Radiant Life Outreach – Campbell River Baptist Church
In October 2018, CRBC took over the ministry at Radiant Life Outreach, so I have been bringing leadership to the ministry for 6 months now. Time sure does fly by!!
For those six months, there have been many peaks and some hurdles as I have learned to lean on others for wisdom in the things that I don’t know anything about. God is faithful and has seen us through each and every trial.
We have offered Sunday morning services each and every Sunday. We have the coffee on at 9am and our service starts at 10am. This gives us an opportunity to connect with visitors and an opportunity for those who slept outside to come in and grab a coffee and a pastry. Our worship leaders have come from local churches and we currently have our music schedule covered each week. However, we are always looking for people who want to be added and use their musical gifts at RL!
Our sermon series have included “The Church on Mission,” “Advent Series,” and “Jonah: God’s Relentless Grace.” This past week, we also started a small group that meets Wednesday nights to help us build community, fellowship, and grow in Christ.
We had our first baptism this past week. Check out our facebook page next week for the baptism video!! God is so good!
I have also officiated three funerals with people connected at RL. It was a great privilege to be able to walk with the families through those difficult times.
Serving CR’s Most Vulnerable
Radiant Life is also a place for CR’s most vulnerable citizens to come, find community, hope, a warm meal, and dry clothes. We have the privilege to walk with with each of them on their journey. RL serves meals on Sundays for lunch and every holiday lunch (60-90 each meal). We have served over 1800 meals since October.
We also provide our building so that our partners in this ministry can also serve meals. The United Church serves meals on Saturday at lunch and Grass Roots Kind Hearts organizes suppers 7 nights a week in our building. The Catholic Church, Discovery Church, Vineyard Church, and the Anglican Church all take turns helping through GRKH. Therefore, nine separate meals a week are offered out of our building. It can be quite the logistical juggling act to coordinate everything. They are all great partners.
Another way that we serve the downtown is to offer a clothes closet that depends 100% on donations. We have even received donations of mitts and toques from as far away as Nova Scotia. We have shoes, socks, underwear, pants, shorts, shirts, sweaters, jackets, blankets, razors, toothpaste, tooth brushes and other hygiene products. Most of our guests who use the clothes closet are homeless or near homeless. We just started recording the number of items that we give out each day, so look forward to more detailed information in coming updates. You would be amazed at the need for socks!!
Lastly, RL is a place where we can advocate for those who need help. I have had the privilege to serve on the leadership team for the CR Coalition to end Homelessness. We have been advocating for a supported housing project for the homeless for some time. Praise the Lord, the City of Campbell River just announced they have reached an agreement with BC Housing to build a 50 unit building with all of the supports for the homeless. This is badly needed and we look forward to the shovels hitting the ground and for our friends to find a home.
Also, we had the opportunity to advocate for one of our regular guests who had been staying at the shelter and eating at RL, and he has been in the new M’Akola housing project for the last few months. Another answer to prayer.
We have had the glorious opportunity to have a front row seat to watch God impact so many lives already. I can say that Jesus has changed my heart so much that I truly love the people we get to walk with each day.
There have been so many volunteers to make it all possible (and always room for more). We also have many community partners including restaurants, bakeries, City of Campbell River, local and far off churches, other non profit service providers, and regular citizens of CR.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for us:
1. For Jesus to continue to change hearts and lives with our friends downtown.
2. As we seek direction and guidance as to what Jesus has for us in the downtown core. 3. As we seek to be a transforming presence in the downtown.
4. For ongoing funding for our 2019 ministry year.
5. For Funding for our Gas Stove Project.
6. For Time to finish our website stay tuned.
Thank you for partnering with us to serve the CR downtown. Your prayers and support are truly needed and making a big and lasting difference.
Blessings,
Adrian Moskal
Community and Outreach Pastor Radiant Life Outreach