Canadian Baptist Ministries

God is moving through the church in the Middle East!

Read Global Field Staff Evangeline Hammond's latest update to learn about CBM's relief & development work and children and youth ministries in the MENA region.

https://www.cbmin.org/2024/07/evangeline-hammond-ministry-update-july-2024/

📸 Photo #1: Young boys ask for a photo during school break. They attend one of the non-formal education centres in the Bekaa Valley supported by CBM.

Photos #3&4: Children from local churches participate in day camps

Photos #5&6- Rim, originally from Syria, and her children live in an informal settlement in the Bekaa Valley. Her children attend the education centre offered by a local church.

PRESS RELEASE: 🗞

Mississauga, Ontario – Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia Nacho Vargas as Latin America Team Leader, effective January 1, 2025.

Patty takes on this new role as previous Team Leaders, Bruno and Kathleen Soucy, transition from their current duties and shift to new roles.

Read the full release here: ➡ https://www.cbmin.org/2024/07/cbm-appoints-patricia-nacho-vargas-as-latin-america-team-leader/

Pray with us:

Asia:
🙏 Pray for the participants of the Creation Care Project in the Philippines as farmers start planting their crops this season. Pray for the rain to be sufficient for healthy crop growth.
🙏Pray for the Kui girls’ hostel in India, specifically for their safety, studies, and empowerment. All of them come from families living below the poverty line.

LAC Region:
🙏 Pray for political stability and the success of anti-corruption initiatives, particularly in Guatemala where the new administration under President Bernardo Arévalo has pledged to increase accountability and effectiveness in the public sector. Ask for wisdom and integrity for leaders across the region.

Africa Region:
🙏 As South Sudan continues to face challenges, including political instability and economic difficulties, pray for humanitarian aid to reach those in need, for the safety of aid workers, and for the country’s leadership to work towards sustainable peace and development.

MENA:
🙏 Pray for the conflict in Sudan to end, and for the safety of our partners as they tirelessly and sacrificially serve their communities.
🙏 For Elie and Mireille Haddad who faithfully lead the MENA Team.

Press Release: 🗞

Mississauga, Ontario – Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) announces the conclusion of Bruno and Kathleen Soucy as Team Leaders for Latin America and their transition to new ministry roles effective December 31, 2024.

Bruno and Kathleen have served with CBM since 2006, first in Rwanda, then as Latin America Team Leaders since 2014. The Soucys will continue serving in part time roles as Bruno will be working with Vennture, CBM’s faith and work initiative, while Kathleen will offer support to the SENT program.

Read the full release here: ➡ https://www.cbmin.org/2024/07/cbm-announces-role-change-for-the-soucys-ministry/

Feeding Hope: Global Spotlight!

Meet Miriam, one of the participants of the Food Security Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This project, started by CBM’s partner, the Community of Baptist Churches in Eastern Congo (CEBCE), has transformed her life and the lives of many others in her village. She shares:

“Before this project began, life was a constant struggle. My family and I depended on our small farm for food, but our methods were not working, and our yields were low. Every day was a challenge to make ends meet, and providing for my children often felt impossible. I knew we needed help, but I had no idea where to turn.

In May 2023, everything started to change when I was invited by my church to join the food security project. We were so excited because we were not just getting aid; we were going to learn skills to build a better future. I joined a farmers' association of 29 women and men, and we learned how to prepare the soil, plant in rows, and use organic fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and more. With the help of CBM and CEBCE, we built nurseries that provided us with more than 5000 plants. We also received seeds for beans, maize, and sweet potatoes. Planting those seeds felt like planting hope. I started my first kitchen garden, growing vegetables I had never cultivated. My children were amazed at the variety of fresh produce that became a part of our meals.

I also joined a Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) with other women, and we were trained to manage our savings and loans. We created rules to ensure the proper functioning of our group, and the CEBCE supported us with books and money-keeping boxes. Joining this group was life-changing for me because, for the first time, I felt a sense of financial security and independence.

Through this journey, I have gained new skills and confidence. I can now provide for my family better than ever before. The kitchen garden and the savings group have changed our living conditions and well-being. I am deeply grateful to the CEBCE and all the supporters who made this possible.”

Thank you for feeding hope with us!

Pray with us:

MENA:
🙏 Pray for Field Staff, Emad and Almess Botros, as they continue serving with the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary. Pray for the students to grow in their knowledge and experience of God’s presence in their lives and ministry.
🙏 For a resolution to the war in Gaza.

Asia:
🙏 Pray for the victims of human trafficking in Dimapur, India who are receiving mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual help and healing. Many are on medication for anxiety, and some are suffering from AIDS.
🙏 Pray for the on-going projects in Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Hongkong, Myanmar, and Thailand.
🙏 Pray for the Field Staff of Asia – Joseph Lee, Lilian Yang, Ella T., CP Raju, Meren Jamir, and Suraj Komaravalli.

LAC Region:
🙏 Pray for clarity in faith practices, as many Bolivians mix Indigenous religion with Christianity. Ask for discernment among believers to recognize and follow the truth of the gospel. Also, for missionaries to effectively communicate the message of salvation through Christ alone.

Africa Region:
🙏 Cross-Border Trade: Despite political tensions, cross-border trade between the DR Congo and Rwanda remains active, providing livelihoods for many. Pray for the continued success and safety of these economic activities, for improved infrastructure to support trade, and for policies that encourage economic cooperation and growth in the region.

CBM has a long history of innovation. Many of the effective ministries we are involved in today have come as a result of fearlessly following where God leads.

This month, Terry Smith examines CBM’s bold approach to mission even at the risk of failure. Examples include empowering nationals to lead the work with their endemic knowledge of their own cultural milieu; Casa de la Amistad (Friendship House) which ministers to children of incarcerated parents in Bolivia; training African church leaders from certificates to doctorates in theological education; and the Guardians of Hope program that supports children affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. These are just some of the many ways innovation has helped us reach the world through word and deed.

Keep reading our history of innovation here: ➡ https://caba150.ca/innovation/

In this update, Polisi shares:
- family news
- the armed conflict in DR Congo
- conservation agriculture & kitchen gardens in South Sudan
- food security in Rwanda 🌾

Read the full update here: https://www.cbmin.org/2024/06/polisi-kivava-pim-update-june-2024/

Polisi Kivava PIM Update June 2024 Peace be with you from our Lord Jesus Christ! I am Polisi Kivava, a CBM field staff based in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. I am in charge of relief and development among CBM partners in Africa. Despite the numerous challenges facing our partners in my area of work, I always fee...

Pray with us: ⁠
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LAC Region: ⁠
🙏 Pray for an end to the violence in Haiti, where nearly 580,000 people have been displaced since March due to clashes with armed gangs. Pray for the restoration of order, safety for civilians, and effective humanitarian aid. ⁠
🙏 Pray for more literacy initiatives to help enhance discipleship in the Bolivian Church. Ask for teachers to be raised up who can teach people how to read and study the Bible, and for Bolivian believers to develop a strong desire for increased biblical knowledge. ⁠
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Asia: ⁠
🙏 Pray for the vulnerable children in urban/low-income areas of Capiz, Philippines. Specifically, the Libas and Nipa communities, as CBM’s partner, KPM, continues to assist them after the pandemic. ⁠
🙏 Pray for the leadership of Kui Baptist (India) and their efforts to raise funds to complete the compound wall for the Kui girls’ hostel. ⁠
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Africa Region: ⁠
🙏 Pray for an end to violence during the anti-tax protests in Kenya, especially after protesters were killed. Ask for peaceful resolutions to political tensions and for the protection of demonstrators. ⁠
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MENA: ⁠
🙏Pray for newly appointed National Field Staff, Rabih Wazir, as he faithfully steps into the position of Integral Mission Coordinator in the MENA Region beginning on July 1st. ⁠
🙏 Pray for the leadership training in neighbouring war-torn countries scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Canada Day //

As we mark the anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, we praise God for the diversity, freedom, and growth in our country. Please pray that as a nation, Canada will continue to work towards reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples who first welcomed us on what is ancestrally known as Turtle Island.

We are also grateful that our nation has welcomed thousands of refugees who can now call Canada home. Please pray that Canada will continue to advocate for peace and justice in our world. May God grant wisdom and understanding to our leaders in government, as they make decisions that affect the well-being of Canadians and others around the world. Also, we pray that Baptist churches in Canada will be strengthened as they strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus within their communities.

For many Indigenous communities, July 1st serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic legacy of the Indian Residential School System, the devastating impact of the Sixties' Scoop, the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada, the enduring effects of the Indian Act, and the continued lack of access to clean water in numerous Indigenous communities.

We encourage Canadians to pause and reflect today on how they as individuals, communities, and churches can begin and continue to walk on the lifelong journey of reconciliation, justice, and peace.

Last week, we hosted past CBM staff for a special lunch celebrating 150 years of mission. We thanked our Alumni staff for their contributions and enjoyed a delicious cake!

It was our great pleasure to host Revd Dr Mike Pears and Ingeborg te Loo from in our office this week.

IBTS is an international theological research and learning community that exists to empower scholars and leaders in the church for the world.

Thank you Ingeborg and Mike for sharing your passion for transformational education, lived theology, and collaboration!

We’re grateful for your partnership in bringing practical theological training in an accessible way.

IBTS

PRESS RELEASE:

Mississauga, Ontario – Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Helle Liht as the Director of Partnerships – Europe, MENA (Middle East and North Africa), and Africa, effective September 3, 2024.

read the full release here: ➡ https://www.cbmin.org/2024/06/cbm-appoints-helle-liht-as-director-of-partnerships-europe-mena-and-africa/

Pray with us:

Africa
🙏 Pray for an expansion of ministries that equip youth to decisively impact the nations for Christ.
🙏 Pray for the less reached in central and northern areas, pray that Christian resources will be effectively used, and the Bible translated into more languages.
🙏 Pray for unity in Christ to overcome tribal, political, and denominational divisions.

Asia
🙏 Lilian and Joseph’s daughter is on summer holidays. Pray for God’s guidance and blessings upon her educational journey as she prepares to apply to a new school for the upcoming school year.
🙏 Please keep Myanmar in your prayers, as conflicts continue. Pray for God’s justice and peace to prevail, and for the protection of the vulnerable.

Latin America & Carribean
🙏 We are currently assisting our project partners in finalizing reports for the first quarter. Please pray for us to effectively support them and provide the best assistance possible. Please pray that the successes and the challenges of this quarter will serve as lessons and blessings for future ministries.

PRESS RELEASE:

Mississauga, Ontario – Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) announces the relocation of Field Staff, Darrell and Laura Lee Bustin, from Rwanda to Canada in the coming months.

CBM is excited that Darrell and Laura Lee will carry on their service to our African partners remotely. In recent years, Darrell has supported all CBM’s partners in Sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of theological education and church leadership development. He has been serving side by side with CBM’s Rwandan partner and working with the other partners through the combination of online tools and occasional visits. His new role will allow him to continue to do this. The Bustins will be on home assignment in Canada beginning in August 2024 and will transition to their new role in the new year. (Remote work since the pandemic has been successfully implemented with Bill and Janice Dyck, who relocated to Canada from Bolivia and specialize in equipping leaders in Latin America.)

The Bustins have been integral members of the CBM team since 2002, beginning their journey in overseas ministry in Indonesia. They later moved to Rwanda in 2012 to work with our partner, the Association of Baptist Churches of Rwanda. In the last few years, Darrell has taken up his current role serving CBM partners across the Africa region. Laura Lee has helped oversee administrative details for SENT teams.

Laura Lee shares, “The decision to move back to Canada has not been easy, since serving overseas has been a lifelong call for both of us from childhood. At the same time, we honestly feel at peace with it. But 22 years is not enough! We are so grateful that CBM wants Darrell to continue serving on the Africa team, specializing in Church Leadership Development. So, the journey continues!"

Darrell and Laura Lee have two adult children, Bronwyn and Caleb, who is married to Aynsley. They will be returning to live in the Maritimes.

The work of reconciling is difficult. It’s awkward. Sometimes it’s even scary. Change will not come overnight; it will take many generations to heal the hurt caused by our own actions and by the actions of others. And yet, this is important work that God is calling us to do together.

This website contains resources to use in a variety of contexts. Some are for personal education and reflection; others are for small groups or for more liturgical settings. Whether or not the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th) is fully recognized where you live, CBM is setting aside Sunday September 29th as a day to focus on Truth and Reconciliation. More than that, though, these resources are designed to be woven into your ministry throughout the year, not just on a single day.

https://agoodway.ca/

“...We took a boat to Lesvos. There were 45 of us on the boat. When we were near the coast of Lesvos, the boat tipped over because of the high waves. Three people died.

We hid in the forest. At some point we called the UN. They came with the police and took us to the camp. I’ve been living there for six months now.”

This was Delina’s* journey from Sudan to Lesvos, a Greek island in the Mediterranean Sea. Lesvos is home to thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers, people who are living in limbo between their homeland and finding a safe place to live.

Read Delina's story here: https://issuu.com/cbmin.org/docs/cbm_wordeedmagazine_softproof/16

My entire adult life I have only had one thing in the right pocket of my trousers.

My keys.

Those keys start my car, unlock the doors to my office and my home, and any other doors open to me in that season of life.

Forcibly Displaced People (FDP) have no keys in their pockets. In order to escape danger they have had to leave behind all the doors that were “open” to them. They have lost not only their house, but also everything that made their house their home: family, friendships, community, workplace, church or other place of worship, and more.

Everything that defined them — that defined their place in the world — has been left behind.

Read the full article by Sam Chaise here: https://lnkd.in/gs_9KiX6

Three weeks into our summer campaign, and we’re 2% of the way to our goal!

If you haven’t registered yourself or your team, now is the time to do so!

Together, let’s get active in mission this summer and reach our goal of $100,000 to help feed hungry people locally & globally. 🌾🌏

Register as a team or individual at www.activeinmission.ca



Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec
CBAC Youth and Family
Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada
Canadian Baptists of Western Canada
Union Baptiste

Pray with us:

Chinese Ministries Team (in Europe)
🙏 Praise the Lord for the German-wide Chinese Christian Discipleship Camp. Many members from our churches (Marburg, Kassel, Goettingen) joined and were nourished by God’s Word.
🙏 Pray for the Joint (Marburg, Kassel, Göettingen) Living Camp which takes place in June.

MENA (Middle East North Africa) Region
🙏 Please pray for the ministry of ABTS and Thimar, our main partners in Lebanon, as God continues to stretch their reach and impact despite the troubles in the region.
🙏 Please pray for peace in the region as conflicts continue.

Asia
🙏 Philippines – Please pray for severe climate concerns, such as the El Niño phenomenon in the Philippines: 44oC temperature makes it difficult in the midst of whooping cough cases and other illnesses for many children and adults ; senior citizens face threat of heatstroke; Children are not allowed to go to school because of the very hot weather; the long dry spell affects plants and animals of farmers; water is scarce in several communities.
🙏 Myanmar – please pray for our project partners in Myanmar to overcome obstacles amidst regional unrest to witness God’s love and protection in their ministries.
🙏 Thailand – is grappling with air pollution, posing health challenges. Please pray for the authorities to have the awareness and wisdom to address this issue effectively.

In May, we asked for your prayers for our first Latin America & Caribbean Leadership Exchange in June, allowing our partners to gather together for mutual learning and fellowship.

Byron Velásquez, Central America Integral Mission & Global Discipleship Coordinator, shared the following:

"It was a time of fellowship and listening to each other, sharing our struggles, challenges, and our dreams. It was a time to lay the foundations to work in unity amid diversity, sharing experiences, and resources so that God's mission advances in each of our contexts. Most attendees had never seen each other in person but Jesus united us through his Holy Spirit, and we ended this time celebrating the Lord's Supper together. Now it is time to follow up on the achievements of this meeting and continue having fellowship and working together for the Kingdom of Jesus. Thank you all for your prayers."

The Dyck's ministry update is live on our website!⁠
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Here are some highlights of their ministry in photos:⁠
1) Janice with Haydee, on our trip to Cuba. Haydee is now the Pastoral support coordinator and is facilitating our upcoming trip to Cuba in October, to follow up on last year's training.⁠
2) Bill is pictured teaching a class at the seminary in Guatemala on Communication, Culture, and Evangelism.⁠
3) Bill is pictured leading a training event for pastors of the CIBG (Convention of Baptist Churches of Guatemala) on leading Discipleship and Pastoring of Pastors groups.⁠
4) Children at the Emmanuel Foundation/Hope for Children in Cochabamba, practicing piano, and on Janice's former piano. :) Janice still teaches one of the kids online.⁠
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Read the full update here: https://www.cbmin.org/bill-and-janice-dyck-pim-update-may-2024/