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What does Outreach or Missions consist of?
The terms "Outreach" and "Missions" speak of the teachings of Jesus that relate to the
Mission of the Church. It would be safe to say that Missions is what we do when we carry out Jesus' Mission
that He told his followers was to "Go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew, 28:19). How we do this
is also spelled out for us in His great commandment, "Love your neighbour as yourself." (Matthew, 22:38). And
finally, we are told that we are to be concerned about social justice. "For I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit
me." (Matthew, 25:35.
"Canadian Baptist Ministries and Sharing Way"
As a member church of Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ), we participate in the
efforts of Canadian Baptists in the world through the support of "Partners-in-Missions" sent out by Canadian
Baptist Ministries (CBM). These are the people that are commonly thought of as "Missionaries." In the past,
the congregation of McPhail has supported families in Brazil and India. At present, we support one family
both financially and in prayer; the Haddads are currently working in Lebanon in the field of theological
education.
The Sharing Way is the economic development & assistance arm of CBM. Through
the Sharing Way, Canadian Baptists support economic growth and the establishment of infrastructures that
allow local people to become self-supporting. Their approach is focused on collaboration with the people
to provide what they need, not what we think they need.
The people of McPhail support CBM and The Sharing Way through individual
offerings, congregational offerings and through prayer support, along with periodic correspondence.
You may find out more about CBM and the Sharing Way by linking to www.cbmin.org.
Baptist Association of Christian Service
This is the second tier of our efforts to do Missions. The Baptist Association
of Christian Service (BACS) links the "world" picture to the "community" picture. This is a group of
members in the congregation that meet regularly to discuss issues arising from CBM activities and issues
related to the local mission scene. They support mission work with regular book sales and by sending
supplies overseas to mission families. This group is always looking for new members and welcomes all
visitors to participate in their meetings.
Community
This is the third tier to the work of McPhail and it could be said the most
important as it relates to our involvement in our community. After all, the community is our mission
"field." At present, we have several ongoing projects. Our former manse is rented to the Anglican Diocese
of Ottawa with Cornerstone Ministries, providing a home for a number of women that are in need of assisted
living. Members of McPhail assist in the upkeep of the property. As well, the congregation and its members
support the Dalhousie Food Action Group (located in the former school on Louisa Street). We make regular
donations of foodstuffs that are then distributed to those in need. Several members of the congregation
regularly prepare and serve food at The Door, a youth drop in centre located on Somerset St. W. in the
Dalhousie Community Center.
In addition to these Missions in which we are actively involved, we also provide
financial support to Carleton University's Ecumenical Chaplaincy. A bulletin board is maintained in the
church hall that allows members to volunteer to assist at any number of community groups or organizations.
Our Pastor also volunteers to do a regular rotation providing ecumenical chapel services at The Good
Companions Seniors Centre on Albert Street, Redeemer Christian High School and the Perley-Rideau Veterans
Health Centre.
Conclusion
Everything we do as believers could, in essence, be called Missions. The way we
live, the way we worship and the way we interact with others in our world speaks to what we are called to
do, and be, as people of the Christian faith. Our hope is that if you choose to worship with us, you will
find us to be people that live our faith in helping others; and we hope you will want to join us in being
a "mission-minded" church.
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