JM Kids
Each Sunday morning we have a well-equipped nursery with registered caregivers for infants and toddlers. The toddlers love learning about Jesus through stories & circle time as well as experimenting with glue and crayons doing simple crafts. Children in kindergarten through grade 5 learn and discover Jesus in creative interactive ways that include role-playing, crafts, video teaching, and much more…with everything backed up by scripture of course.
Our goal is to provide a safe yet fun space where children are celebrated. All of our volunteers have completed child safety courses and have police checks on file.
YOUTH
We are blessed to have a group of teens that are on a journey to discover Jesus together. Sometimes this journey is soft and reflective while other times it is loud, crazy and pure fun. The youth have made a conscious effort to “dig deeper” in God’s word and strive to apply it in their lives. Our young people are diligent in seeking ways that they may bless those around them and the community at large.
The teenage years can be difficult and lonely as teens often struggle to fit in and take on new responsibilities... teens can use as much encouragement and love as we can give them! Our goal is that every teen that comes through the door will feel like they have found a home. Music goes hand and hand with youth and this group is no exception with many playing instruments and participating in the youth band. You are welcome to come on this journey with us.
“Don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanour, by love, by faith, by integrity.”
....The Message
Life Groups
Discipleship and genuine community are key focus areas for us at Joshua Ministries. We believe that every person should be systematically learning and growing. Our Life Groups are a small bunch who choose to meet weekly or once a month to study, pray and do life together. It’s a place where we can encourage and support one another. Life Groups allow for intimate settings, relationship building, and stage-appropriate learning. Some Life Groups are a good mix of all ages and stages while others, like our men’s Saturday breakfast Life Group, are more specific. We encourage everyone to consider how they can fit a Life Group in their schedule. Life is better in the community.
For more information on one of our Life Groups please contact Lorraine at jmhubchatham@gmail.com or 226 229-2869.
Missions And Outreach
THE HUB Café
One aspect of our mission is focused on the students at Ursuline College and the seniors at Grand Retirement. Due to its location, the café is a perfect venue for bridging the gap between generations and affords us the opportunity to connect with the community around us.
Our desire is to provide a safe and welcoming place throughout the week for students to study, enjoy a coffee, meet friends for lunch or play music on the stage. This is made possible by the commitment and hard work of a wonderful group of café volunteers.
Our intention as we grow is to continually bless others by pouring resources back into Chatham-Kent and our charitable work in Haiti.
Haiti
Since 2006, Pastor Larry has been involved with our Haitian friends in Windsor, Ottawa and Montreal. Over the years he has made numerous trips to Haiti, in and around Cap-Haitien, as well as in Port-au-Prince and the rural community of La Colline. During this time he partnered with the Haitian charitable organization SOKAVIM, based out of Montreal. www.sokavim.org SOKAVIM represents “Standing for a Better Life”.
The main areas of focus have been health, agriculture, education and spiritual development. With SOKAVIM we advocate for communities and promote self-reliance and human dignity for future generations. From the time Joshua Ministries was founded we have continued this work alongside Pastor Larry.
Indigenous Communities
For more than 20 years Pastor Larry and his family have been involved in several Indigenous communities throughout Ontario and Quebec, especially with the remote Cree on the James Bay. From the time Joshua Ministries was founded we have continued this work alongside Pastor Larry. Over the years we have been hosted in their homes and have hosted many in ours. We have gained a great appreciation for the fabric and history of their way of living and we have had the privilege and benefit of being taught and educated by many there.
We value our partnership with our Cree friends and have much love and respect for them.
Other Forms Of Outreach
Joshua Ministries contributes to various local initiatives including - UCC Lifeskills, community dinners, school breakfast programs, partnering with CAS meal program, women’s centre and more.
Volunteer
Volunteering is about giving, contributing, and helping other individuals and the community at large. It is working with others to make a meaningful contribution to a better community. Volunteering helps to build confidence, competence, connections, and community. Whether a volunteer is overseeing an entire ministry, leading one small group, organizing donations to the ministry, lovingly caring for infants during a service, setting up chairs, or greeting guests with a smile at the door, volunteers are doing a key service.
Our gathering could not function the way it does or reach the people we do without our incredible volunteers. We are thankful for them and appreciate them. Regardless of how or where we serve, the most important element is to remember our desire as Christians is to bring Christ to others. We should be reminded of his words to his disciples in Matthew’s Gospel:
“Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.”