22 Jun The Good News
“Are you here for a school trip?” a woman inquired as our team left the ferry terminal. We looked to see who was speaking to us and saw a woman sitting on the sidewalk. The inquiring woman was intrigued to see a group of six college-aged students with backpacks walking past. We told her we were actually in Nova Scotia on a mission trip and that we were telling people the Good News about Jesus. When asked if there were any ways we could pray for her, she responded, “acceptance.” We prayed for her and told her about how there is true acceptance in Jesus and how he never turns away anyone who comes to him. Her name is Marguerite, and she is homeless. When asked what she meant by “acceptance,” Marguerite described how people look down on her with judgment and are closed off toward her. Although homelessness and acceptance in society are very real and present issues, Marguerite’s response highlights an even deeper need that everyone in Atlantic Canada shares: a relationship with Christ.
Since our arrival in Halifax just over a week ago, we have had a diverse array of conversations with people in the city. There are people from many different spiritual, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds represented here. Bryce and Steve, the pastors of King’s Table, described the spiritual environment of Canada as being post-post-post-Christian. Many in the younger generation have never had contact with a solid, Bible-believing church as their grandparents were the ones who left the church. Despite that, many are open to spiritual conversations and are seeking a greater purpose in life. There is great opportunity for the Gospel here, and we have been sowing seeds with the hope that God will bring growth and spiritual life to this area.
Over the past eleven days, we have witnessed Nova Scotia’s natural beauty. We are a ten minute walk from the waterfront, are surrounded by natural lakes and forests, and see wildflowers growing everywhere. Even more than that, however, we have been able to experience the beauty of God’s church, as He is weaving tapestries of His grace in the lives of the believers here. We have been warmly received as family by King’s Table Church and have heard testimony after testimony of God’s grace revealed in Christ.
Please pray that we would be a blessing to the church and that God would continue working in this beautiful, yet lost city. Pray that God would strengthen our team and give us even greater hope and confidence in the Gospel so that we would be emboldened to share with the people we meet. Finally, pray for King’s Table Church, that God would continue strengthening the church and that He would give them a deeper spirit of unity and love.
