Have you ever sat in a jail cell?

Have you ever experienced sitting in a jail cell, face-to-face with a convicted criminal, with your Bible open on your lap, sharing the love of Jesus and explaining how he or she could have a new start in a relationship with the Creator God? Have you seen, first hand, the tears of joy that come when that same convict repents, accepts God's love, and gains spiritual freedom through faith in Christ? Have you ever had that wonderful experience?
Me neither.
I've read stories about it. I have talked to others who have been there and done that. I've thought that it would be a great thing to do for God. But I have never done it.
Why not?
Because nobody invited me and showed me how to do it. Or they did, but I didn't take them up on the offer.
Same difference. I didn't do it.

Have you ever knocked on the door at the home of a complete stranger -- or of a friend-- and told them about God's love for them? Have you seen their eyes fill with hope and hear them respond with thankfulness when they understood the message? Have you had that wonderful experience?
I have.
I always heard that there was great joy in sharing one's faith and helping another accept it. And now I have done it.
Why?
Because somebody invited me and showed me how to do it. They offered me the opportunity to experience, first hand, something that I would never do on my own. And they stood by my side, teaching me, encouraging me, helping me.
Big Difference. I did it.

Two experiences. Two crucial ministries in the work of proclaiming the gospel to the entire world.
One I missed out on because I didn't find someone to open the way for me. But the other changed the direction of my life. It removed a major hurdle, an unknown, about serving God. It gave me confidence. It started me down the path of full-time ministry.

We are here in Toronto to help others get started down that path. We introduce young Christians to the nitty-gritty of missions work.  We stand by their side. We teach them how to begin. We open doors for them. We encourage them and we are there when they fall, helping them back up. We help them serve God by helping them serve others.

By directing this Volunteer Program, our own ministry horizons are broadened. In early September we brought our youth to serve at a "Community Dinner", serving a hot meal to street people. It was a new, uncomfortable experience for many of them. By doing it, they learned it wasn't so bad. They actually enjoyed serving and want to come back. And an amazing thing happened. We liked it, too, and have made helping to serve this meal part of our regular Wednesday schedule.

This story repeats itself with the other ministries our youth are involved in. Inner-city, after-school programs giving kids an alternative to gangs and drugs. Serving small, immigrant churches by offering retreat facilities for spiritual rest and refreshment. Involvement in pioneer church-planting through serving a missionary family. Adventure camping turned into a spiritual journey.

As we introduce the youth to new ministry experiences, we meet a wide range of ministry leaders. We discuss ways to help them resolve their ministry challenges. Because of the breadth of our contacts, often we are able to help them network with other leaders to resolve their challenges and grow new partnerships. Once again, we are by their side. Sharing common experiences. Helping the Body of Christ grow stronger and more effective in service.

Toronto is the new face of world missions. Toronto is the most ethnically-diverse city in North America. The world is literally at our doorstep. Christians here have a golden opportunity to proclaim the gospel into China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Morocco, India, Brazil simply by sharing their faith with their neighbors! We are equipping those believers, enabling them for ministry, opening doors for service.

Are you waiting for an invitation to try something new for Christ? How about supporting a mission outreach? Why not join us in this ministry? By supporting Liebenzell Mission with your regular financial gifts you start down the path of making a difference for the Kingdom. You allow the work of forming future servants to continue here in Toronto. It is front-line ministry with a world-wide impact.
This is your opportunity.

Pure and Undefiled Religion

As we approach the completion of the house renovation at Bloor-Lansdowne, we have been seeing God work in exciting ways. The week started at worship on Sunday at the Bloor-Lansdowne Christian Fellowship. They are a small inner-city congregation with a BIG heart. On Sunday there were about 15 people in attendance in a sanctuary that seats about 300. The walls could use a coat of paint, and the sound system was acting up. By most external measures, it would appear to be a church in need of some help. While it is true that every church needs each member to lend a hand, the true measure of this church is what goes on when the worship service is over. When the Sunday Morning worship is finished, another congregation uses the facility-- a congregation made up of deaf individuals. At other times during the week, a Portuguese congregation, and later a Spanish congregation use the same facilities to offer praises to the same Lord who understands every language.

Then on Wednesday evenings, the church fills up again. This time, it fills with the grateful chatter of nearly one hundred hungry people who enjoy the hospitality the church offers during their "Community Dinner". Dignity, Love and Respect are on the menu here. It is not a "soup kitchen". It is not a "food giveaway". It is a community dinner. Free to all who enter. It is a hot meal personally served at the table to every person that walks in the door. It is fellowship and friendly conversation with anyone who desires it. It is a gift of a week's supply of bread to those who ask. It is an hour's worth of entertainment by a talented folk singer. It is an evening of dignity displayed toward any person that enters. No questions asked except one: "Can we serve you?"

The contrast between Sunday and Wednesday is striking. On Sunday, fifteen people humbly bowing their heads and praying to the Father and listening to teaching from God's Word. On Wednesday, those same people reaching out to scores of needy people with a hot meal and the Love of Jesus. It is a ministry of love that quietly speaks volumes directly into the lives of the neediest people of Toronto. And I think Jesus smiles down on the Bloor-Lansdowne Christian Fellowship.

James 1:27: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."