ChristianWeek

Lower Mainland churches vow to tackle homelessness
“We’re in the midst of a crisis,” conference participants told Turnout was larger than expected at a one-day seminar on how churches can help provide shelter and housing for growing numbers of homeless people across the Lower Mainland. It was “a watershed moment,” say its organizers. Two hundred pre-registered—the most that co-chair Jonathan Bird says they were prepared to accommodate—but 250 actually showed up. More importantly, they all left united in purpose, despite having come from across the denominational spectrum. read the full story>

John Suk inaugurated, awards doctorate

The inaugural address of president John Suk galvanized the mission statement of the Institute for Christian Studies (ICS) in Toronto, October 20. It marked the conferral of the first ICS honourary doctorate to Gerald Vandezande, veteran national public affairs director of Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ).

“We don’t often connect compassion with wisdom or knowledge,” said Suk at a packed St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran church. Suk described ICS as a place where students are equipped with both wisdom and compassion.

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New Direction to build national network

A ministry that offers Christian support to men and women choosing to leave homosexuality wants to expand its work across Canada, says Wendy Gritter, executive director of New Direction Ministries.

Speaking to an invitation-only crowd of close to 250 at an October 27 evening fundraiser, Gritter says in the last year and a half, New Direction has taken “two fairly independent, regional offices and formed one strong national board.”

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Athletes in Action organizes Grey Cup breakfast

While 40,000 fired-up fans gather at Winnipeg’s CanadInn Stadium this November for the 2006 Grey Cup, a national faith-based sports group will be focused on winning them for Christ.

Athletes in Action (AIA) Manitoba is organizing a Grey Cup Breakfast at the Winnipeg Convention Centre the day before the big game.

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Toronto Calling urges broader engagement

Due to its economic power and multiculturalism, Toronto is a city of global influence, and the evangelistic challenge for the Church here is both large and diverse.

That was the message John G. Stackhouse Jr., professor of theology and culture at Regent College, delivered to an audience of 100 at the Toronto Calling conference, October 28.

But Stackhouse reminded his listeners that as residents of the city, they have an obligation to “seek shalom” here, and encouraged them to be active participants in its life.

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