How you can partner with me on this journey and be a part of what God is doing in Canada!

 

       Immediately after returning from Canada where I had an internship at The Light Church in Winnipeg, it was clear that I would be going back (I just didn’t know when). In the meantime, I’ve been serving at Thrive Christian Church in Fayetteville with their children’s ministry and discipleship events. I have also been volunteering to mentor international college students through the University of Arkansas, and have been working full time at a child care facility. Life is good, but I knew God was calling me back to Canada.

       In the past few months, God has provided a new opportunity to go back through an internship at St. Adolphe, a small town outside of Winnipeg, which is why I am beyond thrilled to be sharing this exciting news with each of you! During my internship in 2015, I served in Winnipeg as well as St. Adolphe, and look forward to continually be building relationships within the church. For the past seven years, it has been such an honor to get to know these families and see how God is transforming their lives, I look forward to fostering those relationships further.

          The church is at a healthy place, and they are looking to expand their youth and young adult ministries. My primary role will be within the young adult ministry, updating the church website, and marketing for events.  I will also help with the youth, children, and starting a seniors connect ministry. I’m stoked about the opportunity God is providing to continue ministry in my second home, Canada!

Two questions I’ve been hearing are:

When do you start! August 23 I’m going to head out of Fayetteville and start driving north.

How can we help?  There are two significant ways to help.

1) Sign up to receive news and ways to pray for me. Your prayer support is vital! Prayer is the fuel that will allow me to be successful as I follow God’s leading in ministry in St. Adolphe. Without prayer, nothing will happen. I am expectant of the amazing things God is going to do through this opportunity. Some things you can be praying about now is for my family and myself as I get ready to leave them for a whole year. If you would like to recieve updates through the next year and prayer request you can send me your email and I’ll be sending out emails and updating this blog. 

2) Commit to contributing financially.

• The financial goal I need is $700 a month for the next 12 months.

• Please consider giving a one-time gift or a recurring monthly gift for the next 12 months.

o Two ways to give:

1. Online: Through PayPal with the link PayPal.Me/jordanwilliams08

a. One time donation of: __ $25​ __$50 ___ $100 ___ Other

b. Recurring Online donation

i. __ $25 ___ $50 ___ $100 ___ Other

2. Mail: 1330 N College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703

a. Make check out to Thrive Christian Church for Jordan Williams

For more information you can reach me at 4794092357 or jordandawn16@gmail.com

 

Why Canada?

Let me answer that by saying why not Canada? 

You may be wondering why would I want to leave my family and my home to live in Canada where it’s cold. Well first of all I believe that’s where God is calling me! Secondly I love it for several reasons. The cultural diversity is amazing. You meet people from everywhere around the world so by being in Winnipeg/St. Adolphe I can reach the nations. And God tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19 I love the people that I’ve gotten to know in the past and I want to continue those friendships with the believers and non believers! Ohh and I can’t forget the snow. I love the snow! Sure it’s cold but the snow makes so much better!! A few weeks ago someone said to me well there’s people here in Northwest Arkansas that need Jesus. And I do agree with that person. That’s part of the reasons I became content and learned to love living in Fayetteville but God calls each of us to different places some right here in Arkansas, some to Asia, and even some of us to Canada! He calls us to the ends of the earth so that every tongue tribe and nation will worship Him. For his glory and our good! 

 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 

Oh Canada….

Gods timing and sovereignty is amazing and I am so thankful his ways are higher than mine. So Guess what?? Yep you guessed it. I’m going back! As most of you know I have been wanting to go back ever since I returned home the last time! Its crazy to think that I have gone to Canada for at least a week at a time, sometimes longer, since 2012. The last time I was there was spring break 2017. So I cant break the trend I have to back now that its 2018! It has been a crazy spiritual journey in this time of waiting for God to open up a door for me to go back. In 2015 when I came home from being in Winnipeg for 8 months, I was excited to be home with family but the desire to go back never went away. I knew that God wanted me to be home for awhile and looking back I’m so thankful things go his way rather than mine. So knowing that I was going to be home for awhile I figured I should look for jobs, a place to live, and a church. I started by looking for jobs in Russellville because thats where some of my friends were and my church that had grown to be family but God was not opening any doors so I began to look in Fayetteville because my cousin needed a roomate, and it seemed to be where God wanted me. Gods sovereignty is amazing and I love how he reminds of it.  I found a job, apartment, and an amazing church. I was still not content, I just wanted to be in Winnipeg and prayed for an opportunity constantly and nothing was happening so I tried shoving the desire to go away but the desire stayed so I stayed discontent until I realized that God had me in Fayetteville and it was part of His plan and I needed to serve Him where I was and live in the present time not always living for the future. I went through a couple jobs that didnt work out and finally the third one was perfect at See Um Smile playhouse daycare. I’ve worked there for a little over a year and I love it.  I teach the toddler class so it can get crazy at times but I enjoy it. Ive learned a lot from the little ones. They have helped grow and learn to be myself. Because what two year old is going to judge you? Right? I can be goofy with them and dance and just be me because they dont care and it has helped me be that way all the time not just with them. They have also taught me what it really means when God tells us to have faith like a child. They wake up every morning and come to school getting dropped off by their parents and sometimes upset but still knowing that their parents will be back. They know they will get fed and be loved, they are so carefree and dont have a single worry through out the day. Still growing in that area but I’ve learned to start living day by day like a child does.  Its been amazing watching them grow and become their own person. Other than family and friends, my toddlers are going to be the hardest to leave. I have grown so attached to them, it will definitely be bitter sweet. Needless to say I have grown to love being in Fayetteville. Not only do I love my job but I love my church family. And something I prayed for when I realized I wasnt going to be in Russellville was friends. God answered those prayers. He is a soverein God and I’m reminded of that all the time. A few friends I knew from Tech moved to NWA to plant a church and they invited me to come to a game night and after I went over to their house, sounds silly but  I was hoping they would invite me again and they did. I have gotten to know some awesome people from what started as Thursday game night and now has turned into more like a home group. So thankful God brought them to NWA to plant a church. All that to say I still struggled with not being content and wanting to be in Winnipeg. It would seem like God would be opening a door then it would shut and just wasnt understanding why. So finally through reading scripture, listening to worship songs, and the messages that were being preached by pastor, and talking about it all with a really good friends (side note advice- during seasons of waiting and being at this season of life its really amazing to find a Godly friends who will listen to you and pray for you and walk through the struggles and all with you.) It’s been amazing how God has put such Godly people in my life for each season. I’ve developed some awesome friendships through the years because of Jesus!!  Anyways I realized that I needed to let go of my dream of going back to Canada and let the dream die, and I wanted to want Jesus more than my dreams, more than anything. So I came to a place of  contentment  where God has me and this is the crazy sovereignty of God part,  not even two weeks after I had this conversation with God, He opened up a door for me to serve with a church in Canada. An amazing church that I have had the opportunity to get to know through going up there so much. I will be interning with St. Adolphe, a church in a small town outside of Winnipeg. I am so excited, I would leave tomorrow if I could, but I’m striving to be patient and continue trusting in God. I’m confident He is calling me there so I know He will make it happen. I would love to have your support. Financially and prayer support! Right now you can be praying for  my family. They love me and want me to do what I want but that doesn’t make it easy, so be praying for them and me. I cant wait to be in Canada but its not easy being away from family especially my three adorable nieces. Also being praying that God prepares me for what Ill be doing in St. Adolphe. If you would live to help me financially let me know. You can give through paypal with the link paypal.me/jordanwilliams08 or if you would like to give another way you can send me a message and if you would like to pray for me I will be updating this blog and sending emails through out my time with updates and prayer request.

You can’t get to Caynan without going through Jordan. ❤️

The Bible even says so. 😉
My little brother has been through a lot, and as his big sis I feel the need to protect him. Almost 4 years ago he got staff infection in his blood stream and it nearly killed him. He was in children’s hospital for awhile. During this time I was in Canada and when I got the news I was ready to hop on a plane and head home but we didn’t have much longer before our mission team was going to leave and God reminded me that He is in control and he didn’t need me to be home. After finally getting out of the hospital Caynan spent the next three years having to sit around and not getting to run around and play like a normal little boy because he wasn’t able to walk. Although he did get a lot of video game playing time, and he still got to hunt (he’s the best hunter in the family) The infection had deteriorated his hip bone making it impossible to walk But God has big plans for my little bro and after therapy and surgery he no longer needed a wheel chair or crutches. Through all of that I would say our little K-Man was the strongest out of the rest of us. His faith continued to grow. As if that wasn’t enough for the little guy, our parents got a divorce. No need to go into much detail. But no matter what that type of thing isn’t easy on any kid.  Our family has been dealing with some stuff and still dealing with it. I didn’t think it was fair for my younger siblings to have go through. I felt they deserved to be protected and there wasn’t much left I could about it so I started asking God where he was and why? But God as he has done so often reminded me that he is here and knows what he is doing and he doesn’t need me to fix anything. Sometimes it’s hard to admit but my family needs God more than they need me. And even though I  struggle with that I also find comfort in knowing that I serve a sovereign God and can put my hope in him and his grace and mercies. One night just recently coming home from the movies I got to experience something really cool. I got to worship in the car with my little brother. In that moment God was saying see I’ve been here all along working in the heart of your little brother and doing much more than you’ll ever know. It’s been one of the coolest things to watch him grow in his walk with God, and I know God has big plans for his life in glorifying God and growing his kingdom! And I’m excited to continue watching God use my little brother.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭
 

5%

5% of my life has been spent in Winnipeg! May not sound like a lot but just that small percentage has made Winnipeg my second home!! Thinking back to the very first time I came here, which was also my first mission trip, I would have never guess that I would spend 5% of my life here! I remember thinking that Canada would be a good place to start, it’s not to much of a culture shock and it’s not to far from home. I thought after that trip that my next mission trip would be over seas but I kept getting drawn back to Winnipeg. I fell in love with this city and my heart grew for the people here. My time here is coming to an end and I’ll be going home soon. Most bittersweet moment of my life! God has taught me a lot and challenged me and there has been ups and also downs. I love being a part of a church plant but it isn’t always easy. God is definitely at work on the university of Manitoba and in the city! Thinking back to the very first time we brought a team here to now. There wasn’t much of a gospel presence on campus. Now there is a church with Christians who are passionate about seeing the campus and city reached and there are new believers who are eager to grow and learn more, and there are people who aren’t believers yet but are seeking the truths of the gospel. I think my most favourite thing about this campus is that there are over 110 nations represented here. That means that we are literally reaching the nations and being obedient to Gods word. Mathew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I’m going to miss being here so much but I’m leaving confident in Christ and all the he is doing in this city for the glory of God and farthing the kingdom! I’m here on a “mission trip” and I was sent here to partner with the church in reaching the campus. It’s not always easy but it is easy to have the mindset of living life on mission when that’s why I’m here but I’ve God reminded me that as a Christian we are to live life on mission no matter where we are and when I go home I need to continue living life on mission and desire to reach the lost people in my city. I have no idea what’s in store for me after I leave here but I trust in the sovereignty of God and I know that no matter where I end up next I want to be faithfully obedient to Christ!

“Go therefore and make desciples of all nations”

It’s been a few months since I’ve written an update, so here goes. God is working in the university and his presence is growing here, not only the campus but also in the city. I went through a time where I was super discouraged and homesick. One day I sent out a text to a few friends to pray for me because I was so homesick and not wanting to be here. That day was a day when I set up a table on campus to let people know there is a church on campus. Before I had even got everything set up at the table a guy came by who said he was a Christian, it’s always encouraging to meet a Christian on such a liberal university. Then a little bit later the atheist that likes to make ridiculous conversation came by the table and was really friendly. God was using people that probably had no idea, to encourage me and remind me that He is here and at work in the lives of these students.  Undeserving of God’s grace and love and he continues to show it to me. Christmas break was so encouraging for me. Being away from home on Christmas for the first time was different and a little tough but at our Christmas party we had the message preached was about Jesus and his gift to us. I was reminded that my true home is found in Jesus, he lived a life I could never live and died a death I deserve. The least I can do is live a life serving him and being obedient. We had great turn outs for our Christmas and New year’s parties. One of my favorite things about this city is meeting people from all over the world with different cultures and backgrounds. Over break I learned that students do want to hang out and during school they really are so studious and its not that they don’t want to hang out. Learning that was encouraging.  Our church started off the new year with a baptism. It was so cool getting to watch the baptism and be there for the girl as a community. The Light has been a church for just a little over a year now and it’s awesome to see and get to be a small part of all that God is doing through the church. Our vision is to reach nonbelievers and when they become believers, we want to make disciples, as we are called by God to do. It is not an easy thing and it takes time. But “If we are devoted to Jesus and leading others to Jesus in all of life, it is worth it.” – Jeff Vanderstelt. One of the things I’ve learned about discipleship is that its way more than just meeting one on one with someone. It’s living every aspect of your life for the glory of Jesus. We can disciple others by living life with them and showing them what it means to live everyday life for Jesus. Discipleship can happen anywhere at any time.

I also have the opportunity to help with a youth group at St. Adolphe, a small town outside of the city. I never really had interest in working with youth I always liked working with the little kids but I have really enjoyed getting to know these youth kids. And for a small town church we have a good number of kids who come out each week. It’s an odd but cool thing to see all the kids come but none of their parents are involved in the church, and they allow their kids come to learn about God.

Prayer request:

Pray for Gods presence to continue to grow on campus and in the city.

Pray for our church to grow as a community and make disciples who will make disciples and that God will transfer our community to better reflect Jesus.

Pray that God is working in the lives of the students and will bring the ones who do not know him to him.

Pray for St. Adolph youth and the church as they are the only evangelist church in the town

Pray for the new believers that they will grow and desire to know more about God and who .

 

Prove there is a God

“Prove to me that there is a God” That’s what the proclaimed atheist kept saying to me. He was not accepting of any of my responses. He already had his mind up that there is no God. After many of his questions, he tried telling me that God is dead. What?? If something doesn’t exist how can it be dead? We weren’t getting anywhere in our conversation so he left. I was discourages and sad. I was discouraged because I couldn’t answer all of his questions, and I was sad because he left still believing that there is no God. But then I remembered a book I read by Mark Cahill called “One Thing You Can’t do in Heaven” In one chapter it talked about how every Gospel conversation is a win-win-win, not a win-win-lose. Accepting the Gospel-win, planting the seed-win, and we often think that being rejected is a loss. But Cahill pointed at two verses that say otherwise. 1 Peter 4:14 says “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God rest upon you” and Luke 6:22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of man. “ “When you get rejected God has rewards for you in heaven”- Cahill. Every gospel conversation we have is a win-win-win. That is comforting and gives me confidence in Christ. I was also reminded of the verses Romans 1:19-20 “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” If we believe the bible is true, then we believe that every single person knows there is a God. That atheist knows there is a God, and he is without excuse. I didn’t need to prove to him that there is God because he knows. I realized I need to pray for him. Only God can save and open his heart. Once his heart is opened up to the truth of the Gospel then he will be able to understand. People don’t go to hell because they don’t know God, they go to hell because they reject God. God doesn’t command us to prove that he exist, he commands us to preach the Good News. Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

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Ephesians 3:20

 ^{Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.} 

As I was reflecting back on the past few weeks, this verse has encouraged me and reminded me that I can not do this without God and without trusting in him. The University had a student recruitment week, where student groups could set up a table and promote their groups. At first I thought the week was going terrible because there were hardly any student groups with tables. We were set up in a big room in the University Centre. There were lots of tables set up but weren’t being used and not many students were coming to check out the groups. It was kind of discouraging but I was confident in Christ and I knew God was at work, and he definitely was. A couple of students who came by the table ended up coming to church. One of the students who came to church had said he just wanted to get to know people and wasn’t interested in Christianity but he came anyways and didn’t leave without hearing the gospel. And some students who are involved with the church helped with the table, which is encouraging and really cool to see their commitment, and passion for campus. One of my favorite things that I really enjoy is volunteering with the international program and meeting new students. I’ve done this in the past when I’ve came and I’m friends with the other students I met through this program. This time I’m partnered with a Korean student, we’ve been sharing about our cultures and I’ve learned a few Korean words. It’s kind of strange hanging out on campus and not being a student, but it can lead in to cool conversations.

I also have been helping with the youth at St. Adolphe, and it has been really cool. Each week 27-33 kids have been showing up. That’s a big youth group and it’s really exciting. It’s been fun getting to know the kids, I’m looking forward to getting to know them more. It’s interesting to see that many kids because not many of their parents are involved in the church, but they don’t mind letting their kids come each week.

Expectant of things God has on store for this youth group, the campus, and the city.

In our bible study we’ve been learning about God’s attributes and how we apply the truth pf who God is, in our lives. Just a few of God’s attributes include; holiness, righteousness, justice, sovereignty, eternality, and omniscience. God is a loving God but he also much more. We tend to just want the loving attribute and forget about the righteousness of God. If we only believe that Gods only attribute is love then we believe in a false God. We deserve Gods wrath not his love, but because Jesus died on the cross and took our place, we can be made righteous. If you don’t believe in Jesus as your savior and have a personal relationship with him then God cant see the righteousness through Jesus in you. God is righteous which means he is right in all things. Psalm 119:137 says Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. We cant pick and choose what we want and say whether its right or not, we have to look at what God says and that needs to be our standard of righteousness. Not what the world says. God is also omniscience meaning he is all knowing. So if he is right and all knowing then he knows all things about being right about all things. (Hope that makes since) I find this very comforting. In bible study Brad said no matter what you go through it has to go through Gods hands first. Now that really stuck with me and is so comforting. And we know He does all things for the good of those who believe in him. A really cool thing about Gods attributes is they all go together. The God of the universe and the creator who knows all things sent his son to die for me! And you!! The application I need and want to take from this is having a better prayer life. I can trust in God because I know these attributes are true so I need to show him that I trust in him and give everything to him.

Prayer request

Be praying for the campus, that it will continue to be reached with the Gospel

Pray for the St. Adolphe youth group that the non-Christians will open their heart to the Gospel and God will draw them near to him, pray for the Christians that they will grow in their walk and also be bold in Christ.

Pray for the students who filled out connection cards, we are beginning to send emails and try to connect with them.

Pray for the Light that God will continue using the church to reach the unreached and disciple the reached.

Pray for our outreach event. We have started games nights on campus and will have it each week in hopes to meet new students.

Be praying for me as holidays are approaching and those are the times I tend to start getting a little home sick.

Thank you for the prayers and support!!(:

Stoked for the next Ten months!

The presence of Christ is growing on this very liberal campus and its really exciting. I’ve only been here for five days and I’m stoked for these next ten months. Last Thursday and Friday the university let student groups set up tables to promote their group. I witnessed students who were passionate about the Gospel and seeing their university reached. Looking back on when the church first started, its really cool to see all that God has done in the first year since they launched. The nations are being reached and its an amazing thing to see and I’m humbled I have the opportunity to be a small part of what God is doing here. Not only are people coming to faith in Jesus but they are staying connected and being discipled and going out and discipline others and sharing their faith.

I was very excited to go back to the Light Church service on Sunday. When I was here when they first started having services the space was not very convenient. But God provided the perfect space on campus. They rarely have to move and its so convenient in many different ways. As I sat there and watched students come in I was overwhelmed, God has already done so much through the Light in this past year. I’m very expectant of what God has in store for the second year!

Prayer request:

Pray for the new believers that they will continue to grow in their spiritual walk and be bold in sharing their faith.

Pray for the Light community group that they will be encouraged by all that God is doing and will continue to do. Pray that we will be bold in reaching the university.

Pray for the non-believers that have been coming to the Light and for the people we will come in contact with, that God will begin working in their hearts.

Pray for next week, as it is student recruitment week and we will have a table set up every day to promote the church. Pray that we will be bold and that the students will be open to conversation.

Overwhelmed by God’s Sovereignty

The dictionary describes sovereign as supreme and power in authority. God is exactly that. He is in control over all things. If you would have told me I would be going to Winnipeg for 10 months after I finished college. I wouldn’t have believed you. I’m so excited and expectant of what God is going to do. My flight is officially booked!! I will be leaving on September 9th!! Praying my sister has her baby by then!!(:

 Isaiah ‭46‬:‭10 “Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” From the beginning to the end everything happens according to His purpose. When you really think about that, it can be overwhelming but also very comforting. ‬ I’ve been thinking about it a lot the past few days. God provided funds to book my flight, and has also provided a place for me to live!! He reminds me daily of his sovereignty over my life. I got to thinking about how I ended up here to where I am today and God showed me how his sovereignty in my life is what got me here. Here are a few ways God has shown his sovereignty in my life the past five years. If I wouldn’t have transferred my senior year of high school from St. Paul to Elkins I don’t know that I would have ended up at tech. And I’m so incredibly thankful God placed me at Arkansas Tech. I have made so many amazing and encouraging Christian friends. From God surrounding me with other believers I really began to learn what it meant to be a Christ follower in all aspects of my life. I began really growing in my spiritual life.  Although I’m thankful for God sending me to Elkins my senior year. I more then likely wouldn’t have got involved with the campus ministry if weren’t for a friend from St. Paul who was a leader in the BCM. By getting involved with the campus ministry I met people who were involved at FBC Dardanelle and then I also got invoked and never stopped. If I hadn’t gone to that church, I would have never had the opportunity to go to Canada. If I had never gone to Canada, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to be just a small part of what God is doing there. All the things God has done in my life has not been for me it is for his glory, and for his kingdom. How amazing is it to see how God works in every part of our lives to shape us in who he wants us to be to glorify his name!

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

I have not always thought that every aspect of my life needs to glorify God but when I realized that, I started seeing Gods purpose more clearly. The purpose to glorify his name and kingdom.  I’m humbled that God has chosen me to be just a small part of what he is doing in Winnipeg. I always knew God had a purpose for my life, but it took me a while to realize that purpose was for his glory and not my own. I do believe everything happens for a reason and its all in Gods plan and I know he has worked in me though me being different, but I always thought I was born different so that I could get a job to work with people with disabilities, and that would be all that I did. Honestly I thought that’s all that I was capable of, but over the past four years God has taught me that through Christ I can do much more for the glory of the his kingdom. I never really thought God would use me in a different way. I thought my identity was based on how my hands looked. But that’s not the case at all. My identity is found in Christ and its not about me at all. Its all about Christ and living for the one who died for us.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.