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Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase. Proverbs 3:9

Go to www.albertaadventist.ca/giving for ways to donate tithes and offerings electronically to your local Church

• February 27  Conference Advance
• March 6         Local Church Budget
• March 13       Adventist World Radio

The Barnabas Factor

PASTOR DON CORKUM  |  February 24, 2021

Churches and other organizations thrive when effective leadership arrives at pivotal times. The early Christian church witnessed this when an opportunity came to develop a new church plant in the city of Antioch. People of various cultures were responding to the invitation to accept Christ. Acts 11 records how the Jerusalem church heard about this new break through "and they sent out Barnabas as far as Antioch." Acts 11: 22.

Why Barnabas? He evidently had the desired qualities of loving God, people and mission. He also was willing to go on a mission for God. Scripture says, "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a great many people were added unto the Lord." Acts 11: 24.

Barnabas was probably not as charismatic as Paul or Peter but he was effective in his work for God. It was Barnabas who brought Paul into the work of the church (Acts 11: 26). It is not necessary that we are the most gifted person to be effective in our work for God because God doesn't just call the equipped but He equips those He calls.

Organizations everywhere are seeking the Barnabas type of leader. A person who has a passion for the work, has good character and is competent. Churches need leaders at every level. The local church needs Sabbath School division leaders, youth leaders, deacons and deaconesses, elders, pastors. Many times people when asked turn down the invitation to accept the opportunity of leadership thinking there must be someone better. However, they often then miss the opportunity that God has planned for them to make a difference for Him in that situation.

Throughout the Bible people who became important for God's work initially felt unqualified-- Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah. To each of these God said, "Go, and I will be with you " (Example, Exodus 3:12). They went and God empowered them. Barnabas became a great leader and missionary for God because He was willing and desirous to be God's agent to further HIs kingdom.

Today the church stands at the threshold of the grand finale of God's work on earth. As Barnabas helped to get the early church started the church today is needing Barnabas type leaders to help finish the work. Are we willing to be a Barnabas factor in God's work? Are we willing to say "yes" to God's call to an opportunity that needs leadership?  Just to hear Christ's words, "well done," at His return will make it all worthwhile!

Youth Program on Saturday!

2021 Women's Ministries Virtual Retreat

• 15-25% off on listed canned, frozen, and dried food products. 
• Up to 80% off on miscellaneous books and bibles.

Conquerors: Pathfinder Winter Retreat 2021

GLOBAL YOUTH DAY - MARCH 20, 2021
Reaching Out: Cultures, Colours, Communities

• Plan a quiz (hosted online)
• Organise a social gathering on zoom for a community group (teens, children, seniors, etc.)
• How about running a craft session where craft packs are sent to people in advance, and they get together to do the crafts online 
• Could you do an online healthy cooking class for the community?
• Make care packages/school supplies that can be delivered to people/homes etc., without physically getting together.
• Arrange an online concert or prepare a recording of a selection of songs/poems/readings/a play from your youth group for your local care home.
• What else can you think of...?

eNews SMS Invite!

Check the Alberta Conference Website

Collaborative Bible Study Fills Fellowship Void in Digital Church Experience

A new resource from Adventist Information Ministry (AIM) – the evangelistic contact center of the North American Division – and Adventist Learning Community (ALC), provides an opportunity for those longing for fellowship and Bible study as many churches continue operating virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. “A Picture of God” offers 16 free, online, easy-to-navigate lessons that build on each other to reveal God’s character to seekers. Read more here https://www.nadadventist.org/news/collaborative-bible-study-fills-fellowship-void-digital-church-experience

Adventist Church Leaders Move General Conference Session to St. Louis, Missouri

The Executive Committee (EXCOM) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church voted Wednesday, February 17, to move the 2022 General Conference (GC) Session, the quinquennial business meeting of the denomination, from Indianapolis, Indiana to St. Louis, Missouri, also located in the United States. The vote comes after GC Management was unexpectedly informed by the city of Indianapolis that the space in Indianapolis, was no longer available for the June 6-11, 2022 dates. These dates voted by the General Conference Executive Committee will remain the same. Read more here https://adventist.news/en/news/adventist-church-leaders-move-general-conference-session-to-st-louis-missouri

Adventist Hospital in Puerto Rico Celebrates First Baptism Since Pandemic Hit

Traveling from her home in Florida, United States, to help take care of her sister who was recovering from the coronavirus at the Bella Vista Hospital, an Adventist institution in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, proved to be a life-changing experience for Maritza Tillero. As she sat in the hospital room in August of 2020, Tillero, age 58, listened to the assistant chaplain’s encouraging words and prayer for her sister. As the prayer ended, Tillero had a question for the chaplain: “What do you believe is the state of the dead?” she asked. Read more here https://adventist.news/en/news/adventist-hospital-in-puerto-rico-celebrates-first-baptism-since-the-pandemic-hit

Donate Your Tithes and Offerings online with AdventistGiving web or mobile app! 

• February 27  Conference Advance
• March 6         Local Church Budget
• March 13       Adventist World Radio