Technology, Finance, HR and Crisis Leadership Resources for Canadian Churches and Ministries

WATERLOO – April 1, 2020 – It’s clear that Sunday mornings have changed significantly over the past three weeks and that the Church has opportunities for creativity and innovation like never before. Churches and ministries across Canada are facing unprecedented situations in technology, finances, facilities and leadership. In an effort to respond, resource and serve churches and ministries across the country, a group of six Canadian organizations are collaborating and opting to leverage technology, curate resources and support the Canadian Church in this time.Launched by a global hackathon initiative through FaithTech, over the past three weeks, six Canadian ministries and organizations including FaithTech, WayBase, Canadian Christian Council of Charities, Graf-Martin Communications, Bible League Canada and Canadian Christian Relief and Development Association, have collaborated to curate the resources churches have indicated they urgently need to lead at this time.

A survey of church leaders across denominations and organizations was conducted in order to identify the initial specific challenges churches were facing. Based on the data and responses collected, categories of tools have been developed, with tools curated to respond to the immediate and resulting long-term challenges. Categories include technological solutions, fundraising challenges, human resources questions, and crisis leadership challenges.“

We’ve learned that all over the country, church and non-profit leaders are asking the same questions,” noted Tim Day, Director of City Movement and the Impact Network with WayBase. “We also know they’re overwhelmed. We have intentionally kept this simple, giving practical, immediate support.”A follow-up survey is planned for April to track church and ministry needs as the situation evolves and to provide increased resources. Additionally, with tools already being developed through FaithTech’s hackathon, new resources will become available. Church and ministry leaders are able to add topics and resources, joining the collaborative effort.“Although this month has been devastating for so many, churches and ministries have an opportunity to innovate, to serve and help–perhaps like we have never had. We can leave a legacy that will outlast the current crisis and leave an impact on the world while serving and equipping the Canadian Church like never before,” said Ellen Graf-Martin, Founder and President of Graf-Martin Communications.To find the list of resources for churches and ministries, here.

To learn more and sign up for the COVID-19 Global Church Hackathon, click here.

For more information, contact Mikayla Stroeder, mikayla@grafmartin.com or 519-342-3703 x5.

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About Graf-Martin Communications:

Founded in 2008, Graf-Martin Communications Inc. is the leading public relations and marketing agency serving Christian audiences across Canada. With decades of combined experience, Graf-Martin Communications’ expert creative team has earned a reputation for reliably excellent work, and our clients have included the world’s top Christian publishers (Thomas Nelson, Baker Publishing Group, Tyndale House), film companies serving Christian audiences (Sony, eOne, Lionsgate, Pure Flix, Elevation Pictures and Mongrel Media) and many of Canada’s largest Christian charities (World Vision, Compassion Canada, Power to Change, Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada).

About WayBase:

WayBase is an online platform that enables individuals and Christian organizations to find each other and partner together. People looking for community and meaningful ways to invest their time or resources can engage with churches and Christian ministries. Churches and ministries can gain visibility, grow their community, partner together on common goals, and show collective impact. WayBase serves all of Canada but we have big dreams of extending to other countries of the world.

About FaithTech

FaithTech is pioneering a new way to share the good news about Jesus in a new era driven by technology. We exist to bridge the gap between faith and technology. Our vision is to become a global hub for FaithTech conversations, integrations and innovations. The way we accomplish this is three ways: empowering emerging leaders, hosting innovative events and building gospel-centered companies (LABS).

About Canadian Council of Christian Charities:

The Canadian Council of Christian Charities is an evangelical ministry that advances the cause of Christ by supporting Christian churches and charities with spiritual and practical guidance so they can more readily share the love and message of our Lord Jesus Christ.

CCCC serves over 3,300 charities by providing affordable resources that help them operate in an exemplary, healthy, and effective way. Our team of accountants and ministry credential holders are available to help with specific questions and complex issues with an approach that unites faith and practice. Our in-house lawyers provide valuable resources and legal information and represent the interests of the Christian charitable sector in submissions to government and lawmakers.

About Bible League Canada:

For more than 60 years, Bible League Canada has been working strategically in over 40 countries to see people transformed by the Living Word of God.They do this through extraordinary international partnerships with like-minded national ministries, supporting local champions committed to Bible-centric discipleship programs, tracking measurable impact and seeing multiplying transformation and connecting Canadian donor champions with global champions to see maximum impact from each dollar. For more information visit www.bibleleague.ca.

About Canadian Christian Relief and Development Association:

It is the mission of the Canadian Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA) to unify and equip the relief and development workforce with the tools they need to do their jobs with excellence. The CCRDA provides a forum where the best ideas and practices in our sector, and application of our faith principles mix to promote high performance organizations seeking flourishing lives and communities internationally. The vision of the CCRDA is together to seek God’s kingdom purposes for flourishing lives and communities internationally.