sprout 2013.indd - Mennonite Church Eastern Canada

Transcription

sprout 2013.indd - Mennonite Church Eastern Canada
MCEC
sprout
Winter 2014
inspiring stories from
new & emerging
ministries in MCEC
Don’t Worry.
I’ve Got You!
Page 3
This Refuses to Let
My Faith Go To
Sleep
Page 7
page 15
Living Into
Post-Christendom
Page 15
sprout
Read about the recent
UK Learning Tour on Page 15
Cover
Stories
“Don’t Worry,
I’ve Got You!”
A Story of God’s
Faithfulness to a Guy
from the Streets
3
This Refuses to
Let My Faith Go
To Sleep
Inside
2
Tim Reimer,
Mission Associate
Markham Christian Worship Centre
9
7
From Ethiopia to Kitchener
Bethel Ethiopian Evangelical Church
10
From Ethiopia to Toronto
Medahnialem Ethiopian Evangelical Church
11
Act Like Men?
Broadening the Conversation on Men,
Women, and the Church
13
In Sprout
MCEC Emerging/Exploring Congregations
1
Learning from
Our Neighbours
15
Empowering New Leaders
Jane Finch Faith Community
17
Living Into PostChristendom
sprout / Winter 2014
We gratefully thank all
those who shared their
stories with us.
Grace and Peace
from Markham Christian Worship Centre
CWC)
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A
“Don’t Worry, I’ve Got You!”
A Story of God’s Faithfulness to a Guy from the Streets
A Closer Look at Jordan Thoms, Church Planter
F
rom a small jail
cell this prayer was
whispered, “Lord, I am
tired of living like this. I
know you are real. I pray
that you would get me
out of this life that I am
living and that I would
become closer to you.”
Jordan Thoms grew
up in the realities of a
rough neighbourhood.
As his mom struggled
to care for him and
his two sisters, Jordan
found acceptance and
power on the streets of
Scarborough. From the
age of 12 he formed his
crew and they would do
things they saw the older
boys doing – causing a
ruckus, throwing rocks at
car windows, and getting
into fights. As they
grew older, they started
robbing people so they
could get the things they
wanted, and that quickly
grew into selling drugs
and being a part of gang
activity.
Urban Promise, a
Christian non-profit
organization, was
active in Jordan’s
neighbourhood with
after-school programs
and camps. One day
they asked him to come
3
“Lord, I am tired of living like
this. I know you are real.
I pray that you would get me
out of this life that I am living
and that I would become
closer to you.”
- Jordan Thoms
Scarborough Church Plant image
to their camp and he
did – if not just to get out
of the neighbourhood he
felt trapped in. He really
loved the camp and all
the activities. His least
favourite thing however,
was Bible study and
he would find ways to
disrupt it.
Urban Promise
eventually hired Jordan
sprout / Winter 2014
as a street leader –
someone who lives in the
community hired to be a
leader with the kids. Part
of the job was leading
Bible studies. Jordan
was not a Christian at
the time and simply read
what they had written
on a paper. “God’s
word is living,” Jordan
now says. “Over the
years, just reading those
words off the paper – it
was softening my heart
towards God.”
Jordan had begun to
realize that he wanted
to change the way that
he was living. During
an event when he was
sticking up for some of
the younger youth in his
charge, he was arrested
for “threatening” and
found himself in a small
jail cell, praying the
prayer above.
“I got bailed out the same
day,” Jordan recalls. “I
decided to follow more
of what a Christian
should be like. I was still
wrestling with street life
and the crew that I was
rolling with, but I was
taking the word of God
more seriously.”
Five months later, two
undercover police
officers knocked on his
door and arrested him
in a case of mistaken
identity for possession
and trafficking of crack
cocaine, the substance,
and in the rock form.
If convicted, Jordan
would face a minimum
of five years in prison.
Jordan once again found
himself in a jail cell
talking with God. This
time, however, he was
angry. “I started to take
you more seriously, I was
not hanging out with my
friends as much because
I wanted to leave this
life,” Jordan ranted. “And
this is how you repay
me!! How are you just?
How are you right?” A
couple of hours later, in
the quiet of his cell, he
heard a voice deep in his
spirit say, “Don’t worry.
I’ve got you.”
Sentenced to house
arrest for 11 months,
Jordan refused to speak
with God for the first
two weeks. “I was really
questioning and battling
with it,” reveals Jordan.
“I was so angry and
upset but I kept hearing
the words ‘Don’t worry,
I’ve got you.’
After two weeks I settled
down and realized that I
could either be angry at
God or I could just take
this time to really seek
Him. I had nothing else I
could really do because I
was on house arrest, so
I decided to try to get to
know Him.”
sprout / Winter 2014
4
I have fallen in
love with the
Word of God.
I really have
a heart for my
community.
So for the next 11
months, Jordan read
the Bible and prayed for
hours each day. “It was
cool,” reports Jordan. “I
was praying and reading
and the Lord would make
himself visible to me
and that would lead my
hunger to want to read
more because I was
starting to see God.”
Jordan of course had
some struggles because
of his house arrest.
“I would ask God why
this was happening to
me,” he recalls. “God
would answer other
prayers but he never
answered this one.”
Scarborough Church Plant image
Fastforward a year,
house arrest is done,
and the trial is beginning.
As Jordan’s trial began,
the court room was filled
with people supporting
him – his family and a
large group of people
from Urban Promise.
Three security guards
as well as police officers
identified Jordan and
testified against him. “I’m
thinking ‘I’m over!’” says
Jordan. “You have the
people that represent
the law saying that this is
me. I am going to prison
for at least five years.”
Although intimidated,
Jordan took the stand
and told the truth, that he
wasn’t the person they
were looking for.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you.
Justice is going to come
through. You didn’t do
this and I’m going to set
you free.”
When the judge
reconvened court to give
his verdict, Jordan felt
a “crazy amount of joy”
come over him. Before
the judge got to his
verdict, Jordan heard
deep within his spirit,
Jordan was astonished
by the answer: “Because
you asked for it.”
As the judge concluded
his verdict he said
to Jordan, “You are
innocent. You are not
guilty. I believe your
testimony and therefore
all these charges against
you are dropped.”
That evening, in the
quietness of his room he
felt God say to him, “Ask
me again.” So Jordan
asked the question again
that had been only met
with silence in the past,
“Why did you allow this
to happen to me?”
In Jordan’s confusion
he was reminded of that
prayer he prayed back in
the small cell. God said
to him, “Well, didn’t you
come closer to me during
this time?”
“It was like a big bang
went off as I realized
that everything that I
prayed for, before any
of this even happened,
was answered, and then
more,” Jordan explains.
“I asked God, ‘Why
couldn’t you tell me this
earlier because it would
have been easier for me
if I would have known the
outcome?’ God replied,
‘You never would have
sought me as did.’”
It was at that point in
Jordan’s life that he gave
his life over to God.
Today you will find
Jordan Thoms in the
same neighbourhood
in Scarborough, but
these days he rolls with
a different crew. “Since
being on house arrest,”
Jordan says, “I have
really fallen in love with
the Word of God and I
want to teach it and
minister to people by it
and through it. I really
have a heart for my
community that I live in.”
He has a crew of six
or seven people and
they are in the process
of planting a church;
currently looking for a
space to meet. The team
is involved in one-onone Bible studies, home
visits to provide the
community with items
such as groceries, and
a young adults program
with several young men.
Jordan is also starting a
prison ministry, meeting
with young men from his
community who have
found themselves in the
jail system.
Jordan, reflecting on
the mistaken identity
situation, remarks, “It
was the worst thing that
ever happened to me,
but it is the best thing
that ever happened to
me in hindsight,
because of what came
out of it.” He continues,
“A couple of people
have said to me ‘If you
can change, maybe I
can change.’ That really
chokes me up. They
actually see Jesus now
as a person that you
can come to as you are,
and not have to clean
yourself up first. They
have hope.”
MCEC walks alongside
Jordan as he and
his crew minister in
Scarborough, providing
financial support and
a coach, as he follows
God’s calling in his life.
Jordan Thoms @ the
Haverim Summit
Jordan (3rd from right,
back row) was invited to
attend and present at this
leadership training event.
Participants spent time with
Tony Campolo (front row).
“This Refuses To Let My
Faith Go To Sleep.”
15 minutes with Tim Reimer, Mission Associate
Three people are working with MCEC as Mission Associates: Jim Loepp Thiessen,
Hans Peters, and Tim Reimer. Mission Associates nurture missional church, recognize
and identify potential church planters, and build relationships with first generation
immigrant congregations. We recently sat down with the Toronto Mission Associate,
Tim Reimer (pastor at Danforth Mennonite Church).
You are working
with MCEC
Ethiopian/Eritrean
congregations in Toronto.
Why did you zero in on
these congregations in
particular?
That was an evolution.
It wasn’t a conscious choice
on my part. MCEC has
three Ethiopian/Eritrean
congregations in Toronto.
One meets in the Danforth
church (Freedom Gospel
Ethiopian Church with
Pastor Ashenafi Fulase),
one is 800 meters away
from the Danforth church
(Medahnialem Ethiopian
Evangelical Church with
Pastor Tadesse Mekuria),
and another one is about
twice that – a mile from
Danforth church (Rehoboth
Evangelical Church with
Pastor Kassa Lemma).
They are all within walking
distance of each other.
Perhaps it’s a reflection
of the larger demographic
in Toronto. Danforth
Mennonite Church is at
the corner of Woodbine
and Danforth, the same
intersection as the
Canadian Ethiopian
Association. There are
five Ethiopian restaurants
in the neighbourhood.
Some people refer to this
neighbourhood as Little
Ethiopia.
I was also able to spend
time in Ethiopia a few years
ago - that really served
to solidify my relationship
with the Ethiopian/Eritrean
community.
Pastors Ashenafi Fulase and Tim Reimer in study.
im Reimer in study.
Worship at Rehoboth Evangelical Church
What gifts do
the Ethiopian
congregations
bring to MCEC?
T
he Ethiopian people
are a migrant people
trying to find settlement
in a new land. We need
to be reminded that not
so many generations ago
some of our forbearers
were struggling in the
same way. That is a gift
to us but it also redefines
the challenge that is
presented now to us as
Mennonites.
The challenge in the past
was survival, adaptation,
and acculturation, but
the challenge today is
more a challenge of
understanding and justice.
How do we act as people
of faith in a just and fair
way to these people who
are now struggling with the
same things?
Why is this position
of Mission Associate
needed?
I see myself as a cultural
translator. There is a great
need for building bridges of
understanding even though
we both worship Christ. As
we learn to live together
we realize that there are
many aspects of our being
together that are far from
clear, and we can’t assume
that we understand one
another. We need to keep
working at it. It is learning to
appreciate one another.
For example, when I try to
help Ethiopian churches
find Sunday school teachers
and curriculum, am I trying
to get them to go back to
the 1950’s and start being
church the way that we
were church back then?
Rather than finding Sunday
school teachers, I’m talking
with the pastors about how
they incorporate children in
their animated, charismatic
worship.
I am translating Ethiopian
culture and Canadian
culture, but I’m also
translating organizational,
institutional, and
congregational culture.
How does this
relationship
inspire you?
I find that key questions
are posed all over again
and I am continually
prodded to not let my
theology go to sleep. At
the same time, I try to
encourage other people to
keep their theology from
going to sleep as well.
We’re in this together.
sprout / Winter 2014
8
From Ethiopia to Kitchener
Bethel Ethiopian Evangelical Church
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
are working hard to impart
spirituality in these young
lives.
When we came as landed immigrants from Ethiopia
to start our life here in Canada, we understood God’s
plan for us as not only to make money
and raise children, but to reach our
We have a passion
community and to be a righteous
influence to the nations around us.
to love the Lord
We have a passion to love the
Lord and worship him and to be a
living witness of his resurrection.
As a three year old church we are
blessed to see our growth and
strength.
and worship him
and to be a living
witness of his
resurrection.
At this time we are learning how
to evangelize the city by loving and reaching the
community around us. We have a radio ministry
in the Amharic language through FM 94.3 every
Wednesday which will help to spread the good news,
especially to those who are not coming to church.
We estimate around 3000 – 3500 Ethiopians are in
Kitchener-Waterloo at this time. We are working hard
to reach and help them.
Our youth are very open to the gospel, and last year
12 of them got baptized. The teachers of the youth
Our second
generation, our
children, speak
and learn in
English. We
see a need
for an English
church service
in the near
future.
People come
to worship and
learn the truth
with hunger. Here in Canada
there is a lot of temptation
which can pull you apart
from loving, worshipping,
and learning from the living
God. We are working hard
and we see change and
growth in the saint’s lives.
Blessings,
Pastor Mesfin
Woldearegay
Bethel Ethiopian Choir leading in worship at MCEC’s 25th Anniversary
From Ethiopia to Toronto
Medahnialem Ethiopian Evangelical Church
At the church at
Medahnialem, we
believe, as disciples of
Jesus Christ, that our
mandate is to provide
spiritual food based
on the Bible to our
community. We believe
the message of the
gospel is life-changing
and empowering.
It has the power to
set people free from
sickness, hopelessness,
depression, et cetera.
Many in our community
are burdened with so
many problems in their
lives. We feel that God
has called us to reach
out and let the Ethiopian
and the Eritrean
community know who
God is, so that their
lives can be restored
and they can experience
his unconditional love
through Jesus Christ.
Medahnialem image
Our Sunday worship
services offer an
intimate experience
through music and
biblical teaching. We
want people to find a
new meaning and be
empowered by the
message to overcome
life’s challenges. Our
goal is to create an
atmosphere where
people can encounter
God and have a level of
intimacy which will help
them develop a spritual
kingdom mind-set and
know their identity in
Christ.
Our ministry is growing,
although at a slow rate.
On Saturdays we’ve
started small group
adult Bible study. We
also have a children’s
program on Sundays.
In addition to prayer
services every
Wednesday and Friday,
we try to reach people in
the community through
engaging or attending
events, visiting shelters
for newcomers, and
visitation to individuals
who are sick or for
families in need of
spiritual guidance or
prayer.
We look to strengthen
our partnership and work
more effectively with
MCEC in the coming
year. We feel that
together we can further
God’s kingdom.
We believe the
message of the
gospel is lifechanging.
Medahnialem Ethiopian Evangelical Church
Actt Like Men?
Ac
Broadening
Broadenin
g the Conversation on Men, Women, and the Church
From the Voice of Randell Neudorf, The Commons
As I’m writing this
article, thousands of men
are coming to my home
town of Hamilton for a
conference entitled “Act
Like Men.” The event is
facilitated by a number of
American male pastors
who believe men need
to “step up” as leaders in
their churches and homes.
The implication is that
being a man and being a
leader are synonymous.
Only a week earlier (on
September 27th) a very
different group of pastors
held their own conference.
It all started when a
number of people from
egalitarian churches
in Hamilton and some
folks from Epiphaneia
(a network that seeks
to create learning
environments to engage
big questions about
faith, the local church,
and God’s Kingdom)
were saddened to think
that this gendered view
of leadership might be
perceived as the only
Christian perspective by
the wider community.
Eventually the idea of a
counter-conference was
born. It was dubbed “Act
Like Men? Broadening
The Conversation On
Men, Women, and
the Church.” Within
three short months this
alternative conference
was pulled together and
200 people came to hear
a wider story of gender
and the Church.
The Commons and
MCEC came on board
as supporters to help
promote this learning
discussion, and a number
of Anabaptists attended
the event.
Kevin Makins (pastor
of Eucharist Church in
Hamilton) set the tone
for the evening by saying
“We aren’t presenting just
one alternative but rather
eight speakers, with eight
different points of view,
who are talking to 100
people with 100 more
points of view.”
He wasn’t lying. We
heard from a Catholic
nun turned feminist
activist/Anglican deacon.
Women teachers and
pastors from a number
of traditions dug into
theology and translation.
Photo By Zoe Neudorf
Randell Neudorf, Community Curator, The Commons
When The Commons
The Commons blog
September 10, 2013
Randell Neudorf
was searching for a
denominational tribe we
were in talks with some
communities that had
specific structures in
place that allowed some
churches to adhere to
men only leadership,
as well as a disparity
in who was able to be
ordained. At least half of
our leaders and teachers
at The Commons are
women. We could not
with good conscience
We heard from men who
have been working for
gender equality in their
denominations for a long
time, and a story of a
husband and wife who
were both called to pastoral
ministry and how God
provided a church where
they could both use their
strong leadership gifts.
We also heard stories of
pastors who are on the
gender margins, a retired
pastor who was diagnosed
as intersexed, and a young
man studying to be a
minister who loves Jesus,
lives with cerebral palsy, and
is gay.
Yes, the stories and people
were varied, but as I listened
to these unique journeys an
overall theme (even spirit)
emerged. Our feminist nun,
Joanna Manning, said it best
by proclaiming loudly “It is
One Big God!”
leadership, and saw the
fruit of that commitment in
action in the women and
men around us. A number
of Commoners (especially
our ladies) were quite
moved and encouraged
When we attended the
25th annivesary gathering by hearing the voices of
these women who led
of MCEC last year we
not as an exception (or
were overwhelmed with
the equal representation a token) but as a natural
reflection of God as both
of women in the highest
male and female in a way
levels of leadership. We
that was full, balanced
heard the long standing
and beautiful.
history and tradition
of women in Pastoral
step into a structure that
would put these amazing
women at odds with other
communities in the wider
denomination.
How different the
universal church must
look to our one big
God. How often do
we focus solely on
our own traditional
church boarders that
we miss what Jesus is
doing in the rest of the
Church?
Many of the “Act Like Men?” speakers shared journeys
that started in one corner of the church and have ended
in quite a different corner. But through it all, God was
there. As doors were shut for these leaders in one
tradition, Jesus opened opportunities in other parts of the
Body of Christ.
In the end, even the people from the larger “Act Like
Men” mega conference (whom I might disagree with) are
a part of this body and are seeking after this one big God
and I believe that God will honour that as well.
We ended the counter-conference with a communal
prayer written by Epiphaneia’s Nathan Colquhoun. Here
are a couple lines that I think we could all do well to pray:
“…We are really a broken bunch.
Oppressed and Oppressor. We’ve all been both…
…We remember those that will be at the Act Like Men
conference. Be present with them.”
sprout / Winter 2014
12
Empowering New Leaders
Jane Finch Faith Community
A young man stood
during sharing time
at Jane Finch Faith
Community and said,
“I want to thank God for
allowing me to reach
my 18th birthday!”
In the midst of
downtown Toronto,
there is a group that is
making a difference in
their community and in
the lives of the people
who are a part of their
community. Jane Finch
Faith Community is a
congregation of 20 to
25 people meeting in a
government subsidized
high-rise apartment
in the Jane and Finch
area of Toronto, ON.
Pastor Hans Peters
reflects upon another
young man from the
community, “I had a
visit from a young man
who had asked me
for a Bible. After a few
hours of talking and
sharing, as we were
saying goodbye, I gave
him the Bible and told
him that I would be
praying for him which
caused him to be a little
emotional. I then asked
him to pray for me. At
this request, this tall
young man broke down
emotionally. ‘Nobody
has ever given me that
kind of responsibility
before!’ he said to me.”
This set the tone for the
ministry Hans Peters
has been doing at Jane
Finch. “From that point
on,” says Hans, “any
Worship at Jane Finch Faith Community
chance I had to handoff responsibility to
young adults, I did.”
Today you will find
young adults involved
in every aspect of
the worship service
at Jane Finch – from
collecting and praying
for the offering,
leading sharing and
prayer time, giving the
benediction – and even
preaching.
One young adult has
preached several
times. This particular
student is now working
on his Bachelor of
Ministry degree. Jane
Finch and a benefactor
from outside of the
community support his
education. Jane Finch
Jane Finch image
At one time there was
no service on the last
Sunday of the month,
as it was the pastor’s
week off. However, that
changed a few months
ago when some young
adults took charge of
that time. The service
on the last Sunday of
the month is now the
responsibility of the
young adults in the
congregation.
Hans recalls a service
this past fall. “I was
at the Lao Canadian
Evangelical Mennonite
Church and realized it
was almost time for the
service to begin at Jane
Finch.” Hans and his
Laotian friends arrived
as the service was
almost ready to start.
Two young ladies were
at the keyboard at the
front, finishing details
for the music. A young
man from the Laotian
church approached
them with his guitar. He
joined them in leading
Sunday worship. “It
was awesome,” says
Hans. “That morning
Jane Finch image
has hired him for 10
hours each month.
Out of that income,
he pays for some of
his education, offering
a mutually beneficial
relationship between
the congregation and
this young adult.
Community Barbeque 2013
not only were we
multicultural but also
multiethnic – and it was
the young adults who
were doing it!”
Jane Finch is currently
forming a group
called “Local Urban
Young Adult Mission
Team.” The purpose
of this team is to be
missionaries in the
mission field they know
best – their own local
urban environment.
They will also act as
coaches and teachers
for volunteers from the
outside who wish to
have a cross-cultural
mission experience
in Toronto. At present
they seek to secure
funds to hire one or two
young adult interns as
part of their university
education.
Hans intentionally
continues working with
young adults from the
congregation. He says,
“This training of young
adults is enabling
them and giving them
responsibility in the
service. It gives them
a sense of ownership
because they are
contributing. The
congregation is really
supportive of them.”
As Jane Finch Faith
Community continues
to evolve from a service
ministry to a church
doing service ministry,
the congregation
is thriving in their
uniquely challenging
environment.
sprout / Winter 2014
14
Living
Liv
ing into Post-Christendom
Learning
Le
arning from our neighbours
The lawn
was pristine.
Each blade
was the
same height
as the next.
Weeds didn’t dare to settle
into this lush expanse.
I thought, “This is what
lawns will be like in the New
Jerusalem.” It was too bad
that I had to stay on the
sidewalk on my way to the
chapel. The chapel was as
holy, historic, and inviting
as the lawn was green. The
architecture was exquisite.
Unfortunately, just as the
lawn rarely had feet walk
on it, the chapel doesn’t get
used very often, at least
not as often as it had in
centuries past.
My colleagues David
Martin, Jeff Steckley,
John Coffman`s Street
John Coffman was the first missionary to the United
Kingdom in the 1950s. He lived on Chequer Street.
Photo: B. Bauman
and I had the privilege of
visiting the United Kingdom
(UK) as we immersed
ourselves in that nation’s
post-Christendom culture.
This world view has
already devastated the
church in Quebec and is
likely coming to the rest of
Canada sooner than you’d
Photo: B. Bauman
7
sprout / Fall 2012
St. Thomas Church, Sheffield
The church is very plain. Ministry happens in the
neighbourhood, not at the church.
Photo: B. Bauman
like. Perhaps it’s time to sit
up and take notice.
In the UK the Church
of Scotland serves as a
somber example of how
the church has declined. It,
like the Mennonite Church,
traces its roots to the
European Reformation of
the 1500’s.
The website www.
churchofscotland.org.uk
expresses a great vision.
“The Church of Scotland
seeks to inspire the people
of Scotland and beyond with
the Good News of Jesus
Christ through enthusiastic
worshipping, witnessing,
nurturing, and serving
communities.”
They publicize a
membership over 400,000
with 800 ministers. The
website carries no hint of
the devastating toll which
secularism and postChristendom has had on
this denomination.
However the harsh reality
is that the current trend of
decline has the Church of
Scotland running out of
money in 2023. By 2033 the
doors of the last remaining
church will close. They
are a church in crisis. It’s
sobering.
We also saw hopeful signs
for the church on this
trip. Urban Expression,
First Methodist Church
This was the first Methodist church ever, and
it still functions. People don’t know about
Anabaptists, but know something of nonconformists. John Wesley, the founder of the
Methodist church, was a non-conformist.
an Anabaptist church
planting outfit, is ready to
work with us. They have
started churches for several
denominations. They birth
new congregations that are
responsive and sustainable
in a post-Christendom world.
Jeff and I were encouraged
in a visit to St. Thomas’
Church Philadelphia in
Sheffield. We witnessed this
old, historic congregation
thriving and serving the half
million people of Sheffield.
The leader who gave us a
tour of the campus was 28
years old. Two of the other
leaders were 34 and 29
respectively. At the age of
58 I felt old, but energized.
This church has figured out
how to make disciples, who
know how to make disciples,
who know how to . . . well
you get the picture. We
believe they can teach us to
do the same.
The UK trip provided
a glimpse into English
Canada’s future. Perfect
lawns, a noble history, and
great architecture don’t
guarantee a future for any
church. I’m convinced that
the future of the Mennonite
Church lies in being an
intercultural body, starting
new faith communities, and
learning once again how to
make disciples.
Post-Christendom doesn’t
have to be the end. We
can choose to see it as a
new chapter of invigorating
possibilities for MCEC.
sprout / Winter 2014
16
In Sprout
MCEC Emerging/Exploring Congregations
Bethel Ethiopian Evangelical Church
Kitchener, ON
Worship Language: Amharic
Leadership: Woldearegay Mesfin
Grace New Life Mennonite Church
Hamilton, ON
Worship Language: Lao and English
Leadership: Sririsack Saythavy
Chin Christian Church
Kitchener, ON
Worship Language: Chin
Leadership: Jehu Lian
Kingsfield - Clinton
Clinton, ON
Worship Language: English
Leadership: Ryan Jantzi
Chin Christian Church
Ottawa, ON
Worship Language: Chin
Leadership: Board of Elders
Lao Canadian Evangelical Mennonite Church
Toronto, ON
Worship Language: Lao and English
Leadership: Chinda Kommala/Ongath Phounsavath
Church of the Living Word in Ottawa
Ottawa, ON
Worship Language: Amharic
Leadership: Board of Elders
Maranatha Evangelical Church
London, ON
Worship Language: Amharic
Leadership: Eshetu Asfaw
Freedom Gospel Ethiopian Church
Toronto, ON
Worship Language: Amharic
Leadership: Ashenafi Fulase
Markham Christian Worship Centre
Markham, ON
Worship Language: Tamil
Leadership: Joseph Savarimuthu
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Every neighbourhood deserves
a disciple-making presence.
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Medahnialem Ethiopian Church
Toronto, ON
Worship Language: Amharic
Leadership: Tadesse Mekuria Aleme
Rehoboth Evangelical Church
Toronto, ON
Worship Language: Amharic
Leadership: Kassa Lemma
Open Table
Hamilton, ON
Worship Language: English
Leadership: Jeff and Mary Beth Druery
Shalom
Kitchener, ON
Worship Language: Tigrinya
Leadership: Yonathan Abraham
Oromo Evangelical Church of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON
Language: Oromo
Leadership: Teso Yman
The Commons
Hamilton, ON
Worship Language: English
Leadership: Randell Neudorf
Quest Christian Community
St. Catharines, ON
Worship Language: English
Leadership: Troy Watson
The Village International Mennonite Church
Ottawa, ON
Worship Language: English (multicultural)
Leadership: Stefan Cherry
Refuge de Paix
Sherbrooke, QC
Worship Language: Spanish and French
Leadership: Lucy Roca
sprout / Winter 2014
18
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