Hopes and Dreams for CBOQ

By Carol Gouveia, CBOQ Team Coordinator, Church Life and Leadership

I was recently asked to share my hopes and dreams for CBOQ. I do not think I have ever been asked that before, so it’s taken me some time to let that take shape.

I hope for a resurgence and renewal of our associations. We are better together. This can happen by continuing to meet and praying together. I hope that as Associations get stronger, partnerships between church will take shape. Often, I see churches giving up on mission opportunities because of lack of resources – financial and people. What if two or three churches, or an entire association contributed those resources to a shared vision? What if a church joined with another already on mission? I believe the results will be exponentially greater.

I hope that CBOQ can be a leader in the healing of relationships with Indigenous communities. We have learned a lot through opportunities like the Walking Together conferences. Many of us have been reading, listening, and learning. Now it is time to take a more active posture and build relationships. Pray for our CBOQ churches on and near First Nations reserves. If those churches are in your association, I encourage you to get to know the people. Worship with them from time to time. Share a meal. If those churches are further afield, do not be afraid to reach out and arrange a visit – not as a tourist, but as a learner. Seek to build relationship along the way. Whether near or far, these churches would be stronger with your partnership in mission.

I have been a part of the CBOQ spanning 50 years. Despite the challenges we have faced, I have never had greater reason for hope than in these days. Church planting is on the rise. Churches have great imagination for mission. We are seeing people baptised and discipled. CBOQ, seize the day. God is at work! Are you in?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

3 thoughts on “Hopes and Dreams for CBOQ”

  1. Thank you, Carol. I applaud the prayer for greater Association strength and unity. We in the North are working at just such unity and strength by increased times of meeting on-line and prayer and re-working our documents.
    Thank you for your post — you should’ve been asked earlier ; )

  2. Carol, you have been such a rock for the CBOQ for decades. Your fingerprints are all over the impact of our churches and mission projects. It was an honour to work with you for a number of years. Thank you for your words of encouragement and hope. You are a gift to the CBOQ and to me.

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