Author: Erin Knight

A few years back, with a desire for spiritual renewal, Maple Ridge Christian Reformed Church (Maple Ridge, B.C.) realized that in order to move forward they would need to listen – to the Holy Spirit, to their congregation, and to their community. The church’s pastor, Tim Sheridan, had first-hand experience with Diaconal Ministries Canada’s Community Opportunity Scan (COS) and he knew how valuable the process could be.

While many people believe a smile or song can communicate across barriers, Lucinda Klapwyk believes the universal language might, in fact, be coffee. Lucinda is one of 15 diaconal coaches that Diaconal Ministries Canada has stretched out across the country.

Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) has been working hard to inspire, empower, and equip deacons across Canada for over 17 years. And yet, on a recent road trip to Winnipeg and Northern Ontario, Ron VandenBrink, National Director for DMC, heard deacons say, “We had no idea DMC existed!”