Acts of Grace Foundation

Happy Easter! What a precious gift of salvation and eternal life that Jesus gives us through His death and resurrection! Our hope is in His saving grace, poured out for all people and in the promise of His return! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Happy New Year from Acts of Grace Foundation! We look ahead to 2021 with great anticipation of how God will work in this new year. May we glorify Him in all we do and say in 2021 and always. As a reminder, Acts of Grace will not open a granting cycle in January as in years past. Please continue to check our website for updates about changes to our granting process and guidelines for 2021. (www.actsofgrace.ca)

Merry Christmas! May today be full of moments that cause us to pause and wonder at the amazing gift of Christ Jesus, Messiah, God's own Son become flesh, Immanuel, God With Us. May our celebrations honour and adore Him above all, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May our hearts seek only after Him and may our lives be transformed by His saving grace. May the world know Jesus so that one day, every tribe and nation will praise Him together at the throne of God. Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful https://youtu.be/b-xFsNx-HO4

In this final week of Advent, we consider Love. May God's never-ending love for all humanity renew our relationships and restore our brokenness this Christmas. May the sacrificial love of Jesus for each of us, cause us to love unconditionally and in great measure. May the world know us as light and love , seeing Jesus in all we say and do, for God is Love. And may our love for Christ Jesus motivate us to serve and follow Him to the ends of the earth, just as the Magi pursued Him so long ago. Hymn: The First Noel https://youtu.be/D5uud2fjtoo

As we begin the third week of Advent, we consider Joy. May we encounter Jesus with awe-filled joy this Christmas, just as the shepherds did on that night so long ago. May joy, given of the Holy Spirit, pervade our words and actions, causing us to bring glory and praise to God in all situations. And may we fervently tell others the Good News of Jesus' gift of eternal life so that all who hear will know God, who is our Joy and Delight. Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High https://youtu.be/1JqzsJoDjSQ

On this second Sunday of Advent, we consider Peace. Like Mary and Joseph so long ago, may God's good and sovereign plan for our life bring His peace to our days. May the Prince of Peace, Jesus, reign in your hearts through all of life's circumstances. And in this busy holiday season, just as the angels were that very first Christmas, may we be Christ's instruments of peace to a hurting world. Hymn: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear https://youtu.be/BMbzfTpnW7U

And that wraps up our #CharitySpotlight series. We trust you have enjoyed learning about our charity partners from the last 5 years. On this #GivingTuesday, we want to thank all of those who give so tirelessly to these various ministries and organizations to serve the world's marginalized. We are humbled to partner with each of these charities as they work to eradicate the systems and conditions that entrench physical, material and spiritual poverty in Canada and around the world. To learn more about Acts of Grace Foundation: www.actsofgrace.ca #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: 541 - Eatery & Exchange. "541" is a cafe that believes everyone deserves access to good food, choice, dignity and community. 541 addresses food insecurity in Hamilton's Barton Street neighbourhood by providing home-made food at prices most people can afford. Paying customers are offered the opportunity to 'pay it forward' for others, using 541's button system. Each button costs $1 and anyone may redeem up to five buttons daily towards anything on th...e menu. 541's customers are from all walks of life, eating from the same menu in a beautiful welcoming space, however they pay. 541 believes there is dignity in choice, and that eating together fosters a diverse community of belonging around the table. 541 uses its space and proceeds from food sales to act as a community hub, hosting free community groups and youth programming such as a homework club, weekly Bible studies, summer camps, men's drop in, a mom's group, a kids choir, a book club, a creative writers group and a kids' community garden initiative. 541 also hosts other events such as board games evenings and movie nights, which are open to all. On Sundays, people from the community worship together in the cafe space. In 2017, 541 Eatery and Exchange received an Acts of Grace grant to purchase and install a commercial pull-through dish washing system as well as upgrade the kitchen windows, electrical panel, plumbing and grease traps. Acts of Grace is proud to call 541 Eatery and Exchange a charity partner. To learn more about 541 Eatery and Exchange: http://www.fivefortyone.ca/ Looking for a great place to grab a delicious bite to eat? Check out the menu and stop in the cafe (take-out only at the moment): http://www.fivefortyone.ca/menus Need help with your Christmas baking? Consider ordering trays of baked goods from 541! Gluten-free and vegan options available. https://bit.ly/541xmasbaking Want to pay it forward by buying some buttons? You can buy them online with a donation to 541! https://www.canadahelps.org//c/compass-point-bible-church/ #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

On this first Sunday of Advent, we consider Hope. Just as the Israelites longed for Messiah, may we seek, with anticipation, after Christ's presence this Christmas season. May God's promises of a Saviour, foretold by the prophets and fulfilled by Jesus, renew your excitement for the Living Hope of the world, Jesus. And may we continue to hope expectantly with confident faith in His second coming and ultimate fulfillment of all these covenants. Hymn: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus https://youtu.be/NOxJFN-9_vs

As we enter into this Christmas season, we trust you will take time to prepare your hearts for the celebration of Jesus' birth. For the next 4 weeks, we invite you to reflect each Sunday and on Christmas Day on an Advent theme, the nativity and a Christmas hymn.

Today's #CharitySpotlight: Wellspring Foundation. Acting as a catalyst for transforming education in Africa, Wellspring believes in empowering local communities in Rwanda to bring about change so that every child is given the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their God-given potential. Through its School Development Program, Wellspring's team of Rwandan trainers works closely with school leaders, teachers, and parents to provide training and support that helps people flourish ...and understand their unique role in supporting education. In both the Gasabo and Rubavu districts where Wellspring works, school drop out rates are decreasing as students receive the support they need to stay in school (and many are returning), exam results are improving and more students are progressing to secondary level, classrooms are becoming positive, life-giving environments that actively engage children in learning and entire communities are engaged in supporting students and schools. Wellspring’s work is also helping to bring systemic change to the Rwandan educational system. Through its partnerships with the Rwandan government and other organizations, Wellspring's work is influencing changes to key educational priorities such as the new national curriculum and the 5-year strategic plan for education. This ensures that sustainable transformation in the education system will continue to improve the future for Rwanda’s children. In 2017 and 2018, Wellspring received Acts of Grace grants to support various components of its Abundant Leadership Program which equipped educational leaders from Rwanda and Central/East Africa with practical and Christ-centered frameworks and concepts, equipping these leaders to become catalysts for change in their own contexts. ALI has since been established as its own charitable organization, now called Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions with a mandate focused entirely on developing and empowering African leaders (in education and other sectors). Acts of Grace is proud to call Wellspring Foundation for Education a charity partner. To learn more about Wellspring: https://thewellspringfoundation.org/ Want a unique way to celebrate your birthday? Why not pledge your birthday to raise money for Wellspring and leave a lasting impact to education in Rwanda? https://thewellspringfoundation.org/fundraise/birthday/ Are you passionate about transforming education and empowering the next generation of leaders in Africa? Consider becoming a School Partner! As little as $55 per month makes a lasting impact on an entire Rwandan classroom! https://thewellspringfoundation.org/become-a-school-partner/ #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: Asian Outreach North America (AO). Operating in 18 countries across the continent, Asian Outreach works with local partners to bring holistic and sustainable development to the most vulnerable areas. AO focuses on the training and support of national workers as they are best equipped to effect change within their own communities. Working alongside and empowering the local church, AO's programs include: leadership training and church planting, effe...ctive community development, literacy programs, community-based health and education programs, micro-enterprise and other practical programs to break the cycles of extreme poverty. AO North America focuses its work in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Mongolia with projects in the areas of agriculture and livelihood, assisting children to school, community hope development, water and sanitation, life skills development, church planting and development, and, micro enterprise loans and coaching. In 2016 and 2017, AO received Acts of Grace grants to provide final furnishings and finishes for The Hope Centre, a skills training centre and multi-purpose building in Stung Treng, Cambodia. This facility provides skills-based training as well as non-formal education and acts as a hub for the local church in Northern Cambodia. The Hope Centre also offers accommodations, catering and meeting services to other organizations to provide a sustainable revenue stream for the centre. Acts of Grace is proud to call Asian Outreach a charity partner. To learn more about Asian Outreach: https://asianoutreachna.com/ Looking for an international volunteer work experience? AO is seeking English Teachers as well as a Guest Coordinator/ Communications Manager at The Hope Centre in Northern Cambodia. Check out current opportunities here: https://asianoutreachna.com/get-involved/ Want to see the impact of AOs work? Check out the AO YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/AO-you-tube #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: @One4Another International (O4A). One4Another exists to live out the gospel of Jesus by caring for the poor by serving children with surgical needs in Uganda. Many children in Uganda grow up with debilitating conditions and diseases which lead to a lifetime of suffering and exclusion from their communities. O4A shows the love of Jesus by helping families, that cannot afford it, access essential surgeries for their children. O4A oversees every detail... of the process - consultation, surgery and treatment, and recovery - until the child is fully discharged. This can involve months even years of appointments, treatment, follow-up, rehabilitation and wound care. The surgeries and rehabilitations are coordinated by O4A's team of Ugandan nurses. With a home base in Jinja, O4A partners with clinics, hospitals, and local surgeons throughout Uganda. Some of the common conditions that O4A helps to treat include: Clubfoot, Osteomyelitis (bone infections), Burn Contractures, Fractures & Trauma, Growths & Tumors, Hernias, Complex Birth Defects, Urological Problems and Eye Diseases. These surgical interventions shift the trajectory of a child's life from one of certain disability and perpetual poverty to a life with a hopeful, flourish future, education and eventually the ability to provide for one's family. In 2016 and 2019, One4Another received Acts of Grace grants to upgrade surgical and operating room equipment that raise the standard of surgical care, reduce inherent anesthetic and surgical risks, and increase the number of surgeries that can be performed each year. Acts of Grace is proud to call One4Another International a charity partner. To learn more about One4Another International: https://one4anotherintl.ca/ Looking for a unique way to engage your sports team in making a lasting impact in the world? Check out O4A's "18th Man Project"/"18th Girl Project" that pairs a O4A child with your team as an additional player on the team's "roster" and your team raises funds to cover the costs of their surgical care. Teams are also encouraged to build a relationship with the child through letters, etc. https://one4anotherintl.ca/18th-man/ Want to help O4A complete the construction of the new One4Another Surgical and Rehabilitation Centre? This facility increases the space available to O4A by more than 10 fold, allowing O4A to care for patients who need to stay for longer periods and will allow children to recover in a place where they can find rest for their bodies, their minds, and their souls. You can contribute to capital and construction costs by donating to O4A directly. Check out the progress here: https://bit.ly/O4Aconstruction #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Merry Christmas! May today be full of moments that cause us to pause and wonder at the amazing gift of Christ Jesus, Messiah, God's own Son become flesh, Immanuel, God With Us. May our celebrations honour and adore Him above all, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May our hearts seek only after Him and may our lives be transformed by His saving grace. May the world know Jesus so that one day, every tribe and nation will praise Him together at the throne of God. Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful https://youtu.be/b-xFsNx-HO4

In this final week of Advent, we consider Love. May God's never-ending love for all humanity renew our relationships and restore our brokenness this Christmas. May the sacrificial love of Jesus for each of us, cause us to love unconditionally and in great measure. May the world know us as light and love , seeing Jesus in all we say and do, for God is Love. And may our love for Christ Jesus motivate us to serve and follow Him to the ends of the earth, just as the Magi pursued Him so long ago. Hymn: The First Noel https://youtu.be/D5uud2fjtoo

As we begin the third week of Advent, we consider Joy. May we encounter Jesus with awe-filled joy this Christmas, just as the shepherds did on that night so long ago. May joy, given of the Holy Spirit, pervade our words and actions, causing us to bring glory and praise to God in all situations. And may we fervently tell others the Good News of Jesus' gift of eternal life so that all who hear will know God, who is our Joy and Delight. Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High https://youtu.be/1JqzsJoDjSQ

On this second Sunday of Advent, we consider Peace. Like Mary and Joseph so long ago, may God's good and sovereign plan for our life bring His peace to our days. May the Prince of Peace, Jesus, reign in your hearts through all of life's circumstances. And in this busy holiday season, just as the angels were that very first Christmas, may we be Christ's instruments of peace to a hurting world. Hymn: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear https://youtu.be/BMbzfTpnW7U

And that wraps up our #CharitySpotlight series. We trust you have enjoyed learning about our charity partners from the last 5 years. On this #GivingTuesday, we want to thank all of those who give so tirelessly to these various ministries and organizations to serve the world's marginalized. We are humbled to partner with each of these charities as they work to eradicate the systems and conditions that entrench physical, material and spiritual poverty in Canada and around the world. To learn more about Acts of Grace Foundation: www.actsofgrace.ca #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: 541 - Eatery & Exchange. "541" is a cafe that believes everyone deserves access to good food, choice, dignity and community. 541 addresses food insecurity in Hamilton's Barton Street neighbourhood by providing home-made food at prices most people can afford. Paying customers are offered the opportunity to 'pay it forward' for others, using 541's button system. Each button costs $1 and anyone may redeem up to five buttons daily towards anything on th...e menu. 541's customers are from all walks of life, eating from the same menu in a beautiful welcoming space, however they pay. 541 believes there is dignity in choice, and that eating together fosters a diverse community of belonging around the table. 541 uses its space and proceeds from food sales to act as a community hub, hosting free community groups and youth programming such as a homework club, weekly Bible studies, summer camps, men's drop in, a mom's group, a kids choir, a book club, a creative writers group and a kids' community garden initiative. 541 also hosts other events such as board games evenings and movie nights, which are open to all. On Sundays, people from the community worship together in the cafe space. In 2017, 541 Eatery and Exchange received an Acts of Grace grant to purchase and install a commercial pull-through dish washing system as well as upgrade the kitchen windows, electrical panel, plumbing and grease traps. Acts of Grace is proud to call 541 Eatery and Exchange a charity partner. To learn more about 541 Eatery and Exchange: http://www.fivefortyone.ca/ Looking for a great place to grab a delicious bite to eat? Check out the menu and stop in the cafe (take-out only at the moment): http://www.fivefortyone.ca/menus Need help with your Christmas baking? Consider ordering trays of baked goods from 541! Gluten-free and vegan options available. https://bit.ly/541xmasbaking Want to pay it forward by buying some buttons? You can buy them online with a donation to 541! https://www.canadahelps.org//c/compass-point-bible-church/ #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: NorthWind Family Ministries. Serving Thunder Bay and the greater northern Ontario region, NorthWind comes alongside Canadian Aboriginals on their journey to know God and imitate His character. Through its holistic four program pillars - Counselling, LifeBuild (life development and skills training), Biblical Training and Land-based activities - NorthWind provides sacred places to embrace stories, find belongingness through community, and improve mean...ingful connections to God and one another. NorthWind serves adults, youth and families, welcoming each person; honouring who the Creator has made them to be and hoping to empower them to grow into their full potential. In 2019, NorthWind received an Acts of Grace grant to renovate the kitchen in the NorthWind Family Ministries building in Thunder Bay. The new kitchen increases the capacity and effectiveness of NorthWind in offering nutritious meals to its clients and also enabled the launch of a new cooking skills program, Cooking For Life, to help clients learn how to provide healthy, affordable meals for their families, many of whom are food insecure. Acts of Grace is proud to call NorthWind Family Ministries a charity partner. To learn more about NorthWind: www.northwindfm.org Interested in helping with a specific need to increase the impact that NorthWind has in reaching and supporting Aboriginal and Indigenous people in Thunder Bay and beyond? Check out the capital campaign: https://www.northwindfm.org/capital-projects/ Are you a pastor or lay leader wanting to enhance your understanding of the inner challenges faced by those who are hurting? Take a look at the Competent Caring course offered by NorthWind that teaches basic counselling skills from a Biblical perspective: https://www.northwindfm.org/competent-caring/ #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: Global Recordings Network Canada (GRN). GRN partners with the church to effectively communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ through audio recordings to all peoples in their own languages. GRN shares the truth of God's word to oral communicators and minority people groups by means of recordings made in their own languages, so that they can become disciples of Jesus Christ. GRN works primarily where there are no translated Scriptures and no viable lo...cal church, or where a written Scripture or portion is available but where there are few if any who can read it or make sense of it. Using a script, GRN works with local language helpers to translate and record Bible stories to pair with picture books. These recordings help people, especially those who do not read or write and those from oral cultures, to understand, in a language and culturally appropriate style that best speaks to their hearts, the basic teachings of the Bible, the basic truths of God and the way of salvation through Jesus. GRN also manufactures special purpose playback machines that are not dependent on a power supply for use in the most remote regions of the world. All these materials are supplied to missionaries and local evangelists, pastors and teachers for evangelism and basic Bible teaching and discipling. In 2018, GRN Canada received an Acts of Grace grant to translate, record and distribute these Bible story audio-visual messages and other supplemental materials for 2 languages in Eastern Africa currently without Scripture in their mother tongue or with limited access to a local church. These materials helped equip East African Church leaders to effectively communicate the Gospel of Christ to unreached peoples and oral language groups in Kenya and Tanzania. Acts of Grace is proud to call Global Recordings Network Canada a charity partner. To learn more about GRN Canada: https://globalrecordings.net/en/ca Want to listen to or download a GRN recording in one of the 6,000+ languages already translated? Check out the free 5fish app! You can download from the site or install the app on your device at no charge: https://5fish.mobi/regions #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: SGA Canada. Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) helps Bible-preaching churches in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to make disciples Jesus Christ. SGA serves the churches in these nations primarily through the provision of Russian-language Bibles and Christian literature, Bible training for pastors, church planters and church workers, sponsorship of church-planting missionaries,... support for children's ministries including orphan care and providing humanitarian aid. Primarily, SGA partners with and through national evangelical church planters who are sent by their own churches to unreached communities in the CIS. These church planters know the language, history, culture and other important dynamics of ministry to their people. Occasionally, at the request of UECB church leaders, SGA sends North American pastors and Bible teachers on short-term teaching assignments to train pastoral students at SGA-sponsored Bible institutes and seminaries in the lands of Russia. These intensive sessions normally run for a 1-2 weeks at a time, and are of great value both to Russian pastors who lacked the opportunity to receive solid Bible teaching during the communist years, and to more recent disciples called to leadership. Earlier this year, SGA Canada received a gift from Acts of Grace Foundation. In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, these gifts were not directly designated for any particular project but rather to areas of highest priority as the charities care for their staff, partners and those they serve. Acts of Grace is proud to call SGA Canada a charity partner. To learn more about Slavic Gospel Association Canada: www.sgacanada.ca Burdened to reach the children of the CIS nations with the love-filled account of the Nativity and God sending his Son to earth for us? Read more about the Immanuel Project and how children are hearing about Jesus for the first time through this unique Christmas program. https://www.sgacanada.ca/immanuels-child/ Ever wonder how a Canadian French-language seminary could partner with SGA to mentor and equip Russian-speaking pastors to more effectively make disciples for Jesus? Learn more about SGA's training (including a partnership with SEMBEQ): https://www.sgacanada.ca/training/ #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: Pioneers Canada. Pioneers Canada has one purpose: to go into regions of the world where few people have ever had the opportunity to hear of Jesus and His great salvation, and tell the story of His amazing love. Pioneers focuses on church planting among unreached peoples, with emphasis on five major unreached people blocs that are found around the world: T (Tribal) H (Hindu) U (Unreligious/Secular) M (Muslim) B (Buddhist). Working with national churc...h partners and Christian colleagues, Pioneers workers minister in ways most likely to yield faithful disciples and the reproduction of biblical churches among those with least access to the Gospel while keeping new believers connected with their social context yet not compromising biblical teaching in their beliefs or practice. Through a variety of missions experiences varying in duration, focus and interest, Pioneers also partners with the church in Canada to mentor and encourage those called to serve God in missions. In 2016, Pioneers Canada received an Acts of Grace grant to purchase a 30-passenger school bus for Clementia Learning Centre, a Christ-centred school for refugee children living in Lebanon in order to double the school's enrolment capacity. Acts of Grace is proud to call Pioneers Canada a charity partner. To learn more about Pioneers: www.pioneers.ca Are you a young adult interested in exploring the opportunity to serve in missions as a church planter to unreached peoples? Consider Edge - a summer experience working alongside long-term field workers to grow in your understanding of God, yourself and His call on your life. https://pioneers.ca/go/edge Interested in learning more about Clementia Learning Centre and the work they are doing to help refugee children in Lebanon access a high quality, Christ-centred education? https://pioneers.ca//2733-project-4-clementia-learning-cen #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: Bopoma Villages. Bopoma Villages is motivated by the call of God to do good and care for orphans, widows and the poor. To empower people living in rural Zimbabwe to create better lives for themselves, their families and future generations, Bopoma Villages builds local capacity that treats the causes of poverty on multiple fronts and leads to lasting life change. Bopoma Villages' work focuses on clean water, nutritious food, safe and healthy homes an...d families for orphans. Bopoma Villages staff and volunteers come alongside local communities, churches and individuals to teach and support people as they build new skills and expertise in biointensive gardens, rainwater harvesting trenches, BioSand filters, tippy taps, rocket stoves, fly traps, and hygiene and nutrition habits that set a new standard in their villages. Through mentoring and encouragement, these individuals become change agents in their own communities, inspiring those around them to also lift themselves out of poverty. In 2018, Bopoma Villages received an Acts of Grace grant to develop 7 self-reliant villages through the Healthy Homes Project that equipped and taught families to improve their health, prevent disease, increase food security, enrich nutrition and enhance agricultural skills. Acts of Grace is proud to call Bopoma Villages a charity partner. To learn more about Bopoma Villages: https://www.bopomavillages.org/ Looking for some encouraging stories of transformation and life change? Take a look at these videos that highlight the work of Bopoma and the impact it is having in rural Zimbabwe to empower people to lift themselves out of poverty. https://www.bopomavillages.org/15-villages/ #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp

Today's #CharitySpotlight: Partners International (Canada). Partners International works alongside local Christian leaders to build the church in places where the church is most desperately needed and to meet the needs of vulnerable communities around the world. Working with and thru the local church that is living out the call of God in their communities as a powerful force for both spiritual and community transformation, Partners collaborates with local leaders serving God ...in their own culture and environment to invest in the spiritual, emotional and physical transformation of the people and communities they serve. In 2016, Partners International Canada received an Acts of Grace grant to equip Nigerian pastors and lay-leaders with Bible-based theological, character and ministry training to support them in more effectively growing and shepherding the local church. Acts of Grace is proud to call Partners International a charity partner. To learn more about Partners International: https://partnersinternational.ca/ Want to get involved in giving in a unique and engaging way that presents a variety of issues and initiatives that address them each month? Why not become part of a community of people that are each giving a little for a big impact! Become a member and vote through Kutoa.org powered by Partners International. https://www.kutoa.org/ Looking for an impactful gift to give for Christmas? Consider giving a gift of hope that will change a life forever! For as little as $20, explore how you can give the gift of water to a village, a Bible in a local language and more. https://partnersinternational.ca/gifts/ #GivingTuesday #TogetherWeHelp