See you at MissionFest, Toronto!

GoodSeed conference booth

We have a booth at the upcoming MissionFest Toronto on April 4-5, 2014.

If you’re in the vicinity, please drop by and chat with us. We’re more than happy to answer your questions and share ideas on how you can either give away the gospel or guide a friend or loved one through a study. And we look forward to hearing your stories of sharing the gospel too!

If you need to restock your Be Ready Box, we will have our tools at the booth.

Details:
MissionFest Toronto
Date:
April 4-5, 2014
Location:
Global Kingdom Ministries
1250 Markham Road
Scarborough, Ontario
(South of Hwy 401, north of Ellesmere Road on the west side of Markham Rd)
See map

GoodSeed booth: D1

 

 

How can I make the best use of Easter?

The Lamb... an Easter giftEaster is a natural time of the year to explain the message of the gospel with others. Many of our neighbours, friends and co-workers are curious about the significance of this occasion. In addition, churches often use this opportunity to host special events in order to share the Bible’s message with interested people in their communities.

Continue reading “How can I make the best use of Easter?”

Guess what? I’m now a Christian!

Football toss

Editor’s note: Last July, George* shared how he led a group of troubled teens in a resident recovery program through a Worldview Rethink study. Recently, he reconnected with them to find out how they were faring. George wrote us the following email.

I recently had a chance to watch the students from the resident recovery program play a game of flag football. I was eager to reconnect with the guys to see how they were doing. I had not seen them in some time.

When I had finished a Worldview Rethink course with them, there were several teens who professed faith in Christ. There were others who needed time to process what they had learned. Joe* was one of them. He said he had benefited greatly from the study. But how was he now? At the game I was watching, I saw Joe playing. When he caught sight of me, he shouted, “Hey, George! Guess what! I’m a Christian!”

I‘ll admit I was happy and shocked at the same time. Joe had been very cynical during the course and displayed a hardness towards the gospel during the time I had spent with the group.

“WHAT! Are you serious?” I responded.

“I knew you would say that,” Joe said. “You worked on me all spring, and I fought you hard, but I put my faith in Christ this summer. I’ve been waiting to tell you!”

I was so excited I ran over to give him a hug. Humbled, I was reminded of the power of the gospel, to penetrate even the most resistant soul (Rom. 1:16). It has been so exciting to watch Joe grow in his knowledge of the Lord this fall as I have continued my studies with the group.

I have been having a new series of studies with the teens once a week and among them are new students joining in the recovery program. Some are eager to learn about the biblical worldview and others have an attitude similar to that of Joe when we had first began studying the Scriptures together. Again I press forward, trusting not myself but the message of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit to change the lives of these troubled teens.

(*Name changed as per GoodSeed policy.)

 

I finally understand what they talk about in church!

Bible in pew at church

Editor’s note: One of our GoodSeed staff members, Reuben*, had the opportunity last year to speak at a sports camp for youth. He wanted to share the testimony of one of the campers.

Last October, an email was relayed to me from a young man named Tyler* who I had met at camp several weeks earlier. Tyler wrote:

“Reuben* is the reason I turned back to God. I met him at the sports camp this summer and I have been unable to find his email address… I would like to contact him again. He has truly inspired my faith. Also, he gave me a book called By This Name and it has helped me a lot to make progress in my faith. =)”

Tyler gave me credit for turning him back to God, but I give the credit to God and thank Him for using me in His work. In His strength and guidance we stand! I managed to get in touch again with Tyler and he shared with me about his walk since hearing me teach the Bible’s message from creation to the cross. He writes:

“I have been reading the book you gave to me. It has really changed my life. I wish my friends were able to experience what I did at the sports camp. I have one friend who does not believe in God and only wants to believe in what he can understand. I have gotten him a bit more towards following Christ. But I don’t know what more I can do. At my church and youth group, I still make references to what you talked about at camp and it has helped me FINALLY understand what they talk about in church.”

An understood gospel is a powerful gospel; it changes lives and gives believers the confidence to share it with others. Pray with us that, just as Tyler was guided through the gospel message, he can guide his friend through the good news of the Bible in the same way.

(*Name changed as per GoodSeed policy.)

 

Photo credit: Bala Sivakumar on Flickr

 

Announcing the brand new goodseed.com

announcing the brand new goodseed.com

We’re still unpacking but please come in!

We’re excited to announce a brand new goodseed.com. Over the years, as our ministry has grown, we needed an easier way to keep you updated. The new website is designed to do just that.

You know when you move into a new home, it takes a while before all the boxes are unpacked and all the furniture is in the right place. So it is with our new website. We’re still fine-tuning and adding to it based on feedback. We have additional content coming soon: articles on how to be better ambassadors for Christ, online training and more. So check back often!

To get acquainted with our new website, why not take a three-minute video tour:

 

I don’t speak their language… how can I explain the good news?

Missions Fest EdmontonIt was very good to be present at 2014 Missions Fest Edmonton. Many visitors stopped by the GoodSeed booth to check out our tools and ask us questions. We were very encouraged by the believers who had people in their lives with whom they wanted to share the gospel.

Bob* was one of the people who dropped by with a question. Some time ago, a young Chinese couple came by his office by mistake. They were actually looking for a clinic and mistook his office for it. Bob saw an opportunity to make friends and he not only helped them out, he kept in touch with them. Over the months, he met with them several times for coffee and a chat.

Continue reading “I don’t speak their language… how can I explain the good news?”

Conferences and a workshop this weekend

GoodSeed booth

There’s lots happening this weekend. If you have the time and are in the neighbourhood, why not drop by for the following events.

 

Missions Fest Edmonton
We have a booth (H1) at this year’s Missions Fest. Drop by to speak to our staff about upcoming TERM Seminars or learn how to use our tools to share the gospel with your friends and family. If you need to refill your Be Ready Box with resources, the booth has plenty of our materials.

On Saturday, Feb 22, we’ll also have a 50-minute seminar on “Ambassador: A lifelong lifestyle of sharing the Good News.” We’re schedule to speak at 4:15 p.m. so join us if you can.

Continue reading “Conferences and a workshop this weekend”

A letter from prison

Man writing letter

(Editor’s note: We were reminded of the apostle Paul when our UK office received the following letter from a believer in prison.)

To Sir or Madam,

Hi how are you doing.

Can you please send me a leaflet and order forms and price list and some other information on Worldview Rethink the course so when I get out I can teach it to other people. I would be grateful if you could. I want to be one of your teachers who is teaching the word.

From your brother-in-Christ,
Raymond Carlton*

Continue reading “A letter from prison”

TERM Seminar in Quebec

TERM Seminar, Quebec

(Voir la description en français au bas de la page)

When it comes to sharing the gospel, many of us are unsure of what to say or whether we should even try at all. Some of us quote John 3:16 or pass out gospel tracts. We appeal to the fact that God has a wonderful plan for a person’s life. But in recent years our efforts have often been met with blank stares or harsh criticism. As to those who do confess Christ, it seems many fall by the wayside or show no fruit of understanding in their lives. Some believers secretly wonder about the power of the gospel and whether it even works.

The GoodSeed® TERM™ Seminar is a time to stop and rethink evangelism in the context of our diverse, ever-changing world. The seminar takes participants into Scripture to see what it has to say about evangelism methodology. In the process there springs to light an approach that Jesus used on the road to Emmaus. The architecture of The Emmaus Road Message (the message Jesus shared on the road to Emmaus) has proven effective—whether we are engaging the confused, the seeker or the hardened.

The facilitators of the seminar will show participants how to teach the gospel using the book By This Name and the accompanying workbook, along with visual aids, so that they in turn will be able to teach it to others.

Important note: This seminar in French will be held over two weekends. Participants must be able to attend all six sessions as the flow of material builds upon previous sessions.

Dates:
March 13, 14, 15 and March 27, 28, 29 (Six sessions in total)

Schedule:
— Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
— Friday eveningsfrom 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
— Saturday froms 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location:
Église Évangélique d’Aujourd’hui
1220, Avenue des Pensées
Bécancour, QC G9H 2T2
http://eglisedaujourdhui.ca/

Cost: $15 to cover the cost of the book and workbook. (Each participant is responsible for his or her own lodging and meals.)

Registration:
To register of for more information, please contact Gaetan or Ivy Pilon at
Phone: 1-888- 314-3623
Email: [email protected]
Online registration: please visit our Canada store.

(To register online, please add this seminar to your cart and proceed to check out. There will not be any charges. Please ensure you use a current email and phone number so we can contact you. Thank you.)

 


Cours de formation Par ce nom

Quand vient le moment de partager l’Évangile, souvent nous ne savons pas quoi dire ou même si nous devrions essayer de dire quelque chose. Certaines personnes citent Jean 3.16 ou distribuent de petites brochures d’évangélisation. Parfois, nous disons aux gens que Dieu a un plan merveilleux pour leur vie. Mais depuis quelques années, la réaction que nous recevons est un regard sans expression ou encore une critique sévère. Et ceux qui font profession de foi en Christ sont souvent laissés à eux mêmes ou ne manifestent aucun fruit dans leur vie, ce qui indique qu’ils n’ont pas vraiment compris le message. Certains croyants doutent secrètement de la puissance et de l’efficacité de l’Évangile.

Le cours qu’offre BonneSemence est une occasion de nous arrêter pour repenser l’évangélisation dans le contexte de la pluralité de notre monde changeant. Ce cours amène les participants dans la Bible pour voir ce qu’elle dit au sujet de la méthodologie de l’évangélisation. Ce faisant, une approche utilisée par Jésus sur le chemin d’Emmaüs en ressort. C’est une approche qui s’est montrée efficace pour communiquer l’Évangile à une diversité de gens : ceux qui sont perplexes, ceux qui cherchent et ceux qui sont endurcis.

Les animateurs du cours montreront aux participants comment enseigner l’Évangile en se servant du livre Par ce nom et du cahier d’exercices ainsi que d’aides visuelles pour qu’à leur tour les participants puissent l’enseigner à d’autres.

Remarque : Ce cours en français sera donné sur deux fins de semaine. Les participants doivent pouvoir assister aux six blocs d’enseignement, car chaque bloc s’appuie sur le bloc précédent.

Dates :
6 blocs d’enseignement
Les 13, 14 et 15 mars ainsi que les 27, 28 et 29 mars

Horaire :
— Le jeudi soir, de 19 h à 22 h
— Le vendredi soir, de 19 h à 22 h
— Le samedi, de 8 h à 16 h

Endroit :
Église Évangélique d’Aujourd’hui
1220, avenue des Pensées
Bécancour (Québec) G9H 2T2
http://eglisedaujourdhui.ca/

Coût : 15 $ pour le livre Par ce nom et le cahier d’exercices.
Chaque participant est responsable de trouver son propre logement et de payer ses repas.

Pour vous inscrire ou pour obtenir plus d’information, communiquez avec Gaetan ou Ivy Pilon.
Téléphone : 1-888-314-3623
Courriel : [email protected]

Pour vous inscrire en ligne, veuillez ajouter ce cours à votre panier et vous rendre à la caisse. Aucuns frais ne seront ajoutés à votre compte. Veuillez fournir une adresse courriel et un numéro de téléphone afin que nous puissions communiquer avec vous. Merci.

 

Christ pulled me from a dark hole

Christ rescued me from a deep dark holeRecently we received a long email all the way from the UK. It was from a man excited to share his testimony with us. He had gone through the online version of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook and wanted to share the impact it had on his life and the life of his family. Here is Winston’s story.

Hello. My name is Winston* and I live in the UK. This how Jesus Christ pulled me from a dark hole.

Growing up I was a happy, faith-filled boy who enjoyed attending church and Christian school. As I grew into my twenties, though, that all began to fade. I found myself slipping deeper into a hole of despair and depression—feeling beyond help! As I tried to cope, I studied different religions and philosophies and poured myself into practicing martial arts. But Zen Buddhism left me unable to meditate. Hinduism left me confused and unable to focus. The deep philosophies of man just clouded my mind. Finally I fell to my knees, but I wondered, “Would God listen to me now after all this time?”

By now, I experienced what can only be described as a meltdown. I suffered severe numbness in my face and lips––the affects of stress and depression. I was given medical leave for about four months. The doctor prescribed anti-depressants and I was sent to the hospital for tests, but they found nothing neurologically wrong with me. My depression worsened and my decisions, regrettably, took their toll on my marriage and on our son and daughter.

One day my wife, Eliza,* met a customer named Janine* at the bank where she works. In passing, Janine invited us to visit her church. Eliza had only been to church for weddings, christenings and funerals, so the idea intrigued her and we chatted about it some.

Eventually the topic came up again and, when it did, we sent an email to Janine’s church inquiring about a visit. We chuckled when three replies came back immediately—one from the secretary, one from the associate pastor, and one from Pastor Hernando*—each email a warm invitation. Our first Sunday, however, we realized that we were at the “wrong” place. We had contacted the wrong church—Janine’s was across the street! But, we were so warmly received that we continued to attend. God had a plan to connect us with the right people.

Pastor Hernando invited me to study The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook which was hosted on the church website. So I did––all 11 hours––from start to finish. I can honestly say it changed my life! I had never seen or experienced God from that perspective. Despite my upbringing and education in Christian school, the whole meaning and truth had passed me by. I just couldn’t believe that I had spent the last 12 years walking on my own, trying to fill the void in my life. I prayed the prayer of a broken man: “Lord, save me!” It was then that Christ reached down into that hole, picked me up and pulled me out.

After completing The Stranger, the pastor and I continued to meet regularly to learn more from the Bible, first studying through Ephesians and now the life of David.

My health? Well things are much better. I only get a slight numbness now and then after stressful events. In this respect I still have to continually be in prayer for guidance and strength.

Both Eliza and I were baptized together––“dunked” as my daughter calls it. Our son and daughter have been greatly impacted by the love of our church family. They both accepted Christ last year and have expressed interest in being “dunked” sometime soon.

Last year, Eliza and I launched a new course that combines physical instruction in martial arts with an invitation to learn about the Bible’s message. We have website that has a ‘Digital Syllabus’ for members only, so I embedded The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook into that section.

It’s awesome to think how this started off a whole new chapter in my life. I’m thankful to God for saving me!

 

(*Names changed as per GoodSeed policy.)