News
March 11, 2011
This is a letter I never wanted to write.
As many of you know, my family has suffered an incredible loss. Just a few weeks ago, my son-in-law Rob Hall was killed in an accident while serving in Zambia.
My daughter Kate has been left a widow. My three grandchildren, Kathryn, Simeon, and Cameron, are now fatherless. The thousands of people whose lives were impacted by Rob are left with a painful hole in their hearts.
Rob was a hands-on father and husband to his family. Even more, he was a faithful servant of God.
Since last October, Rob, Kate and the kids have been serving in sub-Saharan Africa. Rob was a gifted teacher and an expert in agriculture. Connecting with the Trans-Africa Theological College in Kitwe, Rob was training students in both pastoral ministry and agriculture.
Putting his gifts to use and following the leading of God, Rob transformed the college in the few short months he was there. Barren fields came to life under his careful hand. Students were empowered to serve their communities, both spiritually and practically. Even at the moment he died, Rob was building a prayer tower to benefit the students and community around the College.
Rob gave his life in service to God and the Church.
His presence will be sorely missed in the communities where he worked in Zambia and Malawi. Rob was instrumental in several Visionledd and WOW projects, bringing his passion and dedication to projects like income-generating piggeries and church planting initiatives.
I ask you to hold us up in your prayers over the coming weeks and months. Rob lived what he believed, and our lives will never be the same without him. For more than ten years Kathy and I have given everything we have to fight for children who are orphaned - today we have three lovely young grandchildren who have lost their father. They are living with us...it's our "new normal".
At this point, we move forward only by the strength of the Lord.
If you feel led, please also consider offering a gift to support the projects that Rob was so committed to. A key project is the 125-acre farm we're prayerfully planning to purchase in the Kabwe area. Rob was our "go-to-guy" as an agriculturalist. We need to grow food to help feed the 5,000 orphans we're caring for with our strategic partner, Kabwe Home Based Care. The purchase price is $30,000. I want to call it "Rob's Farm". Your support will honour his legacy and continue the compassionate service he gave his life for.
Thank you for your support of Visionledd and my family. Your thoughts and prayers are a great source of strength to us in this time of grief.
Jim
September 14, 2010
In preparation for next month's youth conference in Malawi, we have received an update from a young woman whose life has been transformed because of Visionledd's supporters.
When Loveness Nkhosa's father became ill, the whole family was at risk. As the sole income-earner, the fact that he could no longer work meant that Loveness and her siblings had no way to get food or medical care.
At this point, 21-year-old Loveness knew she needed to stand on behalf of her family. Taking on several odd jobs and selling what she could, Loveness worked hard to provide food for her siblings and allow them to continue school. Sadly, her own studies suffered as a result.
Thankfully, Visionledd and WOW learned of Loveness' situation and offered support. She and her siblings received scholarships to cover their school expenses. Since that time, Loveness received a loan to open her own business. She has also begun leading a local youth ministry, bringing the Gospel alive for young people in her community.
October 21, 2009
Rita Prins (Executive Director of WOW) and her team from the People's Church in Toronto, Ontario, bring news from Mgona, Malawi.
Today our team was humbled by the thankful spirit expressed by the widows living in our WOW community in Mgona, Malawi. When our team first arrived in the community, we were welcomed with celebration and song. As we spent time with the women, our team coordinators asked these women what their hopes and dreams were.
One of our team members turned to me and said
"What do dreams look like to a woman who has already buried her husband and all of her children, and who now struggles desperately to simply feed her 7 grandchildren? Does she know the meaning of hope when she learns that some of her own grandchildren are victims of HIV, or when she looks around her village to see that her family circumstance is not an exception, but the norm?."
Many of our team members expressed similar concerns.
Yet even in the midst of their extreme hardship, these women, who have lost everything they love and cherish began sharing their hopes and dreams with our team. One woman told us that whatever God brings into her life, she will thank Him for it. Many others expressed similar thoughts. They hope their children will be able to go school and that they will be able to find jobs to help provide for their families. Many of them said that their hope is for their children and grandchildren to know Jesus Christ and to follow Him. What a blessing and encouragement this was for us to hear!
As our team continues in the work the Lord has called us to, we ask for continual prayer from our friends and family and Visionledd supporters and partners. Tomorrow our team will begin a building project in a nearby community and we will also continue our work with the widows in Mgona. In the next week of our trip, we pray that God will continue to work in the hearts of the villagers, and that He would be their hope and their salvation.August 31, 2009
This summer has been a time of reflection and refinement as we gather as one family united in Christ to bring the message of Christ through broadcasting and fellowship. Each day a new segment on 100 Huntley Street refreshes my spirit and awakens me to fresh ideas of faith.
We recently wrapped up our series entitled "Rediscovering Faith in the Arts". Throughout this time I was encouraged by the wonderful way in which art and culture can so accurately and vividly depict the gospel. 100 Huntley Street is helping to transform lives as the medium of Christian television is able to reach people across our national borders. By expressing the greatness of our God through visual elements, our spirit is energized through creative expression. And as our spirit is energized we are encouraged to do great things in the name of Jesus Christ.
It is time we grab hold of the gifts and talents given to us by our heavenly father. Through this powerful medium, television, we are able to instill a vision for justice and righteousness in the hearts of our viewers. As we share our gifts and talents with the world, we are better equipped to share the message of hope with those struggling to overcome the devastation brought about by HIV/AIDS.
August 17, 2009
Jim Cantelon as guest host on 100 Huntley Street
Recent changes to Crossroads programming has opened up many exciting opportunities for new faces, talent and inspiring stories. As a frequent guest at 100 Huntley Street, Visionledd's founder Jim Cantelon was asked to join the team of guest hosts, opening the doors for Visionledd's ministry and Jim's work throughout Canada and beyond its national borders.
100 Huntley Street is a ministry of Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. and has been a leading daily television program for over thirty years. For years, Jim has been a friend to 100 Huntley Street and a regular host of the Truth to Go miniseries. As a media communication ministry, Crossroads provides insight on the gospel through interactive interviews, stories of faith, and the powerful gifts of special musical guests, professionals and scholars.
During this time of transition, the community at Crossroads is being blessed by guests like Jim, who have committed their time to ensure that this ministry continues to bring the voice of truth to nations across our world every day.
For updates and past episodes please visit 100 Huntley Street online.
July 7, 2009
Renewed Passion
This year's Kabwe Home-Based Care Pastor's Conference was an incredible experience for over 3,000 African delegates. The Visionledd team engaged with emerging leaders, encouraging them to seek justice and righteousness in their communities. The conference focused on practicing compassion within communities and offered renewed hope - encouraging pastors to take action.
For years Pastor Chisenga of Katondo, Kabwe was burdened by the hopelessness among the youth in his community. They were dropping out of school and falling into a lifestyle of drinking, fighting, smoking and engaging in sex. As he sought the Lord, Pastor Chisenga felt it in his heart to establish a sports program for these youths but he did not know where to begin.
After attending the Pastor's conference, he was inspired to act on the message regarding compassion and passion. He started to draw out elementary plans to establish a sports program. The program initially registered 10 youth but the number kept increasing as days went by. In just two months the program has three football teams with over 100 youths between 8 and 20 years participating. The community is seeing a radical change in the youth. They are going back to school and beginning to change their lifestyle habits.
The impact to the community?
In just two months, two young men have been completely transformed. Imagine what can happen in a year!
April 28, 2009
Jim Cantelon Speaks to a Crowd of 300 Youth
Visionledd is helping to bring youth to the forefront of change in Malawian communities. A fire has been ignited! God is at work and as always, He leaves us in awe of Him.
For years the pastors in Malawi have wanted to host a youth conference. Through the faithful support of our donors and steadfast prayer, Visionledd was able to make this happen. This year, the African Pastors Conference hosted its very first youth conference. The conference was led by two young and powerful pastors from congregations in Deya, Malawi and close to 300 young people attended.
The day I spoke, it felt like a fire had ignited in Deya. As I looked out at the crowd I was deeply moved by the genuine faith I felt coming from each young person's heart. I encouraged them to grab hold of justice and righteousness in their lives, in their families and in their communities. I shared how God called them to the conference so that they may be challenged to go back to their communities and begin a new work there. I spoke about how as Christians we are to treat our neighbours as they would want to be treated - with unconditional love and support. I concluded the service by sending them off with this mission: To commit their lives to taking care of the orphans, widows and sick people in their communities.
The very next day t
