David A. Macfarlane Blog

2011-08-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

Doing the right things
by David Arrol Macfarlane

In business we used to say: “What get’s measured get’s done!” When I worked with American Express I found this to be invaluable information. If you are going to achieve your budget, reach your sales quota, improve your product or service quality or expand your business base you must know clearly exactly what numbers you are aiming for. Having as a goal “to do better”, “try harder to make more widgets” or “grow the business” without measurables does not work most of the time. Now when you do have a clear measurable aim that you keep tracking it helps everyone stay focused and on target.
After leaving business for the Pastorate I brought this key concept in my leadership toolbox but realized that it needed to be retooled for ministry. That is when I came up with this triumvirate:

1. What get’s measured get’s done.

2. What get’s prayed for get’s done

3. What get’s celebrated get’s done.

While apparently controversial to some, I see:”what get’s measured get’s done” as key to accomplishing the vision and mission that the Lord has given us. Nehemiah and his team knew exactly what their task was – to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem – and it kept them focussed as they constantly monitored their progress and did not quit till it was all done. People like to know exactly what is expected of them.
“What get’s prayed for get’s done” is crucial on four fronts: First, it keeps us on our knees asking for God’s wisdom and help. Second, it keeps us focussed daily on what we need to be about and what needs to get done. Third, by praying we realize that without God’s intervention and sustaining power we will fail. Fourth, when the goal is accomplished we will not take any of the credit for it! Nehemiah and the people of God constantly prayed for success as they faced challenges and setbacks – God heard their prayer as He will ours.
“What get’s celebrated get’s done”. Nehemiah and the people pulled out all the stops when they accomplished their goal of rebuilding that wall and their rejoicing could be heard for miles around! I wonder what would happen in many churches if they celebrated someone leading a friend to Christ as much as they do for someone who prepares a church meal? “What get’s celebrated get’s done”. Nothing encourages or affirms your people to stay on track with the vision and goals more than celebrating big and small accomplishments to the glory of God. Hope that this is a help to you too.

Contact David Arrol Macfarlane at 519 503 8380 or arrol.mac@hotmail.com

10 ideas to “Un- Rut” yourself By David Arrol Macfarlane

2011-04-15T13:13:00.000-07:00

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?...” Isaiah 43:19

While God is a God of the “new” we are often a people of the “old”, the familiar, predictable, and can end up in a rut of irrelevance without even realizing it. Someone said to me: “David, a rut is just a grave with the ends knocked out!”
When our oldest daughter, Susan, was in junior kindergarden they used to march around with “musical instruments” at the end of every class. While each time the children had a choice of lots of noise makers Susan always went for the same “shaker” (a plastic bottle filled with rice). This made me realize that nearly from birth our human “default” setting is to find a familiar “rut”. But to be relevant and effective we need to “un-rut” ourselves so as to be open to what new things the Lord might have for us.

Here are ten ideas that can help “un-rut” you.

1. Lighten up! Laugh lots. My philosophy of life is: “I take God seriously but not myself”. When I get them reversed I am in trouble.
2. Read widely. Try finding new interests and ideas.
3. Become curious. Ask lots of questions – that is how we expand our understanding.
4. Change your routine. Take a different road home. Order a new item on the menu. Go somewhere you have never been just to see things from a different perspective.
5. Take time to think. Solitude in prayer and the word recharges our batteries and opens us up to what God wants to say to us today.
6. Enlarge your circle. Purposely mix with interesting friends who “stretch” you.
7. Be healthy. Just as exhaustion depletes our openness to new ideas so rest, food and exercise can get us back on the “cutting edge”.
8. Write. Putting our thoughts, hopes and dreams down on paper can help us see the future in fresh new ways.
9. Develop a creative “spot”. In my home office I put up only pictures of people and painitings that inspire me and I took down all the others.
10. Keep passionate. Just as a great fire if untendered will be reduced to embers so it is in our spiritual life. The good news is that even embers can be brought back to life with some loving care!
To contact David Arrol Macfarlane: 519 503 8380 or arrol.mac@hotmail.com

2011-04-05T14:22:00.001-07:00

Personal Renewal is What Counts
by David Arrol Macfarlane
“I want more of God” is a great statement because it can be the seed of a personal revival. Authentic faith means that we walk daily with a healthy spiritual hunger for more of the Lord in our life - a desire to live a renewed life, stay revived and have a fresh soul awakening. Often the Lord has used one ordinary “revived” person to spark a move of God that spreads like a forest fire throughout an area or even engulf a nation. Remember that God used an “inadequate” Moses to change the course of history for Israel, a “fearful” Jonah to bring the ungodly Ninevites to God, or a “fearful” Gideon to free his people. In Argentina, where I grew up, the nation went from less that 1% protestant when I was a boy to where, today, I have heard it reported that some 14% of the population have become evangelical, with many pointing to one layman, Carlos Anacondia, as the person most used to bring about this significant spiritual awakening.
Three tourists went to Wales in the early part of the 20th century to seek out the world renowned “Welsh Revival” which had awakened the churches throughout that nation, where thousands came to Christ and major positive social changes resulted from it. Not knowing where to go to find this revival the tourists went up to a bobby (policeman) and asked: “Could you please tell us where we can find the Welsh Revival?” To which it is reported that the policeman answered: “Sirs, the Welsh Revival is inside this uniform”. He meant that he had been revived by Christ. Revival is always first and foremost personal. If you are revived, God can use you as the spark to start an area-wide revival but, even if He didn’t, you will always benefit greatly from living passionately for Christ.
John the Baptist spearheaded a spiritual awakening in the first century. Here is how Jesus remembered him: “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light” (John 5:35). May this be how Christ will remember you and me.
David Arrol Macfarlane is Director of National Initiatives for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and is a frequent speaker at conferences, city-wide events and churches across Canada. Contact David at 519 503 8380 or arrol.mac@hotmail.com

Attracted to Chruch!!

2010-11-29T09:23:00.000-08:00

The "Quitting Church" series of blogs generated lots of responses. One leader said "I have been serving in the church for over twenty years and I want to quit - but I won't. I am tired of all the politics". Another thought that I was brave to tackle this issue as, to him, "Quitting Church" is the "elephant in the room" of Canadian Christianity.
Here are some wonderful signs of life that I see in growing and vibrant churches as I speak across our nation:
Numerous congregations that strategically and sacrificially reach out to unbelievers and are filled with the excitement of seeing many come to Christ each week!
Multicultural celebrations in churches that intentionally reflect the ethnic diversity of their changing neighbourhoods.
A congregation receiving a citation from the Mayor for the positive influence that they are seen to have as they serve their community.
Rural churches that are full of youth attracted by vibrant worship, genuine relationships and messages that they can clearly relate to.
A growing congregation that translates each service into seven languages simultaneously every Sunday like they do at the United Nations.
Christians that volunteer with the police to keep the streets safe for the community children as they go about on Halloween.
A small church now packed with youth after they built a skate park. Young people arrive each week with a Bible under one arm and a skate board under the other.
Churches working together to impact their cites with acts of kindness that is attractive to the community and getting the attention of the media.
Small groups that "adopt a block" that they serve and witness to throughout the year with amazing God sightings as a consequence.
Congregations, big on discipleship, where those that come to Christ stay and grow in their new found faith and fill the sanctuary with joy and celebration.
Compassionate churches where even strangers and neighbours feel loved and cared for.
The common denominator of exciting and growing Canadian congregations is not fancy programs, big budgets or the latest technology but Christians with such an authentic faith and an outward focus that it is attractive to a spiritually hungry Canada.
Ministry Update: Thank you for your prayers. This has been a wonderfully fruitful month with ministry in Toronto; Burlington; San Diego; Fredericton; Ottawa; Tampa and North York. We are encouraged by the positive response we have received everywhere and the many new requests to speak for groups in the future.
Every blessing,
David Arrol Macfarlane
e-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Cell: 519 503 8380
Website: davidamacfarlane.com

The “status quo” will be the “status dead”

2010-10-06T05:43:00.000-07:00

(Quitting Church? Part 2).
Most Canadians are very aware of their spiritual needs today. If you doubt this statement just go to any Chapters, Coles, Indigo or other secular bookstore and take a look at the religious section. As I like to say in my leadership seminars “Twenty years ago in a Canadian secular bookstore the religion section had four bibles and two dead flies! But today they have row upon row of books on spirituality”. Why? Because they know that spiritual books sell! Bookstores understand, what many churches need to wake up to, that Canadians are searching for spiritual experiences and spiritual answers for their lives. Sadly, while the spiritual quest of the ordinary Canadian is way up Christian church attendance is way down and falling fast. Depending on which Canadian statistics you read, people that regularly go to a place of worship is at best 17% (down from some 60% fifty years ago) and some say as low as 4% of us are actually born again believers who faithfully go to an evangelical church today. This reality should be sobering enough for us evangelicals to realize that much of what we are doing is no longer working and that it is time for some massive, prayerful and courageous changes. If we do nothing different then the “status quo” will be the “status dead”.
For the last many years, on any given weekend, I find myself speaking in a wide variety of churches of different sizes, denominational backgrounds and many geographic locations from which I have developed a fresh perspective of the reality of “church” in Canada today. Most who invite me to speak are wonderful congregations that already have a strong interest in growing, being relevant and reaching their communities for Christ. But, having said that, as a teacher/evangelist, I find myself often in settings that are well meaning “Christian ghettos”, that are totally oblivious to the fact that in dress, music, topics, language, customs etc. they are almost totally unintelligible, irrelevant and confusing to someone on a spiritual quest in Canada today.
In light of this new “quitting church” reality it seems redundant to ask: Should we be looking at new ways of engaging our neighbourhoods with the gospel? Should we be focusing on different discipleship plans that will develop authentic and winsome believers? Should we intentionally be making our churches embracing to people different than us? How could we improve our overall communication so as to be found as relevant to the needs of seekers today? What recovery programs for “broken people” can we offer for those who live around us? Should we not care that people are “quitting church” or would Jesus have us do all we can to run after them?
In my next blog on “Quitting Church?” we will look at practical steps that some Canadian churches are taking to reverse the trend.
Ministry update
This summer some 26000 youth attended the three Rock the Rivers out west with hundreds coming to Christ! Last month saw me across the west speaking at mission’s conferences on reaching Canada for Christ, in churches, doing my REconneXIons leadership training seminars and an evangelistic event in an arena where many responded to the gospel. Praise the Lord!
Please pray as in October I also speak at the Cross the Street National Conference in Burlington plus minister multiple times in BC, Manitoba and Ontario.

David Arrol Macfarlane
e-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Cell: 519 503 8380
Webpage: davidamacfarlane.com
Videos of messages: http://www.youtube.com/user/davidarrolmacfarlane

Quitting chruch?

2010-09-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

“In Vancouver, regular church attendance, for the committed, is ‘every other Sunday’” said Jim Packer (who wrote “Knowing God” and many other great Christian books) in a meeting I had with him at Regent College some fifteen years ago. Since then, as I travel across Canada, I hear about this spreading trend from church leaders at most every conference I speak at. Last year in Oshawa, Ontario, a friend who is the Pastor of a large congregation, said: “David, I am concerned. My church attendance numbers are going down steadily - but I have not lost anyone. I cannot count on my people coming to church as faithfully as they once did”. While ministering at a conference in one of the largest and most vibrant churches in Edmonton, Alberta, the Senior Pastor, who is a wonderful leader and Christian statesman, made this comment: “Today if I want all my people at an event I need to announce it strongly and creatively for eight consecutive weeks. If we only draw attention to it for four Sundays then only have half the people will come. They are just not in church every Sunday any more”. Recently in Vancouver, BC, I met with a friend who is a lay leader and on the board of his home church who lamented that “most of our friends not only are seldom in church today but a large number, who were once very committed and involved, no longer attend any church at all”. Statistics Canada bears this out. Those who indicated not attending any place of worship is a growing national trend.
Many people today are "Quitting Church" so in my next blogs I want to talk about Canadian congregations that are growing and “bucking this trend” and discuss solutions.

David Arrol Macfarlane ministry update
Please pray that new doors will continue to open for us to minister in churches and at conferences. Pray that I will be a help and encouragement to all who attend the many events I will be speaking to in the months ahead.

View this four minute promo video on the Cross the Street conference in
Ontario(http://www.billygraham.ca/ministries/training/cross-the-street.aspx).

View this three minute message: http://www.youtube.com/user/davidarrolmacfarlane

Some upcoming speaking engagements are: Fellowship Baptists national convention in Banff; Peace Portal Alliance Church in BC; Napanee city wide event; Christian Camping Association convention in FL; at REconneXions seminars in MB (http://www.billygraham.ca/ministries/training/reconnexion.aspx)and many more

Every blessing,
David Arrol Macfarlane
arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Cell. 519 503 8380
Website: davidamacfarlane.com

2010-08-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

Our church a: Museum, Mall or Mission?
By David Arrol Macfarlane
Earlier this year Diana and I enjoyed visiting some fascinating museums in Prague (photo by WWII monument). Museum displays often show us what life was like in days past, we see outdated items that were once “cutting edge” and feature the accomplishments of hero’s and innovators of history. The goal of most museums is to preserve the past.
Thought: Has our church become a Museum? Are we looking to keep human traditions alive rather than embracing the future and getting the gospel to the next generation?

Someone has suggested that shopping Malls are the temples of our materialistic North American culture. The stores want you to “shop till you drop – and do it here” as they tempt us with slogans like: “You are worth it”, “pamper yourself”,“You deserve it”. Malls encourage us to want “more, bigger and faster” trying to transform us into fickle consumers who demand better service, prices, attention and entertainment – or we shop somewhere else!
Thought: Is our church very much like a Mall, the ultimate symbol of self-centeredness and consumerism or is it clearly a place for Christian selflessness, sacrifice and compassion?

When I was about to leave Argentina to come to Canada as an executive with American Express my Christian friends prayed: “We release David to be a missionary to Canada”. When I told this to Canadian Christians many just laughed at me “We don’t need missionaries, we send missionaries!” The truth is that Canada has always been a mission field (as long as there are lost people who need to be reached for Christ). Sadly most Canadian Christians do not consider themselves missionaries to their friends, neighoburs, business associates or acquaintances - to the point that those people will likely never hear the gospel from them.
Thought: Is our church basically a museum for a seemingly outdated faith or a gathering of comfort seeking religious consumers or is it full of passionate authentic believers doing whatever it takes to spread the good news?

As I speak at conventions across Canada I often meet passionate church leaders in churches where God is clearly at work which bring hope to my heart. But I must confess to being extremely disappointed with what I see in a majority of congregations: Instead of being a Mission (about reaching people for Christ) they are happy to be Museums (trying to preserve the past instead of doing all they can to reach the next generation) or a Mall (where it is all about them, their preferences, being comfortable and entertained and not about reaching the lost).
The good news is that there is hope!
Like David in Acts 13:36 “For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation…” we too can serve God's purposes in our time and impact those that will come after us for Christ, but we will never do it from a church museum or a church mall. When the church, full of loving and authentic Christians, is all about Mission we will leave an eternal legacy for our children and our nation!
David and Diana Macfarlane
e-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Website: davidamacfarlane.com
Tell: 519 503 8380

2010-07-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

New Opportunities...
Diana and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this year by taking a "once in a lifetime" trip to five countries in Europe. This photo is of both of us at an unusual statue in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic. We also visited Germany, Austria, the Check Republic and Hungary. We had lots of fun and made some great memories!
Our family is doing very well: Susan and Tyler are kept busy in Lethbridge, Alberta, with running their businesses and also running after busy little Abby - Diana is off this week to spend time with them. Matthew and Heather (still on maternity leave), who live round the corner from us here in Waterloo, must keep track of little Ava and juggle their business. Victoria (Tory) is busy working at Chapters as she saves money for her third year at Wilfred Laurier University that begins again in the Fall. Diana enjoys helping out with the grandchildren at every opportunity and still works two days a week at Koinonia Church where we attend. My brother, Peter, from Argentina, visited us a week ago and we took a "trip sown memory lane" and had a wonderful time! As we see him so seldom we squeezed the most out of his visit.
On the ministry front I was honoured to speak at the purpose@work conference held at Muskoka Baptist Camp and Conference Centre in Huntsville, Ontario where I shared the platform with Richard Blackaby and John Hull of John Mazwell's ministry. Doors to speak at denominational conventions and in churches are opening up for me across the country and I consider it a privilege to be given these opportunities to minister and strengthen the body of Christin Canada. This weekend I speak at Bayviewglen Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Toronto. My future trips this year take me to many provinces and even in the US!
Watch me in this short promo video: http://www.billygraham.ca/ministries/training/cross-the-street.aspx
We value the prayers and friendship of so many - in this we are rich indeed.
Wishing you every blessing,

David and Diana Macfarlane
Tell: 519 503 8380
E-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Web-page: davidamacfarlane.com

2010: Great Expectations!

2010-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

7000 attended the event I spoke at in Winnipeg!

Your prayers were answered as, instead of the 5000 that were expected, on a freezingly cold day in Winnipeg two weeks ago, over 7000 people flowed in to the MTS Centre arena (they had to keep opening up more sections to accommodate the crowd). It was a pleasure to preach to this very enthusiastic and responsive crowd. Even though I was requested to preach a message to help Christians do outreach I did give them the gospel and 92 came forward in response to the invitation and gave their lives to Christ. Lots of credit must be given to the visionary city leaders who organized and prayed for this historic event. Twenty six churches worked together to make it happen. For more information go to my new website: http://www.davidamacfarlane.com/

Thank you for your partnership in the gospel. Here is what has happened so far this month:

· Appeared on two episodes of Faith Journal television programs speaking about the state of Christianity in the west.

· Did evangelism training ("21st Century: Organic witnessing") to some 300 people in Vancouver this last weekend. In total I have trained over 700 people from dozens of churches and denominations to be an effective witness for Christ during the Olympics.

· ALPHA has had me back to speak at a number of their leadership events on “Understanding the Spiritual Shifts in Canada Today”. Recognizing the many new and amazing opportunities for church growth and the gospel!

· Seven thousand came to the MTS stadium in Winnipeg when I spoke there.

· In Edmonton and Calgary I spoke on “Reaching the Next Generation” to close to 500 church leaders at the launch of Franklin Graham’s Rock the River events out west next fall. Great response! I repeat this again in Vancouver next week.

· Was just interviewed by Christian Week Newspaper doing a story on the future of evangelism in Canada. Watch for the article.

· In the latest edition of Billy Graham's Decision Magazine there is a full page article on the Intercultural Symposiums that I did across Canada last fall.

· Please pray as I travel to Vancouver then Calgary, Lethbridge, Vancouver again and on to Atlanta and give over half a dozen messages. Pray also as I consider many new requests to speak at events and give seminars - I want to go where the Lord leads.

Here is a short 3 minute video clip of a message (Don’t Quit) that I gave at Centre Street in Calgary at their four identical weekend services (their attendance is now over 7000 a Sunday): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB_0t9xMff0&feature=related

Susan and Abby visited us just before Christmas, and we had Heather, Matthew, Ava, Tory plus Diana's Mum, Peggy, all here for Christmas Day so our home was filled with much love and laughter! Diana is looking forward to visiting Tyler, Susan and Abby in Lethbridge later this month and David will also drop in on one of his trips out west.

Please pray that the Lord will continue to open doors for us to minister in churches and at conferences and give us increasing fruit for His glory.

May all the blessings of Psalm 20 be yours now and always,

David and Diana Macfarlane
Waterloo, Ontario, N2K 4B8
Canada
Cell: 519 503 8380
e-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Web page: http://www.davidamacfarlane.com

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas from the Macfarlane family!

2009-12-06T14:13:00.001-08:00

2009 has been a great year for us with many highlights, good memories and lots of new experiences. We have so much to thank the Lord for! We feel specially blessed to have so many wonderful friends across the country!

Personal: This year Matthew and Heather saw the birth of their first child Ava; Tyler and Susan with little Abby flew from their home in Lethbridge to vacation with us in Florida; Tory is doing very well and is in her third year at Wilfred Laurier University; Diana reduced her workweek at the church to two days so she can spend more time with the family; Diana's Mum Peggy turned 89 and is in good health and David has had an extremely fruitful year.

Ministry: David joined the Billy Graham organization of Canada on January 1 and he has had more opportunities to minister than ever to speak at conferences, city wide events and in churches across the nation. We specially rejoice at the many that have begun their walk with Christ this year!

A personal ministry webpage has been created for people wanting to consider David to speak at their chruch or event: http://www.davidamacfarlane.com/

2010: David feels specially honoured to have been asked by the church leaders of the city of Winnipeg to speak at a stadium rally this January when they expect over 5000 people from 15 congregations to join together as a witness to their city. In Vancouver David will do further training in evangelism for Christians from the lower mainland in preparation for the Olympics. As part of Franklin Graham's Rock the River festival out west this summer David has been asked to speak at the Church leaders launch events in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. On a personal note in June Diana and David are celebrating their wedding anniversary by taking a bus tour (first time ever) through Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the Check Republic.

We wish you a wonder-filled Christmas and a New Year brimming with great expectations of good,

May all the blessings of Psalm 20 be your now and always,

David and Diana Macfarlane
arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Cell. 519 503 8380

November 2009 - David Macfarlane Ministry Update

2009-11-06T10:23:00.000-08:00

Here is Diana holding her granddaughter Ava. Heather gave birth to a baby girl that she and Matthew have named Ava. Both are well. Susan's little girl Abby put her hands on the fireplace glass and had to be taken to have her hands bandaged. Tory is getting up before five am to work at Chapters bookstore while continuing her university studies. Diana is down to two days a week at work and enjoying being able to spend more time with the children. David is enjoying the many opportunities to minister at events across the nation.
We give thanks to God that seventy people responded to the gospel in Fort McMurray with many being first time commitments to Christ when David ministered there last weekend!
The eight city (Vancouver; Edmonton; Calgary; Saskatoon; Winnipeg; Toronto; Cambridge and Ottawa)Intercultural Symposiums drew over 300 church leaders wanting to learn how to more effectively "embrace the nations among us". The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
David trained many Church leaders in Saskatoon to be ready to be a witness for Christ when the BGEAC Soul Chat TV commercials hit the air later this month. David has also put his training on DVD for Churches to use for rekindling their outreach strategy.
In preparation for the Olympics David is training some 5000 people in the lower mainland of BC to be an effective witness for Christ during the games when Vancouver expects to receive over 300,000 visitors. The Richmond Tabernacle;Cedargrove Baptist and Broadway church have been the sites for David's training last month with Northview MB in Abbotsford and Christian Life Assembly in Langley later in November. The training will be video taped and available later for wider distribution.

Here are some positive quotes from national leaders who took the time to write and show their support for our ministry:
"David Macfarlane…connected with our multigenerational audience. His substance was superb and the listeners were with him from start to finish. Great humour and tastefully done. David’s evangelistic gifting and communication skill brings lift".
Gary Taitinger, Mill Woods Pentecostal Assembly, Edmonton AB.

"David is warm and relational in his presentations and has a great sense of humour that helps prepare the way for him to make his points. We have found his messages to be practical and inspirational. He has spoken here several times now and has always left a positive impact on the congregation. You will enjoy him and he will challenge you! Pastor Dave Botting, Maranatha CRC Church

Some of the comments from the Evangelical Mennonite Convention that have come forward through evaluations and conversation include:
“The Gathering has greatly refreshed me and redirected my vision for God’s calling to reach out beyond the parameters of my church!”
“Was very challenged and encouraged”
“Appreciated the humor, sincerity and love”
David, the messages delivered were clear, humorous, encouraging, instructive and challenging and most importantly, always turning us back to scripture and Jesus Christ. Blessings,
Jacob Friesen EMMC Executive Director

"It has been our pleasure to have David Macfarlane minister at our church…he is on the cutting edge of what is happening in our world with respect to reaching those who need Jesus. His messages will leave you with a fresh attainable challenge. His insight and experience guided our team to accomplish the outreach goals we set. His encouragement and enthusiasm ignited the team to reach even higher goals." Pastor Mark Emerson of International Gospel Centre

"The Symposium was absolutely fantastic! I thank the Lord for the opportunity to attend and receive such a big blessing." Dr. Victor Lujetic, Pastor King Street Baptist Church

"I particularly enjoyed David’s introduction at the beginning (of the Ignite the Light Conference), as it really set a comfortable tone for the day. His words and manner combined to establish a sense of excitement and anticipation, and that momentum was certainly carried through event. Each speaker seemed to elevate the energy level, culminating with one of my favourite apologists, Ravi Zacharias." Mike Woodard National Director Campus for Christ.

Every blessing on your personal life and ministry,

David and Diana Macfarlane
arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Cell 519 503 8380

Fall Macfarlane News

2009-09-21T05:59:00.001-07:00

Macfarlane Family and Ministry News

Five hundred and fifty people registered for the one day Ignite the Light conference that we organized in Toronto on Saturday September 19 with over 700 for the closing event - for an evangelism conference this is quite amazing! I have come to believe that in the west the only two things that Christians and non Christians have in common is that they both do not like evangelism :-). The response to this one day event was overwhelmingly positive towards all the sessions and the plenary speakers that included Ravi Zachariah, Charles Price, Bruxy Cavey, Craig Evans and me. It was a privilege to be a part of this event.
In Ottawa this July I got to talk to one of my idols - George Beverley Shea. He was also participating in the Billy Graham School of Evangelism held in Ottawa that I have the privilege of speaking at this summer at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel. The Billy Graham team have influenced my life many times and in many ways. It was great to meet Bev and have an opportunity to thank him in person.
We have now done five one day REconneXIons seminars for Church leaders (in Ontario and Atlantic Canada) and we are glad to report that the evaluations showed that the material was relevant and helpful to all who attended. We are palanning many more for 2010 in different cities where there is interest!
Next I am off across the country (eight cities) speaking at Intercultural Symposiums to help churches transition to embrace the nations that are coming to our neighbourhoods. In addition I will be in Vancouver numerous times this fall doing eight evangelism training seminars to prepare Christians from the lower mainland to share their faith during the Olympics that will be held there early next year. They tell me that some 5000 people will be attending these sessions. In addition I will be talking at numbeours national conventions including the Canadian Council of Christian Charities plus involved in a new BGEAC television initiative called Soul Chat.
Diana is presently in Lethbridge with our daughter Susan and her husband Tyler enjoying spending time with our grandaughter Abby. Heather and Matthew are expecting their first child next month so excitement in the Macfarlane household is high! Tory is back at Wilfred Laurier University and working at Chapters bookstore in her free time.

Thank you for your prayers.

David and Diana Macfarlane
Cell 519 503 8380
e-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com

Summer 2009 - David Arrol Macfarlane ministry

2009-06-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

Ministry Update

Four practical training sessions on "Community Impact" at a local church led to an exciting evangelistic community event where I spoke on "Heaven Guaranteed" and we rejoiced as many gave their lives to Christ!

The Global day of Prayer (a city-wide and international event) for Edmonton invited me to minister at their event on Pentecost Sunday.

Speaking at a national denominational convention in the west, I challenged the over 500 delegates to "engage their world with the Good News". More than 1000 people attended the closing session filling the altar with those wanting to "go deeper with God and the gospel".

I was extremely honoured when the Billy Graham team asked me to be the plenary speaker at Geroge Beverlea Shea's 100th birthday party service. He has sung live to over 22 million people at Billy Graham events around the world! This well attended event was held at "The Metropolitan Bible Church" (the Met) which is one of the largest churches in Ottawa.

Family Update

The most recent and extremely important family news is that Matthew and Heather are expecting their first baby in October! We are thrilled!

Susan and Abby came for a few days visit during the month of May when Diana's sister Anne was visiting from London. Tyler stayed back to look after business. The toughest part is always having to say goodbye as they left to go back home to Lethbridge, Alberta.

Tory is doing well and will pursue her 3rd year of Global Studies and Spanish at Wilfred Laurier University this fall.

David and Diana are off to Florida again this summer for a three week vacation to sit under a palm tree and relax on a beach - really looking forward to a time of "recharging the batteries" after an extremely busy and fruitful year.

Future Update

The first "REconneXions: Igniting Your Community With Authenitc Faith", a one-day leadership seminar that I developed with the BGEAC, was a huge success and received very positive reviews from the 150 who attended. The next ones will be offered in Saint John, Moncton and Halifax in Atlantic Canada in early September. Here is the link to the REconneXions website. http://www.billygraham.ca/Ministries/ReconneXion.aspx

The Billy Graham School of Evangelism will be held in Ottawa at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier this July. Many of my friends are speaking and I'll be talking on "Sparking Imagination" and "Reaching Cross Culturally".

For September I'm organizing the third "Ignite the Light" national conference which will have Ravi Zachariah, Craig Evans, Charles Price, Bruxy Cavey, Will Graham and others as speakers. The goal is to help Christians explain their faith to a culture that no longer believes in truth. http://www.billygraham.ca/Ministries/ignite/default.aspx

In October I'm speaking across the nation at "Intercultural Symposiums" in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Cambridge and Ottawa. My passion is to see Canadian churches reach out and embrace the increasing number of people who are coming from across the world to make Canada their home.

In preparation for the Olympics in British Columbia early next year, I'll be training some 5000 Christians in Vancouver in September, October and November on how to "Give away the Gospel". I'll be speaking at Peace Portal Alliance, Cedar Grove Baptist, Broadway PAOC, Northview MB and Christian Life Assembly.

We are thrilled and very grateful for all the speaking engagements that are coming our way from denominational conventions, conferences, city wide events, seminars and churches. To God be the glory!

Diana and I want to wish you a wonderful fun-filled and relaxing summer with your family and friends.

David Arrol Macfarlane
e-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Cell 519 503 8380

2009-03-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

2009 news so far....

Amazingly, thousands of people have been trained, inspired and ministered to at events I have been invited to speak at since January 1 of 2009 when I began to serve as Director of National Initiatives for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada (http://www.billygraham.ca/). The travel schedule has been intense, with some months finding me home for just a few days only to have to pack and leave again, but the opportunities the Lord has opened are quite amazing! The response to the conferences and seminars has been greatly encouraging.

Here is what John Pellow, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Council of Christan Charities (http://www.cccc.org/), had to say about my presentation at their national conference: "You brought energy, passion and contagious enthusiasm to the topic and modeled what you were teaching. You more than met my expectations and hopes ... the audience clearly thought so too".

Some of my future speaking engagements: On May 1-2 I will be in Calgary speaking at Centre Street Church for the "Cross the Street: Engaging your Community with Authentic Faith" (http://www.billygraham.ca/Ministries/CrossStreet.aspx), a successful evangelism conference for Pastors and lay people that we created some years ago. Other plenary speakers include Eric Swanson, author of "The Externally Focused Church" (http://ericswanson.blogspot.com/), Henry Schorr, Senior Pastor of Centre Street Church (http://www.cschurch.ca/), Claude Houde of "NouvelleVie" (http://www.nouvellevie.com/), plus many significant seminar presenters. In May I will have the honour of being in Ottawa to speak at the 100th birthday party for Bev Shea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Beverly_Shea). Other events worth highlighting include speaking at the Billy Graham School of Evangelism; running six "REconneXions: Igniting your Community Influence" seminars in Ontario and the Maritimes; Intercultural Symposiums in eight cities across Canada. This fall I have been asked to do evangelism training for Christians across BC in preparation for the Olympics. They will be held in six (or more) venues in the lower mainland of BC and the organizers anticipate us training over 5000 people.

We are now booking speaking engagements for 2010, so if you think I can be of help to any group you know, please have them contact me for topics and available dates at dmacfarlane@samaritan.org or call 519 503 8380.

On the family front we are all doing well. Diana is looking to cut down her work schedule so as to be able to travel with David whenever she can as well as visit her granddaughter in Alberta. Tyler and Susan in Lethbridge continue to be happy parents of little Abby who is 7 months old. Matthew and Heather are expecting their first baby in October. Tory is finishing her second year studies in Global Studies at Wilfred Laurier.

Wishing you every blessing,

David and Diana Macfarlane
Cell 519 503 8380
e-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com

Bio and Topics by David Arrol Macfarlane

About David Arrol Macfarlane, the Director of National Initiatives for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada:
David is a humorous and engaging speaker, trainer and motivator who has spent over two decades on the front lines of ministry through local Canadian churches that have grown to beyond 1200 and 1500 in regular weekend attendance through prayerful strategic outreach. David’s inspiring, informative, practical and surprisingly humorous presentations have become popular with organizations, denominations and congregations who value relevance, church health and a desire to “engage their world”. David and his wife Diana have three grown daughters.
To book David Macfarlane for your speaking engagements contact him at arrol.mac@hotmail.com or call 519 503 8380.

Speaking History
David preaches regularly in churches such as The Peoples Church (Toronto); Centre Street (Calgary); Glad Tidings (Moncton); Calvary Church (Vancouver); Church of the Rock (Winnipeg); Evangel Temple (North York); Gateway (Lethbridge); and Maranatha (Kingston). As a conference speaker David has participated at the SERVE leadership conference at Briercrest Bible College and Seminary; various Missionfests; Cross the Street; Ignite the Light; EQUIP; and many events held by city-church networks; Samaritan’s Purse; EMAS (medical doctors); CNCF; The Church Army and others. David also speaks at many denominational conventions and events for the Christian and Missionary Alliance; Apostolic Church of Pentecost; Mennonite Brethren, Life Links; Salvation Army; Anglican; the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies and many others. In addition David is a frequent guest on numerous television programs (100 Huntley Street; Night Line; It’s a New Day, etc.) and radio programs (The Drew Marshall Show, etc.).

What David Macfarlane Speaks about:
Creating Community-Impacting Churches (series)
New times require new ways of thinking: A practical four part seminar that offers tools, ideas plus inspiration so help any congregation to look “outward” in fresh new ways. These messages can also be given individually.
Stirring Passion for impacting a community: Reignite passion for community transformation which begins with motive and motivation. David shares some practical steps for helping others see the harvest opportunities with their heart as well as their mind.
Shaping a Strategy for impacting a community: Seven practical and helpful biblical steps for refocusing a good ministry to take it to the next level.
Sparking Imagination for impacting a community: Igniting the Creative process to find bold, innovative “out of the box” thinking strategies. David will share how to “Idea Blast” and use “grids” to help you find new ways for outreach within your context plus talk about methods that are being effective in Canada today
Spiritual Shifts for impacting a community: A clarion call about present and future trends that will influence our effectiveness as Christians in Canada and the opportunities that each of them bring. What the community impacting churches of the future might look like. The most important activity during fast change is to keep moving forward.

Keynote Messages

With a focus on Scriptural motivation using humour, David is able to talk on a wide number of topics to encourage people to live "sold out for Christ".

Live, Laugh, Live! In this engaging, thought-provoking and surprisingly humorous message from his experiences as a rower and from Philippians David shares a unique perspective on living a rewarding and impact-ful life.

Powered by a Passion for God from Romans 12 is one of David’s most popular talks. This challenging yet humorous and warm hearted presentation explains why having a genuine passion for God is the way to go and gives six practical keys to regain our enthusiasm and live Full Throttle for God.

Living to Leave a Legacy from the book of Jonah we learn how God is already at work all around us even when we are not aware of it and how He specializes in using imperfect people to do great things.

Neighbour – God loves you! From Luke 15 we see how God loves those around us as much as He loves us who know Him. This powerful truth has the power to change our perception of our “world” and ministry and birthin us a desire to become even more effective for Christ.

The Harvest is Ripe from John 4 is a message of great hope for our times. Here David presents seven inspiring and practical steps that form a compelling challenge to never lose our focus and release and explosion of enthusiasm of hope that will be absolutely contagious. The message is simple, clear, easy to grasp – yet profound.

Celebrating Friendship! Researchers tell us that above all other values friends are # 1 today. Here is a message that is ideal for everyone to invite their friends to hear as it is all about the importance of friendship and how we need to honour them! “Celebrating Friendship” is a hilarious talk that includes considering the claims of Christ to become His friend.

The Power in our Arms from Exodus 17 is about God’s wonderful invitation to us to combine prayer plus action. This message provides audiences with practical instruction and a renewed sense of the power of prayer, what is really important and insight into how we can live our lives today so we may look back years from now with a sense of deep joy and satisfaction.

Leadership
Flexi Leadership: An entertaining yet highly instructive message on leadership lessons learned on staying flexible in ministry. In this humorous talk David shares from his heart principles, insight and survival skills learned “in the trenches” as a pastor of growing Canadian churches. Don’t forget to laugh!
Totally Engaged Volunteers: Our success often hinges on our ability to attract, retain and motivate world class people who radically love the Lord and the local church. This seminar offers tips on how to mobilize, empower and help people grow in their natural strengths to become your best volunteers.
Mobilizing Enthusiastic Volunteers: Great ministries have a people first philosophy. How to clarify and raise personal standards, focus clearly on your mission, adopt new empowering beliefs and integrate simple strategies that will lead to enthusiastic and fulfilled volunteers. Revisit job descriptions, inspiring contracts for volunteers, accountability and training so as to attract and keep the best workers.
Finding Balance in times of stress: Finding that there are not enough hours in a day for all that you need to do? David shares lessons from his painful burnout experience when leading a growing and “successful” congregation. This is a very “real” talk on how important it is to look for balance in your personal life and ministry if you are to survive and thrive!
Evangelism for our times. As a Pastor and practitioner for over two decades in the area of evangelism and discipleship David has many practical, relevant and inspirational messages and seminars on this important theme.

David and Diana Macfarlane
Cell 519 503 8380
e-mail: arrol.mac@hotmail.com

2008-11-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

Fall of 2008

Life: Celebrating change!

Abigail (Abby) Grace Duncan was born in Lethbridge, Alberta to Tyler and Susan on September 3 of this year and made us proud grandparents for the first time! In early December they all came to Waterloo to visit us and we had a wonderful time with lots of laughter filling our home!

On the ministry front we have been extremely busy criss crossing the country (last month 22 flights) but seeing much fruit for the Kingdom for our efforts. Evaluations from seminars to Pastors have rated them "above expectations". One Church who had me in to do seminars for leadership and consult has reported a marked turn around and growth. A few weeks ago I spoke at an evangelistic event at a church of 350 in southern Ontario and 28 people responded to the claims of Christ for the first time! Thank you for your prayers - we are partners in His work!

Our life is changing too: The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada has invited me to join their senior leadership team as their Director of National Initiatives and I have accepted. As of January 1 of 2009 I will be serving with the BGEAC and representing them nationally while still living in Waterloo, Ontario. In this new position I will continue to speak across our nation and organize Canada-wide conferences, seminars, develop resources etc. to help equip and motivate denominations, ministries and local congregations to focus in new ways on evangelism, creative outreach and discipleship. The good news is that I will no longer need to raise my own support for which I am very grateful.

Here is the letter that the President of the EFC, Bruce Clemenger, has sent out announcing my move to the BGEAC. I thought that it might interest you.

“...David has served the EFC with passion and imagination for five years. The initiatives he developed have served the evangelical community well and have had significant impact on the lives of pastors, church leaders and congregations across Canada and most importantly, have seen new commitments to Christ made and existing commitments reignited.
It has been an honour for me to work with him.”

David Wells, new President of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and chair of the EFC board sent me this note:
... You have served with an obvious, infectious passion for the Lord, His Church and His mission in our country... On behalf of the Board of EFC I would like to express our deep gratitude for you service and assure you of our blessing and prayers as you head into your next season of service.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support. I look forward to keeping in touch. If I can ever serve you or your ministry please do give me a call.

Wishing you the Lord’s richest blessings now and always in your journey,

David Arrol Macfarlane
New contact information:
Home: 519 884 0515
Home office: 519.880.9959
Cell: 519.503.8380
e-mail address: arrol.mac@hotmail.com

2008-07-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

Grateful for God at work!

Here I am in Lethbridge, Alberta, with our daughter Susan and her husband Tyler (visiting them is one of the perks of my frequent trips across Canada). Susan is expecting (our first grandchild) for October!
July has been extremely fruitful with exciting ministry opportunities including speaking to over 5500 people at the four weekend services at Centre Street Church during the Calgary Stampede. Many responded to the invitation (often in tears). Their bookstore reported that the CD of the message was in demand. Thank you for your prayers and partnership with me in this ministry - I could not do it without your support, intercession and encouragement. All glory to God!
Regularly I receive encouraging messages about our ministry. Here are a few that I'd like to share with you:
Many lives were touched by His word and Spirit (Church leader).
Your teaching and experience turned out to be … spiritually refreshing (Pastor)
You are … an example of authentic servant leadership … evidenced in your life and ministry (National ministry leader).
Thank you again for the awesome presentations…they were excellent! I love your heart, the heart of an Evangelist! (Church leader)
Your seminar was very encouraging. The information was very relevant, practical and inspiring-- not to mention motivating as well. All of us came away with something significant. The more we get to know you the more we appreciate you. We hope that there will be many more times of working together. (Leader of city ministerial)
You were received very well … (Leader of city-wide stadium event).
… we would love to have you back (Denominational national convention).
Thank you so much to send me "CELEBRATION" DVD. It is a very nice tool for our community. I am going to show it …to seminary students and … to my local church (Christian church leader in Bangladesh).
….one colleague has already listened to your message from the weekend (CD of conference I spoke at in April) – and was so jazzed! (Canadian leader)
…Great to … hear your heart at Serve 2008 (Briercrest). You truly blessed me in your classes. (Pastor)
Wonderful message (DVD teaching)! Very inspiring (Ministry leader)
Thank you so much for coming and blessing us and our community. It is having a lasting effect on how people are looking at the local church's role in our community, as well as challenging many people to re-think their commitment to Jesus. Thank you so much for your consistent effort to win the lost to Jesus. You are a tremendous example to us all! (Community leader)
I would love to have you come back again (Pastor)

Diana and I are looking forward to being under a palm tree for two weeks at the beginning of August. Hope you enjoy a wonderful summer, have lots of fun, make great memories, “unplug” and return spiritually refreshed and ready for all the good things that the Lord has in store for you!

Your partner in the gospel for Canada,

David and Diana Macfarlane

arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Cell 519 503 8380

New Opportunites

2008-06-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

At a retreat for evangelists in BC I participated in last week, I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours with William (Paul ) Young (photo of the two of us), the New York Times best selling author of "The Shack", an amazing Christian book of fiction that Eugene Peterson said will be to our generation what Pilgrim's Progress was to a previous one. Paul is a great guy, extremely humble, who gives God all the credit for the success of the book that is being translated into over a dozen languages and are presently in negotiations to make it into a major motion picture. I look forward to connecting with him again and I would encourage you to read the book.

Every year I organize over fifteen one-day leadership seminars across our nation under the title "Chrisitan Leaders Connections" to help Pastors understand our changing times and to prepare for the great new opportunities for spreading the gospel in Canada today. The evaluations from these seminars have been extremely positive. Regularly church leaders contact me to say "Thank you. The tools you gave us have really helped us turn our church around. We are seeing much fruit!". This month, thanks to the generosity of Pastor Glen Williams and Evangel Temple, we were able to videotape this "Shifts" leadership seminar and I am please to announce that DVDs and CDs of it will be available soon.

Please continue to pray as in the next many weeks I speak in churches and at many conferences, plus attend a national retreat of key leaders on the future of ministry in the Canadian context. In July I speak at the C&MA convention, at Centre Street Church in Calgary, People's Church in Toronto, and numerous other places. Diana and I wish to be more effective for the cause of Christ and are seeking God for new ministry opportunities as well as making time to write and prepare fresh seminars and messages over the summer months.

While in Alberta in July I will spend some time in Lethbridge with our daughter Susan and her husband Tyler who will make us grandparents for the first time this October! Diana has been buying baby "stuff" and mailing it to Susan every few weeks as the excitement builds. Of course Diana plans to be there when the baby is born!

Thank you for your prayers and partneship in the gospel.

Every blessing,

David and Diana Macfarlane
arrol.mac@hotmail.com
Tel. 519 503 8380

Conferences all a success - thanks to prayer

2008-04-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

People coming to personal faith in Christ often brings me to tears as, to me, it is an evidence of God at work! Well, the great news is that twenty people gave their lives to Christ for the first time and over 100 rededicated themselves to the Lord when I preached at Church of the Rock (2500 in the audience) in Winnipeg earlier this month! The counsellors were jumpinmg up and down with excitement. Thank you for partnering with me in this and for all your prayers.

It is wonderful to be able to tell you that over 400 people attended the Cross the Street Evangelism Conference we organized with Tony Campolo, Claude Houde, Mark Hughes and myself doing the plenary sessions. Many other capable equippers taught well attended electives. One of the leaders of the city said to me: "Thank you for bringing such an amazing conference to our city. We have been richly blessed!"

The SERVE conference at Briercrest Bible College and Seminary in SK went extremely well. All four of the sessions I was asked to give were packed. We received lots of positive feedback from leaders who told me how they now felt better equipped to impact their commuiites for Christ and grow their chruches. God is good!

We had Ed and Ruth Silvoso over to our home for dinner many years ago, so it was a real pleasure to connect with them again at the Purpose @ Work Marketplace Conference in Toronto. This event was organized to help business people live out their faith for Kingdom impact. While the attendance was disappointingly low, it was a great event and the interactive plenary session I was aksed to lead made me realize that this is something that I must do more of. In fact I am using this interactive dimension more at the one day EFC church leadership equipping events that I organize across the country. Judging from the positive feedback we receive, the attendees seem to be getting more out of them. Praise the Lord!

Two appearences on the 100 Huntley Street television program (twice in a week), first with an interviewed by Ron Mainse and second in a segment on multiculturalism and the future of the church in Canada, triggered a viewer to call me. He is someone I had lost touch with that I had ministered to over twenty years ago and helped out of a world of drugs and crime. We had lunch in Toronto and he told me how good God had been to him. He became a pastor in Quebec, all his family are following the Lord, and two of them are in full time ministry. It humbles me to think that God Almighty can use imperfect people like us to transform lives for all of eternity!

This is where ministry has taken me:

Media: Television programs (Faith Journal; 100 Huntley Street, Night Line, It’s a New Day, etc.) and radio programs (The Drew Marshall Show, etc.) and on the new ALPHA promo video for Pastors.

Conferences: SERVE at Briercrest; many Missionfests; Cross the Street; Ignite the Light; EQUIP; for city church networks; Prayer rallies; for Samaritan’s Purse; EMAS (medical doctors); CNCF; The Church Army, and others.

Denominational conventions: Christian and Missionary Alliance; Apostolic Church of Pentecost; Mennonite Brethren, Life Links; Salvation Army; Anglican; the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies, Reformed Church of America, and others.

Churches: The People's Church (Toronto); Centre Street (Calgary); Glad Tidings (Moncton); Calvary Church (Vancouver); Church of the Rock (Winnipeg); Evangel Temple (North York); Gateway (Lethbridge) ; Maranatha (Kingston), Westpointe (Vancouver), etc.

Thank you for your prayers, support, encouragement and friendship. Diana and I would ask that you please remember to pray for us for wisdom as we seek direction for new opportunities to glorify the Lord and bless the local churches in Canada.

Your partners in the gospel

David and Diana Macfarlane

macfarlaned@efc-canada.com

Cell. 519 503 8380

2008-03-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

DAVID'S WINTER 2008 UPDATE

During the Q&A time after my seminar on "Loving Canada" at Missionfest Toronto this weekend a young engineer said with emotion: "I have never heard this before! Thank you for giving me hope for our nation". Comments like these encourage me, because often I feel like a lonely voice "prophesying" to the church to return to its mission to be an influence for Christ in their communites. The good news is that while there are some who want to stay in their "old winskins", there are many that are catching the "spark", and we are seeing congregations turn around, grow and become a power for God in their neighbourhoods. Later this young engineer talked to me at length about his reawakened passion for God and we discussed ways in which he could bless and serve his church. I praise the Lord that I meet people like him wherever I go!

Travel
Increasingly new ministry opportunities are opening up for me for which I am very grateful. Some of these are:

I will be the keynote speaker for four sessions at Briercrest's SERVE Leadership Conference in Hepburn, Saskatechwan on March 28-29;
Peoples Church in Toronto has me speaking for them again at three of their services the weekend of August 17;
I am ministering at Cornerstone Church in Saskatoon on March 30
I am speaking at all four services at Centre Street Church in Calgary on July 5-6;
I am one of the keynote speakers at "Cross the Street" conference in Winnipeg on April 11-12
I am ministering at Church of the Rock in Winnipeg on April 12-13;
I am equipping leadership for numerous denominations like the C&MA, ACOP and fellowships like the FCA and others.
I am conducting many "Christian Leaders Connections" seminars across the nation with EFC;
I am conducting numerous seminars on "Community Impacting Churches"

Family
Our daughter Susan and her husband Tyler, who live in Lethbridge, are expecting! This will be our first grandchild and we are thrilled. Heather and her husband got a dog (no plans for kids yet!). Tory is working and planning to go back to school in the fall. Diana enjoys working at Koinonia. Thanks to the generosity of friends, Diana and I are looking froward to spending two weeks in Florida this summer. I can hardly wait to sit on a beach under a palm tree!
Left to right the photo is of Tory, Heather and Susan at home for Christmas.

Gratitude
I am extremely humbled and grateful to the many of you that have generously chosen to support my ministry with the EFC now that I am having to raise my own support. Your show of love has touched me and Diana deeply. Thank you all for your giving, encouragement and prayers.

Please pray:

For travel and upcoming speaking engagements

That we find a publisher for the "Leaving a Legacy" book that I have just written
For new speaking engagements that will allow us to have the greatest impact for God
For the right words to say on the television programs I will be appearing on
That we will be used of God to help more churches rediscover their sense of mission
For much fruit in changed lives, reinvigortated churches and transformed communites

Every blessing
David Arrol Macfarlane
Cell 519 503 8380

2007 in Review

2007-12-15T11:44:00.000-08:00

Diana and I hope you have a wonder-filled Christmas with your family and friends and a New Year overflowing with the Lord's richest blessings!

2007 was a fruitful and exciting year of ministry - Praise the Lord! Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support!

Here are a few comments on our ministry:

"You like to see people grow" said my friend Derrick, a leadership consultant, who was helping me re-evaluate my ministry and plan for future expansion. He is right. To help equip and motivate people, churches and ministries reach their full potential brings me great joy!

"Dear David, We sincerely appreciate the work that you do on behalf of the churches in Canada. Your seminar was very encouraging. The information was very relevant, practical and inspiring - not to mention motivating as well. All of us came away with something significant. The more we get to know you the more we appreciate you. We hope that there will be many more times of working together". Edmonton city leader on recent seminar.

"I appreciated the insights you shared and your candor too. It was a breath of fresh air in a sometimes stagnant church! May God continue to use you in a mighty way bringing His light to a hurting and desperate country". Guelph Pastor

"This past weekend and yesterday was a blessing to the Body of Christ because you were willing to be used by God. My thanks to Him and to you for being willing to share with us". St John's - a denominational leader

"You were/are a tremendous blessing to us and you need to be packaged and sent to all churches!" A church leader in Kingston.

Yes, I really do get great joy in seeing people, churches and ministires grow! In 2007 I spoke well over 100 times to thousands of people in large and small groups right across the nation. In addition I was interviewed on the 100 Huntley Street program It's New Day, Faith Journal and various radio shows, including Drew Marshall's. Also encouraging is that the DVD's and CD's of my talks have also been selling very well. God is good! (If you are interested in purchasing any, please let me know - 4 CD set $20; DVD - 1 message $10).

Unique this year

Immigration is changing the face of Canada and, to help congregations become intentional about responding to "the mission field coming to us", we organized, and I spoke at, five successful "Intercultural Symposiums" in major Canadian cities.

I held my first webinar for which we received many positive responses including this one: "Thank you so much for the webinar. It was really well done. The seminar was also easy to follow and very informative."

Outside of trips across Canada, this year I enjoyed being the speaker at a denominational convention in the USA plus ministering to national leadership in six cities in New Zealand and Australia. It was a wonderful trip as Diana was able to accompany me!

We did our first "Cross the Street Conference" to help Christians find tools for engaging their communities. Matthew Barnett from the Los Angeles Dream Centre and Claude Houde from Montreal were the main speakers. It was well attended. In 2008 we will be holding it in Winnipeg on April 11 and 12 with Tony Campolo, Claude Houde, Mark Hughes and myself as plenary speakers.

In 2007 I also was involved in speaking at Equipping Evangelists Retreats; to medical doctors at their EMAS Convention; at many city-wide rallies; prayer events; marriage seminars; missions conferences; preaching in many churches; dozens of seminars and more...

Prayer Requests

* This month I am finishing writing my first book titled: "Leaving a Legacy" on how to live with significance. Pray that we can find an editor, publisher and funding.
* For finances as I have been asked by the EFC to raise my own support.
* For health as I travel.
* For wisdom to make the best use of my time.
* For the Lord to open new doors of opportunity for me to minister effectively.
* For the church in Canada (that I love) that we can help it regain a sense of mission and grow in impact.
* For Diana and our family as I am away a lot.
* For the EFC and Judy Pfaff on my National Initiatives team.

David A. Macfarlane
Cell. 519 503 8380
macfarlaned@efc-canada.com