The January update from President Bud Penner is below. The Prayer Guide for February 2008 / Guide de Prières février 2008 is available for download.
I was encouraged from Psalm 5:3, “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” I’m amazed at how much a person can get accomplished in the first 3 hours after getting up. Studies show that most people are more productive in the first 3 hours of their job than the remaining 5 in an 8 hour a day job. This verse reinforces my desire to “lay my requests before the Lord and wait in expectation” each morning. God is fully functional 24/7, but He knows we might not be and therefore invites us to start our prayer life early in the day.
Motivational Opportunities
The Revive Your Soul Conference held in North Toronto and sponsored by Tyndale College February 25 – 27, 2008 is detailed on our website and has an excellent series of presenters. http://www.agcofcanada.com/blogs/events/181/post.aspx
Cross the Street Conference is this year being held in Winnipeg, MB, April 11-12, 2008. It will give you some excellent stories of reaching out into the community. Please check the EFC website for more details. http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=4979&srcid=189
Focus on the Family is holding a number of Pastors Gatherings across the country in February. Their website contains information on venues and dates. http://www.fotf.ca/pastorsgatherings/
In a fast changing society and an increasingly complex church environment it is important to hear from as many sources as possible how God is working so that we can be encouraged in our walk and relationship with God.
Superintendent Search in Canada East
Please pray with the Search Team who have narrowed their search and have interviewed candidates. The hope is to be able to invite a single candidate to consider a call to this position in early February after the Canada East Council meeting. Your prayers are appreciated.
Quebec Developments
Église Biblique Pierre Angulaire, with Pastor Kichner Firmin, have moved into their “new” facilities that seat 1500 people. They are praying for the sale of their old church building and for the Lord to fill the “new” church with people.
The Église Évangélique de Blainville is one of our fastest growing church plants. Pray for Pastor Charles-Henri Côté and his new Associate Greg Gibson. Greg is also raising his support as a Quebec missionary. He is a member of Metropolitan Bible Church in Ottawa and feels a strong call to this ministry in Quebec. His support is beginning to come in to our office, while he also subsidizes his income through other work.
Canada West
I believe Superintendent Jim Houston may have set a new record in the number of kilometres travelled in December! He covered the full breadth of the West, hitting some northern and southern spots along the way. Pray for Jim as he travels in these winter months.
National Conference, June 5-8, 2008
The planning team is working hard to put together all the details for our June 5-8, 2008 National Conference, being held at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, ON. Early bird discounts are available until February 29th – register early to save!! There are some details on our website, with more to follow in the mail. http://www.agcofcanada.com/blogs/events/130/post.aspx
Thanks once again for your partnership and please thank your church as well for their contribution.
With Appreciation,
A.F. Bud Penner
President