The CBWC has a committee known as the Justice and Mercy Network (JMN). This committee picked up from where the broader CBWC community left off after a successful summer of raising funds for CBM’s Active in Mission initiative in partnership with our sister conventions: We ended up with 21 churches applying for assistance with local food security programming…it was a real challenge…but so encouraging to know how many of our churches are currently involved in food security programs. There is talk of forming an affinity group moving forward so they can network together. We are hopeful that this initiative continues and are grateful for the chance to participate! (Louanne Haugen, Director of Communications & Development, CBWC)

Approximately 350 volunteers for Mission Nouvelle Generation in Brossard, Quebec feed about 1,500 families each week of the year. They also offered a variety of important services and initiatives to serve the community such as practical services at low costs and a community garden allowing families access to freshly picked fruits and vegetables. They have a dehydration project to maximize donations and minimize waste by taking the oversupply of fruits and vegetables and transforming them into long-lasting products while preserving their nutritional value. Mission Nouvelle Generation has helped new immigrants and those on the margins of society get back on their feet. Many of them come back as volunteers to give back to society. During the holiday season, Christmas Food baskets were distributed to 2000 families.

In Nairobi, Kenya, Stephen lost his job when his company had to downsize. He decided to move back to his hometown and become a farmer to support his family. He followed the farming practices of his neighbours, but they all experienced crop failure due to the lack of precipitation in the region. He received training in conservation agriculture from CBM’s partner, the ACC&S, alongside several other farmers who were experiencing the same challenges. They all learned how to mitigate the effects of changing weather patterns. Stephen has had a successful harvest from implementing these new measures. His youngest son has also shown interest in conservation agriculture by joining his school’s 4K Club and taking care of his very own plot of land. We’d love to hear your story of how your church community is addressing local food security through Active in Mission. Feel free to post your own stories using #AIM2023, #AEM2023, or #ActiveInMission2023.