In this Update, there is information on the Discipleship Bible School (DBS) that I have been staffing through the summer and also, the upcoming outreach to South/Southeast Asia!
Here is the browser version of the Update if you prefer that. There is also a PDF version at the bottom of the page.
Hey Family! I pray you are doing well. Things are amping up here in Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Vancouver, as the Discipleship Bible School (DBS) inches towards its conclusion and the Outreach to South/Southeast Asia rapidly approaches. Our local ministries, like prayer stations and Mission Adventures, have also been running throughout the summer, making it a super busy time of the year. I’m not sure how, but I still found some time to play and enjoy summer in Vancouver, making the most of the sun before the rain becomes the only thing on the forecast.
DBS
Our Discipleship Bible School (DBS) has been running since July. It’s a 3-month school, or course, that focuses on teaching people the entire story of God’s great redemptive plan as told in the Bible. Each week, we have lectures on the content that we are reading as we go from Genesis to Revelation. As a small group, we highlight and discuss certain points, which will help us to identify and tell the story of God. Last year I took this course as a student, but now I’m staffing it, so I have a fresh perspective on what it’s like to be a student in this school. This has really helped me to come alongside the students as I lead the small group (reading time) and grade homework. God has been teaching me so much about the bible and also about teaching it. I love that I am growing in my capability to teach, and it is a skill that I definitely want to improve. During one of the lecture weeks, I had the opportunity to teach on Ecclesiastes. It was a great experience, and I am quite satisfied with how I taught, even though I sprinted through my content as usual. As I am writing this, there are only two more weeks of the course left, and we are preparing for the outreach phase of the school.
Outreach
on of our small groups out in nature
teaching on Ecclesiastes
our outreach team
just a super cool picture
Like most schools in YWAM, the DBS is a two-part school. The lecture phase being the first, which I spoke about above. And the Outreach phase is the second. YWAM aims to equip and send people into missions. Our motto is “To Know God and Make Him Known.” So to do that, we run and partner with a number of local outreaches that engage our immediate community here in the city, but also through overseas outreaches, which mobilize people to reach the unreached globally. With the DBS, we will be going on outreach to South/Southeast Asia from October 10th until November 25th (I cannot publicly disclose where exactly we are going, but if you would like to know, I can tell you on a more private channel!). We will be going with the intention of teaching the Bible and equipping local believers to also study and teach the Bible. There are not many resources for Bible study or teaching where we are going, so I am excited to provide methods for studying and also to take part in some teaching while we are there.
The outreach will cost us $5000CAD each, which goes towards flights, transportation, food, housing, ministry, and hospitality. If you would like to sponsor me, there is info on how to do that down below.
Fundraising Update
Thank you so much to everyone who has committed to financially supporting me. I could not be serving in these ways without your help.
Currently, I am receiving an average of $600CAD/month. However, my goal is to receive $2000CAD/month. As I feel called to stay in missions, I need more people to commit to consistent monthly donations. This goal gives me room to pay for all my living/ministry expenses, gradually pay off my student debt ($13k USD), and also be generous and hospitable.
Would you consider praying and asking God about partnering with me financially as I minister to people in Vancouver and around the world?
Check out the support page on my website for ways to give. Click here!
I have also created a Facebook group where I will be trying to post more frequent updates on what God is doing through my life. If you would like to join, you will find the link to my Facebook account at the bottom of this page.
Prayer Points
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Please pray for both the students (Emily & Mo) and the staff (Andrew, Prabhu, Josh, & Me) of the DBS, that we will be able to finish the school well.
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Also, for the DBS Outreach to South/Southeast Asia, that God provide for all the needs that our team has to be able to go on this trip. And that the hearts and minds of those we are interacting with will be prepared to receive and learn.
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Please be praying that my work permit will be accepted by Canada soon, as I have applied for a contract renewal of 2 years with YWAM in Vancouver.
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Finally, please pray that I would continue to trust God in all that I do. Allowing Him to lead the way in my relationships, finances, and future.
Thank You!
I appreciate you taking the time to read my newsletter. If you want to know more about what I am doing with YWAM or the things that are coming up in the future, send me an email or a text. Also, check out my website if you want to read my previous newsletters, look at pictures of previous adventures, or discover ways to support me.
God Bless you,
Ezekiel Smith.
Facebook: Zeke Smith Instagram: (@smith_zeke)
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