|
As in the Mission's
other fields, our focus remains on missionary families living among
First Nations people and sharing Christ with them through life and
word in the context of daily activity. Evangelism and discipleship
have always been two major goals of NCEM missionaries wherever they
are located. Today these two goals continue to be motivating factors
in our missionary work whether one-on-one or to a larger fellowship
of people who meet together for worship on a regular basis.
Evangelism at the
community level is supplemented by outreach trips to communities
where no resident missionary is living but where there is interest
and openness to the Gospel. Mission aircraft, pilots and aircraft
engineers help to make these trips possible. We have had some recent
reports of the positive results of such trips, such as the salvation
of some, as well as the encouragement of somewhat isolated and
lonely Christians. Plans are being made for several more such trips
in the near future.
In the area of
discipleship we are looking forward to the establishment of a
discipleship center focused on the spiritual needs of First Nations
families at NCEM's Timber Bay Bible Center in Saskatchewan.
The translation of the
"JESUS" Movie into the Western Cree, Dene and Inuktitut
languages has created many open doors for ministry within NCEM's
Central-Field. These films are available in video, and will continue
to reach into the hearts of Native people in their own languages.
The Central-Field is also involved in ministry to Nunavut, in the
central Arctic, where we have not only had missionaries living, but
also have worked along with Inuit Christians through outreach trips.
Prison ministry is
another exciting area in which NCEM missionaries are involved. We
have had some good reports of very effective Bible studies, and
opportunities to minister to individuals within prison and
correctional systems.
Another area in which
NCEM Central-Field missionaries are involved is that of Christian
camping, both at residential camps and in wilderness programs. In
the CF we have three residential camps: Big
River Bible Camp, Timber
Bay Bible Camp and Pine
Ridge Bible Camp, as well as Higher
Challenge Wilderness Adventures, a wilderness camp which
features canoeing in the rugged beauty of the Churchill River system
and mountain trips in Canada's Rockies.
We are so appreciative
of hundreds of volunteers and supporters who join our regular
missionary force every summer to make these activities effective in
reaching First Nations children and youth for Jesus Christ. During
the rest of the year our NCEM missionaries try to follow up on these
campers with various retreats and personal visits. Although we do
not emphasize "numbers" of conversions, but rather the
quality of responses, we are encouraged with recent reports of those
who have made Jesus Christ Lord of their lives.
We are also encouraged
with the many places within the Central-Field where there are
growing and vibrant groups or "fellowships" of First
Nations believers who have sent representatives to Bible schools for
training in ministry. Many of these are now fellow missionaries with
us at NCEM. It has been the general practice of NCEM to turn these
fellowships over to the Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada when
they are ready to take leadership. We would also like to express
appreciation for the many people who have stood with us in prayer
and financial support so that these many different ministries can
continue to share Jesus Christ with Canadian First Nations.
There continues to be an
urgent need for dedicated missionaries who will commit themselves
long term to live among First Nations people and share the love of
Christ with them until the "Church" is established among
them and they are discipled and reaching out to others. In the
Central-Field we presently have a number of places where we could
place missionaries if they were available.
Back to Where
We Serve Map
|
