It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!

My last week at Kaleo before Christmas was filled with homework and fun! I spent the week working on a field Ed paper, as well as a Church Ministry paper. The church ministry paper was about women in ministry. I found it interesting to dig into this controversial issue, and pull out the truth. Our professor, David Ernst encouraged us to go into this paper with an open ind, not a set opinion. I enjoyed having this mindset because it allowed me to have an unbiased attitude towards my findings. I am currently sitting in the Edmonton air port, waiting for my delayed flight, thi kking back to fond memories made while at Kaleo this semester. I can think back to Strathcona, where we were all just getting to know each-other while hiking up Mt. Albert Edward. What a crazy adventure! I remember enjoying the amazing beauty of British COlumbia thatw was still so new to me. Then there was SALTS, what a crazy experience that was. This was a challenging out trip for me because I was not feeling well but looking back I can remember key bonding moments during the trip with man y of the other Kaleo students. My favorite trip of all was definitely the surf trip. This was my favorites trip because by this time, I ha gotten to know everyone and it was like going on a sweet adventure with twenty  eight of your closest friends, as opposed to people that you don't know. I also loved being in the ocean during this trip and enjoying God's amazing creation! Such an amazing experience. The small church we stayed in in Uclulet was a special place too, full of special memories. I also really enjoyed the classes that we have taken this semester. Spiritual formation started this year off with a bang! I loved hearing Marv Penner share his wisdom and experiences with us as we journeyed through that course. Then of course there was Hermeneutics with Merrill Duck. I loved diving into the word during this class and searching for truth and meaning. THis was also such an awesome blessing. Then came Old Testament, what a class that was! I loved our group project of making a film of the Old Testament main events. Doing this truly brought our group close together in so many ways, and we are left with such a cool video! Las we took the Church Ministry course, and this one was definitely dear to my heart. God really used this course to teach me lots about the church ministry and how much he loves his church. I can often get annoyed with the way that we try to run our churches in North America but I was reminded that God loves his church as it is his bride. The relationship between GOd and the church is a model for a husband and wife relationship. I love that! t the beginning of the semester Jimcompared Kaleo to a bunch of rocks rubbing off each other and molding each other. I have definitely seen this unfolding in myself and in my classmates. God is working in us. He has big plans for semester two! Merry Christmas!!!!

Foundations of the church!

This past week, we took a course called, "The Foundations of the Church Ministry." I absolutely loved this course! It was incredibly informative, and I feel so much more informed about how I can contribute to Christ's church and be part of the solution for a healthier church. Our professor's name was David Ernst, he himself had spent ten years as a pastor in the church ministry, so he had tons of stories and experience to share with us. One day, we had a panel of pastors and their wives come in to share their experiences and opinions about the church. I totally enjoyed their insights and honesty. This was so helpful as we as Kaleo students begin to contribute to God's church ministry in a big way. One of the biggest things that my eyes were opened to is the fact that God has given us the church as a vehicle to spread his word. It is kind of like a tool, and God gave us a special design to follow in our churches! Its important to stick closely to that design as we strive to change to adapt the times and be seeker sensitive. I really enjoyed being poured into this week and soaking in this class! It was a real blessing and I truly believe it has changed my view of Christ's church, and of individual church organizations all over the world. I am preparing to go home on Saturday December 5th, and its beginning to sink in that I am actually going home. I am going to miss this place SO much! But am looking forward to coming back in January with great stories of what God teaches me as I head home! God bless!