Paradigm Ministries Annual Report

As you scan through this report, I have a request of you.  Please pause and ask God how he would have you respond.  At the end of this report, there are four suggestions you may wish to consider.

Community Lectures 

David, Thank you so much for your message last night at The Gathering Place. (I am one of those paid administrators.) I bought both your books, and was thoroughly blessed by your message. I was a teacher for 40 years in my first career. I think you are a master teacher. 

I love the way you gave us the tools to evaluate where we are. For me it was clear, I agree with everything you said (which make you brilliant of course). I have been reading the gospels of Mark and Luke this past month and love the way Jesus addressed peoples needs as he earns the right to speak into their lives. He is so holistic and organic in his ministry. He heals Peter’s mother, she goes to the kitchen and makes a meal while he carries on and they eat together. Jesus definitely worked both sides of your final page. I look forward to reading your two books next week.

Blessings on this evening.

Barry    ~    Salmon Arm, B.C.

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David, I was a member of your audience tonight for Fusion Group at Garden Park Towers. I believe that you have brought a great gift to the community with the clarity of your analysis of

Symptom  Cause  Root Problem

Indeed, I was quite overwhelmed to see you delivering that message to the many community leaders that filled the room tonight. I think you have done Abbotsford a much greater service than most will realize. Thank you for speaking to the Fusion Group.

Aird   ~   Abbotsford, BC

Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon

Hi David, On behalf of myself & Our Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network exec., thank you so much for the excellent message you brought at the Mayor's Lunch last week. Wow! our mayor was sincerely touched by the Lord in what you said & how you said it. We love & appreciate you David, thank you,

Mitch Borrows
President, Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network

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Hi Dave,

Thank you for your insightful, sensitive, honest and compelling presentation at the Mayor’s Prayer Lunch today. I think that our Mayor was visibly impressed by your condor and focus on being solutions orientated. A very, very well-delivered message, David.

Best regards, Walter

Pulpit Supply – Local Church

Hi Dave, Wasn't able to "catch you" this morning and tell you how much I appreciated your message this morning. You brought so many foundational New Testament principles into the message - I'm looking forward to downloading the sermon off the website and re-listen, study and "digest" it all further.  Thanks so much for your multi-faceted ministry both at church and in the community.    

In Christian love, Paul

Worldview Workshops

I don’t usually advertise events happening in Abbotsford but this one is out of the ordinary.  David Collins has been a friend and supporter of the City of Refuge Vision from the beginning.  He is also one of the founding members of the Fusion Leadership Group, a group of Christian entrepreneurs in Abbotsford dedicated to making this city a better place.  David also spoke at this year’s Mayor’s Lunch bringing a presentation that was an “eye-opener” and very well received.  His series of workshops promises to articulate and clarify principles that are foundational to how we relate to our culture and our city.

Jim Burkinshaw Special City of Refuge newsletter

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David Collins is doing a workshop. You may want to consider going and taking along your students, volunteers, and co-workers to this workshop.  I went to this workshop with David Collins and found it incredibly helpful. He founded Canadian Food for the Hungry International and now has shifted to focusing on helping North Americans get  their paradigms realigned biblically and spiritually.  Dave is an unbelievably solid and passionate presenter. My convictions and life focuses are stirred deeply every time I hear him present. I would love to have him be our keynote speaker at a national or regional Youth for Christ/Youth Unlimited conference.  Now that he has shifted his focus

to North American, you will be hearing much more from him in the years to come.

Dave Wiebe

Mission/Abbotsford YFC

Professional Development Days for Christian Schools 

Hi David, We debriefed today and it was overwhelmingly positive.  They loved being off-site, really appreciated your openness and honesty as well as the challenges, enjoyed the reflective time and very much valued the day.The only suggestions related to the volume of what was covered and the desire by some to have some more time to interact with each other collaboratively in discussion as it was processed.  Others felt that much content was good and said they took many notes and have since been reflecting, reading and processing material.  A little mixed on that one. The letter writing was a definite highlight and people are sure keen to get them down the road! Thanks again.   I believe I'll soon see you again as I am taking the Perspectives course at Northview!!

Blessings,

Heather

Principal, MEI Middle School

Documentary

“Outside the Walls” To view, click on the "Watch the Film" tab, and type in the password OTW      www.outsidethewallsfilm.com 

Author ~  Reflections: Holiness/Wholeness

You asked the Lord, "Why write something that has already been written and that no one will read?"

Well I just want to respond to that question too;

1.    I have never read this collection of thoughts ever before as seen through or reflected through the exclusive life experience and heart of one of His amazing one of a kind creations, 'you'. I don't know anyone who can say these things like you do. For me, the way you say it, hits home.

2.    I not only read it, I've re-read parts of it and am reading it all over again and am being encouraged & challenged by your questions and thoughts. There are too many potential life-changing gold nuggets in each chapter to not re-read it a few times so as not to miss anything.

I want to say thank you for your transparency and humility, your thoughts not only in your book but each time we meet and chat inspire and challenge me. David you do exude the presence of the One you are spending time with...seeing Christ in you certainly draws me to want to know you better. You are a gift!

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Dear David,

I have been meaning for some time to write and thank you for the book you sent us.  I was expecting a book on concern for the poor, how better to meet the needs of the poorer nations, how the church in North America needs to get onboard and begin to fulfill her calling, etc. etc.  But I must say, that as I began to read I realized you were opening up your life to those of us who read it, being vulnerable with your spiritual journey and with the difficult questions to which you have sought answers, as you have both seen and heard of some of the worst brutalities that man can inflict on his fellow human beings.  I also found myself laughing, and alternately crying, as I saw some of my own struggles of the past couple of years in particular.  I too have come to see God in a totally different light than in some of the legalistic ways I was brought up to understand faith in Him.  I was amazed at the similarities in the ways God has  been speaking and  revealing Himself, though you are a couple of thousand miles away, and we haven’t seen each other often during these past few years.  In short, I was deeply moved as I read through each chapter.  At the end of each I found myself eagerly looking into the next, wondering what new snapshot of the panorama of life would come into view.  Thank you for being so honest.  I am also grateful the Lord put the right people in your life at the right times to minister to your inner brokenness due to your various experiences. 

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I read a number of chapters more than once.  It truly is an inspirational book Dave.  I can't imagine the vulnerability you must feel publishing your reflections - kind of like allowing strangers into your soul!  These writings are life changing if people take the time to truly reflect and apply the principles.  The book is loaded!  My heart broke and I wept for you as I understood, in a small way, the places you have been, the things you have seen.  My soul heavy for those who suffer at the hand of God's 'crowning creation'. What astounds me throughout the book - is the simplicity of it all!  Once again, nothing is about me, I could list the chapters off one by one - it is all about Jesus Christ and His work in me as I focus on Him!   When I struggle with any of those things:  Giftedness (worth), Brokenness, Purpose, Guilt, Change, Holiness, . . . it is because my focus is off. This is a book I will keep close and reread to help keep my eyes on Him.  Thank-you for sharing your reflections with me.

Volunteer Abbotsford Summit (Communicator/Teacher)

Hi David:  First of all - I would like to say thank you for your participation in the Volunteer Summit.  You received the most positive feedback on all of our evaluations.  They loved you!!!  Thanks and look forward to talking to you soon 

Jane Cooper

Executive Director

Influence in the Business Community

By the way, I have created a David Collins fan club and I am president.

the verbal mail you are receiving is plugging up my ears' inbox. I think back not but one year ago when you were  struggling as to your place in speaking worldview to abbotsford and now all I hear is David Collins, David Collins, do you think he would come speak at _____(fill in the blank). I hope this is materializing.  God's got you in His special favour for such a time as this and I love my front row seat and am proud to respond "yes, I know him, he's a friend of mine"!  _________, Pres. & CEO Business in Abbotsford

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Dear David

May you know the presence of God today as you meet with the mayor and council. Be humble but bold and courageous like many of the Bible characters. I think of Moses and Joshua. Two men who with God carried out His plan in such a mighty way.I will especially pray for them to listen and hear what Gods message is and for transformation to happen in their hearts. May God continue to work through you and minister to all those you meet. Safe travels up to Salmon Arms.

Also a big Thank you for your time and the wisdom and teaching you are sharing with us all. You have raised many questions in my own life but possibly the biggest for me has been your very first question What do you believe?  There is so much that we do not know and yet Gods word is so rich and has so much to teach us. The question is do we Obey and Love God with all our heart? I pray today that all those who hear your message may see God's love shining out of you and the urgency to humble themselves and turn to God and obey. Go in Love and may you be filled with His peace.

Take care and God Bless You.

Lynne & David

Strategic Planning For Local Churches

David Collins helped to sharpen our perspective so that we see not only our church in the world, but also the world in which our church has been placed. David’s thoughtful questions and keen observations have enabled us to more fully understand our call to serve our neighbourhood in urban Vancouver and how to make a holistic, lasting difference in Cambodia.

Ken Shigematsu

Senior Pastor, Tenth Avenue Alliance Church, Vancouver

“David, I deeply appreciate you and can endorse you with great confidence and enthusiasm. The elders continue to talk about how much they benefited from your personhood and wisdom at our retreat.  Thank you again for being a key part of that weekend.”

With Gratitude,

Ken

Strategic Planning For Charities & Christian Ministries

We highly recommend David’s teaching and guidance for anyone or any group interested in moving closer to God through ministry and service.  He shows unique wisdom and insight and takes the time to listen and understand particular situations.  His perspective on God's work through ministry and service is fresh and inspirational.  Most importantly, it is grounded in scriptural truth and infused with the Holy Spirit.  Our time with David was transformative! 

Our eyes were opened to a whole new way of seeing and understanding our relationship to God and to others through service and ministry.  David Collins helped our board understand that in our service to others, God’s deep desire is not only to transform the lives of those we are seeking to help, but that through service, our lives and those who support our ministry might also be transformed.  We were moved and challenged as David shared his own life experience and his deep reflective thinking on what God says about service. We were challenged to re-evaluate our motives to serve, to look carefully at our goals and how we are aligning with God’s purpose of transformation and reconciliation. He inspired and encouraged us to seek out root problems and to support real and lasting solutions to the physical, emotional and spiritual poverty we encounter in our organization’s work in Africa.

We highly recommend David’s teaching and guidance for anyone or any group interested in moving closer to God through ministry and service.  He shows unique wisdom and insight and takes the time to listen and understand particular situations.  His perspective on God's work through ministry and service is fresh and inspirational.  Most importantly, it is grounded in scriptural truth and infused with the Holy Spirit.  Our time with David was transformative!

The Board,

Dwankhozi Hope

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In our time with him, Dave Collins led our team into a whole new level of understanding of how the Kingdom of God, Social justice and the work of evangelism interact. He was able to take all the pieces of the puzzle we dimly perceived and assemble them into a beautiful picture that brought both clarity and precision to our thinking. The theological depth, socio/cultural understanding and genuine inspiration he imparted, has enormously impacted us in our mission to transform a generation from the inside out.

At the end of our time with Dave, the positive feedback we had from our team meant that it was one of the most successful training events we had ever run and we have already seen practical benefit in our ongoing work with young people. I would thoroughly recommend Dave and Paradigm Ministries to you as a resource that will allow you to truly grapple with what it means to be a Christian and have a passion for justice that echoes Gods heart.

Andy Harrington, Executive Director

Greater Vancouver Youth for Christ/Youth Unlimited

Extension Course for Ambrose University College

Learning to Live Fully - A Guide to Spiritual Formation

Mentoring

Thanks for that story David....I ponder the things you say for a long time. You're one of my all time favorite people and I really trust your words of wisdom and advice. The way you say things always resonates with me too. Thanks.

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I read your reflection on "Stillness". I really feel comforted but what the Lord said. It really has to be ingrained in my heart so that I can live out knowing what it means that He is God. I am remembering Corum Deo recently and last night, I had a revelation about it, but I can't remember what it is now! Hahaha.. I remember lying in bed and suddenly it occurred to me exactly HOW everything SINGLE decisions I make throughout the day is a decision to follow God or not.... but now I forgot what it is. It will come back I suppose. How do we pray for someone Dave? Do we pray for to God to change his or her heart? Do we pray for God to work? Isn't God working constantly already without us telling him to? I am asking mainly about praying for our family or friends who haven't accepted Jesus yet. What exactly are we doing by praying? As far as I "know", we are taking part in His plan. But what do we say?

Thanks for providing me not only wise advice, also a safe outlet for me to process my thoughts.

Denominational Partnerships

Good morning, Team,

I have been reflecting again on the inseparable relationship between holiness and justice.  I am aware of the challenge of seeing those themes expressed in our churches as they reach their communities.  As leaders we want to give our churches all the help we can.  That is why I am writing to endorse the ministry of David Collins.  David has developed four workshops that address worldview issues and which help committed Christians think more clearly about what God is calling them to be and to do.  (See descriptions of the workshops below).  These workshops can help change the conversation among the pastors/lay leaders of your district. 

Here is why I endorse David and these workshops:

 1. David has credibility.  His teaching grows out of both his theological conviction and his life experience:

Exposure to diverse international experiences, including development, genocide, environmental disasters and worldviews that are more destructive than sustainable, produced a profound longing to see Christians understand more fully the reconciling heart of God. David is the son of missionary parents . He with his wife Nancy have pastored three congregations and served as C&MA missionaries in Thailand and the Philippines, working in Vietnamese refugee camps. Upon returning to Canada, David founded the work of Canadian Food for the Hungry Int'l. (1994) In May/07 David and Nancy sensed God's confirming blessing on a growing desire to invest their lives back into the Bride of Christ in Canada. As a result Paradigm Ministries was birthed in January '08. He has also authored Reflections: Holiness & Wholeness, a personal guide through the maze of decisions that create either a deepening dependence upon God and a growing independence from him (www.paradigmministries.ca)

David now works with congregations, church leadership (boards & staff), camps, NGO's and the business community. He grows in his love for contemplative prayer and a growing understanding of resting in the sovereign hands of God. He is passionate about God's kingdom being enjoyed by every community in Canada and also believes that this nation holds a special place in the global arena. God's people are coming together from a sense of personal urgency to engage.

2. David has a track record of helping leaders change paradigms.  Here is a testimony (feel free to contact him for further information as to how this worked):

 “The issue of “worldview” is a foundational piece in the formation of Christian Leaders. It is the lens through which everything else in life and ministry is processed and evaluated. Dave Collins served our District family in two very significant ways. He spent time teaching our Pastors the essence of the Biblical Worldview and how it influences the way we lead and the direction we lead in. He also taught our elders the same material but pushed further into the whole area of how a Biblical worldview will result in a fresh passion for God’s mission. The response of our leaders at both levels was incredibly positive. Dave’s style was very motivational and passionate. The content was excellent with easy to understand concepts based on a highly Biblical foundation. Dave helped our leaders begin the paradigm shift from an internal focus to an external focus. He helped us wrestle with many of the evangelical “sacred cows” that have undermined our effectiveness in reaching our communities for Christ. I would highly recommend both David as a leader and his message as a vital link to motivating our leaders to embrace God’s mission. Our desire to be a “movement of churches” will not happen in a vacuum. It will be the result of a number of different spirit-empowered conversations that foster an environment where real movement can happen. I am convinced that one of those conversations needs to be with David Collins.”

Dave Hearn

District Superintendent, Canadian Pacific District

3. These workshops capture what I believe is a message close to the heart of God.  As David points out:

“God has been raising these messages up the in hearts of thousands of people around the world.  This isn't unique to me or to us.  The fact that so many are saying the same thing is an evidence that God is in it.  My prayer is that we can see the people of God set free to enjoy God more fully.”  David Collins

What would I like you to do?  Please contact David and discuss with him how you can work together to bring his workshops into your district.  Perhaps start with an inter-church leadership training day in one of your key, central communities.  Perhaps at least bring him for a partial presentation to your in-service training days.  Here is what I am committed to do.  I will pay the costs of David’s travel to bring him from Abbotsford to your district event, at least once.  Let’s start there.  Then let’s see what God leads us to do next.  

David C Freeman, Vice President, Strategic Interface

The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

Suggestions You May Wish To Consider

Prayer

To stay connected with my own journey and prayer needs join the Paradigm Ministry Facebook Group.  Eventually I will succumb to Twitter.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129662997348

Financial

Paradigm needs monthly financial assistance to cover administrative costs. Each year shortfalls create levels of personal hardship yet Nancy and I also recognize the faithfulness of God as we have journeyed through those times.  To financially support Paradigm Ministries you may give through paypal

http://www.cityinfocus.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=49&Itemid=117#

Or send checks to:

2^nd Floor – 107 East 3^rd Avenue

Vancouver, BC   V5T 1C7

Tel/604-687-7292

 NOTE:  (for receipting purposes) Make checks Payable to City In Focus and write Paradigm Ministries on the memo line

Personal Development

To receive worldview thoughts to your email account, sign up for the worldview articles at  http://paradigmministries.ca/subscribe-to-worldview-article/

Be An Advocate

Having read through this report, I hope that you are encouraged by what God is doing.  You also have an understanding of the extent we are being given the opportunity to serve.  This is what we want to do.  Yet most of these opportunities happen through word of mouth. We have found that your voices speak credibility into the ears of those who know you and may not yet know us. 

Here are some areas for advocacy:

1. Pulpit supply (preaching in local churches)
2. Board development (whether church, school or charity - visioning, strategic planning, worldview development)
3. Professional Development Days for Christian School staff
4. Worldview and Citizenship workshops
5. Keynote speaking
6. Guest Lecturer at Christian Universities/Colleges
7. Purchase/Promotion of Reflections:Holiness/Wholeness (buy in quantities and use as gifts).  Email me for quantity (5 or more) discounts ~ collins@paradigmministries.ca