Mission conference in Canada

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Under this year's guiding verse from 1 Corinthians 15:58, another very blessed mission conference took place in Canada.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, stand firm, let nothing move you, always abound in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain!”

The Bible tells us that a book of remembrance is written before God, and even a glass of water that we give someone in Jesus' name will not be overlooked there.

Many continents – one community

For the third consecutive year, the Canadian brotherhood was able to hold its mission conference in Kelowna, British Columbia, on September 21, 2024, under God's blessing. The brothers rented a large Pentecostal church, which can accommodate up to 1,400 guests.

Mission enthusiasts from all over Canada and abroad, including Moldova, Germany, and the USA, traveled to the conference. In total, approximately 800 guests were present, who will certainly remember this day fondly.

The mission – Samaritan AID Ministries – (Aid of the Samaritan) was founded by approximately twelve congregations from the western part of Canada and is also supported by some Russian-speaking congregations from this region (BC).

The conference was opened by the presiding bishop of the region, Daniel Bullert, who earnestly called upon all those present to pray for the mission and to ask for the Lord's blessing upon it. He recalled Jesus' commission to his disciples: "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved'" (Mark 16:15-16).

Brother Nikolai Wall reminded everyone of the origin story of the CDH Stephanus mission as an exemplary model. He recalled the brothers who had come to Germany with only a few suitcases, but who immediately felt the desire and the urgent need to support their fellow believers back home in their difficult circumstances. They spared no expense, neither energy nor time, and were passionate about fulfilling God's will even beyond borders.

A brother from America spoke about how the Apostle Paul had also expressed his obligation to share the Gospel with others. He recounted his conversion in Moldova, from a former proud police officer who had always looked down on believers. But God's grace overcame him and transformed him into a fervent evangelist.

Brother Michael Akulenko spoke about the importance of guidance by the Holy Spirit in the work of the mission and how we should all strive to be guided by Him in all our decisions and actions.

Like Timothy, we were all reminded by Paul to serve God zealously and with all our devotion while it is day.

Brother Waldemar Walter then spoke about God's guidance, which led them from Armenia to Moldova and also to Africa, to see the need in these countries and to make the decision to be part of the work of faith in these countries.

Brother Viktor Kulak shared his testimony about how he and his family first emigrated to America, but were then led by God to leave this comfortable country and return to Moldova. God has entrusted him with a great work there and blesses this work. We in wealthy countries like Germany, the USA, and Canada also have ample opportunities to support this work.

Fruits of the work

Various speakers from diverse countries around the world, such as Cuba and the Philippines, reported on their experiences and testimonies, thus highlighting the urgency of this work.

A brother read from Psalm 27:10: “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” He spoke of children who had been tortured and abused by their own parents, but who now, in a Christian home, are experiencing the love and security of Christ. The world without God is cruel and merciless, yet we are meant to be the ones who bring God’s light into this world. This is God’s work, which He desires to see accomplished through us in this world.

The musical program was organized by the local communities, who, with their choirs and musical groups, had prepared a wonderful program. From young to old, children and teenagers to older singers, they glorified the Lord with songs and musical performances, giving full honor to His name.

The Canadian brothers expressed their desire to work closely with the Stephanus Mission in Germany. A joint project is already in the planning stages. Next year, they plan to jointly build a church building in Uganda. Praise be to the Lord for this!

Below I would like to share some personal thoughts with you:

How much can be achieved together in the Kingdom of God?

I was reminded of the dedication of a mission center in Belzi, Moldova, which I had the privilege of attending two years prior. A Canadian was also present at the dedication service, and he delivered a short message that made a lasting impression on me. He read the verse from Genesis 11:6: “Then the Lord said, ‘Behold, they are one people, and they all speak one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do. Now nothing will hinder them from accomplishing what they have planned.’”

This passage is about God's intervention in the Tower of Babel. When the brother read the verse, I initially wondered what it had to do with the dedication of the mission center. But his interpretation was very insightful. He vividly emphasized that nothing is impossible for people when they work together—with a shared goal and purpose—to build something. In the case of the Tower of Babel, God was displeased, so God mixed their languages, and thus their project failed.

He then pointed out how beneficial it is when Christians work together on a project in accordance with God's will, and can thus accomplish incredible things.

The mission center in Belzi is a prime example of this. A brother from Germany donated the hall for this project. Brothers from Moldova and the brothers here in Germany disassembled it into individual parts, loaded it onto several trucks, and reassembled it on-site in Moldova. They also added a large guesthouse so that friends of the mission from all over the world could stay there.

Helpers from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, and countries such as the USA, Canada, and Germany participated in this construction project. Together, they were able to create a wonderful building in this impoverished country, dedicated to serving the poor in the name of Jesus.

This project clearly demonstrates that when Christians, united by shared values and language, undertake the Lord's work, the impossible becomes possible. There are countless examples worldwide of such blessed projects. Often, very limited resources were available, but through unity and with God's help, they were accomplished. This is why the apostles repeatedly called upon Christians to be of one mind, to share a common love, and to do good while the opportunity exists.

That is our sacred calling even today.

 

A second important realization that came to me was: What does heaven rejoice most?

During the drive through the beautiful Canadian landscape, there were many experiences that brought me great joy. But one thought kept nagging at me: "What does Heaven, that is, Jesus, actually rejoice most?" And then a verse from the Gospels repeatedly came to mind: "I tell you, in the same way there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).

In this chapter, Jesus shows us, through three parables, what heaven rejoices over: namely, when a lost sinner returns to the Father! What do we rejoice over most? We must honestly admit that most of us wouldn't list this as our greatest joy.

In Luke 19:10 we read about what Jesus considered His mission on this earth: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Is this our goal? I am convinced that this should be the primary goal of mission and of every Christian. Let us pray together and join forces so that many more can be helped and many more lost people can be saved, no matter which continent they live on. May God help us in this endeavor!

Ernst Fischer

Municipality of Molbergen