ALBERTA & NORTHERN TERRITORIES

2009 Home Missions funds were used as follows:

• Operating funds were provided for the Edmonton Crossroads Community Church; this Corps deals with inner-city demographics and includes programs such as afternoon drop-in, Friday night street ministry, winter warming centre, counseling and discipleship programs.
• New children’s programs including VBS, Discovery/Pioneer Club, Baby Song, Red Cap Training.
• Initiatives to enhance worship including vests for a musical “hand signing” group, worship service broadcasts to shut-ins, and equipment for hearing impaired.

BERMUDA

The Home Missions funds in 2009 were used to buy new fridges and freezers for the kitchen in the Emergency Shelter.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

We have (4) four 1st Nations Ministry Units in the northern region of BC. These are culturally sensitive ministries that are fully immersed in the traditional contexts of aboriginal life for the west coast.

There are significant differences between each village and the resulting needs. Two of these villages are financially very poor. The other two are financially stable and well endowed with leadership.

The funds received from the Home Missions effort are a vital source of financing in keeping these ministries going. The funds are used for the general operations of each Corps because the village folk, as a rule, have little income for their daily living requirements.

Foot Note: These ministries significantly impact the 1st Nations in two ways: The spiritual life of the people is integrated with their traditional practices, therefore even those who may not attend SA program are ministered to through these practices. Secondly the people are supported emotionally by the SA’s ministry presence as they work toward self governance and away from the reservation system.


ONTARIO GREAT LAKES DIVISION

In 2009, $66,700 was raised to support the following Ministries:

• Rural Ministries & Outreach, Wingham Corps & Wiarton-Cape Croker Outreach
• Ethnic Outreach Initiatives, Laotian Corps
• Inner City Programming, The Freeway (Hamilton)

The goal for 2010 is $72,000 to again support the Ministries noted above in addition to Northern Ontario ministry in Timmins, Elliot Lake and Kirkland Lake and Milton Khi, a Corps in southern Ontario that is in the early stages of its development.

Home Mission funds are needed by the Ministry Units noted above to operate. Communication to other Corps has historically indicated that this support is needed for Ministry Units that would otherwise not be able to advance their Ministries and be self supporting.