Southern Ontario Cooperative of ESL Ministries
By Carol Blake What happens when you take ESL learners outside the classroom? There’s a peak in interest in the class and in the lessons, a growth in connection among the class members, and an increased sense of belonging to the wider community. Over the past number of years, I have taken adult learners in […]
By Allan Pole I tend to pack more than I will use when I travel. I might need this item! So, in it goes – just in case. The average citizens of the world’s wealthier nations enjoy an unparalleled standard of living. Storage and junk removal are huge industries! Similarly, our lives resemble over-stuffed suitcases. […]
By Jeff Gottschalk For with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:37) I am the vine, you are the branch. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) As I was nearing retirement I began to consider what I could do with […]
By Albert Janzen God has placed His love in my heart for the young men from Central America who regularly come north as Temporary Foreign Workers to work on our farms. This is like winning the lottery for them because it allows them to assure their family back home with a better life while they […]
By Heather Berghuis Are you seeing a good work beginning, progressing, coming to completion in your life for the work of Christ’s Kingdom? Heather Berghuis cared for her family through 25 years of military family life and is just beginning to see a long-term passion to teach ESL and share the love of Jesus with […]
Submitted by Carey Jo Johnston 1. Resurrection Eggs We can use the commercially made ‘dozen eggs’ children’s tool to teach the Easter story to our students. Each of the 12 ‘egg’ cups in the egg carton contains a small symbol from the Biblical account; e.g. a stone to represent the stone rolled over the tomb; […]
By Glen Zeidler It’s FridayHope is lostDeath has wonSin has conqueredBut it’s FridayIt is only FridaySunday is a comin’! S.M. Lockridge (1913-2000) In January 1964, Dusty Springfield recorded the song “Wishing and Hoping.” It was about a girl who was hoping that a boy would take notice of her. Hope for most people is wishful […]
By Simon Yung In 2004, Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton released a worship song titled “Friend of God” that became an instant hit. Our church sang it a lot in our Sunday worship in the following years. The lyrics read: “I am a friend of GodHe calls me friendWho am I that You are mindful […]
By Brian Seim – Urban Mission Research and Development, SIM Canada China has opened its doors once again for travel to and from their country. On January 8th, our Chinese ESL students were invited to return home. As the Economist wrote, “for the better part of three years—1016 days to be exact—China will have been […]
By Gordon Moulden, Ed.D In response to changes taking place in church ministries as a result of the COVID pandemic, Southern Ontario Cooperative of ESL Ministries commissioned me, as a professional researcher recently involved in a church-based ESL ministry in Metro Vancouver, to conduct a survey of representatives of church-based ESL programs across the country […]