Celebration Church, Barrie

Global Mission Projects: Celebration Church, Barrie, ON

The mission and outreach initiatives of Celebration Church are led by the “Do Something” Committee. Their mandate is to encourage the congregation to be engaged in the mission of Jesus Christ in a) our community and b) around the world.  This can be done through participation in various mission initiates and by praying for these initiatives.  The “Do Something” Committee also distributes the 7% of our general offerings which is allocated to missions.  Some of our International projects and initiatives are outlined below.

Cuba Partnership — San Marcos, Moa, Cuba

In 2014 our “Do Something” Committee undertook a new and exciting international project in Cuba.  ANiC congregations were invited to partner with a Reformed Episcopal church in Cuba.  Following our first visit to Cuba in 2014 we decided to become a partner with San Marcos church in Moa and to support the New Eden farm project.  Our donation of $4,800.00 CAD each year  assists with the salaries of the clergy and the farm workers.   The profits raised on the farm  assist the church financially and will contribute towards  the staffing salaries for future years to come. 

For several years members of our congregation have visited our partner churches in Cuba.  Our members have delivered medicine, Spanish bibles, prayer shawls and water filtration kits, and attended worship services.  In January of 2019 Mike Tweedle was part of the ANiC Mission Team and in January 2020 it was Gay Welsman who was on the team.  The ANiC team visits various partner congregations and attends the Cuban Synod meeting.  We continue to arrange for the delivery of  50 pound Medi-Paks as well as water filtration kits and other items of need to the pastors and parishes in the area.

Panama — Guna Yala Mission — Howard and Mariela Walker

The Guna are the 2nd largest of Panama’s seven indigenous groups. They number about 50,000 in total, half of which live in Guna Yala (san Blas islands) and half on the mainland. The “Do Something Committee”, along with individual members, have been faithfully sending donations to assist the Walkers in their mission with the Guna.  We funded a playground for the children.  In a recent letter from  Howard, he wrote:  We are very grateful to Celebration Church for your generous donation, and for holding our Guna families in your prayers. It is heartening to see how many Guna are turning to the Lord. It is our mission and privilege to let them know that the humanitarian gifts they receive come not from any Fundacion but a loving and faithful God who can offer believers the greatest gifts of all.

Anglican Relief and Development Fund Canada

The Do Something Committee as well as individual members of our congregation financially support ARDFC and one of our members is on the board.  

The Anglican Relief and Development Fund Canada (ARDFC) is a registered Canadian charity which undertakes carefully selected and monitored aid projects in partnership with dioceses in developing nations. ARDFC works closely with the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) in the US and is affiliated with the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) and the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). 

The Anglican Relief & Development Fund Canada (ARDFC), believes that Christ’s command to love our neighbours as ourselves is integrally linked to His commission to go into all the world and make disciples. When you support ARDFC projects, you can be confident that your gift will make a real and lasting difference in the lives of people in developing countries. You also have the assurance that ARDFC projects have been thoroughly researched and are carefully monitored to ensure objectives are being met. And you will know that your gift will help an Anglican diocese in the Global South meet often desperate needs in its communities. When ARDFC takes on projects, it establishes direct partnerships with the Global South dioceses that will implement each of these life-changing missions.

Arms of Jesus Children’s Mission (Haiti & Guatemala)

The Arms of Jesus Children’s Mission Inc. is a Bible based, evangelical ministry committed under God to respond to the needs of children, be they physical, emotional, material, and/or spiritual. The Arms of Jesus Mission is responding to the cry for help from local churches and groups of believers in developing and/or poor countries in their efforts to help and minister to children. As well, it is responding to the desire of Christians in North America and other countries to reach out and help children of the world. We recognize that many people have a real burden, a need to reach out to help children but do not know where to start, or what to do. The Arms of Jesus Children’s Mission will facilitate such a need.   This thriving mission was started, and is overseen, by Pastor Sam Martin in Pickering, Ontario.

Celebration Church is a strong supporter of the Guatemala mission base – an elementary and secondary school, equipped with social workers and medical support staff including a dentist, which provides assistance to the families of all children registered there.  We provide financial and on ground assistance to the school in Parramos, Guatemala.  Anne Harrison volunteered to teach in their school in the winter of 2017.

Compassion Canada

Over the years our Sunday School, backed by the Do Something Committee, has been sponsoring a child through Compassion Canada. 

Parish Contact:  Anne Harrison  betterchoices@live.ca