Outreach
What is Outreach?
Outreach is any activity or ministry that extends the love of God and puts into practice both the physical attributes of reaching out to the world as we see in Matthew 25:35 - 45, and the spiritual activities of sharing the gospel.
Outreach at TBCO is reaching out to the world, either across the fence (local) or around the globe (missions).
At TBCO we continue to actively support the following missionary families.
- Alan and Caulene Bussard in Slovakia with the Integra venture. For recent email news updates from the Bussards, click here.
- Don and Nettie Douma, who have retired from serving God with Africa Cooperative Action Trust in South Africa and are now living in Saskatchewan; Click here to read the Douma's 2010 update.
- Henk and Irene Wolthaus with Operation Mobilization, formerly in Germany, but now serving in Canada; and in prayer their son Sam studying at bible college in the United States. Most recent update: The Wolthaus's;
- Shamus and Sherri James with Youth with a Mission in Grenada. Most recent update: November 2011;
- Russell and Jenny Gant; Russell is studying to be an ordained minister with the Church of England and is following those studies at Durham College in England. Most recent update: Rants from the Gants
- Rod and Anne Miller are currently in Thailand working with OMF International engaged in Thai Language training. In March 2012 they will move to the city of Chiang Mai which is the regional centre for OMF in Northern Thailand and will be working with an OMF organization called "Mekong". The Mission of OMF is "To glorify God by the urgent evangelization of East Asia's billions." The Vision of OMF is "Through God's grace we aim to see an indigenous biblical church movement in each people group of East Asia, evangelizing their own people and reaching out in mission to other peoples". Rod & Anne's specific task when they reach Chiang Mai and work in the Mekong Centre will be to provide administrative support and assistance wherever necessary. They will begin by acting as the substitutes for the Personnel Director while he and his wife are on "home assignment" in Canada. Rod and Anne expect this assignment to take them through to 2013. After that they are waiting to see how and what God leads them to do at Mekong.
Following are links to recent prayer letters from Rod and Anne:
- December 2010 Prayer Letter
- March 2011 Prayer Letter
- Email from Rod & Anne - March 2011
- April 2011 Prayer Letter
- May 2011 Prayer Letter
- June 2011 Prayer Letter
- July 2011 Prayer Letter
- August 2011 Prayer Letter
- Sept 2011 Prayer Letter
- Oct 2011 Prayer Letter
- November 2011 Prayer Letter
- December 2011 Prayer Letter
- Year end 2011 Prayer Letter
Missions are also responsible to foster mission's awareness by encouraging the people of TBCO to consider mission projects.
- We have been gladdened by the desire of our senior youth group who went on a mission's trip to Nicaragua. Our February event 'Chez Valentino's' went a long way to launching this project and providing the initial financial support for the team.
- The You Feed Them mission began in the summer of 2008, shortly after a small group at TBCO called 40 Days of Community completed a food cupboard project for the local community. It was determined that there was much more need as far as hunger relief, both in the local community and abroad. Visit our YouFeedThem.com website for more information about the mission and how you can help.
Local Outreach:
In addition to our global outreach, TBCO also reaches out to our local community with the following:
Clothing Exchange:
This semi-annual event is an exchange of clothing and goods in our community. This practical method of showing God's love allows our people to see the day to day needs of individuals and families. Many thanks are directed to and their team of volunteers for continuing to organize this highly anticipated event.
Bethlehem Live:
In early December the grounds and building are transformed into a re-creation of the village of Bethlehem at the time of the birth of our Saviour. The people of Osgoode and the area are invited to come for an evening to walk through the journey that the shepherds and wise men took on their way to see the Christ child. It is a humbling event, as attendees pause to reflect on what God had provided. We thank for organizing this special event.
Knotty Knitters:
A group of ladies meet each Wednesday* evening to knit and share God's goodness in their lives. Out of this has come the production or practical items directed to those in need in our community. Last year the Knotty Knitters sent their knitted wares and toiletry items to Naomi House in Winchester for distribution to women in need. The Knitters continue to meet regularly to knit and create similar items. heads up this group and welcomes anyone who has a desire to serve God with their knitting talents.
*Note: Beginning in September 2011, the group will be meeting on Tuesday evenings.
Sleeping Bags:
Last winter, the Men's Ministry was inspired to bring to the attention of TBCO the needs of homeless persons in the greater Ottawa area. With the local "in HIS care" program they organized a campaign to provide sleeping bags for those individuals who are displaced and without shelter so that they might have some level of comfort as they live on the streets. We thank and praise God for our Men's Ministry's effort. For more info please visit the In His Care - Sleeping Bag Ministry webpage on our site, or contact .
As you can see by the above summary, Outreach touches many areas of the local and far reaching community of God. There continues to be much that can be accomplished and it is only limited by the hopes and inspiration of our people. The leadership of TBCO is committed to making our church a permission granting church.
If God is calling you to do something for Him in reaching out spiritually and practically to the world around you, please don't be shy in letting your ideas be known. We will endeavour to direct and guide and equip you in what you see God calling you to do to reach the world He loves.
There is still much work and if this area of outreach is a ministry that burdens your heart, you are more than welcome to join the committee.
For more information, contact our deacons:
Local outreach:
Foreign missions:
