Faith@work Forum 2002: group reports

index

Faith@work Forum 2002: group reports

The Faith@work Forum is a co-operative effort of
          The Christian Commitment Research Institute,
          The Ottawa Canadian Chinese Christian Professional Fellowship and
          The Public Service Christian Fellowship.

reports were submitted by the following groups:
Chinese Entrepreneur Association
Christian Commitment Research Institute
Cognos Inc.
Downtown Ottawa prayer group
Fellowship of Christian Engineers and Technologists
Health Canada
The Military Christian Fellowship of Canada
Nortel Mandarin Fellowship
Ottawa Canadian Chinese Christian Professional Fellowship
Statistics Canada
Telesat Canada
University of Ottawa Christian Book Group
University of Ottawa English Study Fellowship, and Evangelism Fellowship for Chinese Students

Chinese Entrepreneur Association (CEA): http://www.ceaa.org

meetings:
The Ottawa group usually has a fellowship/prayer meeting on the first Sunday evening of every month. There is usually a devotion led by one of our members followed by sharing. We end with prayers for one another. We also have occasional special events. Sometimes they are co-sponsored with other groups. These events with special speakers usually will relate to the running of a business by a Christian presenter.

contact person:
Fay Chao, phone 563-4850, e-mail: yenling@canada.com

Praise:

that many brothers and sisters interested in business are encouraged by our meetings

a couple that has moved to Toronto are enthusiastically trying to start a CEA chapter in Toronto and we have a core group there now.

that CEA has a full time executive director as of September 1 (based in Boston)

Prayer

that God will move more Christians to dedicate their business to God

that God will provide us with more resource people who are willing to help these new Christian businesses

that we will be able to formerly launch a Toronto chapter soon

that we will be able to form a CEA Canada board to start the process for registration as a non-profit organization in Canada. (CEA is now registered in the US. We have 6 US chapters, 1 Canadian chapter and 1 chpater in Hong Kong).

Christian Commitment Research Institute (CCRI)
This group was formed in late 2000 by Dr. Frank Jones, a senior analyst at Statistics Canada. It's purposes are to explore and encourage Christian commitment: to increase understanding and awareness of the nature, causes and consequences of Christian commitment in Canada; and to teach Christian basics, evaluate effectiveness, and promote Christian commitment using new or enhanced teaching resources and follow-up support and evaluation procedures.

contact person:
Frank Jones, phone 722-2385, e-mail fjones@uottawa.ca (Director of Research)
Gord Walford, phone 951-3663, e-mail gord.walford@sympatico.ca (Director of Communications)
Promise Sanipe, phone 951-0274, e-mail promise.sanipe@sympatico.ca (leader of Faith@work initiative)

Praise:

this conference, especially the presence of many from the private sector

thanks that God sent Don Page to speak to us

Prayer:

that God would provide people fluent in French to help with translation of material for publication on the websites of CCRI and the Public Service Christian Fellowship

Cognos Inc.
Formed in late September of 2001, the group at Cognos hosts a weekly lunchtime discussion on topics found in the Serendipity Bible. So far we've made it through three complete topics and some side topics.

meetings:
every Wednesday, 12:00-1:00 pm, within Cognos headquarters, 3755 Riverside Dr. We also tend to shut down when I take long vacations in the summer :).

contact person:
David Lockie, phone 738-1338 ext. 3726, e-mail david.lockie@cognos.com

Praise:

There is a core of about 6 people who attend our study regularly.

We've had as few as two and as many as 14.

There are also other Christians around our workplace.

Our Bible Study crosses many denominations and cultural backgrounds.

Prayer:

I haven't sent out a company-wide invitation. I sent out an email company-wide in Sept. 2001 to see if there was an existing Bible Study at Cognos. "Members" have invited co-workers as they feel led. Pray that our group will grow.

Also, please pray for guidance.

Downtown Ottawa prayer group - non-denominational

note that this group is different from the Parliament Hill group involving Diane Scharf, although Diane does come to our downtown group;

meetings:
every day from noon to one p.m. at St.Andrew's Presbyterian church at 82 Kent (between Sparks and Wellington); group focuses on intercessory prayer. Once inside the building, ask staff for directions to the prayer room

contact person:
Andrew Floreani, phone 954-5570, e-mail floreani.andrew@ic.gc.ca

Praise:

extremely grateful to God for many, many answered prayers, His encouragement and how He is adding to our numbers and knitting us closer together

Prayer:

that our group continues in His will

that we will be a beacon of light and salt to many inside and outside the fellowship

that we will continue to see answers to prayers

that group members will grow strong in His Spirit

Fellowship of Christian Engineers and Technologists (FCET) http://www.fcet.org/
We are a loosely knit group of individuals, who are either interested in, or actively involved in, areas of technology and/or engineering. Our purpose, as stated from our website, is "to encourage Christian engineers and technologists in their walk of faith with the Lord, as well as to assist in the promotion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the workplace." Membership is free and happens through the internet. FCET publishes Instructions to Glory (via the internet), has a place to publically "stand up for Christ" (via the internet) and is seeking for ways to get people involved in terms of home meetings and/or workplace sponsored fellowship meetings. FCET was formed in January of 1998 and includes individuals from at least 24 different countries, including Australia, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and North America. FCET will be offering enhanced services from its website with the release of its newest website, projected for the fall of 2002. For more information, individuals are encouraged to sign up for their free membership and stay tuned!

contact person:
Danny Parkes, admin@fcet.org

Praise:

for countless messages of encouragement and praise received from members around the world.

for the technology to be able to "reach in" to the office area via internet and positively impact the lives of many for the sake of the gospel.

for reports that pastors are using the resources published.

Prayer:

that God would use FCET to make a global impact in areas of engineering and technology.

that God would release this ministry to its fullest potential and that we would see literally tens of thousands impacted around the world.

also for the establishment and/or the facilitating of home groups.

Health Canada
Our weekly Bible Study/fellowship group has been meeting for 9 years now. Currently we are a multicultural group of seven. The Bible is our teaching material. Lately we are studying the letters of Paul, sharing insights and applications for our lives today.

meetings:
every Tuesday at 12:00 Noon, Room 1501A, Jeanne Mance Building, Tunney's Pasture.

contact person:
Linda Choquette, phone 954-2165, e-mail linda.choquette@hc-sc.gc.ca

Praise:
our groups' emphasis that "ye must be born again" is always the guiding light and backbone of our discussions and studies.

Prayer:
our Dept is moving some people to Colonnade Road, and we have already "lost" one member that way. Please pray that the Christians moving to Colonnade Road can start a good Bible study/fellowship group and that the Jeanne Mance Building group will continue strong.

The Military Christian Fellowship of Canada (MCF)
The MCF of Canada is a group of men and women in the military community (uniformed members, families, civilian members of DND, and retired members) who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour and subscribe to the MCF basis of belief*. The objectives of the MCF are as follows:

to lead men and women in the military community to commit their lives to Jesus Christ;

to assist and encourage men and women in the military community to grow in their Christian faith;

to support the Chaplains and the Chapel Program.

meetings:
Currently within the National Capital Region there are two Bibles studies running - one in the Louis St Laurent Building in Hull (Wednesdays at noon, studying the book of Mark), and the other in the main Headquarters Building 101 Colonel By Drive (Tuesdays at noon, studying the book of Job). Approximately 25 people are actively engaged in the two Bible studies. Last winter and spring NDHQ Chaplain Gabriel Legault ran an ALPHA course within the main Headquarters building. He has since been posted out of the area, however, it is anticipated that his relief will commence another ALPHA study during the upcoming winter/spring 03.

contact persons:
Cdr RW Jones, DMSS 4, phone (819) 997-9348, e-mail Jones.RW@forces.ca
MCF Contacts for the National Capital Region Bible Studies are as follows:
NDHQ ALPHA Course - Captain Jay Janzen, phone 945-0283, e-mail Janzen.JH@forces.ca
Louis St Laurent Bible Study - Lieutenant Commander Dave Peer, phone 994-8646, e-mail Peer.DB@forces.ca
Main NDHQ Building Bible Study, 101 Colonel By Drive - Mr Chris Currie, phone 996-0199, e-mail Currie.JC@forces.ca

Prayer:

Our soldiers, sailors, air personnel deployed around the world and their families here at home

Our Chaplains

Military Christians would come forward to commence Bible studies in the various bases and stations across Canada and around the world;

The NDHQ Alpha Course would commence in the New Year

Nortel Mandarin Fellowship
Formed at the early of year 2000 after a quarter year long prayers together with half dozens brothers and sisters. We have weekly Tuesday lunch time gathering with the objective to evangelize Mandarin speaking people and be a bridge between unbelievers and churches. We use several Bible study programs, gospel video, free discussion, potluck lunch, etc., a variety of ways to conduct the meetings. We believe it's important to establish friendship between seekers and Christians. It's about 10 to 15 attendance every week.

We also enjoy the bi-weekly prayer meeting every other Monday lunch time, to fellowship with each other in Lord, to encourage each other and to support each other. Praying for our seeker friends is also a major item. The prayer meeting have average 5 to 6 brothers and sisters.

meetings:
lunch times. Every Tuesday, Carling site for general gathering, Every other Monday for prayer meeting.

contact persons:
Jinsong Yu, phone 763-9557, e-mail jsyu@nortelnetworks.com
Yu Zhong, phone 765-1936, e-mail yuzhong@nortelnetworks.com

Praise:

that about half a dozen seekers attend regular church Sunday services because of this group.

that recently we have a couple of new believers from our group. God is changing people's heart and giving them faith upon Him.

Prayer:

for the new believers that Lord with strengthen their faith in their family, work place, church life as well

that Lord will give us good fellowship within fellow Christians.

that Lord will encourage more brothers and sisters to join this work place services

that Lord will bring more people to Himself through us.

that Christians will be salt and light in such a bad economical atmosphere.

Ottawa Canadian Chinese Christian Professional Fellowship (OCCCPF)
The OCCCPF was formed in the early 90s to network Chinese Christian Professionals to witness for Christ in the workplace and in the community. The OCCCPF seeks to CONNECT Christian professionals of different churches together, to CHALLENGE and SUPPORT each other by providing activities that will help them to BECOME more effective Christians in their professional and private lives in order to IMPACT their homes, workplace and community.

meetings:
Our theme for the past two years is on leadership. We meet occasionally to address different aspects of biblical leadership at different churches. In view of the recent waves of lay-offs, we also organized job-transition seminars to meet the felt needs of people. The Faith@work forum is conceptualized as part of our attempt to connect Christians to be effective in our workplace.

contact person:
Edward Ng, phone 228-9108, e-mail edward_ng633@yahoo.ca

Praise:

that our past events have been very spirit-filled and life-touching

that we have a wonderful God-centered national conference held in Calgary this past Aug.

Prayer:

that we will be adjusting our path to move brothers and sisters along the way of God.

that we will have a preparation in arranging for Dr. Richard Blackaby to come and make an impact among the church leaders in Ottawa next February.

that God will raise up a group of dedicated Christians to continue the good work (B/S are very busy with church ministries, and thus OCCCPF operates with minimal human resources. Thus, out of our limitation, we experience God��s superb provision and enouragement.

Statistics Canada
The first group started in 1974, and was one of the earliest participants in the Public Service Christian Fellowship.

meetings/contacts:
(Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa)
Tuesday noon English bible study, R.H.Coats Building, 23rd floor section A, conference room B
     Gord Walford, phone 951-3663, e-mail gord.walford@statcan.ca
     Brad Thomas, phone 951-4695, e-mail brad.thomas@statcan.ca
Wednesday noon English bible study, Jean Talon Building, 9th floor, conference room E
     Willa Peters-Langlois, phone 951-5830, e-mail willa.peters-langlois@statcan.ca
     Ola Ogini, phone 951-6376, e-mail ola.ogini@statcan.ca
Wednesday noon French bible study, R.H.Coats 2nd Floor, Library Conference Room
     Michel Savard, phone 951-3175, e-mail michel.savard@statcan.ca
Thursday noon video series, Statistics Canada Library, R.H.Coats 2nd Floor, Library Conference Room
     Promise Sanipe, phone 951- 0274, e-mail promise.sanipe@statcan.ca
     Robert West, phone 951-7116, e-mail robert.west@statcan.ca

Praise:

Number of activities quadrupled in last 2-3 years, from one to four groups; also attendance grew exponentially in the last two years

Expanded from group that operated in English to groups operating in both official languages in 2000

Expanded from RHC to JT in 2000

Regular participation by folk from many cultures, including Anglophone, Francophone, African, East Asian, and East Indian etc.

Participation by non-STC people at various times: Health Canada, Indian Affairs and Northern Development, HRDC, Justice Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Agriculture Canada

Went from advertising through small notices on bulletin boards to participation in STC-sponsored "club fairs" (now known as Connexion) and a presence on the intranet and the worldwide web

Went from use of printed material to that plus audio-visual material (video series on different topics in both official languages)

Some of the leaders from the various groups have formed a research institute (CCRI) that publishes research papers that explore the effect of religious commitment. Much of this research is carried out using Statistics Canada survey data, thereby enhancing STC�s profile within the faith community.

STC people have taken lead in keeping the PSCF alive through its web presence and co-operation in events like the Faith@work Forum

Prayer:

That we would continue to serve God at Stats Canada

That STC employees would know of our presence

That if the Lord wills it we would find a way to get a spiritual component into the STC corporate Wellness Initiative

Telesat Canada
Formed in early September of 2002, Telesat Canada hosts a bi-weekly lunchtime discussion on life issues, with nourishment from the written Word of God as guided by Eugene Peterson's devotional book "His Unfolding Grace".

meetings:
every second Wednesday, 12:00-1:00 pm, within Telesat Canada headquarters, 1601 Telesat Court.

contact person:
Matt Wuhr, 748-8700 ext. 2303, m.wuhr@telesat.ca

Praise:
There is a core of about 6 people who attend our fellowship on a regular basis. There are many other Christian-oriented people around our workplace. The 500-person company is very family oriented, and represents a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Prayer:
We have not posted any company-wide ads, yet. We are awaiting "critical mass". Every 6 weeks (i.e. every 3rd study), an email is sent to a wider distribution list (30+ people) who we have recognized as having Church interest, yet they do not feel inclined toward attending. Around this particular workplace, the spiritual climate is lukewarm. Pray that our group will grow.
Also, please pray for what we will next begin, following completion of our present study. We may stay on the theme of life issues, using "The Bible Promise Book" by Barbour Publishing, or we may adopt "Doing Business God's Way" a 20-week Bible study on the workplace published by CBMC Canada (Christian Business Men's Committee).

University of Ottawa Christian Book Group
This group formed about ten years ago. It consists of professors, students and others.

meetings:
It meets Tuesdays at the Father and Sons restaurant (112 Osgood St., at King Edward), upper room, 8:00 to 9:30 am, September to July. After informal discussions and grace before breakfast, one of the members discusses a chapter of the book under review. Attendance ranges from eight to sixteen or so, mostly orthodox Anglicans, Roman Catholics and evangelicals. Recent books discussed include The City of God, The Abolition of Man, Intelligent Design, The Religious Affections, and the Apologia. We have just begun Jeremy Taylor, Selected Works. Anyone is welcome to drop in - you do not have to be associated with the university.

contact person:
Frank Jones, phone 722-2385, e-mail fjones@uottawa.ca

Praise:
Since I joined two years ago, I have appreciated most the stimulating discussions, the fellowship and the after-club associations with sincere Christians that would not otherwise have developed.

University of Ottawa English Study Fellowship, and Evangelism Fellowship for Chinese Students
This fellowship of students, plus some others, formed in January, 2002, with the purpose of helping the Chinese to improve their English using the Bible and related resources, and to introduce the basics of the Christian Faith. Both Christians and non-Christians are welcome to attend, and almost equal numbers of each group are represented. The fellowship is led by two (Chinese) students, and an (English) adjunct professor. The leaders pray before each meeting. The Chinese-English leadership works extremely well. Resources used include the Gideons' New Testament, The Parenting Bible, The Spiritual Formation Bible, The Promise Book, and The Book of Hope, an introduction to Christian faith, supplied by Palm Tree Ministries. Attendance averages about six to eight.

meetings:
The group meets Mondays and Tuesdays, 11:30 to 13:00, September to July, and now at St Albans Church, 454 King Edward Street, Ottawa. Meetings feature impromptu talks, reading from the Bible or Book of Hope, listening to the Bible on tape, discussion of Bible promises, debates and business meetings.

contact persons:
Kevin Cheng, e-mail kevincheng2000@yahoo.com
Liping Zhang, e-mail zhanglp1998@yahoo.com
Frank Jones, e-mail fjones@uottawa.ca

Praise:
The meetings are enjoyable for all and our follow-up surveys show that most find the Bible a useful focus for learning English, and experience the presence of God during the meetings. An evangelical fellowship for new Christians meets before the Monday class with the aim of deepening and applying Christian commitment. The main text used is The Master Plan of Evangelism, by Robert Coleman. Outings and special events are held each term: a Gatineau hike, visit to Salem Storehouse, and Chinese New Year celebration, for example. Notes have been developed on what works and what does not work in each of the 60 or more meetings held so far this year. One similar group has also formed, and is under the leadership of Mike Linnen, Youth Pastor, Eastgate Alliance Church. Two students have committed their lives to Christ so far, and at least two others have taken the additional step of becoming baptised.