By PrayerServing In Mission

www.sim.ca september 2012

Most of us would admit that statement is a bit ambitious, but sometimes when we have the opportunity to travel and minister in a distant land, we may be bold enough to think our impact will be larger than it will be.

It is admirable to desire to leave a positive impact as a result of our efforts, and as a result of such motivation, Canadians have a reputation for such impact in many areas of the world. There is certainly room for improvement in much of our world, and help is needed-

perhaps by you! But experience can be a hard teacher, and there are some things you should know before embarking on your mission to 'change the world.' Allow me to share a few real life experiences with you.

One young fellow was an admirable evangelist, having made contacts in various villages, and started a number of Bible Studies during his time on the field. This was certainly within the mandate of the mission and team, but unfortunately he had not fully informed his co-workers of all that he was doing, nor the commitments he had made to (Page 2)

Short term ‘success’ disastrous

SIMNOW

I’m going to change

the world!

By Bill Stregger

realistic service

time praying with people who had spiritual needs, and encouraged her co-workers. She didn’t change all of Africa, but she did have an impact on the people with whom she had contact, and they are still talking about her.

Bill & Joy Stregger have been serving in Burkina Faso since 1991, involved in Theological Education and Hospitality ministry among the Gourma people. They are currently working at Doulos Bible School, a SIM partner church institution, in North-East Burkina Faso. n

(From Page 1) new converts, before he left the field. As he was only there a short time, there were disappointed people left in his wake because his enthusiasm outpaced the ability of others to follow through on his work. Better cooperation with his permanent co-workers may have had a longer, more positive impact.

Another fellow came with unrealistic expectations. Although only expecting to be in the country for 2 months and incapable of communicating in either language spoken in the area, he stated that he hoped to:

1 evangelize our entire village (of 10,000 or so)

2 build an orphanage3 die a martyr for Christ.I would never want to squelch such

enthusiasm, but upon hearing these 3 goals I suggested that the third one could be arranged if he was really interested, but that in so short a time, the other 2 were unlikely. We did find a few practical ways for him to channel his enthusiasm, though, and he did leave an imprint on a few with whom he was able to spend quality ministry time. Many non-Western societies are

Great Expectations

very relational, and any long term impact will most likely be made as a result of quality relationships formed rather than new programs introduced.

Another young lady came to work in the maternity ward of a medical institution. In her case, she could communicate in the official language

and came with a useful skill set. Although there for only three months, she left a deep, positive impression on the African staff because of her professionalism, dedicated work ethic, and passionate concern for the spiritual state of the women to whom she ministered. Not only did she participate in 180 births, she spent

Short time - long term impact

2

realistic service

Serving in missionrequires peopleto leave the safetyof the shore

3

SIM

NO

W

Many non-Western societies are very relational, and any long term impact

will most likely be made as a result of quality

relationships formed rather than new programs

introduced.

New InternationalDirectorappointed

Someone recently pointed out to me that when Peter jumped out of the boat (Matthew 14: 28), in response to Jesus’ beckoning call, the water was not flat and calm. It was wavy, rough and stormy. In faith, Peter had to step out into that water. It reminds us God doesn’t usually call us to a place that is easy and wonderful, but to places where there are often storms.

We are living in turbulent times. Storm clouds are forming on the horizon, and the waters are becoming increasingly choppy. This is the first time in Canadian history where we are surrounded by a majority of people who do not yet know the Christian narrative. We have people groups migrating to Canada who are unreached, right in our own backyards. Globally, the gap between the rich and the poor has never been greater, children live with hunger, the sick often die at a very young age, and still not all nations have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus calls you and I to step out of our safe little boats, in faith, and participate with him in advancing his Kingdom. Each of us is called; each of us is uniquely equipped by God to participate.

Dr. Joshua Bogunjoko will assume his five-year term as International Director on June 1 2013, and will succeed Malcolm McGregor, SIM’s International Director since 2003.

This is an historic appointment as Joshua comes from the ECWA Church in Nigeria, that SIM founded more than a century ago.

Joshua is currently Deputy International Director of SIM West Africa and Europe. Prior to this, he was Director of Galmi Hospital in Niger, West Africa. He served as national president of the evangelical movement of young Christian graduates doing their national service in Nigeria and was a leader of the Nigerian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES).

Joshua is a family physician with surgical training and holds degrees in pharmacology and medicine as well as a Masters of Arts in Leadership and Management.

Joshua is joined by his wife, Joanna, also a medical doctor, and their two children Jochebed and Joel.

To find out more, go to youtu.be/FI_VezBEBYw n

SIM exists to connect God's children to God’s work. We empower, facilitate and equip people, like, you, to missions here in Canada and around the world. Did you know SIM has over 1,800 placement opportunities for service? Ten of them are right here in Quebec. Have a look at our website page for an idea of the many opportunities which exist for you to serve with your gifts .

As the new Executive Director at SIM Canada, I am excited by what I see God doing. This magazine touches on just a few of the people who have said “Lord, I’m willing, use me!”

We welcome Dr. Joshua Bogunjoko, our new International Director, a Nigerian, who will bring fresh insights

into how SIM can effectively reach the world for Christ. Our Culture ConneXions ministry in Canada or “CCX” has 20 workers partnering with local churches to reach the new immigrant populations; 8 new workers are in process of becoming established.

We have exciting projects and programs in over 80 countries.

We have a spot for you. Join us on this exciting adventure.

www.sim.ca/opportunities

n

Jesus calls you and I to step out

of our safe little boats, in faith, and

participate with him in advancing his Kingdom.

realistic service

time praying with people who had spiritual needs, and encouraged her co-workers. She didn’t change all of Africa, but she did have an impact on the people with whom she had contact, and they are still talking about her.

Bill & Joy Stregger have been serving in Burkina Faso since 1991, involved in Theological Education and Hospitality ministry among the Gourma people. They are currently working at Doulos Bible School, a SIM partner church institution, in North-East Burkina Faso. n

(From Page 1) new converts, before he left the field. As he was only there a short time, there were disappointed people left in his wake because his enthusiasm outpaced the ability of others to follow through on his work. Better cooperation with his permanent co-workers may have had a longer, more positive impact.

Another fellow came with unrealistic expectations. Although only expecting to be in the country for 2 months and incapable of communicating in either language spoken in the area, he stated that he hoped to:

1 evangelize our entire village (of 10,000 or so)

2 build an orphanage3 die a martyr for Christ.I would never want to squelch such

enthusiasm, but upon hearing these 3 goals I suggested that the third one could be arranged if he was really interested, but that in so short a time, the other 2 were unlikely. We did find a few practical ways for him to channel his enthusiasm, though, and he did leave an imprint on a few with whom he was able to spend quality ministry time. Many non-Western societies are

Great Expectations

very relational, and any long term impact will most likely be made as a result of quality relationships formed rather than new programs introduced.

Another young lady came to work in the maternity ward of a medical institution. In her case, she could communicate in the official language

and came with a useful skill set. Although there for only three months, she left a deep, positive impression on the African staff because of her professionalism, dedicated work ethic, and passionate concern for the spiritual state of the women to whom she ministered. Not only did she participate in 180 births, she spent

Short time - long term impact

2

realistic service

Serving in missionrequires peopleto leave the safetyof the shore

3

SIM

NO

W

Many non-Western societies are very relational, and any long term impact

will most likely be made as a result of quality

relationships formed rather than new programs

introduced.

New InternationalDirectorappointed

Someone recently pointed out to me that when Peter jumped out of the boat (Matthew 14: 28), in response to Jesus’ beckoning call, the water was not flat and calm. It was wavy, rough and stormy. In faith, Peter had to step out into that water. It reminds us God doesn’t usually call us to a place that is easy and wonderful, but to places where there are often storms.

We are living in turbulent times. Storm clouds are forming on the horizon, and the waters are becoming increasingly choppy. This is the first time in Canadian history where we are surrounded by a majority of people who do not yet know the Christian narrative. We have people groups migrating to Canada who are unreached, right in our own backyards. Globally, the gap between the rich and the poor has never been greater, children live with hunger, the sick often die at a very young age, and still not all nations have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus calls you and I to step out of our safe little boats, in faith, and participate with him in advancing his Kingdom. Each of us is called; each of us is uniquely equipped by God to participate.

Dr. Joshua Bogunjoko will assume his five-year term as International Director on June 1 2013, and will succeed Malcolm McGregor, SIM’s International Director since 2003.

This is an historic appointment as Joshua comes from the ECWA Church in Nigeria, that SIM founded more than a century ago.

Joshua is currently Deputy International Director of SIM West Africa and Europe. Prior to this, he was Director of Galmi Hospital in Niger, West Africa. He served as national president of the evangelical movement of young Christian graduates doing their national service in Nigeria and was a leader of the Nigerian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES).

Joshua is a family physician with surgical training and holds degrees in pharmacology and medicine as well as a Masters of Arts in Leadership and Management.

Joshua is joined by his wife, Joanna, also a medical doctor, and their two children Jochebed and Joel.

To find out more, go to youtu.be/FI_VezBEBYw n

SIM exists to connect God's children to God’s work. We empower, facilitate and equip people, like, you, to missions here in Canada and around the world. Did you know SIM has over 1,800 placement opportunities for service? Ten of them are right here in Quebec. Have a look at our website page for an idea of the many opportunities which exist for you to serve with your gifts .

As the new Executive Director at SIM Canada, I am excited by what I see God doing. This magazine touches on just a few of the people who have said “Lord, I’m willing, use me!”

We welcome Dr. Joshua Bogunjoko, our new International Director, a Nigerian, who will bring fresh insights

into how SIM can effectively reach the world for Christ. Our Culture ConneXions ministry in Canada or “CCX” has 20 workers partnering with local churches to reach the new immigrant populations; 8 new workers are in process of becoming established.

We have exciting projects and programs in over 80 countries.

We have a spot for you. Join us on this exciting adventure.

www.sim.ca/opportunities

n

Jesus calls you and I to step out

of our safe little boats, in faith, and

participate with him in advancing his Kingdom.

I recently began to read Anthropological Insights for Missionaries by Paul Hiebert, in which he notes that much of the book of Acts involves conversations about cultural practices, in light of the teachings of Christ.

It seems God’s own chosen people questioned their cultural actions when presented with the Good News. So the question is: is the Gospel in conflict with culture? It seems that some missionaries struggle with this concept of changing a culture – especially when coming out of cultures that celebrate multiculturalism.

As an anthropology student, my professors constantly remind me about the importance of avoiding ethnocentrism – the belief that my culture is the “right” way of doing things and the standard by which all

others are evaluated. Yet as a Christian, with each new culture I learn about, the question “What would they have to change in order for the Gospel to be real in their lives?” stews in the back of my mind. My ethnocentric mindset tells me something they are doing is wrong, while society’s multiculturalism and emphasis on tolerance tells me I have no right to say such a thing. Then my Christian mindset tells me that they believe something wrong. The first two are in conflict, and rightly so; the third stands separate, because it is about something entirely different.

If missionaries get caught up on the questions of what ‘cultural norms’ to change, they can easily miss the reason for serving in the first place. I feel the question of change needs to be addressed after the Gospel is presented and accepted. If the Salvation of Christ is not accepted, actions and cultural practices mean little – for it is not by our actions but by our faith that we are saved. Ultimately,

4

conflict or conversionconflict or conversion

5

SIM

NO

W

over using the Lord’s name in vain (how many people, Christian or otherwise, say ‘Oh my God’ or 'Jesus' when shocked by something?) or giving false testimony when we can culturally justify it (telling ‘little white lies’) or losing our temper. So when entering a culture that practices polygamy, for example, we can easily focus on the sexual aspect and call it sinful, whether God's Word says it is or not.

It is easy to hold the view that we are experts on the Bible, and that the North American interpretation of (im)morality is the correct one. This is a very simple example of ethnocentrism. What we fail to realize is this: our culture is far removed from

the time of Christ, and many majority world cultures may have a good, perhaps even better, concept of what many of Jesus’ teachings have to tell humanity. It is to believe that we have all the answers, when in truth we only have one – Jesus died for your sins because God loves you, and wants a relationship with you.

The primary role of a missionary is to go and tell people about the love of the Creator God and His Son’s sacrifice for us all. God created diversity, and Jesus died for each tribe and nation. Once that message we bring is accepted, we are no longer missionaries to a people who need saving, we are brothers and sisters in the salvation of Christ. It is not the “white man's burden” to save Africa, or any other continent or nation for that matter. It is the Christian’s burden to point to the Saviour – for when it all boils down, no change in actions will save us, or those we evangelize. Only Jesus saves. Our job is to go and make disciples, not change cultures.

naïve

n

change needs to come from the workings of the Holy Spirit, and not our own determination.

I propose that while changes in actions do need to be addressed, it is not the first priority. So why this focus on change? The obvious (and easily overlooked) reason: there are differences between cultures. And these differences need to be acknowledged. As a missionary kid, I am no stranger to “different” cultures. Yet I, just like everyone else, still see people and their practices as different, and differences can be daunting. However, anthropology has taught me that acknowledging my ethnocentrism – and my tendency to be threatened by differences – is the first step in moving past it.

One set of differences that was pointed out to me while reading Hiebert is that different cultures view some actions as “more sinful” than others. For North Americans the “cardinal sin” is generally seen as sexual immorality. Yet we tend to gloss

by Sarah Roberts

Is the Gospel in

conflict with

culture?

“My ethnocentric mindset tells me something they are

doing is wrong, while society's multiculturalism

and emphasis on tolerance tells me I have no right to

say such a thing”.

I recently began to read Anthropological Insights for Missionaries by Paul Hiebert, in which he notes that much of the book of Acts involves conversations about cultural practices, in light of the teachings of Christ.

It seems God’s own chosen people questioned their cultural actions when presented with the Good News. So the question is: is the Gospel in conflict with culture? It seems that some missionaries struggle with this concept of changing a culture – especially when coming out of cultures that celebrate multiculturalism.

As an anthropology student, my professors constantly remind me about the importance of avoiding ethnocentrism – the belief that my culture is the “right” way of doing things and the standard by which all

others are evaluated. Yet as a Christian, with each new culture I learn about, the question “What would they have to change in order for the Gospel to be real in their lives?” stews in the back of my mind. My ethnocentric mindset tells me something they are doing is wrong, while society’s multiculturalism and emphasis on tolerance tells me I have no right to say such a thing. Then my Christian mindset tells me that they believe something wrong. The first two are in conflict, and rightly so; the third stands separate, because it is about something entirely different.

If missionaries get caught up on the questions of what ‘cultural norms’ to change, they can easily miss the reason for serving in the first place. I feel the question of change needs to be addressed after the Gospel is presented and accepted. If the Salvation of Christ is not accepted, actions and cultural practices mean little – for it is not by our actions but by our faith that we are saved. Ultimately,

4

conflict or conversionconflict or conversion

5

SIM

NO

W

over using the Lord’s name in vain (how many people, Christian or otherwise, say ‘Oh my God’ or 'Jesus' when shocked by something?) or giving false testimony when we can culturally justify it (telling ‘little white lies’) or losing our temper. So when entering a culture that practices polygamy, for example, we can easily focus on the sexual aspect and call it sinful, whether God's Word says it is or not.

It is easy to hold the view that we are experts on the Bible, and that the North American interpretation of (im)morality is the correct one. This is a very simple example of ethnocentrism. What we fail to realize is this: our culture is far removed from

the time of Christ, and many majority world cultures may have a good, perhaps even better, concept of what many of Jesus’ teachings have to tell humanity. It is to believe that we have all the answers, when in truth we only have one – Jesus died for your sins because God loves you, and wants a relationship with you.

The primary role of a missionary is to go and tell people about the love of the Creator God and His Son’s sacrifice for us all. God created diversity, and Jesus died for each tribe and nation. Once that message we bring is accepted, we are no longer missionaries to a people who need saving, we are brothers and sisters in the salvation of Christ. It is not the “white man's burden” to save Africa, or any other continent or nation for that matter. It is the Christian’s burden to point to the Saviour – for when it all boils down, no change in actions will save us, or those we evangelize. Only Jesus saves. Our job is to go and make disciples, not change cultures.

naïve

n

change needs to come from the workings of the Holy Spirit, and not our own determination.

I propose that while changes in actions do need to be addressed, it is not the first priority. So why this focus on change? The obvious (and easily overlooked) reason: there are differences between cultures. And these differences need to be acknowledged. As a missionary kid, I am no stranger to “different” cultures. Yet I, just like everyone else, still see people and their practices as different, and differences can be daunting. However, anthropology has taught me that acknowledging my ethnocentrism – and my tendency to be threatened by differences – is the first step in moving past it.

One set of differences that was pointed out to me while reading Hiebert is that different cultures view some actions as “more sinful” than others. For North Americans the “cardinal sin” is generally seen as sexual immorality. Yet we tend to gloss

by Sarah Roberts

Is the Gospel in

conflict with

culture?

“My ethnocentric mindset tells me something they are

doing is wrong, while society's multiculturalism

and emphasis on tolerance tells me I have no right to

say such a thing”.

context is everythingcontext is everything

“Yes! Western Missionaries impose their culture and beliefs! They condemn others’ beliefs and try to make converts to be just like us in the west!”

That was my frank opinion as an eighteen year-old and the child of missionary parents. So I set out to prove that what they had done in their mission career was misguided and misplaced. It was why I decided to study Anthropology in university. I regularly trotted out opinions and reflections from my readings and lecturers at family meal times. My mother’s response was one of horror, but my father simply requested that I let him read the authors I was reading as he had never had the opportunity to do so in his own studies. Thus we embarked on a series of conversations which made me realise that the answer to the question was more complicated than I had thought and that I was equating the Gospel of Jesus Christ with one specific form of cultural expression.

Examples in Christian history point to times when Christianity has been imposed by force and by the use of “the conquerors’” own language such as in the early history of Spanish and Portuguese entry into Latin America. The spread of Christianity during that period was seen as part of the extension of Christendom.

IsChristian

missioncultural

imperialism?by Allison M. Howell

6

The Western Protestant missionaries of the eighteenth to mid-twentieth centuries found however, that they could not use “force”. Rather they had to persuade their hearers about the truth of their message, and to do this they had to learn to communicate in the language of the hearers as well as translating the Bible. Many missionaries found that they had to come to terms with living and working on the terms of other people. The very act of learning another person’s language and living and working in that context led to a new understanding about the other. For some it involved such a paradigm shift that it was like a conversion experience.

It was my own grappling with the question: “Is Christian mission cultural imperialism?” that in many ways led to my own conversion to the Christian faith. I had to grapple with the issue of who Jesus was and why he came to this earth. In discovering the uniqueness of Jesus as Lord and Saviour, I discovered the Jesus who was Lord of the Sabbath, who challenged the sinful structures of the culture of which he was a part, and the Lord and Saviour with whom women felt safe in a culture in which they had so few rights.

I also had to learn that it was naïve to make sweeping generalizations about missionaries’ actions during the colonial period of the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century. There were missionaries who went along with the goals and aims of colonizers, but there were those who did not and some who paid with their lives for speaking against the wrongs of colonists.

Christian mission is not something

that “I do” or “we do”. Christian mission is God's mission. It is an attempt to understand what God is doing in this world and a commitment to do it with him. As missionaries we do not take God anywhere for God is everywhere. Many of the missionaries who came to Africa discovered in the cultures they went to that people had a name for the Supreme Being and that within their proverbs, expressions and customs, God was already being revealed. Thus when people began to hear the name of Jesus and who he was and how he died and rose again, it was an “aha!” moment of realisation that resulted in changing the way their spiritual realm was structured.

Furthermore we need to realise that Christian mission lies between our two feet, for whatever context we are in, wherever we are, whether at university, school, office, driving a taxi or cleaning a room, God is there and we need to discover what God's mission is in that context. Mission is no longer going “one way”, from the West to the rest! African, Asian and Latin American churches are now actively sending and supporting missionaries, not only into other national ethnic groups, but into Europe, Asia and the Americas. The danger that mission can be culturally imperialistic still exists, however, even in the new parameters of mission. For where missionaries simply try to transplant what they are familiar with from their own cultural contexts or enter places with “prepackaged” programs, as many do in the current age of short-term missions and parachurch organisations, that, too, may carry elements of cultural imperialism.

Christian mission is about learning; it is about entering the heart of the other and of discovering for ourselves that in mission, we, too, go through conversion as we are opened through our learning to the fact that God is already at work there. It is in such a context that a missionary may gain the right to be heard, even though the message of Jesus will probably be expressed in very different terms to what the missionary originally intended. n

Allison Howell is Associate Professor and Dean of Accredited Studies at the Akrofi-

Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture. This is a fully chartered theological

post-graduate university offering Masters and Doctoral degrees. Allison is involved

with both teaching and supervision of students from all over Africa and from other

parts of the world who desire be a part of God’s mission.

do youagree ordisagree?

it’s no longer ‘over there’

SIM

NO

W

7

“...whatever context we are in, wherever we are, whether at university, school, office, driving a taxi or cleaning a room, God is there and we

need to discover what God's mission is in that context.”

Mission is on our doorstep in

our culturally diverse

neighbourhoods, schools and

universities.

There are more than 20

missionaries ministering to

different cultures through urban

churches in Canada. Many are

Canadians, some are from Korea,

even Australia.

Culture ConneXions is

enabling the church to reach

their increasingly diverse urban

neighbourhoods.

To find out more about how

you or your church can get

involved, go to sim.ca/ccx n

Do you think missions still

portray a colonial model? Are

mission organizations irrelevant?

Can the church do it better?

Talk to us on

Facebook at

or

Twitter

or email SIM at

facebook.com/

groups/connecttosimnow

@simcanada1 (#simnow)

simnow@sim.ca n

context is everythingcontext is everything

“Yes! Western Missionaries impose their culture and beliefs! They condemn others’ beliefs and try to make converts to be just like us in the west!”

That was my frank opinion as an eighteen year-old and the child of missionary parents. So I set out to prove that what they had done in their mission career was misguided and misplaced. It was why I decided to study Anthropology in university. I regularly trotted out opinions and reflections from my readings and lecturers at family meal times. My mother’s response was one of horror, but my father simply requested that I let him read the authors I was reading as he had never had the opportunity to do so in his own studies. Thus we embarked on a series of conversations which made me realise that the answer to the question was more complicated than I had thought and that I was equating the Gospel of Jesus Christ with one specific form of cultural expression.

Examples in Christian history point to times when Christianity has been imposed by force and by the use of “the conquerors’” own language such as in the early history of Spanish and Portuguese entry into Latin America. The spread of Christianity during that period was seen as part of the extension of Christendom.

IsChristian

missioncultural

imperialism?by Allison M. Howell

6

The Western Protestant missionaries of the eighteenth to mid-twentieth centuries found however, that they could not use “force”. Rather they had to persuade their hearers about the truth of their message, and to do this they had to learn to communicate in the language of the hearers as well as translating the Bible. Many missionaries found that they had to come to terms with living and working on the terms of other people. The very act of learning another person’s language and living and working in that context led to a new understanding about the other. For some it involved such a paradigm shift that it was like a conversion experience.

It was my own grappling with the question: “Is Christian mission cultural imperialism?” that in many ways led to my own conversion to the Christian faith. I had to grapple with the issue of who Jesus was and why he came to this earth. In discovering the uniqueness of Jesus as Lord and Saviour, I discovered the Jesus who was Lord of the Sabbath, who challenged the sinful structures of the culture of which he was a part, and the Lord and Saviour with whom women felt safe in a culture in which they had so few rights.

I also had to learn that it was naïve to make sweeping generalizations about missionaries’ actions during the colonial period of the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century. There were missionaries who went along with the goals and aims of colonizers, but there were those who did not and some who paid with their lives for speaking against the wrongs of colonists.

Christian mission is not something

that “I do” or “we do”. Christian mission is God's mission. It is an attempt to understand what God is doing in this world and a commitment to do it with him. As missionaries we do not take God anywhere for God is everywhere. Many of the missionaries who came to Africa discovered in the cultures they went to that people had a name for the Supreme Being and that within their proverbs, expressions and customs, God was already being revealed. Thus when people began to hear the name of Jesus and who he was and how he died and rose again, it was an “aha!” moment of realisation that resulted in changing the way their spiritual realm was structured.

Furthermore we need to realise that Christian mission lies between our two feet, for whatever context we are in, wherever we are, whether at university, school, office, driving a taxi or cleaning a room, God is there and we need to discover what God's mission is in that context. Mission is no longer going “one way”, from the West to the rest! African, Asian and Latin American churches are now actively sending and supporting missionaries, not only into other national ethnic groups, but into Europe, Asia and the Americas. The danger that mission can be culturally imperialistic still exists, however, even in the new parameters of mission. For where missionaries simply try to transplant what they are familiar with from their own cultural contexts or enter places with “prepackaged” programs, as many do in the current age of short-term missions and parachurch organisations, that, too, may carry elements of cultural imperialism.

Christian mission is about learning; it is about entering the heart of the other and of discovering for ourselves that in mission, we, too, go through conversion as we are opened through our learning to the fact that God is already at work there. It is in such a context that a missionary may gain the right to be heard, even though the message of Jesus will probably be expressed in very different terms to what the missionary originally intended. n

Allison Howell is Associate Professor and Dean of Accredited Studies at the Akrofi-

Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture. This is a fully chartered theological

post-graduate university offering Masters and Doctoral degrees. Allison is involved

with both teaching and supervision of students from all over Africa and from other

parts of the world who desire be a part of God’s mission.

do youagree ordisagree?

it’s no longer ‘over there’

SIM

NO

W

7

“...whatever context we are in, wherever we are, whether at university, school, office, driving a taxi or cleaning a room, God is there and we

need to discover what God's mission is in that context.”

Mission is on our doorstep in

our culturally diverse

neighbourhoods, schools and

universities.

There are more than 20

missionaries ministering to

different cultures through urban

churches in Canada. Many are

Canadians, some are from Korea,

even Australia.

Culture ConneXions is

enabling the church to reach

their increasingly diverse urban

neighbourhoods.

To find out more about how

you or your church can get

involved, go to sim.ca/ccx n

Do you think missions still

portray a colonial model? Are

mission organizations irrelevant?

Can the church do it better?

Talk to us on

Facebook at

or

Twitter

or email SIM at

facebook.com/

groups/connecttosimnow

@simcanada1 (#simnow)

simnow@sim.ca n

throughtheir own eyes

“Do you want to be tested for HIV?”, a project staff member asks me. I am in Ethiopia visiting two HIV/AIDS projects that receive funding from CIDA and matching donations from Canadians.

We are in a market area in Addis Ababa, there are people, cars, bikes, all around us, dust and fumes are suspended in the air. Two tents have been set up, one for HIV testing, and the other for pre and post test counselling by the Medan Addis Ababa HIV/AIDS project of the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church.

My heart skips a beat at the question. I have not been involved in any risky behaviour; but even still, the idea that a test could determine if I am HIV positive or HIV negative puts butterflies in my stomach. Suddenly I had a slight idea of how those waiting to be tested feel. Perhaps some of those waiting fear their partner is cheating on them, or they had unprotected sex with their girlfriend, or they are a commercial sex worker trying

a profound reminder.The CIDA program participates in HIV

testing in three different projects in two different countries. The results after four years are significant:

61,117 people have been tested for HIV

3,472 people have been identified as HIV positiveHIV is an unfair virus with women

disproportionally affected. Biologically women are more likely to gain the virus, while they are also sadly more affected with gender inequality, poverty and limited education.

In the past year 7% of all women tested by the project were HIV positive, compared to only 1% of men. Women composed 84% of all HIV positive results in Addis Ababa.Thankfully, Medan Addis Ababa

HIV/AIDS Project targets women with door-to-door discussions of reproductive health, coffee ceremonies on community issues, commercial sex worker support groups, and girl clubs formed in schools to discuss sexual health. These are a few of the important activities essential to reducing the number of positive HIV tests identified.

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watchWORLD

“do you want to be tested for

HIV?”

voicef o r

a i d svoice

f o r a i d s

TAKE ACTION§Invite us to speak at your school, church,

or event on the global impact of HIV/AIDS§Create a campaign or plan an event to raise

awareness on the global HIV/AIDS pandemic §Join our ‘Going Viral for AIDS’ campaign§Volunteer with Voice for AIDS§Join our Facebook group, leave a comment

and keep up-to-date on activities and events

§Donate to our HIV/AIDS projects

9

EMAIL: vfa@sim.ca TEL: 416-497-2424 (Ext 156) WEB: www.voiceforaids.ca

VOICE for AIDS is

ready to come to you

WHO WE ARE

WHAT WE DO

OUR OVERSEAS HIV PROJECTS

Voice for AIDS is an initiative of SIM Canada dedicated to responding to the needs of people living and affected by HIV/AIDS. We also engage and provide opportunities for Canadians to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

…here at homeSpeaking tours – in schools, churches and community events to raise awareness on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

We provide resource materials and campaign kits for use to inspire and engage others on global HIV/AIDS.

VOICE for AIDS is partnered with three HIV/AIDS projects overseas in Niger and Ethiopia.Through the HIV/AIDS projects we provide:§HIV Testing and Counselling§Home Based Care§Awareness Raising§Income Generation§Clinical Care

Sheila OmomPublic Engagement,Educator, Canada

By Sheila Omom

By Reyn Lauer

to put food on their table, or perhaps they are like me with no suspicion of the virus but just want to be sure.

My finger is pricked and I watch as blood is placed on the rapid test kit. We laugh at the colour of my blood, the same colour as all others. My white skin does not make me exempt from HIV; the virus acts the same regardless of your nationality or privilege once in your body. However, poverty, gender inequality, transience, illiteracy, and a lack of education are a few of the factors contributing to increased vulnerability to risk factors associated with HIV.

I now wait with others in the waiting room. It is a period of reflection. Thinking of our choices and the choices we don't have in our lives. Poverty drives people into high risk work, gender inequality results in women not having equal sexual rights, a lack of education results in misunderstanding of HIV.

I am called and meet with the counsellor. Sweat trickles down my brow. “The results of your HIV test are negative” I am told quietly, “but this does not mean you will always be negative, you need to make decisions that keep you healthy and strong.” It is

‘Through their own eyes’ is a photo voice project put

together by youth from Ethiopia to raise awareness on the

global HIV/AIDS issue. The youth - art of an Anti-AIDS club

- have taken the photos in their own community to tell the

story of how HIV/AIDS has affected their community, and

how they are responding to the HIV/AIDS issue. The photos

demonstrate the power of art to raise awareness, and inspire

activism. The youth are part of an Anti-AIDS club that is part

of SIM Canada’s supported Kale Heywet Medan project.

Some of the events and schools that have showcased the

Photo Voice exhibition include:

All Ontario Youth Convention, Waterloo

Social Justice and Human Rights Conference, University of

Toronto Emmanuel College, Toronto

MissionFest 2012, Toronto

International Development week, University of Toronto

Scarborough Campus, Scarborough

‘Through their own eyes’ is ready to come to your church,

school or event! To host ‘Through their own eyes’ please

contact Sheila at or phone 416 497 2424 ext.

156.

For photos on our past photo exhibitions please visit us on

Facebook

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n

n

n

vfa@sim.ca

facebook.com/voiceforaids

FOR EVERY $1 YOU GIVE TO THESE HIV/AIDS PROJECTS CIDA GIVES $3! GIVE TO CA 67046

8

throughtheir own eyes

“Do you want to be tested for HIV?”, a project staff member asks me. I am in Ethiopia visiting two HIV/AIDS projects that receive funding from CIDA and matching donations from Canadians.

We are in a market area in Addis Ababa, there are people, cars, bikes, all around us, dust and fumes are suspended in the air. Two tents have been set up, one for HIV testing, and the other for pre and post test counselling by the Medan Addis Ababa HIV/AIDS project of the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church.

My heart skips a beat at the question. I have not been involved in any risky behaviour; but even still, the idea that a test could determine if I am HIV positive or HIV negative puts butterflies in my stomach. Suddenly I had a slight idea of how those waiting to be tested feel. Perhaps some of those waiting fear their partner is cheating on them, or they had unprotected sex with their girlfriend, or they are a commercial sex worker trying

a profound reminder.The CIDA program participates in HIV

testing in three different projects in two different countries. The results after four years are significant:

61,117 people have been tested for HIV

3,472 people have been identified as HIV positiveHIV is an unfair virus with women

disproportionally affected. Biologically women are more likely to gain the virus, while they are also sadly more affected with gender inequality, poverty and limited education.

In the past year 7% of all women tested by the project were HIV positive, compared to only 1% of men. Women composed 84% of all HIV positive results in Addis Ababa.Thankfully, Medan Addis Ababa

HIV/AIDS Project targets women with door-to-door discussions of reproductive health, coffee ceremonies on community issues, commercial sex worker support groups, and girl clubs formed in schools to discuss sexual health. These are a few of the important activities essential to reducing the number of positive HIV tests identified.

n

n

n

n

n

watchWORLD

“do you want to be tested for

HIV?”

voicef o r

a i d svoice

f o r a i d s

TAKE ACTION§Invite us to speak at your school, church,

or event on the global impact of HIV/AIDS§Create a campaign or plan an event to raise

awareness on the global HIV/AIDS pandemic §Join our ‘Going Viral for AIDS’ campaign§Volunteer with Voice for AIDS§Join our Facebook group, leave a comment

and keep up-to-date on activities and events

§Donate to our HIV/AIDS projects

9

EMAIL: vfa@sim.ca TEL: 416-497-2424 (Ext 156) WEB: www.voiceforaids.ca

VOICE for AIDS is

ready to come to you

WHO WE ARE

WHAT WE DO

OUR OVERSEAS HIV PROJECTS

Voice for AIDS is an initiative of SIM Canada dedicated to responding to the needs of people living and affected by HIV/AIDS. We also engage and provide opportunities for Canadians to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

…here at homeSpeaking tours – in schools, churches and community events to raise awareness on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

We provide resource materials and campaign kits for use to inspire and engage others on global HIV/AIDS.

VOICE for AIDS is partnered with three HIV/AIDS projects overseas in Niger and Ethiopia.Through the HIV/AIDS projects we provide:§HIV Testing and Counselling§Home Based Care§Awareness Raising§Income Generation§Clinical Care

Sheila OmomPublic Engagement,Educator, Canada

By Sheila Omom

By Reyn Lauer

to put food on their table, or perhaps they are like me with no suspicion of the virus but just want to be sure.

My finger is pricked and I watch as blood is placed on the rapid test kit. We laugh at the colour of my blood, the same colour as all others. My white skin does not make me exempt from HIV; the virus acts the same regardless of your nationality or privilege once in your body. However, poverty, gender inequality, transience, illiteracy, and a lack of education are a few of the factors contributing to increased vulnerability to risk factors associated with HIV.

I now wait with others in the waiting room. It is a period of reflection. Thinking of our choices and the choices we don't have in our lives. Poverty drives people into high risk work, gender inequality results in women not having equal sexual rights, a lack of education results in misunderstanding of HIV.

I am called and meet with the counsellor. Sweat trickles down my brow. “The results of your HIV test are negative” I am told quietly, “but this does not mean you will always be negative, you need to make decisions that keep you healthy and strong.” It is

‘Through their own eyes’ is a photo voice project put

together by youth from Ethiopia to raise awareness on the

global HIV/AIDS issue. The youth - art of an Anti-AIDS club

- have taken the photos in their own community to tell the

story of how HIV/AIDS has affected their community, and

how they are responding to the HIV/AIDS issue. The photos

demonstrate the power of art to raise awareness, and inspire

activism. The youth are part of an Anti-AIDS club that is part

of SIM Canada’s supported Kale Heywet Medan project.

Some of the events and schools that have showcased the

Photo Voice exhibition include:

All Ontario Youth Convention, Waterloo

Social Justice and Human Rights Conference, University of

Toronto Emmanuel College, Toronto

MissionFest 2012, Toronto

International Development week, University of Toronto

Scarborough Campus, Scarborough

‘Through their own eyes’ is ready to come to your church,

school or event! To host ‘Through their own eyes’ please

contact Sheila at or phone 416 497 2424 ext.

156.

For photos on our past photo exhibitions please visit us on

Facebook

n

n

n

n

n

vfa@sim.ca

facebook.com/voiceforaids

FOR EVERY $1 YOU GIVE TO THESE HIV/AIDS PROJECTS CIDA GIVES $3! GIVE TO CA 67046

8

10

real lifereal life

Greg Thiessen

Ginny Eby

British Columbia to Malawi

Greg teaches at the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi, and loves it.

His academic passion is Church History, particularly of an ancient or medieval variety. He updates his blog every couple months but it is worth reading and following! Go to

Ontario to Thailand

Ginny has spent 1 year teaching at Grace International School and returned to do a second year. Her blog is full of interesting observations and

gregmeetmalawi.blogspot.com

skiing in South Africa. Plus, very cute pictures of their baby, Rylee. Follow them at

Ontario to Angola

Aaron and Sarah are new to the field of Angola. After months of waiting and raising support, they have finally arrived! They are involved in medical and literacy work at Rio Da Huila Hospital. You will have to read the blog to understand what kind of medical work they will be doing – it may be complicated but it is interesting!

doumasdownsouth.blogspot.ca

www.sarahandaaronjones.com

Aaron and Sarah Jones

Kruse Family

Churchill Family

Ontario to Ethiopia

Rolf and Angela continue to serve faithfully and energetically with the Gumuz people of Ethiopia. Long-term missionary families like the Kruses are a precious treasure when it comes to spreading the God’s word! Follow their blog to see what it is like for a missionary family in the bush at

Newfoundland to Zambia

The Churchill family left for Zambia

www.africankruses.blogspot.ca

early in the summer. Tim Churchill is teaching the Bible at the Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA). As a ‘newbie’ missionary family, they have great stories as they adjust to Zambian life! Follow their blog at

Alberta to Niger

Orest and Grace are serving at Galmi Hospital in Niger. Orest is serving in finance and accounting. Grace is serving as Guest House Hostess and Short Term Associate Co-coordinator. Follow their blog to see lots of interesting photos from Niger at

Quebec to Burkina Faso

Charles and Sarah recently had to return home from Burkina Faso because of a family situation. However, you can still follow their blog as they serve in Montreal and eventually head back to Burkina Faso later in the year. Their blog is bilingual too! Follow it at

www.timothychurchill.com/SIM/Blog/Blog.html

deserttalk.blogspot.com

milletteburkinfaso.wordpress.com

Orest and Grace Pelech

Millette Family

Meyer Family

Daniel Shorten

Douma Family

Manitoba to Malawi

Josiah & Anne Jisca are currently raising funds to go to Malawi. Read about their experiences while they prepare to leave and learn about the hard work it takes to get to the field especially with two young children. Follow them at

Alberta/Quebec to Kenya

Daniel Shorten is in Kenya working on software needs in the Kenya healthcare system. Read about his transition to another country and his unique ministry. He asks for your prayers as he serves so follow his blog to pray for specifics at

British Columbia to Mozambique/South Africa

The Douma’s are a young family working in South Africa for 8 months and then travelling to Mozambique for 3 months. They are involved in many parts of ministry and their posts are full of interesting stories including

meyersonmission.wordpress.com

daniel.shotens.net/category/Kenya

blog

by Jane Smith

bitesbitesnews

extractsfrom

missionary blogs

experiences about the Thai culture. There are lots of pictures to view and as you look at the beautiful beaches in Thailand, you may feel called to go - for the right reasons of course! Follow her at

Alberta to Niger

Michelle has left for Niger to work at Galmi Hospital. She has spent 15 months preparing for this and now it has finally come. Follow her blog to watch this new journey unfold as she starts her ministry. Go to

ginnysthailandadventure.blogspot.ca

http://heart4healing-niger.blogspot.ca

Michelle Pieke

11

SIM

NO

W

link to‘out n about’to get the latest onSIM

Stay informed of what’s happening at SIM Canada and with SIM Canada’s missionaries.

Bookmark SIM’s ‘out n about’ blog at and visit regularly.

It’s updated every Tuesday.sim.ca/outandabout

www.sim.ca/socialmedia

SMARTPHONE

USERS!

Follow us.

Use a QR code reader

to get connected to

SIM Canada.

10

real lifereal life

Greg Thiessen

Ginny Eby

British Columbia to Malawi

Greg teaches at the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi, and loves it.

His academic passion is Church History, particularly of an ancient or medieval variety. He updates his blog every couple months but it is worth reading and following! Go to

Ontario to Thailand

Ginny has spent 1 year teaching at Grace International School and returned to do a second year. Her blog is full of interesting observations and

gregmeetmalawi.blogspot.com

skiing in South Africa. Plus, very cute pictures of their baby, Rylee. Follow them at

Ontario to Angola

Aaron and Sarah are new to the field of Angola. After months of waiting and raising support, they have finally arrived! They are involved in medical and literacy work at Rio Da Huila Hospital. You will have to read the blog to understand what kind of medical work they will be doing – it may be complicated but it is interesting!

doumasdownsouth.blogspot.ca

www.sarahandaaronjones.com

Aaron and Sarah Jones

Kruse Family

Churchill Family

Ontario to Ethiopia

Rolf and Angela continue to serve faithfully and energetically with the Gumuz people of Ethiopia. Long-term missionary families like the Kruses are a precious treasure when it comes to spreading the God’s word! Follow their blog to see what it is like for a missionary family in the bush at

Newfoundland to Zambia

The Churchill family left for Zambia

www.africankruses.blogspot.ca

early in the summer. Tim Churchill is teaching the Bible at the Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA). As a ‘newbie’ missionary family, they have great stories as they adjust to Zambian life! Follow their blog at

Alberta to Niger

Orest and Grace are serving at Galmi Hospital in Niger. Orest is serving in finance and accounting. Grace is serving as Guest House Hostess and Short Term Associate Co-coordinator. Follow their blog to see lots of interesting photos from Niger at

Quebec to Burkina Faso

Charles and Sarah recently had to return home from Burkina Faso because of a family situation. However, you can still follow their blog as they serve in Montreal and eventually head back to Burkina Faso later in the year. Their blog is bilingual too! Follow it at

www.timothychurchill.com/SIM/Blog/Blog.html

deserttalk.blogspot.com

milletteburkinfaso.wordpress.com

Orest and Grace Pelech

Millette Family

Meyer Family

Daniel Shorten

Douma Family

Manitoba to Malawi

Josiah & Anne Jisca are currently raising funds to go to Malawi. Read about their experiences while they prepare to leave and learn about the hard work it takes to get to the field especially with two young children. Follow them at

Alberta/Quebec to Kenya

Daniel Shorten is in Kenya working on software needs in the Kenya healthcare system. Read about his transition to another country and his unique ministry. He asks for your prayers as he serves so follow his blog to pray for specifics at

British Columbia to Mozambique/South Africa

The Douma’s are a young family working in South Africa for 8 months and then travelling to Mozambique for 3 months. They are involved in many parts of ministry and their posts are full of interesting stories including

meyersonmission.wordpress.com

daniel.shotens.net/category/Kenya

blog

by Jane Smith

bitesbitesnews

extractsfrom

missionary blogs

experiences about the Thai culture. There are lots of pictures to view and as you look at the beautiful beaches in Thailand, you may feel called to go - for the right reasons of course! Follow her at

Alberta to Niger

Michelle has left for Niger to work at Galmi Hospital. She has spent 15 months preparing for this and now it has finally come. Follow her blog to watch this new journey unfold as she starts her ministry. Go to

ginnysthailandadventure.blogspot.ca

http://heart4healing-niger.blogspot.ca

Michelle Pieke

11

SIM

NO

W

link to‘out n about’to get the latest onSIM

Stay informed of what’s happening at SIM Canada and with SIM Canada’s missionaries.

Bookmark SIM’s ‘out n about’ blog at and visit regularly.

It’s updated every Tuesday.sim.ca/outandabout

www.sim.ca/socialmedia

SMARTPHONE

USERS!

Follow us.

Use a QR code reader

to get connected to

SIM Canada.

The combined “SIMNOW #119”, “World Watch #59”, is an official publication of SIM Canada and is published 4 times per year. SIM (Serving In Mission), is an interdenominational evangelical Protestant mission founded in 1893. SIM includes Africa Evangelical Fellowship, Andes Evangelical Mission, International Christian Fellowship, and Sudan Interior Mission. Send address changes to: The Editor, 10 Huntingdale Blvd., Scarborough, ON, M1W 2S5, Canada. Printed in Canada. © 2012 by SIM. Additional copies are available. Permission to reprint any material must be obtained from the Editor. FAX: 416-497-2444. E-mail: info@sim.ca. Subscription is free (Donations appreciated). Subscribe on-line at www.sim.ca or email info@sim.ca. International Editor: Suzanne Green. Canadian Editor: E. T .Mair. Designer: John Rose.

Serving In Mission

SIM Canada10 Huntingdale BlvdScarborough, ONM1W 2S5

TEL: 416-497-2424FAX: 416-497-2444FREE CALL: 1-800-294-6918E-MAIL: info@sim.caWEB: www.sim.ca

tWho to call

ATLANTIC CANADA

QUEBEC

ONTARIO

PRAIRIES

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Jim LongworthRegional DirectorE: jim.longworth@sim.orgT: 506-472-6855

Angela BrandleRegional DirectorE: angela.brandle@sim.orgT: 514-425-6611

Willy BrandleQuebec Mission ConsultantE: willy.brandle@sim.org

Brigitte MarcellinRepresentative, Eastern TownshipsE: Brigitte.Marcellin@sim.orgT: 819-566-8676

Sarah DhanarajE: sarah.dhanaraj@sim.orgT: 416-497-2424 (ext.143)

Doraine RossOntario Mission ConsultantE: doraine.ross@sim.orgT: 519-740-1422

Dan & Wanda ScrepnekRegional DirectorE: dan.screpnek@sim.orgE: wanda.screpnek@sim.orgT: 403-886-5961Cell: 403-352-2859

John PolkkiRegional DirectorE: john.polkki@sim.orgT: 778-574-0500Cell: 604-448-2185

Iain & Bonnie MairBC Mission ConsultantsE: Cell: 778-982-1760

Keith & Cindy FrewBC Region RepresentativesCell (Keith): 604-217-2893Cell (Cindy): 604-217-2894

iain.mair@sim.org

At SIM Canada we are constantly striving to provide improved planned giving options that are of interest to you as a donor. The challenge in a constantly changing economic climate is to ensure that these options are as effective and beneficial as

possible. To ensure that SIM Canada can provide the best possible options, we are pleased to announce that we have joined forces with Link Charity, experts in the area of planned giving. Link Charity assists a number of other high profile charities in Canada including Samaritan’s Purse, OM and even churches like The People’s Church in Toronto.

Do you already have planned giving products with SIM Canada or are you interested in assisting mission through planned giving? Some of the options I would be pleased to discuss with you include:

Securities Annuities RRSP/RRIF products Wills Donor Advised Funds

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One result of the current economic

climate is relatively low interest returns on Trusts. SIM Canada is now in the position to provide more beneficial options through Annuities. Annuities will provide you with a guaranteed income for the rest of your life while still being able to bless the work of God through SIM. If you would like a no cost, no obligation quote on an annuity or information on other planned giving options, please contact me, Scott Garvie, at 1-800-294-6918 ext 155 ( ).

Don’t forget that monthly gifts to our Mobilization Fund will help train, teach and orient prospective missionaries. Gifts will also help to recruit, equip and mobilize more people into the harvest field. You can give online to the Mobilization Fund – CA 67047 at www.sim.ca/givenow or complete the envelope included with this magazine.

scott.garvie@sim.org

...and continue to help us mobilize for mission

n

by Scott GarvieDonor Relations

It’s a good plan... continue to help mobilize mission.

www.sim.ca/socialmedia

SMARTPHONE USERS!Follow us. Use a QR code reader to get connected to SIM Canada.