Charting New Territory - Ruth L. Snyder

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like for Abram as he set out from Haran with wife, Sarai, his nephew, Lot, and all his earthly possessions? He didn't know where he was going. But Genesis 12:1-3 tell us he knew four things:
1. Abram knew God had called him (vs. 1)
2. Abram knew God would show him where to go (vs. 1)
3. Abram knew God would bless him (vs. 2)
4. Abram knew other people would be blessed through him (vs. 3)

I am in the middle of charting new territory in at least two distinct areas of my life.

In September 2018 I received an email inquiry about an opportunity to write stories for the WorldServe Ministries monthly newsletter. I knew nothing about the mission at the time. After some emails back and forth, I agreed to write a sample story for them, free of charge, to see if they thought I would be a good fit. A couple weeks later I heard back. They liked my story, but were working with someone else and would get back to me when they needed help.

This month I am working on my third series of stories. (You can see the stories I wrote last month in the March newsletter.) The mission receives information from the countries where they work. Each month there is a different theme or focus for the newsletter. My task is to take the information and create attention-getting stories that will capture the hearts and minds of donors.

I have little experience in fundraising, other than the typical bake sales and bottle drives that most parents participate in to raise money for a child's school trip. Did you know there's a whole science behind telling stories that motivate people to action? (If you're interested in exploring, check out https://www.thestorytellingnonprofit.com/blog/storystructure/). I'm finding the experience challenging, intriguing, and rewarding. I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to help people with my writing.

Structure for fundraising stories

The second area in which I'm charting new territory is helping launch our 18-year-old twins with developmental delays into their adult lives. Luke and Levi are able to do things doctors never thought they would be able to do, and for that I'm very grateful. However, they do have significant challenges. At the same time, I believe that our twins are gifted in special ways and have unique contributions to offer. The challenge is helping them discover and develop those gifts and finding places where their contributions are needed and appreciated.

I'm grateful for the supportive community provided by Inclusion Alberta. Through advocacy available through Inclusion Alberta we have gained access to the customized employment program with Employabilities, and also Personal Futures Planning with Inclusion St. Paul. It's also great to have funding through Persons with Developmental Delays and AISH (though I wish someone would change the moniker for AISH!). We have opted to go with Family Managed Services, which means we and our boys have more freedom to make choices. However, we also have more responsibilities as a family than if we chose to go with a service provider. Right now I am in the process of hiring new support staff for the boys and training them.

I'm grateful that God knows where each of these paths are leading, that I know he has called me to these paths, that he is showing us the way, that he is blessing us, and that others are able to be blessed as well.

What new territory are you exploring? What is God teaching you? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Marching Off The Map by Bob Jones

How ironic.

That was my first thought when I read the theme for the IWO March postings. 

"Like Abraham of old, where is God calling you to chart a new territory?"

Call me Abe.

After 29 years as a pastor at North Pointe Church - formerly known as Central Tabernacle – my wife and I felt God’s prompting to conclude our ministry here.

North Pointe is family to us. When we arrived in 1990 we prayed to be a blessing to the church family. We always knew that one day our departure would be a blessing as well. That day came on February 17, 2019. 

Our goal is to finish well. We were not quitting. It’s always too soon to quit. Jocelyn and I wanted to finish well. That meant leaving the church in a position of health, strength, and poised to grow.

Ministry Staff of North Pointe - appreciation luncheon - Feb. 2019

North Pointe has seen God’s favor and has grown from 495 people in 2006 to over 3700 in 2019. We are experiencing our highest attendance in our 102-year history. More people have made decisions to become Christ-followers in the past eleven months than at any time in our history. North Pointe has a reputation as a respected, come-as-you-are church in our community and across the nation. We have a devoted, talented and young ministry staff, which will be led by our associate pastor who has been in place for 14 years. The future looks very bright.

We’ve taken this step of faith with nowhere to go. We’re confident that the next step will appear now that we’ve been responsive and obedient. God has never failed us. 

Our future is uncertain but when everything is uncertain, anything is possible.

In 330 BC, Alexander the Great had conquered the Persian Empire and become ruler of most of the known world. With the greatest army ever assembled he decided to continue his push eastward. His army had been as unstoppable as well as his ambition: He wanted to rule the entire world. But when the army reached the Himalayan Mountains, the leaders came to Alexander with a concern: They had literally gone beyond the boundaries of their map. 

They would need to march off the map.

So like Alexander and Abraham we are charting out a new territory. I’m creating a new blogsite and ministry start-up as I write this. My plan is to continue writing and being whatever help I can be to pastors. There are a couple of books in me that I plan to transfer to print over the next 24 months.

First out of the gate will be “The Velveteen Pastor: A Journey Of Becoming Real.”

The last five years have been exciting as the denominational leaders of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada invited me to participate in the Church Revitalization Network. Travelling across the country and speaking at pastoral conferences gave me rich insight and confidence that God is renewing his Church in Canada.

It’s a happy/sad time - an ending and a new beginning. Like Caleb entering the Promised Land at age 85 (long may his tribe live) and asking for the toughest terrain to take, I’d like to apply my experience and empathy to serve leaders in the trenches on the frontlines who bring good news to Canada.

One of my life verses is “Be strong and courageous…do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:6,9).

March on!

I am a recovering perfectionist who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and drinks iced tea. My walls are adorned with our sons’ framed football jerseys, and my bookshelves, with soul food. I write to grow hope, inspire people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.

Please follow my writing at REVwords