Category Archive

Photo cred: Jill Heyer Written by: David Hood Every year I ask God for direction for the year ahead for our church. In the past, He’s given me phrases like “go back to the basics” and “go deeper”, or words like “more” and “faithfulness”. This year I sense Him wanting me to pray that 2024 would be a year of … Read More

Photo cred: Anthony Rodriguez Written by: David Hood In my last post, I shared some of the hope that I have for the future of the church in Canada. Unfortunately, there are Christians who believe that Canada is beyond hope and that we are in “the last days” where things will just go from bad to worse until Jesus returns. … Read More

Photo cred: Matt Bennett Written by: David Hood In my last post, I shared that despite the many challenges we’re facing in these times, I am optimistic that there is brightness to the future. I have seen amongst leaders in my city a greater humility and vulnerability, a holy discontent and desperation, and a renewed hunger for and dependency on … Read More

Photo cred: Jametlene Reskp Written by: David Hood Easter is around the corner and Lent is quickly coming to a close. In the Christian calendar, Lent is a time for us to reflect, confess, and repent, as we get ready to contemplate the cross and celebrate the resurrection. As a church, we just finished two series that essentially asked Where … Read More

Photo cred: Daniel Tseng Written by: David Hood We have been reflecting a lot lately about what is the church for, what makes for a good, healthy church where all kinds of people can thrive, and, in light of so many scandals as of late (and historic atrocities), where has the church gone wrong and why. We can’t just carry … Read More

Photo cred: Jack Sharp Written by: David Hood Let’s be real. The last few years have been hard, and I thought, coming out of the pandemic, that things would be better, but in some ways, they’re harder now. For a lot of us, the full weight of what we’ve just been through together is only just hitting us now because … Read More

Photo cred: Lisa Fotios Written by: David Hood Yesterday, we shared the story God is writing with our church, Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), the Food Bank, and our neighbours at Russell Gardens and other communities. As much as I would love to just celebrate what God has done over the past year through our food bank, I would be remiss … Read More

Photo cred: Lisa Fotios Written by: David Hood It is hard to believe that it was a year ago today that we officially opened a permanent food bank space in the buildings at Russell Gardens so that we could continue to serve our neighbours. It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to come alongside our neighbours in this way … Read More

Photo cred: Kelly Sikkema Written by: David Hood Note: I wrote this a few years ago for our community newspaper and thought I’d share it again. If any of this resonates with or intrigues you, feel free to join us on Sunday at 4 PM at The Martin Luther Church, 933 Smyth Rd, for our Easter service. All are welcome! … Read More

Photo cred: Jonathan Velasquez Written by: David Hood Our good friend, Ryan Jantzi, has started a podcast highlighting stories of how Jesus is working in, with, and through His people in our denomination and province and beyond. He has appropriately named it “Jesus Stories.” Diana and I were recently interviewed about what it means to be a church in and … Read More