St. John’s, Vancouver

Global Mission Projects: St. John’s, Vancouver, BC

- Archdeacon Dan Gifford and Canon David Short

Helping Point Partnership, India.

Helping Point is a non-denominational Christian charity that works in Eastern India in the states of Andhra-Pradesh and Orissa to share the love of Jesus Christ. Their mission is to empower Dalit ("Untouchables") communities through a holistic, adaptable, grass-roots driven development model in order to achieve physical, spiritual, and social change. Our vision is to make disciples of Jesus Christ and see material and relational poverty alleviated across all regions of India.

The Diocese of Upper Shire, Malawi.

Malawi is a land-locked nation in south-eastern Africa. Often called “the warm heart of Africa”, it is politically at peace but economically very poor. With a population of 17 million, they have a low average life expectancy, and the average income is less than $1 per day. About 11% of the population is affected by AIDS and there are over one million orphans. Most people depend on agriculture to earn a living.

The Anglican Church came to Malawi with the missionaries in 1861. The Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire (ADUS), one of four dioceses, is located in an area that extends south from the southern end of Lake Malawi to the country’s second largest city, Blantyre. Within its 33 parishes there are 285 church outstations, all led by 33 priests plus 10 retired priests who help. Besides the training for lay and ordained leadership, the diocese is expected to solve problems of poverty – health, pastoral needs, education and politics. To this end it runs 2 national secondary boarding schools, 38 primary schools, 17 secondary day schools, a blind school, a nursing college, 2 hospitals and 8 health centres. 

How are we Involved?
St. John’s has had a partnership with the Diocese of Upper Shire since 2003. Under the Missions Committee, the St. John’s Malawi Committee meets regularly and is in regular communication with people in the Diocese of Upper Shire. We encourage each other in living the gospel and each year St. John’s allocates money to support the diocese. This includes support for priests’ salaries, seminary training, the position of Sunday School Coordinator and supplies and equipment to facilitate the spread of the gospel. In times of crisis, such as floods and drought, we have supported the people with relief funds.

Ratanak International, Cambodia.

St. John's has supported Ratanak International for many years financially and collaboratively by sending teams to work alongside them. 

In 1975, the entire population of Cambodia was subjected to slave labour, mass execution, unchecked disease and starvation during the Khmer Rouge Regime. The entire fabric of society was effectively dismantled and then disintegrated. Approximately three million died. As a result of its history, Cambodia still suffers deep wounds that result in many painful issues. Each issue feeds the next, leading to cycles of extreme vulnerability.

Ratanak’s programs are aimed at breaking these cycles of exploitation and vulnerability by focusing on holistic restoration, researching areas of need and then filling in the gaps. Their programs serve communities in Cambodia by providing access to medical, education and social services alongside ongoing community development initiatives, anti-trafficking programs, and disaster relief. 

They believe in the power of collaboration to create change and transform lives. That is why they are dedicated to walking alongside Cambodians, empowering them to rebuild their own country. They rely on Christ’s redemptive love, as he works in and through the Cambodian people to bring this work to completion.

Partnership with Individual Missionaries:

International

-Jeremy Curry in Nepal (YWAM)

-Sharyn Thompson in Burkina Faso (Wycliffe Translators)

-Andrew Buchanan in Japan

-Three other missionaries, in Asia and the Middle East

Local

-Alan Lensick  IVCF campus ministry

-Susan Norman IVCF campus ministry

-Paul Ratsoy - Lighthouse Harbour ministry--evangelizing seafarers in Vancouver Harbour.

-Richie Speidel - Navigators