Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved,

What comes to mind when you hear, “Others and Elsewhere”? You may think of faraway places, like missions to Guatemala or India. You would be correct. Or you may think of your next-door neighbour. This is also correct.

Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We might paraphrase this as, “I am sending you on a mission to those near and far, those who are much like you, geographically, culturally, and religiously, and those who are unlike us.” In short, O & E are those not part of the church. We want to take the message and ministry of the gospel to those near and far, to those similar and very different, to others and elsewhere. 

I am excited to be on the Guatemala mission team. We will be leaving in just over a month. We will be going far away to people who speak a different language. As a team, we look forward to sharing ourselves, building relationships, having fun, and presenting the good news of Jesus. We are excited about what God will do. Please pray for us.

Even though we are going far away, in our monthly preparation meetings, we talked about being on mission as a way of life, not just something we do for ten days. There are people in need of the love and message of Jesus here in the Comox Valley. We want to meet needs, share love, and tell about Jesus here as well as there.

One of the significant ways CPC ministers to those nearby is through the Bread of Life Foodshare program operating out of our church on Thursday evenings from 6 – 7:30. Chad and Tanya Hooker, with a great team of volunteers, set up a grocery shopping environment in the Fellowship Hall. 

Many in the Comox Valley live with food insecurity. Some have jobs, yet their income is not enough to meet their needs. Food Share is an opportunity for them to shop for groceries, including fresh produce and meat. All at no cost. Shopping is free! How great is that in this era of inflation.

People come and are welcomed warmly. Needs are met. Relationships are built. If all that happens is they receive free groceries, that is okay. We have loved our neighbour. At the same time, we hope and pray that meeting physical needs will lead to opportunities to meet the needs of the whole person, including spiritual needs. One of our values is “Wholiness.” We want to see people thrive emotionally, relationally, physically, and spiritually.

Chad said we are now up to 30 households, representing about 75 people, visiting the Food Share on a Thursday evening. As community members are served and loved, barriers are coming down, and relationships are built. There have been a few opportunities to pray with and for individuals. The Holy Spirit is moving, and exciting things are happening. Lives are being changed.

Food Share begins with sharing groceries, and may lead to praying with people, caring, and sharing the message of Jesus. It is good that many of the others and elsewhere God calls us to are nearby. We have great ministry opportunities in our own backyard, as well as around the world. I want to note that Food Share could use more volunteers.

You may support Food Share through prayer, volunteering, encouraging, and donating to Others and Elsewhere. If you would like to volunteer or contribute groceries, please call the church office or Chad or Tanya. All I ask is that you listen to the Holy Spirit and support Bread of Life Food Share, Others and Elsewhere, as God leads you.

Pastor Lorne