‘The Lord has done great things’ at The ConneXion
The ConneXion Church - Arborg, Manitoba.
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3). With great joy and gratitude we share the great works of the Lord in our lives.
Gerald Reimer, Mary Friesen, Peter and Rosanna Loewen, Glauberio Pereira, Trudy and Peter Dueck pray over Isabeh and Pastor Dani Caldeira (centre).
On October 1, 2023, we began a new journey in our church. We are currently around 45 members, many starting their journey of faith, mostly new Canadians: refugees from Syria and Ukraine, immigrants from Brazil, India and Kenya, as well as, of course, longer-established Canadians. Our community welcomed new pastor Dani Caldeira from Brazil. Together with her husband Isabeh and son Matheus they brought a little music and a different way of leading the Lord’s flock through love, adding to our diverse and blessed grouping of peoples and cultures.
On October 22, we officially held the installation service for our new pastor and family, with EMC representative Gerald Reimer. Gerald brought us an inspiring message about the cross and our calling. We then celebrated, together with our members, the beginning of Dani’s journey with us.
Dani and Isabeh have been pastors in Brazil since 2010, and music and theater teachers since 1998. They are responsible for an evangelistic ministry through art in Brazil, where they performed professional musical theatre pieces bearing the name of Jesus to spectators.
An interdenominational choir includes a diversity of ages and nationalities at their first rehearsal.
Our services are now full of worship through music, and sermons supported by images and videos help everyone understand, as some of our members are still in the process of acquiring English, including our pastor.
On November 12, we began an evangelistic interdenominational choir that aims to bring music and peace to the people of our town, especially in homes for the elderly and people with disabilities. The members are of different ages and nationalities, which brings us a colourful diversity of talents and expressiveness. Our first performance was on December 17.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16).
We rely on these words of Jesus, and that is exactly what we seek: through art we make the light of Christ shine like a beacon over our town, our province, our country, our world.