Sexual Exploitation Summit
Do you know law enforcement personnel (attorneys, police officers, judges, lawyers and law students) who would like a deeper understanding of the impact of sexual exploitation and prostitution? A special training opportunity from a coalition of justice services and community agencies is being offered for this sector on May 5 as part of the Canadian Sexual Exploitation Summit. Learn more at SexualExploitationSummit.ca. Among the other workshops offered at the event are one for hotel workers (May 4) and for truckers and taxi drivers (May 5).
And of course the main summit events are worthwhile for anyone to learn more, including live webinars and panels May 6-7. Over 40 pre-recorded sessions will also be released for the duration of the Summit to watch at your leisure.
New Podcast: Brian Doerksen on Leading Worship with a Whisper
Brian Doerksen is a songwriter, recording artist, conference speaker and songwriting instructor. Several of his songs such as “Faithful One" and "Come, Now Is the Time to Worship" are mainstays of evangelical worship. In our latest Faith Today Podcast, he speaks with Karen Stiller about leading worship, being outside the "inner circle" of contemporary Christian music and the role of lament.
Prayer Prompts for Friday@4
The EFC has begun to offer weekly prayer suggestions related to the pandemic at TheEFC.ca/Friday@4. While you can of course pray about these topics anytime, the EFC is promoting a special communal time of each Friday at 4:00 p.m. Please consider setting a reminder and then praying at the same hour in your time zone along with other Christians.
Prayer for India
The Asia Evangelical Alliance is convening a special online gathering to pray for India. The prayer time is scheduled for 11:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 5 (9 a.m. Thursday morning, India time). Please plan to join this special gathering to pray for the nation of India, the people of India and the Church in India.
Register here: http://tiny.cc/prayforindia
Bill C-268: Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act
Bill C-268 is expected to be debated soon. This bill would create an offense in the Criminal Code making it illegal to compel a doctor or other health care professional to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of medical assistance in dying. For more information and a sample letter to send to your MP, visit our Bill C-268 page.
Refugee Sunday Resources
World Renew, a partner of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, provides vital support in resettling refugee families who are seeking peace and safety in Canada. Refugee Sunday is an April event when World Renew encourages supporters to explore how you or your church can walk alongside a refugee family on their journey toward hope. Download informative resources geared to better understand and promote refugee sponsorship (available for personal or congregational use).
You’re also welcome to join a two-part workshop on “Faith in Action: Practicing Biblical Advocacy for Refugee Justice” on May 4 and 11, both at 7 p.m.
Refugee Sunday can of course be observed anytime. The World Evangelical Alliance is promoting June 20, 2021, as another possible date, which coincides with the UN World Refugee Day (TheEFC.ca/WorldRefugeeSunday).
Join the EFC’s Book Discussion on Reaching Emerging Adults
We're hosting an online book discussion on the theme of reaching and keeping unchurched emerging adults. And you're invited! On May 18 we'll host a panel with author Beth Seversen to discuss her book Not Done Yet: Reaching and Keeping Unchurched Emerging Adults (www.ivpress.com/not-done-yet). Register now to join us from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern time to hear from the author, discuss the book in small groups and then engage in a live Q and A with her. Co-hosted by the EFC and Youth Worker Community. Now’s the time to order the book so you’ll be ready to discuss it.
Ode to Reading
The act of reading isn’t just an academic exercise or an enjoyable hobby. The written word fundamentally matters to the church, says pastor and author Preston Pouteaux in our May/Jun Faith Today cover story. “Perhaps it is what writer Marilyn McEntyre calls the practice of poesis – the work of turning words into action – that deeply helps the work of the Church…Our work is to turn words of love into a movement of love.”
Get more unique Canadian Christian journalism like this by signing up at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree, financially supported by advertising revenue and reader donations (FaithToday.ca/Donate). Thank you for helping enable this important ministry.
→ The Truth and Reconciliations Commission and Bill C-15 (Canadian Council of Churches), online May 4
→ Resurrection Conversations (Forge Canada), online May 4, 11
→ Refugee Advocacy Webinar (CRC Centre for Public Dialogue/World Renew), online May 4, 11
→ Leadership Conference 2021 (Alpha International), online May 4-5
→ Fellowship of Christian Assemblies Virtual Convention (FCA Canada), online May 4-5
→ Stewardship of Your People Through Policies and Practices (Canadian Christian Centre for Christian Charities), online May 5
→ Canadian Sexual Exploitation Summit (Defend Dignity), online May 5-7
→ Discovering God at Work in Your Neighbourhood (Forge), online May 6, 20, June 3, 17
→ What Have We Learned from Brazos Commentary Series (Wycliffe College), online May 7
→ Engaging the Parables of Jesus (Wycliffe College), online May 11
→ How Love Transforms Business and Missions (Canadian Christian Directory), online May 11
→ Timothy Preaching Lectures with Dr. Philip Ryken (Met Bible Church), online May 12
→ National March for Life, Ottawa, May 13
→ Responding to a Critical Incident – How to Prioritize, Communicate and Act (P2P), May 13
→ Watercooler Break (Canadian Christian Communicators), online May 14
→ Seeking Justice Together (Citizens for Public Justice), online May 17-20
→ Book Club on Reaching Emerging Adults (EFC/YWC), online May 18
→ Married to the Minister: Joys and Struggles (Karen Stiller/JFJ), online May 20
→ EFC Pentecost Prayer: All Affiliates and Staff, online May 20
→ Step into Impact: Exploring the Leader’s Operational Model (Food for the Hungry), May 20
→ Being Jesus Centred in a Secular Age (Jesus Collective), online May 20
→ Parenting emerging adults (RockPointe Church), online May 20
→ The Justice Conference – Global (Tearfund), online May 20
→ Christian Higher Education Conference (CHE Canada), online May 31-June 3
→ Une soirée au sommet (La Rencontre au Sommet), en ligne 1 juin
→ Treaty and Covenant: Creating Space for Hope (NAITTS), online June 3-5
Publicize your event for free on our calendar and we will also share it in this email newsletter.
In Case You Missed It
→ Sample letter on conversion therapy bill (pdf docx)
→ Hope in crisis: Interview with Grace Fox (podcast)
→ Should pastors cry (Faith Today article)
→ Invitation to create (Faith Today call for homemade art, deadline June 30)
→ Nouvelles ressources en français / New French-language resources (on EFC website)