In last week’s blog I said the world is in a mess. One reader took exception to my bold statement. I want to thank him for the research he sent me. I appreciate it. In the subsequent communication, I realized that I had misrepresented the present reality. He correctly pointed out that in 1990 there were 1 billion hungry people in the world. According to Worldhunger.org that number shrunk to 794,000 hungry people by 2014. This is significant considering the increase in population during this same period of time; the decline is noteworthy. Thank you for reading my blog and pointing out my mistake. I always welcome feedback. But it did prompt me to do some further research. According to World Health Organization, poverty is on the rise again. I quote, “After steadily declining for over a decade, global hunger is on the rise again, affecting 815 million people in 2016, or 11 per cent of the global population, says a new edition of the annual United Nations report on world food security and nutrition released today.” 15 SEPTEMBER 2017 | ROME WHO
So the reader and I are both right. Poverty has declined, but it is rising again. We could say it is not as bad as it was, but really, 811 million people affected by global hunger is a lot of people. A solution is for leaders to emerge with strategies and policies to reverse this trend again. Leadership is the key to a better world. I have been musing that many of us reading this blog may in fact be world worthy leaders, but feel insignificant, unable to affect the world’s problem in a meaningful way. I want to shout, NOT TRUE.
Moses, a reluctant leader, felt he could not do the job requested of him. God challenged him; what is in your hand? Just a piece of wood, called a staff was his dismissive answer. But that staff became the symbol of the Israelites deliverance. What is in your hand? What gift, ability, special talent do you have that you are dismissing because it is not sexy or glamorous? God loves to take what we have and make it into something great. We just have to be available and open to God using us.
I think of that famous story of a person observing thousands of starfish washed up on the beach dying. On that beach is one solitary person picking up one starfish at a time and throwing them back out to sea. The observer chided him, saying, “you will never make a difference, there are too many starfish on the beach.” The rescuer picks up another starfish and flinging it far into the sea. He turns and says, it will make a difference to that one”. That is leadership. Doing what you can, where you are.
This Sunday, I will be continuing my sermon series on the Holy Spirit and You. As we look in the book of Acts we see the Holy Spirit calling people to make a difference. In fact the entire Bible is one story after another of God taking unlikely people and effecting change through them. I love the stories of improbable humans in impossible situations doing great exploits. Why not you? Holy Spirit calls us, equips us and then empowers us. All he asks from us is to be available.
Baptism
Have you made a public commitment to Christ? It is one thing to say you are a Christian, but you can take it to another level when you publicly declare your commitment in the waters of baptism. When you choose to participate in water baptism you are making a covenant with God that you are his and he is yours. It is like a marriage covenant where you publicly declare your commitment to each other. Baptism is the covenant where you make a decision to leave this world and become a follower of Jesus. God then makes a covenant that you will be his child forever. Wow. We will be having a baptism Sunday, December 17th. If you are interested in learning more about baptism email me at my personal email. pastorjim@kcfoffice.com. By the way, Romans 6:3-14 gives a good explanation for the benefits of being baptized.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Children’s Village in Haiti
Give a child a chance as we enjoy a meal and fun night together. Funds raised will go towards building the next home in the children’s village. Visit http://www.haitiarise.org/childrens-village to learn more about this. The Dinner will take place at KCF on Thursday, December 14 at 6pm. There will be a Talent Show and Toonie Auction. Tickets are $30 (includes $20 tax receipt). Click on the link for full details http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/images/2017-11/spaghetti-dinner-fundraiser-poster-2017.jpg
Tickets available at KCF Office, S.H.A.R.E. Nelson or Kelly Eckes staygold1969@hotmail.com.
Do you or do you know someone with a special talent, please have them contact Kelly. Let’s make this the best night ever.
Haiti Arise
KCF is actively involved with supporting Haiti Arise. Please keep them in prayer as this is active hurricane season for them. To find out more about Haiti Arise, click on the link. http://www.haitiarise.org/
S.H.A.R.E. Nelson
S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day. Come down and support the poor. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities. Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire. Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM
Reading the Bible
If you follow the monthly reading program, you can successfully read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice this year. I have attached this month’s prescribed reading to this newsletter. Start something new and watch God's word make a difference in your life.
Calendar of Events
Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.
Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Pastor Jim
November 23, 2017
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5