TheArch

2017 Spring Report

Opening Words

As I come to the end of this school year, I am grateful and full. During this winter and spring, I finished the Emerging Leaders modules, directed two MARKcentral Conferences, and saw some tremendous growth in the OCAD and Ryerson communities. I have been blessed and encouraged in my faith as I have walked alongside students, colleagues and friends in their journeys. Here are some of my highlights.

OCAD

As we continued studying the book of Acts this year, the OCAD students would end each bible study by making a collaborative illustration of the main themes. We had two bible study times this year, and it was always intriguing to see how each group would focus on different aspects of the same passage. The students really enjoyed Acts, so much so, that they requested an additional study during finals week, so that we could study the end of the book as a community. We ended our study of Acts by making a puzzle of key themes.

MARKcentralThis year I directed our annual Mark and Genesis manuscript conferences, MARKcentral. It was thrilling to come alongside colleagues and students as they vigorously studied these texts and wrestled with how they would apply them in their lives. I also invited the participants to take part in a week-long collaborative artpiece, in which they would write sections of the scripture on canvas panels which would eventually be tied and weaved together.

National Staff ConferenceThe National Staff Conference, is a conference that happens every three years, and is a time when camp, campus, national service centre, and world services staff come together for training, vision and fellowship. I have been invited to serve on both the planning and creative arts teams for this conference. I am excited to serve in these capacities and am grateful for the team of people with whom I will work. The theme is “shaped by the word” and we will spend time studying the gospel of John. On the planning team, I will be able to offer vision and leadership to a number of components of the conference; and on the creative arts team, I will be leading a team of staff in creating some interactive installations for all the participants to engage with and transform, including a piece for the stage that will have similar elements to the collaborative piece from MARKcentral.

What’s Next

This summer, I will be spending some time leading the Ryerson and OCAD communities in summer fellowship. I will also spend some time traveling and planning for the fall.

I also will be spending some time increasing my financial and prayer support and have a special summer opportunity: For every new monthly donation or special one-time gift between May 29 and August 31, I will be given a matching donation by an anonymous donor.

Would you consider joining my support team or making a special one-time gift? Donations can be made online at ivcf.ca/donate or by cheque made to “Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship” with “Archi Balakumaran” on the memo line, mailed to 1 International Boulevard, Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3. All donations are eligible for a tax-receipt.