not finished with Israel. The ministry now has offices and donor networks in 8 nations and carries out assistance programs in Israel with volunteers from these nations. By cultivating a spirit of love and compassion, BFP aims to counteract hatred and prejudice, ensuring that the Jewish people know that they are not alone in a world where antisemitism is widespread.

In their meetings, Betzing and James will speak on topics such as “Why Christians Should Support Israel”. They also plan to provide updates on the situation in Israel and the Middle East, including details on how BFP has been meeting needs.

The BFP team will be in the Windsor/ Leamington area April 27-30, in the GTA May 1-4 and in the Ottawa area, May 5-11. For details, and to discuss how you or your church or house group might arrange a meeting, call 1-855-489-3697.

Ready to take the Gospel Outdoors?

The cold weather is just about over, and very soon spring activities will be in full flight. Are you ready to take your faith outdoors?

Ignite Evangelism events are hosted by ShareWord Global (formerly the Gideons in Canada) and feature a dynamic, interactive, evangelism workshop with one goal: to mobilize believers to share the Gospel and Scripture with the people around them in their day-to-day lives. ShareWord does this by imparting powerful, yet simple skills to help people feel empowered, giving them

Scripture resources to support their evangelism, and then giving them a “go” opportunity to cement their new skills.

A typical Ignite event might be held on a Saturday at a church, with training in the morning and then believers going out in the afternoon into public places to practice what they’ve learned.

To see a list of upcoming Ignite events in your area, or to find out more about bringing an Ignite event to your church, visit www.sharewordglobal.com

Decision Making is a Step-by-Step Process

Have you ever felt paralyzed, and unable to make a tough decision? Paralysis in decision-making can be overcome using Colin Powell’s forty to seventy percent rule of thumb, advises Marvin. You should have no less than forty percent and no more than seventy percent of the information you need to make an important decision.

With less than forty percent you’re shooting from the hip, and not as prepared as needed. With more than seventy percent, opportunities may be lost. In other words, don’t sacrifice quality for speed and don’t sacrifice action for certainty.

Marvin Brubacher shares his personal four-part process for making decisions and then advises “make sure your heart’s right and don’t rush!” His four-part process is: 1. Identify the decision to be made; 2. Gather information; 3. Assess alternative options; 4. Gather as many people to your team as possible. No step can be ignored.

There’s a difference between reversible and irreversible decision making, since it is hard to backtrack on life-changing choices.

Watch out for pride. Avoiding this pitfall produces two results: first, a willingness to seek advice from others; secondly, an ability to cherish the team God has given you to lead.

Marvin’s Story

Making a difficult decision, especially when others oppose a plan, must be done with great humility, wisdom and careful consideration. Pray and trust God to open or close

An interview with Marvin Brubacher

by Nancy Kingdon

doors.

Marvin tells the story of the day he had to say, “this is the way it’s going to be.”

The Bible College he was leading needed to find a suitable new location. The idea of relocating to Cambridge became a possibility. They found property with one building but its chief drawback was that it had no residence buildings for students.

They negotiated a verbal agreement with a nearby Holiday Inn to house students for two years. However, the rug was pulled out from under this plan when the hotel was unexpected sold to new owners who opposed the verbal partnership agreement.

Back to the drawing board! It was now April, and classes were scheduled to start in September. Without housing for students, what could they do, to solve this dilemma?

Fortunately, they did already have an approved site plan in place to construct a series of residence buildings, ten apartments each, four students per apartment. Without

“Making good decisions matters because it reveals your inner heart’s relationship with the Master.”

money in place Marvin and his team were miraculously able to negotiate a deal with builder contractors they knew who promised a mid-November completion date--assuming no downtime delays.

Still, there was a problem. Classes were starting in September. Where would the students live September to November?

The idea of boarding students with Cambridge church families--although there was no relationship yet with these churches--seemed scary, and not everyone agreed with it. After prayer and much discussion, Marvin felt a peace to proceed despite some opposition to say, “this is the way it’s going to be.”

Time proved him right. Students were told, “the way you behave will make this a blessing or a curse for our college---be helpful, considerate and show appreciation, whenever possible.” Taking this advice to heart, the students loved their host families, and host families delighted in the students. As a result, the college was warmly welcomed.

In conclusion, making good decisions matters because it reveals your inner heart’s relationship with the Master. Your heart’s motivation plus your attitude towards others becomes visible. Building a caring community that serves one another, sharing in values such as grace, love and humility, will produce stronger collaboration and unity.

People love to follow leaders who obey God first and who care about the people around them. Try showing respect through

listening well, then after prayerfully weighing options, confidently take action. Following biblical principles for decision-making results in a harvest of peace and rest!

Three Biblical Principles...

• Humility means submitting to God’s will, trusting Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV.

• Obedience involves guarding your heart and seeking to please God. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV

• Peace surpasses our understanding. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Nancy Kingdon [www.writinglegacy.com] is an author and freelance writer for the Canadian Christian Business Federation. The CCBF exists to support business leaders in the study and application of Biblical Leadership Principles with peers, in order to transform lives, strengthen businesses, and positively influence and impact our world. www.ccbf.org

US Tariffs: A Blessing or Curse for the Canadian Gospel/Christian Music Scene?

The news is buzzing with talk of potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and services, contingent on which government takes power in Canada’s upcoming election. But what would these tariffs mean for the Canadian gospel/Christian music scene if they are imposed?

The Financial Strain on Artists and Producers

Many Canadian gospel/Christian artists rely on U.S. services for music production, and tariffs could drive up the costs of recording, mixing, and mastering their music. Independent artists and producers operating on tight budgets would struggle to access essential resources, making high-quality music production more difficult.

Additionally, Canadian artists and producers who source recording equipment, instruments, and software from the U.S. could see prices skyrocket, creating yet another financial hurdle for those striving to develop their craft.

Rising Costs for Merch and Touring

Merchandise is a key revenue stream for independent artists, but if tariffs increase the cost of manufacturing and shipping, artists who rely on U.S. suppliers would be forced to pass those costs onto their fans. Higher prices could result in lower sales, directly impacting artists’ ability to fund their music careers.

Touring in the U.S., a major goal for many Canadian gospel artists, could also become costlier. Increased tariffs may lead

by Cheryle Dueck

to higher travel, visa, and transportation expenses, making it more challenging for artists to sustain international tours and reach a broader audience.

A Double-Edged Sword:

More U.S. Artists Touring in Canada

On the flip side, increased costs for Canadian artists touring the U.S. might encourage more American gospel artists to tour in Canada. While this could bring great experiences for Canadian audiences, it raises the question: what will they leave behind for Canadian gospel artists?

The Deeper Issue: Supporting Our Own

For decades, many Canadian gospel/ Christian artists have felt that there is no real industry for them in Canada, especially compared to the U.S. And to some extent, they’re right. But this isn’t because of a lack of talent—it’s because we, as Canadians, have yet to fully rally behind our homegrown gospel music in the way that Americans support theirs.

The good news? It doesn’t have to stay this way. Whether tariffs come into effect or not, there are meaningful steps we can take to strengthen Canada’s gospel/Christian music scene:

1. Make Canadian Gospel/Christian Music a Priority

Discover and support Canadian artists by

streaming their music. Platforms like Christian Music Canada and GMIHub Radio on Spotify showcase Canadian talent. If you prefer traditional radio, tune into stations like JoyRadio, Life 100.3, UCB Radio, and others—and don’t hesitate to request songs from Canadian artists!

2. Attend Live Events

Find out who your local Christian/gospel artists are and make an effort to attend their concerts, whether free or ticketed. If you’re willing to pay to see big-name artists from abroad, consider supporting homegrown talent in the same way. Your attendance and ticket purchases help keep their ministries alive.

3. Buy Their Merch

If an artist has merchandise, consider purchasing it. This is a vital income source that helps artists cover their production costs and continue making music.

4. Host an Event Featuring Canadian Artists

Whether it’s a house concert, church event, artist showcase, or music festival (like Hubfest, coming July 1st in Mississauga!), Canadian gospel artists are always looking for performance opportunities.

5. Use Your Online Influence

Share, like, and comment on posts from Canadian gospel artists. Word-of-mouth and social media engagement help artists gain visibility and grow their audience.

6. Sponsor an Artist

If you’re a business owner, church leader, or someone with financial means, consider sponsoring a Canadian gospel artist. Sponsorships can cover production costs, travel expenses, or promotional efforts— game-changing support for emerging artists.

7. Pray for the Industry Gospel music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a tool for spreading the message of Christ and encouraging believers. Pray for Canadian artists, the growth of the industry, and the impact of their ministries.

Conclusion: The Choice is Ours U.S. tariffs, whether seen as a blessing or curse, could certainly affect the Canadian gospel/Christian music scene, but regardless of what happens politically, we have the power to shape the future of our industry. By consciously choosing to support Canadian gospel artists, we can create an environment where they don’t just survive—but thrive. And who knows? You might just discover your new favorite artist right here at home.

Cheryle Dueck is the founder of GMI Hub, a ministry dedicated to supporting and promoting gospel and Christian music in Canada. GMIHub creates opportunities for artists to connect, collaborate, and grow in their craft and industry.

GMI Hub will host the Hubfest 2025 Christian Music Festival on July 1, and the Christian Creative Arts Conference & Awards from August 15-16. www.gmihub.ca

Local promoter Gospel Connection Canada launches new

CeCe Winans, Ricky Dillard tours for Spring/Summer 2025

Local Canadian event promoter Gospel Connection Canada has launched two new concert tours for the Spring/Summer 2025 season in association with Food for the Poor Canada.

On Friday, May 16, GCC will present Ricky Dillard and New Generation live in concert. Dillard, a Gospel Music icon who has been performing in church since

childhood, has toured the Toronto area extensively throughout his career, releasing a Live in Toronto album in 2007.

On Monday, July 14, GCC will present CeCe Winans’ More Than This tour. Winans most recently toured Toronto last fall, where her concert was sold out several weeks in advance. This time around, Winans will be making tour stops in the GTA, Ottawa and

Montreal.

Both the Ricky Dillard and CeCe Winans concerts will be held at the Canada Event Centre (on the Canada Christian College grounds) at 300 Water Street in Whitby.

General and VIP Tickets for both shows are on sale now, and are available at www.GospelConnection.ca.

‘Easter At The River’ to feature Maryanne J. George

Special Easter celebration will feature original music and modern worship favourites

For several years The River, a mid-week service for young adults held at Canada Christian College’s main auditorium, has seen phenomenal growth, with regular weekly attendance of 2,000, rising to 3,500 on days with special musical guests.

Congregations in the east-end of the GTA have embraced the campus ministry, offering their young adults a place to worship and fellowship mid-week alongside their peers.

This Easter, The River will be hosting a Saturday event called Easter At The River, celebrating the Resurrection of Christ with music and message. Easter At The River will be held Saturday, April 19, at 7:00pm at the Canada Event Centre in Whitby.

The special guest worship leader for

Easter At The River will be Maryanne J. George, a 5X GRAMMY award-winning recording artist, songwriter, musician and worship leader. Originally from New York, Maryanne grew up in a culturally diverse environment as a child of immigrants, where music played an integral role in her upbringing. Her musical journey began at the age of four when she learned to play the violin. She later taught herself piano, guitar, and vocals.

She is most notably known as a former member of Maverick City Music, a collective committed to challenging norms within the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and Gospel genres. As part of this group, she has contributed to multiple albums, tours, and award-winning projects. She is

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CHURCH SPACE FOR RENT

West-end Toronto church looking to rent space to a congregation to be shared with two other congregations. Contact: Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship 1307 Bloor St. West. Tel: 416-535-9578 Email: blcfchurch@yahoo.ca.

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Attain your real estate buying, selling, or leasing objectives - whether for yourself, your business, or your Christian ministry. Contact Alex Rascanu, Real Estate Agent at Right at Home Realty, Brokerage (and mention ‘Christian Herald’) www.Rascanu.com • alex@rascanu.com • 647-471-3337

MUSIC PRODUCTION

Need to get your songs Radio-Ready? Call Don Reed at Marble Recording. Mastering Engineer. 647-482-2944.

TUTORING - BIBLICAL STUDIES & APOLOGETICS

Learn from a tutor who specializes in Biblical Studies and Apologetics. $25.00 per hour for Tutoring and $40.00 per hour for Apologetics, $30.00 per hour per student for a group workshop (all done by Zoom). Check out my website at michaels-study.net and request a contact by email, or email me directly at michaelcbennett2020@gmail.com. I have eight years’ experience as a writer for GotQuestions.org. All age groups welcome.

the recipient of multiple Stellar Awards and a BMI award.

The River has been steadily building up its own music catalog, first releasing cover songs on its popular YouTube channel, but branching out into its own original music and live recordings. Easter At The River will

feature original Canadian compositions as well as popular worship songs.

Unlike the regular River events, the Easter event will be ticketed. General Admission tickets are $20.00 and VIP tickets are $50.00, which include reserved seating in the first 10 rows, reserved parking spots next to the entrance, red carpet access, AND an exclusive Easter at The River T-Shirt! (VIP Seats and Parking will only be held until 7:15 PM).

The ticket sales for this special Easter event essentially serve as seed funding for the next ‘season’ of The River (the mid-week River services run congruently with college semesters.)

www.theriverworship.ca

Maryanne J. George

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

leading pastors, theologians and authors explore the church’s future, its challenges, hopes and opportunities. Hosted by The Chapel, 500 Crosspoint Pkwy, Getzville NY USA. With speakers Ray Ortlund, Trevin Wax, Alycia Wood, Robbie Symons, Gavin Ortland, and Dr. Fred Sanders. www.futurechurchconference.com

Let’s Move, Willowdale: Move-a-thon & BBQ

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Join NeighbourLink North York’s 4th Let’s Move, Willowdale Move-a-thon & BBQ in partnership with the North York Seniors Centre (NYSC). The fun starts at Hendon Park with a warm up at 10:30am followed by an 11am walk, run and ride along the Finch Hydro Corridor with friends, family and neighbours, marshalled by We Run North York and Cycle Toronto!

Following the Move-a-thon there will be a BBQ beginning at 12pm with delicious food, entertainment, kids activities by Sunnyside Up Camp, crafts, caricature artists, prizes and much more! Let’s come together to raise funds for the most vulnerable in our community! For more details and registration visit: www.neighbourlink.org/letsmove.

2025 Mississauga Prayer Breakfast

Thursday, May 8, 2025; 7:00-9:00am

The Mississauga Prayer Breakfast is held in the city of Mississauga to bring churches together to pray, in unity, for the city, leaders, and country. The Mississauga Prayer Breakfast is chaired by Pastor Derek Ramkissoon of In Christ Alone Ministries. Tickets: $55. Table of 10: $500. Held at The Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road, Mississauga. www.mississaugaprayerbreakfast.ca.

National March for Life Thursday, May 8, 2025

The National March for Life in Ottawa, typically the largest annual protest on Parliament Hill, takes place in May to mark the passing of the 1969 omnibus bill which decriminalized abortion. Pro-lifers rally in front of our Parliament building and march through downtown Ottawa, demanding that our political representatives fight for the right to life of every human being. The National March for Life is organized by Campaign Life Coalition. The event is a forum for pro-life Canadians to demand justice for the 100,000 children who are killed in their mothers’ wombs each year across Canada. Abortion is fully funded by taxpayers for any reason or no reason at all, right up to the moment of birth. www.marchforlife.ca.

2025 Toronto March for Life Saturday, May 10, 2025; 10:30am-4:30pm Join us in the largest city in the country and stand united with the pro-life movement against the injustice of abortion. www.torontomarchforlife.ca.

2025 Ministry Mental Health Summit May 20-22, 2025

From Brokenness to Belonging...Join Christians from across Canada at the Summit where we will be gathering to equip those in our community impacted by mental illness, allowing them to experience belonging. Hosted by Shalem Mental Health network.

You’ll hear from World Renowned Experts. The workshop leaders and Keynote Speakers include Curt Thompson, Kay Warren, Dr. Hillary Mc-

Bride, Prof. John Swinton, Daniel Whitehead and more. www.shalemnetwork.org.

Creative Hospitality: Accessible ministries of welcome with people with disabilities

Saturday, May 24, 2025; 10:00am-3:30pm

Welcoming people with disabilities and their families into ministry spaces requires an “overall stance of flexibility and adaptability” (Erik Carter et al., 2023). This one-day conference is designed to inspire and equip Canadian church leaders, families, and volunteers to think imaginatively about creative practices of welcome. With speakers Dr. Thomas Reynolds, Dr. Cynthia Tam, Dr. Francis Pang, and Dr. Keith Dow. Held at 26 Peppler St., Waterloo. Through meaningful discussions and workshops, participants will explore ways to foster accessibility and belonging within their ministry practices. Expect to hear about innovative approaches to hospitality that are grounded in theological reflection and practical application. Join us as we reimagine Christian hospitality through the lens of faith and compassionate creativity — building spaces where everyone is truly welcome. www.adeepercommunion.org.

Belongathon

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Join us for an accessible walk and roll in your community! Together, we’ll raise awareness and funds for people with developmental disabilities in your community and around the world. Let’s create spaces where everybody belongs! Meeting big goals starts with you. You can be one of the 1,500 Belongathoners across Ontario and Saskatchewan creating change this June. www.belongathon.ca.

The Big Give

Saturday, June 7, 2025

The Big Give believes that kindness and generosity are an integral part of our Christian faith. Every year, the group mobilize churches across the country to bless their neighbourhoods through a unified day of giving extravagantly –everything is free! To find out more about having your church or ministry join in, visit www.thebiggive.ca.

MEN

Sports Fan Outreach Training

May 23-26, 2025

Sports Fan Outreach International Canada is conducting its second training of evangelists May 23-26 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The goal is for men who have an evangelistic call or passion to join us for these four days in Niagara Falls. (All-day training and outreach) Fee: $200 (for accommodations) Register: https://www.sfoi.ca/niagara-falls or contact info@sfoi.org

MOVIES & TV

The Chosen - Season 5

Theatrical release: March 27-April 11

The table is set. The people of Israel welcome Jesus as king while his disciples anticipate his crowning. But—instead of confronting Rome— he turns the tables on the Jewish religious festival. Their power threatened, the country’s religious and political leaders will go to any length to ensure this Passover meal is Jesus’ last. www.thechosen.tv

The King of Kings Releasing in Theaters April 11

Charles Dickens wrote a short story and read it yearly to his family as a Christmas tradition, yet the writing was largely unknown until it was published in 1934, six decades after Dickens’ death. The animated story follows Dickens, his son Walter, and their cat Willa as they become immersed in the story of Jesus. www.angel.com/movies/king-of-kings.

PRAYER

24 Hour Worshippers Toronto Monthly

The mission of 24HW is to exalt God through worship and prayer as one body, while standing in the gap for the city, the country and the church. Worship and prayer teams from congregations in Toronto take 2-hour slots and pray through a weekend each month, starting on Friday at 7:00pm and running for 24 hours. www.24hourworshippers.com.

SINGLES

Plan and Prepare Single Adults Relationship Seminar Friday/Saturdays, May 16 to June 7

A happy and healthy marriage is no accident. Register now and attend our 8 session virtual seminar to learn how to choose wisely. Seminar dates are May 16th to June 7th (Friday nights and Saturday mornings). Take a risk and invest in your future relationship. For details visit www.planandprepare.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Alpha

Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about life, faith and Jesus. The same Alpha content is run all over the world, by Christians of all traditions, and provides a common expression of faith. Over 1 million people in Canada have experienced Alpha, and millions more have taken Alpha in over 100 countries and over 100 languages around the globe. Find a local Alpha course at www.alphacanada.org.

DivorceCare

DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. Find a local group at www.divorcecare.org.

DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K)

Are your children angry, hurt, and confused about your separation or divorce? A DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K) support group is a safe, fun place where your children can learn skills that will help them heal. DC4K groups blend, games, music, stories, videos and discussion to help kids process the divorce and move forward. Groups meet weekly and are designed for children ages 5-12. Find a group at www.dc4k.org.

GriefShare

GriefShare is a weekly support group for those facing the loss of a loved one through death.

You will be most welcomed into a warm caring environment in which you can receive hope and encouragement by relating to others who are facing similar emotions. Find a local GriefShare group at www.griefshare.org.

Parents of Human Trafficking Victims: Online Support Group

First and Third Thursdays, 7:00-9:00 pm (Family members suffer greatly when a loved one becomes entangled in the sex trade. If you are a parent or family member of a young person exploited in this way, we offer a safe space for you to be understood. Zoom in or meet with us in person to process your feelings without fear of judgment. We also work with families, individually, to bring an end to the exploitation. Parents Hope is part of the Christian ministry of Lifeworthy - SIM Canada. For more info, please email Lynda at parents.hope@lifeworthy.ca or visit: www.lifeworthy.ca.

Pure Desire

Pure Desire Ministries International is a biblically-based and clinically-informed ministry committed to true revival in the church through the healing of the present day epidemic of sexual brokenness. Pure Desire groups offer a roadmap to recovery from sexual addiction, betrayal, and relationship issues by providing a safe, confidential place to process your life story: learning how family of origin, traumatic experiences, and wounding messages impact relationships. www.puredesire.org/join-a-group.

Sharing The Burden There is Hope! Come and take life-healing steps. Addiction, anxiety, depression, co-dependency. Don’t be alone with it any longer. Group support, all welcome. email: scott@sharingtheburden.ca or visit www.sharingtheburden.ca.

WOMEN

Moms in the Making Christian Infertility Support Group First and Third Tuesdays; 7:00pm Moms in the Making exists to support and encourage women on their journey to becoming a mom by sharing the hope and truth of God’s Word. One way we accomplish this mission is by hosting in-person groups, which meet twice a month as we together focus on scripture and our hope in Jesus. Moms in the Making groups are for married women who, in partnership with their husband, are looking to expand their family. Whether you are taking a natural approach or pursuing treatments, adoption, foster care or a different route, you are welcome. The Newmarket, Ontario group which meets at 7pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. www.momsinthemaking.com/canada.

Your Royal Identity & Fashion Show

Sunday, May 4, 2025, 6:30pm Ladies, we can’t wait to see you in your royal hat (optional). Join us for a night of music, prizes, and inspiring teaching as we break free from distorted identities @ Hope Restored Brampton Ministries, 85 Sandalwood Pkwy. E., Brampton. Guest Speaker Dr. Marva Tyndale will be speaking from her newly released book ‘Come Forth in Your Royal Identity.’ hoperestoredbm.com.

Praying daily to a God who provides

The only thing the disciples asked of Jesus was, “Lord, teach us to pray “(Luke 11:1). Prayer, like dieting and exercise, is easy to preach but hard to practice. It’s a challenge to communicate with an invisible God on his terms. He’s quiet and often replies in elusive ways. As New Year’s resolutions lose fuel in February, I can lose fuel to keep prayer burning in my life. D. A. Carson offers lesson one, “We don’t drift into disciplined prayer. We won’t grow in prayer unless we plan to pray.” I can tire of my prayers when it feels like they don’t lift off the launching pad. A Facebook post by Howard Snyder encourages me, “Prayer is difficult because we are dealing with unseen forces and sometimes unseen results—or results that don’t appear till much later.”

Prayerlessness

I’ve observed and mourned that wholesale prayerlessness is pandemic, particularly in the Western Church. If prayer is the oxygen of the soul, wouldn’t planned prayer as Christians and churches be as essential to us as oxygen is for an intubated patient in an ICU? Tim Keller writes, “Prayer is so great wherever you look in the Bible, it’s there. Why? Everywhere God is, prayer is.” Prayerlessness suffocates with no other options for spiritual breath.

by Roger Helland

We offer routine prayer at our church services, at mealtimes, and as we open and close meetings. But do we engage in strenuous prayer, like “Epaphras . . . a servant of Christ Jesus. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Col. 4:12 NIV)? We moan about life’s clutter and clatter. We’re frantic, weary, and preoccupied. We have strenuous jobs. We’re overwhelmed with all the unfinished tasks around the house. We grind through life and losses. Nevertheless, Paul insists, “Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col. 4:2 NIV).

When left unchecked, we can succumb to our inner atheist. There’s a gravitational pull to live by human-centred unbelief without attention to God, shown by paltry prayer. Didn’t Jesus say, “Apart from me, you can do zero?” (John 15:5). And I question if, deep down inside, we have nagging doubts if prayer works or if God hears. Theologian Donald Bloesch (echoing John Calvin) states, “Just as prayer is the cardinal evidence of faith, so prayerlessness is the salient hallmark of unbelief. Prayer is faith in action.”

I understand prayer as communion and communication with God. It’s my conscious relationship with God. Rather than show up on my terms with a list of hollow requests, like people who only contact you when they want something, I devote myself to Kingdom prayer. I want to pray daily to a personal God who provides. If you haven’t done so, please read my previous article, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.” (Christian Herald, February 2025.) I covered the first section of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:2: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.”

Provision

Jesus continued with what we should pray, “Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). Like children who depend on their parents, we depend on our Father to supply our immediate needs of food, shelter, clothes, and the necessities of life, both

“When left unchecked, we can succumb to our inner atheist.”

physical and spiritual. Good fathers give good gifts to their children, who constantly ask for things. So does God (Matt. 7:11). Most of us have incomes, refrigerators, homes, and maybe some savings. But our jobs and finances are fleeting and unreliable. And multitudes in the world suffer from poverty and hunger.

In all cases, the Lord’s prayer directs us not to forget our Provider and assume our power, rather than the Lord’s, got our wealth. Like Israel in the wilderness, God will supply a day’s worth of manna daily (Keith Green called it “bamanna bread”) as we trust him (Deut. 8:11-20). Millions don’t have refrigerators or freezers and can’t stock up. They shop daily. We must eject anxiety about tomorrow, fearing God won’t come through (Matt. 6:25-34). He will. What do you need daily? Ask him for it. God’s not stingy. He’ll supply—in his way and time.

My parents were tight with money. At times, I can be tight too and resist generosity. Unlike my generous wife, who had generous parents! This is a faith issue for me. I intend to live one day at a time and trust our Father to give fresh-baked daily bread. Remember, we need Jesus, the Bread of Life from heaven (John 6:46-50). And we don’t live on multigrain bread alone but on every spoken (rhema) word that comes from God’s mouth (Matt. 4:4). I intend to pray for God’s daily provision for my life and leadership, for my wife, children, and grandchildren.

In 2025, I intend to dive deeper into devotion to Kingdom prayer and pursue God’s presence.

Ignite Prayer Canada

Explore Ignite Prayer Canada. Our vision is to see 1,000 churches across Canada cultivate vibrant cultures of Kingdom prayer. Our mission is to help churches become houses of prayer. Prayer isn’t a religious ritual, duty, or agenda item. It’s a power-packed and transformative practice of communication and communion with God that activates his Kingdom mission on earth. We offer resources, training, newsletters, leaders forums, networking, and events to teach you to pray. Become a participant or co-sponsor: igniteprayer.ca

Roger Helland is the prayer ambassador of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, lead team member of Ignite Prayer Canada, and author of Pursuing God’s Presence. (available at Amazon.ca)

"And they said: let us rise up and build! So they strengthened their hands for this good work."

- Nehemiah 2:18