The deeper we go in knowing and loving Jesus, the more we will be motivated to go further on mission to serve as Christ’s agents of transformation.

In the Old Testament law, there were 613 commandments. Then Jesus came on the scene and radically shook things up by announcing that there are only two things we must now do to inherit the kingdom of heaven. He lists them in Luke 10:27: “love God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself.”  Then an expert in the law questioned Jesus saying, “And who is my neighbour?” As Jesus did with the story of the Good Samaritan, we are hoping to answer that question with the initiatives we are highlighting in this year’s catalogue. The people that will be touched by these ministries are our neighbours. We want you to see yourselves in the role of that Good Samaritan as you read of their stories and embark on this journey with us.

There are still so many around the world who struggle to secure life’s basic necessities such as food or water on a daily basis. Deuteronomy 15:11 is clear: “There will never cease to be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you, you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.” Considering Solomon’s declaration in Ecclesiastes – that there is nothing new under the sun and that everything happening in the world today has been happening since the beginning of time, it is clear we are not in “different times.” In this year’s catalogue, we not only share individuals’ stories of today, but we also bring you scriptures that speak to the relevancy of many of these issues in the ancient days. Our call from Jesus to open wide our hand, to help, and to pray for individuals in need, is as valid now as it ever was. This is faith and hope in action, that we may answer Jesus’ call by helping those that are in need.

On the cover: Faith and hope are palpable. There is a sense of love, comradery, mutual support and community conveyed in how closely the three women are sitting together. Looking out on the horizon, it is as if they are full of expectancy and hope for the future. These women are an image of peace, and it is our desire that the ministries highlighted in this catalogue, will offer you an opportunity to share Christ’s love with the people whose lives will be directly impacted by them.

We invite you to join us on this journey as we learn about some of the people groups around the world and how you can help carry their burdens and thus fulfill Jesus’ calling on our lives.

Thank you for joining us on mission as we go deeper in Jesus together!