Designated Ministry: Field Ministers/Ministry—March 16, 2008

Suggested worship service for this day.
PowerPoint presentation to support the story.

For stories about what’s happening in Apostle Mary Jacks Dynes’ Canada/North Central USA Mission Field, read the March Herald “Sharing in the Field” section or visit www.CofChrist.org/offertory.

A. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: World

Canada East Mission Center— Building Sacred Community

Each Sunday we are invited to “share equally” with Mission Tithes for local and world ministries. These stories are provided to keep us in touch with how your contributions to Mission Tithes are spreading the peace of Jesus Christ.

This story, Building Sacred Community, takes us to the Canada East Mission Center, part of Apostle Mary Jacks Dynes’ Canada/North Central USA Mission Field. Within the Canada East Mission Center, camping, reunion and retreat ministries are a vital part of the mission’s strategy to enable people to experience sacred community. People of every age feel the positive impact of this ministry. And yet, a positive experience at camp or at reunion is not a given. It is something that must be planned for and worked at. It also depends on the quality and commitment of the volunteer staff who serve with the full-time mission center World Church ministers. 

An informal partnership exists between the mission center staff and the people who serve as volunteer staff each summer. The purpose of this partnership is to support and foster leadership training and development in the area of outdoor ministry. It is also to educate the staff of the risk management issues that we must attend to maintain this vital ministry. In order to achieve these objectives the mission center sponsors an annual camp-staff training event in the spring and a director’s retreat in the fall.  Through these events we are able to create a network of folks who are committed to outdoor ministries as a way of strengthening relationships between people and God. These dedicated members and friends, who give generously of their time and talent, are what makes camps, reunions, and retreats such a vital ministry in central Canada. Your contributions to World Ministries Mission Tithes make partnerships like this one possible. Thank you for responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Ken Barrows, president, Canada East Mission Center

B. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: Local

What is happening to you or in your congregation as a result of giving to local ministries through Mission Tithes? Share those experiences as part of your congregation’s Disciples’ Generous Response.

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C. Blessing on Our Offering

From Psalm 118:1(NRSV), we read: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.

Sharing our Mission Tithes equally between local and world ministries is part of sharing the peace of Jesus Christ. Let us share in the prayer of blessing for our offering.