Brandon Martel

One of our staff members here at ANC is Luc Boileau. Luc is originally from Rouyn Noranda in Quebec. He has been a volunteer since 2003 and a part of the staff since 2016. Luc came to ANC in 2000 when he was exploring a new church. He found All Nations was a new home where he could grow spiritually for the rest of his life. Luc said, “What I heard is the love of Jesus through people and knew that I finally found my family of brothers and sisters.” Luc has been semi-retired since 2020 and has reduced his tasks to counselling and being a specialty pastor. His specialty ministries include men’s pastoral counselling, visitation, and missions (Local and international). Also, he helps whenever someone at the church is in need. Luc enjoys making a difference and bringing people to a deeper relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirits and God’s teachings. The change in people’s lives when they decide to follow Jesus is something Luc loves to see. Outside work, Luc enjoys climbing, canoeing, walking, playing cards and his family. Luc and his wife have been together since 1979. He has two kids and three granddaughters. He has his father, mother and two sisters. He considers his close friends’ family as well.
Last but not least, he has his church family. A fun fact about Luc is that he counts in French, even when talking in English. Luc’s favourite scripture is the whole book of James or specifically 2:2 “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.”

Discipling your children and teens is no easy task, but it is something that you must be actively doing. God has given you the responsibility of being the leaders of your kids faith. Teaching them how to read and study the Bible is incredibly important. The Bible; reading and studying it should not be a struggle, it should be something we enjoy and desire. Question is, how can I help my kids to study and to have the desire to read their Bible?

Let start by looking the Bible and its text delivery method; the different formats and resources that you can use with your family. Then we will look at some How To’s and hopefully give you some new ideas that you can use in or add to your family’s current Bible study time.

The Actual Bible:
Children and teens (and adults too) need to be able to receive information in a way that is clear and does not create unnecessary confusion. The Pastor on stage is unlikely to read the Bible in its original Greek form as it will create a barrier to their congregation’s understanding and learning. Many adults have a Bible translation that is their favourite and they tend to choose to read only from that translation. Whatever translation you have picked as your favourite doesn’t matter if your kids can’t understand it, so be conscious of your family’s needs with relation to the type of Bible that you choose.

There are so many different translations of the Bible that are aimed at people who speak/read all different languages at all different levels. There are also so many different styles of Bibles that include explanations or commentaries aimed at specific ages or reading levels. Take a look around at the different Bibles and decide what your family needs. Side Note – your family’s psychical Bible needs will and should change as your kids grow and their reading/comprehension levels increase.

Screens:
Although screens can seem odd to some and reading an Ebook Bible a little foreign, they are a great tool to be added into Bible Study. Some kids find reading on a screen easier and the convince of flipping between translations or commentaries can be faster and more engaging when used correctly. Take some time to check out a few different websites or apps and see if there are any that you can incorporate into your family’s study. There are many videos, commentaries, interactive games, and more out there. Here are a few of Rock City Kid’s favourites:

https://bibleappforkids.com/
https://kidscorner.net/bible-stories
https://bibleforchildren.org/languages/english/stories.php

How to Study:
Choosing how to study should depend on the age and level of your children and teens. There are many different ways to study the Bible and everyone will have a different opinion on each method/approach. Here are a few that are most appropriate for the age 8-16 range, but can be modified for younger or older.

Paper & Pen Method (sometimes called the Swedish Method)
This method allows everyone some time to interact with the text in a physical way and makes discussion easier for some as they have their thoughts written down.
Print a copy of the passage for each person
As you read through it, either out loud together or in your own heads, highlight things that stick out and write down your observations and questions.
Discuss your questions and observations together.

SOAP
This method includes four parts and is done always in the same order.
S. Scripture – read and write down the verse or passage that you are reading
O. Observation – discuss about what you see in the verses; the who, what, when, where, why, and how’s
A. Application – discuss how this can apply in your lives and what you have learned from the verses
P. Prayer – spend some time praying about the verses and how you can apply them to your lives

4 Questions
Every time you read or study a passage, ask the same questions. You can use these 4 or make your own. This helps your kids to slow down and study, as well as look for key information.
What is the big/main idea?
What did I already know?
What have I learned?
What is the Bible trying to teach me?

Questions
Kids thrive on questions and answers, they like asking and answering them, use this natural curiosity to engage them in the Bible.
Ask questions that they can answer (How many people were in? Did anything bad happen?)
Ask questions that require them to look deeper into the story and won’t come to mind right away. (Is there someone else in the Bible that said something similar?
Ask questions that make them think about their life and apply the teachings to themselves. (Who do you know that sometimes behaves like this? Have you ever thought about how your actions might affect other people? How can this story help you to do X?)

There are many more methods/approaches and way more resources than could ever fit into one blog post, but I would like to leave you with the most important idea. Try to not allow yourself to become overwhelmed by the task of discipling your children. Allow God to lead you as you lead them and be faithful to Him in all things so that your children will see your example and follow in it. Although the how does matter and you have to be intentional in your discipleship; your honest and intentional pursuit of God will impact your children in incredible ways.

One of our staff members here at ANC is Brandon Martel. Brandon was born and raised in Sudbury and has been a part of the ANC staff since 2019, when he took on the position of communications director. He took on the website, social media and marketing for the church. Brandon likes to use business principles to help further God’s mission. In March 2020, he took on another position at the church as the youth pastor. What brought Brandon to ANC was the youth group, The Core. He heard about it from some friends and knew he needed to know what all the fun was about. The Core group made him feel welcomed and accepted, so he has been at ANC since. Brandon’s youth responsibilities include forming relationships with youth and partnering with their families. What Brandon loves most about his job is connecting with students who may not have many role models in their life. Outside of work, Brandon enjoys reading and learning new things. He also has a very active social life.

Brandon is married to ANC’s children’s ministry director Julia Martel . Brandon recently completed his masters in business administration at Laurentian University and is looking forward to applying to the Masters of Theological Studies program at Tyndale University for fall 2023. Brandon’s favourite scripture is Timothy 6:11-12 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.“

As All Nations Church, we are increasingly in need for volunteers to serve in various ministries. With our busy lives it can be difficult to find the time to volunteer but it can be a meaningful and rewarding way to give back to your community and make a positive impact in the world. Whether you have a little or a lot of time to give, there are many ways you can get involved and make a difference. Here are a few reasons why you should consider volunteering at ANC:

1. Make new connections:
“so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” -Romans 12:5

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and build relationships with others who share your values and beliefs. Many of our serving teams has led to long-lasting friendships and support.

2. Use your talents and skills:
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” -1 Peter 4:10

Every person has unique gifts and talents that can be put to use for the benefit of others. Volunteering at our church allows you to use your skills and abilities to make a difference in the lives of others. We have a variety of different areas so whether you’re great with kids, with making people feel welcome or making a great cup of coffee, there is a team for you!

3. Make a positive impact:
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” -1 John 3:18

By serving at our church, you can help make a positive difference in your community and beyond. Whether you’re helping lead worship, work behind the scenes or open the door for someone, your time and efforts can make a real impact.

4. Grow in your faith:
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” -Acts 20:35

Serving can also be a great way to grow in your faith and deepen your spiritual connection. By serving others and putting your faith into action, you can experience a greater sense of purpose and meaning in your life.

If you’re considering serving at All Nations Church, don’t hesitate! Reach out to Lynn Felsman or visit our website (https://allnationschurch.ca/serve-with-us/) to learn more about opportunities to get involved. You’ll be glad you did!

It’s that time of year again, as we begin the process of launching our Life Groups. For many, this is an exciting time when they get to look froward to reconnecting with their group after a short break and seeing what they will be studying that session. But for others (maybe even you), this becomes a time of uncertainty as they wonder whether or not they should join.

If you’ve ever thought about joining a Life Group at All Nations Church, you might have some concerns. Maybe you’re worried about fitting in, or you’re not sure if you’ll have enough to contribute. Maybe you’re just not sure if a Life group is right for you.

First of all, it’s important to know that Life Groups are meant for people of all walks of life. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar or have all the answers to fit in. In fact, one of the benefits of being part of a small group is the opportunity to learn and grow together.

Another common concern is not knowing what to expect. Small groups can take many different forms, so it’s a good idea to talk to the leader or someone who has experience with small groups at your church to get a better understanding of what to expect.

It’s also natural to worry about finding the time to commit to a small group. But keep in mind that most groups meet once a week for just an hour or two. This is a small investment of time that can pay huge dividends in terms of your growth with God and relationships with others.

There are many other benefits to joining a Life Group. One of them is that you have the opportunity to really get to know others on a deeper level. You’ll be able to share your struggles, pray for one another, and encourage each other in your faith. While you’re never expected to share more than you want to, these groups provide a sense of belonging and allow for deeper relationships to form among members. One of the other benefits of being part of a Life group is it provides a chance to study the Bible in a more intimate setting. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and grow in your understanding of God’s word.

Ultimately, the decision to join a Life Group is a personal one. But if you’re looking for a sense of belonging, deeper relationships, and an opportunity to grow in your faith, a Life Group might be just what you’re looking for. So take the plunge and give it a try – you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. To get involved sign up at this link https://allnationschurch.ca/life-group-form/ or contact Michelle Ross at lifegroups@allnationschurch.ca.

One of our staff members here at ANC is Julia Mortley. Julia is originally from Simcoe County. She grew up in a little village called Moonstone near the ski hills. (unfortunately, she doesn’t ski)
After moving into the Sudbury area, Julia had a list of churches to check out. She had attended a couple and watched a few online. Once she found All Nations Church, she never left. Julia started volunteering in the media area in October 2020 and eventually came on staff in August 2021 as the Children’s Ministry Director. Being involved in a life group and volunteering kept her here at All Nations. Julia wanted a home where she could participate, “be known and know people” Julia’s primary responsibilities are to create environments where children and families can connect with God, learn about his love and find fellowship. She is very passionate about mentorship relationships and giving others places to participate in both halves of those relationships. Julia enjoys watching relationships between children and families grow. Outside of work, Julia loves photography, digital design and podcasts. She also loves hiking (mostly to get a few good nature photos). Julia is the oldest sister in her family of 5. She says her siblings are her best friends in the whole world. She also loves to spend time with her husband Brandon and her bunny cookie. A funny thing about Julia is that she has no sense of direction. She will accidentally wind up somewhere and recognize where she had gotten lost before. Julia’s favourite scripture is Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”