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April 24, 2018

24 April 2018

Condolences and Call to Prayer After Toronto Van Tragedy

The EFC expresses its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of the ten people killed yesterday in the tragic event in Toronto. Our prayers go out to the families of those killed and to the 15 people who were injured when a van left the road, mounted the sidewalk and struck innocent pedestrians. We ask all Canadians to pray for those whose lives have been forever changed as they mourn the loss of loved ones, care for those injured, and for the first responders and medical teams caring for the survivors. The EFC asks all our affiliates and supporters to pray for those impacted, their families, friends and communities, and for local churches and others providing care and support in the affected neighbourhoods.

Webinar This Thursday on Human Trafficking

What is the latest on human trafficking in Canada? Who are the victims? What can individuals and churches do to address this challenging problem across our country? This Thursday at noon EST, join us for our webinar on this issue. Julia Beazley, director of public policy for the EFC, will update us. Register now.

New Audio Podcasts on Youth

Let’s help our kids embrace the faith by trading in picture-perfect faith for an authentic experience with Jesus. Our new podcast Help Your Kids Embrace the Faith is based on a Faith Today article by Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, author of the book Why I Didn’t Rebel.

Another new podcast is Youth Inspire Me. It’s an interview with Renée Embree, director of youth and family ministries for the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and director of the youth and young adult ministry program at Acadia Divinity College. She discusses youth culture today and what’s new in Atlantic Canada.

Listen to individual episodes of The EFC Podcast (or subscribe to download each new episode automatically) at Google Play, iTunes, SoundCloud, and RSS (Feedburner). Check out our full list of recent episodes.

EFC Vice-President Speaking in Barrie, Teaching at Tyndale

David Guretzki, the EFC’s executive vice-president and resident theologian, will be speaking at Covenant Christian Reformed Church in Barrie, Ont., on April 25 at 7:30 p.m. His topic will be “Biblical Perspectives on End of Life Issues.” Please call the church at 705-734-0651 if you would like more information.

He will also be teaching a course in Toronto at Tyndale Seminary entitled, “Life in the Mess: A Theology of Forgiveness and Reconciliation,” from April 30 to May 4. See more information here.

David Guretzki is available to speak on these topics to other churches and groups as well. Contact Anita Kwan if interested in booking him on these or other topics you may wish to be addressed.

Join Christian Communicators in Hamilton, Ont.

Two Christian associations of writers, editors and other communicators are holding “Uncovering Truth in an Uncertain World,” a joint national conference in Hamilton, Ont., May 2-4. Anyone involved in communications is welcome to attend. The conference features a variety of speakers (including Faith Today senior editors Karen Stiller and Bill Fledderus) and two awards banquets. Full conference details: www.canadianchurchpress.com/convention. Full registration or single-event tickets:  www.catholicregister.org/ccp. Inquire about student discounts at cdnchurchpress@hotmail.com.

Q & A: Educating for Vocation

Canadian Mennonite University is a Christian university in Winnipeg that inspires and equips women and men for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation. Read our Q & A with its president Cheryl Pauls to learn what is at the heart of its mission, what role it plays in the life of the church, and more. This article is free online, but you can also receive it and future articles in our print magazine by subscribing at FaithToday.ca/subscription.

It’s a Choice: Who or What Defines You?

Josiah Piett writes in Love Is Moving, the EFC’s magazine for youth and youth leaders, about finding his identity in Christ in the midst of a terminal disease. “The amazing thing is that this is the same truth for your life, even as you read this. Regardless of your circumstances or your past, you have a choice over letting these things define who you are. Jesus has something different to say to you – He says He loves you. In His eyes, you are worthy of His sacrifice on the cross. He desires to redefine, restore, and relocate you into the house He has built for you.”

Students and youth groups can subscribe to the LIM print magazine for only $2/issue at FaithToday.ca/student.

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar 

Publicize your event for free.  

→ Church Leaders Forums – World Vision. Victoria, Langley, Calgary, Edmonton, Apr. 24-27
→ CYN Youth Worker Resource Lunch Tour, 12 cities across Ontario and Quebec, Apr. 24-May 3
→ Foundations of Media Strategy (disciple-making on social media), weekly online course, Thursdays Apr. 26-May 24
→ EFC Webinar on Human Trafficking in Canada, online at noon EST, Apr. 26
→ Providence and Physical Law (Physics and metaphysics), Hamilton, Apr. 24
→ Come Thirsty, Drink Deeply (Baptist women), Mississauga, Apr. 27-28
→ Empowered to Connect (Adoption and connection), North York, Apr. 27-28
→ Reach Conference, Toronto, Apr. 27-28
→ Last Days Bible Conference, Calgary, Apr. 27-28
→ ReBoot Youth Conference, Victoria, Apr. 28
→ Voices for Peace, Toronto, Apr. 28
→ Promise Keepers, Barrie, Apr. 28
→ Church Leaders Forums – World Vision. Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Steinbach, May 1-4
→ Light in the Workplace – Abbotsford Prayer Breakfast, Abbotsford, May 2
→ Canadian Church Press Convention, Hamilton, May 2-4
→ Islam in Canada, online course every Wed & Fri, May 2-July 3
→ Indigenous People and the Christian Faith, Edmonton, May 4-5
→ Souly Business Canada Conference, Godfrey, May 4-6
→ Reboot Youth Conference, Mississauga, May 5