Comparing, Contrasting, Applying

Family Night

With the "Say Yes" (After-school Tutoring) Children 

Organizing the Community Centre @ Potter's Place 

During our missions trip we partnered with two ministries: New Beginnings Baptist Church and Potter’s Place Mission, both in East Vancouver where single mother homes, drug and alcohol addictions and brokenness are prevalent. Compared to camp and Oceanview Community Church in Ladysmith, these ministries have many differences, yet similarities can be found between them as well.

One of the greatest differences I noticed between these contrasting ministries in East Vancouver and The Cowichan Valley is the literal approach to being in “full time” ministry. The pastors and even volunteers at New Beginnings are seen at the church daily. It was very common to find them organizing street sales, running programs, talking on the phone, cleaning, and leading prayer meetings and services. Likewise, Potter’s Place has dedicated volunteer staff who appear numerous times throughout the week (or even the day!) to help in their designated areas, or with whatever needs doing. This is very different from ministries like Oceanview and Camp Qwanoes where staff have set hours and are not often found working onsite during their time off. The church is not even open every day for people to be there even if they wanted to!

On the flipside, I see godly people at both places and notice their faith in God to provide their needs, whatever they may be. For camp it could be things like staff and campers, where at Potter’s Place and New Beginnings finances are of great concern.

The things I learned from the missions trip that I can apply to ministries on Vancouver Island are numerous! Some of these include the importance of taking the small opportunities and random conversations to speak truth into children, youth, and adults’ lives. Whether that appears in the form of encouragement, harsh love, or God’s good plan for them, I know that the personal, unplanned times are of great value. I also learned that “just because something is different does not mean it is wrong.” Some approaches to ministry on the Eastside were a little bit foreign to me, yet I know that God uses his followers in unique ways all the time. Similarly, trying new things and thinking outside the set box of North American ministry has its place at Camp Qwanoes and Oceanview Church too. Lastly, I saw the great value—and necessity, actually—of sharing and demonstrating the gospel side by side. Not only do our actions and words have to line up, we also need to boldly proclaim the Word of God.

Overall, this Vancouver trip opened my eyes to see and trust in God’s sovereign plan that includes all. He is in the business of drawing people to him, and also revealing His love and power to them.