THE SHIELD 2024
| January 2024 | Unavailable | March 2024 |
| April 2024 | May 2024 | June 2024 |
| July 2024 | August 2024 | September 2024 |
| October 2024 | November 2024 | December 2024 |
THE SHIELD 2023
| January 2023 | February 2023 | March 2023 |
| April 2023 | May 2023 | June 2023 |
| July 2023 | August 2023 | September 2023 |
| October 2023 | November 2023 | December 2023 |
We sincerely thank everyone who has partnered with us in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Great Canadian Giving Challenge*, and it’s bigger and better than ever! For every donation of $10 or more to any charity via CanadaHelps.org in June, you get one entry to win incredible adventure-themed prizes. CanadaHelps will also be awarding two prizes of $10,000 donations to two charities!
The Military Christian Fellowship of Canada is supported through people like you. Would you consider a one-time gift this June? Your support and prayers are invaluable in our mission to touch lives and share the love of Jesus.
“Discussing faith, family, and work life as a Christian.”
Allow me to introduce myself, Rick Campbell, pastor of Deployed Church, an online ministry of Oromocto Baptist Church. This online ministry provides audio podcast for you to listen to at your convenience and encourage you in your faith.
The aim of these podcasts is to discuss faith, family, and work life as a Christian who is currently active or retired from the military.
The goal of these podcasts is to pass on the experiences of Christian military members and retirees to other members, their families and to the broader church family.
The topics we discuss are faith, family, and work. The experiences shared in these podcasts, will uplift, and strengthen you in your walk with Christ.
Recording are done in audio and then posted to the podcast platforms. (DP1 Deployed Podcast). Guests have the option of not using their name or using initials or a first name.
Do not hesitate to provide us with feedback or if you have any questions or comments about the podcast you can contact us at the MCF office
In Christ,
Rick Campbell
DP1 Deployed
“And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6: 13
During the week leading up to Jesus’ arrest, Jesus warns Peter, saying, “Satan wants to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith might not fail” (Lk 22:31-32). Jesus does not promise Peter that there will be no trials in life. Peter pledges loyalty even unto death but falls asleep in the garden. Jesus then awakens Peter and tells him to watch and pray lest he enter into temptation, but Peter does not pray and, soon after that, fails in his time of trial by denying Jesus three times.
When we pray, we are protected by Jesus from Satan and his attacks. Satan, the accuser, is not prevented from his work as “the accuser.” Still, the disciples are instructed in the Lord’s Prayer not only to pray in general but for deliverance from the times of trial that evil brings.
Whatever one’s views of the nature of Satan, it can be said that the way evil functions in society is most appropriately described using personal language. A demonic energy breaks out in people, societies and nations that act with the force of a guiding evil mind. “Lead us not into temptation” is better translated as, “Do not bring us to the time of trial.” Also, “do not bring us” can be understood to mean “Do not permit us to go.”
The petition for protection from evil, or the evil one, is a cry from the heart in every age. In 1 Peter 5:8, we find Peter’s words, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Seeking God’s protection and guidance must be in our minds and our prayers daily as we venture into the lions’ den..
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, join the discussion led by panel members who have, like all of us, found themselves facing the inevitable tension between recent cultural change initiatives and their faith in Jesus Christ.
Can we serve without compromising our faith? Can we truly love our non-Christian comrades? Is there still a place for Christians in the CAF?
There are no easy answers, but as Christians we know that where we need to look is to God and his word, as a community. This discussion will provide a chance to listen and ask questions as we all seek to serve faithfully.
To make the discussion available across the country, there will be 2 sessions on 6 Feb, the first from 1900-2030 EST followed by 1900-2030 MST. Feel free to join whichever one works best with your schedule.
The panel will be hosted by the Military Christian Fellowship and open to all members of the military Christian community who are asking these kinds of questions. It will be live on Discord.
Please contact the event coordinator, Andrew Haves through the MCF office for more information and to receive the link to Discord.
Again this year we will meet without having to physically travel to a specific location for our AGM. As we did in the past few years, we will be using the teleconferencing application called “ZOOM”. We have had great success with this application for connecting with our members and supporters.
Please contact our office for more details.
Only members of the Military Christian Fellowship of Canada will be given the right to vote at the AGM.
In the book of Exodus, God rescued Israel out of slavery in Egypt and established them as His covenant community by giving them His Law. Over and over, the Israelites would remember and recite this story, refusing to forget the joy of rescue.
Through every trial and test ever after, their rescue from Egypt reminded them of what was possible through their God. In God’s covenant with the freed Israelites, He outlines what it looks like to be His people in the world. By following these commands, Israel becomes a compelling image of God’s heart on display.
As beautiful as the Commandments are, they are but a glimpse of the Great Commandment that Jesus will outline in His ministry. Jesus sums up the entire covenant law given to Moses in the twin statements that make up the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 12:30-131)
Jesus has fulfilled all the laws by his arrival, life, death, and resurrection. By His grace, He is forming us into a covenant community transformed by His holy love. He is shaping us into a picture of what it looks like to be His people in this world.
This Christmas, we should also remember our rescue. We must remember our story and how we were once enslaved. Not in Egypt with physical chains, under the brutality of Pharaoh. But we were once enslaved to sin. It was our exile, bound by its oppressive grip and strength.
But Jesus faced down the empire of sin and proclaimed, “Let my people go!” Jesus is the long-awaited arrival of liberation. He overthrew the power and plagues of sin and became the Passover lamb of sacrifice so that we could be set free! He is our New Exodus! Because of Him, we can know the Joy of Rescue.
The people of Israel often retold their rescue story. What is yours? What is your testimony of Joy and Rescue? How and when did Jesus rescue you? How did that change your life?
Look for an opportunity to share that joy this Christmas with at least one other person.
The MCF is inviting you to join with many across the nation for a National Communion Gathering hosted by the CRY / NDOPs
Please plan to join us on APRIL 6th (3 pm ET) for our Annual National Communion Service (online) for Passover
2023
As we have entered into 2023, there continues to be a strong emphasis across the Body of Christ on the power of the Blood of Christ.
It is as though, while the nations shake and shift, there is a call from Heaven to continue to intentionally hide our hearts and homes under the covering of the Blood of the Lamb.
There is a pull in all of us to gather again for another time of humbling our hearts together before the Lord. We hope you will join us.
During the online gathering, there will be worship, prayer, special exhortation and communion together led by senior national leaders.
Click here to register now.
A link will be sent to all registrants to join live or watch the replay.
French translation will also be provided for those who participated via the Zoom webinar option.
God bless you and God bless Canada,
Faytene Grasseschi
Passover ’23 Host, TheCRY / NDOPs
It’s time to consider whom to invite to our next Alpha course. Registration is underway and we would love for you to join us on the online Alpha course the MCF is offering this winter.
The Alpha course is an excellent tool we use in accomplishing the core mission of the MCF, “to bring the gospel to the Military Community”.
If you haven’t been on an Alpha course, please consider joining us this February. If you have been on the course, then talk to your military community friend or family member about joining us, we are using the online platform and there is plenty of room for everyone.
Watch the ‘trailer‘ then get out there and invite (virtually) your colleagues, your friends and your family, and register soon for the MCF Alpha course. The experience will change them and you…forever.
Are you ready to join us, is someone you know ready for an extraordinary life change? Here are the coordinates for the group:
Sunday, 05 February online at 7:00 pm EST
Leading the sessions: Gerry Potter
Alpha Coordinator: Nicole
To register and for more information: Connect with us
It is a true honour to serve in our nation’s military in uniform. Equally so, I am proud to serve on the leadership team of the Military Christian Fellowship (MCF) where I find my vocation and my ministry passions intersect.
Joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 2004 while enrolled in a theological studies program, my decision was by all appearances an impulsive one. In fact, I recall the recruiting officer assuming I was enrolling as a Chaplain, only to realise I had no idea what occupation I wanted to apply for! Though my heart was yet far from God at that time, His divine providence was clearly at work in guiding my steps into what has been a rewarding and challenging career in the Army as a Logistics Officer.
My desire to serve with the MCF is born out of my own experience of wandering for many years in search of success and ultimate meaning while confronted by the pain, struggle, and failures of everyday life. Existential questions led me back to the Bible, while the miraculous intervention of God in my life led me to believe and trust in Jesus Christ. It is my desire to share the HOPE, JOY, and PEACE that I have found in Him with those whom I am privileged to serve alongside.