Freedom House

Frosty Fest 2012

2012-01-27T09:46:00.011-05:00

The Story of Frosty Fest 2012

Family Day Weekend (Feb 18-20) Freedom House and the City of Brantford present Brantford's Winter Carnival FROSTY FEST in Harmony Square! The 3rd annual celebration of LIFE in the winter sees the return of the popular ice carving, horse-drawn trolley rides, figure skating shows, a street midway, FREE skating, pony rides, free Kids Zone games and fun winter fare like snow taffy! This year's new features include a “Rail Jam” Snowboarding Demo right on Dalhousie Street and a pancake breakfast on the holiday Monday! Admission to Frosty Fest is FREE and will again be the setting for full-family holiday weekend of memories!

"Somebody recently asked me why we put so much time and energy into something like Frosty Fest that’s not exactly a common ‘church’ activity? I think that anytime the church can do something to intentionally to bless the city... that’s good investment. Frosty Fest exists because every single day is an opportunity to create something positive and transformational in our city. Brantford needed a reason to gather as families on FAMILY DAY to celebrate the season instead of hide from it. So we made a reason… and it worked”
Brian Beattie (Lead Pastor of Freedom House)

Over 10,000 from Brantford and the surrounding region celebrate Family Day weekend at Frosty Fest each year. Your host for the weekend is Brantford's own Superhero Captain Kindness who will be leading teams throughout the downtown on Random Act of Kindness blitzes as a part of Freedom House's “Kindness Project.” A continual quest to change Brantford "BY good INTO good" with kindness.

New Frosty Fest features this year includes a community Pancake Breakfast on Family Day Monday morning for only a Toonie. Families should be on the lookout for “free pancake breakfast” coupon that will be distributed in elementary schools that also includes one free midway ride so the whole family can enjoy the day! Also new this year you’ll find a snowboard “Rail Jam.” Similar to a skateboarding skate park, the Rail Jam will feature snowboarders showing off their skills all weekend long, right in the middle of Dalhousie street.

The schedule for the weekend:

*Note that ice carving, midway rides & other events run non-stop all weekend

Saturday Feb 18:
11am - Festival Opens
11am-5pm Rail Jam Snowboard Demo's
12pm-4pm - Horse Drawn Trolley Rides
12:30pm - Canadian JR Pair Bronze Medalists Mary Orr & Anthony Furiano - Figure Skating Performance
5pm - Closing Time

Sunday Feb 19th:
11am - Festival Opens
11am-5pm - Rail Jam Snowboard Demo's
12pm-4 - Trolley Rides
12pm -4 - Pony Rides
12:30pm -Canadian JR Pair Bronze Medalists Mary Orr & Anthony Furiano - Figure Skating Performance
3:00pm - Brantford Skate Club - Figure Skating Program
5pm - Closing Time

Monday Feb 20th:

8-11am -Frosty Fest Pancake Breakfast
Cost of $2 for hot fresh pancakes and a drink
Market Square Mall (corner of Dalhousie and Market)
Pancake Breakfast featuring Crock-A-Doodle Tile Craft - Free for Kids

9am- Festival Opens
9am -5pm Rail Jam Snowboard Demo's
11am-12:30 - Indoor Movie at Freedom House
12pm-4pm - Horse Drawn Trolley Rides
12pm-4 - Pony Rides
12:30pm -Canadian JR Pair Bronze Medalists Mary Orr & Anthony Furiano - Figure Skating Performance
1pm -2:30 - Indoor Movie at Freedom House
2:30pm-3 - Family Day Ceremony - featuring local Dignitaries
3pm - Brantford Skate Club - Skating Program
5pm - Festival Closes

It's only because of the TEAM of generous donors that Frosty Fest exists.

Frosty Fest Sponsors

Zone and Event Sponsors:
Campbell Amusements - Midway Zone
Sylvan learning centre - Kids Zone
TD Bank - Warming Tent
Harry's - Snowboarding Rail Jam
Circle Square Ranch - Ponies

Additional Sponsors:
Kelly Foundation
The Brantford Expositor
The Brant Connection
The Brant Community Foundation
CKPC-FM

Platinum Sponsors:
Coffee Culture
Crock-A-Doodle
Dalhousie Place
Shoeless Joes
Tiki-Loft

Gold Sponsors
Parkway Dentistry
Brookfield Homes
Millard, Rouse & Rosebrugh
Cutting Edge

Silver Sponsors:
Netty Vintage
MP Phil McColeman
The Brant Advocate
GK York
Sophie's Bakery
Octopus Red

Bronze Sponsors:
Krystal Clear Cleaning Services

INQUIRIES & MEDIA REQUESTS

Brian Beattie: brian@freedomhouse.ca (Freedom House Lead Pastor)
Martin Chiarot: martin.chiarot@gmail.com (Frosty Fest Organizer)
Dave Carrol: dave@freedomhouse.ca (The Kindness Project)

8th Anniversary & The Volley Awards

2012-01-25T11:28:00.003-05:00

This Sunday is the 8th Anniversary of Freedom House! Absolutely amazing that through so many ups and down... and moments that we wondered how we'd ever make it... we've seen God use the work & worship of Freedom Housers to see something great happen in Brantford.

You know, not every church plant survives and actually MAKES IT. But 8 years in, we're seeing a season of growth happening. We'll likely have to make more space for more people in our 9th year. We've done it before... and we'll do it again! Remember this?

It won't be that bad :) Just one wall this time.

But this is the "Era of Everyone!" We're seeing an increase in our community influence. We're seeing doors open all around us with AMAZING opportunities to serve our city and share God's love in practical ways. And it happens because of volunteers like YOU!

This Sunday Night at 6pm is our 2nd Annual VOLLEY Awards! (Facebook Event here) Volunteerism and Freedom House go hand in hand. It's one of the ways we work intentionally to change our city BY good INTO good. Bring a food/salad and come for the potluck dinner together, and we'll celebrate Freedom House's 8th Anniversary as a church by taking a look back at last year, and hand out the hardware. There are 25 Volley Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award AND the "Golden Volleyball" for the volunteer of the year! EVERYONE is welcome as this will be fun (and funny) party night celebrating YOU!

Even if you're not a Freedom Houser... but you'd like to come and honor a hard-working, dedicated group (or if you'd like to become part of the team) you're welcomed to our 2nd Annual "Volley Awards"

Living Nativity Press Release

2011-11-27T16:32:00.005-05:00

“The Living Nativity” Returns to Harmony Square

Brantford's new family tradition is back for Year 2.
2000 people were wowed last year by the returning vocal talent of Jamie Prokop and Alisha Mann

For Immediate Release:

Brantford, ON November 28th 2011– The Living Nativity... the Christmas you remember as a child. Freedom House Church with Brantford Parks and Recreation and the Downtown BIA are thrilled to announce that the best NEW event on Harmony Square's 2010 calender has returned for 2011 and a long term stay as a part of the city's Christmas celebrations. December 16th – 18th … Bethlehem comes to Brantford. 2 shows nightly (7pm and 8pm) “The Living Nativity” musical will include the characters from the Biblical Christmas narrative along with live animals and a chance to meet the cast after!

Brian Beattie of Freedom House (writer and director of “The Living Nativity”) says that the first year was so successful that they plan to make The Living Nativity something generations of families will look forward to attending together.

“Families search high and low to find things they can do together at Christmas. And for many years, remembering the story of the 1st Christmas was always a part of it. One thing we saw happen last year, was that parents and kids came together to enjoy a beautiful night downtown, and the movingly beautiful story of the manger brought them together as a family, making the season even more significant. Christmas and the manger are forever linked. You can't have one without the other”
Brian Beattie

Lead performers Jamie Prokop from IAM Studios and recording artist Alisha Mann reprise their roles as Joseph and Mary. Prokop, son and bandmate of Juno award winning Skip Prokop of “Lighthouse” fame, says that he was amazed at the impact of last year's show.

“I had people from all over town making sure we were coming back to the square to do The Living Nativity again! How could we not? 2000 people came to hear this story. The acting and music are great.. when the snow began falling... it was amazing... but people come because the story is as important today as it was 2000 year ago.”
Jamie Prokop

MEDIA DAY:
At 6pm before the Thursday December 15th before the dress rehearsal, we'll be treating the media to a hot coffee and a few numbers from the show that will be easy to photograph as well as interview and photo op access to the actors, creators, participants and even the animals! The sets and live animals will be in place. If you would like to arrange an alternate time… see the contact info below.

Freedom House’s “Kindness Project” encourages the city to find ways to transform the city BY good INTO good... so the Living Nativity remains free of charge. Freedom House is a church and ministry centre located in the lower floor of the Market Square Mall. Their Sunday services are at 10:45AM.

###

CONTACT INFORMATION AND LINKS
For more information, or media interviews please contact;
Brian Beattie
brian@freedomhouse.ca

Link to the Facebook event
Link to the Promotional Video

Parade details for Saturday

2011-11-20T21:02:00.004-05:00

The Santa Claus Parade is always one of the biggest days of the Freedom House Year and this year is no different! We'll be showing off the Living Nativity set and actors and inviting THOUSANDS with candy and card! Here are the details:

We need people who are walking/riding the float to meet at the Line Up Location by 5:00pm latest. Our float position is C065 which is on Chatham Street. You will need to park outside of the parade line up area and WALK IN to meet us in the marshaling area. Parade starts moving at 5:30ish.

On the Float will be Mary & Joseph & Baby Jesus. The Wisemen,3 Animals (Brandon, Jared, Charla), Angels (Haley, Carrol Children, Littlest Hill Children, Vanessa, Sarah N) and the Candy distributors to reload walkers. That job will be assigned the night of.

But we need EVERYONE! The rest of us will be walking (feel free to dress up as Shepherds, sheep or other barn animals if you wish) and we'll be giving away 5000 candies. Dress Warm if you're on the float and wear good walking shoes.

After, please come back to Harmony Square for the party. We'll be doing Concession (those who are doing it, Nicki will contact directly) Come ready for a GREAT night!

What is 24/7 Prayer and what's "The Vision"

2011-11-01T14:52:00.003-04:00

We're about to start a WHOLE WEEK of 24/7 Prayer from November 13th to 20th and it begs the question... what is it? This is the story of where it all started in the voices of those who started it:

What does it look like. Me, you, and many others taking turns praying, drawing, painting, worshiping, sitting quietly, reading... whatever way you need to to connect with God for an unbroken week.

What is the vision of 24/7 prayer? This is (in my opinion) the finest, most powerful, most profound piece of modern prophetic poetry I've ever read. It's what God showed Pete Greig. It's called "The Vision" Sign up for you hours of prayer HERE.

The vision?

The vision is JESUS – obsessively, dangerously, undeniably Jesus.

The vision is an army of young people. You see bones? I see an army. And they are FREE from materialism.

They laugh at 9-5 little prisons.
They could eat caviar on Monday and crusts on Tuesday.
They wouldn't even notice.
They are free yet they are slaves of the hurting and dirty and dying.

What is the vision ?
The vision is holiness that hurts the eyes. It makes children laugh and adults angry. It gave up the game of minimum integrity long ago to reach for the stars. It scorns the good and strains for the best. It is dangerously pure.

Light flickers from every secret motive, every private conversation.
It loves people away from their suicide leaps, their Satan games.
This is an army that will lay down its life for the cause. A million times a day its soldiers
choose to loose
that they might one day win
the great 'Well done' of faithful sons and daughters.

Such heroes are as...

... radical on Monday morning as Sunday night. They don't need fame from names. Instead they grin quietly upwards and hear the crowds chanting again and again: "COME ON!"

And this is the sound of the underground
The whisper of history in the making
Foundations shaking
Revolutionaries dreaming once again
Mystery is scheming in whispers
Conspiracy is breathing…
This is the sound of the underground

And the army is discipl(in)ed.

Young people who beat their bodies into submission.

Every soldier would take a bullet for his comrade at arms. The tattoo on their back boasts "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain".

Sacrifice fuels the fire of victory in their upward eyes.
Winners. Martyrs. Who can stop them ?
Can hormones hold them back?
Can failure succeed? Can fear scare them or death kill them ?

And the generation prays

like a dying man
with groans beyond talking,
with warrior cries, sulphuric tears and
with great barrow loads of laughter!
Waiting. Watching: 24 – 7 – 365.
Whatever it takes they will give: Breaking the rules. Shaking mediocrity from its cosy little hide. Laying down their rights and their precious little wrongs, laughing at labels, fasting essentials. The advertisers cannot mould them. Hollywood cannot hold them. Peer-pressure is powerless to shake their resolve at late night parties before the cockerel cries.

They are incredibly cool, dangerously attractive inside.

On the outside? They hardly care. They wear clothes like costumes to communicate and celebrate but never to hide. Would they surrender their image or their popularity? They would lay down their very lives - swap seats with the man on death row - guilty as hell. A throne for an electric chair.

With blood and sweat and many tears, with sleepless nights and fruitless days, they pray as if it all depends on God and live as if it all depends on them.

Their words make demons scream in shopping centres.
Don't you hear them coming?
Herald the weirdo's! Summon the losers and the freaks.
Here come the frightened and forgotten with fire in their eyes. They walk tall and trees applaud, skyscrapers bow, mountains are dwarfed by these children of another dimension. Their prayers summon the hounds of heaven and invoke the ancient dream of Eden.

And this vision will be. It will come to pass; it will come easily; it will come soon.

-Pete Greig.

New Small Groups

2011-09-28T19:11:00.008-04:00

It's small group season at Freedom House and we're opening MANY doors to help make sure everyone gets the opportunity to get to know each other and God better on a more personal level!

One of our new initiatives this year, is to base a number of our small groups around Sunday's teaching. Groups will watch a quick recap video of Sunday's teaching, followed by some discussion questions and scriptures to dig into together. But the bottom line is... small groups are about getting to know each other, doing life together and learning how to care better for one another. Pick a group and dive in!

MONDAY

Sunday Sermon Series Small Group - 6:30 pm
238 Wellington (Home of Dwayne and Trina Hill)
Led by Steve and Nicki Straza

TUESDAY

Ladies Only: 9pm
Freedom House Lounge (after Fusion)
Led by Becca Vandecamp

Freedom House TV: Sunday sermon Series Online Small Group (after Fusion)
10pm online at freedomhousetv.com
Share it on your social media outlets and chat live and interactive online
Led by Brian Beattie and Dave Carrol

WEDNESDAY

Ladies Only -7:30pm
69 Somerset Rd
Nadine Reimer (host and leader)

FRIDAY

Sunday Sermon Series Small Group -7:30pm
71 Strathcona Ave
Dave and Krissy Carrol (Host and leaders)
Perfect for parents of youth to come to after you drop off the kids off at church

Financial Peace University - 7:30pm
Suite 104 - Freedom House City Centre (room beside the FHTV studio)
Brian Beattie (host and lead)
NOTE: There is a 100$ fee per household to be a part this highly acclaimed teaching series from Dave Ramsey for materials, workbooks and the like

Freedom House launches largest ever summer community outreach schedule

2011-06-09T15:28:00.002-04:00

Freedom House is happy to announce an escalation of their downtown summer community outreach programs and the addition of some new ones!

“What the Deal” Fundraising Electronics Blowout Sale- June 16, 17, 18th from 9am – 9pm, Freedom House presents the “What the Deal?” Fundraising Electronics Blowout Sale beside the Freedom House TV studios across from Williams in the Market Square Mall. Local business owner Gary Kennett (I AM Studios) approached Freedom House after seeing the work of Captain Kindness and The Kindness Project with a partnership proposal to raise funds to escalate the kindness movement in Brantford. The 3 day sale will feature up to 60% off items like PS3’s, Sony Big Screen TV’s, Laptops, Appliances and much more (see the Facebook Event page for specifics here) with a portion of the proceeds going to fund community outreach programs!

Flippin’ Fridays – For the last 5 summers, Freedom House has spent every Friday Night from 10pm until 2am on the street (going between The Market Square Mall and Freedom House's Apartment building "Freedom Gate Apartments)… doing a free BBQ! Beginning July 8th and running until the end of September, roughly 150 hot dogs and hamburgers will be given out on the street weekly. Why? Because kindness changes communities. Flippin’ Friday’s has become common ground on the street for everyone from prostitutes and junkies to University Students and businessmen to come together. They’ve seen lives turn around after conversations opened up via a simple free hamburger. Volatile situations diffused… with a simple hot dog. Please inquire for specific stories, as there are some great ones! All are welcome to participate. (Facebook page here)

Harmony Square and Canada Day – This will be the 3rd summer that Freedom House will host the weekly Family Hour before Thursday’s Movie Night in the square. Local Superhero Captain Kindness and the team of volunteers perform shows, host games, encourage kids to change their city BY good INTO good, give away free popcorn, and lead families in Random Act of Kindness Blitzes around the downtown. On the Young Canadians stage at Canada Day in Lions Park, Captain Kindness’s annual half hour live piece of interactive theatre will this year introduce “The League of Kindness” including 3 NEW superheroes who will begin to be seen around the community.

Random Acts of Kindness – The money raised at the Electronics Sale will help take Freedom House’s “Kindness Project” to new heights this season. One new addition this summer will see the Freedom House summer students, as a part of the Kindness Crew, launch a weekly “RAK Attack” on a local business, showing up unannounced with free lunch for the staff!

The Kindness Project: The vision of Freedom House’s “Kindness Project” is to change cities BY good INTO good through multi-level, coordinated, intentional, strategic KINDNESS. Kindness can and does change a city BY good INTO good. But what if it's even bigger? What if there is another untapped level of synergy and interconnectedness... between business, government, social agencies, the church, and education... along with ordinary in neighborhoods everywhere... ALL working TOGETHER for the prosperity (as Mayor Chris Friel is suggesting) of the collective.

The Kindness Project plans to facilitate change on a citywide scale, towards ordinary people taking care of each other through coordinated kindness.

The story of Captain Kindness and The Kindness Project

2011-03-21T19:02:00.005-04:00

You've likely seen Captain Kindness (On Facebook here and twitter here) around Brantford leading the kindness charge in our city with the dream of changing an entire city BY good INTO good. That’s what “The Kindness Project” is about.

Here's the story:

The original home of Freedom House was in an old bar in the roughest part of town. Our neighbours were quite literally drug dealers and pimps. We knew the culture of the street was in desperate need of change, so we used kindness. We began doing free hot dog barbecues on the street. It seemed so simple ... but its impact caught us by surprise. We watched various levels of the community come together, as kindness opened to doors to real change in people's lives.

We got curious to see how far organized kindness in action could go, so we began to dream. And the result of that dream was Captain Kindness. A larger-than-life superhero, who is now an integral part of local celebrations and municipal events. He is even accepting invitations to schools, as educators have seen Captain Kindness in action and see the importance of the proactive message of kindness to solve real issues.

So we started to dream even bigger. We formed the Kindness Crew, a motivated group of volunteers who regularly spread the message of kindness through random acts of kindness—along with planned, intentional, strategic kindness. Our largest success has been the creation of Brantford's annual FREE winter carnival, Frosty Fest. It features a street full of carnival rides, horse-drawn trolley rides and ice carvings. An estimated 10,000 visit the annual festival each year.

We’re now in the process of creating a citywide kindness initiative that will facilitate an untapped level of synergy and interconnectedness between business, government, social agencies, the church, education and individuals. It's a combined commitment to resolving real issues with things we ALL have in our hands to give.

In a few short years, we’ve gained the ear and support of city leaders through simple kindness by a relatively small group of people. We’ve seen entire elementary schools become engaged by Random Acts of Kindness and excited the staff about the kind of school they COULD have. The Children’s Aid Society has brought us into their living projects to encourage their residents about their living experience. A large, loud, laughing superhero has become one of the most recognizable faces in the community—and people young and old are eager to tell all about their last, and next, act of kindness.

The goal? Brantford becoming the kindness city in Canada... transformed BY good INTO good as a model for how MANY cities can be transformed.

Small Groups

2011-03-21T13:31:00.006-04:00

Tuesday Nights 6:30- 7:30

1. Dave Carrol leads "No Evangelism Evangelism" in the main room. A preparatory course getting ready for a summer season of outreaches.

2. Steve and Nicki Straza lead a small group in the lounge about the core values of Freedom House. It's a look at why we do what we do and is perfect for those looking to tie in further to the house!

Frosty Fest 2011 Video

2011-02-26T10:05:00.000-05:00

Frosty Fest Schedule and Fact Sheet

2011-02-16T18:00:00.004-05:00

Frosty Fest Schedule and Fact Sheet

Brantford’s 2nd Annual Winter Carnival on Family Day Weekend: February 19-21from 11am-5pm in Harmony Square

Frosty Fest is organized and staffed by roughly 70 Volunteers, the majority of whom are from Freedom House Church. We’re pleased to welcome the volunteer team from Katimavik to the team this year.

Frosty Fest is yet another successful partnership between Freedom House and Brantford Parks and Recreation.

Last year an estimated 10,000 people came through the Downtown over 3 days.

16,000 “Free Ride” Vouchers were given out to each elementary school student in Brantford as Freedom House partnered with Campbell Amusement for one BIG Random Act of Kindness.
2011 Festival Features
5 Carnival rides along Dalhousie Street
3 Professional Ice Carvers on the Harmony Square Stage
Horse Drawn Trolley Rides around Downtown Brantford
Pony Rides
Snow Taffy Making
8 Free Carnival Games where the prizes are also free!
Daily group Random Act of Kindness blitzes throughout Downtown Brantford
Free Public Ice Skating
Funnel Cakes, Deep Fried Mars Bars, Sausages, Pulled Pork, Candy Floss, Candy Apples and more!

Mary Orr and Anthony Furiano (Silver Medalists from the Canadian Junior Nationals in 2010) will perform a free figure skating presentation Saturday and Monday at 1pm.

Joan Minnery and her Star Sensations, Esperanza and Memphis Motion teams along with Peter Cristo and the Academy of Dance will be performing live at the Festival.

Monday at 2pm will be the Family Day Ceremony with Phil McColeman, Dave Levac, Chris Friel, Dave Prang, Jan Vander Stelt and Larry Kings along with Brantford’s Town Crier Dave Mckee.
Captain Kindness

Brantford’s own superhero Captain Kindness will be hosting the event all weekend. He will be encouraging the community to find ways to make Brantford a better place to life through kindness. The Captain is happy to announce the 2nd Annual “Best Captain Kindness Picture Contest” where Festival attendees can pose (or pose with) CK in creative ways… then upload the picture to Captain Kindness’s Facebook page. The most creative, entertaining, stunning or KIND picture wins a prize from one of our sponsors.
About Freedom House

Freedom House is Ministry Centre and Church in Brantford with a hard working team of people committed to seeing our city transformed BY good INTO good. Located in the Market Square Mall, you can find out more about Freedom online at freedomhouse.ca and freedomhousetv.com

Quotes:

Brian Beattie (Lead Pastor): “After partnering with Lori Dawn Cavin from Brantford Parks and Rec for events like Canada Day and Movies in the Square, she came to us and said, ‘wouldn’t it be great if we could do something BIG in the winter?’ So we began to dream about what it would look like if the city came together to celebrate on Family Day Downtown. 2 years later… Boom… here we are. Frosty Fest!”

Dave Carrol (AKA Captain Kindness): “Sometimes people ask me what the point is? Why does Kindness mean so much? I think its truth is so basic. It’s being GOOD to one another and simply loving your neighbor as yourself. That’s why Frosty Fest means so much to us… it’s a way to say… ‘here Brantford. You’re important to us’. I still believe Brantford can be known as the kindness city in Canada”.

Contact:

Dave Carrol dave@freedomhouse.ca

Day (905) 388-8911

Evening (519) 720-0645

Frosty Fest Press Release

2011-01-31T11:52:00.001-05:00

Freedom House Frosty Fest comes back to Harmony Square February 19 – 21, 2011

Ice Carving Demonstrations, 5 Carnival Rides, Horse Drawn Trolley Rides and Pony7 Rides should make this Family Day one to remember!

For Immediate Release

Brantford, ON January 28^th, 2011 -- From February 19 – 21, 2011, Freedom House Church will once again be transforming Harmony Square, and part of Dalhousie Street, in Downtown Brantford into a wintery wonderland. In its second year, Frosty Fest, Brantford’s Winter Carnival will be bigger and better than every before. Once again the square will see such activities as Ice carving demonstrations, horse drawn trolley rides, free carnival games where everyone is a free prize-winner, free public skating, great food and much, much more. New this year, Campbell’s Amusements have partnered with Frosty Fest to bring out 5 carnival rides. The carnival will take place over three days during the Family Day long weekend and will provide lots of great things to do as a family.

“We are excited to be once again be putting on this great family festival” says Brian Beattie, Lead Pastor at Freedom House Church, “Last year we had over 10,000 out over the course of the three days and we are anticipating even more this year”. Frosty Fest is also being supported by the City of Brantford, Brant Foundation, Brookfield Homes and Downtown Brantford BIA amongst other community organizations and businesses. “We at Freedom House believe that Brantford is a top notch city and we are thrilled that we can host a festival of this caliber for our community.” Beattie adds. The City of Brantford’s Parks and Recreation department, under the guidance of Lori Dawn Cavin has been instrumental in lending support in the creative process.

Freedom House is a church and ministry centre, which holds their meetings out of the Market Square Mall at One Market Street in downtown Brantford. The Church meets on Sundays at 10:30am under the direction of Brian and Sharlyss Beattie. Their commitment is to see the City of Brantford changed through kindness. Freedom House is the home of Captain Kindness who is seen around town touting the kindness message and will facilitate daily Random Act of Kindness Blitzes during the festival.

-30-

For more information please contact;

Martin Chiarot

Freedom House Church

Frosty Fest Planning Committee

(519)

martin.chiarot@gmail.com

www.freedomhouse.ca

Frosty Fest is coming!

2010-12-09T13:56:00.008-05:00

It's almost Frosty Fest time again! Last year, Freedom House hosted Brantford 1st annual winter carnival on the Family Day Weekend. Over 3 days last year, we estimated that 10,000 people passed through Frosty Fest! That's 10% of our city, skating, riding carnival rides, watching professional ice carver in action, playing free games for free prizes, riding ponies, eating & drinking, and clip clopping through the downtown on horse drawn trolley rides. Check out the whole photo collection on Facebook here. Here's Captain Kindness to show you around...

This year, Frosty Fest is on February 19, 20 and 21st 2011... once again over the Family Day Long weekend! This years additions include 5 carnival rides (instead of one), traditional Canadian Winter Funnel Cakes, and lots of great family entertainment on the Holiday Monday & throughout the weekend! Here's what Mike Hancock, Dave Levac, Phil McColeman and our Town Crier shared about Frosty Fest.

We are offering opportunities for you and your business to financially partner in this new Brantford family tradition. You can have your name on an ice sculpture, put your name on one of the carnival rides, or perhaps even the Horse Drawn Trolley! There are a number of options outlined below all with great importance. It's the commitment of our partners that MAKE this festival happen and are vitally important to it's success.

Each day we'll be broadcasting live on Freedomhousetv.com (The online program that hosted Brantford's first online and interactive mayoral debate this fall) from Frosty Fest and we're excited to have YOU as a sponsor as our guest. Please email Nicki Straza (nicki@freedomhouse.ca) Brian Beattie (brian@freedomhouse.ca) or Dave Carrol (dave@freedomhouse.ca) for details and contracts.

What's the big idea? It's easy. Change Brantford BY good INTO good. Here comes Frosty Fest 2011!

Brantford's First Living Nativity

2010-11-29T14:41:00.003-05:00

Our city came to us and asked us to make this story a part of Brantford's Christmas experience. And so we're THRILLED to present Brantford's 1st Annual Living Nativity. It will be December 17-19 twice nightly at 7 and 8pm. You'll be a part of a half hour musical Bethlehem experience with animals, angels, shepherds and kings along with Jamie Prokop (lead singer of Mercy Train) as Joseph and recording artist Alisha Mann as Mary. You can stay up to date with the progress at the Facebook Event.

A wide spectrum of people who are my age (mid 30's) and older grew up with the Manger scene being a part of Christmas... to varying degrees. To some it was intrinsically woven into the Christmas experience. To some it was the one annual time they paused to consider the impact and value the 2000 year old story that changed the course of history. Be it culturally, traditionally, spiritually or just habitually... there are MANY people in our cities who have a God trigger somewhere deep down when it comes to Christmas.

When you REALLY think about the message of the manger, it's extraordinarily more powerful than it seems at first glance. Here's how U2's Bono described the moment where the beauty first really hit him.

"I remember coming back from a very long tour. On Christmas Eve I went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It had dawned on me before, but it really sank in: the Christmas story. The idea that God, if there is a force of Love and Logic in the universe, that it would seek to explain itself is amazing enough. That it would seek to explain itself and describe itself by becoming a child born in straw poverty, in sh*t and straw... a child, I just thought: “Wow!” Just the poetry. Unknowable love, unknowable power, describes itself as the most vulnerable. There it was. I was just sitting there, and it's not that it hadn't struck me before, but tears came down my face, and I saw the genius of this, utter genius of picking a particular point in time and deciding to turn on this. Because that’s exactly what we were talking about earlier: love needs to find form, intimacy needs to be whispered. To me, it makes sense. It’s actually logical. It’s pure logic. Essence has to manifest itself. It’s inevitable. Love has to become an action or something concrete. It would have to happen. There must be an incarnation. Love must be made flesh."
Bono

When you see this poetry brought to life... it stirs something in mankind. It was MEANT to. It's the reason why people grasp at a greater meaning for Christmas. Because there IS a greater meaning.

The reason why we're launching this campaign a month before we actually hit the Harmony Square stage is because (in case you haven't noticed) the Christmas SEASON is already here. It's so you can think about who to open your life and home to; and to share this Living Nativity experience with. It's so you can plan how to use it to change Brantford BY good INTO good. It's so you can make plans to show your kids the Christmas you remember as a child.

Brantford's Online Interactive Mayoral Dialogue- Press Release

2010-09-20T14:46:00.003-04:00

Facebook Event Link for sharing here

Brantford Mayoral candidates go live and interactive online at freedomhousetv.com.

A new debate platform, medium and format allows candidate to share WHY they believe what they believe about Brantford and answer online questions LIVE on Freedom house TV!

On September 29^th, 2010 from 7:00 pm until 8:30pm, the Branford Mayoral candidates will be coming together to co-host Freedom House TV. On the agenda will be such topics as “WHY the candidates believe, what they believe about Brantford” and “What role do they see the church playing in Brantford”. Online viewers will also be given the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates.

Freedom House TV” is broadcast at freedomhousetv.com and is hosted by Dave Carrol and Brian Beattie. Beattie says, “The purpose of the evening will be to allow each candidate to share, not only what they believe Brantford should look like, but more importantly WHY they believe what they believe about Brantford”. “In this manner, it will differ from a typical debate, as it will allow Brantford to get to know the candidates better as individuals”, says Carrol.

The public and local media is also invited to the Freedom House City Centre to watch (and record for those doing TV) the debate and is encouraged to bring laptops, Blackberries and IPhones to interact online during the discussion!

Freedom House TV is a live, interactive Internet show that regularly broadcasts from 9-10pm every Wednesday night premiering September 15th. Its goal is to engage and motivate viewers and participants to think about how their lives can make a difference in their community.

###

For more information please contact;

Dave Carrol

Freedom House Church

Home Evening (519) 720-0645

Day Work (905) 388-8911

dave@freedomhouse.ca

New for Fall 2010

2010-09-20T09:44:00.002-04:00

There are some really exciting events coming up at Freedom House that we wanted you to be able to plan for as we come into the fall. By now, we’ve had about a week to settle into a normal routine and we trust that this is bringing some normal back to your lives.

Coming out of the summer, we were able to have some great discussions about how to really see every member of Freedom House involved in ministry they are passionate about.

Here’s some events to mark on your calendar for this fall:

Freedom House TV starts up – 9 – 10pm every Wednesday Night – www.freedomhousetv.com

Sept 26 – 10:30am Service - MP Phil McColeman is our guest speaker Sunday morning

Sept 26 – 6pm – State of the Union/Communion – A time of worship, prayer and communion. Plus, we’ll share more details where God is taking Freedom House over the next 3 months.

Sept 29 – 7 - 8:30pm FHTV – hosts a Mayoral debate

Oct 2 – Fusion (from October to December) expands to include 45min “Innie and Outie” discussions. Fusion will begin at 6:45 with 2 groups discussing and strategizing how to best minister inside and outside the church. Then at 7:30 we will worship and pray together. – child care will be provided for this evening.

Oct 3 – Mid week programs begin. Sonshine Kids, LAFF Academy, Youth Discipleship (*NEW), Christianity 101 and 1001 (Alpha and Ravi respectively – by sign up – see sign up sheets in Café this Sunday).

These are the highlights about what is happening this fall, be sure to join us on Sept 26th for the State of the Union Communion for more on the fall vision at Freedom House.

Young Adult / University Ministry begins!

2010-09-11T10:27:00.007-04:00

Starting Monday September 13... Freedom House presents "The Marked Generation". A young adult ministry for anyone who's finished high school, in post secondary school, or in your 20's!

We'll be having a worship night this Monday and discussing the question, "What's God's place in a University?" 7pm. There WILL be food.

On the 20th, we'll be presenting the documentary "Collision" featuring the dialogue between noted atheist Christopher Hitchens and Pastor Douglas Wilson. After, we'll discuss their question, "Is Christianity good for the world?" 7pm

On the 27th... we'll all go hang out at Boston Pizza, eat and decide together how best we can together become a MARKED GENERATION.

A preacher and an atheist walk into a bar...

Love to see everyone Sunday at 10:30AM

5 books worth reading to help you understand Freedom House

2010-09-09T11:00:00.001-04:00

If you've been hanging around with us at Freedom House for a while, you've likely heard us talk about these books and places. Some of the ideas and concepts in these books have shaped who Freedom House is and reading them will help you understand the "whys" and "hows" of ministry and life at Freedom House!

1. The Complete Wineskin: Restructuring the Church for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit... by Harold Eberle (Buy in on Amazon link) (Dave Blog about it)

This book is about church structures. It shows how to place Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists and Pastors within the context of the church in a Biblical way to to BEST be able to release and facilitate a genuine move of God. Since every member of Freedom House is a minister... it's an important thing to understand.

2. That None Should Perish: How to Reach Entire Cities for Christ... by Ed Silvoso. (Buy it on Amazon link) (Dave's Blog link)

It's the story about how CITIES were changed and saved. Ed Silvoso dreamed it, did it, and he teaches about how it can be done again. For me... it's likely the most influential book I've ever read. It's concepts and philosophies are VERY important to understand why Freedom House does what it does.

3. Conspiracy of Kindness: The book that defined Servant Evangelism... by Steve Sjogren (Website here) (On Amazon here)

It's no secret that Kindness is big part of Freedom House's city transformation strategy. Steve Sjogren is the father of the modern kindness movement within the church when it comes to sharing the transformational love of God through Kindness. Conspiracy of Kindness details the hows and whys of much of what we do!

4. Intercessory Prayer: How God Can Use Your Prayers to Move Heaven and Earth... by Dutch Sheets (Buy on Amazon here)

When it comes to the scriptural understanding of prayer... this is the handbook. How it works. What to declare. Why some things happen... and why other don't. It's prayer MEAT and we refer to it quite often in our teaching and during prayer times.

5. Red Moon Rising: By Pete Greig (Buy on Amazon) (Read "The Vision")

It's the story of how 24/7 Prayer began. Brian and Dave are on the National Leadership team for 24/7 Prayer Canada and this is the story of how Pete Greig was inspired by the Moravian Revival to begin seeking God around the clock in our days. Now, there are 24/7 Prayer rooms all around the world. It's a very inspiring and a motivating thing to read as Freedom House regularly runs weeks of non-stop prayer

6. The Dream Center

This is not a book... but it IS a place. What Freedom House is and aspires to be, has been greatly inspired by their ministry in LA . It's a former hospital that has been turned into a Ministry Center and is Pastored by Matthew Barnett. It houses MANY MANY ministries who work together to drastically change their community. Check them out.

Innie/Outie Decision Sunday

2010-08-25T07:11:00.001-04:00

Innie/Outie Decision Sunday from Freedom House TV on Vimeo.

Sponsor a summer night on the street

2010-06-17T15:27:00.005-04:00

Some churches take summer off!

WHY???

Freedom House is hitting the streets this summer every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and it's going to take our whole ministry team (You and Me) to make it happen by:

1. Time and Talent - We need volunteers. Lots of them! Come and talk with us about how.
2. Sponsor a night - Here's how...

Freedom House is the official vendor for Harmony Square this summer. Each Wednesday night in the square, Freedom House will need snacks so The Kindness Crew will be able to to sell to the crowds who are watching live outdoor shows.

Weekly cost: 50$

Each Thursday, we will be doing a Captain Kindness Show before the Movie in the Square! The SMT and the Kindness Crew (all of us who can be there) will also be doing/leading other in Random Acts of Kindness AND doing larger scale food preparation and sales. Basically... we're taking over the square!

Weekly cost: 100$

Each Friday outside of Freedom Gate Apartments... Flippin' Friday's return. It will be a totally free BBQ from 9 till REALLY late, where we get to engage in servant evangelism on the streets. We give... God opens doors. It's amazing.

Weekly cost: 125$

We're asking each person/family to sponsor a night this summer. Either sponsor a 50$ Wednesday... a 100$ Thursday... or it would be WONDERFUL if you could sponsor a 125$ Flippin' Friday. Below is chart of the dates. I will make a note of what dates are still needing sponsorship.

Freedom House... YOU are AMAZING! It's hard work yes... but we get to spend the summer together having fun while changing the city BY good INTO good! We believe God is going to take some ground this summer through our investment into Brantford... The City of God!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pick a day and let us know which one. You can give online or in your regular giving at church. Just let us know so we can take it off the calender.

July 7th (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
July 8th (100$) Needs Sponsorship
July 9th (125$) Needs Sponsorship

July 14th (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
July 15th (100$) Needs Sponsorship
July 16th (125$) Needs Sponsorship

July 7th (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
July 8th (100$) Needs Sponsorship
July 9th (125$) Needs Sponsorship

July 21st (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
July 22nd (100$) Needs Sponsorship
July 23rd (125$) Needs Sponsorship

July 28th (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
July 29th (100$) Needs Sponsorship
July 30th (125$) Needs Sponsorship

August 4th (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
August 5th (100$) Needs Sponsorship
August 6th(125$) Needs Sponsorship

August 11th (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
August 12th (100$) Needs Sponsorship
August 13th(125$) Needs Sponsorship

August 18th (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
August 19th (100$) Needs Sponsorship
August 20th(125$) Needs Sponsorship

August 25th (50$) - Needs Sponsorship
August 26th (100$) Needs Sponsorship
August 27th(125$) Needs Sponsorship

Pre-Summer thoughts about "God DESERVING our best"

2010-05-31T10:40:00.011-04:00

This is going to be a unique summer at Freedom House. Make sure you're at this Sunday night's "State of the Union Communion" Night from 6 until 8pm. Nicki will send the pot-luck details shortly but it's going to be a night where we'll:

Eat together
Take communion together
Talk together as a family and a church that believes that "every member is a minister" about how we're going to prepare for action this summer and launch some cool new ministry initiatives involving ALL OF YOU this fall.

As you know... we've taken a HUGE step in opening Freedom Gate Apartments and we're at the early stages of developing a large scale "Kindness Project" designed to impact our city on many levels... and it's all done by all our ministry-members (AKA... you and me) being faithful in giving. The summer is often a time where people go on vacation... and sometimes their regular giving goes on vacation with them! Hey... vacations cost money too! Sometimes it just slips our mind but it's important to be as intentional about giving as God is about it.

God wants to GIVE us what we need to thrive when we GIVE Him the best of us. Doing the opposite is actually more serious than we first think. “God doesn’t deserve my best,” is exactly what we say when we as “Christ Followers” decide to be consumers rather than contributors.

Bit of interesting teaching for a minute... stay with me.

Remember Cain and Abel? They both presented their offerings to the Lord. Cain just gave some of his crops as an offering to the Lord, while Abel gave his first and best lamb as an offering. Part of these scriptures point out that the tithe (Regularly giving 10% of your income... pre-taxes) did not go away with the law since it was present 500+ years before the law. But there is something else significant in their story.

Freedom House givers are AMAZING... but often Christians can fall into Cain-traps. The more I think about it, there may be too much focus on Cain's brutal murder act. And yes... murder is bad. Duh. But it was Cain's attitude that may have led him down this bad path. It was the attitude that God did not deserve his best. And God REALLY doesn't like this attitude. Check this out:

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Genesis 4:6-7

Wow! "Watch out" eh?

What was the right thing in this situation? Abel’s income came through being a shepherd. Cain’s income came through harvesting the land. Both brought an offering to the Lord, because the Lord had blessed them both with a profit and a means of living. The difference is, Abel brought his first and his best to God, Cain just brought a random selection, but it was definitely not his best. God’s response was that Cain would be accepted if he only did what was right. Cain knew what was right, but his attitude directed his actions. He did not feel God deserved his best, therefore he did not give God his best. The biggest part of this verse to me is where God points out, that sin is crouching at Cain’s door waiting to control him because he lacked the heart to put God first and to give him his best.

Just an encouragement to continue giving your best this summer as our Church/Ministry Centre/Support Network/Housing Project/Kindness Project/Street BBQ hub/Online media production house/ really fantastic place to be... is pressing on in faith to take more ground in our city... and we're all "All-in" on this! Find out more Sunday Night.

If you didn't know, there are number of ways to give aside from Sunday Morning's in an envelope.

1. Online Bank transfer: This is a way that many people pay their bills with online banking. Talk to or email nicki@freedomhouse.ca and she'll be able to hook it up so you can just transfer your giving online

2. PayPal: Right here on freedomhouse.ca or on freedomhousetv.com, there is a "Donate" button. It's perfect for a quick, "God said" at home moments or if someone outside the church asks how they can contribute to what Freedom House is doing as a result of some of our Kindness Outreaches this summer.

3. Cash Machine: There are 2 ATM's in the Market Square Mall. So when we're asking God what He'd have us give on a Sunday Morning and He says something that isn't in your wallet... you can get 20's from these machines.

4. Post dated cheques: It's a great way to keep yourself accountable if your salary is on a regular rotation.

We make no apologies in making one of Freedom House's core values...

Extravagant Giving
In all areas of life (time/talent/treasures) we will exemplify the character of our extravagantly giving God.

... because God WANTS us to prosper. And that just means having EVERYTHING we need to do everything God wants us to do! It's going to be a GREAT summer team!

Dave

New World Son/Mercy Train and WONDER JAM!

2010-05-25T11:18:00.003-04:00

The heat this weekend makes it official... the summer (and pre-summer) concert season is here! There are a couple of events in the next little while of interest.

First this Friday May 28th at 24/7 Church in Burlington. Juno award nominee New World Son and Mercy Train (featuring Freedom House's Jamie Prokop) will be performing a fund-raising show where the proceeds go towards Missions in Mexico. Tickets are only 20$. Go to the Facebook Event here for the details.

Secondly... it's Wonder Jam! July 3rd at Canada's Wonderland featuring Hawk Nelson, Switchfoot, Starfield, KJ-52, Kristin Stanfill and more. Tickets are $39.99 at the early bird price and include full park access for the day! Please get ahold of Sarah Nelson (sarahmarienelson@gmail.com) or call her and let her know if you're coming. June 2nd is the deadline for the early bird price.

Hurray for summer!

Opening Day at Freedom Gate Apartments

2010-04-16T09:28:00.007-04:00

After a roughly 4 year process, the public was welcomed through the brand new Freedom Gate Apartments on April 15th. There is so much to say, and so many people to thank.

You can check out a wonderful video piece the Brantford Expositor did where Brian lays out the vision for Freedom Gate here. Here's a piece of what Susan Gamble wrote about it (full story here):

Church answers housing need
A heavenly building project designed to do a lot of earthly good opened to the public Thursday for tours. Final touches are being made to Freedom Gate Apartments -- formerly Freedom House Church -- as it gets ready to lease out 15 new affordable housing apartments. "We wanted to be a church that wasn't all about what goes on in the church building," says lead pastor Brian Beattie.
"We wanted to do something that affected the community in a positive way and one of the big needs in Brantford is affordable housing."
Adding the developer (GK York), Nova Vita and Canadian Mental Health to a proposal that landed it about $750,000 in government grants.
The $1.5-million Freedom Gate project includes an extension at the back of the building that created an additional eight units, including one designed for a resident in a wheelchair. It also includes a two-level community room where tenants can host parties.
"A couple of our members want to live here and help us have a stake in the community," said Beattie.
The church plans to hold socials, conduct Bible studies and get back to hosting its Friday night barbecues from the common room.
"This is a great meeting area and a great place for people to see the love of God in a practical way," said Beattie.

You can also read about it in the Brant News here. Many from the city came through including our former mayor and current mayoral candidate Chris Friel who wrote this on Facebook today...

Recently someone asked me if Freedom House was a church or a community organization. The answer... is YES! The deal is this. In the "about us" statement on Freedomhouse.ca we say that,

"Freedom House exists to ensure that everyone God sends our way lives in Freedom. Freedom from the past and Freedom to walk in the destiny He has for your present and future. A church... yes. But Freedom House is more than that. We're a Ministry Center, where every member has a uniquely destined role in seeing Brantford become a prosperous, thriving, FREE city."

Freedom Gate apartments are just one more way to change a city BY good INTO good. It's physical and spiritual. It launches people with a heart for that street into full time, live in ministry and we hope instigates a culture change in many! And it's all done with intentional community service and an attitude of kindness.

To rent one of the units (more pictures on our Facebook Page), contact our partner GK York online here or call Josie 519-756-5385 x228.

Brantford's Local Politicians and Captain Kindness talking about Frosty Fest

2010-02-17T13:31:00.000-05:00

Mayor Mike Hancock, MPP Dave Levac, and MP Phil McColeman along with Captain Kindness and Brian Beattie talk about what a wonderful family festival Frosty Fest was over the Family Day Weekend.

Captain Kindness Toques now available!

2010-02-09T07:57:00.008-05:00

Here's a great way to stay warm at Frosty Fest WHILE showing that you believe that kindness can change a city... it's the official Captain Kindness Toque for only 12$

Just click here...

...and send us $12.00 x however many Toques you wish to order.

Please Specify in the comment section that your donation is for Toques (A receipt cannot be issued for this). Order ASAP to have yours for Frosty Fest

Also if you haven't yet done so, you should become a fan of Captain Kindness on Facebook to follow where (along with "The Kindness Crew") they'll be "Kinding" next. Stay tuned because soon you'll have your own chance to become a part of the Kindness Crew.

Don't forget to invite a friend to Frosty Fest!

Captain Kindness about Frosty Fest

2010-01-31T21:36:00.002-05:00

Find out more...

Frosty Fest Radio Ad

2010-01-21T15:51:00.002-05:00

Check out the Frosty Fest radio ad that will begin airing on 92.1 CKPC and Power 93.9 on Monday!

Don't forget to share the Facebook event with a friend.
Just click here.

Frosty Fest: Family Day Weekend

2010-01-20T11:15:00.004-05:00

We're VERY excited to announce that THIS Family Day Long Weekend (and hopefully many to come) Freedom House presents "Frosty Fest".

Thanks to the partnerships of The City of Brantford, Coffee Culture, CKPC Radio, Faith Life Financial and many more... this Family Day Long weekend, Harmony Square will be transformed into a winter-wonderland. Experience the thrill of a horse drawn trolley ride, an old time carousel, zoo animals, ice carving, and pony rides… while enjoying hot apple cider and winter treats! You’ll all love the carnival games, and the free outdoor skating! Brantford's very own superhero Captain Kindness and the Kindness Crew will be there too!

Frosty Fest's official hours are:

Feb 13th: 11am- 8pm
Feb 14th: 11am- 5pm
Feb 15th: 11am - 5pm

Admission is FREE and the attractions are priced to please!
Come and make winter memories with your kids the way your parents did with you!
Check out and share the Facebook Event with friends

For more details or for other available sponsorship positions... email our event coordinator Martin Chiarot- martin.chiarot@gmail.com

Anniversary Conference: "Believe"

2010-01-20T10:05:00.003-05:00

It's hard to believe that Freedom House is 6 years old... but it's true! We've come a long way from living room meetings, to the Big Blue House, to the Freedom House City Centre! And we're JUST starting to see God release us into the things we dreamt of when we started!

The way we traditionally celebrate our anniversary at Freedom House, is to do what we've been called as a Church and Ministry Centre to do... worship.

Mark Griffin (check out his website here) will be joining us and encouraging us on the subject of "BELIEVE"! Mark is a great friend and a man who hears from God... so we're all very excited to see what God has in store for our house as an anniversary present (since we serve a God who loves giving GOOD gifts!)

This FREE Conference kicks off this Sunday Morning (Jan 24th) at 10:30... then again Sunday Night, Monday Night (25th) and Tuesday Night (2th) at 7pm. Go ahead and share this blog post or the facebook event with a friend and let's ALL dig deep for 3 days together!

Happy Anniversary!

Welcome to the brand new freedomhouse.ca

2010-01-12T06:59:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the all-new freedomhouse.ca! Along with the new look, our main website hub has some great new features.

When you check out the "full calender" you'll find that Freedom House is now using Google calenders so you'll be able to stay right up to date with what's coming up further into the future, find details about "today" and even sync it with your own online calenders or phones. Very cool.

You'll also notice that the Freedom House blog is now integrated into our main freedomhouse.ca site. There will be more frequent blog posts from more members of the Freedom House ministry team. If you'd like to stay right up to date with the latest blog posts, just enter your email address into the box in the top right.

As the days go on, there will be more and more video on freedomhouse.ca along with specific information about the various ministries! In fact, we'll be using and updating the website FAR more often so make sure you save the link and make it a regular destination. And as always in this new social media world... don't forget to share!

Freedom House in 2010

2010-01-04T12:29:00.006-05:00

Hi everyone... as we start off 2010, I thought it would be a good time to give a bit of an update on the changes and an encouragement of how and why we should be a participant in Freedom House TV this year. We're about to take our community involvement to another level. We're about to delve into small groups. We're going to continue to press deeper in prayer and worship. And Freedomhousetv.com is growing too. We don't want our culture to shape us... we want to shape it while communicating the Age-Old message of Christ in ways that ears will hear it.

In today's Toronto Star (linked here) there is an article titled, "Social network economy leaving business behind; resistance and disbelief still a common response." Check this out:

"Many don't want to believe things are changing as substantially as they are," says Jeff Quipp, president of Search Engine People in Toronto.

He should know. As someone who advises companies on online strategy, he's familiar with the fears and doubts that prey on business minds. They worry about not getting it right, about how to manage potential crises and about what might be said of them. It's as basic as that.

But, as is becoming increasingly clear, social media are not a passing phase. Companies fretting over their online strategy would do well to take a deep breath and project themselves into the not-too-distant future. In truth, the information age is just getting warmed up."

While we are not a business, Our mandate as Christians IS to take the Message of Christ to people. Is Freedomhousetv perfect? Absolutely not. No single ministry is. But we believe (as has been the modus operandi of Freedom House from the beginning) that God is taking us down a new path to carve out new place for his spirit to dwell... for HIS Name and HIS Renown. Let's do it together... and here's how.

First, when you head over to the website (here), you'll notice that it's been redone. The video from the teaching part of Sunday Mornings are now available to be viewed (and shared) as well as the past episodes of the live chat shows. The recordings (over the first 4 months) have proven to be a very effective bridge to people who are outside the church but are curious about what Freedom House would look/feel like and there is now more material than ever including a taste of the Sunday experience.

The LIVE show has now changed from 7pm to 9pm. Part of the reason is so that EVERYONE can take part in the new small groups Wednesday's from 7-8 at the City Center... and then have lots of time to get home, put the kids in bed, or go find a coffee shop to watch and PARTICIPATE in the live broadcast. It's a time of night where more people are home, on the Internet and would be ready to more fully participate in something ENGAGING. And that our prayer, that people engage with God via this show.

It HAS happened... and will continue to happen... but a ministry like this can ONLY work if you participate. How?

1) First and foremost watch the show! Go into the chat room and chat along with us and the many others who are following along. We have had people from all walks of life (atheists, local politicians, friends, family members and many more from all over Canada, the US and even Europe) and we need YOU in there sharing. Your voice means something. AND it's an opportunity to be "Jesus with skin on" on for someone that night.

2) Share the link! It's the only way for others to find out about the show. To be perfectly honest... those who have shared a link to the show via Email, Facebook, Twitter and said, "I'm watching Freedomhousetv.com and talking about ____________. You should join me" have seen doors they didn't expect to open... OPEN. They've had new opportunities to share Jesus with people... which is so exciting!

3) When the show is finished, the recording will be posted into Freedomhousetv.com and by hitting the "Share" button at the bottom of the recording, it will embed the recorded show right into Facebook to be watched just like a You Tube video would. Very cool stuff.

Should be blast!

Parade Tomorrow!

2009-11-27T11:48:00.001-05:00

Hi Freedom House,

We are so excited to again have a float in the parade this year, and we want to invite you to be a part of it!

We need 20ish people (Families) to ride on our float and 15 to walk along side and give lollie's out - YOUTH and FAMILIES are invited.

If you are interested in riding on the float then this is what you need to know:

1) WEAR Blue Jeans and a RED sweater/Shirt on Top of your jacket. You can wear Red hats and mitts also if you have them. (Kids under 10 can wear whatever colours - being warm is most important for them)
2) MEET AT 5pm on Saturday at our SPOT - A012 - which is on MARLBOROUGH St. Our Float leaves at 5:30 - DO NOT BE LATE.
3) CAR POOL if you can to the Parade Marshalling Area - YOU WILL NOT be permitted to PARK in the Marshalling area, you will need to Park on the Streets surrounding the Marshalling Area and WALK to where we are parked. All the Spaces are Marked, so if you get to A012 before the float - that is ok, just hang out and we will be there. There are shuttle buses at the end of the parade route that will bring you back to the Marshalling area at the end of the parade. I recommend you arrive early if you want to get a parking spot.
(Note: If you have a van full of people, you can ENTER Marlborough St @ Stanley, Drop everyone off, EXIT Marlborough by going LEFT to GREY St. and The Driver can then park the car, or whatever. Only Parade vehicles can be in the Marshalling area)
4) DRESS WARMLY - Even though the weather is supposed to be great tomorrow, once the sun goes down the cold sets in quickly - PLEASE dress for the cold with mitts, hats, coats etc. If you are walking along side the float and giving out candy you will find walking keeps you warm to some degree, please dress & choose foot wear accordingly.

Please see this diagram for further clarification:

This week on FHTV

2009-11-24T22:01:00.001-05:00

Wednesday Night is going to be a slightly different night on Freedomhousetv.com and it's an amazing chance for God to open doors with friends who are curious about Him. We've seen God do this EVERY week so far, and this week we feel like He wants to do it even more. So our topic Wednesday Night is "What have you always wanted to ask about God? Sex, Politics, Religion... no issue is off limits... whatever you've always wanted to ask, this is your night"

The people who have intentionally engaged others in dialogue have seen good fruit... So what do we need you to do?

1. Email specific friends who you know have God questions and get them to email them to you/us (freedomhousetv@gmail.com) or invite them to ask them live in the chat room during the show so they can see the answers... and even discuss them.

2. Post the full web address (with the http part) http://www.freedomhousetv.com/ on your Facebook account and write something like "Any question you've ever had about God... ask tonight Live on Freedom House TV". If people write questions or comments on your Facebook... send them to us so we can dialogue about it.

3. Please ask questions yourself. Even anonymously is fine.

4. Get near a computer and watch the show! Chat in the chat room with the others who are watching. Some cool God stuff happens in the chat room.

We're believing for God to open some great doors into people's lives Wednesday from 7-8 on FHTV... and God does great things when we take the first step.

Dave

What a week!

2009-11-07T07:11:00.008-05:00

We're almost done another week of 24/7 Prayer, IN the heart of Brantford... FOR the heart of Brantford. Each time we've done one of these weeks, God has led us in a slightly different direction... and He's accomplished different things each time. This time, we've very successfully incorporated our new Freedom House TV Ministry into the prayer for the city. Check this out...

In month.... we've now officially had 1000 visits to Freedomhousetv.com! While that might seem like an abstract figure... living in that number are real people who have been moved by prayer. As we've reflected on the week of 24/7 prayer and the live broadcasts each night, we can identify at least 2 or 3 specific people each night that we know of (who are currently outside of our Freedom House family) that either participated, were touched by, encouraged by, or had new things stirred in them by your constant prayer that has happened this week. And that includes some of the leaders in our city!

Not to mention the fact that as people have been praying in the see-through glass room across from Williams... the large number of people who have come over and inquired about it or asked for prayer. God is so good... and (as we've long suspected) so desirous to share that goodness with many! Remember months ago when we felt like God was telling us that this was "The Era of Everyone"? Well what has happened this week... has TOTALLY displayed that word as alive!

AND... that's not even talking about what God's done in some of us!

AND... that's not even talking about what God's going to release us into next! In the next few months we're going to be Christmas floating... leading carol's in the square... hosting Olympic Athletes... and running our very own WINTER CARNIVAL for the entire city! Friends this is a time of great favor that God is giving us and anyone who wants on this crazy ride will have an important role!

This was a clip of after the broadcast went off the air Tuesday night.

After FHTV went off the air Tuesday night... we worshiped and prayed together a bit

Looking forward to getting TOGETHER in person to worship tomorrow morning.

24/7 Prayer Begins

2009-11-01T15:06:00.002-05:00

Well the week of prayer is underway. Make sure you find hours in the day that work for you and sign up to be a part of this amazingly connecting experience here.

Please either join us IN the prayer room (found in the studio room across from Williams in the Market Square) or online at freedomhousetv.com from 7-8pm as we pray for YOU and your friends. Make sure you share with your friends (both in person AND in social media land online) that there is a group who wants to pray for them. It's RARE that people will turn down prayer. Try it... you'll be surprised.

Also please note that if you're coming in and out of the prayer room when the mall is closed... you'll be knocking/ringing the bell at the marked, single door on the side of the mall on Dalhousie Street. That door leads right to the prayer room.

Guys, lets all seek God this week for transformation. Transformation of our city... AND our lives! Really looking forward to seeing how God is going to use this week.

24/7 Prayer Starts Sunday

2009-10-29T07:39:00.003-04:00

It's time again for...

Click on the picture to sign up for your hours TODAY and join us on Sunday to find out all the details about this week of prayer including how we're going to use Freedom House TV to open up the walls of the prayer room to anyone and everyone in the city.

Scare in the Square

2009-10-25T06:35:00.000-04:00

Saturday was a wonderful day down in Harmony Square.

FHTV Tonight... quite an interesting week!

2009-10-21T15:26:00.004-04:00

It's been quite an interesting week so far! Here's the article on the front page of today's Brantford Expositor to tell (part of) the story.

Break-in won't stop church's webcast

CRIME: About $2,500 in electronic equipment stolen

By SUSAN GAMBLE

Weeks after outfitting a little studio for a live streaming Internet talk show, Freedom House church was scrambling for equipment after a break and enter.
The thief or thieves stole the church's video camera, studio microphones, a still camera and a tripod, leaving behind a flat screen TV and a set of new lights. The break-in was discovered Sunday morning when church members went to pick up the camera to use during the worship service.
"We don't know how they broke in," said Dave Carrol, part of the leadership team at Freedom House, which meets in the downtown Market Square mall.
The studio area is separate from the church's other quarters on the lowest level. It's in a glass-fronted office right across from the Williams restaurant and the equipment that was taken was hidden away from prying eyes.

"The doors were locked when we arrived. So, whoever got in had a key or came in through the bowels of the mall," said Carrol.
He estimates the equipment is valued at about $2,500.
The church won't let the break-in hold it back. The group has borrowed equipment for tonight's one-hour webcast, which goes live at 7 o'clock.
"We basically take the teaching stuff from Sundays and make a discussion of it with phone ins and such. Our promo says that God has opinions on sex, politics and religion. It's really been a blast."

He said there have been about 500 hits on the website at www.freedomhousetv.com though the group only did two of the live streaming shows before being robbed.
Carrol... who has studied broadcasting, said he pondered the changes in how people communicate, bringing him and the church to the point they wanted to try using integrated social media to reach people.
"Everything is changing in how people are communicating and, for many, the first place they get information is from their computer. We've set up tables so we have a live studio audience with laptops who can blog as we're talking."
It's not the first time the church has been robbed.
A couple of years ago, while still in the "big blue house," as they called the building on Market Street that's now being renovated into affordable housing, Carrol said thieves broke in an took electronics and musical instruments and the

n trashed the building, spraying white powder from the fire extinguishers everywhere.

I go back and forth with how much the theft part bugs me. When we were robbed and had our church trashed last time on New Years eve, we had been delving into the idea of God being the "Lord of the Breakthrough" as we experienced more like a "break in". But out of the temporal inconveniences... God did good things and a few months after, we could see how He used something bad and turned it into good.

Tonight we're going on the air talking about "The Goodbye Generation". We're going to be tackling the reality that young people are leaving A) The Church and B) Their faith altogether in record numbers. We're going to discuss it six ways from Sunday from as many angles as a can... with the purpose of discovering what's really truth. What's real raw God... and what's just a silly surface layer of wrapping paper. And from 7-8pm... we want you to jump into the chat too.

But because of the thievery... we're going to be doing this thing with inferior equipment (at least this week). The broadcaster in me will be squirming in my seat at the color temperature, the mic location, and what could be a choppy "show". But what Freedom House TV is... is not a show. God has reminded me repeatedly that what we're doing is about A) Obedience (God said and we do) and B) Simply being real, honest, Christians and sharing the Jesus we know where people are.

In worship services when the guitars are out of tune and the monitors just aren't right... worship leaders can either whine and ruin things for most people who don't notice a thing... or trust God to be God and worship. And in adversity... it's usually amazing. When you preach and your powerpoint malfunctions, you can either gripe at the tech guy, lament the quality of your laptop... or speak the words that God put on your heart FROM your heart. When you press through adversity... God gets to show Himself strong.

So tonight at 7pm ET... pray, participate and get your friends into the chat as well. What happened this week stinks for MANY including my friend who OWNS the equipment. Don't pray the show to LOOK good. Pray that the spirit of God uses our feeble offerings to draw people to Him. This is why we're even bothering to run an internet TV wing ding in the first place! Because God DOES want to interact with our real everyday worlds... and we should have the courage to be public and real about it! Find where people are... share Jesus. So if we press through in obedience tonight... God MUST be ready to do something cool with it.

The Goodbye Generaton LIVE... tomorrow morning @ Freedom House

2009-10-17T11:38:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow morning is a VERY important morning at Freedom House. We'll be doing a live Skype interview with Dave Sawler, the author of a new book called "The Goodbye Generation".

This is how the book is described...

"The Goodbye Generation is made up of youth, young adults, and adults who once were regular church attenders. Many of them have given up on going to church services, while many have walked away from their faith completely. This book is a journey into the stories, thoughts, hurts, struggles and lives of these people.In a day when many denominations are struggling because they have lost almost all of their young people, we need to address what is stealing them away. David Sawler invites you to look at what the scriptures really say about the reasons that many people are giving for leaving. This is a book that gives hope and honest insight into one of the biggest struggles of the Church today."

Needless to say... this is something we've all noticed... and it's VERY concerning. The good part is... there IS hope. And there are things that even we at Freedom House can do. That's what we're going to launch into tomorrow morning. Then we'll continue the discussion (and open up the floor to you) on Freedomhousetv.com Wednesday at 7pm.

Don't miss it... tomorrow morning at 10:30am.

"Return"

2009-10-13T11:05:00.001-04:00

One thing that we have learned doing street ministry over the last number of years... is that a lot of people are working hard to run from God. They KNOW they have a Mother/Grandmother/Pastor/Friend somewhere praying for them. And it nags at them. Many people KNOW that there IS a God and that there is something deep inside them pulling them to Him. And it nags at them.

In high school when would go out drinking... often I'd run home at 1am after getting "nagged" by what I now acknowledge was the Holy Spirit to see if my Mom was still at home. I knew if anyone was going to be taken up... it was her. Most often I'd arrive home to find her in the living room rocking chair with her big ole study Bible open, pouring through it... praying for me. At the time it simply helped me breathe again knowing I could keep pissing life away... and still have time to make it all right when I was ready. But the internal nagging got worse.

When the supernatural "nagging" got really loud... and my heart raced because I could feel the tractor beam getting stronger... I told my now wife Krissy (who had volunteered to be my "listener" for a season) that I had once "done the God thing" but bailed because of hypocrites. She told me that once you tell God you want to know Him... He's not going to stop trying to draw you into a friendship with Him. Hebrews 6:4-6 agrees.

"Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit, once they've personally experienced the sheer goodness of God's Word and the powers breaking in on us—if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can't start over as if nothing happened. That's impossible. Why, they've re-crucified Jesus! They've repudiated him in public!"

This morning I felt led to pray the word "Return". Coming home is a strong theme in the Bible. And there is great love, forgiveness and celebration that comes with a home coming. Saying... "I've tried it my way and I'm ready to let God be God" results in "no condemnation". It's such a beautiful thing when someone RETURNS.

I've been someone who has let the actions of dumb people, hypocrites, faulty church and more get between me and a free relationship with God. And ALL of those things are still there! And now I get the opportunity to be that dumb person, the chief of sinners, and a leader in an imperfect church! But there is a reason for it all... because it all leaves us in NEED of salvation. We need saving! We need LET God to be God and LET Him show us a sliver of the divinity our soul is longing for. And then... we get to touch it.

In the National Post yesterday... I read AGAIN how the church in China is thriving and in Canada is struggling for relevance and gasping for life. Same church. Same God. Same dealio. And I'm not OK with that. Do we need to "return" to a religion that has gotten stale? No sir. We need to let ourselves return to the creator life itself... and spend time getting to really know Him.

One of the many reasons we're doing Freedom House TV is to give "returners" who are being "nagged" a jumping in point. A place to ask questions. To let it be an encouragement to begin to pray again. It's also going to be a smiling face on screen... that you can actually meet. Anyone who you'll see on FHTV (including me) are real people who would love to help you find the way to "return". It's so easy... it's so liberating... and it kicks off a party in Heaven AND on Earth.

PS... you won't believe how hard your praying Grandmother/Mother/Pastor/Friend can hug.

Agreeing to Disagree on matters that don't matter

2009-10-12T19:11:00.002-04:00

Check out the teaching from Sunday if you missed it

Let's meet up online at freedomhousetv.com Wednesday Night to talk further

Setting up the Studio

2009-10-06T10:15:00.001-04:00

Freedom House TV Coming October 7th

2009-09-28T12:57:00.002-04:00

Share this video around and become a Fan on Facebook here to stay up to date.

When I went to Broadcast College, I wrote my thesis on "The State of Christian Broadcasting around the world". When it came to really analyzing the effectiveness of it in North America... the short comings kept coming back to it being a one-way conversation, where people were spoken at, instead of engaged. Christianity is more than a theology, it's fullness is only ever experienced when people function together to "work out our salvation".

I've done Christian TV and radio... and both mediums, while effective at "sharing the gospel" their own way, rarely translate into people developing the type of "as iron sharpens iron" relationships that truly help us all learn and are necessary to "get" a big picture view of this world.

When Billy Graham began preaching on television, the choices of what people had on TV to watch that night were VERY limited. But times have changed DRASTICALLY. The social media movement has revolutionized day to day communication and shaken the relative status quo of media institutions for the first time in 50 years. The church as generally been slow to act... falling behind the communication trends, leaving it's message (that is the same one that started in Israel and viraly spread throughout the entire earth) feeling obsolete instead of vibrant.

Freedom House TV will have a number of components.

1) In our culture (often even to the most devoted) Sunday morning church attendance is not always possible. To those who aren't Christians, the idea of "giving up" their Sunday morning is not really even a question. The cultural habitual norm of getting up a Sunday morning to attend church (either willingly or unwillingly) is a minimum of one generation removed from our generation. Starting with the earliest apostles, The Message of Jesus... was always meant to be mobile and taken TO people. So the teaching done at Freedom House will be recorded as a video podcast and available online. If they can't make it on Sunday (or if they live ANYWHERE else in the world) we're going to encourage people to watch the teaching Monday or Tuesday when they have time because...

2) Wednesday evenings from 7-8 we're going to delve into topics like Cities, Sex, Politics, Culture, Art, Crime, along with the very latest of what's effecting the real lives of real people. Then we'll discuss together what role God plays in them, hopefully done in a way where we can also have some fun (I plan on doing Rick Mercer type rants along the way). It will be a live Internet broadcast with a moderated chat room (www.freedomhousetv.com ... NOTE: what's up right now is just a splash page, the real site will be released before we go live Oct 7th) where we will use the teaching from Sunday as the basis for what we hope is a spirited discussion where many different people with many different opinions and questions get the chance to work it out together... live as it happens.

3) When analyzing Christian broadcasting... I always used to say, "If only there was real way for a local church to actually make a real connection with real people. So when something legitimately touches someones heart, they can come to a real place and meet that real person to develop a real relationship." This model opens the door for just that. During the show, we are encouraging people to get together with other real people in their homes, at wifi coffee shops, at the church or watching the show live in the heart of the University Campus in Downtown Brantford with their laptops in hand... and discuss while they share where their dialogue is taking them with us on the main broadcast which serves as a hub for what's going on around town/the world. At the same time... we hope conversations, thoughts, truths are being posted to Facebook... on Twitter... on Blogs... so that even more can be welcomed into the dialogue. The cool thing about conversation going on on social media platforms... is that it's friends sharing with other friends sharing with other friends about what's going on in their mind/soul/spirit at that moment.

4) After the show... we're going to host an "after party" where we can all get together and turn the "virtual world" into real world relationships over coffee.

5) While our church (Freedom House) is located in Brantford... we won't be talking specifically about Brantford. The idea being that ANYONE ANYWHERE gets dive into the chat that is relevant for their context too. Someone in Toronto can gather their own friends who want to learn more about God... or even try to figure out what "those Christians" are really talking about. We hope that FHTV even becomes a tool to plant new Churches out of the relationships that will form from people who have common ground, collectively desiring the "what's REALLY true" of life.

Good Messages have always be viral. We hope that FHTV communicates the life that Jesus bring... both by the magnificence size of this world that God created... and that it facilitates it being effectively communicated through the flawed people (that's all of us) who He created in His image to spread it.

Freedom House TV

2009-09-28T08:03:00.000-04:00

FreedomhouseTV promo from Freeom House on Vimeo.

It's coming... pass it on :)

Everything

2009-08-30T00:56:00.000-04:00

The Summer Ministry Team has come a long way this year. I'm so very proud of them.

Wow St. Augustine!

2009-07-26T15:59:00.001-04:00

Few excellent points/quotes from Freedom House this morning and Brian's talk about growing up in our attitude toward "The Church".

"We're not what we ought to be but then again, we're not what we used to be"

"The church is a whore... but she's my mother"
St Augustine

"If you find a perfect church, you'd better not join it or you'll ruin it"
"If you find a church full of hypocrites... join. You'll fit right in."

Brian read quite a bit out of Tony Campolo's "Letters to a Young Evangelical". Tony stirs people up from their slumber. I don't agree with everything he says or writes... but who cares. He always makes me stop and take notice of the points he makes and causes me to think, and that's a very very good thing.

This book is written to the young adult aged Christians across North America who are leaving the church in droves It's about why we don't really have a choice whether we're going to love the church or not and why they should (and are responsible to) be a part of it. Flaws, faults, whoring ways and all.

I (Dave) know a guy who's Facebook "religion" is listed as... "I like Jesus but I hate His wife". It's funny and true of MANY. But frankly... it doesn't work like that. The Church is the bride. If you like me but treat my wife like crap... you're not likely to get a Christmas card from me.

Brian also pointed out just how much of the instruction to Christians about how to live are "Let US" things. It's the design. When we attempt usurp it because of our own pride, opinions and fleshy feelings... we're in the wrong and castrate our own ability to really understand what Jesus, Paul, Peter, Timothy et all really meant and intended for us.

I'm glad that St Augustine had the cohones to say, "The Church is a whore... but she's my mother". I'm thrilled to have a Freedom House to worship in. A place where I can eagerly engage God, our culture and our city with a house of hungry, passionate hypocrites and screw ups... since I know I fit right in. It's an ancient model that has powerful modern ramifications for the outplaying of GOOD!

Growing up in the Kindom: Firekeepers

2009-07-09T10:11:00.001-04:00

Canada Day in the Park!

2009-07-08T09:10:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to join us in Harmony Square this and every Thursday for more Captain Kindness and city outreach!

He's the God of the City.
Believe it

It's the Era of EVERYONE

2009-07-05T08:17:00.003-04:00

Hi guys... it's Dave. I was up early this morning thinking about Captain Kindness, City Taking, Freedom House, and the like. I wrote this and posted it on my personal Big Ear Creations blog but I wanted to share it with Freedom House on the whole.

Guys... God's been telling us at Freedom House that it's time to grow up in our faith... and exploring the ramifications of this direction will be SO exciting to do together!

Do you realize:

How easy it would be to volunteer your guitar to play songs on the Boston Pizza patio?
How easy it would be to cut your neighbor's grass?
How easy it would be to attend city council meetings and participate in public forums?
How easy it would be to sit on city committee's in relation to your area of expertise?
How easy it would be to be on a community based drama troupe?
How easy it would be to hold a neighborhood barbecue?
How easy it would be to involved in your local elementary school?
How easy it would be to coach a sports team?
How easy it would be to write a blog?
How easy it would be to be a big brother?
How easy it would be to choose your local University or College intentionally?
How easy it would be to feed a hungry person in your own city?
How easy it would be to start a new business that would improve life in your own city?
How easy it would be to buy locally and actually SERVE and BLESS an honorable business?
How easy it would be to speak positively about your church to someone jaded about it?
How easy it would be to become a freelance writer?
How easy it would be to play road hockey with the kids on your street?

Do you realize that it would only take 17 people in ONE church to do ALL of those things. If your church is 150 people... it's a tithe of the people INVESTING in own community.

Do you realize the difference these 17 things would make... when they are done in Jesus name?

Do you realize that if MORE people discovered their own area of influence, SERVED and INVESTED into it... cities would be transformed?

Do you realize that if there were 50 churches or ministries in Brantford/Brant County working together with a "One Church" mindset... who had 17 people each choosing to invest with kindness and intention... that would loose 850 city, community, neighborhood, revolutionary minded people in "city transformation ministry"?

Do you realize that the ebb and flow of our economy (and thus our community) is guided by the "Greed and Fear Cycle"?

Do you realize how necessary it is that this be broken?
Do you realize that we TOGETHER can do it?
Do you realize that fulfilling God's dream for our cities will cost us money, time, control and comfort?
Do you realize that fulfilling God's dream for our cities will only happen if we intentionally CHOOSE to partner with it?

Do you even realize how important a role YOU play in city transformation?
It's time friends...

It's the era of everyone.

"Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts."
Isaiah 26:8

Firestarters and Canada Day

2009-06-28T12:34:00.004-04:00

Every now and again, when you hear teaching from the Bible... it just hits you as so profound and meaningful. That really happened today as Brian taught from 1 Kings 18: about being a "Firestarter" like Elijah.

At the end of church today, Brian challenged us to think about a scenario in our lives where God wants us to take a step out as a firestarter. I hope you thought of one. I wanted to remind you about the 10 points we learned from 1 Kings 18 about being a firestarter!

Firestarters...

Get their plans from God
Expect challenges within the Plan
Call people to accountability
Rebuild ancient ruins
Don't make things easy for God
Knows who God is
Knows who He is
Hear God and Obey
Firestarters PRAY
Firestarters pray until they get their answer

I want to challenge you to take the next step and go through this list... with 1 Kings 18 open in your Bible and let God walk you through being prepared and equipped to be a firestarter in your own area of life!

I also wanted to give you a sneak peek at what's coming up for this Wednesday's Canada Day Show. Check it out...

It's going to be a blast and we need to have you there as it's a very interactive show and the more the better!

Now THAT'S Father Day!

2009-06-22T09:19:00.011-04:00

Wow! Yesterday was QUITE the Father's Day at Freedom House. Doug Collins (who hung out around with us at Freedom House a while back and taught us an enormous amount about healing before heading to Panama to continue ministering) stopped in... and brought a friend. His name is Bruce Van Natta author of the book "Saved by Angels". His story... well... almost needs to be heard to get the full effect. Check THIS out:

Truly fantastic. A living, moving, walking, medically documented healing miracle of undeniable proportions! God's growing this guy's intestines! Doug and Bruce proceeded to pray over the church and long story short... we didn't make it home for lunch until 2!

Shoulders and backs were healed and many were really touched by the power of God. Really. It was a fantastic God-appointment. And here's the cool thing... when God does something within the gathering of his people to worship together, He wants it to spill it into our everyday lives so that we get "Get Free, Live Free, Free Others".

Father's Day afternoon, a couple of us were golfing for Fathers Day. We filled out our foursome with a local gentleman named John who had just sold his business and semi-retired. We enjoyed his company for 9 holes of golf, learned golf tricks from him and heard of his missionary passion for Kazakhstan. As we asked him if he was going to join us for the back 9 as well, John told us that he had a bad liver and didn't have too long to live.

Ironic?
Nah... it's just the normal outworking of the Kingdom of God.
On Earth as it is in Heaven.

We prayed for healing in John's liver right there beside the North Ridge Golf Course Clubhouse. It was simple but powerful because it was another God-appointment. I hope you can join us Tuesday for Fusion where we pick up right where we left off Sunday morning. These are exciting days!

Quite a couple of days

2009-06-17T13:21:00.002-04:00

Wow... these last couple of days have really been a whole lotta fun and a whole lotta God too! Big thanks to Mark Griffin and everyone who joined us down at the Freedom House City Center and right here in our blog. Stay tuned as Freedom House Live Interactive will be back very soon. We're working on more live and interactive experiences to engage ourselves, our neighbors and our culture... opening up creative new avenues of getting to know our GOOD GOOD God even better.

To stay up to date with the online and in-person on-going of Freedom House

On UStream here, on Twitter here, and on Facebook here. If you missed last night's teaching... check it out right here

Kingdom Come Live Tuesday Night

2009-06-16T18:28:00.001-04:00

And we're on the air! Don't forget that the audio will turn on around 8pm when Mark begins to teach.

Follow and chat on UStream here
Follow and chat on Twitter here
Follow and chat on Facebook here

Or you can email me at dave@freedomhouse.ca

Last Night's Teaching

2009-06-16T10:00:00.001-04:00

If you missed it last night...

Kingdom Come Monday Night!

2009-06-15T18:52:00.004-04:00

Here we go... Worship (without audio) from 7-8ish and the audio comes up as the teaching begins

Follow and chat on UStream here
Follow and chat on Twitter here
Follow and chat on Facebook here

Or you can email me at dave@freedomhouse.ca

UPDATE

A word of knowledge about the need for healing in the left wrist... is that you?

Kingdom Come Monday Night Live

2009-06-15T15:06:00.002-04:00

We continue to press into what God wants to tell us about His Kingdom tonight for the 2nd night of the Kingdom Come Conference. Head down to the Freedom House City Center for worship at 7pm... or if you can't make it... join us on UStream (linked here) or watch it right inside our blog.

If you watch the teaching and prayer inside the UStream site, you'll be able to chat/pray along interactively with us. Another good way to interact with what's going on is by following the Freedom House facebook page (linked here) and Freedom House on Twitter (linked here). The live-stream will be on at 7pm but there will be no sound during the worship time. The audio will come up when Mark Griffin's teaching starts around 8 or so.

Part of the idea of streaming this week's Conference is to be able to share what God's saying to not only Brantford City of God... but the CITIES OF GOD around our land. This passion is contagious and viral. People can easily catch it! Can you image what would happen if our CITIES where filled with people contending for God's Kingdom to Come??? So watch, interact online and share it with a friend!

7pm Monday and Tuesday too!

2009-06-15T00:44:00.002-04:00

Great night tonight at Freedom House... one of the highlights of the night was when Mark Griffin was praying (and or singing) in his "prayer language" when Keith from Freedom House recognized a number the things he was singing as Spanish!

Pretty cool stuff. You'll need to make your way down to Freedom House Monday and Tuesday Nights at 7pm for more "Kingdom Come" or catch it live and interactive here on the blog. Also follow Freedom House on Twitter at

http://twitter.com/FHBrantford

or Facebook at

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Brantford-ON/Freedom-House/5803579292

See ya then!

Kingdom Come Live Broadcast

2009-06-14T14:21:00.005-04:00

If you can't make it to Freedom House tonight at 7pm... tune in for the kickoff of the "Kingdom Come Conference". You can watch worship... but you won't be able to hear it. The audio will come up when Mark Griffin's teaching will begin at 8 o'clock or so.

Feel free to interact with us online at the Ustream site! Tonight's service begins at the Freedom House City Center at 7pm... so come down to the City Center and enjoy the whole thing!

Live Streaming

2009-06-13T12:59:00.003-04:00

Big news if you're out of Brantford... this Sunday to Tuesday's "Kingdom Come Conference" will be live streamed right here on this blog. Check at around 8pm for the live interactive stream... OR... come! That's even better!

This Weekend!

2009-06-11T10:18:00.001-04:00

Worship

2009-05-17T06:50:00.003-04:00

I was thinking about worshiping with my friends (you) this morning. Check out this quotes:

Jerry Kerns - "The whole person, with all his senses, with both mind and body, needs to be involved in genuine worship."

C.S. Lewis - "The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance."

A. W. Tozer - "Without worship, we go about miserable."

Manley Beasley - "'A glimpse of God will save you. To gaze at Him will sanctify you."

C. S. Lewis - "We only learn to behave ourselves in the presence of God."

Beautiful wisdom... but WE get to actually EXPERIENCE it! God's good... if you hadn't noticed yet.

Fireproof... this Saturday

2009-05-12T18:57:00.001-04:00

Week of Prayer... CONTINUES!

2009-04-05T07:01:00.002-04:00

The bad news is... the week of prayer is over.
The good news is... the week of prayer continues.

We've decided to keep our Freedom House cafe and the prayer room open 10-4 this next week from Monday-Thursday leading up to Easter Weekend. It's tough to turn people away when they want to hang out in your church!

I'm sure there will be another full week on the way shortly... but this week will be about serving the downtown with the cafe and offering a place to come and pray too! What a week Freedom House! And what a week to come!

Why the prayer room is so cool

2009-04-01T22:24:00.002-04:00

Tonight in the prayer room... the youth had an hour to spend together in God's presence and then got to worship and pray with the LAFF Academy kids!

One of the youth had this to say about our time in the prayer room.

"When we were praying in there tonight... I felt like nothing could bother me anymore everything just lifted off me. It brings tears to my eyes... just by praying and doing all this stuff."

We try to jump through so many hoops sometimes. We try to think, preach, teach, talk our way to Jesus... when He's just... right... there... waiting for us to stop and just BE with him.

Punk Monks at your service

2009-04-01T13:24:00.002-04:00

Here's what happens when you Google News "Brantford" today

From Today's Brantford Expositor:

"This week at the Freedom House City Center in the Market Square Mall, there are people praying for Brantford and it's residents, around the clock. 24/7. Why in the world would we do that? Because we believe our city is a great city with a prosperous future... and sometimes we don't have all the answers about how to get where we want to go. Sometimes a little help from above sure can't hurt. In fact, often it can make all the difference.

24/7 Prayer is an ancient, and recently revived International movement of people passionate to see communities changed from it's core out. It's impact comes on a number of levels. First, anyone from Brantford who would like the chance to pray with the freedom to express themselves in whatever style they communicate (loud music, art, dancing, meditation, writing, quiet reflection by the fire) is welcome to come and experience a non-stop room of dialog at the Freedom House City Center... any time this week. It's a personally transforming experience that, in turn, changes our city because hope comes alive again. Hope of "what could be". Hope that Brantford can be everything it was meant to be.

When the Colborne Street is filled with hopeful, passionate dreamers... it will never be the same.

Secondly, we are offering the services of a group of Punk Monk's to the city of Brantford. If there is something that you'd sleep better knowing people who care are praying about... 24/7... please email me (dave@freedomhouse.ca). We believe Brantford has a destiny of greatness that includes us all. Seeing Brantford starting to be prepared to work, serve, give, pray and do our individual part until this happens, encourages me. It tells me that the dream is not as far as it once seemed"

I've already been getting email from people who are desperate for God to intervene. Thing is that we're quite inept at being God. He's good at it. We have to believe that God hears when we cry out to him... AND we have to be ready to go there for other too.

Matthew 9: A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman
¹⁸While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." ¹⁹Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
²⁰Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
²²Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

Also... Check out Rogers Cable 20's First Local today at 5, 5:30, 6:30pm and 10pm for a story about the cafe and prayer room!

There have been some very cool things written on the computer prayer log... but I wanted to share this beautiful poem that I discovered this morning. Tell me that God doesn't transform you just by being close to Him? Wow.

Where Are You?

Your presence has been hidden from me

My joy is fleeting

Yet I know you remain

My face withers while Yours shines but I cannot see

Come back to me

I walk in circles without Your guidance

I curse You and Your followers and still Your grace remains

Life seems to be a trivial game which You always win

But the moments when You make yourself real keep me playing

I’m always confused

I’m always bitter

I want to make the rules

The memory of You keeps me going

The peace of hiding in You

The joy in meeting You

The pleasure in intimacy with You

The satisfaction of knowing Your ways

But I am weak

I need You to keep me on the path

When You hide from me I get lost

I dig a hole around me

Any attempt to dig my way out only gets me deeper

Only Your hand can pull me out

Why have You hidden from me?

I know You’re there

For a moment I can feel You

But a moment is all I receive

If a moment is all You have for me then I will wait on You

Months of suffering for a moment with You is worth it

Though I desire more I will accept whatever You grace me with

And I will consider it a blessing more than I deserve

Monday Monday

2009-03-30T09:05:00.002-04:00

The Mamas and the Papas in their "Monday Monday" song wrote:

Monday Monday, so good to me,
Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee
That Monday evening you would still be here with me.

Such a stark contrast to a Monday morning in a 24/7 Prayer room. Because you KNOW that God...

Was
Is
Will be later

... with us. Last night I heard that God was birthing some wonderful new life-streams in Freedom House Friends and their relationships with each other while in prayer. On the computer this morning, these words of God's encouragement were left:

"God Showed Me In This Hour Of Prayer That No Matter What The Situation, I Can Fully Rely On Him. Instead Of Getting Discouraged, And Quitting. Or Stressing Out. I Can Ask In His Name, And Whether I Like The Outcome Or Not He Has Plans For My Life, And I Can’t Wait To See What GOD Has In Store!!!"

and

"Clean your slate. As you come in to pray this week, spend at least one session like I did today. Think nothing. Lay aside hurts, wants, pains and requests. Linger in His presence and listen for His heartbeat. He will renew your spirit"

For Christmas a couple of years ago, my Mom gave me Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest". You've got to check out what today's entry is. Such a fantastic reminder of what we're up to this week.

Holiness V. Hardness Towards God

“And He … wondered that there was no intercessor.”
Isaiah 59:16

The reason many of us leave off praying and become hard towards God is because we have only a sentimental interest in prayer. It sounds right to say that we pray; we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial, that our minds are quieted and our souls uplifted when we pray; but Isaiah implies that God is amazed at such thoughts of prayer.
Worship and intercession must go together, the one is impossible without the other. Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray. Too often instead of worshiping God, we construct statements as to how prayer works. Are we worshiping or are we in dispute with God - "I don't see how You are going to do it." This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God we become hard and dogmatic. We hurl our own petitions at God's throne and dictate to Him as to what we wish Him to do. We do not worship God, nor do we seek to form the mind of Christ. If we are hard towards God, we will become hard towards other people.
Are we so worshiping God that we rouse our selves up to lay hold on Him so that we may be brought into contact with His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship to God, or are we hard and dogmatic?
"But there is no one interceding properly" - then be that one yourself, be the one who worships God and who lives in holy relationship to Him. Get into the real work of intercession, and remember it is a work, a work that taxes every power; but a work which has no snare. Preaching the gospel has a snare; intercessory prayer has none.

It begins

2009-03-29T15:31:00.000-04:00

It's a very interesting thing to experience around the clock prayer. Because it's so together and so individual at the same time.

It's individual because we all have our own style. Our own passions. Our own music. Our own art... our own dance.

It's together because it's a team of people all in common purpose. Common God. Common humanity. Common frailty. Common task.

The task: "Hear from Heaven". Chris Jones spoke this morning at Freedom House and made some wonderfully insightful points about how God doesn't NEED us... He wants us. He wants us to hear the heartbeat of heaven and do like Jesus did.

John 5:
^19-20So Jesus explained himself at length. "I'm telling you this straight. The Son can't independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.

I'm going to try and spend as much time as I can in our prayer room this next week. Not because prayer works better there... but because all too often we don't quiet ourselves and really interact with God. REALLY hear what God's saying. REALLY be in the place where we're ready and willing to respond to God's heart tugs. Really press past our surface thoughts to dig into the Garden of Wisdom.

When I asked God this morning for a taste of what the Father was saying, this is what I heard...

As Chris was saying this morning, it's not about ME being able to be or do anything. It seems foolish to think that prayer can transform. It seems like long odds. But prayer is about God being able to do anything through faith-filled, humble, broken, warrior poets... because he's GOD.

Follow along with what God's saying in the prayer room at www.freedomhousebrantford.blogspot.com. Email dave@freedomhouse.ca if you have a prayer request that you'd like people to be praying for around the clock or for the link to sign up for an hour.

Just pop by and check it out... we're having a coffeehouse at the Freedom House City Center all week 10-4. Stop in for coffee or dessert.

Getting the Prayer Room Ready

2009-03-27T22:37:00.000-04:00

And this is the sound of the underground...

2009-03-19T10:10:00.002-04:00

"And this generation prays like a dying man with groans beyond talking, with warrior cries, sulfuric tears, and with great barrow loads of laughter. Waiting. Watching. 24-7-365"

Pete Greig from "The Vision"

It's time Freedom House... but more so... it's time BRANTFORD. It's time to dive into a week of something that's as radical and subversive as it is a simple breathing rhythm. It's doing like Paul told the church in 1 Thessalonians 5:17... "Never stop praying" NLT.

Our week of 24/7 Prayer will begin Sunday March 29th at 11am as the National Leader of 24/7 Prayer Canada Chris Jones with be speaking at Freedom House to kick off what will be a week of change, transformation and expectation!

What happens next is the beautiful part...

You, me... and whomever has a desire to see Brantford transformed... can go to the sign up sheet linked here and sign up for individual hours of time that they will commit to praying in the prayer room at the Freedom House City Center. It will be an entire week of unbroken prayer until we meet again for church on Sunday April 5th. Daria Tomiuk (the National Leader at Large for 24/7 Prayer Canada) will also be joining us for the week as well. She's an amazing girl who is on a prayer journey across Canada right now (check out her blog here) and Brantford The City of God is on her list of stops.

Q: Who is this for?

A: Everyone! You can be a Laurier Student, from a church in town, a curious by-stander, an agnostic wanting to begin a dialogue with "whoever's out there" or from a prayer ministry. The reason the room is open 24/7 is so that YOU can lend your own voice with the flavor of your own voice!

Q: What do I pray... and how do I do it for an hour?

A: There will be various stations set up around the prayer room with music, books, art to inspire... allowing you to create! Or bring your own Bible, music, instrument... or lay on a leather couch in silent meditation by the fire. It's totally up to you. You just simply meet with God and talk to him in your own voice. Every believer has a part to play in the Kingdom of God so how you communicate with God is NECESSARY! Prayer is not for the pros... it's for everyone.

Q: Will we have times to connect as a group?

A: For sure! On Monday night and Friday night, we'll be gathering together in the prayer room for corporate prayer and worship sessions. We'll join our voices together for our city. Also, there will be a computer station in the prayer room where we want you to keep track of what God's saying. We'll be blogging along at (www.freedomhousebrantford.blogspot.com) so you can be praying along with the room as we go during the day!

Q: If someone is already signed up for a time slot I'm available for... can I still come?

A: Absolutely... the more the merrier. We need to fill all the time slots, so try to find ones that are open TOO. If you've signed up for an hour, that's yours... but you can come by anytime. Sometimes people stay for lunch in the presence of God or hang out and chill until the wee hours. And trust me... when prayer doesn't stop... God stays. If you've never experienced it, you really must.

If you have any other questions... please email me.
dave@freedomhouse.ca or
davec@24-7prayer.ca

Check it out at 24/7 Prayer's Canadian website. There are 84 groups in 16 countries praying at this very moment. It's quite something to know that we're joining with SO MANY around the world all simply coming into the presence of God via the name of Jesus. Sign up today.

"Don't you hear them coming?
Herald the weirdo's! Summon the losers and the freaks.
Here come the frightened and forgotten with fire in their eyes. They walk tall and trees applaud, skyscrapers bow, mountains are dwarfed by these children of another dimension. Their prayers summon the hounds of heaven and invoke the ancient dream of Eden.
And this vision will be. It will come to pass; it will come easily; it will come soon."
Pete Greig's "The Vision"

Share this with your friends, on your blogs, on facebook etc...

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24/7 Prayer Weekend

2009-02-23T11:06:00.006-05:00

This weekend, Brian and I had the honor of hanging out with and participating in the National Leadership Get together of 24/7 Prayer Canada.

We had the chance to dream, pray, and put some strategic legs to what God's Dreams are for our country and the cities within it.

But prayer in a 24/7 Prayer Room... is more than prayer. We pray without ceasing, because we believe it changes the physical world. God WANTS cities. God WANTS Brantford. And we (not only as Freedom House but a whole Church in Brantford) are about to begin diving into petitioning the Father for a Revolution in our city on an unprecedented scale.

2 Chronicles 7: 14-15
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

I was thinking about this verse this morning. Our job is to pray. Jesus hears and then goes to father and makes the pitch to his Dad on our behalf. THEN some serious STUFF goes on. Then God's eyes and ears open through our prayers. THEN he does what He's been wanting to do all along. Let loose HIS Kingdom on Earth. This can happen.

IF...
we pray

And so we pray.

Stay tuned for details

The Era of EVERYONE

2009-02-20T15:07:00.004-05:00

I love it in here. The new City Center is definitely a nice new warm space to be (The Lounge/Fireplace Room is my favorite new room by the way) but it's been more than that.

I can really sense that God is walking Freedom House into a new exciting season of ministry! A few weeks ago at Fusion on a Tuesday night, by the fire, God said

"You're to be an instigator of a Christ makeover in the city. Let your worship release the fragrance of God into the city. A fragrance that infiltrates... gets into the fabric... alerts the senses... "

God's showed me a customized toy. A plaything tool of the Lord. Something that is both fun for Him AND practical. I see Him accessorizing our house. Adding the extras to the body that's already been assembled. We've made a metal structure that's close to the shape he wants... but he's got out the blow torch and is heating and changing the shape in a way that the accessories can be added. With the new accessories on, doing ministry at first might feel a bit clunky as we're relearning to ride our new bike. But it's just because we've been upgraded.

One thing that's been ringing in my spirit over and over again... is that THIS IS THE ERA OF EVERYONE. A time where we all have to stand up and be ready to play our destined role. We all rely on each other! None of us can go it alone.

Hey Brian... the future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

The Freedom House City Center Opens!

2009-01-23T11:05:00.002-05:00

My Dad is the greatest Dad to have around Christmas time. Especially since he took up woodworking as a hobby. Every year, my Dad quietly listens and looks around our house for what we need... and makes us something amazing out of wood. I love it. It's made our home look like the Dutch Mill! I know it makes him very happy and satisfied to see us enjoy something he's worked so hard on. That's how we're feeling about the new Freedom House City Center that we're proud to say opens tomorrow!

I've blogged about it a bit, but almost every night (and day) since before Christmas, varying numbers of us have been working until the late late hours, converting what used to be a Bargain Harold's in the Market Square Mall into a place that we're calling the "City Center". It's actually not that unlike my Dad and his handicrafts. Years ago, we determined that our city needed a place in the downtown that could be used as a base. A hub. A center where we could not only have church as Freedom House, but also begin to make a real, practical, positive difference in Brantford. A place where every member could be a minister... released in their gifting... in every area of city life... like social reform, the political arena, sports, entertainment, media, family life, University involvement (since thousand of students live within steps of Freedom House) and whatever else can be dreamt of by you!

The City Center is also the home for Freedom House Church. We're a worship driven church. Meaning, we worship first and are intentionally led by the voice of God... not just our plans. We're committed to seeing Prayer and Worship happen (eventually) 24/7. Freedom House will be place where ANYONE, ANYTIME can come and encounter a Real, Raw, God... and it's quite an amazing community of believers and friends if I do say so myself.

So to us, tomorrow feels a bit like what my Dad must feel on Christmas morning as he unloads a fine piece of country furniture from his van... and makes it a part of our home. There has been an astounding amount of time and sacrifice that has gone into the building of the new City Center. But the reason why it's being built is what drives us. Because we REALLY DO BELIEVE... even after all these years... that Brantford is "The City of God". That God has a plan for Brantford to be a harbor of His Glory... and designs on the physical, financial, and social prosperity of the City.

So we'd love it, if you'd take a few moments to come and celebrate it with us tomorrow.

Saturday January 24th 1-5pm: It's the OFFICIAL Grand Opening tour of the facilities where the whole family is welcome to come and meet Captain Kindness, enjoy Williams Coffee's wonderful food, and participate in the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Come and learn about what the Freedom House City Center is all about or just take a peek around!

7-8:30pm: It's a "Just Worship", everyone's included, worship event. Come, dig in, and spend a good chunk of time in worship. Williams Coffee is providing the "after worship spread" to enjoy in the new City Center Cafe.

January 25th 10:30am: It's Freedom House Church's 5th Anniversary Service and the official kickoff to resuming full time ministry with our new downtown base.

Check out the facebook event here for details. If you're in the Brantford area, try to stop by tomorrow afternoon if you can. Even just to say hi! It would be wonderful to meet some friends, catch up with old ones, have a coffee in our cafe bar, and have you share in our exciting day!

Take a Video tour of the new building!

2008-12-30T08:01:00.002-05:00

The new building is really coming along... let's take a look at what a typical night at the building site is like and peek into the future of Freedom House.

We're working nearly every day, so if you have any time to lend a hand or would like to give towards the project... please stop by or let us know!

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades

Putting up Buildings and Tearing down the House

2008-12-11T12:55:00.006-05:00

We are rolling full steam on our building project downstairs at the Market Square. If you're ever in the downtown area... you should pop downstairs and take a look for yourself. It's REALLY exciting to watch as Freedom House's new home takes form! By Christmas, we should have an official date for our Grand Opening! Check it out.

Tearing down the House:
(Metaphorically before Physically)

New Years Eve it's a Freedom House's ADULTS only Disco Party! Relive or Revisit the 70's and ring in the New Year. Tickets are 10$ before Christmas and 15$ after Christmas. Food is included and New Years Mocktails are also available! Wear your best disco threads and win a door prize and a portion of the proceeds go towards the Freedom House building project!

Check out the facebook event right here for more. And just for free... here are just a few of the moves that Krissy and I plan on unleashing on the Big Blue House that night!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Freedom's Getting a Brand New House

2008-12-01T16:09:00.006-05:00

It's been a LONG time coming... but Freedom House is THRILLED to announce where our new home will be as of THIS January. Let's see if you recognize this building?

Yes it's the Market Square Mall... right beside the city offices on the lower level of the Center. This is shot of the space as it looked a couple of weeks ago (when it was filled with about a decade of former mall paraphernalia)

And here it is from the outside

We're also thrilled to be able to say that you'll be able to come by and hang out in our office and lounge right across the hall from Williams Coffee Pub in the former Brant Freenet Building!

We spent quite a bit of time downtown this weekend between the parade and serving hot chocolate down in Harmony Square... and our downtown is THRIVING these days. The life that Laurier, Nippissing and Mohawk College have brought into our core is amazing! In the next number of years, expectations are that there will 10,000 students living and moving about in Brantford's downtown! And we plan on living and moving about with them!

These are exciting days to be in the City of God. So... it's time to roll up our sleeves and get ready to begin work on a brand new season (Finally) of partnering together to see our city transformed!

Santa Claus Parade!

2008-11-27T13:42:00.003-05:00

This Saturday...

Freedom House presents...

Brantford's NEWEST SUPER HERO...

His name is

Captain Kindness!

Come and see our float in this Saturday's Brantford Santa Claus parade and keep your eyes peeled for someone who looks something like THIS...

... only kinda different.

Hand of Man

2008-11-17T10:00:00.003-05:00

I'm posting Sunday's Podcast as quick as possible this week because I'm going download it and listen to it again. Ladies... I hear you had a great time with Lisa Bevere but you missed Paul's teaching about "Hand of Man"

Check out this amazing entry from "My Utmost for His Highest" that Paul shared on Sunday.

We are made "partakers of the divine nature," receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. We say, however, "Oh, I can’t afford it." One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! We think it is a sign of true humility to say at the end of the day, "Well, I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle." And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus! And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him. Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be! If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges— always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.
Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said, "All my springs are in You" (Psalm 87:7 ). If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you . . . may have an abundance . . ." ( 2 Corinthians 9:8 )— then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. Be marked and identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time.

Amazing!

Check out the whole thing here.

Hope Costs

2008-11-10T09:48:00.005-05:00

The week after Miracle Sunday (The Sunday that we all pray about giving 90% and living on the 10%) is always an interesting week. Nearly every year... the stories of how God starts to show Himself as BIG begin to trickle in... right about now. Make sure you email Brian (brian@freedomhouse.ca) with your stories!

Check out yesterday's PODCAST of "Hope Costs" if you missed it.

As I (Dave) was talking about during Hot Topics yesterday... giving is not a problem for me but it's also not a "gifting" per say. But do you know how much that matters? Pretty much none. What it means is that I just have to CHOOSE to give out of obedience. But there has been trust built between me and my God in this area. Every time I've given extravagantly... I can point to definitive fruit. Sometimes it took some number of years to even see it... but it's there. There have been season's that I HAD to repeat what Jesus taught in Matthew 6 EVERY SINGLE DAY... until it became truth to me.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

But it's only been in the DOING it... that I've given God the opportunity to show himself as BIG!

Lots coming up at the Big Blue House this week.

Tuesday night is Fusion (where we let loose in the presence of God)
Wednesday has mid-week stuff (check the main site for details)
Check the youth blog for details on this week's bowling party on Wednesday.
The ladies off to Niagara Falls for the Lisa Bevere conference this weekend...
... so guys, if you can come and help Anne Marie build the Christmas Float on Saturday, let us know. There will be child care available (if you need a break and dig swingin' the hammer!)

Hope Floats

2008-10-28T13:59:00.003-04:00

Hope is the key words these days. It's been more than a preaching point. It's been something that God has actually been pouring out on Freedom House. And you can't beat that!
What a great quote from Sunday:

"Hope deferred doesn’t float very well …so we end up spending our time and energy just trying to tread water, instead of fulfilling our destiny”

If I was the kind to shout out, "Come get some"... I'd do just that in regards to hope. It's like fuel to make each day mean something. Here's the Podcast.

Don't forget... Fusion prayer night is tonight, Family night is tomorrow... and stay tuned because we've got something very cool on it's way for Freedom House VERY SHORTLY!

The Big guy's Blogging!

2008-10-23T09:40:00.003-04:00

The blog world sucked another Freedom Houser into it's universe. You should be sure to check out Brian's new blog over at www.brianbeattiethinkbig.blogspot.com.

It's called "Think Big Live Big!". Really looking forward to reading more!

Quite a CHALLENGING Sunday!

2008-10-20T10:49:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was an EXTREMELY challenging day at Freedom House. I don't know about you but we hit a moment in worship that was a pure, genuine moment of "communing" between us and God. Really. It was like without words... we were "meeting" our God.

As we began chatting about Africa, abuse, social justice... (you can see more about Darwin's Nightmare on my blog here) it was fascinating to almost FEEL people being moved within their gifting. Strategists starting thinking. Feelers starting feeling. Intercessors started to be "moved". Check out (link here) for Brian's talk about the "The Good Samaritan". I thought it was surely the Luck of Lord that he was sharing about the absolute, earth-moving power of kindness in the light of problems in our world that seem enormous!

When Brian asked you... what do you have in your hand; what was that thing? I'd love to hear what you've discovered you have in your hand right now to give, serve with, sow...

Don't forget about prayer on Tuesday... small group/youth/kids stuff Wednesday and men's night this Friday night at 7! Check it all out at the main site... www.freedomhouse.ca

Deeper and 24/7 Prayer Conference

2008-10-02T15:18:00.000-04:00

Hey guys... I wanted to touch base with everyone to find out who would like to come to Cambridge next weekend (October 9th and 10th) for the "Deeper Ontario Regenesis" Conference.

www.deeperyc.com

It's a young adult conference (but hey... we're Freedom House... we're all young so let's all go!) next Friday and Saturday where we'll encounter God in intimate worship and relevant teaching then have the chance to go out on the streets and do some practical learning as well. It's a perfect follow up to this Saturday's Random Act of Kindness Day!

The Speaker this weekend is Brian Heasley who runs a 24/7 Prayer Mission in Ibiza Spain. It's a radical prayer room that serves, prays and blesses in an extreme party environment. Check my facebook for a video about Brian and Ibiza here.

Also this will be a 24/7 Canada Prayer event where Chris Jones (the national director who came to Freedom House with Jon Peterson a while back) will be sharing. In fact...

Thursday night October 9th... we'll be having a free session ALL ABOUT where God's taking 24/7 Prayer in Ontario. I'm (Dave) actually now the Ontario team leader and this will be a session of hearing from Chris, and Brian H... but most praying and dreaming about where God want US to take this amazing prayer movement!

So Thursday night is free (as many as possible should try to make this!)

The whole weekend is 65 dollars unless we have a group of 10... then it's $50

The individual sessions are $15 each and you can pay for those at the start of the sessions. If you want to come all day Saturday, it's $40. Individuals can download / print the registration form to register for the whole conference at deeperyc.com and fax it to them at 519-740-6712 or bring it in with you Friday night. You can also register at the conference Friday night between 6-7pm (cheque, cash, credit).

Please let me know ASAP who would like to be a part of this weekend!
dave@freedomhouse.ca

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Freedom House loves PMS...Premeditated Mercy System that is

2008-09-29T12:00:00.003-04:00

If you want to know, in one little acronym, what's going on at Freedom House over the coming months... its simple.

P ...  M ...  S

No not that. It's the Premeditated Mercy System. It's like INTENTIONAL Random Acts of Kindness. In the book "Conspiracy of Kindness" by Steve Sjogren... What we're about to launch into is as defined:

“demonstrating the kindness of God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached”

Amazing isn't it? So ridiculously simple. Check this Sunday's Podcast for Brian's Breakdown of PMS (and a little bonus of this week's Hot Topics too!)

Remember it's a busy week at the Big Blue House. Nicki will email you the full details (nicki@freedomhouse.ca) or check out the main site for the October Calender... but our first Freedom House RAK/PMS day is this Saturday from 10am until 1pm! Bring the whole family!

Risk

2008-09-16T09:49:00.003-04:00

What an interesting point in Freedom House's history to begin talking about Risk! The first podcast in Brian's series is up on the right hand side of the blog if you missed it on Sunday.

So just recap... here's where we stand. Remember the big blue building we've hung out in for 5 years? Well soon it will be a big brown building dived into little rooms that we all can't fit in at once. So we've taken a risk...a GOOD risk... a God risk... and now we're about to see what God does with our faith step. Pray, OK?

It's not rocket science to says that RISK is RISKY. But remember this poem that Brian shared about on Sunday from Mother Theresa:

People are unreasonable, illogical, self-centered... love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives ... do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies... be successful anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow... do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable... be honest and frank anyway.
People love underdogs but follow only top dogs... follow some underdog anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight... build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you try to help... help people anyway.
If you give the world the best you have, you may get kicked in the teeth... but give the world the best you have anyway.
Mother Theresa

My question is... who kicked Mother Theresa in the teeth? That was a bold move.

On another note... September is here and our schedule has changed up a bit. Check the main site (www.freedomhouse.ca) for details about Death by Chocolate for the ladies... "Meat and Beats" for the guys and the start of our Tuesday Night Prayer Blowouts (which get under way TONIGHT!!)

Youth, Kids, and Young Adult announcements are soon to follow.

And hey... one more thing... this Sunday morning we start a new feature at Freedom House called "Hot Topics" where we look at and discuss some of the things making news in our world as intentionally strive to climb the 7 mountains of influence. Check it out...

The Meek inhert the earth do they?

2008-08-31T16:58:00.003-04:00

So the meek inherit the earth do they? Matthew 5:5 was something that had been rolling through my mind for weeks now.

INHERITING the EARTH is quite a prize. Especially for a human quality that seems so obscure... and one that doesn't seem to get any good "pub"

But delve a little deeper into the word "meek" and you find some REALLY interesting things.

Check out the Podcast here.

3 weeks of Freedom House

2008-08-04T07:41:00.003-04:00

What a great meeting yesterday morning was at Freedom House. I've just been catching up on our Podcasts so you can stay up to date with what's been going on at the Big Blue House. Just check the right hand side of the blog.

You'll now find the last three weeks of teaching that Brian's been doing about High Impact Low Maintenance Christians including yesterday's beaut called, "Life Bites!" As a teaser (if you missed it)... Brian tells what could be the best on-the-streets story of the season thus far.

It includes biting.

Worth the download.

Trust me.

Freedom House in the news

2008-07-18T08:34:00.005-04:00

Freedom House has been in the Brantford Expositor in back to back days! We're movers and shakers baby. Yesterday it was because we'll be presenting our "Dora, The Incredible Hulk and a Tree" at the Brantford Rocks Festival July 26th in Harmony Square.

Here are the highlights... (Whole article here)

"Glam rock, Christian punk, country, progressive metal and a Shrek puppet show -- as befits this town's multi-faceted makeup, the coming We Love Brantford: Brantford Rocks festival will feature an eclectic entertainment lineup.

Originally intended as a showcase for local garage bands, the event was already booked for July 26 when the community was rocked by a March Maclean's magazine story painting Brantford as one of the most dangerous cities in Canada. The day then morphed into a positive celebration and a showcase for local musicians. "It's really mushroomed into this great big community lovefest."

We're the "Shrek Puppet Show". Ha! We'll be on the stage at 11:30, but we also have a booth down at the square and I'll (Dave) be MC'ing the whole day along with Jamie from BrantNOW.com so plan on coming down and hanging out to celebrate Brantford with us!

Then TODAY in the Expositor... Susan Gamble did a GREAT story about last Sunday's Church tagging fun! (Whole article here)

When a vandal "tagged" the big blue Freedom House church on Market Street last week , the offbeat minister decided to tag right back. Call him the Pastor-of-the-paint-can, or the Cleric of Colour but minister Brian Beattie led his congregation outside on Sunday and spray-painted his own church walls.
"I figured I could either get really upset or I could use it as a teaching moment," says Brian.
He pondered the move for a few days and, on Sunday, boldly preached on God engraving believers' names on His hand before leading the worshippers to the street. The tagger's work included a tag name -- Jose -- so Brian added elements to ensure the message said "God loves Jose". Then he tagged on the church name and logo, the times of services and his theme scripture for the day.
WACKY WAYS
It was a move that shocked a few, he admits, but his group is used to his wacky ways.
For instance, during the first baptism held at the building, Brian climbed in the hot tub set up for the ceremony and did a sermon as a fish. Or there's the fact that, once a year, he oversees the trucking in of a foot of sand to one of the rooms where the church holds a Hawaiian night/beach volleyball game.
"We try to make church fun because most people who go to church just endure it."
The church is also connecting with the community. Brian says most neighbours he talked to approved of his stunt.

Isn't that amazing?

I simply LOVE that Freedom House is a church that is...

Actively
Uniquely
Effectively

...involved in our community. Life together with each other and God is vibrant and full of life! The way it should be. See you tonight on the street. If you missed last week's story of what happend on the street, you should check out my (Dave) blog for the story.

Come on out... you never know what might happen!

Living in the River

2008-07-07T11:09:00.003-04:00

Here's the podcast from yesterday along with the notes to follow along with.

Being able to let go... or as Steve wrote in his word from Friday night put it "the price of acceleration is surrender" can be quite a tricky maneuver.

It's not always easy to take steps further into the river. Even think about wading into a literal river. When walking out into the water... each level (bare legs, waist, chest, head) feels like a shock to the system. But it takes a surprisingly short amount of time to adjust to your new level.

Dive in!

Be the River.

An EXCELLENT day in the park

2008-07-02T11:16:00.006-04:00

What a day Canada Day was...

Brian's Facebook status this morning made me think...

... and I think he's right. There was a heaping load of hard work and talent that went into yesterday's Canada Day Show.

We had a great time. We hung out... laughed... made memories... painted each other green (OK maybe just Nick with the green thing).

Those who came laughed... learned... and even talked about it after. I've even chatted with several people TODAY about what a great time it was.

I think that Brantford IS a better place because of Freedom House... not just because children across town were enlightened by the epic game of Dora vs Dora "Risk". But because yesterday's show was done with EXCELLENCE by EXCELLENT people.

We believe in this city. We believe in the potential of the people in our city to be EXCELLENT! How do we know it's true? We conceived, wrote, produced, recorded, acted and NAILED an EXCELLENT show with EXCELLENT people. We set up a tent and handed out water with EXCELLENT people. I get to "do life" with so many EXCELLENT people everyday.

This is part of what a total city revival will look like you know. Our 7 mountains of influence cover many areas of community life. Being a positive player and leader in every area is vital!

EXCELLENT Brantford people that make Brantford an even more EXCELLENT place to live.

Canada Day Party Tomorrow

2008-06-30T10:20:00.001-04:00

Don't forget to come and hang out at the Freedom House tent @ Cockshutt Park tomorrow for Canada Day. Show times for "Dora, The Incredible Hulk and a Tree" are 3:45 and 7:45 at the Kids Stage.

Come and laugh and help kids in Brantford learn about how to accomplish their goals!

Special Flippin Friday and an encouragement from Ibiza!

2008-06-26T13:02:00.006-04:00

It's a special edition of Flippin Friday this week at Freedom House. We're going to join with our great friends at Yes Church. We'll be praying alongside Johnny and Mary McKay and their worship team, as they lead a night of worship... prayer... and unity declarations over our city.

And THAT sounds like a good thing!

We'll be meeting at Yes Church from 7pm until 9 or so. It's powerful in the spirit when "brothers dwell together in unity (Psalm 133)" so let's dwell a bit shall we? Like until 9pm when we head back to Market Street... just in time to light up the grill for our Flippin Friday BBQ.

Last week we gave out over a hundred hamburgers! We talked with Brantfordians non stop from 10pm until 2 o'clock in the AM. And if we had stayed longer... there would have been even more!

I feel pretty geared up for tomorrow. I've been reading the blog of Brian Heasley. He runs the 24/7 Prayer Room on the party island in the Mediterranean called Ibiza. Check out what they do...

Brian has been in "discussions" with God about the prostitutes in his neighbourhood (see post). He's been debating whether it would be OK to pay for a prostitute's time to share Jesus with them. Check out his post from today (here). Last night... one of their workers was walking out of the prayer room and God spoke to this him...

"Chris, stop being a wimp, stop walking around & over the things i have put in your path"

He did exactly that... and God flung open the door.

"I asked them what they wanted prayer for? Love, good lives, happiness" It broke my heart because as they said than one of the other girls came out of a photo booth followed by a man pulling up his zip. She then came over and introduced herself, we prayed together!"

Wow!

when you dig a bit further into Chris's story, it was about 2 weeks ago when Chris was desperately trying to figure out just HOW to really hear God's voice in the middle of such a chaotic setting. Then THIS happened! Very exciting how God tells a story fueled by our obedience.

There are 2 thing I learn from this...

1) When God births stuff in your spirit... He's about to make it happen
2) When God says PRAY... you PRAY.

Don't analyze your giftings...
your compassion level...
your worthiness...
your calender...
your task list for the following day...
you just do it.

See ya Friday night

7pm @ Yes Church
10pm @ Freedom House

Hannah and Samuel

2008-06-22T22:00:00.003-04:00

If you missed church today... I want to encourage you to download Brian's sermon about Hannah and Samuel from 1 Samuel chapter 1.

It's a fantastic 37 minutes of teaching about how we actually see things accomplished by faith in spite of a world that wants to rip down your dreams. I'm re listening to it right now (and plan to again tomorrow morning) as it's a terrific reminder about who we really are, what faith can do and what God wants to do through us.

Check out the podcast here... follow along with the slides below and you can also click here to check out the New Living Translation of the text Brian's preaching out of.

God is up to something great friends. A good friend of mine just got back from Lakeland. I asked him how it was and he said this...

"I went and got some. it was incredible! God is so good. I've never witnessed hunger and passion like that....EVER! I was in Pensacola and it was awesome, but there is such an amazing hunger for God. I would say that Pensacola was more of a 'pentecostal power' revival. This is more of an 'whosoever will' revival. The internet doesn't do it justice at all! I don't use the term that often, but I got blasted by God...really. Bentley's sermon on Friday night was one of the purest declarations of the gospel of the Kingdom I have ever heard..."

See you Wednesday night for the final Family Feast of the Season!

It is FINISHED

2008-06-17T12:26:00.003-04:00

Too many things happened this weekend to list them all. You should leave a comment on this blog post with something that God spoke to you. Love to hear.

But I wanted to share what God spoke through Big Daddy Straz this Sunday. It was one of the most POWERFUL words I've ever heard. From the minute he began to speak it... I could FEEL this resonating in my spirit.

God took me to the story of creation and began to recount it for me. He reminded me that the first words of creation were "Let there be light."

From there he kinda fast forwarded me through Bible history to the point of the crucifixion and Christ's final words "It is finished." He reminded me that a whole new era began at that moment as God had finished His battle with sin and death. At that moment, God reversed the laws of sin and death.

He then showed me the Bible timeline again in reverse and said to me "Let there be light are not the words of creation for those born again in the Spirit. The words of your creation are "it is finished." These are the first words of spiritual rebirth. I wish that my children would grasp the meaning and power of these words more. I had the authority to declare it is finished. My children too have the power and authority to declare it is finished in their own lives because of my work on the cross. My sin...it is finished. My guilt...it is finished. My addiction...it is finished. My failure...it is finished.

If my children would take their authority and declare an end to fleshly things in their lives then I will declare, "Let there be light." I brought light into darkness in the creation. I cannot declare light into spiritual darkness until the land is surrendered in the spirit and my children declare an end to the works of Satan. Then I can declare "Let there be light' (the very essence of life...nothing grows without light...nothing can be seen without light).

Taking authority over sin and death in our own lives frees God to bring the spirit of creation to work in our lives and make all things new. God also showed me that we need to declare an end to the things in the city so that he can breathe creation on them and say let there be light. (that's just the beginning though...we then need to be willing to go and do the work.) God is looking for us to develope a resolute spirit and draw a line in the sand. When we do He will speak into us new life and vision.

What is CLEAR is that we're in a brand new season these days. A new era even. If you missed the conference... check back soon and I'll have the Podcasts up.

What are you feeling about these days?
Leave a comment... love to hear it!

Influence: The Family

2008-06-08T16:09:00.003-04:00

You know... to me there is nothing worse than the feeling of not measuring up. And when it comes to using our family to influence other families... we can often fall into that trap.

We always need to know that we need to grow. We need to press on from glory to glory... but never forget that even though your family has it's own flavor of nuttiness... God wants use even our day to day growing pains to reach out to other families. It's a mountain of influence that we can ALL conquer.

Click here for the PODCAST and follow along right here on the blog with the pretty pictures if you missed it this morning. See you all Friday for the Winds of Change Kickoff

Oh yeah... and if you missed it before... presenting... if the world were made of Wills!

powered by ODEO

Winds of Change Conference

2008-06-03T13:39:00.008-04:00

Something has changed. I'm not sure if you've noticed... but new (and very good) things are happening all around us these days. Healings are happening. Hope and Faith are being restored and increased. The winds of change are blowing...

..and as Diamond Joe Quimby once said, "If that is the way the winds are blowing than let it not be said that I do not also blow"

Friend of Freedom House Mark Griffin will be joining us for a weekend of impartation, street burgers, and letting the winds of change blow into Brantford.

We'll be beginning our "Flippin' Friday" Street outreach BBQ directly after the Friday night session so get read to hit the streets! (check out the promo video here)

Many Freedom Housers (as well as Mark Griffin) have made their way to the Lakeland Healing Revival and received what God is pouring out these days. We're expecting God to impart even greater things into the hungry in Brantford this weekend.

Make sure you book this weekend off and get ready! Because THINGS HAVE CHANGED!

Instructed tongue... Awakened ear

2008-06-01T20:51:00.005-04:00

So... church this past month has been... let's say... AMAZING! It's evident that God is doing something big in Brantford.

I just got back from the city-wide rally and in all my years of being a Christian in Brantford, I've never heard the leaders in the city so BOLDLY declare their commitment to revival, unity, and each other.

It's truly a beautiful thing when brothers dwell together in unity. God is on his way to change this Brantford of ours... OK His.

Right here is the Podcast from today's teaching about Isaiah 50: 4-5. If you missed it, you should really check it out. I'm going to include some of the scriptures below so you can follow along here on the blog.

Isaiah 50
4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.

This is to happen morning by morning... living out of the overflow everyday

1 Corinthians 2: 9-11, 16
However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God....For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

When you know that God is doing something... you don't PRAY it... you SAY it (declare it)

John 5:19

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Declaration is when we have an awakened ear... instructed tongue and declare what God's already doing

See you all Thursday night for our corporate prayer time... where we push deeper still with Instructed tongues and awakened ears! Big ears in Jesus name.

Revival... what's it gonna be like?

2008-05-20T17:53:00.001-04:00

I'll say this. I'm expecting revival to come to my city. It's the City of God. I want my kids, my self, my marriage, my youth group, my young adult group, my church, my city's economy and such, to be prepared for revival. I want them to know that it's coming so that they contend for it and prepare for it now.

I'm expecting it to be extravagant and shaking.
I'm expecting it to be messy.
I'm expecting it to be hard to manage.
I'm expecting it to take more time than we all have.
I'm expecting God to be gigantic and breath taking.
I'm expecting the dead to rise.
I'm expecting the church to love it and hate it.
I'm expecting to be looked at as a nut.
I'm expecting life to never be the same as it is today.

Like many of us... Francis Frangipane (Elijah List) has been watching with anticipation the goings on in Lakeland Florida as they experience an astounding healing revival. I want you to hear what he wrote yesterday:

"I personally have been following the Lakeland revival on God.tv . Yes, there are minor things I might do differently, but I have been moved by the spiritual hunger of the people and also by the remarkable miracles and conversions. Most importantly, I have been touched by the attending presence of God's glory. Yet, while my heart swells with joy, I also fear. For when we cry for a holy visitation, we are crying for God's Kingdom--the very reign of God to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. My concern is, when we entreat the Almighty for His Kingdom, are we truly ready to surrender ours?

Most in first century Israel did not understand the goal of a visitation; they were blessed, touched and healed, but they did not attain God's purpose, and for them Jesus wept. Nevertheless, on Pentecost Christ's disciples did, in fact, carry the visitation to its appointed purpose: the early church became the dwelling of God on earth. The citywide church was united, committed to prayer and focused on Jesus (see Acts 3:1). Miracles were ordinary, as was extravagant giving to the poor. The early church set the standard for visitation: signs, miracles and conversions, but also Christ-centered unity among church leaders and believers alike.

If there is no functional, Christ-centered unity among the churches in your city, then let's begin by praying for the leaders. Yes, let us rejoice in the beginnings of revival. But, with sobriety, let us also keep in mind that the goal of a visitation from God is that we become the habitation of God." (click here for the full word)

A couple of thoughts:

1) "There are few things I might do differently" - No matter what church/job/concert we walk into, thinker types will usually experience this feeling. I know I do. And when it slips into criticism... it's wrong. My way is not God's way. He's got farer reaching plans than my list of wants and expectations above.

My friend Matthew has a blog called "Jesus needs new PR". It takes some friendly pokes at Christians who do dumb things. Lately I've been wondering if it's the PR people who need to begin to work harder for Jesus. God does great things through people who aren't always understood by the masses. Think about Paul and Timothy. Paul stirred the pot and Timothy gently came in after and said, "here's what he meant..." Not undermining, but as a compliment to Paul using his different gifting.

People take a lot shots at Todd Bentley for various reasons. Most of which are easily explained if you take the time to find out more. A number of people who have been to Lakeland have loved the morning meetings at Ignited Church with Stephen Strader. He says the same thing as Toddy does... just without the shouting. It's not contradictory to Todd... it's complimentary and someone explanatory. In fact, it's HIS church that this revival has overtaken... yet he's thrilled to loose Todd Bentley to push the spiritual buttons on GodTV. Because he's anointed to do so! So let's get some good communicators who've got the back of the people of God!

2) "When we entreat the Almighty for His Kingdom, are we truly ready to surrender ours?" - Good question. I sure hope so.

3) "Miracles were ordinary, as was extravagant giving to the poor." - This is something that many people miss. This whole revival miracle thing... isn't just a circus. Why does Todd Bentley want more media covering this revival? So that more people can see God's handiwork. Cancer healed... a line of discarded wheelchairs... dead coming to life. (I saw that all last night!) It pumps me up and I actually believe it! I can't imagine what someone who doesn't believe would think! It's about showing a hungry world that God is alive and powerful.

And what for? It's so that God can change our hearts to be more loving, generous, caring... Todd Bentley's wife gave a very moving word the other night along the lines of , "how much do we really love our neighbors?" This is what this whole thing is about. Giving... love...

4) "the goal of a visitation from God is that we become the habitation of God."- this is what I really want. I want to see a city residing in the presence of God. Arenas and cameras and guitars are lovely... but the goal is to walk with God hand in hand to school.

I'm giddy with anticipation at what God is up to.

Living a Life of Influence Part 3

2008-05-04T15:31:00.003-04:00

Today's teaching Podcast along with the power point to follow along with...

"Living a Life of Influence Pt3"
(right here)

I think the image of the giant tube sucking people into heaven will stick with me for a while!

Don't forget... this Thursday, we're taking corporate prayer up a notch as we CONTEND for the many promises God has given Freedom House!

How to Use the Podcast and more things that are awesome

2008-04-30T12:18:00.003-04:00

For those of you who are new to the Podcasting world, I wanted to give you the lowdown on how it works. Check it out...

Here's something else you can do. Follow along with the powerpoint from Sunday. Here is a link for Brian's teaching about "Living a Life of Influence" right here. Now, here's the powerpoint from that week. It's a great way to go back over the points, pray through them, even dig deeper in the scripture with Biblegateway.com.

And while we're at it... check out this creative act of worship from Erin Stewart. Another bold voice declaring...

Isaiah 26:1
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.

... in Brantford. See you all Thursday night for Prayer @ 7pm!

Areas of Influence

2008-04-29T14:38:00.004-04:00

This is worth another look. It includes a refresher about the 7 areas of society that we need to influence

Isn't this just fascinating?

“For being shrewd about doing good, for rewiring politics and re-engineering justice, for making mercy smarter and hope strategic and then daring the rest of us to follow, Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono are Time’s Persons of the Year.”