Acts 28:31
“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” — Psalm 73:24-26 ESV Hello all, thank you for your prayers and support. I really appreciate it. January I gave you all an update about my first week, as well as, my first month. That post was very much so an overview of the month, but I tried to focus intentionally on the first few weeks. I didn’t get the chance to update you all about February, it was such a fast-paced month with school, and building relationships. I’m blessed to say the opportunities I’ve had to connect with a lot of people up here on the hill, and I will get to more on that later. Also, in January, I shared about my financial needs to which they’ve been met for that month, praise the Lord, and thank you to those who’ve supported me. As I’m settling in and getting into a rhythm here, I’m looking for a job, also more on that later. Before I get serious with the rest of this post, I need to get this off my chest. The term “cold” has been redefined for me. Thank you Canada. I no longer think 20°F is cold. No. I will wear a light jacket in that weather and say “it’s warm.” The middle of February brought a type of cold that I’ve never experienced. During that week it was literally -30°F on average. Now, I dressed accordingly layered, wore a heavier coat (thank you, Dad), and such. The Seminary was plenty warm to shield me from the cold, but that walk gave me a deeper appreciation for 30°F weather haha. In March, so far, its been around 50°F or so. I’m wearing light jackets and enjoying the sunlight. But let me tell you, that week was insanium in the cranium. Back to your regularly schedule blog post. Up on the HillWith the first half of the semester under my belt, I can effectively say that there is a great academic challenge being here, and a deal of homesickness. I’m building some solid relationships on the hill. We’re a tiny community, but tight knit. One way I bond is through ping pong, and I’ve been pretty solid at maintaining an above .500 record just saying. It doesn’t distract me from the academic challenges though. My studies have stretched what I’ve previously learned at Piedmont (now Carolina University), some minor differences, but nothing extraneous or doctrinally different; they’re more so cultural differences. So far, the class that peeks my interest the most is my Christian Theology class. To sum up Christian Theology, we’re learning about the importance of theology (theology is the study of God), the purpose of theology (the glory of God), and the different attributes about God that He has revealed about Himself in scripture all the way to modern day. The reading for this class is “What Christians Ought to Believe” by Michael Bird. This book breaks down the Apostle’s Creed line by line and focuses on how God has revealed himself and how this particular creed affirms what scripture teaches. I remember growing up, the church my family attended in Winston-Salem, at the end of every service we would recite this creed. At that time I didn’t understand the depths of this creed, it was just something I said. Now, in this walk with Christ, as I study in this class and just personally looking through church history (I have a particular interest in the early Church) this creed becomes so much more beautiful and meaningful to me. If you do not know the Apostle’s Creed I will put it below this paragraph. If you do know the Apostle’s Creed, I encourage you to take some time to read through it, let the words encourage you. “I believe in God, the Father almighty, Hope ChurchTil now, we’ve had 5 in-person worship services. Every first and third Sunday we host in-person worship gatherings, and live stream via Zoom every worship service. Restrictions here are widely different from the states. My best description of it is similar to phase 2 in North Carolina, and it’s been like this since before I got up here. Needless to say, this makes ministry opportunities pretty tough, but it doesn’t mean their non-existent. In the two short months I’ve been here, I’ve helped one person move into a new apartment, and helped gather some toys for a family’s young children. Later this month, I will help lead the children in one of the programs to celebrate the Resurrection Sunday. It’s similar to some of the things I’ve done with VBS in years past. I’ll try to share the video later. My responsibilities with Hope Church are growing little by little. It’s very educational for me I’m learning a good framework on how to pastor. Officially my title is Pastoral Intern. My focus right now is to learn how to pastor people, love them well, and serve in humility. I think I mentioned previously about playing cajon in the in-person worship services. I’ve played on worship service which, received a lot of positive feedback. I hope to link that service to this post. As I am serving in these capacities, it’s affording me opportunities to connect more with the Hope Church. I’d like to think that I’m assimilating well into the life and culture of Hope Church. Prayer Requests
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"Jesus responded to him, "Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this...Truly I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." John 1:50-51 Hey everyone, thank you for your prayers and support, I appreciate every bit of it. I'm often surprised about the amount of love that I'm shown, by you all. If I'm honest, I tend to be very independent. I try to work hard and do my best without asking for help and in preparing to move to Calgary I was humbled. The Lord taught me that I can not do this kind of work without the support of the larger church at hand. That is a lot of you, reader, if it's prayer, or you provide(ed) financial support to some extent, thank you. And a special thank you to my sending church Edgewood Baptist for supporting me and loving me from North Carolina. While, I am glad about the progress to this point; getting to Calgary/Cochrane, being on the seminary campus, and getting plugged in with Hope church, I am still being humbled, because I need more ministry partners. I will explain this further in this post. Warm WelcomeI arrived to Calgary on January 7th. I arrived to the seminary and began my quarantine and have been in quarantine sense then. As of today, I have had two covid tests, one negative and currently awaiting the second one, which i expect to be negative as well. Since arriving, I've received a welcome so warm that I could walk outside with no jacket on (just kidding), but I'm reminded of Romans. "Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honor...Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality." Romans 12:10, 13 From the Seminary, Hope church, and friendships I've gained over the many trips here. I don't have to worry about what I need. I can't go anywhere, and I don't have much to give or offer until it is done, but that has not stopped those around me from lending a generous hand, showing love and support, buying groceries bringing lunches, and dinners etc. The Lord is teaching me this while I'm in quarantine: this is what a family does. This is what a family looks like. Taking care of one another, serving one another, loving in practical ways one another. It's scary, but beautiful all at the same time, its compelling with a call to do the same. Again, this is just the beginning, only the first week of many years (Lord willing) of being here. Responsibilities
Financial ReportThe Lord has provided with my first year, which is an amazing blessing. In the middle of covid my home state, North Carolina had its own restrictions as well as other states which made support raising a bit more difficult. And I have some possible ministry partners I'm contacting now, but I would be lying to say I'm not worried about this aspect of my stay. While I'm here, I do plan to get a job, but even still that doesn't fully solve the financial question. I'm praying for the Lord to continue to provide the financial resources needed to stay here at least until the end of my degree plan. My plan for living in Calgary is for at least 10 years that is long enough for me to help with next church plant launch and, Lord willing, be the lead planter and pastor for a church plant here. In as transparent of a way I can possibly say this: I still have some work to do with support raising as well as doing my part to earn income. Below is a link to my current financial situation in Canadian Dollars, as well as what is still needed to sustain myself here. Please pray for the Lord to provide and meet my needs during my time here. Prayer Requests
"The Lord is great and is highly praised; his greatness is unsearchable...I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty and your wondrous works." Psalm 145:3, 5 CSB I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! This week is finally here. 3 years of planning, 1 year of implementing and this week it's all coming together. This seems like the end because I'm finally moving after talking about this dream ever since I first went to Calgary in 2016. However, this is only the beginning. This is the prologue and actually moving is where the real story begins. Thank you so much for supporting me, supporting what I'm doing. I cannot express this enough. I will continue to update you all with this journey. To give you an update you now, all December I've packed suitcases and boxes to ship to the Seminary. Today, I shipped the boxes to Calgary. The only thing I'm waiting on now is travel day! I will try to record as much of my travelling as possible. The Canadian government released a new order that all incoming flight passengers to Canada must present a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of the flights departure. I've already taken my test yesterday, and should receive my results by my scheduled departure date. When I arrive, I still will be subject to a 14-day quarantine. During that quarantine for the most part, the seminary and Hope church will help provide groceries. During the quarantine, I plan on catching up on some reading and enjoying the moment. This is all exciting and just seems insanely surreal. The Lord is so good. He is a God who answers prayers. A God who loves. A God who works all things according to His good pleasure. I'm heading to Calgary knowing that this is to the Lord's good pleasure. This walk with the Lord is proving to be so good. I have more to learn, and more to experience as I walk with Him. As you read this I want to share the fact that the Lord is working in your life as well, and those ends will look differently from person to person. If you are not a follower of Jesus, and believer of Jesus, then He wishes for you to know Him (Ps. 34:8, Matt. 20:28, John 3:16, 2 Cor. 5:21, 2 Pet. 3:9). If you are a follower of Jesus, then I can't speak to the your specific context, but I know this: the Lord wants you to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20), remain/abide/rely/depend on/live in Him (John 15:1-17) be conformed into His image (Rom. 8:28-30), know Christ and the beauty of the Gospel (1 Cor. 2:2), and to grow in spiritual maturity (Heb. 6:1, 2). I pray this is the case for you. Thank you for tagging along in this journey. This is only the beginning and I can't wait to see what else is in store. Prayer Requests
"The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest." Luke 10:2 CSB "The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged." Deut. 31:8 Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. As you prepare for the Christmas holiday, I pray that you are well, and safe and whatever you plan, to gather, or not gather, that your joy during this time of year is filled with the joy of the Lord remembering this time of year is for the celebration of the greatest gift that could have ever been given. Our Lord came to this earth wrapped in swaddling clothes. The good news that hope has come. When I was Pastor of Student Ministries at Edgewood, my sending church, I walked my students through the Christmas story starting with the prophecy given through Isaiah and ending with the accounts of the Matthew and Luke's Gospel. Even in the midst of Covid we still have the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the joy to celebrating the birth of our Savior. Transition CommencesAs of this moment, I have 30 days before I move to Calgary. Between now and then I've turned in my notice for work, officially resigning as a Teaching Assistant. My last day is the 18th. Also, told my students of my resignation which was really hard. It brought me to tears. I've established my quarantine plan and currently finishing up the semester. I'm pretty confident with how I did this semester, and looking forward to being on campus, and starting classes. I'm packing more and more clothes as the days go by. Slowly but surely I will finish packing everything I need to take this trip. One of the major things I'm not sure about is if I will take any books with me. I would like to but i don't want to take books that will weigh down my luggage. I'm excited about this move. The Lord has definitely had His hand on this entire situation. So many answered prayers. In beginning of the quarantine, I was pretty discouraged. I wasn't sure if I were going to be able to move or if I would need to put moving on hold. Yet, the entire time the Lord was working in ways that I can't even consider. It points me to some of the things that I've been learning in Joshua this semester. Joshua and all of Israel experienced in every victory, that the Lord would go before them to ensure their victory. The purpose was so that they would know the strength of the Lord. The Lord has dealt kindly towards me. Special Thank YouLastly, I want to share a special thank you. Over the past few weeks, I've received a few gifts from some unknown senders of some items from my Amazon wishlist. So thank you, I really appreciate it. Less than a month from now they will be put to good use. I look forward to sharing with you all my first moments in Calgary. Thank you all for your support. Thank you all for joining me in this process of moving and joining God on mission in Canada. Prayer Requests
"I will give you thanks with all my hear; I will sing your praise before the heavenly beings. I will bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your constant love and truth. You have exalted your name and your promise above everything else." Psalm 138:1, 2 CSB This is the post I've been longing to share with you! Thank you for your prayers and your support, thank you for your partnership with me in this journey. This is just the beginning though, and a new one at that. The short story, is MY STUDY PERMIT APPLICATION WAS APPROVED! The Lord was at work during these months and the testimony behind this all is proof. So many different aspects of this moving process just came together at once. ApprovalFriday afternoon I received an email from Immigration about the final status of my study permit. It was approved and allows for me to begin moving, I've bought my plane ONE-WAY plane ticket (that's just so exciting to say). I leave January 7 in the afternoon and arrive in the late evening in Calgary. A little over two months away, and it's approaching, 66 days to be exact. During the previous months waiting to hear from Immigration, the seminary was making sure that they were able to accommodate international students, and were added to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) List by Immigration, which clears specific university's to house international students in preparation for Spring semester. Each University received an official plan from the Government for how they are to receive their students and what the student should do upon arrival. My study permit approval means a great deal. The study permit allows me to confirms all status as a student of the Seminary, and grants me the permission to move onto the campus for the duration of my studies. The Study Visa is the official but I still have one more application to fill out. When I get to the border, I will present all my paperwork to customs and immigration and apply for an official study visa. When I arrive in Calgary, my first step is to take a COVID test. There is a specific option for me to take a rapid test, which takes two days to process instead of the normal 14 days. After leaving customs, will go into a 48 hour quarantine, and six days after that, take another test at the seminary. Classes begin January 18, which this gives me a few weeks to get settled in and adjust. Final StepsBefore I move, I'm taking the time to spend with family, especially during the holidays. Also, putting a list together of some needs that help endure the cold weather. I have quite a bit of cold weather gear, but most of it fits North Carolina winters. In Calgary, it can get down to -40°. The main thing that I'm learning to do is layer clothes, a thick outer layer that is wind and water resistant. The middle layer to keep body heat in, and a breathable inner layer that can keep sweat off underneath everything else. As you are reading this post, would you consider giving generously either financially, or providing the items on this list I'm in the button below? Financial gifts can be made in a separate button provided on this post as well. Thank you so much for your prayers and your support up to this point, and the continued support from here on out as well. I will continue to update you all packing and holiday photos with my family. You all are in my prayers. Thank you again. Prayer Requests
"But I have trusted in your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because he has treated me graciously." -- Psalm 13:5, 6 CSB Hey everyone, thank you for your prayers and support. I pray all is well for you. This update is coming a little later than normal, and from what I previously said. I apologized for not sharing an update when I intended. I was hoping to bring you all good news the last week of September about an approval to move to Calgary at the end of the year. Unfortunately, from what I've heard, Canada is starting to get a second wave of COVID cases and currently sees 187,000 cases and roughly 21,000 of those cases are in Alberta specifically. No matter the opinion of COVID, the reality is that this affects me being able to move. Immigration Canada notified me that they would keep the border closed from non-essential travel until October 21st. Had a Bit of a HiccupThis past week brought a bit of a hiccup. I'm regularly getting updates about my application status, essentially a lot of them are just updates on border restrictions and the importance of limiting non-essential travel. As I’ve stated before International studies are included in essential travel. However, this doesn’t automatically mean that I am approved, my application is still being processed and awaiting final approval, but I was recently (by recently I mean, just before I started typing this) was able to see that the application is being processed. Due to Canada having an increase in COVID cases, as well as, the US there are cautions to travel and even processing applications. For a little bit I thought I was going to have to apply again — that’s a long story but the problem is resolved! School UpdateClasses are great, I’m able to stay on top of my work. This week (19th-23rd) is reading week, a more challenge laden/productive turn to a fall break. The challenge is to read at least one book, or read period during this break, not related to school of course but something that will go toward the edification of the believer. I’m going to be using this time (between this and work) to read the biography of John Calvin. A friend or mine gave me a copy a few days ago, I can’t wait to dig into it and read up on his life and how he impacted so many faithful believers.
Lord willing, I will have a final update soon, on my study permit status. Due to the increase in total cases, both in the US and Canada the visa permit process is slowed dramatically. It's impacted people on numerous fronts and areas. Please join me in praying for the process and for the day I can share with you all good news about receiving a study permit. "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; Hey everyone, I pray all is well. First of all, thank you for your prayers and support! Last month, I wrote to you about an update and clarification on the moving process. Right now, things are still a bit uncertain on if I'm able to move. The study permit application is on average 11-week process and as of now I am in about week 7 with about 3 more weeks. If I am approved then my plan is to move a few days after Christmas. However, if my application is denied, I plan on applying again as soon as I am able. I look forward to updating you all at the end of the month about the status of my study permit. Thank you all for praying with me, and for me. Your support is appreciated. Talk about Social Distancing!I've begun studies at the seminary as a distance learner in a Hyflex format. This is where I log into class through Zoom when class begins, so it gives the sense of being present on seminary campus. Below are my first days of classes. I'm taking 6 credit hours to start, English 101 and Joshua. The English class is teaching me to write in Turabian format (while studying at the institution formally known as Piedmont, I wrote in MLA format). Part of my english class consists of writing a two page journal entry due every week, a three page essay every month, and text book reading that gives the basic introduction to Turabian. Joshua is an Old Testament Book Study class that includes some specific projects throughout the course such as: a color map identifying key locations from the biblical text, and two character studies based on four key characters from the text, with a quiz every week based on the textbook reading and assigned Bible reading. If any of you have had a conversation with me about seminary then you know how nervous I am about the level of work and just what to expect, so for me this is a blessing. The adjustments are good so far, I'm able to keep up with the work and have enjoyed the lectures. Below are pictures of my first day of classes. Prayer Requests
"But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:24 Hey y'all, thank you all for your prayers and support, I appreciate the it all greatly. Last month, I had the pleasure of updating you all about my passport and study permit application. If everything goes well, I will hear news back from Immigration Canada next month. If accepted, when I move, I'll more than likely be subject to a 14-day quarantine to insure I don't have Covid-19. Also, I was able to update you all on my plans for school this fall and work. This month, I'm going to dive in a little more about that, and share a bit on my moving plans. Also, I plan on posting twice a month going forward because, I want to share with you all some specifics about Symons Valley and some personal relationship that I have there. To begin, I've registered for classes this fall semester, and ordered my books. Obviously, I'm pretty excited and nervous haha, it's just short of a month until school begins. I'll be taking an in depth book study class on Joshua, as well as an English class; both of these classes are to just introduce me to seminary academia, and the challenges and teaching styles of some of the professors I'll be learning under. This semester I'll be completely online, and pending my move to Calgary, I will start the second semester in the Spring on campus. Going along with moving, I've been getting updates from Immigration Canada on the moving process, and the advisory level is now a three, essentially stating that, I should anyone looking to travel to Canada from the U.S. specifically should "reconsider." At this moment, Canada still allows for essential travel (which student visas qualify for given a 14-day quarantine) but it seems like the travel advisory is inching closer to closing the border altogether. This is a bit discouraging, but the Lord has brought me to this point, every other door has opened leading me to Calgary, I trust in Him, and my boast is in Him. He knows what He is doing, and He is in control. I know when I move to Calgary, it will be all in the Lord's timing. This time last year, I was in Calgary, making plans to begin support raising, planning this blog, finishing undergrad, and building some solid relationships with people that I cannot wait to see again. I've stated in previous posts about the work specifically that I'll be doing. When I move to Calgary, I'll be working with Hope Church to launch the next church plant. The lead planters are identified and I'm excited to start this process with them. They are Calum and Beth Dullaard! Calum and Beth are an excellent pair to lead up this plant. They love this community and have been burdened to reach it. I'm honoured to join them in reaching this community, and loving them with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Livingston and Carrington is finishing up some a lot of the community. The community centre is beautiful, I'd like to note a key prayer here, that we get connected with key leaders there to hopefully use the facilities for community events and camps! Thank you all for the support and prayers. Below are the specific prayer requests, and some pictures of the Livingston and Carrington Communities and Centre. Even in the uncertainties with this move, my boast is in the Lord! Prayer Requests
"My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. Hey all, thank you for your prayers and support! I can't believe it's been a full year (and one month) since I began this journey. Thank you all for joining me in each of your capacities. In prayer, financial support, and even just reading this blog. Your support means so much to me and I appreciate every bit of it! In just a short year, the Lord has moved swiftly and benevolently in providing financial support through some of you and others that haven't read my blog. With each part of this process it becomes abundantly clear that the Lord is indeed in this with me. Doors have been opening starting with NAMB's endorsement, selling t-shirts, speaking with potential partners for financial support. Getting accepted to Seminary, and even applying for this Student Visa. I can assure you this entire time, I've been nervous because I've never tried doing anything like this. I've talked about wanting to visit Japan, and teach in Japan, but I never actually tried it. I'm actually trying and applying to move to another Country right now. It's getting surreal. You, reader, are an important part in this because of your support. Thank you for it. I have an important announcement to make this month. I've been reporting to you all about my passport for the past few months, and honestly I'd been expecting my passport later next month. As a result, I differed my acceptance to Seminary for the Spring Semester. Well, I have some great news, I got my Passport back about two weeks ago! Shortly after I posted last month's blog, my passport was renewed and returned! Now I've sent off my Study Permit application to Immigration Canada and this will take roughly 11 weeks to process. My rough estimation puts that at the end of September. I'm hoping to share some good news with you all then or earlier Lord willing, about that status. Until then I will begin sharing some information about the communities and the team I have the pleasure of serving alongside! God has indeed been good. He's been better to me than I could ever imagine. This fall my plan is to continue working as a Teaching Assistant for the fall. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System is still trying to approve the school schedule and opening with the proper safety measures and policies due to COVID-19. Thank you all for your prayers and I look forward to updating you all next month! Prayer Requests
Thank you all for your prayers and support! Last month, the Lord provided immensely financially, as well as continuing to open up the doors for me in the moving process. I'm happy to announce I have a set in stone date to move to Calgary. It comes a little later than expected and desired for that matter due to the travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19. I've also begun the Student Visa Application for Immigration Canada along with some exciting news: I've been accepted into the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary. First thing's first, my passport: I sent off my passport a few days into the beginning of the quarantine here in NC. This is after the travel department begun quarantining themselves. This setback everyone's passport requests. June 4-10 saw 92,000 passport applications received, 1.76 million awaiting issuing, and 38,000 passports issued. The following week 120,000 applications were received, 1.72 million awaiting issue, and 154,000 have been issued. Currently, I'm still awaiting notification that my application is being processed. Once it is processed I'll have a better grasp on when I'll get it back. This leads to the next point. June 9, I was accepted into the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary! However, because of the passport situation, I chose to defer my enrollment (I'm able to do so for up to one-year from initial acceptance), until the spring while I wait on my passport to get back. However, I am able to begin distance learning which I will begin in the fall, and once my passport gets back, I will finish the student visa application. I'm praying for my passport to get back around August. Until then, I'll continue working for my school for the first half of the year. What I'm currently planning for is to move in December, the week after Christmas and begin Seminary, on campus, in the Spring semester. In all transparency, it's been a little tough having to deal with these delays. But I'm praying the Lord will guide me through them and to continue to serve him through them. The Lord has been gracious and providing my needs in through all of this not only financially, but just with the support that I have from my church family, and you all that are with me on this journey. Thank you again for your support. I look forward to updating you all again soon! |
AuthorMy name is Nokomis Gregory. I'm a native of Winston-Salem, NC. After graduating from Piedmont International University I moved Calgary, Alberta as a church planting team member, with the hopes of planting a church in Calgary. Archives
September 2023
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