Vancouver: For All People

image_pdfimage_print

In my study of Isaiah, I recently read chapter 56, and I was struck by God’s love for the nations. Not only that, but for people of all types—the rich, the poor, the unloved, the popular, the misfits. God has love for each and every person who ever walked this earth and the ones who will.

One of the things that really hit me was the fact this was in the Old Testament—before Jesus. God already was gathering the spiritually lost to him and always has loved all people. It seems silly that we forget so easily about God’s love. We are fed lies from this world, and we eagerly devour them.

mission team canada 300A visiting missions team helps with Christian outreach in Vancouver.I have seen these lies lived out in people here in Canada, where they have such a sad view of church and—in effect—God. However, seeing the love of the members of Church on the Rock has blown me away. They are living out God’s love for this community, and it is beautiful.

I was able to see God use our pastor to bring a man and his family into the church. He didn’t think we would let him in the doors, but we did so with open arms. They already have been a blessing to us, and I hope we have shown them at least a glimpse of God’s character.

Through that interaction and my studies, I have learned a new appreciation for God. His love is deeper and more vibrant than any I could imagine, and it is for all people.

Autumn Friesen, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, is serving in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with Go Now Missions.


We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.

Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.

More from Baptist Standard