Jon Siebert, General Director
How we wish that each of you could have been at NCEM’s 80th Celebration with us in early September! In an effort to include you, I share some highlights here:
For a year and-a-half, our “80th” committee planned this conference with many hours of work, countless phone calls, and they witnessed God’s miraculous provisions.
The day finally arrived. There were many happy greetings and hugs as our missionaries arrived in Edmonton. We came to thank and praise the Lord for what He has done. As it says in Psalms 105: “O give thanks unto the Lord; make His deeds known among the people … talk ye of all His wondrous works.” These 80 years are not about us, but about what He has chosen to do through earthen vessels.
Two families who are friends of our Mission ministered to our children and youth. It was wonderful to see missionaries from our eastern, central and western regions sharing a meal together at the same table. Many boxes of resources had been brought from our Main Office for missionaries to take back to use in their ministries. Our speakers shared inspiring messages. We were led in hearty singing which almost “lifted the roof.”
A highlight was the prayer time each morning. There was fervent prayer as workers shared concerns on their hearts. Two slide shows presented scenes from NCEM’s first days, up to the present. There were interviews with several missionaries from various regions.
One missionary closed her interview with a strong heartfelt plea for people to come live in the Indigenous communities to share Christ with them. This is also my desire as we see the many opportunities across our nation. Please continue to pray that God will send many more missionaries to Indigenous communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The conference committee asked me to speak at our final session. I shared on The Setting, The Saviour, and The Storm. The setting was the story of the disciples just having worked hard to help feed the 5000, then found themselves in the midst of a terrible storm. Peter had the choice of focusing on the Saviour, or the storm.
We also have worked hard. As we move forward, let’s not focus on the storms, but let’s be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). Thank you for continuing to stand with us by praying, giving, and serving.