Dear friends of Toronto City Mission,
Happy belated New Year to you, and warm greetings from Toronto City Mission! I hope you were able to take some time over the holidays to refresh, renew and rejuvenate. Further, I hope you are ready and eager for the opportunities and challenges that await you for 2024!
It is an exciting time here at TCM! This month we welcomed new field placement students from local colleges, a new year-long intern, and one of the moms in our Role Model Moms program has achieved academic excellence by successfully completing her GED certification! Moreover, Outreach Workers are busy hosting children's and youth programs in each of our ministry communities. We ask that you keep our Outreach Workers in your prayers, as they endeavor to teach, mentor, model and joyfully lead programs. Pray also that they continue to build healthy, and trustworthy relationships with parents.
As we live these early weeks of the year, we are reminded that winter is the harshest and coldest season. The days are shorter and the nights are longer. As we spend more time indoors, this gives all of us considerable opportunities to reflect on the year gone by and also approach this coming year with greater purpose and intentionality.
As we begin another new year, we need to strive to be more hopeful about the world around us. The story of Joshua gives us pause for thought. As Joshua was about to lead God’s people into the promised land, he of course had reasons to be fearful. He had a huge assignment ahead of him, and was well aware of the hazards he and his people would be up against. He required God’s encouragement. Similarly, for us, a new year brings plenty of questions. What will our marriage be like? Will I have good health? Will the economy improve? Will there be any unexpected personal trauma? Will there be natural disasters? And will there be peace in the world? God, our extraordinary encourager says to us “do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” As whatever will happen in the coming year is definitely not left to chance. But rather God is in charge, and He promises to stay close to us,” the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) God follows these encouraging sentiments with a related passage in Matthew 28:20, “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” So as we look at the year ahead of us, may we look forward with the hope and encouragement God lovingly provides for us!
Friends, thank you for your prayers and continued support of Toronto City Mission! May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, and may the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace.
Joyfully in His Service,
Elliott Shin | Executive Director