When: Starts Monday morning, July 16th (check in at 8:30 am) and ends with lunch on Sunday, July 29th (checkout at 10 am).

Where: Entheos Retreat Centre. Entheos is a world-class, interdenominational retreat and renewal facility. Located ten minutes west of Calgary city limits on Highway No. 8 towards Bragg Creek.

Tuition and Cost: Full accommodation = $1395; Commuter package = $1245. The cost of the school includes teaching notes and meals. Rooms are set up for double occupancy and single rooms are limited to availability.

Accommodation: Full accommodation consists of double/twin rooms with sink and toilet facilities. Showers are shared between two rooms.

Registration: Please complete this registration form and submit it along with payment to:

Ellel Ministries Canada

 #10, 5918 – 5 St SE

Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2H 1L4

Date: Sunday June 10, 2012

Time: 10:30am – 2:00pm (baptisms will begin at 11:00am)

Location: Edworthy Park, picnic sites #6 and #7

To Bring: if your last name begins with A – M, please bring a salad to share, and if your last name begins with N – Z, please bring a dessert. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks will be provided by UChurch.

Please note: there WILL NOT be a service at the UofC on Sunday, June 10.

*if you would like to be baptized in the Bow River at this year’s picnic, please contact info[a]uchurch.ca*

It’s hard enough to train kids to behave, but good behavior isn’t what Jesus calls for in the Bible. God wants hearts and souls that are shaped in vibrant faith and love toward Himself and others. In Spiritual Parenting, Michelle Anthony calls us parents to depend upon God for our children’s spiritual and moral development, urging us toward a heart posture of surrender and faithfulness. The end goal is vibrant faith that is passed on from one generation to another.

Parents are, by the power of God’s Spirit, to depend on God in order to create home environments that God can use to beckon our kids to Him. Isn’t it time to embrace this simple but revolutionary concept?

Date: Sunday, May 27, 2012

Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm

Location: University of Calgary, room ST135

The UChurch Men’s Retreat was held March 16-18, 2012 at Camp Tee Pee Pole, located near Sundre, AB. With over 70 men wanting to grow in their understanding of Biblical manhood, the primary text was Job 29, describing a noble man. Themes spoken about were several, including: Having a lifetime trajectory of walking in wisdom, favor, and stature; becoming men of nobility and what this looks like; aspiring to leadership roles; creating vision for our life; cultivating a culture of integrity and excellence; the process of working through one’s issues; practical leadership and mentorship applications; the integration of servanthood, honor, and faith; as well as, ten principles that set Joseph apart and found him favor.

Our speaker for this year’s retreat was Robert Owens. Having spoken to the UChurch men at previous Men’s Retreats, Robert’s life has been one of adventure: A former Navy SEAL, he brought Bibles into countries during his 20′s, was a successful church planter and pastor in Reno for over 25 years focusing on University students and athletes, and he competed in several IronMan races, to name a few. Most importantly, Robert is passionate about imparting Biblical truths and life principles to men in the various spheres of life.

The men at UChurch were deeply impacted by his no-nonsense, practical teachings. Here are the audio files from the retreat. Enjoy.

Men’s Retreat 2012 – Friday March 18 – Morning Session

Men’s Retreat 2012 – Friday March 17 – Morning Session

Men’s Retreat 2012 – Friday March 17 – Afternoon Session

Men’s Retreat 2012 – Friday March 18 – Morning Session

Just before the Saturday evening service of Campus Harvest Los Angeles, our team of students from Calgary had gone off into a side room to discuss what God had been doing in our lives during the conference. I left that meeting and went into the service feeling very frustrated because nearly everyone else had been “rocked” by God during the weekend, while I had yet to be. When the music started, most of the group went up to the front to worship and I found myself in a row all alone. I didn’t get into the worship because I was feeling so frustrated, so I decided to pray. I prayed that God would do something special for me that night because I didn’t want to go home without a testimony. I knew that God would not have sent me all the way to California to simply see the sights but that he had a greater plan.

As I finished praying, I lifted my head to check out the progress of the canvas that was being painted throughout the conference. The artist was just adding colour to the central figure of the painting. When he was finished, I noticed that the man in the painting seemed to be wearing very similar clothes to what  I was wearing at that very moment. I was a little bit taken aback and thought that I might have been seeing things because it was at the far side of the sanctuary and a fair distance away. When my friends returned from the front and the end of the worship I asked them to look at the painting and then back at me. They saw the same thing I did. When the service was over I walked over to the painting to get a closer look. I found that the man in the painting was even more similar to me than I had originally thought. Not only was he wearing a yellow hoodie like I was, but he was also wearing a black shirt underneath, he had the same hair colour and haircut, and to top it all off he was also wearing red shoes just like me. I left that service with numerous interpretations of what the painting meant from my friends and also from what God was stirring in my own heart.

After Campus Harvest concluded, we stayed in Los Angeles a few more days to do some evangelism on some university campuses there. God really touched some peoples’ lives as we stepped out in faith and we were all left feeling supercharged for Jesus. Our joy was taken away when we returned to our hotel that evening as we discovered that sometime throughout the day, our vans had been broken into and much of our stuff had been stolen. Numerous computers with students’ school work was missing, among other things, and one girl’s passport was gone away. We flew back home in the morning and our trip had ended with many in tears. None of my things were taken but I felt sick to my stomach seeing my best friends lose things that were so important to them.

On the plane ride home I began to pray and ask God what was going on. He showed me the painting again and said to me, “Chris I want you to lift these people up.” I tried to argue and said, “God what can I do? Sure I’d love to reimburse everything that was taken but I don’t have that kind of money.” God responded and said, “The hand a the top of the painting is mine, I will be the one doing the heavy lifting.” I left that time of prayer with a fire in my belly that I knew was the Holy Spirit prompting me to do what God had asked me to do.

After we landed in Calgary I drove 5 hours to go to my home in St. Paul, Alberta for the rest of reading break where my father is the Pastor of our church. I got home late at night and was only able to tell my dad the full story of what had happened on our trip the next afternoon in his office. After telling him how brokenhearted our group left the trip and what God had spoken to me on the plane. He suggested that I share the story on Sunday morning and then wait and see what God will do. A few days later, I did just that. After I was finished speaking, my Dad took to the pulpit and said, “If God is stirring in your heart that you are to give towards the restoration of the stolen computers, please do so at the end of the service.” After the service ended there was a tremendous outpouring of giving. What was really cool is that people came up to me after the service and said that God had spoken to them on their way to church that morning and told them to go to the ATM and take out specific amounts. They told me they had no idea what that money was for until they heard me tell the story of what had happened. They then proceeded to give me envelopes full of thousands of dollars. I was able to return to Calgary with enough money to reimburse what had been taken. God had turned a test into a testimony that has now been shared to many unsaved people on our university campus.

The Campus Harvest Academy of Student Evangelism consists of four unique schools seamlessly integrated into one academy: the School of Encounter, the School of Evangelism, the School of Equipping, and the School of Empowerment. Each school is designed in modular form so students can attend at least one of these schools each summer of their college careers. College graduates may take all schools consecutively.” (source: Campus Harvest Academy brochure)

UChurch, in particular we encourage you to pray about the School of Empowerment, which is coming up this summer. This three-week school focuses on the person of the Holy Spirit: His character, gifts and power. With prayer, worship and regular fasting, every participant will receive prophetic ministry and healing prayer as well as the practical activation of their spiritual gifts.

Topics include:

• Devotional life
• Spiritual disciplines
• Hearing from God
• Prophetic ministry
• Healing prayer
• Spiritual warfare

Instructors include:

• Jim Laffoon
• Jim Critcher
• Jon Owens
• Reggie Roberson
• Jane Hamon (special guest)

Dates: June 18 – July 6, 2012

Location: King’s Park International Church, North Carolina

Cost: $350 (for school fees only)

For more information and to register, visit the Campus Harvest Academy website, or email Michele at michele.mccann@everynation.org

What? Five days to encourage, train and mobilize YOU to make a difference on your campus and impact the world

Who? All students and young adults

Where? Calgary, AB – U of C Campus

When? August 26 – August 31, 2012

Cost: Early registration (until July 15) = $60, Standard Registration = $80

Accommodations: Options include Hotel Alma (on-campus) or billeting with Calgary families/students

 Email harvestinstitute@uchurch.ca for more info

What? ’Equipping the Church’ 2012 Canadian Conference

When? August 31 – September 2, 2012

Where? Calgary, AB

Stay tuned for more details…

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers to equip his people for the works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” ~ Eph. 4:11-13

UChurch, You are invited to join men, women, and leaders across the city of Calgary April 20th and 21st, 2012 as we Expose the issue of pornography.  It’s time to be part of the conversation.

All events are held at RockPointe Church Bearspaw (255024 Lochend Road)

FOR WOMAN: Friday, April 20th, 2012.

7:00 PM.

 Cost: $20

FOR MEN: Saturday, April 21st, 2012.

9:00 AM

Cost: $20

FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS: Saturday, April 21st, 2012.

1:00 PM

Cost $30

To register visit: www.exposecalgary.com 

“ENGAGE2020 was developed by Dr. Rice Broocks as a strategy to equip and empower local Churches for growth through evangelism. It has been designed to particularly address the critical state of the North American Church where only 3% of Churches are growing through evangelism.

Engage Weekend - 6 hours of training with an experienced, Church-based Evangelist.  In these on-site sessions, the core of the Church will be stirred to evangelize and make disciples; proven tools such as TheGodTest will be introduced to clarify and simplify this task; those with the gift of the Evangelist will be identified.

This strategy is named ENGAGE2020 because of the unprecedented opportunity to reactivate the missional DNA in the Church for what has been called the ‘Decade of Evangelism’.” (source: http://ricebroocks.myshopify.com/pages/frontpage)

S.A.L.T. Training from Rice Broocks on Vimeo.

If you’re an evangelist or if you would like to learn more about how God’s church can grow through the activation of evangelism, please join us on:

Date: Saturday, April 21

Time: 12:15 – 4:15pm

Location: The Church of Immanuel (1512 – 1st Street SW)

For more information about this initiative visit http://ricebroocks.myshopify.com/pages/frontpage

Date: Friday, April 27, 2012

Time: 7:00 – 9:30pm

Location: Rockpointe Church – Bearspaw Campus (255024 Lochend Road NW)

Possible topics to be covered:

• beyond a ‘grocery list’ approach to prayer
• the power of seeking God’s face
• all prayer requests are not created equal
• changed: from worry to worship
• changed: from fear to fulfillment
• a fresh passion for the glory of God

“Like my status for a “TBH”, here it is, I’ve got something to say:

Tired of hearing girls measure success; by the pounds on their hips or the size of their dress.

Is identity more than the jeans I buy or the space in between both of my thighs?

If success is those things I’ve been misled; I’ve dined too long on the lies I’ve been fed.

If faith, hope, and love aren’t priority one, did God make a mistake when He gave us His son?!

Now don’t run away ’cause I talk about “Him”, I’ve listened to you talk about Kardashian, Kim.

What is this fear of God as a Father? His love is real yet you don’t even bother…

I know it’s confusing when all you see is Christians frontin’ like they on MTV.

They’re in the club with you, drunker than you, Sunday morning hangovers take place in the pew.

So give me a minute to talk with you real, I don’t blame your doubt, or the love you don’t “feel”

It’s hard to imagine a love you’ve not seen, someone who’ll love you despite where you’ve been.

The cuts have healed, the bottle retired, the porn turned off, the one night stands grew tired.

Despite what we show, we have been there too; if you don’t believe it, I tell you it’s true.

Christians are not perfect, though we may front that way; maybe the thought of perfection has kept you away.

The struggles you have are the same for us too: “Who am I? Where is God? God, is your love true?”

Attention Christians, I’m putting you on blast; you NEED to talk open about what’s your past!

God healed in the Bible, the whole world did see; why is your vic’try kept between “you and me”?

No status updates please, don’t cheapen the share; Invite. Get a hot beverage. Pull up a chair.

Share your life story with someone you know, be honest and let the love of God show.

Tell them you’ve thought about suicide, tell them what’s different with God by your side.

Show someone the scars of midnight cuts, tell them how God picked you up out of those ruts.

Show them the tears you’ve hidden from all, tell them how God catches you when you fall.

But don’t make it fluffy, be real and legit; what was it really like before you jumped ship?

Get down to the root of what’s beaten you down, talk ’bout the pain in which you were sure you’d drown.

They don’t need to see Christians being “righteous”, they need to know, “God’s kids are right here, beside us.”"

As members of John’s spiritual family, we need to help John out at this time. View the spreadsheet below for outstanding driving and meal provision needs, and email Jan at jveck@me.com with your name, contact information, the date for which you are able to help care for John, and what kind of care you are able to provide (driving or meal…or both!)

Hello UChurch! Join Christians from other clubs across campus this Thursday, March 29th from 7:00-9:00 PM in room EDC 179 one last time this semester to worship God and pray for our campus. Come engage in powerful worship from The Deeper Worship band traveling all the way from St. Paul, Alberta! Come hear testimonies of students who have encountered the abundant LIFE of Christ in a tangible way this year as we celebrate the fact that we serve a God who is certainly not dead but ALIVE and at work in our generation!

This year promises to be very special with the honor of having Bishop Bill Hamon with us from Christian International. Bishop Hamon is truly the “father” of the modern prophetic movement and his perspective, insight and wisdom are without peer among prophetic ministers.” (source: The Listening Room)

Dates: April 20 – 21, 2012

Location: Grace Covenant Church – Chantilly, Virginia

Topics:

• Modes and manifestations of the prophetic
• Prophetic pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Revelation gifts in the local church
• Prophetic relationships
• Judging revelation
• Theology of the prophetic
• Using your prophetic gifts beyond the Church
• Activating your prophetic gifts

Schedule: 

Friday, April 20

Morning session – 9am to 12pm

Lunch break

Prophetic Activation Session – 2pm to 4pm

Dinner break

Evening Session – 7:15pm to 9pm

Saturday, April 21

Morning session – 9am to 12pm

Lunch break

Afternoon session – 2pm to 4pm

Conference close

Cost: $25 per person (international fee)

Register: By filling out this form: Prophetic Gathering Registration Form

Beth Moore’s life-transforming Bible Study challenges and inspires women of every age, everywhere. Joining Beth at this weekend event is acclaimed worship leader Travis Cottrell and the Praise Team. Beth’s focus will be on the Scripture that God lays on her heart for each individual Living Proof Live event – no two messages are the same. As she explores the Bible and how it applies to real life, you’ll be amazed by her own experiences as a believer. You’ll also be inspired to magnify and strengthen your own relationship with God.

Bring your friends and we’ll see you at Living Proof Live – a fun-filled Bible study, teaching, and worship experience to enrich your mind, soul, and spirit!” (source: LifeWay Biblical Solutions for Life)

Dates: June 8 – 9, 2012

Location: The Calgary Stampede, Stampede Corrall

Cost: $65USD per person

Register: By calling LifeWay Events Registration toll free at 1.800.254.2022

Schedule:

Friday
6:00 p.m.     Doors Open to Attendees
7:00 p.m.     Event Begins
9:30 p.m.     Dismiss

Saturday
7:30 a.m.     Doors Open
8:30 a.m.     Event Begins
10:00 a.m.   Break
10:30 a.m.   Event Resumes
12:00 p.m.   Event Concludes

To those who may be alone and struggling with life’s burdens, hearing others lift them up to the throne of grace can be a great encouragement. It also builds in us love and concern for others as we intercede for them. (adapted from Got Questions Ministries)

The first Thursday of every month, Every Nation (EN) churches around the world join together for a monthly day of corporate fasting and prayer. This is a time that unites EN churches and members to pray and ask God to open doors to the Gospel of Jesus, and as a part of EN churches, UChurch is invited to participate in this!

So please join us on Thursday, April 5 for corporate prayer. Plan to fast on that day, and come prepared in the evening to hear from God and lift up prayers to Him.

Date: Thursday, April 5, 2012 

Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm

Location: UofC room ST128

“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)

Do you want to be equipped to share the gospel with your friends?

Do you want to mature in your faith?

Do you want to learn to work in productive team with others?

If you are a student returning to campus or graduating next year, we invite you to learn more about participating in the UChurch Student Internship – learning to be a disciple and make disciples of Christ. There will be a brief information session on Sunday, March 11 in room ST135 immediately following the service.  

If you are unable to attend this session but would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact Tash (natasha.bleile@uchurch.ca) or Steph (Stephanie.kreuger@uchurch.ca). 

UChurch, check out this beautiful poem that our very own Cam Galbraith wrote:

So Much Beauty in this Mess

by Cam Galbraith

Six, or seven, souls were saved

Hearts renewed, Foundations laid

Never to be found ashamed

On the day when the Kingdom reigns

So much beauty in this mess

So much beauty in this brokenness

Sixteen, or seventeen, students abroad

Set with a fire,and a passion from God

Laptops and backpacks, thesis and passport stolen

Flights delayed

Missed connections

Shared adventures

in a call for prayer!

Landed safely

in this beautiful city

Once again

He answered the family song

Today I found out that a past employee

took his own life

left a son and a wife

A friend’s brother overdosed on ecstasy

On Christmas holidays

My friends parents died many years ago

scars on his wrists

he has pressed on

and on and on

and on and on

and on and on

and on

and on

so much waiting

so much breaking

so much heart

so much brokenness

in the mountains, in a car

three friends flipped over,

death’s threat not far….

spun and spun

on it’s top till it stopped

till it stopped on it’s top

they spun and spun

They survived

My cousin is working with her doctor,

and her mom- and their salt-soaked prayers together -

to try to extend her life span.

But God holds her with love in His hand

And only He can in true understand

How her life is a beautiful strand

Interwoven through His much larger plan

The toll on her life,

worn down by it’s griefs

she spends her precious moments

telling her broken father about Jesus

So much beauty in this mess

So much beauty in this brokenness

Hooked up to tube and tank

he was beaten down by the dust

and by the chemical

O Lord, O Lord

The seasons turn

They turn and turn

It’s winter it’s spring

To summer then fall

back to winter again

And on and on it turns

In the Book I read

All the rivers flow into the sea

And the sea is never full

The snow gently falls on Saturday

It’s beautiful

So much beauty in this mess

So much beauty in this brokenness

It spun on it’s top

Spun and spun till it stopped

All survived

Shattered glass and familiar debris

spread across the highway ice

A second life!

A second life!

Through the shards of glass

we’re screaming

So much beauty in this mess!

So much beauty in this brokenness!

What hand reached down into this mess

and snatched His beautiful daughters

and saved once again

This beautiful heart

This beautiful Center

of the universe

must be good

must be good

So much beauty in this mess

So much beauty in this brokenness

See it look at it don’t fear

My daughters My sons

I’m here

Believe and live

I am alive I am Life

So much heart

So much brokenness

So much compassion

So much salvation

So much at stake

So much beauty in this mess

So much beauty in this brokenness

So much life

So much death

So much waiting

So much breaking

So much beauty

So much brokenness

So much compassion

So much salvation

So much is taken

So much is still waiting

to be taken

See it look at it take it don’t fear

My daughters My sons

I am here

I am here

On family day

I picked up my pile of cards

of special occasions past

of Christmas’s and birthdays

and simple Thank-yous amassed

“Our theme this year is Arise, and this year we’re taking up our own challenge and rising up to put on 21st conference in Durham, NC. We’ve got an amazing line-up of speakers, seminars, and powerful worship that will catalyze you to rise up to your next level in following God and impacting your campus.”

Dates: Friday, March 23 – Saturday, March 24, 2012

Location: King’s Park International Church (1305 Odyssey Drive, Durham, North Carolina)

Cost: $95 if registered before March 22, or $105 at the door (cost of travel and accommodation not included; visit the Travel and Hotels page for travel details.

For more information, email Steph at students@uchurch.ca, or visit the Campus Harvest website.

To show them some love, we’re hosting a ‘We Love You’ Volunteer Appreciation Gala on Saturday, and we would love for all Ministry Team leaders and members to be there. You’ve devoted so much time and energy to serving God by loving our UChurch family over the past while, and this is our chance to honour and love on you. Hope you can make it!

What? ’We Love You!’ UChurch Volunteer Appreciation Gala

When? Saturday, February 11 from 7:00 – 10:00pm

Where? Dalhousie Community Centre (5432 Dalhart Road NW)

Who? UChurch Ministry Team leaders and members (and significant others)

RSVP: by Monday, February 6 by emailing Jenn at info@uchurch.ca

Calling all UChurch men (and friends!). Here’s your chance to join your brothers for an exhilarating cross-country ski trip to Bryant Creek Cabin in Kananaskis. We will ski in (about 5 hours) on Saturday, April 21 and stay over night in the old cabin, then ski out the next day. During this adventure, we will:

• Have fun, eat good food, roast marshmallows, do man stuff, and
• Bond and support our brothers!

Cost: $25 plus gas and food money

RSVP: There are only 12 spots available, so the first ones to pay to Robert or Lance the $25 fee will get the spots!

Click here to download our discussion and hear how we processed these questions: Student Retreat 2012: Righteousness

Feel free to post comments and or questions below to keep the discussion going!

You’re invited to celebrate with Leland, Heather, and the worship crew at “The Sweetest Thing” concert. Leland will be performing with a live band and will be sharing the inspiration/background of many of the songs on the album. Plus, our very own Lance Farkas will be opening (his CD will come out soon as well)!

When the CD is complete, proceeds of album sales will be donated to mission/ministry/humanitarian work at UChurch and beyond.  Three of the future recipients of these funds will be briefly sharing the heart of the ministries/organizations they represent.

Date: February 4, 2012

Time: Doors open at 6:30, concert at 7:30

Location: 7220 Fisher Street S.E. (entrance on the East side only)

Tickets: $20.00 each and are available for purchase at UChurch for the next two Sundays after the service. Tickets include: concert admission, dessert, coffee, and an opportunity for some really cool stuff at the silent auction, including: your very own personalized song written by Leland, original art from local artists (Heather is donating the painting that was reproduced on the ticket), an opportunity to get your name on the CD jacket, etc.  Tickets will sell fast, so get ‘em while they’re still available.

Donations for the silent auction are still being accepted; contact worship@uchurch.ca if you’d like to donate silent auction items!

As always, everyone is welcome! So come on out, and bring a friend!

Date: Friday, January 20, 2012

Time: 6:30pm – Praise & Worship; 7:00pm – Intercessory Prayer

Location: Calgary Full Gospel Church (917 14 Ave. SW)

Week 1: Truth – what is the Truth and how can we know it?

Week 2: The Lordship of Christ

Week 3: Repentance and Water Baptism

Week 4: The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts

Week 5: How to live a New Life

Register by filling out the form below:

*thumbnail image by Scott Ingram Photography*

1. A Word About Food
2. What Fasting Is Not
3. What Fasting Is
4. Types of Fasting
5. Why Fast?
6. Some Biblical Principles on Fasting
7. Occasions For Fasting
8. What Will Be Your Response
9. Some Biblical References

Click here to download this resource.

We’ll see you next Sunday, January 8 back in the Science Theatres building at the UofC!

It is not surprising that throughout history, God has often called on his people to come together and humble themselves through prayer and fasting. When God’s people fast and pray, the spiritual progress becomes tangible. Nations change, revivals spark, people experience freedom on every level. It changes the future because it changes the people involved.

Thus the heads-up: prepare yourselves. As Jesus taught, you don’t go into a battle unless you have the resolve and the resources to complete it. Take the next little while to carefully think about what level of participation you can commit to regarding the fast. What type of fast can you do in the seven days? Look at your schedule and consider limiting physical and social activities so you can participate. For additional information about what you can do to prepare for next week’s fast, click here.

Download the 2012 Fasting Guide: this is the manual that will be used to guide next week’s fast. Please print a copy for yourself and for others in your household who will be participating.

Dates: January 16 – January 22

Prayer Schedule:

During the fasting week, certain evenings will be set aside to gather and pray. If you have children, consider having them join you for a small part of a corporate prayer time so they may be part of the experience.

Monday, January 16:

• 6:30 – 8:00pm at the Macatula’s home

Tuesday, January 17:

• 6:30 – 8:00pm at Debie’s home

Wednesday, January 18:

• 6:30 – 8:00pm at Ope’s home
• 7:00 – 9:00pm at the Reding’s home (49 Tuscany Hills Bay NW)

Thursday, January 19:

• ‘Unite the Light’ prayer and worship from 7:00 – 8:00pm at the UofC room EDC179
• Corporate Prayer from 7:00 – 9:00pm at the UofC room EDC280

Friday, January 20:

• 6:30 – 8:00pm at the Macatula’s home (contact Rodelyn at  rcmacatula@yahoo.com for address)

Saturday, January 21:

• 6:30 – 8:00pm at the Macatula’s home (contact Rodelyn at  rcmacatula@yahoo.com for address)

Sunday, January 22: (break the fast)

• 10:35am – 12:30pm at the UofC (room ST148)

Lance here. I hope everyone is doing good this December. Well, it’s been over a month and a bit since our last gathering and it is Christmas time, so I thought we should have a MEN’S “Unite the Clans” CHRISTMAS PARTY! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BYx3Y8d4JQ & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sa_OQgWiPA&feature=related . This will be a great time to get together and catch up with one another with our brothers. There is no major plan this time other than have some food, catch up and maybe encourage one another – we don’t need any distractions. You are all invited over to our condo and let’s see how much we can pack the place out. I will provide some pizza, wings and pop. If you want to bring something else to eat or drink please do so!

Details:

What: MEN’S “Unite the Clans” CHRISTMAS PARTY

When: Thursday, December 15th, 6:30-10:30pm (show up anytime in those hours)

Where: Lance & Lauren’s

Who: anyone from Uchurch and invite your guy friends too

Why: staying connected is a key principle especially as men, it’s Christmas & BECAUSE IT’S FUN!

And all I ask is that you if you think of a guy who’s needing a connection point, needing a good laugh or needing a listening ear, be sure to invite them to this. And if you come, let’s have fun in general, but be sensitive to the Spirit if there is a guy who’s having a hard time and needs a bro that will listen – be that guy. Make sense? (Remember: Christmas can be a lonely or tough time for many people).

We need to UNITE AS MEN, AS CLANS once and a while! It will be good for your spirit, soul and body!! Hence the name and video inspiring this party.

Merry Christmas,

Lance & Robert

p.s. and if you’re feeling discouraged, just a friendly reminder God has a plan for your life. Just ask Wally. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A25mubQ6HJM

ST130 at the U of Calgary

All are welcome!!

Focus for this prayer time:

1.  Worship.  Draw close to God; worship Him; exalt Him; bless Him; tell Him we love Him; He’s worth so much to us.

 2.  Turning to God in the desert.  (more explanation will be given)

3.  Give thanks for 2011

 4.  Pray for God’s presence in 2012

 5.  Prayer with EveryNation for Turkey and Malta (details about what’s going on in these nations will be given)

 6.  Uchurch missions and needs

When: Thursday, November 24th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Where: University of Calgary, Craigie Hall, block C, room 119.

Album Sampler

Date: Friday, November 4, 2011

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Ambrose University College

For more information or to RSVP contact info@emicanada.org or 403.202.3642.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12 – 13

UChurch, did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? So let’s show our friends, Pastors Brant & Jen, as well as Pastor John Hutchinson, just how much we love and appreciate them! Leave a comment below with a story, a scripture, or a word of encouragement (or a poem…perhaps a limerick?) for our pastors. Please note that your comments will be made public, so only share information that is permissible for others to read. Then in a couple of weeks, all comments will be compiled into a note for our pastors and removed from the website so as not to remain public.

….. well your wishes are about to come true! You are invited to join your UChurch “brothers” for an evening of MANLY stuff and GODLY talk.

Where:  Shanks North – 103 Crowfoot Terrace NW

When: Monday, Oct. 24

Start at 6:00

6:30 to 7:00  mini golf tourney  ($6/person)

7:00 to 8:00  hang out with your “brothers”

8:00 to 9:00  teaching/discussion

Why: To encourage each other, to hear about upcoming events, to be built up with Godly wisdom and to engage in the adventure of walking with God and your brothers!

You can come for the whole evening or join us later for the brotherly camaraderie or just come for the teaching…. but please come! Being connected and walking with “brothers” is the best way to be blessed and encouraged and challenged as a MAN.

Please RSVP by emailing men@uchurch.ca if you are coming, AND tell us which parts you will attend!!

Date: Thursday, November 3, 2011

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: DaDe Art & Design Lab (1327 9th Ave S.E, Calgary)

Tickets: $51.50 each; click here to purchase!

visit www.LaurenBagliore.com for more information

When is it? 5 – 8 pm on Monday, October 31st (Yup, Hallowe’en)

Where is it? Rutland Park Community Centre (3130 – 40th Avenue SW)

Who’s Invited? UChurch families and their friends, primarily those with children under the age of 12.

Who’s Hosting? UChurch families and the MRU ‘Who Cares’ Club.

Cost? Food Bank Donation – that’s all!

How to get in on the fun? To attend or volunteer, RSVP via email at hoedowncalgary@gmail.com

*** Please include family name and the number of people in your party

“Our prayer is that God would rain His righteousness, peace, power, and grace upon the thousands who gather at BreakForth Canada 2012. We pray that you can join us for this time of refreshing and equipping like no other.

BreakForth Canada exists to equip you to meet the eternal opportunities that God has given you. Through the classes, workshops, worship, assemblies, festivals, concerts, resources and more, you will be equipped and renewed for ministry.

Gather your friends so that they too may experience the rain of God’s grace at BreakForth Canada 2012.”

~ message from Arlen and Elsa Salte, founders of Break Forth Ministries

*UChurch will be registering for this year’s conference as a group; if you would like to get in on the group rate and save $20, follow these three simple steps:

1. Email info@uchurch.ca by Friday, October 28 to confirm your registration.

2. Print THIS PDF FORM and fill it out completely.

3. Pay by placing the completed PDF form and a cheque to cover your registration ($156.45) in a sealed envelope marked “BreakForth” in the offering plate on or before Sunday, October 30.

For more details about this year’s exciting conference, including hotels with special BreakForth accommodation rates, click here to visit the Break Forth Canada website.

This course will help you to understand more clearly that we matter to God and are shaped by him for a purpose. The acronym S.H.A.P.E.  stands for:

• Spiritual gifts
• Heart
• Abilities
• Personality
• Experiences

You will discover that SHAPE affects every area of our lives, relationships, career, finances, retirement, recreation, hobbies, enjoyment, and ministry.

Dates: Sundays Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20, and Nov. 27

Time: 9:00am – 10:30am

Location: University of Calgary, room ST135

Cost: $10.00 for study guide; payment must be received at time of registration

Registration: Sundays Oct. 16 & 23 following the service, or register online by filling out the form below.

“God made you to make a difference, and this study will help you unlock your special contribution. Get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure of personal discovery.” ~ Lee Strobel, author of Case for Christ

“Ever wonder who am I ?” Ever thought, “What is the purpose of my life? I have great news: the mystery is over. Erick Rees gives you the tools to answer the questions so you can live the life you were created to live. Embrace S.H.A.P.E. with everything you have so you can discover not only how special you are but your specific purpose for life.”— Dr. Gary Smalley, Author of I Promise

What: The live 24/7 Global Prayer Room will be broadcasted through speakers and onto a projector screen such that we might join together in prayer and worship

Date: Thursday, October 6

Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Location: University of Calgary room KNB126 (use the university’s interactive map to find the location of this room)

More Details:

• Come when you can, and leave any time you need to
• There will be freedom to move or walk around as you pray and worship
• An art station will be set up for artists to create while worshipping

Please invite others and spread the word!

Fall is in the air! Let’s use this opportunity to meet other students and strengthen friendships while hiking up to the spectacular Galatea and Lillian Lake.

When: Saturday September 24^th 8:45am-5pm

Where: Meet in loop outside Cascade Hall @8:30am

What to Bring: A packed lunch, hiking boots/runners, layers

RSVP: Email Alena at alenahart17@gmail.com

http://hikealberta.com/hike/lillian-and-galatea-lakes-trail

We will be meeting on campus in the loop in front of Cascade Hall at 8:30am. From there we will load up and head out to the mountains! Please RSVP to Alena Hart  alenahart17@gmail.com if you are coming, if you can drive and how many people you can take with you. Also let me know if you need a ride and I will try to accommodate rides for everyone!

Hope to see you there!

Join us in the early morning on Sunday, October 9 for a time of worship, and an opportunity to soak in the presence of God. Art supplies such paper/pencil crayons, chalk/chalkboards will be available for those who feel compelled to create visual masterpieces, and a guitar, electronic keyboard, and hand drum will be available for those who wish to create music. In addition, feel free to bring your own art supplies and/or musical instruments; the whole idea is that God would be glorified through our worship of Him in diverse and creative ways!

Date: Sunday, October 9, 2011

Time: 7:00am – 10:30am (feel free to come and go as you like)

Location: UofC room ST147

More Details: worship music will be played throughout via speakers and an iPod. If anyone would like to lead live worship for any period of time, they may feel free to do so. Bibles and devotional books will be on hand for reading and study, and if you’ve got homework to do, this could be a great alternative to your standard homework spot!

Hope to see you there!

If you want to learn how to live in the freedom, fullness and fruitfulness that God has for you and help others to do the same, this course is for you.

If you would like to know how to bring understanding and healing to those who are struggling, this course is for you.

If you desire to help set people free from the strongholds of the enemy, this course is for you.

Dates: Oct. 14/15, Nov. 4/5, Dec. 2/3, Jan. 6/7, Feb. 3/4, Feb. 11 (workshop), and Mar. 2/3

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm each Friday, and 9:00am – 4:30pm each Saturday

Location: Ellel Ministries Canada West Office (#10, 5918 – 5th St SE)

Registration: for more information and to register for this year’s Prayer Ministries Skills Training School, visit the Ellel Ministries website.

Dates: November 11 – 13, 2011

Time: 7:00pm on Friday, November 11 – 3:00pm on Sunday, November 13

Location: Canmore Radisson Hotel (511 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore AB)

Guest Speakers: Russ & Debbie Austin (Russ is the North American Regional Leader for Every Nation Ministries)

Childcare: Parents are strongly encouraged to make childcare arrangements in Calgary; however, exceptions will be made for parents with nursing infants. In these instances, please indicate if you have a need for childcare in the registration form.

Cost: $250 per couple if registration and payment is received on or before October 16, 2011; $270 per couple if registration and payment are received after October 16, 2011.

*thumbnail photo courtesy of Flickr user Jo Christian Oterhals. “Marriage.” 25 May 2009. Online image. Flickr. 8 Apr 2011.

Church, we’ve got an incredible opportunity to hear from – and dialogue with – Dr. Brian Miller, an expert on the intersection of science, faith and culture. “Science, faith and culture intersect?” you ask? According to Dr. Miller’s research, they sure do!

Join us as Dr. Miller unpacks the happy coexistence of science and faith, and the new breakthroughs in science that support the reality of intelligent design (by an intelligent Designer!). And feel free to invite family and friends to this session; it will truly be an opportunity for both first-time encounters with the living God, and for fresh revelations of His creativity and purpose. Keep reading for details:

What? Open session with Dr. Brian Miller on The Intersection of Science, Faith and Culture

When? Wednesday, August 31 from 7:00 – 9:00pm

Where? University of Calgary, room KNB 132 (use the interactive map to find the location of this room)

About Dr. Brian Miller: “Dr. Miller serves as Senior Research Analyst and consultant for Resources Development and Implementation, a Nashville based consulting company specializing in strategic planning and implementation. Dr. Miller received his BS in physics form MIT and his PhD in physics from Duke University. After finishing his PhD, he served as Academic dean for a Durham-based leadership institute. During that time, he developed training materials to assist leaders in understanding the impact of science, philosophy, and religious faith on different professions, such as business, law, and education. He also traveled internationally speaking and teaching on issues of science, faith, and culture. After moving to Nashville, Dr. Miller pioneered an initiative to train leaders to create positive change in the marketplace, and he consults on this topic with churches and other non-profit organizations.” (bio from The Aslan Guild website)

Here’s an exciting opportunity, courtesy of our friends at Hopethiopia!

“Hopethiopia is having a great year and God is blessing our paths. We are involved in many initiatives and projects in both Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Many people ask about ways that they can help, so we have created a unique opportunity for everyone to participate. On September 24th, 2011 we will be hosting the first ever “Run of Hope”. This will be a fundraiser event to help us raise awareness and funds to help with projects in Ethiopia and Rwanda. With some of the proceeds, we will build 2 orphan homes in Ethiopia in November 2011.

Our goal will be to have at least 100 participants each committed to raise $1,000.00 each. The event will be a 1, 2, 5, or 10km walk, run, or skate. It will be a lot of fun, a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle, and show that you care. We encourage all to participate no matter what age or level of fitness; kids are welcome to join in with their parents! The funds will go to a great cause and you will truly be making a massive difference in the lives of orphans that are in great need.”  ~ Ralph, Hopethiopia co-founder

To register for the ‘Run of Hope’, send an email to Ralph and he will provide you with additional event details, as well as a pledge form to get started with fundraising!

God created us to be His beloved children “in His likeness, His image” – Gen. 1:26-27.

He breathed His Own Spirit into our spirits. This put His very life into us – body, soul and spirit! – Gen. 2:7.

John 3:1-10; and 14-18

Nicodemus: a ruler, a Pharisee, believed the Scriptures, very religious, starting to believe in Jesus, but …Jesus said to him, “You must be born again (anew, from above, of the Spirit) in order to ‘see’ and enter the kingdom of God”. (“cannot” without new birth)

We must be born both physically AND spiritually! “Do not marvel”.

“As the serpent … so must the Son of Man (Jesus) be lifted up (crucified).”

“God SO (greatly, intensely, deeply, passionately) loved the whole lost world that He gave us His only begotten Son (Jesus) – in the flesh – to die for all our sins so that whoever believes in (trusts in, depends upon, commits to) Him should not perish but have everlasting life … be saved!”!

Note: (“Believe in” is much deeper than just “believe”).

WHY “must”? (it is an absolute necessity)

Gen.2:16-17 – “in the day you eat of it you shall surely die.” Adam’s and Eve’s bodies and souls lived on for many years, BUT their spirits did DIE the moment they sinned! (The Holy Spirit of God cannot ‘be one’ with sin.) Their spirits were left empty, lonely, dark, cold and dead. That is why we all must be “born spiritually”, as Jesus said, because we all have sinned, no matter how ‘religious’ we may be.

When Jesus was crucified and resurrected, He atoned for all our sins! So the very first time He met with His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus “breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20:21-22 (like Gen. 2:7). That is when they were “born again”, spiritually. We must, with an act of our will, by faith, also receive Jesus, His crucifixion, His resurrection and His Spirit into our spirit.

God had prophesied this in the Old Covenant: Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Jeremiah 31:33 (Heb. 8:10). This is what happens to us at the “new birth”.

2 Cor. 5:17 – We become “new (spiritual) creations in Christ, old things begin to pass away, and all things begin to become new.”

BUT, God tells us to “Examine yourself. Test yourself.  Prove yourself.” – 2Cor. 13:5. Rom. 8:8-9 and 15-16. Also 1 John 10-12. God wants us to know and be very sure that we are “born again”!

In Rev. 3:20, Jesus said to people who were in the church, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone (individual) hears my voice and opens the door, (receive and invite) I will come in to him …” Even though some were ‘in’ the church, Jesus was still on the outside of their hearts and their spirits!!!

There are evidences, in Scripture, of Christ in us and us in Christ. Next Sunday we will examine ourselves and take God’s test and see the evidences.

“The City Wide Prayer Rally is a prayer movement that brings together Christians on a quarterly basis to mobilize the concentrated power of prayer. The purpose of the City Wide Prayer Rally is to seek God’s blessing on lives, families, churches, communities and countries around the world.  Our mission is to reach beyond the church to engage our communities through united prayer.” (source: http://www.calgaryprayerrally.ca/)

UChurch has been participating in City-Wide Prayer Rallies for several years now, and once again we’ve been invited to participate this month:

Date: July 15, 2011

Time: 6:30pm Worship; 7:00pm Prayer

Location: SouthSide Victory Center (6402 – 1a Street SW)

For more information visit http://www.calgaryprayerrally.ca/.

[June 21] Trek day J We headed out to the mountains to spend some focused time together. Our team had great fun riding elephants – Verna’s laugh often echoed through the forest as her driverless elephant randomly forged its own paths through the trees. Convinced our elephant would eat up half the forest by the time the ride was over, Claire and I watched as Lance and Lauren tried to get their animal to move back as it was leaning over a cliff trying to reach some choice leaves. That was amusing, their driver continuously thwacking the pachyderm over the head to try to get him to move, but to no avail. Eventually he stepped back from the cliff and moved on, and finally ours decided to give it a go as well. A little baby elephant joined us on the walk as well; it was the cutest thing to see him scramble over a fallen tree and wade through a stream. He lay down in the water and rolled around a few times before he realized his mother had moved on and lumbered after her. With trunks continuously poking at us searching for bananas, we thoroughly enjoyed the ride and I was disappointed when it was over. I also thought it would be great fun if the elephants began to ‘run’, or whatever it is that elephants do when they move faster; Claire, however, did not share my enthusiasm to speed up and rather enjoyed the lumbering gate of our animal.

With smiles plastered on everyone’s faces, we continued on foot to a beautiful waterfall. The water was cool and Jeremy and Tehillah decided to go for a swim. We sat and watched them for a while and then began the climb up a long set of stairs leading up a hill. Huffing and puffing and sweating, most definitely sweating, we set off to visit one of the Karen Hill Tribes. A water buffalo greeted us in a rice field and a little girl ran up to us once we reached the edge of tribe. We looked around at the scarves and articles of clothing that the women were selling and I attempted to say hello in the Karen language. That drew a laugh from a wizened and toothless woman; even to my own ears it sounded so off from how another woman told me to pronounce it. At least I tried! It made someone laugh J With numerous treks often passing through this particular tribe, the people were used to the presence of foreigners; their businesses flourished as tourists bought beautifully woven scarves and sarongs.

The last event of the day came upon us as we reached a river and saw long bamboo rafts lying on the embankment. What was to follow was so incredibly fun and was such a great respite from the scorching sun. Carefully we stepped onto the rafts and gingerly we sat down, trying not to get wet which, of course, was inevitable. It soon became clear that Karl’s personal mission was to get everyone soaked. In this he was successful and what had started off as a peaceful trip quickly became a rampaging water fight. Rafts were tipped over, Uzo was dunked, paddles were harshly slapping the water, and people were kicking and splashing and trying not to fall off their rafts. It was fun. Trying to balance when standing up on the rafts proved to be fun as well – especially when all this crazy commotion was going on. We came to a more turbulent area of the stream, which almost satisfied my desire for white-water. Though the trip was ablaze with screams and laughter and pleas not to go under, there was a peace that joined us as well. Floating down a river in the midst of the beauty of the forest, with Thai people watching and laughing and our own people having incredible fun with each other, brought such a joy to my heart. Though we did not interact with the orphans today, the time we spent together was vital to our team dynamics and, though our team was already unified and had grown pretty close, this day drew us even closer and allowed to just have all-out fun with each other. It was so needed and brought us a type of rest, which allowed us to pour out even more to the people in the coming days.

~ Katherine Clarke, Thailand Team journalist

For more photos from our missions trip to Thailand, click here.

Don and Juanita would appreciate your prayers over these issues. Thank You

[June 20] After an amazing and passionate debrief we headed to the Chiang Mai zoo with the BBF children. The kids were enthralled with the animals and absolutely loved the fish and sharks swimming over us as we walked in clear tunnels through their territories. Various species of aquatic animals found their home in the aquarium, greeted by the excited and glowing eyes of the children. I must admit I wore one of those pair of eyes as well, as it was so amazing to see the beauty and creativity in design of all these unique creatures. We took the kids up on our shoulders and enjoyed hearing their delight as small, yet fearsome, sharks silently passed their way only inches overhead… an eerie calmness and awe fell upon me in the serenity of the colourful fish slipping past us. I believe Lauren had a similar sensation as she gazed upon little jellyfish gracefully and peacefully floating along inside their own tanks lighted by pale pinks and blues. The children skipped along, enthralled by each every new creature and didn’t want to leave once we reached the end of the exhibit. I feel blessed to have been able to share in the joy and the wonderment of the kids; it touched my heart to see happiness spreading over the face of one of the little orphan girls perched high atop Claire’s shoulders. Though we did not build any pig pens or teach English, our time with the children in the zoo was not only a huge blessing to them, but to us as well. How amazing it is to be able to speak into a child’s life and instill in them a care and a love for who they are and for who they will become. They may be considered as outcasts within Thai society, but to us they were and are and forever will be precious little jewels reflecting the perfect creation of our Father. With radiant faces slowly tiring and hands snug within ours, we continued through the zoo and found our way to a panda exhibit. I think Karl was the most excited one amongst us and was amazed as a beautiful female panda politely crunched on a carrot. It really was a spectacle, this gorgeous animal only meters away, munching and staring as if she had no care in the world. I stared at her and the kids stared at her and most of all Karl stared at her; unsettled, she stared right back as if to convey her power or utter lack of interest in us peering creatures. So cool. We managed to see a few more animals, including a most adorable baby elephant, and then tried in vain to find the lions. By this point the children were pretty sleepy and we made our way back home. Too tired to play soccer, we hung out with the kids for another hour or so, kicking around a hackeysack and trying to do origami. Poor Claire was going out of her mind trying to recall a particular design. The quiet mother was there again and a few of us enjoyed teaching her colours. She then proceeded to show us her crocheted hackeysacks; she has been studying them and figured out how to reproduce the shape and some of the designs. I was really impressed! There is no way I would be able to do that…

That night we reconnected with Josie and Uzo, who had gone to spend some girl time with a few of the older BBF girls. They slipped in little sermons about beauty as they applied make-up on each other. Discussions about the difference of wearing make-up to look pretty versus wearing it to have fun with their natural beauty ensued, amongst questions about what the girls saw beauty as. One of the replies was that the girls take their identity from the boys and older men around them; beauty was defined by the men who they were to be married off to. Some of the attributes included long hair, light skin and jewelry. Everywhere we went we saw skin-whitening cream… how sad. I believe that Uzo and Josie had an amazing time ministering into the hearts of these girls. It was our prayer that these gorgeous Lahu women would see themselves as truly beautiful, valued and accepted; that their sense of beauty would not be defined by those around them, but by our Father instead who holds them in the most highly esteemed position. Our two team-members really drew close to the girls and were able to establish stronger bonds with them. What an amazing and wonderful day for them!

Meanwhile, while most of our team was at the zoo and Uzo and Josie were with the girls, Curtis, Lance and Rob also had a pretty sweet bonding time with some of the boys. They set out to fix some bikes in need of repair. Each big head had a little head beside it, which touched Gary’s heart as he looked out from Dominic’s house. What a blessing Gary has been to us on our trip, as a lot of the logistics fell to him and his skills. The boys were at it for a while; as the bikes became closer and closer to being finished, the kids became more and more excited to take them out for a spin. Curtis laughed as one of the kids raced off with his as soon as it was finished, gearing up for the moment with rapid movements of something on the bike that fixed something. Something men know about, I’m assuming. And other women who know more about mechanics than I do. Needless to say though, the boy-time was great and strengthened the relationships there as well. All in all, we had another amazing day and, though our bodies lay exhausted in our beds, smiles lilted into our dreams and overtook our souls. Oh, how beautiful :)

~ Katherine Clarke, Thailand Team journalist

For more photos from our missions trip to Thailand, click here.

[June 19] “An early start saw us heading up to Chiang Dao to spend time with the children in a church service. It kicked off with the people there leading us in an awesome and very sweaty dance. This made the kids laugh and broke the shyness away from a new group of children that came from another orphan’s home in Chiang Dao. Our team then led some worship and kids songs; it was so neat to see Lek, our Buddhist driver, bouncing up and down and smiling from ear to ear, thoroughly enjoying the music. The children replied in their own songs and I stood in wonder, happiness spreading throughout my being. As I looked around the room it was apparent that the songs, sung in various hill tribe languages, touched our hearts and even brought tears to some eyes. After several harmonies sung unto our most compassionate Father, Jeremy shared his testimony and Rob emotionally told a story to the children. They both did such an amazing and incredible job and were really able to grasp the attention of the kids.  Lunchtime came and we set to work chopping fruit and cooking hotdogs in a large wok (they wanted us to make something that Canadians would eat back home). Some of the girls helped us prepare the meal and diligently set to task chopping loads of watermelon, pineapple and tomatoes; these joined other assorted fruits such as mango-steam and bananas. In an assembly line we served hotdogs, lettuce, onions, ketchup and of course hot chili sauce as well as chili flakes onto bread. Sitting on the ground with incredibly sweet pop, it was interesting to watch the children eat the hotdogs separate from the bread. With enough chili sauce to make any Canadian cry, they picked at their meals and awaited the ensuing soccer tournament in growing anticipation. Stomachs full, we started assorting and handing out new soccer apparel to the players and the game began. The tournament involved four teams including “the Canadian Team;” excited cheers were heard along the sidelines as the ball came into close proximity to the ‘goalposts’. With no goals and a loss due to a shoot-out, our team was happy that a kids’ team won the tournament. They won it fair and square to boot, as all the guys, Uzo, Tehillah and Leticia raced across the field and put their all into the games. The rest of us ladies played games with the other children, cheered on all teams, sat and drank ice-water and fanned ourselves. It was lovely. Though I felt like I was dying in the heat, just looking at Gary and the others exerting themselves on the field made me feel a lot cooler. When Tehillah subbed off, she and I enjoyed teaching English to one of the very shy and quiet mothers of three of the BBF children. Her husband passed away recently and she had to give her children up to the BBF children’s home. Pain was written across her face and it was amazing to be able to minister to and love on her in this very difficult time. She has such a desire to learn English and put great effort into pronouncing words correctly. I loved learning Thai words from her as well and had fun counting to 100 with her and Noi in Thai. It was great!! After an incredible day we were all bagged and utterly exhausted. Life is good.”

~ Katherine Clarke, Thailand Team journalist

For more photos from our missions trip to Thailand, click here.

On one hand, we had these mighty rocks and seemingly insurmountable boulders that had given way to the powerful force of the rushing runoff. The water had carved a path deep into the heart of these stones and created beautiful works of art in the process. There was an instant realization that these rock sculptures were not formed overnight, but rather through an ongoing wearing away and erosion of the surface over many years. In this same way, we realize that it will be the cumulative effect of all our efforts that will have the greatest impact on the children that we are interacting with. There has been such a spirit of unity and togetherness on the team that it is hard to believe that we had only started to really get to know each other only three months prior. We also know that other teams from Vancouver and throughout the world have poured into these children and will continue to do so, in effect slowly chipping away at some of the hurt and pain that guards their hearts and their smiles. As we draw near to the end of the trip, it is hard to think of leaving the children as we are just now getting glimpses into their personalities. Future visits and ongoing partnership with Bridgeworks are hoped for as the effect of loving these children well will continue to unveil who they are, and reveal God’s true and good calling on their lives.

In addition to the collective power of the churning water, we are also reminded of the gentleness and fluidity that allows water to get into places that other mediums would not be able to gain access to. Water by its very nature is able to take on the shape of the surface and adapt without destroying that which it is shaping. Whereas rock against rock might be damaging, there is a tenderness that allows for a gradual and detailed refinement. We are all being refined into better versions of ourselves, and it has been our grace, flexibility and ultimately our love for each other that has accomplished much of the work we are doing here.”

~ Uzo Enyi, Thailand Team leader

For more photos from our missions trip to Thailand, click here.

[June 18] “What a blast! With BBF kids piled into the van and the back of the truck with us, we headed up to a waterfall outside Chiang Mai. We met up with children from the Prao and Chiang Dao orphanages and began with excited greetings and smiles. The Prao children were more reserved and didn’t smile much at the beginning; their home is outside the city and up in the hills, where they rarely have contact with other people. They began to warm up, however, and were having a lot of fun by the end of the day. The waterfall consisted of water pouring over limestone that wound its way down through the rainforest; this lithology allowed us to be able to climb up and down it with great ease (we just had to watch for the slimy, slippery areas). I took a little girl up it, fully expecting to help and catch her when she fell. When we began the climb, however, she booked it up and even gave me her hand to help me in the slippery parts. What a precious little girl! The children here are so skilled and know their surroundings. Lauren noticed a snake up a tree and when I tried to get a closer look at it one of the other girls pulled me away. It turned out that that particular snake is deadly; the children knew and kept us from harm. It was a thing of beauty though, that snake, its emerald body glistening in the sun and its red “tail” warning of its danger. Such a majestic jewel instilling fear and awe in those that viewed it. Noi, one of the older BBF girls, dragged me away from the waterfall and up and along a wooden pathway. It led to a holy place, a sanctuary for some of the Buddhist gods that most Thai people believe in. It was a beautiful and serene place, with several adorned temples standing beside a “holy” pool. Such pure water gathered there, sourced from an underground spring; the water flowed deep and clear with hints of blues, greens and pinks. Little fish slipping through the water entranced my eyes and brought peace to my soul. In my heart I dedicated the place to God and praised Him for His wonderful creation. More of the children joined us there along with some of our team members and we all walked back together to have more fun splashing around in the water. It was a great respite from the heat and beautifully cool against our burning skin. After a day of pouring into the children and really loving on them, we began to hand out the “Love Bags” so generously packed by the people and friends of UChurch. With the boys and girls lined up, it was a wonderful feeling to see their faces as the children received their gifts. One little boy was overjoyed with his lego helicopter; a little girl loved her new socks and crocs so much that she held her legs above the ground to prevent them from getting dirty. With smiles shining radiantly on happy faces or hidden behind guarded hearts, the kids rooted through their bags and clutched them tightly to their chests. The clothing, candies, pictures, toys and random knick-knacks were such treasures to them… especially to the rural and high-risk Prao children. I really believe that they brought such a joy and love to them and a feeling of belonging and acceptance. I speak for the whole team in saying that it was such an honor and a gift to show the children that they are cared for and that they are beautiful, wanted and loved. What an amazing thing to be able to take part in that.”

~ Katherine Clarke, Thailand Team journalist

For more photos from our missions trip to Thailand, click here.

[June 17] “Lauren, Donna, Rob, Karl and Josie had fun sanding and painting a newly purchased cart. It is to be used to sell cupcakes at a nearby market and will be shared amongst the local orphanage homes. After several hours of sweaty labor, the cart was nicely sanded down and painted green, the distinguishing colour of the BBF kids. The day proceeded in squeals and laughs as our team members played with the children and spoiled them at a nearby store. One sweet little girl showed off her language skills as she repeated random English words Lauren gave her; how quickly some of them catch on! Meanwhile the rest of us had tons of fun scooping poop. Yep, poop. Pig poop. And loads of it! Our day began by finishing the roofs of the pig pens. With the kids (including Verna, Matt, Curtis and Leticia) dangling from the roof, we tied grass panels onto the framework with bamboo strips. That complete, we began picking up garbage and scooping poop out from under one of the newly-roofed pens. Layer upon layer of manure was scooped into buckets and hefted over to a pile several meters away. Our team unity really emerged as the scoopers yelled, “Buckets! I need more buckets!” and the haulers yelled, “Poop! I need more poop!”  I almost flung myself into the pile several times and had to rely on Richard and Matt to dump out the rest of my buckets. They quickly became the poop dumpers and fulfilled their roles with such an ease of motion. Eventually the area became level and, smelling like manure, we spent the next hour playing soccer and frisbee with the kids. I remember noticing a trail of ants at some point during the day and remarking at their lifestyle. All this commotion was going on around them, yet they continued their journey and greeted every other ant they saw coming in the opposite direction. It was such a simple yet peaceful thing in the midst of a hubbub. After quick and desperately needed showers at home, we headed out to a nearby night market and had the pleasure of experiencing new smells and a new way of shopping.”

~ Katherine Clarke, Thailand Team journalist

For more photos from our missions trip to Thailand, click here.

[June 16] “We woke up roaring to go and ride out to another village beyond Chang Mai. We began our time at an orphanage housing nine Lahu (hill tribe) children; they served us lunch and then took us to an area to play soccer. The kids had a blast wearing our team members down with their skill and ability to stay relatively dry in the intense work-out. I befriended a stray dog before we headed back to the home, with a couple boys perched on Lance and Mat’s shoulders. We then split up into two teams; one team went to build a structure out on a rice field and the other went to teach English at a school. Those at the rice field had a great time learning how to build a “Salachi,” a place of rest for the rice farmers as they are harvesting their fields. A few of the orphanage boys constructed their own fishing rods from bamboo poles and proudly showed off their catches to the busy worker bees. Once the shelter reached completion, Claire, Curtis, Lance, Rob, Gary and Uzo joined the boys attempting to show off their fishing skills. Meanwhile, the rest of us headed up to a school where we were greeted by cheering and waving children. A little intimidated, a few of us shyly greeted them back as Josie showed us around the various classrooms. The kids were very polite and respectfully answered our “Sawadee Kaas/Kaaps” with hands pressed together and fingers by their noses.  Lauren, Verna, Karl, Leticia, Josie, Jeremi, Mat, Tehillah and I split off into our different teaching teams, covering off all the grades. I had great fun with Mat and Tehillah playing the head-and-shoulders game in an attempt to teach English. The kids were great at picking up on the language and were very attentive. Many different groups were out playing on the field, forming circles around their teachers and thoroughly enjoying their time spent with our team. Mat went yelling and waving his arms through the field, with 30 kids doing the same thing right behind him. It was quite the sight… The other groups became more riled up and excited and our poor teachers had quite the time trying to control them. It was so beautiful, hundreds of students laughing and having so much fun playing games with “the Westerners.” Karl managed to get himself stuck by himself with a bunch of kids and poor Leticia ran her heart out as she was picked nearly every time during Duck-Duck-Goose. It was the sweetest thing to see our team members easily and creatively come up with English-teaching games and have a blast with the kids. After a few hours our time at the school was coming to a close and we were invited to have coffee with a few of the staff members. We all felt like celebrities when girls started piling into the room bringing paper and pens and asking for autographs. Sweetly smiling as they politely gave us sheets of paper, they bowed with hands pressed together when we signed and wrote a few words on them. How adorable! The principle then wanted to say a few words with us, and what an amazing thing he had to tell us! Through the translation of the school’s English teacher, he let us know that he was very glad we came to his school. He loved that his students had some exposure to English and regretted that he knew none himself. Although it was a Buddhist school, he welcomed our team to visit again; later we found out that he wanted us to come back and go to all the schools in the area. How amazing! Just by playing games with the children and teaching some English, we were able to have not only a great impact on the kids, but on the staff as well. It was sad to leave the schoolyard as we gave final hugs and loud goodbyes, but it was so cool to look behind me as we were leaving and see all the smiling faces and waving hands. It really was a very special day. Tuckered out, our teaching team rejoined the others at the rice fields. We marveled over their handiwork of the salachai and joined in on the fishing. The real test of the structure came when it began to rain… and lo and behold, they did an excellent job constructing the roof. Most of us huddled inside, we watched as Verna with her stylish umbrella and Richard with his bright blue poncho (smerf-like) continued to fish. We headed back to our house with a bucket of perth and sunfish and then headed out for dinner. What a great and inspiring day.”

~ Katherine Clarke, Thailand Team journalist

For more photos from our missions trip to Thailand, click here.

The first excitement found us on the plane from Bangkok to Chang Mai; we greeted Lance and Lauren with an energetic UChurch cry (and received weird looks from those sitting around us). Their journey from Europe saw them flying to Qatar and then eventually to us; it was great to have them rejoin our joyful team. The beauty of Thailand shone through the majestic mountains and the rows upon rows of perfectly rectangular rice fields. An extremely fast descent resembling that of a rollercoaster brought us into Chang Mai. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and wished that the pilot would loop around and do it again! Alas, he did not, and I had to be content instead with the absolutely gorgeous scenery spotted through the airport windows. On the way to our two very cute guesthouses, Tehilla, Jeremi and I had the great privilege of riding on top of all the luggage piled in the back of the truck. It was lovely to breathe the Thai air and watch the lush vegetation rushing past us (until we were going so fast that we couldn’t see anymore!). It was such a peaceful journey, reveling in creation and taking in the smells, noises and attitudes of this different culture. We organized the team bags and later went to Raylene and Dominic’s place for dinner.

[June 14: Thai time] Bright and early Tuesday morning we headed over to BBF, an orphanage housing about 30 children. Sweetly and humbly smiling, they played hacky-sack with us and gave us a little tour of their home. Cement was their floor and mattresses served as beds; their home was simple, but their hearts were large. Our team split into two, half of us ready to build a pig-pen and the others looking forward to potting plants and painting a hydroponic gardening system. A few BBF boys led us on a trek through rice fields to the place where the pens were to be built. One was already standing, with a bamboo framework and a thatch roof. Our first mission was to disassemble the roof, which is later to be replaced by metal. We had the joy of ducking from falling fire ants, which had built their home within the straw roof. Lizards darted about as the sun beat down upon us and a toad tried to escape the clutches of the boys. Before long it was afternoon and it was time to haul logs over from the road to the pig-pen area. That was quite the work-out! Not to be out-done by the little boys who were taking two or three logs each, Tehillah and I attempted to carry four or five on our trek through the rice fields. We were so blessed to have the sun hide behind the clouds for the most part; after several hours of a good work-out it decided to join us again and we called it a day. Sweaty and covered in grime, we headed home for a quick freshening up and then visited the night market. Smells overtook our senses as we passed stalls and stalls of food; deep-fried chicken sat beside fried bugs and interesting and mysterious foods caught our eyes and our noses. The market was hopping, with swarms of people anxious to purchase new and wondrous things. The day came to a close and we headed back to our beds, indulging in a glorious sleep after an awesome debrief of our day.

[June 15] Several of our team-members headed back to the pig-pens to continue work on them. They made great progress and thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent with the BBF helpers. The time came to wrap things up and several people felt broken-hearted when they realized that the boys (5-6 years of age) would be staying the night to guard the area. These little boys were probably so proud to be the guardians of the land and the supplies; they were the protectors against the neighbors whom the hill tribe people have had issues with in the past. In the meantime the rest of us drove out to Prao, a village about an hour and a half from Chang Mai. We enjoyed the ride out in the back of the truck; it is incredibly liberating and so much fun to sit in the rushing wind and feel the coolness upon our burning skin. When we stopped it felt as though we would light on fire… We reached our destination and were greeted by the people there, hands pressed together and eyes eagerly upon us. We introduced ourselves to the group and they responded in song and dance. These beautiful orphans were of the Lahu tribe and were rescued several years ago when they were found squatting on the land. They led us on a tour of their home, showing us the room that they all sleep in and the pigs in their pens just outside the home. The cooking area was a small room with a fire pit and several large woks; their bathroom consisted of plastic seats sitting atop holes in the ground. We played game after game with them and watched as the shyness began to slide away; it was so touching to be able to have fun with them and show them that they are loved. At one point they took us to a creek running with brown water. Their laughter filled the air as they splashed and dove, some lathering with soap and others attempting hand-stands. It was sweet to see them play and rejoice in the coolness of the water, their happiness overtaking the reality of the dirtiness and the grime. They have so much life… The son-in-law of the man of the orphanage really wanted to show us around his village, so we left the creek and took a look through his home. Proudly, he showed off his kids and the beautiful handiwork of his wife; he toured us through his tiny herb garden and had us chase chickens and their chicklets away from another garden. I felt honored to peek into the lives of the hill tribe people and blessed to spend time with the beautiful children.”

~ Katherine Clarke, Thailand Team journalist

For more photos from our missions trip to Thailand, click here.

For an entire month, sixty American students shared the Gospel in every way imaginable — street dramas, open-air campus meetings, video presentations, one-on-one conversations, and nightly meetings in the basement of the dilapidated Tandem Cinema on Recto Avenue.

On one particular afternoon thousands of students marched past us down to the president’s palace for their daily protest rally. On that day the riot police began getting aggressive, which precipitated a stampede in the opposite direction. I remember standing outside among the surging flood of students, pointing down the stairway and shouting, “It’s safe in here!” That was, perhaps, the most quickly assembled crowd in the history of modern campus ministries, another opportunity to share the Gospel with 400 student protesters.

Deborah and I stayed on for another month to disciple new believers. Twenty-six years later, we’re still there, though for the last three years we have split our time between Manila, Nashville, and many nations of the world, speaking as president of Every Nation Ministries.

From those first 165 U-Belt students who gave their lives to Christ have come thousands of missionaries, business leaders, political leaders, and campus ministers. Now there are over 40,000 Filipinos in over 4,000 discipleship groups in Manila. Every Nation missionaries have established forty new churches in the provinces of the Philippines. Hundreds of Filipinos missionaries and church planters have been sent throughout Southeast Asia.

If you’ve ever wondered why Every Nation Ministries is so focused on reaching college students, this is best reason I know.”

~ Steve Murrell ~

Steve Murrell is the President of the Every Nation Churches and Every Nation Ministries and the Co-founder of Victory Philippines.

What is Harvest Institute?

Harvest Institute is five days of Christian ministry training in five modules: devotional life, evangelism, apologetics, leadership, and practical ministry skills. It is taught by seasoned ministers who together bring the complete “five fold” ministry giftings for the equipping of the saints (Eph. 4:11-12). The Institute includes daily, prolonged prayer and worship, small group practicums, and lunch with the speakers, as well as local outreach times and ministry planning times during the week. The entire experience is best described by a past participant: “Harvest Institute is revival with instruction.”

Who should attend Harvest Institute?

Students, young adults, young professionals…any young person who has a passion to influence their peers, campus, workplace, city and nation for Christ!

What will I learn during this week?

Harvest Institute modules include:

• evangelism – Understand the central story of the world, God’s good news of Jesus Christ, and learn to communicate the gospel simply, relevantly, and powerfully.
• apologetics – Gain priceless insight into the post-modern mind of this generation, as well as biblical wisdom to handle the questions and challenges with which believers are confronted on the campus today.
• leadership – Learn the foundations of Christian leadership and how to be an influence in your sphere on your campus.
• practical skills – Be equipped with the necessary skills of effective ministry, such as leading successful small groups, making disciples, administering the baptism of the Holy Spirit and counselling.
• devotion – Be inspired in life’s highest pursuit and take home practical training to excel in the spiritual disciplines of scripture study, prayer, and fasting.

Additional components of the institute include a local group outreach, daily immersion in the Campus House of Prayer, twice-daily small group time, extended worship sets, elective classes, and a time of prophetic presbytery.

What can I expect from day to day?

Sunday, August 28th:

• 9:00am group hike in Canmore
• 6:00pm connection BBQ. This BBQ is both a fun, and a crucial element of Harvest Institute. It is an opportunity to form relationships and build trust with those you will be spending the week with. So whether you are coming from Calgary, or from out-of-town, please plan to come in time for the BBQ! (location details to follow)

Monday, August 29th – Friday, September 2nd

• 845am – 9:00pm training and equipping. (a more detailed schedule of the week will be emailed to you after you’ve registered)

What does it cost?

Early registration = $60.00 (available until June 30, 2011)

Standard registration = $80.00 (available from July 1 – August 28, 2011)

How do I register?

Visit our registration page, choose the quantity (1) you’d like to purchase, and click ‘proceed’.

If I am coming from out of town, where can I stay?

UChurch is kindly inviting people to host Harvest Institute attendees for the week. Upon registration, you will receive an email asking if you need a place to stay.

The plan is to work together with the Victory Foundation to serve the community of Ogden, right here in Calgary. We will be co-leading a church service with Victory’s team, and then hosting a community BBQ in their parking lot. So don’t think for one moment that this Sunday will be a ‘day off’…we need you to come and be the church! There will be lots of opportunities for you to help out, from cooking to playing games with kids to sharing with Ogden community members who come to participate in the festivities. It’ll be a real missions trip, and without the long, uncomfortable plane ride!

*please note: care for babies, toddlers, and kiddos will not be provided, so please plan accordingly*

Here are the deets you need to know:

Date: Sunday, June 12

Time: 10:30am – 2:00pm (10:30am church service; 12:30pm BBQ)

Location: Victory Foundation - 7012 Ogden Road Southeast (be sure to use the ‘Get Directions’ function on Google Maps as this is a tricky location to find…)

View Larger Map

Baptism is an important component of a believer’s life, an act that is symbolic of a person having been saved by God’s grace. Baptism is a physical demonstration of that which cannot be outwardly observed: the transformation that happens in the heart and soul when a person is saved. 

If you have not been baptized (or even if you have been baptized!) and would like to learn more about the history, the meaning, and the miracle of baptism, join us on Sunday, June 19 as John Hutchinson shares.

Date: Sunday, June 19, 2011

Time: 9:30am – 10:30am

Location: UofC room ST61

Glory

Light it Up

Wrecked

Gone

Thanks to Evan for recording these clips.  Truth be told, he actually recorded 43 gigs (translation: hours and hours) of HD video and we’re in the process of getting more clips up on the web as we go.  I’m SO EXCITED about how it’s all working out.  At this moment, Paul Colman and Jeremy Michael are adding keyboards (Jeff Roach) and more vocals to the songs and then they’ll be mixing them.  There will be 12 songs on this album and what you’ve seen is just the beginning of 4 of them.  In other words, this is just the tiny tip of the iceberg!

Finally, I’d like to say a HUGE thanks to all of you who have supported us in prayer during this recording process.  My voice held out just fine despite having to sing for 10 hours a day for 4 straight days (not to mention the clip above from “Gone”)!  That is a miracle in itself!!!  I highly doubt I could have held out without your individual and corporate prayers.  Also, a BIG thanks to those of you who have chosen to partner with us in donating to this project.  I can’t say it enough about what the final product is going to be like other than…it’s going to sound AMAZING!!

Blessings to all of you and most of all, God be PRAISED!”

Leland Nelson.

Dates: July 18 – 31, 2011

Location: Entheos Retreat & Conference Centre (242032 Range Road 40)

Cost:

Register: By visiting http://www.ellelministries.org/canada/events/restoring-the-healing-ministry

The following topics will be covered:

• Foundations for the Healing Ministry
• The Healing Ministry of Jesus
• Forgiveness
• Acceptance and Belonging
• Understanding Emotions
• Belief Systems and Defense Mechanisms
• Bitter Root Judgments
• Generational Iniquity
• Soul Ties
• Understanding Deliverance
• The Truth about Sex and Sexuality
• What is healing?
• Hearing God’s Voice
• Healing from Rejection
• Healing from Depression
• Healing from Accident and Trauma
• Healing from Abuse
• Healing Damaged Emotions
• Freedom from Addictions
• Freedom from the Occult
• Healing from Fear
• Healing of Allergies
• Restoring the Human Spirit
• Healing from Grief and Loss
• Living in the New Covenant

“As well, if you listen very carefully you’ll hear this vocal take in the mix. ;-)  Ah, the joys of the creative process.” ~ Leland