Outreach Team Update

Aug 6, 2020 | Uncategorized

Dear CTR Family,

My friend recently encouraged me with a Scripture that has applied to all facets of my life including my work with the Outreach Team (OT) at CTR and all the ministry partners supported by the OT.

She quoted Colossians 1:17 – “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (ESV)

Since mid-March, everything has come into question. Everything fell apart. Nobody knew what the future might bring, especially in relation to finances and ministries that rely so much on fundraising.

As I share about OT’s work and the continued faithfulness and flexibility of our mission partners, I’m so grateful to say that God has certainly held all things together.

The Outreach Team has continued to meet, discern, and support our many mission partners. We, like many of you, have adjusted to “zooming” for our meetings, emailing constantly, and staring way too much at screens of all shapes/sizes. While COVID has put a halt to many aspects of life, the OT has been encouraged to see how CTR has continued to meet needs in the local and international community through our mission partners.

Here’s a glimpse of just a few of the many good things happening in the midst of the Pandemic:

Jeff Banks at Intervarsity continues to meet with students from Harvard and MIT. He reports that the move to online fellowship has been fruitful; people are joining from places geographically far away that would not have otherwise been possible. Students have been leading/inviting friends to a daily prayer meeting since March 15 and incoming students already are setting up Bible studies with their peers.

Amirah continues to house 5 women recovering from sex trafficking, all while providing a safe home that remains COVID free.

Family Promise North Shore has continued to host families and churches contributed financially for food in lieu of hosting for a week.

Uganda Christian University is opening in September and CTR has continued to support many students that rely on scholarships in order to attend.

Ninos Con Valor (Our Bolivia mission partner) has continued meeting the needs of children with difficult and often traumatic pasts with more than 50% of the children living with HIV and/or other physical or mental health needs.  The country is in strict lockdown, but this work continues.

New Horizons, CTR’s Romanian mission partner, (Dana & Brandi Bates), ran a hugely successful summer book camp this month. It was a true and deep sense of community in the midst of a lockdown, showcasing 4 renowned artists/artisans from around Romania that taught Zoom classes to Jiu Valley children: linocut, calligraphy, sourdough bread making and paper making.

If any of you want to learn more about our ministry partners or about the Outreach Team at CTR, please email Deacon Samuel or Fr. Malcolm Reid. You can also view more ministries that CTR supports on our Outreach Webpage (here).

In all these works, may Christ’s name be praised.

Peace,

Victoria