FiveKennys: Forward Thinking

Canadian Baptist Ministries Team Leader's Retreat

Lake Joseph, Ontario

We are back in Mississauga after a wonderful time of retreat with CBM's team leaders in the beautiful Lake region of the Muskokas. Together with our director, John Chan, we share the leadership of the international work of Canadian Baptists in each of our continental fields. It was an important time of reflecting on the challenges and opportunities facing our international and local partners.

Aaron, John, Ava, Erica, Ruth, Suraj, Grace,

Kathleen, Sharlene, Bruno, and Terry

Since last Sunday evening, we have been engaged in discussions about the current work of Canadian Baptists and the broader strategy that we are all apart of. Along with reflecting on the work of CBM, we appreciated times of team building and mutual support.

Our week together came to an end today as we participated in a gathering of CBM directors and managers to discuss emerging opportunities and priorities throughout the organization.

It has been an exciting time of forward thinking. Please keep CBM and our board of directors in your prayers as we seek to strengthen the ministries that we share in around the world.

Our friend and colleague, Suraj Komaravalli,

sharing about his work as CBM's team leader for India

The 323 Collective

One emerging focus for CBM has been the importance of marketplace ministry. This area of focus is summarized under the banner of Co//323, CBM's belief that transformation can take place where faith and work intersect. The name comes from Colossians 3:23 which instructs us that "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."

Marketplace ministry takes all sorts of shapes and forms within our international work from self-help groups beginning enterprises in Kenya to vulnerable families gaining livelihoods in Rwanda and farmers increasing their household income through improved farming practices in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But there are many other important dimensions to the ministry of Co//323 that we will be sharing over the coming year.

October introduced the launch of a new initiative of the Co//323, namely: the 323 Collective. More than just an online store, the 323 Collective is part of a larger Global initiative to help people to support the efforts of groups that are working together to improve the lives of their families and community. You can visit the 323 Collective by Clicking Here.

This is what arrives in your mailbox if you order one of the unique handmade

Iftin scarves from www.323collective.org

Our little model

Ava modeling the Kamp Tumaini headgear.

You can see more in the 323 Collective Store.

A fun evening in the dark with Heather and Terry Smith

As our time in Ontario draws to an end, we are so thankful for all the great friends and groups that we have had the chance to connect with. Here are a few snapshots from this past week.