Reconciling All Things
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK 2026 | FEBRUARY 2 - 6
India, Haiti, Nepal, Ethiopia, South Africa…
Come, join us this International Development Week and follow along as our partners around the world testify to God’s faithful reconciliation in their contexts.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:19-20
Read Up!
Find our stories here throughout the week.
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Part 1 - What is Integral Mission? Part of God’s Reconciling Work ⇩
Nicole Jones-Qandah reflects on World Partners' approach to missional engagement, and shares how the Theology of Integral Mission informs how World Partners moves forward in strategic partnerships.
Shane D’Souza brings a report from India where he and those who serve with him share the message of Jesus through various means, seeking divine opportunities to witness Christ to underprivileged children in the community.
Part 3 - Seeing and Serving the Unseen ⇩
Precious individuals in Haiti are experiencing holistic care that seamlessly integrates both spiritual and practical support through the dedicated staff and volunteers.
The call to reconciliation in Scripture is not just spiritual—it’s deeply practical. We see this lived out by our partner in Nepal, where recent protests have led to political upheaval, economic hardship, and social unrest.
Part 5 - Trusting for Flourishing ⇩
Through World Partners, the EMCC can participate in God's restoration of creation in Ethiopia and South Africa. This week, we celebrate people becoming food-secure and having a means of income generation through the work of our partner organizations, Inundo Development and the CFGB.
Part 1 - Part of God's Reconciling Work
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:19-20
Welcome to International Development Week 2026!
This is a time in the World Partners calendar where we are excited to reflect on how God is on the move in the global church and where the EMCC is partnering and showing solidarity with those expressions. From food security initiatives in sub-saharan Africa to youth empowerment in South Asia and care for the elderly in Haiti, we are grateful to shine a spotlight on these unique demonstrations of God's Kingdom-at-hand.
We wanted to kick off our week of storytelling by reflecting on World Partners' approach to missional engagement, largely informed by the concept of integral mission. In the video below, I have the opportunity to briefly introduce this concept and share how it forms ways in which we consider and move forward in strategic partnerships.
We hope these reflections encourage you, call you to prayer for our global brothers and sisters, and generate some reflective action. May you consider what it means to seek the common good of where you are as part of revealing a God who seeks to restore and reconcile all things to shalom.
Happy reading and watching,
Nicole Jones-Qandah
Director of World Partners
Integral Mission
We hope this brief video, largely informed by our resource, A Theology of Integral Mission, helps you in understanding some of the convictions we have as the mission mobilization arm of the EMCC, when it comes to strategic partnerships. This approach applies to the global aspect of our work, but also informs how we adaptively participate with Jesus everywhere, including our own backyards.
As you engage with this content today, the World Partners team would love to hear your thoughts and engage with you as you have questions or curiosities. Feel free to get in touch with us on the EMCC website, through the 'Book a Consultation' button.
Part 2 - The Whole Person
Dear Friend,
Jesus has reconciled all things to Himself, and He has entrusted us as His ambassadors to carry out His Gospel to the ends of the earth. The Gospel is not limited to what is preached, but is also demonstrated through caring for people.
The whole Gospel is caring for the whole person – their soul, their emotions, their physical needs, etc.
Today, we bring you a report from Shane D’Souza in India. It wasn’t enough for him to pastor a church in Kolkata and take on a leadership role with the denomination. He and his wife were broken by the disparity they witnessed in the slums of Kolkata and desperately wanted to see Jesus’ reconciling work fan out from there. In a culture where it’s believed that a person’s value and contribution to society is limited to their social class, this group of volunteers is demonstrating God’s boundless love and care for each individual.
Let's make this practical: as we think of our own contexts of ministry, we are bearers of the Gospel. How might we better engage with integral mission, seeking to care for the whole person?
Co-labouring together,
Pam Hicks
World Partners Admin Assistant
On Mission in India
with Shane D'Souza
Our ministry operates within a slum area and is dedicated to discipleship multiplication among non-believers. We share the message of Jesus through various means, seeking divine opportunities to witness Christ to underprivileged children in the community. We serve migrant families, primarily comprising labourers and domestic workers.
LITTLE ANGELS PROJECT
Our outreach includes providing informal tutoring from Monday to Thursday and Sunday school classes on Sundays. Currently, we support approximately 40 children from the slum, teaching them basic literacy and numeracy skills such as alphabets, numbers, reading, and writing.
Additionally, we offer daily brunches featuring dry food items including cakes, biscuits, fruits, and juice. We also distribute hygiene products like bathing soap, hair oil, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, alongside essential stationery for their studies.
These children, along with others, participate in our Sunday school program, which includes art and craft activities, Bible stories, group exercises, and vacation Bible school sessions.
NEIGHBOUR TO NEIGHBOUR PROJECT
Following God's command and Salvation Ministries' vision, our Neighbour to Neighbour project operates in three Kolkata locations. Each centre, led by a disciple, focuses on connecting with specific unreached groups.
We start by identifying community needs, building relationships, and hosting home meetings that grow into outreach hubs. Our fastest-growing location now has three house groups and a rented facility for new disciples.
During one of these meetings, I was engaged in ministry activities. After the fellowship, I noticed a young girl standing at the entrance with her hands folded—someone I had not seen before. When I attempted to find her later, she was nowhere to be found. After making several inquiries, one of my disciples was eventually able to locate her.
I learned her name and she is an orphan working in private homes. On the day I saw her, she was praying to Jesus with folded hands. Today, Salvation Ministries has adopted her and offered her support.
Want to support one or both of these ministries?
We are exploring other partnerships with like-minded individuals as well and hope to bring this to the EMCC for greater collaboration in late Spring.
Part 3 - Seeing and Serving the Unseen
In Monday’s video, Nicole mentioned how integral development is a combination of “proclaiming AND demonstrating God’s offer of reconciliation to the whole world.” It’s a both-and statement where sharing the good news of Jesus in this world is interlaced with carrying out loving action. In the demonstration, Jesus is revealed.
We’ve shared the story before of how a seniors home came into being. In Haiti, family is responsible for the care of the elderly. But Pastor Abdon felt burdened every time he saw an elderly person sitting by the side of the road alone and appearing unwell. He recognized the gaps in their societal and cultural systems. He brought this burden to his church’s congregation and together they committed to action with the resources they had in hand, and then World Partners came alongside. Together, Pastor Abdon’s vision to see a home for the elderly was achieved.
This home provides for the various needs of the residents – social, medical, nutritional and spiritual. Residents get to see the love of Jesus on display, day in and day out. Jesus becomes more tangible and personal through the love, dedication and care from staff and volunteers.
As you read about some of the residents, consider how God might be inviting you to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, see the unseen in your context or prayerfully partner with the team who cares for these residents in Pignon.
Pam Hicks
World Partners Admin Assistant
Caring for the Elderly
Come and meet some of the residents of our Haiti Seniors Home project.
Carius has no family. He was in a motorcycle accident years ago, which resulted in a leg/ankle ulcer that has not healed. He has had hospitalizations for skin grafts with no success. The staff at the seniors home are able to provide regular dressing for the wound.
“The [seniors home] is good for me in every sense, because I am sick. I am able to receive medicines. I receive regular meals. Everything goes correctly because of God. I have had a problem with my leg for 15 years. ”
Eslet has been one of the longest residents. His wife died many years ago. Eslet lives with skin diseases that just won’t heal. He shared a Haitian proverb, “you sel dwet pa ramase gombo” which literally translates to “only one finger can pick gumbo.” He uses this illustration to reference how it takes a team of people to run this seniors home well.
There’s a team of cooks, cleaners, nurses and other volunteers providing this wraparound care for these residents on site. Most of the staff are paid through the support of Canadians funding this project and we’re grateful for this co-participation approach.
Mimose is the newest resident, having come from Port au Prince where there continues to be much more insecurity. She had a stroke, leaving her unable work or take care of herself. Her three adults sons left and didn't maintain contact.
She’s thankful for the care she receives at this new home. Being at the residence, provides her with the care she needs – food, medications, housing, community and assistance with mobility, along with spiritual care as local church members visit regularly. She has few possessions so being at this home is a blessing.
These precious individuals in Haiti are experiencing holistic care that seamlessly integrates both spiritual and practical support through the dedicated staff and volunteers.
Part 4 - Salt of the Earth
Reconciliation is a powerful theme that touches every part of life. In finance, it means bringing accounts into balance, ensuring everything aligns as it should. In music, a conductor helps each musician blend their unique gifts into a harmonious whole. In our communities, we often face moments of discord—times when familiar patterns are disrupted, whether from within or by outside forces.
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.”
This call to reconciliation is not just spiritual—it’s deeply practical.
We see this lived out in Nepal, where recent protests have led to political upheaval, economic hardship, and social unrest. In the midst of these challenges, Dr. Tej Rokka, director of SARA ministries, describes how the church is rescuing and caring for children, and how the Christian community is stepping forward to serve in new ways—engaging in social welfare, advocacy, and community development. Dr. Tej encourages the church to recognize the times we are in and to respond with thoughtful, Spirit-led action.
If you or your church is in the process of determining what Spirit-led action means in your context, please fill out the 'Book a Consultation' form on the World Partners page. I would love to talk to you more about it.
David Benjamin
World Partners Engagement Coordinator
Leading Through Reconciliation
The church in Nepal has developed relationships of trust with government organizations resulting in the recent rescue of three girls. Learn about this and other highlights from SARA ministries, including Christmas celebrations, which remain unique in the cultural context of Nepal.
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth;
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. ”
Part 5 - Trusting for Flourishing
Thank you for reflecting with us this week as part of International Development Week 2026! One of our focus verses this week has been Isaiah 55:10-11, which is a promise from God that what He declares, including the nature of the Kingdom of God, will not return void.
The imagery of this passage has very practical applications for the stories we are sharing today.
Through World Partners, the EMCC has the opportunity to participate in God's restoration of creation in Ethiopia and South Africa. We can celebrate people becoming food-secure and having a means of income generation through the work of our partner organizations who help individuals to understand the care of soil and land. This, indeed, is a picture of the Kingdom of God, where people are flourishing holistically.
We hope that this week, as you've learned about World Partners' approach to integral mission, you've been able to identify how our global friends in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Haiti demonstrate this concept in real-time. We encourage you to connect with them further through prayer or financial support.
Did you learn something new during International Development Week? We would love to hear how God might be speaking to you or the community of which you are a part. Please start a conversation by filling out the 'Book a Consultation' form on the World Partners page.
Grace and peace as we seek to engage the Spirit and walk life-on-life with those around us,
Nicole Jones-Qandah
Director of World Partners
Expanding Impact - Inundo Development
Dan and Kerry Wiens (EMCC Recognized Workers) lead Inundo Development in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
We've brought you some reflections they've shared about their purpose in engaging in the work of teaching people to grow food as part of gospel expression.
“Food security is a phrase that gets used a lot, but for us it is personal:
It is about families having enough. It is about children growing with strength and hope. It is also about alleviating the pain of hunger and the ripple effects that come when nutrition is missing. These realities stay close to our hearts and give meaning to the work we do each day.
We are reminded of God choosing to come close, into the ordinary and the vulnerable. In the feeding of the 5000, Jesus says, “You give them something to eat!” We take that request to heart!”
In 2025, throughout various trainings that Inundo Development facilitated at seven locations, 350 people participated! These were supported by 35 key leaders and 27 trainers who continue to be equipped to teach and support the Farming God's Way methodology in these various training locations.
As we celebrate this investment, we also celebrate a new property, directly across the road from Inundo's current location, which was able to be purchased in Fall 2025. Dan and Kerry explain the impact of this new property,
“For one third of what it would have cost us to build, Inundo is now able to double the footprint of the Model Farm, adding three hectares (eight acres) of land and buildings that hold enormous potential for ministry and growth.”
God is on the move, and we, as the EMCC, are grateful to be one of many partners on the journey to see this work expand to more individuals and communities in South Africa and Ethiopia.
Celebrating Six Years of Investment in Zala District, Ethiopia
World Partners, as a mission mobilization expression of EMCC, has been pleased to be member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) for many years.
CFGB is made up of 15 Canadian churches and church-based agencies working together to end global hunger.
Our participation with these fourteen other members has allowed ample opportunity for us to join co-ordinated responses to various natural and conflict-related food crises around the world, from Yemen, to Afghanistan, to Haiti, South Sudan, and the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia.
We have also appreciated the financial gifts of our EMCC member churches to our Pentecost Offering. A portion of the funds raised in 2025 went to CFGB to serve those experiencing famine--including the continued crisis in Sudan.
Since the beginning of our partnership with CFGB, the EMCC has been co-investing in long-term food security initiatives. Our most recent investment has been a six year initiative in the Zala district of Ethiopia. Through co-participation with Tearfund Canada, we've been able to equip the Ethiopia Kale Heywet Development Commission (EKHCDC) to see conservation agriculture adopted across the region.
The results of the initiative in Zala have been:
5,110 participants (representing 30,000 direct beneficiaries) implement principles like: no tilling of the soil, rotating crops, and covering the soil for water retention. The implementation of these principles saw major increases in food production leading to food security and income generation for those engaged.
144 self-help groups established where women accessed credit, training, and gained the ability to invest and re-invest in income-generating activities and capital.
80 churches trained (with 160 community facilitators and volunteers) in Church and Community Transformation. These local church leaders were brought together to do a resource assessment of their congregations and communities, do biblical study about the the primary call to care for the orphan, widow, and destitute, and come up with church plans to action. These resulted in:
143 houses constructed; 246 farmlands assisted belonging to sick, elderly, and people with disabilities
43 oxen, 363 she-goats, and 1431 hens bought and distributed to households
53,451 tree seedlings planted for environmental restoration.
We celebrate the church and those from the EKHCDC who are investing in the generation of the land and the flourishing of its people.
We continue to discern opportunities to co-invest with other CFGB members in this important work. World Partners appreciates being able to represent the EMCC in this way, as we collaborate with others to address global hunger needs in an expression of God's justice and Kingdom-minded reconciliation.
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