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ANiC news
ANiC and ACNA events calendar
October 5, 10am-1pm – ANiC women’s gathering at 2300 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON
October 6, 6pm – Alastair Sterne, Mike Chase, Jordan Senner & Geoff Chapman ordained to the transitional diaconate at St John’s Vancouver
October 6, 4pm – Aretta Hagle ordained at Christ The King (Toronto), to serve as deacon at Living Hope (Scarborough)
October 17-19 – Anglican 4th Day Grand Ultreya, Lewes, Delaware
October 19 – Good Shepherd Vancouver’s fundraising concert for ministries in Thailand & China
October 21-26 – GAFCon 2 international gathering in Nairobi, Kenya
October 25-26 – Ontario youth retreat hosted by St George’s at Faith Mission (near Campbellville)
October 26, 9am – “Sex and spirituality… talking about it” seminar, New Song, Port Perry, ON
October 31 – November 3 – ANiC Clergy Retreat in New England
November 1 – ANiC Clergy Day, St Peter & St Paul’s (Ottawa, ON)
November 2, 9am – “Sex and spirituality… talking about it” seminar, St Peter & St Paul’s, Ottawa
November 8-9 – “Band of Brothers” men's weekend at Faith Mission (near Campbellville, ON)
November 10 – International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted
November 16 – ANiC’s electronic synod at 1pm eastern time (Please note revised date and time)
January 28-29 – Ontario clergy gathering on the “Craft of Preaching”. Information to come.
March 2014 – ANiC vision/mission trip to partner with Anglican churches in Cuba
April 8-10 – Ontario clergy silent retreat (details to come)
May 20-24 – Anglican 1000 church planting regional conference, Toronto, ON
November 5-7, 2014 – Gathering of ANiC synod at a location to be announced
Bishop Stephen ministers in Asia; requests prayer
Bishop Stephen Leung, who leads ANiC’s Asian and Multicultural Ministries (AMMiC), will be in Hong Kong, October 7-21, speaking at the Alliance Bible Seminary. During that time, he will give five talks, including recounting the background and journey taken by his congregation, Good Shepherd (Vancouver, BC), that led to its helping to found ANiC. Then, after the week in Nairobi for GAFCon, he heads to Lahore, Pakistan to speak at a diocesan annual conference of clergy and lay workers, November 5-10. He deeply values our prayer support during this time.
Kenya bound for GAFCon 2
The Global Anglican Future Conference is a “go” and ANiC delegates will be leaving for Kenya in just a few weeks. The Rev Paul Donison explains why he is going despite recent terrorist attacks.
Bishop Don Harvey, at the invitation of Bishop Wallace Benns will be one of five presenters in a GAFCon mini conference entitled Episcopal Ministry: Priorities for Bishops' Leadership. This mini conference, which will extend the full five days of GAFCon, will be based on Hebrews 13. Please pray for Bishop Don.
Also, ANiC is providing one staff member for GAFCon: the Rev Ray David Glenn will serve as monitor-in-chief, building teams of monitors who will facilitate the mini-conferences held during GAFCon and then provide the results to those writing the GAFCon 2 final statements.
Please engage in the spiritual warfare and pray for GAFCon and for our ANiC delegates:
• For the complex organizational work going on behind the scenes
• For conference technology to work (audio, video, internet, etc)
• For the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in each gathering
• For courage, faithfulness and clarity for all who lead and speak
• For unity among delegates; healing for broken relationships; grace and goodwill
• For rest and refreshment for delegates
AMMiC ministries growing
ANiC’s Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMiC) under Bishop Stephen Leung held its annual fundraising dinner September 22. Clergy and lay leaders from congregations planted this past year reported and Bishop Stephen told of unfolding ministry opportunities and admitted to feeling over-whelmed at times. Photos of the event can be seen on the ANiC website.
Some nuggets included:
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Nearly 20 per cent of Canada’s population is comprised of ethnic minorities |
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Eight church plants in BC, Alberta and Ontario – as well as several other ministries – reach a range of immigrant ethnicities. |
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Additional ethnic communities in various Canadian cities are eager for church plants. |
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Languages used in AMMiC churches and ministries include: Cantonese, English, Mandarin, Japanese, Farsi, Arabic, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and Ilocano-Igorot (a Filipino dialect). |
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God seems to be opening the door for church plants in US cities for Chinese congregations – undertaken in partnership with local ACNA dioceses |
Bishop Stephen also announced that AMMiC has been given rent-free office space – a 2000+ square foot, two-story facility in an area of large warehouses in Richmond, BC. While the facility will have room for large gatherings, zoning regulations prevent it being used for regular church services. However, AMMiC churches will be able to use it for various events.
Teaching on the Jewish roots of our faith, October 2 & 3
The Rev Aaron Eime of Christ Church Jerusalem will be in Ontario teaching on the Jewish roots of our faith and the surprisingly pivotal role played by Christ Church and CMJ ministries (which works among both Jews and Arabs) in the history of Israel and the Middle East.
October 2, Wednesday, 7:30pm – St George's, Burlington, ON. See details. All are welcome.
October 3, Thursday – Scott Mission, 502 Spadina Ave (at College) – two sessions:
8:30am – Devotional service followed by Q & A
2-4pm - Talk on the fascinating 200-year history of Christ Church Jerusalem
Aaron+ was just in Vancouver and Victoria where he delivered similar, highly informative and very-much-appreciated talks. Learn more about CMJ Canada, which is led by Anglican priest, the Rev Sharon Hayton, on its website.
Clergy event for eastern clergy in Ottawa, November 1
St Peter & St Paul’s Ottawa is hosting a day of fellowship, worship and conversation with Bishop Charlie Masters, and the Rev Dr Dawn McDonald of Zacchaeus Fellowship on November 1. Clergy are invited to stay for a seminar the following day with speakers: the Rev Dr Dawn McDonald, Dr John Patrick and the Rev Paul Donison. See the church website for details.
Artizo news
Second year Artizo Institute students will be trained to present the Bible-in-a-day seminar – both in church settings and at outreach events. This seminar has recently been presented as an outreach event which resulted in new people joining the church. Artizo intends to hold four seminars at UBC (Vancouver), in downtown Vancouver and elsewhere in the Lower Mainland. Currently a seminar is scheduled for November 9 on the UBC campus.
Also, the Artizo website announces that Susan Norman is now Artizo’s Woman’s Trainer.
Parish and regional news
CrossRoads: Peninsula Anglican Church (Brentwood Bay, BC) – The Rev Rodney May was installed as rector on September 29.
Christ the King (Edmonton, AB) is rejoicing in the new worship facility they have leased. Effective October 6, the congregation will meet at the Edmonton Christian High School, 14304 - 109 Avenue, Edmonton.
Blackburn Hamlet (Ottawa, ON) – Bishop Don Harvey preached and celebrated last Sunday as the congregation marked its fifth anniversary of witness and ministry in the Ottawa area. The church’s mission is “to invite our neighbours into the fellowship of God's love made known in Jesus”. Please pray for continued faithfulness to our mission in the years to come.
St Peter’s Fireside (Vancouver, BC) held its third and final “preview” service before launching regular Sunday services with an anticipated core group of 70 on November 3. Its news update notes that on September 22, six were baptized in the chilly Pacific Ocean. St Peter’s Fireside also welcomed Billy Gaines, an Artizo intern who will assist in the ministry this coming year. Alastair Sterne who leads St Peter’s will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on October 6 at St John’s Vancouver along with Mike Chase, Jordan Senner and Geoff Chapman. Please pray for each of these ordinands.
Christ The King (Toronto, ON) – A special guest from the Diocese of Recife, in north east Brazil, will speak October 9 at 7pm. All are invited to hear about the work of God in that diocese since it separated from the liberal church in Brazil, as well as the project ARDFC is supporting building an educational/ vocational training centre for the diocese. Bishop Don Harvey, our moderator and chair of ARDFC, will host the evening. For more information, see the flyer on the ARDFC website.
St Peter & St Paul’s (Ottawa, ON) is offering a seminar – The Story of Scripture – on October 5 which will help participants understand the overarching story of the Bible and its inner coherence, as well as see how we fit into that story. All are welcome.
St Aidan’s (Windsor, ON) – A legal website has an analysis of the recent court decision which deprived St Aidan’s parishioners of their church property.
St Andrew's (Delta, BC) is hosting a discipleship seminar on October 5 from 10am-4pm. Phone Brenda at 604 943 9356 for more information.
St Chad’s (Toronto, ON) has an attractive new website. Well done!
St Timothy’s (North Vancouver, BC) – Also has a great new website.
Eastern Canada – Archdeacon Ron Corcoran (Church of Our Lord, Victoria, BC) is visiting ANiC parishes on the East Coast and in Quebec starting to explain ANiC’s Time to Build Campaign. The campaign goal is to raise $800,000 over three years.
Be sure to email your parish news to Marilyn Jacobson.
Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) news
Call to pray for suffering Christians, especially in Pakistan and Kenya
Archbishop Robert Duncan, responding to the terrorist attacks in both Pakistan and Kenya has called “…upon our members to pray for the victims and their families as they walk through this dark valley of death’s shadow. Let us also pray that all people everywhere might be delivered from the scourge of terrorism, and that our God would turn the hearts of those who are tempted to use such violence to achieve their purposes… Today is a day to grieve, pray, and suffer with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is in moments like these that our unity is most important… Pray that they will know the presence of the Good Shepherd by their side, and be comforted by the assurance of His rod and His staff.”
Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) in Kenya
Read the compelling account of an ARDF board member’s visit to Kenya, seeing ARDF-funds in action and coming to understand the true nature of our partnership with those in the Global South.
ARDF is also helping the ACNA diocese in Colorado as they provide food and shelter and other assistance to those displaced by the flooding in Colorado.
ACNA Primate discusses “How it all fits together”
Archbishop Robert Duncan, addressing the Diocese of New England, provides snapshots of innovative local parish ministries throughout ACNA. He continues, “What holds the Anglican Church in North America together? What’s the coherence? That’s the question I’m often asked, and the question I am going to answer.” The answer, of course, is that we are all held together in Jesus Christ. But there’s more. Watch the video to find out!
The US Episcopal Church (TEC) asks court to reconsider its decision
Alan Haley, a lawyer and canon expert, explores TEC’s legal maneuvers, concluding TEC’s “…strategy is geared toward getting an appropriate case into the United States Supreme Court, in its own good time.”
Anglican1000 church planting regional conferences
A video posted to YouTube provides a glimpse into the two regional conferences held so far. See which ANiC priest is featured. The next session will be in Houston, October 7-11. Regional training events are coming to: Toronto, May 20-24; Chicago, March 10-14; and Atlanta, February 10-15.
Anglican Communion
Glimpses into GAFCon 2, October 21-16 in Nairobi
In light of the recent terrorist attack in Nairobi, Dr Peter Jensen, GAFCon General Secretary reports from Kenya, saying he has been impressed with the security arrangements for the conference and mentioning that the conference will be studying the Epistle of Ephesians. If you are delegate to GAFCon you’ll want to listen to his brief message. Also do read Archbishop Eliud Wabakala’s letter.
A briefing of the 100+ UK delegates preparing to go to GAFCon shed a lot of light on the agenda for the October 21-26 event. During the meeting the Rev Paul Perkin, Vicar of St Marks and on the council of FCA UK, noted that “GAFCON 2 is not a rearguard movement of traditionalists, but a renewal movement for the sake of the Great Commission.”
Other highlights included:
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A letter from Archbishop Eliud Wabakala, Chair of GAFCON Primates Council, noted “The great theme of our conference, which will shape everything else, is our Lord’s Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations… [which] is at the heart of biblical Anglicanism… We are looking beyond the problems that beset our Communion for God to bring revival. The heritage of the East African Revival is part of our Anglican identity here in Kenya and it is my prayer that GAFCON will become a movement of transformation for the whole Anglican Communion.” The vision is that GAFCON 2 will give firm and stable leadership for the future. |
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Bishop Ben Kwashi (Nigeria), interviewed via Skype, noted that Nigeria will send at least 400 delegates, including 170 Bishops and their wives! Bishop Ben stressed the significance of holding the conference in Africa and added that the Nigerian Church has raised money not just for all its own delegates, but to help sponsor a number of others as well. |
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Canon Vinay Samuel noted that, in his view, there is no longer a common faith in the Anglican Communion, so visible structures or organization, liturgy and commitment to social service in communities are all that remain in common. However, GAFCON and FCA [the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans] are first a theological movement with a clear bas is of faith, then a mission movement. |
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Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali noted that the official structures of the Anglican Communion, which are dominated by “liberals”, can no longer unite all bishops and Provinces, or give authoritative teaching or discipline. So we need alternative instruments of communion and authority structures based on a shared worldview, mutual prayer and common worship which are now missing in official Anglican gatherings. |
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Bishop Nazir-Ali continued that, while the GAFCon movement has involved “walking apart” from others who share the name Anglican, this always carries the hope of being a temporary measure, with the goal of repentance and reconciliation. By God’s grace, the GAFCon 2 conference will result in a number of decisions and a message which will make an impact on the Anglican Communion and the world. |
GAFCon 2 speakers will come from every continent (except Antarctica) and will address topics such as:
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Gospel proclamation and culture, including apologetics that addresses the challenges of scientism and the “new atheism” |
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Engaging with other faiths, including the spread of Islam |
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Women’s ministry |
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Children’s and youth ministry |
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Marriage, family and sexuality |
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The ecclesiology of a missionary church, including structures and networks |
Toronto conference draws global Anglican leaders
In mid-September Wycliffe College hosted a conference to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Pan-Anglican Congress. Several primates and bishops from the Global South attended and Archbishop Justin Welby participated via live video. You can read the statement from the event on the Anglican Communion Institute website.
The Religion News Service reports that Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis (Jerusalem and the Middle East ) had some harsh things to say about the structures of the Anglican Communion, including the failure of successive Archbishops of Canterbury to exercise their influence; the refusal to carry out decisions made by the Primates Meeting, the “divide and rule” tactics of the last Lambeth Conference; and the unrepresentative membership of the Anglican Consultative Council. His prescription is to “recognize a more conciliar communion, with more power for the regular primates meeting, more representation for the Anglican Consultative Council and a clear mechanism for dealing with what is acceptable diversity from the provinces of the communion.”
Archbishop Welby’s unscripted address focused on bridge-building. Anglican Ink reports, “”I am optimistic about the Anglican Communion,” he concluded, calling upon Anglicans to “seek the purpose of the church … [to ensure a] future of growth” through “reconciliation” and in this way harness the “energy” given to Anglicans by God to bring humanity into relationship with the living God.” In this week’s Anglican Unscripted video, George Conger offers a very positive overview of Archbishop Welby’s talk.
Oddly, Bishop Patrick Yu, of the Anglican Church of Canada, took the entire time allotted for questions and answers to lament that the event was not “theologically diverse” and proclaim the Diocese of Toronto a shining example of tolerance for theological differences. He declared himself the only Chinese bishop in Canada and expressed anger that “people ordained by other communions sitting in this room still tend to plant churches in Toronto”. You can read his remarks, transcribed by Sue Careless of the Anglican Planet, here.
In covering the event, the Globe and Mail chose to use it to illustrate the decline of the Anglican Church of Canada, noting that the 1963 event drew more than 15,000 participants and 200 reporters. By contrast, this meeting drew about 150. The article also mentions Bishop Anis’ diagnosis of the rift in the global Anglican Communion: “Bishop Anis likened the ongoing conflict to a troubled marriage where an adulterous husband is seeking to reconcile with his wife, but insists on still seeing his mistress. This is impossible, he said. The offending behaviour must stop before the healing can begin.”
Mothers’ Union, the 5th Instrument of Unity in the Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion News Service writes that former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams called the Mothers’ Union “...the fifth Instrument of Unity in the Anglican Communion... [and] the most powerful lay movement in the Anglican World”. This was because of the Mothers’ Union’s “...numbers and networks, its seemingly relentless energy, the pride with which they don their colourful uniforms and the aggressive way they strike at poverty and injustice".
With 1.3 million members in Africa alone, the Mothers’ Union is not shy about speaking up on social and political issues within its sphere of concern, such as the marriage of under-aged girls and gender violence. While prayer is paramount, the women also act. For example, they have helped build church buildings in Mozambique, and houses in Botswana. They care for orphans in Botswana and teach literacy and life skills in Gambella, Ethiopia.
International news in brief
Canada
The Anglican Planet profiles the upcoming court case initiated by the Anglican Church of Canada’s Bishop Michael Bird who is seeking $400,000 in damages plus court costs from Anglican Samizdat blogger David Jenkins. However, “…Grant LeMarquand, the Bishop for the Horn of Africa, who, like Bird, has also been criticized on Samizdat, commented in an online discussion on the Anglican Journal website: “I have been criticized on the same blog site but it never crossed my mind that a lawsuit was an option. In fact, that the Bishop of Niagara would even consider such an action as this attempt to silence criticism and dissent should make us all cringe. Should the bishop win his case, the principle of free speech will be diminished and all Canadians will all [sic] be lessened as a result.”
The Anglican Journal reports that 85 percent of active pension plan members and 89 per cent of retired members have voted in favor of allowing “The General Synod Pension Plan… to ask the Ontario government to grant it a three-year period to improve the plan’s funding level and avoid pension reductions of 20 to 30 per cent.”
United States
The Post & Courier published a lengthy but insightful article on Bishop Mark Lawrence who leads the now independent Diocese of South Carolina which is locked in litigation with the US Episcopal Church.
England
An Anglican Mainstream article explains how it is that some Anglican churches in England are not part of the Church of England. As an example, Christ Church Wyre Forest, “found itself outside its Diocese and the Church of England without having left or declared independence, and without having said or done anything contrary to what the Church of England believes.”
Ireland
The Telegraph reports that the Church of Ireland has elected a woman bishop – the first Anglican female bishop in the British Isles.
New Zealand
AFFIRM (Anglicans For Faith Intercession, Renewal and Mission) is working to call the national church back to confidence in the truth of the Bible. The organization is offering seminars on Restoring Confidence in the Gospel.
Syria
A Syrian Melkite Catholic nun, Mother Agnes, has compiled a startling analysis of the photos and videos which were offered as proof that the government of President Assad used sarin gas on his own people. She notes that the photos strangely show mostly very young victims and few adults. She also observes that the same children’s bodies, wearing the same clothes kept appearing in photos taken in different locations. Her conclusion is that, while a chemical agent was used, the footage and photos peddled as evidence was fabricated in advance. Mother Agnes further accuses the west of hypocrisy in ignoring the systematic slaughter of civilians by western backed rebels – for example, killing 500 in Latakia on the morning of August 5, including children, women and the elderly. She alleges that these rebels – who are predominantly non-Syrian – are actually emboldened by western backing to commit unspeakable butchery.
A Boston Herald article discusses the indifference in the West to the purge of Christians in Syria. Similar articles have appeared in other newspapers: A Spectator article asks why the media have virtually ignored the violence against Christians at the hands of Muslims. Mollie Hemingway, writing in The Federalist details the latest atrocities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, puts these into an historical context, and says, “After yet another bloody weekend, it’s time to speak frankly about who’s killing Christians and why.” Cristina Odone, writing in The Telegraph, concludes that the indifference of Western governments and the news blackout in western media is rooted in hostility to Christianity.
Saudi Arabia
A 19-year-old gang rape victim was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in jail. Her crime was breaking Sharia law by being out without a male family member escorting her. Her lawyer also has lost his license and faces discipline for challenging the legal system and speaking to the media.
Pakistan
While official estimates place the death toll from the September 22Taliban attack on parishioners at All Saints' church in Peshawar at 85, the real number, say those closer to the situation, is likely over 200. Anglican Ink has more. While many Anglican and other Christian leaders called for prayer, others expressed outrage over the lack of action in the West.
A comprehensive BBC article discusses the situation faced by Pakistani Christians – who comprise just 1.6 per cent of the population of this overwhelmingly Muslim country. It notes that “the Christian community remains in the poorest sector of Pakistani society, consigned to menial jobs… What all of them share is a sense of vulnerability… with the introduction of Islamist militancy, their situation is that much more urgent.” The article outlines the history of attacks and suggests that some of the violence against Christians is politically motivated and is related to the war in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Egypt
A Fox News report suggests that the Muslim Brotherhood's attempt to scapegoat Christians in Egypt is failing. Even Egyptian Muslims recognize this group as terrorists and support the military's attempt to shut it down.
Sudan
Bishop Andudu Elnail is appealing for help for people affected by the ongoing war in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains – a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. An estimated 50,000 have fled and have no food, safe water or shelter from the rains.
Kenya
Anglican Ink reports that, following the Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabaab’s attack on a shopping mall on September 21, Bishop Joel Waweru (Nairobi) urged Christians not to seek revenge but seek to maintain peace. It is thought that the attack which killed at least 100 was intended to incite conflict between Christians and Muslims and wreak havoc on the tourist-dependent economy. The Global Anglican Future Conference will be held in Nairobi October 21-26.
Nigeria
A report from the non-partisan US Commission for International Religious Freedom estimates that, since early 2012, the anti-Christian Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram has attacked and killed about 12,000 people in northern Nigeria. A recent attack is detailed in Anglican Ink where an estimated 150 were killed both in a highway blockade by well-armed militants who then attacked Benisheik Town burning cars, homes and businesses. Just this past weekend, the New York Times reports that Boko Haram killed more than 40 students during the night at an agricultural college.
Zambia
The Anglican Communion News Service reports that Anglicans are being challenged to reengage in evangelism and church planting – rather than church politics. Fr Katete Jackson Jones, a priest from Lusaka Diocese, said, “Most of the churches that we currently have in Zambia were planted by missionaries many years ago, but the Church today has not done much to plant indigenous churches in the country”.
Philippines
The Southern Philippians have been engulfed in fighting between government forces and Muslim rebel groups. Mission Network News reports that, “Fighting is centered in Zamboanga City, where the rebel group stormed five coastal communities September 9 and took about 200 people hostage. Those seized by the guerrillas were both Muslims and Christians. Thus far, all but 20 of the hostages have been released or escaped, including a pastor. According to the government of the Philippines, as many as 112,000 people have been displaced in the conflict, and more than 10,000 homes and a hospital have been destroyed. Many who fled the siege are staying in the city's sports stadium or other emergency shelters.”
Resources
Ministry resources
39 Articles of Religion
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Article 1 – In his weekly Anglican Perspective video Canon Phil Ashey explores the first article “Of faith in the Holy Trinity.” It’s only 2½ minutes and worth your time! |
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Article 2 – The series continues with a discussion of Article 2, the incarnate Son of God. |
Mental illness and the church – See what Ed Stetzer has to say in his Christianity Today article.
Lambs in the midst of wolves – Based on 1 Peter, a short article outlines how believers, by God’s grace, are to respond in the face of violent attack such as we saw this week in Nairobi, Kenya and Peshawar, Pakistan. Peter admonishes that we 1) bless the attackers; 2) prepare ourselves; 3) rejoice that we can share in Christ’s sufferings; 4) endure in faith; 5) pray; and 6) resist temptation.
Why Anglicanism? – Alastair Sterne (St Peter’s Fireside, Vancouver) provides a succinct and effective summary of the Anglican way of following Jesus Christ.
Inconvenient truths – LifeSiteNews discusses a recent book by a homosexual journalist exposing the myth surrounding the murder of Matthew Shepherd – a crime which was touted as a hate crime was used to manipulate public sentiment. In fact the author of The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths about the murder of Matthew Shephard discovered during a thirteen year investigation, the murder was related to a drug deal and the victim and at least one of his murderers had been sexually involved. Another article on Mercatornet outlines this and two other lies which were foundational to the sexual revolution of the past half century.
Free book – You can download a free pdf of John Piper and David Mathis’ book on the mystery of sanctification, Acting the Miracle.
Soul food
Wry humour
A cartoon on Adam4d.com has an irreverent take on “worship wars” in the church.
Another cartoon exposes the “name-it, claim-it” culture that sometimes masquerades as faith.
Thoughts
Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us. ~ John Stott
We rob the gospel of its power if we leave out its threatenings of punishment. ~ C H Spurgeon
And now a Word from our Sponsor
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV
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