Updates to Missions Hub Ministries Regarding COVID-19

In light of the current Coronavirus pandemic and in response to the Government of Ontario and Toronto Public Health changes, we have come up with the following recommendations and next steps. As the situation continues to change, so may our response.

• Prayer meetings and all gatherings will no longer be in person, but will continue online over Google Hangouts or Zoom, since we are recommending against internal in-person group meetings of any size. If it is critical to meet face to face with anyone, the Center for Disease Control recommends that people remain a minimum distance of 3 feet apart.

• To mitigate the spread of this virus, Knox has implemented social distancing measures and will not be entertaining visitors in the Missions Hub space. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, but trust that you understand this decision

  1. If you are displaying symptoms of any illness, recently returned from international travels, or been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please stay at home. Contact Telehealth Ontario or your doctor as needed if symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) appear as you monitor your health.

In doing the above, we hope to love our world by limiting the spread of the virus, not out of fear but out of love, to preserve the wellbeing and health of each other and our city. Furthermore, we desire to love each other by creating online spaces to stay remotely connected with each other and continuing to care for those who are more directly affected. Social distancing measures do not mean social isolation, if you need prayer or care, please reach out to us!In times like this, it may be hard to understand why this is happening or make sense of the chaos, but we want to encourage you to always remember that our God is still sovereign and we exhort you to continue to pray over this situation!Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.- Philippians 4:4-7

Calling all Missions Disciplers!

The Missions Hub is so excited to launch another group of Missions Disciplers in 2019!

The Missions Discipler will be trained and equipped to see what God is doing in other people within their communities, and to disciple and speak truth into their lives. The aim will be to build upon and strengthen that which is already happening in their church, campus group and the world. There will be strong components of both mentorship and learning-in-process within this role, provided by the Missions Hub. The Missions Discipler will be involved in a cause much greater than themselves as they help Christians to connect with opportunities to serve in meaningful ways. The Missions Discipler will grow in her understanding of global missions.

Key Qualities for this Position:

• A servant’s heart: Someone who thrives on supporting and building up other people / groups

• A learner’s attitude: someone who has an appreciation and growing understanding of missions

• A relationship-builder: Someone who understands Kingdom values and how to engage people in mission

• An initiative taker: Someone who can work independently and in a team; Someone who has a great capacity for juggling multiple balls and wearing multiple hats

• An individual with strong communication skills: Someone who can clearly share a vision and follow-up

• A drive to succeed : Someone with an incredible determination, commitment and passion for serving Jesus

• A leader and an influencer: Someone who knows the value of passing along what they are given

• If applying to the Student Track: A university student enrolled for the current semester who is currently committed to a campus ministry

Commitment:
10 sessions throughout the year to train with a cohort of leaders from cross Canada (using Zoom calls)

Background:

The Missions Hub exists to support and encourage Canadian Christian mission and sending around the world. Located at Knox Church, in downtown Toronto, the Missions Hub brings together students and missionaries, campus groups and missions agencies, Christian professionals and churches to work together for the Kingdom. In its first years of operation, the Missions Hub involved 30+ missions agencies and engaged thousands of students. By providing co-working space, and hosting events, trainings, prayer days, and meetings, the Missions Hub has given us an exciting glimpse of what can be accomplished when we work together in God’s Global Mission (missionshub.ca)

From that first year, it was decided that the Missions Hub would build on the passionate work that had begun by focusing very intentionally on missions discipleship. Located across from the U of T campus, we recognized the opportunity on our doorstep. Five missions agencies and one church (OMF, TEAM, SIM, AVANT, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Knox World Mission) set out to work together through the Missions Hub to collaborate with multiple other missions agencies, churches and campus groups. In 2016, the Missions Hub became devoted to partnering with campus groups, to support the growth of students and to share opportunities and resources for global missions. To date, we have collaborated with students from Intervarsity, Power to Change, Chinese Christian Fellowship, and 10+ other campus groups and churches.

The Missions Hub believes that as campus groups are deeply engaging students, they are preparing Christian students for lifelong ministry. The Missions Hub wants those students to be well-resourced in mission on their campus and in the world. Our prayer is that the Missions Hub will be a catalyst for missional engagement.

Who: Student leaders, church leaders, and lay leaders from across Canada, as recommended by their fellowship

When: 1.5 hour sessions, monthly  (usually the last Monday of the month, EST 7:30-9pm)

Where: The Missions Hub (630 Spadina Ave, Toronto) or via Zoom video calling

Cost: Free!

Application Process: https://goo.gl/forms/D5BZT2yBdpPa95T82

Applications will be evaluated soon, please apply asap to be considered.

Summer Student Internship

We are looking for a student to come on part-time for a couple of months! Are you passionate about missions, both locally and globally? Are you at U of T St. George campus? Are you interested in delving deeper into our community? Are you committed to your church and campus group? If so, please apply! We are receiving applications until Monday, May 22, 9am.Missions Hub Intern Position

Missions Hub 2016 Annual Report

2016 was a wonderful year for the Missions Hub. We saw collaboration deepening between Missions groups, campus Ministries and local Churches. It was exciting to see God at work as 100's of people attended collaborative Missions Hub events, meetings, prayer day's and training seminars. Please have a look at our 2016 Annual report for more information.Click here for the full report: 2016 Missions Hub Report-2

Alpha Collaboration: Planting the seeds...

The Missions Hub is excited to be sparking collaboration between mission groups, campus ministries and the local Church. As part of this, we were thrilled to bring together campus ministry leaders, Knox Church pastoral staff and Alpha Canada's National Director of Campus Ministries to explore how these groups can work together to bring Alpha to the U of T campus. We love what we do!

Perspectives Course: 1 Week Intensive from Feb. 17 - 24th, 2017

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The Missions Hub was overjoyed to host a 1 week intensive Perspectives course from February 17-24th.  Perspectives is a dynamic discipleship course, focused on helping Christians to consider their Missional calling as they explore what God is doing around the world.  Excellent instructors from across Ontario traveled to Toronto to teach this course to 34 participants. Over 75% of the participants were under 35 and most of them were university aged!     For more information on Perspectives please Click Here or email chez@missionshub.ca

Missions Hub Christmas Letter & Update

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Looking back on the year that was with the Missions Hub, we are so thankful for how God has been at work in and through our community.  It has been an exciting year with great collaborative events like Discerning Your Call, Why Commit Your Life to Christian Mission, & Internship Extravaganza.  This year we have also welcomed Chez Johnson to be the new Missions Hub Mobilization Coordinator.  In this unique role, funded by 5 Missions agencies and Knox Church, Chez is working to mobilize students at the University of Toronto for Missions.  It is exciting work, and we are grateful to be seeing fruit.  Thank you so much for being part of the Missions Hub.  We look forward to continuing to work together in 2017 and beyond.Click here to see the complete update:  Missions Hub Christmas Letter & Update

Tom is honoured by the Governor General!

Did you know that before starting the Missions Hub,  Tom Affleck founded a not-4-profit called SchoolBOX, which helps 17,000 kids a year receive a basic education in Nicaragua?  He will be in Ottawa this weekend to receive a prestigious Governor General's award. We celebrate with him over what God has done!We are so proud of you, Tom!Read more here!

Pray for Students, the Campus, and the World!

Friday at 9am is a beautiful time at the Missions Hub. We get to welcome students from several campus groups and pray altogether.  Please pray for us; that unity in Christ would abound in these sweet times of fellowship; & that the Lord would call many to the harvest!We love these campus groups and students! Thank you for prayerfully loving them with us. 

We invite you on September 25th!

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We are excited to invite you to our upcoming event, Why Commit Your Life to Christian Mission? This panel discussion will feature dynamic panelists from a variety of professional backgrounds, and focus on some of the biggest questions related to full time service. Please "like" us on Facebook, RSVP and invite friends! We look forward to seeing you there!If you have any questions regarding the event, please send them to chez@missionshub.ca . 

Missions Hub Fall E-newsletter

Here is the link for our Fall e-newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/cfC8gzIt gives a high level overview of what's happening in the Missions Hub including; upcoming events, a new staff member, a new Facebook page and more.   Please have a look, and be sure to be in touch if you have any suggestions, ideas or feedback.  We are so grateful to see how God is working in and through the Missions Hub in this exciting season.Please do keep the Missions Hub in your prayers.

Mobilizers Day of Prayer

On September 7th, mobilizers from 11 missions agencies gathered together for a day of prayer.  Hosted by the Missions Hub and led / organized by Tony Vanderlaan (Avant), the day focused on praying for the wider Church, our respective Missions agencies, Bible Colleges and mobilization efforts.  It was a wonderful day and a great sign of growing unity in the body of Christ.

Introducing Chez

The Missions Hub is very grateful to welcome Chez Johnson as our new Mobilization Coordinator. Chez is a truly passionate champion for missions. As you will read in her letter, Chez has recently returned from serving for 2 years in Africa. In this new role, Chez will be mobilizing people on campus and in downtown Toronto for global missions. Please pray for Chez as she embarks on this exciting work. The Missions Mobilizer position is being funded in equal parts by Avant, OMF, SIM, TEAM, Wycliffe and KWM. If you are interested in getting more involved in Global missions or the Missions Hub, please feel free to contact Chez at chez@missionshub.ca . The following is a letter of introduction from Chez.Introductory letter from Chez 

Mobilizers Roundtable Discussion

Mobilizing in today’s world is a challenge.  Evangelical Christianity is being pushed into the margins of our society and it can be very difficult to find and engage Christians who would consider serving long-term in Missions.  The challenge is made more complex by the fact that we have so few people focused on mobilization in such a massive country like Canada.  It is the norm to meet with individual mobilizers who are responsible for vast geographical regions – sometimes all of Canada!On May 16th, the Missions Hub hosted a Roundtable Discussion with 30 mobilizers from 20 Missions agencies participating.  Fruitful discussions, led by Matthew Gibbons of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, were had around such themes as 'how to effectively communicate missions opportunities; how to engage Millenials; how to collaborate effectively and much more.  A report on the findings can be found below: Missions Mobilizer Roundtable Report 

MISSIONS HUB JOB POSTING: MOBILIZATION COORDINATOR

We want to build on the passionate work that is happening at the Missions Hub by focusing very intentionally on mobilization. We recognize the opportunity on our doorstep-­‐‑-­‐‑ 700,000 people live in downtown Toronto. The largest age group is between 25 – 34 years old. 58,000 students are enrolled in the University of Toronto St. George, located literally across the street from the Mission Hub. 5 Missions agencies and one Church, working together through the Missions Hub, see the amazing Kingdom potential here and are resourcing the creation of the ‘Missions Hub Mobilization Coordinator’. Do you or someone you know have the experience, faith and gifts to make the Missions Hub a bustling center for mobilization in downtown Toronto? Does the idea of this job get your passion for serving Jesus and working for God’s Kingdom really flowing? Can you demonstrate how you have taken an entrepreneurial approach to your Kingdom work? Are you a creative leader with a heart for students? If so, we would love you to apply to be the Missions Hub Mobilization Coordinator.PLEASE SEE THE JOB DESCRIPTION HERE: Mobilization Coordinator, MH, Job Description

Missions Hub Pilot Report....

Just over a year ago, the Missions Hub Pilot launched here at Knox Church.  Our vision was to support and encourage Christian Missionaries and Mission in downtown Toronto.  In partnership with TEAM, and working alongside Avant, MECO, LAM and OM we officially opened the doors of the Missions Hub in February 2016.  We longed to see the Missions Hub as a catalyst for collaboration, bringing together the Missions agencies and missionaries for the Kingdom.It has been amazing to see how God has worked in and through the Missions Hub.  31 Missions agencies and hundreds of Missions workers have taken part in the Missions Hub collaborative office space, events or meetings.  We are truly grateful to God, and to each of you.The following report provides a highly visual summary of the results of the Missions Hub pilot.Missions Hub Report-2 

Discerning Your Call, February 20th

120 people gathered for Discerning Your Call on February 20th.  This exciting and innovative event brought together 40 seasoned missionaries and 80 young people aspiring to get more involved in Missions.  13 Missions organizations worked together through the Missions Hub to host Discerning Your Call.  The event was designed to support people who had attended Urbana or P2C+ and made a commitment to get more involved in Missions.  Thank God, the event proved to be very encouraging.  We are exploring the potential of hosting other Discerning Your Call events in the future.  Thank you so much to everyone who supported or took part!

University of Toronto 'Missions Week'

2016 marked an exciting new beginning with Missions on CampusThe University of Toronto Missions Week, branded as The Relevant Series (relevantseries.com), took place from Jan 18th - 22nd.  The Relevant Series included 15 speaking events, and represented an exciting collaboration of 10+ campus missions groups and even more local Churches.  Each morning, the Missions Hub, Knox Church and our partner Missions agencies hosted a breakfast for between 25-45 leaders of the Relevant Series.  It was wonderfully encouraging to support these passionate Christian students.  A big thanks to TEAM, Interserve, New Tribes Mission, MECO and Knox Young Adults for providing the breakfasts. 

Engage! Training: Jan. 20th, 'Making presentations & Raising (Personal) Support

Missions workers face many daunting tasks.  Yet few tasks seem to evoke as much anxiety and stress as making presentations and raising (personal) support.  As part of our ongoing efforts to support workers in the GTA, we hosted a free day long training on January 20th to help equip workers for this important work.  33 missions workers from 15 agencies took part in the training.  It was a great time of equipping and encouragement.Arnie Adkison, who spearheads Global Resource development for TEAM international, facilitated the training on ‘Making Presentations and Raising (Personal) Support’.  Arnie travelled to Toronto from his home in Texas to lead this Engage! training. 

Your Work, God's Way

What a gift it was to join together with representatives from 9 missions agencies to host 'Your Work, God's Way' on Saturday, Oct. 17th.  People from all over the GTA gathered for this exciting event, which was organized in partnership with the Missions Hub.  Well respected speakers Patrick Fung (OMF International Director), Jamie Taylor (OMF Consulting Director and Great-Great Grandson of Hudson Taylor) and Minho Song (Senior Minister, YoungNak Church) shared messages on the importance of Missions.  Participants were able to explore resources and talk to missionaries about the 6 ways to get involved in Missions- Pray, Go, Send, Mobilize, Learn, & Welcome.Thank God is was such a wonderful event.  It is beautiful to see what can happen when Missions groups come together to serve God.