Russ & Meredith Martin

A Grieving Child Finds Hope

"Social media is a waste of time and full of fake news and vanity," is a sentiment often relayed by well-meaning Christians.

However, for a young woman named Comfort from Ghana, social media was the entry point to the redemptive hope only found in Jesus at one of the darkest moments of her life.

Missions has always been about going where people are, and today people are online. Thus, our teams seek to be there to meet people, online, in their time of need. I (Russ) was able to personally meet Comfort on a trip to West Africa a few years ago. Watching her story will inspire you.

Most of our daily work is filled with mundane activities behind the scenes, but it is all done so that ultimately we are creating the digital pathways that enable people like Comfort to experience life change and in turn share it with others.

WBC Friends, as you watch this video, please know that the life change Comfort experienced wouldn't happen without your continued partnership in leading the next generation of digital missions.

Photos below:
- Meredith and Wyatt have a new hobby, a fish tank (and a fish)
- Father/daughter breakfast date
- Boys afternoon, ice cream and bubble tea

Charlotte Martin - Power to Change

Wallenstein, my heart rejoiced and was grateful as I read my teammate Dave's online check-in today.

"Had a meeting with other Montreal staff this morning. We were celebrating that we had about 50 students show up IN-PERSON to our Welcome night last night. SOOO FUN. I was so encouraged and motivated to be back to meeting new students face to face again."

Dave followed up by sharing that pre-COVID their team would normally expect 100+ students to come out to a welcome night, but as they re-launch in-person ministry they were thrilled that 50 students showed up.

On our campuses across Canada it has been a challenge to navigate last-minute changes to what the rules of engagement will be this fall. But another year is underway and across Canada we are seeking opportunities to involve 700 first year students and mobilize 1000 students to be on mission this school year.

Want to know how you can pray for students as the school year starts? Watch the 3 minutes video below to hear students share their prayer requests.

Many of you prayed as our Global Missions team met virtually last Wednesday to Friday. A large part of our schedule was getting relational time together. We learned more about each other's strengths through a tool called Working Genius. We laughed together as we found out random facts about each other. We studied Scripture and prayed for unreached people groups using a book called Live Dead Together.

The other part of our time was having important discussions about the way forward in global missions for P2C and brainstorming for 2022 mission trips. Thank you to those of you who stood with us in prayer. Our time together was meaningful, productive and encouraging.

Charlotte Martin

Robert & Susan - September 2021

MARTIN, ROBERT & SUSAN (Kingston, ON; Kingston Prison Ministry; MSC) PRAISE/PRAY: We are slowly beginning an “in person” presence in the federal institutions. I am scheduled to return to 4 sometime this month (September). Please pray for successful ongoing access. Chaplaincy seems to have stabilized with representation of Christian chaplains in each of the institutions. We look forward to joining them again and assisting in programs and chapel services as well as any new opportunities. Pray for Sharon and Shirley…family members of a deceased inmate. We recently gave them each a Bible encouraging them to begin reading in the gospel of John. We look forward to follow-up phone conversations with them. Pray for recently released inmates to halfway houses that connections with family and work opportunities would go smoothly and for healthy church connections as well. ... that there would be genuine acceptance and ability to feel at home with a church family.

Trevor & Hannah - September 2021

MARTIN, TREVOR & HANNAH (Waterloo, ON; Power to Change) PRAISE: For one of Hannah's Disciples, named Meredith, who was baptized on August 22. For some relief from Hannah's constant pregnancy sickness after she has received some medication, which is helping. PRAY: For navigating COVID restrictions as we enter into a new school year of ministry. For wisdom and discernment in prioritization as there are many ministry opportunities for both Trevor & Hannah.

Russ & Meredith - September 2021

MARTIN, RUSS & MEREDITH (Singapore; Power to Change/Lausanne Movement) PRAISE: Heath successfully started school and we are seeing stabilization in his skin and allergy issues. God's faithful provision of our financial support. Russ' digital audit was well received by our local church leadership team. PRAY: For all the details, especially event promotion, of our Indigitous Hackathon, happening in October, pray for 1,500 participants to register. For opportunities to share Christ with friends (N, F, N, Q) in our apartment complex. For the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and travel to resume.