EFC Makes Recommendations to Parliamentary Committee on Combatting Human Trafficking
The EFC sent a brief on May 2 to a parliamentary committee studying human trafficking in Canada. The three-page brief recommends a permanent anti-trafficking strategy and continued support for the existing prostitution laws, along with other measures. It also notes that prostitution is the most common end point for trafficking in Canada. Learn more by downloading the free PDF.
Debate Tomorrow on Bill to Reverse Law Allowing MAiD for Mental Illness
A bill to reverse the law allowing euthanasia/assisted suicide for mental illness is expected to have its first hour of debate in the House of Commons tomorrow. Please pray for MPs to support private member’s bill C-314. Ask your MP to support this bill. For more information and a sample MP letter, see www.TheEFC.ca/TakeActionOnMAID.
EFC President in South Africa for WEA Meetings
The EFC is part of a global fellowship of 130 national associations that comprise the World Evangelical Alliance. David Guretzki, EFC’s president, will be attending the WEA International Council meetings in Johannesburg, South Africa this week, in his role as a member of the Executive Committee of the WEA Council.
EFC Researchers Discuss Parenting Faith Report on Podcast
EFC researchers Rick Hiemstra and Lindsay Callaway recently appeared on a podcast of the Canadian Small Church Ministry Centre to discuss the Parenting Faith report, a new report that explores how parents understand faith formation and their approach to instilling faith in their children.
Download the free Parenting Faith report, executive summary (aussi en français), key findings, summary and more at TheEFC.ca/ParentingFaith.
New Bill Would Increase Protection for Pregnant Women
Bill C-311 would establish the abuse and harm of a pregnant woman as factors for judges to consider when sentencing criminals. Please contact your MP to ask them to support this private member’s bill, initiated by MP Cathay Wagantall and debated last week in the House of Commons. You can use the EFC’s sample letter at TheEFC.ca/C-311. Pray along with us that this bill will pass.
Faith Today TV: How to Bring Out Your Creative Side
In the latest episode of Faith Today TV, Ann-Margret Hovsepian, a Montreal author and illustrator, chats about the creative side God has blessed each of us with. Find all our new short videos at FaithToday.tv and YouTube.com/@FaithTodayCanada.
Living Under Authority
Columnist Bruce Clemenger reflects on our witness to the sovereignty of God in his new May/Jun column for Faith Today. “Our task is to proclaim the sovereignty of God, that all power and authority of rulers is delegated to them, and that rulers are to exercise their God-given authority for good. They are accountable,” he writes.
New Full-Time Position: Communications Specialist
The EFC is now accepting applications to lead EFC social media and collaborate with a team to create journalistic stories through print, video, and audio. Learn more at TheEFC.ca/Jobs.
Peace & Reconciliation Network Appoints Canadian Coordinator
Joel Zantingh has been appointed Coordinator for Canada at the Peace & Reconciliation Network (PRN), working with global director Phil Wagler of Kelowna, B.C. Zantingh, an ordained minister with the Evangelical Missionary Church in Canada, will work to inspire, equip and synergize peacebuilding and reconciliation ministry within the Canadian Church. The PRN is a commission of the World Evangelical Alliance and supported by the EFC. Zantingh's appointment is part of a collaboration with Lausanne Movement Canada, an EFC affiliate, where he just became Director of Engagement. Learn more.
Pastors Who Risk Real Friendships
Pastors need true friends, but they can be hard to find. Read this hopeful blog post at FaithToday.ca written by Mark Glanville and Danielle Vriend Fluit, organizers of an upcoming Vancouver gathering around on this topic.
EFC Staff Speaking on MAiD and Other Life Issues
EFC President and Resident Theologian David Guretzki will speak at a seminar on “caring for life” at Hillcrest Church Worship Centre in Medicine Hat, Alta., on June 10. He will explore developing a Christian theology of life while responding to Canada’s current emphasis on medical assistance in dying (MAiD), abortion and other life issues.
Stéphane Couture, the EFC’s Quebec regional director, will speak in Montreal and Quebec City this month on « Nul ne meurt pour lui-même : un positionnement chrétien sur l’aide médicale à mourir » (None of us dies for ourselves alone: A Christian Response to MAID). On May 20 he will speak at the Gathering of Quebec Church Leaders of the Free Methodist Church of Canada at l’Église Méthodiste Libre de Rosemont in Montreal. On May 31 he will speak at Église Vie Abondante in Quebec City.
This Week’s Prayer Prompts
Prayer is essential to any effective action. Each week at TheEFC.ca/TakeAction we rotate through a prayer request from each of these five areas: Sanctity of Life, Care for the Vulnerable, Church and Mission, Family and Community, Religious Freedom. We also list an EFC affiliate group to pray for.
This week’s prayer request is about poverty and homelessness.
You can learn more on these issues at TheEFC.ca/povertyhomelessness.
Pray for opportunity, security, provision, hope and freedom for those who cannot meet their basic needs or who are at risk of becoming homeless. Pray for agencies and churches who provide food, shelter, clothing, job training, support and friendship; and pray for us to hear and be moved by God’s love and call to serve those who are in need.
This week’s EFC affiliate highlight focuses on Yonge Street Mission, which believes that each and every one of the 500,000 people experiencing poverty in Toronto has immense value. All resources and energy at Yonge Street Mission (YSM) are focused on working to respond to immediate needs and help people move from surviving to thriving.
You can always find the week’s prayer prompts at TheEFC.ca/TakeAction.
→ Encouragement Conference (Presbyterian College), Montreal, May 16-17
→ Creative Responses to Conflict (Love Is Moving), online, May 16
→ Marc Chagall and the Bible Exhibit (Wycliffe College), Toronto, May 16-Oct. 30
→ Christian Music Festival, Toronto, May 20
→ Prayer Vigil for Peace in Ukraine (SOWM, KV, BFP), Winnipeg, May 21
→ Preaching to Reach the World in Our Neighbourhood (Tyndale), Toronto, May 23
→ Leadership Conference From Alpha, online, May 24 or 25
→ Christian Communicators Retreat and Awards (CCCA), Puslinch, Ont., May 25-27
→ Finding Faith in the Fields and Forests (New Leaf Network), online, May 25
→ Day of Prayer for Christian Camps, nationwide, May 28
→ NPB Young Canadian Leaders Summit, Ottawa, May 28-30
→ National Prayer Breakfast (NPB), Ottawa, May 29 (dinner); May 30 (breakfast)
→ The 6:7 Awakening (The 6:4 Fellowship), Calgary, May 30
→ Come Together Saskatchewan (Gospel Fire), Saskatoon, June 2-4
→ Truth and Grace Women’s Getaway (Muskoka Bible Centre), Huntsville, June 2-4
→ The Gathering: Journeying Toward Pastoral Health (Regent College), Vancouver, June 2-3
→ Reforming the Church: Learning from the Westminster Divines (Wycliffe College), Toronto, June 3
→ Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CMU), Winnipeg, June 5-9, 12-16
→ Forum on Inter-Church Dialogues (Cdn Council of Churches), Edmonton, June 8-10
→ A Night with the Persecuted Church (Open Doors), Winnipeg, June 8; Langley, June 9; Burnaby, June 10
→ Caring for Life Seminar (EFC/David Guretzki/Hillcrest Church), Medicine Hat, June 10
→ Creative Justice: Disability and the Church (A Deeper Communion), online/Hamilton/Calgary, June 10
→ Letters from Moscow: The Opening and Closing of Russia (Global Scholars), online/Oakville, June 10
→ Victorious Festival (Canadian Bible Society), Toronto, June 10; Calgary, Oct. 7
In Case You Missed It
→ Job Openings: pastor (Montreal, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie); Montreal director of leadership programs; and more (FaithToday.ca/Classifieds)
→ How to Bring Out Your Creative Side, With Ann-Margret Hovsepian (Faith Today Podcast)
→ Evangelicals in an Age of Self-Spirituality, With Sam Reimer on his book Caught in the Current (Faith Trends Podcast)
→ Hastened Death for Mental Illness Delayed, But Needs to Be Stopped (EFC info and call to action)
→ Facing the Pastoral Challenges of Euthanasia (Faith Today column by the EFC’s David Guretzki)
→ Take Action Brochures on Euthanasia and Mental Illness and Mental Illness for Youth
→ Bill to Protect Young Persons from Sexually Explicit Materials (EFC info and call to action)