GBC Community Update: Sharing your faith

Good morning!  We have a couple of outreach opportunities coming up in the weeks ahead as a church and that’s got me thinking about the subject. So, for the next couple of updates I’ll be sharing some thoughts on sharing your faith.
 
 
GBC’s Repair Café needs volunteers
As many of you likely already know, GBC is hosting a Repair Cafe run by the Guelph Tool Library on Saturday May 7.  This is a free event for the public to bring items to be repaired by fixers from the Guelph Tool Library.  We pray that this will support and engage our community & give us another pathway to share Jesus' love with our neighbours. 
Here's how you can help!
We're looking for volunteers to be part of the event.  You can choose from either two shifts: 9 am - 12:30 pm or 12:30 - 4 pm.  The main activity is setting up or putting away tables and chairs.  In addition, we'll need help with refreshments, ushering, parking attendant (if needed) and mingling (as you feel led to!). This is an easy and accessible way to let your light shine.
Pray for the event.  Pray for a great connection between us the Tool Library and for a welcoming environment. Pray also that we may have opportunities to show the love of Jesus.
 
To help, or for more information, please contact Andrea Thornton at [email protected] or her cell 905-537-9607 if you're interested in volunteering.
 
 
Thanks from Karen Fangrad
Our dear church family,
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity extended to our family.  The meals you prepared were a huge help during a difficult week.  
Your prayers offered in faith are among our most precious gifts.  Thank you for caring for each of us in this trial, and for loving us like Jesus!
Karen
 
 
Oasis@Midweek tomorrow
Our final installment for April for our popular mid-week kid’s ministry Oasis@Midweek happens tomorrow. GBC Youth is leading this time so look for some great games, our popular drama and a topical message around the theme of “treasured”.  This ministry for children JK to Gr.6 is not only for those who attended Oasis Camp or are part of GBC Kids Ministry but any in that age group that would like an encouraging evening event.
 
 
Thought for the Day:  Sharing your faith: look at your motives
When I was a younger in my journey as a follower of Jesus sharing my faith felt like a never-ending assignment hanging over my head at all times. I felt like I never did it enough and never did it right. Have you ever felt that way?
Now things have changed and I feel different about sharing my faith. It’s become a far more natural part of my life—something that’s motivated by love instead of motivated by fear. So, over the next couple of weeks, I want to share some things that have helped change my perspective, and I hope they can help you as well.
 
First, look at your motives.
It’s easy to approach sharing the gospel out of fear. Here are a few examples:
“If I don’t say something right now and this person gets into a car accident and dies and goes to hell, it’ll be my fault!”
“If I don’t tell enough people, will I go to heaven?”
“If I tell this person about Jesus, then people at church will think I’m a really good Christian.”
Ever thought any of these?
 
But here’s the thing: When our motivation is fear, the people we’re talking to can tell—and they’ll feel used. It will seem as though we’re telling them about Jesus to ensure our own salvation, appease our own conscience or make ourselves look good.
Ever feel that way?
 
Now the amazing thing is God can use anything, even wrong motives! Anytime we share about Him, He can use that (which is good news because I don’t think we’ll ever have perfect motivations). But for me, it helped to think about why I was sharing the gospel, and I realized that genuine concern and love for the person should be my “why.”
 
Here’s what I mean: Jesus has changed my life for the better, and I couldn’t imagine life without Him. So, I really want people I care about to know how He can do the same for them.  I want them to know how much God loves and cares about them too.
 
Can you see how this shift changes not only our approach but also our attitude?  It’s not about being pushy; it’s just sharing what has helped you because you care enough about the other person enough to share what hopefully is a pretty major part of your life.
I think then, sharing your faith with the right motives is not only more effective but also the proper way to do it.  I hope you agree. More to come on this in the days ahead.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris