Joan's Ministry Story
OUT OF THE ASHES is the phrase that best describes the story of FINISHING WELL. My 28-year marriage fell apart between 2014 -2019. We had been in full-time ministry for 23 years. Very long story…when it all crashed I cried out to God…” What do you want me to do?” His very clear whisper in January 2019 was…”You will start a ministry called FINISHING WELL, primarily serving Seniors through song, connection, pastoral care, love & friendship.” FINISHING WELL was launched in September 2019. My passion for singing and bringing joy to Seniors' lives began.
Then 6 months later… COVID-19. What now, Lord? “Start baking bread and giving it away.” Loaf #1 was given away on March 23, 2020. Next week Saturday, March 23, Loaf #5000 will be baked. Thousands of people have enjoyed fresh, warm, free bread. And when we couldn’t hug, the tagline to this project was “Taste the hug”. It is a divinely appointed project that is all about connection. I connect with the "bread receivers" on Social Media, and then they tune in to my FaceBook Live on Sunday mornings…a half hour of worship every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Another COVID project that Jesus had lined up for me…which began nearly 3 years ago). So now, post-COVID, the Bread Ministry and FaceBook Live ministries have continued, plus I’m back in Senior Centres and Personal Care Homes, doing programs, which is my passion!
The big project I’m working on at the moment is getting MISS DAISY (an electric assist bike) from Denmark to Manitoba. It’s a CYCLING WITHOUT AGE bike. I would appreciate prayer for the finances to come in and for all the details to work out so that myself, and a team of people, can start to bring joy to Seniors through these bike rides this Spring.
The ministry of FINISHING WELL is multi-faceted. I have worked in the region of Southern Manitoba for 25 years and so, with strong relationships with local ministerial, I end up serving in multiple churches in our region. I am so grateful to God for leading me in a way that is so tailor-made for me. I am also so grateful for a ministry like THE GREAT COMMISSION FOUNDATION. I am so well supported by family and friends and the gifts of administration that GCF give to me, allow me to serve in this unique way! My heart is overwhelmed! Thank you!!
Prayer Request:
Pray for Joan's ministry, Finishing Well, for continued support and provision to increase its capacity to share Jesus's love and serve seniors through songs, connection, pastoral care, and the blessings of love and friendship.
Your generosity fuels our mission!
You can support ministry work that matters to you with confidence, knowing your gifts advance our key charitable purposes and uses funds efficiently and effectively to fulfill the ministry goals that you cherish.
The following information is provided as a requirement of Alberta's Charitable Fund-Raising Act, RSA 2000, c C-9.
The Great Commission Foundation ("The GC") is a charitable trust, established by a Deed of Settlement made as of September 1, 2002 and governed by an Amended and Restated Deed of Settlements made as of October 22, 2024.
The GC is a public foundation that is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (with Canadian Charitable Registration Number 859928483 RR0001).
The charitable objects of The GC are:
1. The advancement of Christianity by spreading its principles;
2. The relief of poverty by the assistance to those persons lacking the necessities of life by giving them food, clothing, shelter or financial assistance;
3. The advancement of education including, without limitation, by the teaching of scripture and the promotion of literacy; and
4. The advancement of other "charitable purposes" as defined within subsection 149.1(1) of Income Tax Act, which includes the disbursement of funds to "qualified donees" as also defined in subsection 149.1(1).
We engage other ministries as agents to carry out projects that fulfill our charitable objects.
The GC anticipates raising an estimated amount of $12,000,000.00 this year from donation for the fulfillment of its charitable objects from donors in Alberta, Canada. The processing of these donations will cost, on average, six percent. The money raised will be going to fulfill the charitable objects of The GC.
For further information, please contact our Donations Team at donations-ca@thegc.org or call us at 1-855-488-7020. To speak directly to the GC's Donation's Manager, please call Kathy Stewart at (604) 229-8008. The GC has two (2) Canadian offices. Please visit our contact page for further details
*The Great Commission Foundation (the "Foundation") operates on the basis of Donor-Advised Funding. It is our utmost goal to meet the Donor's desire and intent to provide support to particular Foundation projects but, ultimately, the responsibility for the disbursement and ministry use of funds is the Foundation's. If the Foundation does not use the donation in the way the donor prefers, the Foundation will not return the donation to the donor.
*You will receive an official Canadian tax receipt for all eligible donations by the end of February of the following year. Thank you for your support of the missions and programs of the Foundation.
Do you have questions or want more information about The Great Commission Foundation or our projects?
Contact us - we’d love to help!
Since 2002, The Great Commission Foundation has enabled ministry projects to thrive by providing charity admin expertise and guidance while promoting collaboration in fulfilling the Great Commission. We are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency for charitable work (charity number: 85992 8483 RR0001).
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