Mission/Ministry Spotlight

CFI – Christian Friends of Israel | CSB Canada | Lighthouse Harbour Ministries | Salvation Army Kettles | Iron Sharpens Iron Conference | International Christian Response

CFI – Christian Friends of Israel

Christian Friends of Israel celebrates their 40th Anniversary in Jerusalem, November 4-7, 2025. With a vision and a dream, Ray & Sharon Sanders moved from the USA to Israel in 1985 and started Christian Friends of Israel to bridge the gap between Christians and Jews. They have been steadfast and faithful living in Israel during the many wars and intifadas. Ray Sanders passed to his eternal reward October 4, 2023, just three days before the massacre of October 7, and the start of the Israeli – Hamas/ Gaza War. Sharon Sanders has remained in Israel, and with a new International director Tristan & Galya Hall, and many volunteers from around the world, they have continued to reach out to the displaced, rebuild and restore homes and lives; and continued with love and mercy to encourage the elderly Holocaust survivors, immigrants from Ukraine, Russia and Ethiopia, and the believers in Israel. CFI also has a Bridal Salon in Jerusalem where they reach out to new brides and their wedding parties with gowns, attire and accessories. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.” Psalm 122:6 “Give, and you will receive..” Luke 6:38 www.cfi-canada.org

CSB Canada

It’s September. A new season of school has begun and parents are rushing to pick up those vital, last-minute school supplies. Churches are getting their children and youth programs ready for their families. Men’s groups, women’s group, and Bible studies are waiting for their turn to attract people to their ministries. CSB is doing the same. All across Canada, men and women are preparing their “Brigade” programs. Brigade? That’s short for “Christian Service Brigade”. It sounds militaristic, but it’s not. Think of is as a “fire brigade” – a small group of dedicated individuals who work to introduce others to the Lord Jesus Christ and rescue them from a world of trouble. They speak of God, the Holy Bible, and wholesome living. They add in a generous helping of fun and excitement. From boys 5 to 7 years old, and their dads, to young men of 18+, to girls ages 5 to 15, leaders are ready to launch in winning and training boys and girls for Christ. What are your children doing this fall? CSB shows kids how to live real-life, with all of its challenges, in a way that honours God, and shows them how to meet life’s challenges and keep moving forward. Life isn’t easy, but sometimes an adult can speak truth to a child that they will not hear from their parent. CSB builds wholesome friendships with Christian mentors that often last a lifetime. Pray for us. Winning and training boys and girls for Christ is a good investment. Check out CSB at www.csbcan.ca

Lighthouse Harbour Ministries

Hope for Wounded Seafarer: Jamie came into the mess room of his ship and sat down at the end of one of the dining tables, not far from where a Lighthouse chaplain was standing.  This Filipino bosun (foreman of the deck crew) seemed interested in the details of the seafarers centre that the chaplain was sharing with a few of his crew mates.  After the chaplain finished, he and Jamie had quite an extensive conversation. Jamie told the Lighthouse visitor about his early childhood, a story that revealed experiences involving significant pain.  For, when he was about three years old, his father abandoned his mother and family.  The young fellow grew up without his Dad and, at one, point was told that his father was dead.  Then, when Jamie was about seven years old, his mother died.  So, at a very young age both of his parents were no longer part of his life.  This mariner’s aunt ended up assuming the parental role for Jamie, but from his comments, it seemed like the experience was not a good one.  This seafarer’s life had experienced much hardship at a very young age and the chaplain wondered how he had managed to endure it without significant resentment. Many years after Jamie’s father left him, the seafarer learned that his father was, in fact, alive and the two were able to meet.  This bosun revealed to the chaplain that he didn’t hold his father’s abandonment of him against his father and had, amazingly, forgiven him.  A true act of grace on the seafarer’s part. The chaplain was able to share the wonderful message of the Gospel with Jamie:  the true hope that Jesus came to bring to a hurting world.  The seafarer appeared to listen to it and the chaplain prayed that he would, by God’s grace, come to truly know this eternal act of God’s grace.
Looking to shine Gospel light to hurting individuals?  Contact Lighthouse for volunteer opportunities http://www.sealight.org or 604-988-5084.

Your Compassion Transforms Lives

by Major Ruth Gillingham. As the air grows crisp and leaves begin to fall, we enter a season rich in tradition – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the many gatherings that bring warmth, food, and the joy of family. In Abbotsford, this time of year often means tables full of good things, homes aglow with laughter, and hearts filled with gratitude. But not far from these celebrations, there are others whose experience of the season is very different.
     For many in our community, fall and winter bring cold nights, empty stomachs, and painful reminders of isolation. Some are struggling with mental health, addiction, or broken relationships. Others are without stable housing, facing poverty, or living day-to-day without the basic resources most of us take for granted.
     At The Salvation Army, we believe that no one should be left outside the circle of care and compassion, especially in a season meant to reflect God’s love and generosity. And thanks to your continued support, we are able to reach out in the name of Jesus to those who need it most.
    Because of your partnership, we are providing warm meals, safe places to sleep, emotional and spiritual support, and practical help for people in crisis. Every meal or food hamper given, every coat supplied, every kind word spoken is an expression of Christ’s love in action.
    As we celebrate the season of giving, we thank you for joining us in this mission. Your generosity allows us to minister to the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – and to remind those we serve that they are not forgotten, and never alone.
    Together, we are not just meeting needs – we are extending the hope, peace, and joy that come from knowing Jesus.

Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conference 2025

Iron Sharpens Iron returns to the Lower Mainland on Saturday, November 22, 2025. “ISI” is the annual “Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Equipping Conference” that has been happening in Metro Vancouver since 2012. Even during Covid, ISI became an online conference that continued to Build Godly Men. This conference is designed for men of all ages – the man of the church (or the man stuck in the world); the husband, father, single guy; the layman, employee, ministry worker, the businessman; the pastor, church staff and volunteer; the man who just wants to assure himself to be worthy before his Lord and Saviour. The ISI conference provides opportunities for men to be “equipped” as Men of God.
Join us on Saturday, November 22 at Town+Field in Langley. Save the date in your calendar. We have our keynote speakers. David MacLean, the founder of Band of Brothers Bootcamp, will open, and Darren Young, the president of Power to Change, will close. We are busy inviting workshop hosts and ministries. It would be good to see you there. In the meantime, please pray for us. Pray for the men. Pray for the churches and for their ministries to men. Pray for the conference speakers and workshop hosts. See www.csbbc.org/isi-langley-2025 for the on-going details.

International Christian Response

Standing in Solidarity: How Canadians Can Pray and Help Persecuted Christians
By Jim Bugg, ICR Canada
Around the world, millions of Christians face persecution for their faith. In regions across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, believers risk imprisonment, violence, and even death simply for following Jesus. In Canada, we enjoy freedom to worship—yet Scripture calls us to remember those who do not: “Remember those in prison as if you were together with them… and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3). The question for Canadian Christians is not whether to respond, but how. Here are practical ways to pray, give, and stand with those who suffer for Christ.
1. Pray—Because Prayer Is Their First Request: Prayer is the most powerful response to persecution. When believers pray, they align their hearts with God’s justice and mercy. But effective prayer begins with understanding what persecuted Christians face. Organizations such as ICR Canada (International Christian Response Canada), Open Doors Canada, and Voice of the Martyrs Canada provide updates, prayer guides, and testimonies from believers who live under pressure for their faith. ICR Canada serves persecuted Christians in more than 65 countries. By working with indigenous believers and local partners, the ministry reaches communities that most outsiders cannot access. Through these trusted networks, ICR Canada provides emergency aid, discipleship, and spiritual care to those who suffer for the gospel. What sets ICR Canada apart is its deep commitment to prayer. The organization emphasizes that the number one request from persecuted Christians is not money or protection—but prayer. They long to know that fellow believers in Canada remember them and lift them before the Lord. Prayer reminds them they are not forgotten and strengthens their courage to persevere.
2. Join the International Day of Prayer (IDOP): Every year, believers unite for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP)—a global movement dedicated to interceding for those who suffer for Christ. This year, IDOP will be observed on Sunday, November 2. Canadian organizations such as ICR Canada, Open Doors Canada, and Voice of the Martyrs Canada are inviting churches nationwide to participate. On this day, congregations across Canada will dedicate time to pray for persecuted believers through focused services, small groups, and online gatherings. Churches can download free prayer resources from participating organizations to guide their worship and intercession. By participating in IDOP, Canadians fulfill the heartfelt request of persecuted Christians: “Please pray for us.” Through unified prayer, we strengthen their faith – and our own.
3. Support Ministries Serving the Persecuted: While prayer is essential, tangible support also makes a real difference. Ministries like ICR Canada work on the front lines to meet both spiritual and practical needs—providing Bibles, food, trauma care, and education to believers who have lost everything because of their faith. Because ICR Canada partners directly with local indigenous leaders, its aid reaches deep into remote regions where persecution is most intense. This local approach ensures safety, cultural understanding, and long-term impact. Canadians can become monthly donors, volunteer, or host awareness events. Even small gifts can deliver immense hope—a Bible to a secret believer, food for a displaced family, or support for a pastor in prison.
4. Advocate for Religious Freedom: Canadians also have a voice. As citizens of a free nation, we can speak up for those who cannot. Write to Members of Parliament urging them to address religious persecution in foreign policy. Share verified stories and prayer requests on social media. Encourage your church to include global persecution in teaching and worship. Proverbs 31:8–9 reminds us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Advocacy is a powerful act of love.
5. Welcome the Persecuted in Canada: Some who flee persecution find safety here in Canada. Churches can express Christ’s love by welcoming Christian refugees through sponsorship programs, housing support, and friendship. Listening to their stories connects the global and local church, reminding us that persecution is not far away—it lives among us in the faith of those who endured it.
6. Hold Fast to Hope: Amid suffering, there is hope. The persecuted church is not defeated—it is growing. Many report revival, forgiveness, and even conversions among persecutors. God’s Kingdom continues to advance where opposition is strongest. Jesus promised, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). When we pray and act for the persecuted, we join in that unstoppable work. To be a Christian in Canada is both a privilege and a calling. We are free so that we might serve those who are not. By praying, giving, advocating, and welcoming, we stand beside believers who risk everything for Christ.
On Sunday, November 2, join ICR Canada and believers across the world for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Together, let’s ensure that persecuted Christians know they are seen, loved, and never forgotten.
Get Involved
Pray: Participate in the International Day of Prayer (IDOP) on Sunday, November 2. Dedicate time in your church or home to pray for persecuted believers.
Partner: Support ministries like ICR Canada, which serves persecuted Christians in over 65 countries through local partnerships, discipleship, and prayer. Visit www.icrcanada.ca for more details.