Brandon Martel

Change is hard.

I tend to be a creature of habit, and any shift in my routine requires me to expend more energy.

If your body doesn’t work the way it used to, a change in diet, exercise or life pace can be difficult to navigate. When you lose your job and stare long and hard at a budget that doesn’t work, fear and anxiety can set in. And when a loved one dies, and the phone doesn’t ring like it used to, sharp pangs in the heart can abound.

Sometimes change is not just hard. It is painful.

But whether we like it or not, the living of this life involves change.

Relationships change.

Locations change.

Jobs change.

Our bodies change.

We change.

Life is change. The longer you live, the more you know that the only thing constant in this life is change. Whether our changes seem hard or make us happy, change teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain and temporary. Nothing lasts forever.

Well something lasts forever. God. “For I, the LORD, do not change …” (Malachi 3:6a).

In Psalm 102:27, the psalmist declares, “But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end” (NASB).

God doesn’t change. He has always been and will always be never changing.

I’m so glad to know that we serve a God who stays the same. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Whether we move homes, change jobs, experience relational, physical or emotional changes, God is a constant and dependable anchor.

Not only does God stay the same but so do His loving plans for us that are based in His Word. Psalm 33:11 says, “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation” (NASB). Isaiah 40:8 tells us “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (ESV).

And because His plans are unshakeable, His loving intention toward us never wavers. His Word is dependable, so we can find comfort in our relationship with Him whatever change comes our way.

During my seasons of change, I’ve learned the importance of resting in the immutable God — the God who never changes. There are many things I cannot control, but I can depend on God to be a refuge in times of trouble, provide comfort to my aching heart and give guidance through His Word so I can effectively navigate life’s changes.

Despite feeling like some changes in my life extend far beyond my control, I have come to know the beauty of resting in the arms of a God who is always totally in control of the circumstances of my life.

Can I encourage you today? Nothing that’s happened to you surprised God.

And because He does not change and is faithful to all generations (Psalm 119:90), you can trust Him to carry you through whatever changes you face today.

If God has allowed a change in your life, let that change motivate you to draw closer to Him and to His Word. Let Him be your refuge, your comfort and your strength.

As Christians, we’re called to be faithful stewards of our gifts. We’re promised in 2 Corinthians 9:11 that “you will be enriched in every way for your great generosity”. Christians stewards understand that it is not how much they are given, but what they do with what they have. All Nations Church has been a thriving church since the 1950s thanks to the generosity of our congregation
members. We want to see this church continue to grow for generations to come and you can be a big part of that.

Planning now to make a gift in the future for the work of the church, such as a bequest in your will or a gift of life insurance, lays the foundation for a stable and exciting future. Your gift will make a lasting difference and sustain the ministry you value most for generations to come.

Types of Legacy Gifts
Bequests: Making a Gift in Your Will
A gift in your will is the most common form of legacy gift. A gift in your will can be a specific amount of money or a percentage of your estate. This donation, allows your estate to the tax benefit from the gift.

Life Insurance: Affordable Gift Today, Major Gift Tomorrow
For a relatively small outlay of cash, a gift of life insurance can become a significant future gift for the church without reducing the size of your estate. You can make All Nations Church the owner or beneficiary of a new or existing policy and save a multitude of taxes for your beneficiaries. If All Nations Church is the owner of the policy, you can also claim the premiums on your taxes each year.

RRSPs, RRIFs, and TFSAs: Tax Benefit to Your Estate
RRSPs, RRIFs, and TFSAs can be a large portion of your accumulated RRSPs, RRIFs, and TFSAs can be a large portion of your accumulated assets at your death. At your death, however, 100 percent of the proceeds from these are included in your final tax return. Your estate will have to pay taxes on the full amount. If you make All Nations Church the beneficiary of the proceeds of any registered fund, the church will issue a charitable tax receipt for the full amount of the gift. This in turn will have considerable tax benefits for your estate that will significantly offset the amount of your gift.that will significantly offset the amount of your gift.

Next steps for you:
– Take an inventory of your finances.
– Set financial priorities
– Write your will.
– Consider a gift to All Nations Church in your will.
– Share your estate plan with family.
– Consult with experts (Lawyer, accountant, financial advisor)
– Plan your funeral with your family and pastor.
– Appoint an executor and power of attorney

If you have any questions about how to best steward your assets for the future, please contact bookkeeper@allnationsc

As a young person, I am constantly on my cell phone. Even as I write this, I have a YouTube video playing on my phone next to me. As much as we hear all the time about the dangers, I still believe that technology can really serve us well, even in our faith. I mean, just think, how often do you have your phone with you vs your Bible? Why not leverage what we already carry around with us for something good? We’ve already done a blog post on apps to help you read your Bible, but I thought about doing one for praying as well. Prayer is one of the more difficult spiritual disciplines… Bible reading, compared to prayer, is clearer and more “objective.” How many pages? How far along in your plan? Which books have you been reading? What have you learned? Prayer doesn’t fit into an Excel sheet quite as easily. For me, if I’m being honest, I can say that sometimes my prayer life hasn’t been the greatest. Sometimes I don’t feel like praying, or I’ve felt like I haven’t had time… sometimes I don’t even know what to say. It doesn’t matter how long I seem to come in my walk with God, there’s always times when prayer is difficult. Here’s some apps that can help you day-to-day to improve your prayer life!

Echo
Echo Prayer is a free app that helps you keep track of your prayers, reminds you to pray throughout the day, and lets you share prayer requests with others.

Hallow
When it comes to prayer, this app offers a tremendous amount of flexibility and variety. A basic version is available for free; full access requires a paid plan. Customize your prayer time by choosing a guide, setting your preferred duration, selecting your favourite music, and creating a custom prayer plan.
UberPray
The app helps you form real connections with people around the world who may be going through a similar experience. You can send out an alert to request special prayers, as well as pray on the behalf of others in the app community.

And! If you’re looking for something in-person, we have a prayer event on April 14th at 6:30pm at the church. It will be a time of intercession, petition and worship!

At All Nations, we believe that the heart of any community lies in the dedication of its volunteers. These are the individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes, supporting the church’s mission and fostering a sense of belonging among our congregation. Today, we’d like to introduce you to one such remarkable volunteer – Christine. Christine’s journey with All Nations began in 2017 when she started listening to our services on the radio and watching them online. Her connection with our church deepened, and by 2019, she had transitioned to attending our services in person. Little did she know that this initial curiosity would lead to a fulfilling volunteering journey. Over the past three years, Christine has selflessly dedicated her time and energy to the betterment of our community. Christine’s volunteer journey started at the giving desk. However, her passion and dedication soon led her to become the coordinator of the coffee ministry – a role she still thrives in today. When asked about her motivation to start serving, Christine humbly states, “I was asked to fill a need, and I wanted to help.” It’s that simple, but the impact of her contribution is immeasurable. One of the reasons Christine has found All Nations to be a home for her is the people and relationships she has cultivated. She emphasizes that “everyone is friendly and truly cares,” a testament to the warmth and inclusiveness of our church community. In her role as the coordinator of the coffee ministry, Christine has found immense joy. She delights in meeting different people and spreading happiness through the power of a well-brewed cup of coffee or tea. She notes, “People love their coffee and tea, and I like making people happy.” To anyone unsure about serving, Christine offers some advice: “It is a great opportunity to connect with people as well as helping out the church. It is very satisfying and makes you feel good.” Her words resonate with the profound sense of fulfillment that volunteering brings. Christine’s journey at All Nations is a testament to the power of community and the difference one person’s dedication can make. We appreciate her unwavering commitment and the positivity she brings to our church family. Her story is a reminder that when we come together with a shared purpose, we can make the world a better place, one cup of coffee and one act of service at a time. We are truly grateful for her presence in our community, and we look forward to many more years of serving and growing together. Thank you, Christine, for your outstanding service and heartwarming dedication to All Nations.

Holy Week is coming quickly upon us! It is a time of reflection, and celebration for what Christ has done for us. This sacred time leading up to Easter Sunday offers many ways for individuals to connect with their faith, reflect on the significance of the season, and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1. Commit yourself to prayer
Consider dedicating extra time each morning to prayer and meditation. Whether you prefer to do this in the comfort of your home or within a church environment, it’s important to find a peaceful space where you can reflect on your relationship with God. During Holy Week, seize the opportunity to walk alongside Jesus during his Passion and accept his invitation to “Stay here and keep vigil with me.”

2. Read an Easter Bible plan
Delving into the scriptures during this sacred time can deepen your understanding of the significance of Easter and its profound impact on our lives. Through these readings, you can walk alongside Jesus in his journey to the cross, experience the power of his resurrection, and reflect on the immense love and grace he extends to all. By dedicating time each day to study the scriptures, you’ll not only enrich your spiritual journey but also cultivate a deeper connection with God. So, seize this opportunity to open your heart to the transformative message of Easter and allow it to inspire and guide you on your path of faith. Some potential ideas including this one from Hillsong: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/44969-holy-week-a-journey-with-matthew or this one from Dwell: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/43807-dwell-holy-week-and-easter.

3. Reflect and Repent
Do I want to give up a particular sin, do I want to develop a particular virtue or do I want to understand a particular quality of God in more depth? At the core of the week lies a profound call to repentance, with a primary goal to rekindle connection with God in gratitude for His sacrifice. Reflecting on the story in God’s Word, where the Creator stoops to human form and endures suffering for redemption, compels us to wrestle with the enormity of these events and demands a sincere response.

4. Attend our Easter Services
All Nations Church is hosting two services – one on Good Friday and the other on Easter Sunday, both at 10am. Our Good Friday service will be a contemporary funeral service for Jesus, celebrating His life and wrestling with the sadness and hope we feel. Our Easter Sunday service will be a time of celebrating the resurrection and our salvation through Christ! Children’s ministry will be available at both services.

As we continue our apologetics blog series, we decided in the spirit of Easter to look at the reliability the claim of Jesus’ death and resurrection. To do this, we look at the story of Lee Strobel. Lee Strobel had always been a self-proclaimed atheist. “The mere concept of an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving creator was absurd on the surface of it,” Lee said. At one point, a neighbor named Linda kept inviting Lee’s wife Leslie to go to her church with her. In order to get the neighbor off her back, Leslie agreed to go. After attending Willow Creek Church, Leslie felt the experience had left an impression on her and she wanted to go back.

Lee was having a hard time understanding his wife’s new interest. “I didn’t want to be married to a Christian,” he said. “I didn’t sign up for this.” He knew what he had to do. He’d go to church with her and make her see the reality of the “cult” that was sucking her in. Lee tagged along with his wife one Sunday morning. Following the sermon on “Basic Christianity,” Lee felt inspired to use his journalistic skills to disprove it. That journey would take a year and nine months, with Lee eventually writing down the pros and cons of Christianity on a yellow legal pad. First, he looked at whether or not Jesus really died and was resurrected. That’s really the most important aspect of Christianity. And he summarized this with the 4 E’s

The first E stands for execution, was Jesus dead after being crucified? And the answer is absolutely yes, there is no record anywhere of anybody ever surviving a full Roman crucifixion. Even the secular Journal of the American Medical Association, carried an investigation into the medical and historical evidence for the death of Jesus and said clearly that Jesus was dead. We also see five ancient sources outside the Bible, confirming and corroborating that he died. , Josephus, first century Jewish historian who worked for the Romans, Tacitus, another early historian.

Second E is early. We have early accounts or early reports that Jesus rose from the dead. In other words, reports that go right back to the beginning. Why is that important? As Lee Strobel put it “Because I used to think, like a lot of skeptics, that the resurrection was a legend. And I knew it took time for legend to develop in the ancient world. So I figured, you know, 100, 150 years after the death of Jesus, legends developed, mythologies were spun, stories were invented, and that’s where the idea of the resurrection came from.” But the truth is that the earliest Christians right there in the first century would rally around based on facts that they knew to be true. They said that Jesus appeared to over 500 people, and saying that those people were still around so you can go question them.

Third E is for empty tomb. There’s lots of reasons why we believe the tomb is empty, but I think the most convincing is that even the opponents of Jesus admitted that it was empty. How do we know? Well, because when the disciples began proclaiming that Jesus had risen, what the opponents of Jesus said, the disciples stole the body. Think about that. That’s a cover story. They’re admitting the tomb is empty. They’re trying to explain how it got empty. So everybody’s admitting the tomb is empty. That’s not the issue. The issue is, how did it get empty?

Then the fourth E stands for eyewitnesses. Not only was Jesus tomb discovered empty, but over a period of time, he appears alive in a dozen different instances to more than 515 people to skeptics and doubters, to men, to women, to groups, to individuals, indoors, outdoors, daytime, nighttime, the disciples talked to him, they ate with them, they touched him. But here’s what’s interesting about the eyewitnesses in ancient history, we’re lucky if we have one or two sources to confirm a fact. Well for the conviction of the disciples that they encountered the resurrected Jesus, we have no fewer than nine ancient sources, inside and outside the New Testament, confirming and corroborating the conviction of the disciples that they encountered the resurrected Jesus. That is an avalanche of historical data.

We can have faith this Easter that Jesus really died and was resurrected! Not just that but He died for your sins so that you could be forgiven!

In a world marked by constant change, the scriptures in Acts 20:7, Colossians 3:16, and Hebrews 10:24-25 provide a compelling framework for understanding the importance of regular church attendance. These verses emphasize the significance of gathering with fellow believers, sharing in the message of Christ, and encouraging one another on the journey of faith. Let’s explore how these biblical passages shed light on the transformative power of attending church regularly.

Acts 20:7 – The Lord’s Supper and Continuous Teaching
The practice of meeting on the first day of the week, as mentioned in Acts 20:7, echoes the importance of regular gatherings for believers. Just as the early Christians gathered to share in the Lord’s Supper and to listen to Paul’s preaching, modern-day church attendance provides an opportunity for communal worship, spiritual reflection, and the breaking of bread together. The prolonged teaching session until midnight suggests the depth of engagement and commitment to learning from the Word of God.

Colossians 3:16 – Letting Christ’s Message Fill Our Lives
Colossians 3:16 emphasizes the richness of Christ’s message and encourages believers to let it permeate every aspect of their lives. Regular church attendance becomes a vital avenue for immersing ourselves in the teachings of Christ. By gathering together, we can collectively allow the message to shape our thoughts, actions, and relationships. This verse underscores the importance of mutual teaching and counselling, accompanied by expressions of gratitude through psalms, hymns, and songs.

Hebrews 10:24-25 – Spurring One Another Toward Love and Good Deeds
Hebrews 10:24-25 reinforces the notion of regular assembly with a specific purpose — to spur one another toward love and good deeds. The verse acknowledges the challenges some may face in maintaining this practice but emphasizes the importance of encouragement. As believers, meeting together is not just a habit but a deliberate choice to support, uplift, and inspire one another. This becomes increasingly crucial as we anticipate the approaching Day, reminding us of the urgency to remain connected and steadfast in our faith.

In light of Acts 20:7, Colossians 3:16, and Hebrews 10:24-25, the call to attend church regularly goes beyond a mere tradition. It reflects a biblical principle rooted in the early Christian community’s practices and the apostles’ teachings. Regular church attendance is a powerful means of sharing in the Lord’s Supper, allowing Christ’s message to enrich our lives, and collectively spurring one another toward love and good deeds. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, these verses remind us of the importance of gathering with fellow believers for spiritual nourishment, mutual support, and the continual pursuit of Christ-likeness.

For the past ten years, All Nations Church (ANC) has held a special place in Danny Neelands’ heart. From attending Sunday services to actively serving within its vibrant community, Danny’s journey has been one of growth, learning, and fulfillment. In this blog post, we delve into Danny Neelands’ personal experience as a dedicated servant within ANC, shedding light on the motivations behind his service, the joys he has found along the way, and the profound impact it has had on both his life and the lives of others.
A decade ago, Danny Neelands walked through the doors of All Nations Church, seeking spiritual guidance and a sense of belonging. Over the years, ANC has evolved from a place of worship into a cherished home, brimming with a warm and welcoming community that has played a pivotal role in shaping Danny’s identity.
Around six years into his journey with ANC, Danny Neelands experienced a calling to give back to the community that had nurtured his spiritual growth. This calling led him to embark on a remarkable journey of service. Week after week, Danny commits his time and energy to various church activities, contributing significantly to the congregation’s growth and well-being.
Currently, Danny holds the position of Youth Leader for Core Youth Ministries, a role he values deeply. As a youth leader, he relishes the opportunity to guide and support young individuals as they navigate life’s challenges, providing them with a secure space to discuss their thoughts, beliefs, and struggles.
Danny’s decision to start serving was deeply rooted in his own formative experiences as a youth. He vividly recalls the profound impact a compassionate and strong youth group had on him during his own journey. Empowered by this memory, Danny was motivated to pay forward the guidance and support he received to the next generation.
Within the embrace of ANC, Danny finds the true essence of community. Whether it’s the heartwarming Sunday morning conversations, the thought-provoking discussions during Sunday night Young Adults gatherings, or the simple yet profound joy of spending time with friends outside the formal church setting, ANC has provided Danny with a platform for forging meaningful connections.
However, the most gratifying aspect of Danny’s service role is witnessing the growth of the youth under his guidance. Observing them cultivate stronger relationships with God, develop steadfast morals, and ignite a genuine passion for their faith fills Danny with a deep sense of pride and joy.
To those who may harbour reservations about embarking on a service journey, Danny Neelands offers a resonant insight from Hebrews 13:16: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” While the path of service may demand time and effort, the rewards it brings far surpass the sacrifices made. The impact of one’s dedication, no matter how seemingly small, possesses the potential to reverberate through generations, inspiring positive change and fostering a sense of community that transcends time.
Danny Neelands’ voyage at All Nations Church has been a narrative of evolution, connection, and profound purpose. The decade of attendance and 4 years of dedicated service has transformed him into a more empathetic, understanding, and fulfilled individual. Through his role as a Youth Leader, Danny has been given the privilege of guiding youth on their own spiritual journeys, and the experience has proven to be nothing short of transformative. To anyone contemplating the path of service, Danny offers a resounding encouragement to take that step. By doing so, you will not only please God but also embark on a life-altering adventure, capable of catalyzing positive change and leaving an indelible mark on countless lives.