GEM Canada

Why France? This is probably the # 1 question we're asked. For most people in North America, France is not a country that would appear to need missionaries. In every neighbourhood, town, and even the tiniest of villages, there is a church. However, while driving through the French countryside as a family, the truth hit us hard. Every town we explored had a church at the centre, but these churches were all virtually empty. Some were transformed into museums or businesses, but most stood as monuments to an old dead religion that only maintained the facade that France is a “Christian” nation.

As of 2014, 29% of people in France identified as atheists (ranked the 4th most atheist country in the world) with only 2% of people identifying as Catholic and less than 1% as Evangelical believers. So herein lies the answer to “Why France?” While church buildings may remain as empty monuments to a dead religion, our hearts cry out that GOD is NOT DEAD! God longs to restore the people of France to Himself, to bring life and hope back into His Church and we believe God is calling us to be a part of this movement.

We have the privilege of partnering with a team of GEM missionaries who continue to carry on the vision of discipleship and church planting in France that started nearly 80 years ago. We feel our hearts are being called to the Savoie region of France. Initially, we will study language and culture while learning how to best serve and participate in the work Christ is already doing in the city. Once training is complete, we will partner with both nationals and other missionaries to engage in church planting. We will be seeking God for opportunities to intentionally make disciples and form new churches. Our desire is that much like a pebble in a pond, whatever splash we make in the community would have ripple effects moving outward, much farther than we could hope to go.

While God is asking our family to leave Canada and move to France, we cannot go alone. Will you join us?

To partner with Joel and Becky, click the link in our bio and navigate to our "give" tab. You can also visit the Kennedy’s personal donation webpage: https://gemission.ca/donate/kennedy/ ...

“HE IS RISEN!”

Is there really any better reason to celebrate than that!? On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

The implications of Easter are staggering. Christ’s resurrection guarantees a glorious future in which all will be made new. This promise is available for those who belong to Him, for those who are redeemed because of His finished work on the cross. But not only does Christ’s finished work guarantee our future, it is necessary for every minute of our lives and precious for the struggles we face every day. Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father and He sits on the throne with God interceding on our behalf and reigning with all authority in Heaven on on Earth. In fact, He holds the keys of death and hell in His hands and there will come a day when he will put all His enemies under His feet.

On Easter Sunday, we are reminded that He has overcome and won the victory, and we can rest assured knowing the end of the story - our God is the victor and He holds the final word!

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54b-55, NASB) ...

Do you feel like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Do you feel burdened or heavy-laden? Are you tired and considering giving up? Maybe you feel hopeless, crushed, abandoned, completely alone? Perhaps you feel defeated and maybe you’ve already given up?

Friend, there is One who understands your darkest day. There is One who has truly felt the weight of this world on His shoulders. There is One who willingly took on that weight and, though completely innocent, paid the price that we deserved to pay. One who has felt the unimaginable weight of every wicked and evil act ever committed. One who is totally blameless… One who did not deserve any punishment. One who can actually and fully understand, One who totally cares. There is One who is full of compassion and kindness. One who is slow to anger and abounding in love. One who is fully righteous, yet full of grace beyond compare. There is One who serves as the lifter of your head. Do you need Him to lift your weary head?

Don’t give up dear friend. There is hope. Turn to Jesus. Accept His offer.

On Good Friday, we remember the great sacrifice and unmatched love of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Though He was without sin, without blame, Christ bore our own sins - every evil act, and paid the price that we owed, but could not pay. He willingly died on a cruel cross in our place, in order that we could receive forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus Christ. He has made this amazing gift of grace available to all who would believe in Him!

So weary friend, if you haven’t already, won’t you accept this gift? Let Him lift your head and let us help you know this Jesus. And brother and sister, if you’re buried by the cares of this world, remember, Christ paid for those already. He willingly nailed them to the cross. So, fix your eyes on Jesus, remember His sacrifice afresh, thank Him for doing what we never could, and let go of what weighs you down.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed,” (1 Peter 2:24, ESV). ...

This month, will you join us in praying for Norway?

Norway is well known for its natural resources of petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals. Ironically, it is also known as a missionary-sending nation, though very few Norwegians are actively involved in Evangelical congregations. In 995, Norway’s king adopted Christianity, and in 1536, Lutheranism became the official state religion. Even today, an amazing 91% of the 5.4 million Norwegians claim Christianity as their religion, with almost 72% belonging to the Lutheran church. Though, even with these seemingly impressive numbers, only 8% are considered Evangelical and due to the society’s increased affluence these past few decades, materialism has hidden people’s deep need for a relationship with Jesus.

In Norway, many state church pastors focus on Christ and His Word, unlike leaders of government-sponsored churches in other European countries. The Norwegian Baptist Union is active and has planted many churches in recent years, some among immigrants. Among Norwegians, friendship evangelism has been the primary way for people to experience Christ and enter into a relationship with Him.

The Norwegian Baptist Union has requested help from missionaries to serve in discipleship, leadership training, evangelism, and church planting. One prime area for effective church planting is in the suburbs, reaching everyone from businesspeople to the poverty-stricken. Cities are effective places to minister to immigrants, many of whom are refugees that have settled in Norway over the past several decades.

◾️ Pray that state church pastors will be increasingly committed to biblical theology, and that God’s Spirit will spark revival in churches.
◾️ Pray for God to re-establish the roots of Norway’s rich Christian past.
◾️ Pray for Evangelical churches to be fruitful in multiplying disciples as they reach the younger generations through creative, Christ-centered ministries.

To learn more about how you can partner with us and support our ongoing efforts in Europe, click the link in our bio!

#prayforGEMCanada ...

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him," (John 3:16-17, NASB). ...

Have you ever wondered how Easter is celebrated in Greece? Easter is the biggest Christian holiday of the year for Greeks and is oozing with traditions - some of which start weeks before the holiday is even celebrated.

Follow along with Adrian as he walks you through his favourite memories of the holiday including the sights, emotions, traditions, and so much more. Click the link in our bio and navigate to our blog post, “Celebrating and Reflecting on Easter in Greece.”

And remember, whether we celebrate with commemorative traditions or with quiet times of reverent reflection and worship, through the preparations, times of sorrow and of celebration, may we never forget the sacrifice and resulting hope that God has gifted us! ...

Europe is a continent so steeped in despair and spiritual emptiness that Europe’s once-thriving church is now struggling to survive. In Scotland, a younger generation is emerging and starting churches under the same structure as the first church found in the book of Acts, however, this group of 20-somethings with a passion for Christ, have very few believers, if any at all, that are able to mentor, encourage, lead, and help train them in the Gospel message. In fact, there is a shortfall of an entire generation of believers between the ages of 40-65. Much of this demographic has left the church, causing many churches to close their doors or reduce their ministries to the communities. A generation that should be the leaders of Christ’s Church is overextended and, in some cases, non-existent. Coincidently, the largest percentage of drug and alcohol abuse belongs to this age demographic, rising from 29% of abusers in 2007 to 53% in 2019.

As a missionary with Greater Europe Mission (GEM), I will be joining a network of missionaries serving in partnership with a local faith-based organization – Betel UK Scotland – a drug and addiction recovery center for men. This ministry gives men an opportunity to keep their hands busy on various restoration projects while learning how God is working in their personal lives. Much of my role will utilize my gift of administration, relieving the directors of necessary office work so they may devote their time to mentoring and guiding the men in the program. I will help manage this venture and use my business background to help operate it. As the men participate in worship services each evening, I will have the opportunity to teach at times and regularly pray for them as they enter, reside in, and leave the center.

Would you consider joining me in this ministry? Your support will help Betel UK Scotland by relieving them of their need to hire an administrator, and will ultimately support their efforts to help men recover from addiction and find new life in Jesus!

To partner with Wendy, click the link in our bio and navigate to our "give" tab. You can also visit Wendy’s personal donation webpage: https://gemission.ca/donate/harder/ ...

This month, will you join us in praying for Denmark?

While Danes are known for their Viking invasions, the Kingdom of Denmark was united and officially “Christianized” in 965 A.D. In 1536, Danish leaders declared the country Lutheran. Today, although the core of Christian traditions and values in its social laws and values remains, Denmark is no longer considered religious. In fact, much of the population is now agnostic or atheist, with less than four percent having a relationship with Jesus. This downward spiral of Christianity has left many churches with only a handful of attendees any given Sunday, and sadly, many Danes believe baptism, usually as an infant or child, is enough to guarantee their entrance into heaven.

That said, because Danish people have a hospitable, compassionate, and optimistic spirit, they are often open to the Gospel message and relational evangelism. Danes of all ages know little of biblical Christianity; therefore, believers can make a huge impact! Danish believers are currently planting churches among Danes as well as among Islamic immigrants. Tens of thousands of immigrants from all over have recently settled in Denmark; many of which have never heard the Gospel before, yet whom remain open to it. Some may prove to be a significant force for spiritual renewal in Denmark, since a number of these migrants are Christian. It is estimated that one-third of people in church on a given Sunday attend a foreign-run congregation.

◾️ Pray that God would create a hunger among Danes for Jesus and His Word, and that they would see the difference between an active, personal relationship with their Saviour and empty, traditional religion.
◾️ Pray that Danish believers will continue to be bold to share the Gospel in the cities, with this generation and among immigrants.
◾️ Pray that more young people will become disciple makers with a biblical worldview.

To learn more about how you can partner with us and support our ongoing efforts in Europe, click the link in our bio!

#prayforGEMCanada ...

"He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8, NASB)." ...