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Annual Report 2014-2015
Diaconal Ministries Canada
Transforming
Communities
in Christ
Dear Friends,
The church can be a profound agent of transformation in its community.
Even with its imperfections, the church becomes something beautiful when walls dissolve and
relationships develop. It is only by God’s grace and it is because of God’s grace.
This past year, Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) was privileged once again to hear stories of
transformation and grace. But not only that, DMC was also privileged to walk with many Canadian
CRCs, equipping deacons and doing justice, as they engaged their communities with Christ’s love.
This report is just a small glimpse into what God is doing in communities across Canada.
Thank-you for letting us walk with you, whether through our resources, our staff, equipping
events, meetings, or the work of the Diaconal Ministry Developers.
Thank-you also for your support, through prayer, Operation Manna giving, and Diaconal
Ministry shares.
May God bless and lead as we transform communities in Christ together.
Shalom.
Hans Kater
National Director Diaconal Ministries Canada
DMC Staff Update:
Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) has enjoyed the presence of
Katie Karsten since 2002. She decided to transition out of her
formal role with DMC on June 30, 2015. For many years, Katie has
blessed the DMC network with her person, gifts, talents and
passion. We give thanks for her dedication to DMC and diaconal
ministry, especially in her role as Justice Mobilizer.
This role is now being filled by Dan Galenkamp.
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Where DMC’s Resources Come From
Diaconal Ministry Shares (58.2%)
Church Offerings for Operation Manna (37.1%)
Church Offerings for General Programs (3.3%)
Individual Donations (1.0%)
Other (0.3%)
Total Revenue (2014-2015): $516,595.00
Where DMC’s Resources Were Used
Diaconal Ministry Developer (DMD) Services (9%)
Operation Manna Development Services (12%)
Operation Manna Grants (20%)
Operation Manna Administration (7%)
Board & Committees (3%)
Services, Operation & General (8%)
DMC Management (41%)
DMC Promotion (1%)
Total Expenditures (2014-2015): $560,440.00
resources financial
www.diaconalministries.com
In the past year...
On average,
DMDs contacted
75% of
diaconates
across Canada,
and visited or equipped
59%.
deacons
This past spring, DMD Bill Groot-Nibbelink organized a gathering for deacons of area churches. The deacons got together to share stories of their ministries and resources that they had found helpful. What great stories were shared! It was at this gathering that I shared with the group about the workplan that our diaconate uses and has been using for several years (suggested to us by former DMDs Renee and Bev). I shared how the -4-
workplan has helped us as deacons to focus and delegate tasks at our meetings. This brought about a good conversation and the other deacons were encouraged to consider using this resource in their diaconates. Our work plan revolves around the four main areas of why deacons are who they are:
SHOW MERCY INSPIRE GIVING MINISTER TO POOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Each category has two to three ongoing issues that the deacons will have to attend to at any given point in the year. Each deacon takes a few issues and is responsible for them during their three-year term. Each meeting, the
DMC equips deacons by instilling vision and by providing skill development resources.
Diaconal
Ministry
Developers
(DMDs) were active across
Canada, ready to serve,
support, equip and bless
deacons.
equipping
Deacons Gain Focus
Through a Workplan
At least 5 diaconal
gatherings took place
across Canada.
2 Days of Encouragement
happened last
year, attended by
over 600 people.
The electronic newsletter
eQuip went out monthly,
providing resources and info
for deacons. As the chairs
forwarded it, over 1000
deacons (on average)
opened it every
month.
workplan issues are looked at, discussed, changed, or taken off, if they no longer require attention. I really recommend the workplan model as a great way to unify your deacons and to make things easier to understand for first-time deacons.
-Bryce Smit (Brighton CRC, Ontario) (need a workplan template? Go online: www.diaconalministries.com)
www.diaconalministries.com
communities engaging
DMC motivates churches to engage in God’s transforming work in their neighbourhoods.
DMC walks with churches
through the Community
Opportunity Scan (COS)
process -a process of
discovery which affirms the
unique gifts and needs of the
community and church –to
develop community ministry.
churches
across
Canada inquired about
a community mapping
tool like the COS.
DMC encourages
community ministry
through the
Operation
Manna (OM)
program by
providing
grants,
coaching &
support for
community
ministries
connected to CRCs.
Currently there are
12 Operation
Manna partners
across Canada (see
map, right)
In the past year...
churches
(who
completed the COS in
the past year) remain
engaged in their
communities.
churches
developed a
new community
ministry with the
involvement of
Operation Manna
churches
either began a new
community ministry or
partnered with an
existing ministry/
organization/church
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181 churches
(including 5 new)
gave $216,887 for
OM through the
May
offering.
Thanks to the deacons for their leadership and the churches for their
generosity supporting the Operation Manna offering.
In response to the desire for our churches to be more of a blessing in Simcoe, Ontario, a team of believers from several denominations came together in 2007 to do a Community Opportunity Scan (COS). Since that time, God has opened doors of opportunity for Church Out Serving. It has blossomed into a care ministry that serves neighbours in practical ways, drawing Christian believers together who are committed to making a difference, particularly in the area of poverty. Here are some of the ways Church Out Serving is involved in its community: We Believe in Simcoe - a free festival which includes
an Activity Fair, filled with gifts and services for our neighbours and a fireworks celebration (see left).
Donation Station The Gathering Food Centre - a fresh and processed
on-site food hub which will rescue surplus food to share with organizations that offer healthy food for people with need.
Celebrate Recovery -a community faith-based Support program
First Serving Dinners - a free community meal held 3 Monday evenings a month.
We have a new appreciation and love for our community. Our community leaders and citizens are genuinely intrigued with our faith-in- action, and are supportive. Hundreds of brothers and sisters in Christ are getting to know each other as we love and serve together. And we are experiencing God - personally and all together - His passion and compassion, His guidance and provision, His justice and grace, His purpose and gifts. Thank you, DMC (especially Tammy Heidbuurt), for all of your help and encouragement. Here in Simcoe, God is using the humble beginnings of the Community Opportunity Scan to prove that where there is love, there is hope for us all.
- written by members of the Church Out Serving
www.diaconalministries.com
Operation
Manna
Partners
- Mission Montreal (network of missional
communities of Christian Direction, QB)
- Freedom Session Ministry (Westside Fellowship
CRC, Kingston, ON)
- Barrie Pregnancy Resource Centre (ON)
- Community Engagement Ministry (New Life CRC,
Guelph, ON)
- Mishkeegogamang Jr. Leadership Program (ON)
- Hope Centre Ministries (Winnipeg, MB)
- Indigenous Family Centre (Winnipeg, MB)
- Neighbour Centre (Edmonton, AB)
- Edmonton Native Healing Centre (AB)
- Life Recovery (Abbotsford, BC)
- Neighbourhood Dinner (The Bridge Community
Church, Langley, BC)
- Studio Works (a program of Mission Possible,
Vancouver, BC)
Simcoe Churches Serve
Their Community in Love
churches
inquired about
Operation Manna
in the past year.
Diaconal Ministries Canada
provided links, resources, and
suggestions for action in 11
areas of social justice
including Creation Care,
Human Trafficking,
Restorative Justice, and
vulnerable people groups.
justice doing DMC equips
deacons to
mobilize
churches to
respond to
injustices
affecting
people in
their
communities. 11 areas of
social justice
In the past year...
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communities, Just Faith? will raise
good questions and cause us to
search for the answers to lead to
justice and hope both for us and
others.
-by attendee Grace Schouten
(below)
made to immigrate to another country.
Another person tries to have us under-
stand what it is like to think about the
terrible things happening in their home
country, Syria.
After the short play, we had small
group discussions. We talked about
questions such as, 'What stood out to you
in the play?' 'Where do you see injustice
in your life?' and more. After talking
about these questions as a small group
we shared our answers with everyone.
JustFaith? is a great drama to
re-open our eyes and re-awaken our
hearts to the “groanings” of injustice in
our world and the deep-seeded effects of
sin that touch all of our lives. A great
drama for all kinds of Christian
Just Faith? Drama
JustFaith? is an effective and
energetic one-act play that talks about
justice and injustice. JustFaith? was
presented in a effective way. From its
opening scene of a typical Sunday morning
service (with shiny faces and plenty of
“Good mornings!) to scenes of the homeless
in downtown cores or the personal stories
of individuals trying to respond to injustice
in their lives, JustFaith? showed how people
struggle to find justice and fix injustice.
The drama follows 5 people who all
share personal stories of how the cry of
injustice is very loud in their lives. One
shares the heartache of having their mother
called a “mule” just because she is a woman
and the incredible effort and sacrifice she
www.diaconalministries.com
CRCs are increasingly accessing the
justice materials on the DMC
website and addressing injustices
through their community ministries.
DMC continues to partner with
World Renew (refugee program),
Disability Concerns, the Office of
Social justice and other agencies,
highlighting the call to do justice.
DMC collaborated with other
agencies in the Justice and Faith
project. Results from surveying
Canadian CRC members were
written into a drama (see below)
showcased across Canada during
community forums which DMC
staff helped to organize.
Agencies/
organizations in
partnership
DMC’s Board of Directors 2015-2016
Classis: Name:
Alberta North: Norm Haayema
Alberta South/SK: John Knibbe
British Columbia S/E: Michael Prins
British Columbia N/W: Melissa Van Dyk
Chatham: Jane Adema
Eastern Canada: Ineke Neutel
Hamilton: Scott Plante*
Huron: Mechele teBrake*
Lake Superior Erika Snippe-Juurakko*
Niagara: Peter Kralt
Quinte: Coby Suurdt
Toronto: Lesley Millar Toussaint
*pending AGM approval
Staff:
Hans Kater, National Director [email protected]
Madeline Robins, Executive Assistant [email protected]
Dan Galenkamp, Justice Mobilizer [email protected]
Tammy Heidbuurt, Regional Ministry Developer, East
Rachel Vroege, Regional Ministry Developer, West
Marcia Mantel, Communications Coordinator
Diaconal Ministry Developers (DMDs):
Classis: Name: Email:
Alberta North: Lucinda Klapwyk [email protected]
Alberta North: Harvey Buit [email protected]
Alberta North: Henry Bosch [email protected]
Alberta South/SK: Kari DeRaaf [email protected]
Alberta South/SK: Jean deBeer [email protected]
British Columbia S/E: Gary Veeneman [email protected]
British Columbia S/E: Ron Vanden Brink [email protected]
British Columbia N/W: Bart Plugboer [email protected]
British Columbia N/W: Gordon Pierik [email protected]
Chatham: John Klein-Geltink [email protected]
Chatham: Ron DeSmit [email protected]
Chatham: Doug VandeKamp [email protected]
E. Canada (Maritimes): Maarten van Oord [email protected]
E. Canada (Ontario): Anita Hogeveen [email protected]
Hamilton: Dorothy Heidbuurt [email protected]
Huron: Fred VanderSterre [email protected]
Huron: Len Bakelaar [email protected]
Quinte: Bill Groot Nibbelink [email protected]
Toronto: Theody Corton [email protected]
Photo Credits
Page 4-5: (background): The Ancaster Day of Encouragement,
(r, t-b): DMDs and staff visit Studio Works and Union Gospel
Mission, both in Vancouver, BC
Page 6-7: (l-r): Shelimar Potter in Residence at Studio Works , the
Operation Manna brochure, members of Church Out Serving
Pages 8-9: (background): Woodynook CRC opens an Aboriginal art
exhibit, other photos from the Just Faith? drama and forums.
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