By Anne Douglas. Alpha came to one congregation as an answer to prayer for an evangelistic Bible study. Some have made first-time commitments to Christ; others have drawn much closer to God. This is their church's most effective ministry to non-Christians. … Read more
Nothing will lead us to God
By Jonathan Dent — I had nothing to say. I felt nothing coming to mind. I was experiencing a vacuum, a void, an emptiness. Perhaps it was due to the busy-ness of the previous months. Perhaps it was because it was a lovely sunny summer day. Perhaps it was because we had just driven over 5,000 km to get where we were going. Perhaps it was the caffeine I was drinking or not drinking. In any case, I had nothing to say. Nothing to write. And upon reflection, I believe that this nothingness was the most creative … Read more
Dying for the Gospel: The Gordons of Erromanga
By Peter Bush. After the murder of his brother, George Gordon, a missionary to Erromanga in the New Hebrides, James Gordon brought his murderers a message of forgiveness. Both Gordons preferred to train islanders to spread the gospel, and by 1900, 95% of the people of Erromanga were Christians. … Read more
Encouragement – The Essence That Gives Us Buoyancy
By Esther Mcllveen. Children and adults alike blossom and grow when the atmosphere is full of encouragement — when we determine to seek to draw forth each other’s gifts and delight in them. … Read more
Why Do Churches Need Spiritual Renewal?
By Clark H. Pinnock. Our churches need to be renewed in the Spirit of God in order to be able to be what God intends them to be. If it were just to attain a euphoric spiritual high, seeking renewal would just be another form of selfism … Read more
Annual Meeting Report
By A. Donald McLeod. The remarkable growth of the movement in the past year was evidenced by attendees from all over Canada. British Columbia was strongly represented, and there were several from the Atlantic Provinces, including more clergy than before. A clergy conference was also held at Crieff: “Hope In Our Calling”, on the theme of burnout. … Read more
Revival: When Will It Come to Canada?
By George Mallone. Unlike our European parents and American sister, Canada has never had a coast-to-coast revival. Revival is first and foremost an activity of God which is initiated by Him, directed and sustained by Him, and intended solely for His glory. Revival from beginning to end is God-centered. … Read more
We Are Not Alone
J. Barry Forsyth represented the Renewal Fellowship at a meeting of renewal leaders in Washington D.C. With representatives of so many organizations present, it was evident that we are not alone in the Renewal Fellowship Within The Presbyterian Church in Canada. … Read more
Bridlewood Spiritually Gifted
By Bruce Heal. A most exciting and spiritually encouraging class was taught by our pastor Dan MacKinnon on spiritual gifts, making use of the material in Chuck Congram’s course, Understanding and Using Spiritual Gifts, and Peter Wagner’s book, Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help your Church Grow. … Read more
Executive Director’s Report
By Calvin Brown. There is always lots of work to be done, and as Jesus observed it seems like the fields are white unto harvest but the labourers are few. How happy we should be to be included in the Lord’s work! … Read more
Reformation Overview
Reviewed by Albert Bailey. This is a kit designed to help us pass on knowledge of our Reformation heritage to new generations. The compact kit has two videotapes with six half-hour segments, a Leader's Guide with suggestions for ways of developing the programs, and printed resources. … Read more
Letters
The Editor shares letters received in appreciation for the Wedding Album in the Summer ’85 issue of Channels. … Read more
Please Come Home. It Must Hurt a Lot. Don’t Look at Me. I Can’t Talk About It, by Doris Sanford
Reviewed by Elizabeth Zook. Multnomah Press has released four children’s books which attempt to deal sensitively with areas of potential childhood pain. … Read more
Worship Workshop: Does Chatter Matter?
By James Statham. Are visitors confronted with the irreverent din of chatter or can they get caught up in a sense of expectation that something significant is about to happen as God’s people quietly, prayerfully, prepare themselves for worship? … Read more



