This past week we had the opportunity of hosting a group of university students from our sending church - Mercy Hill in Greensboro, NC.  We asked one of the students to share her experience and what God taught her through her time in Halifax.  Sarah Keatts shares below about her time here in Halifax:

Visiting Halifax, Nova Scotia was an impactful trip in my life this summer. The work of church plants is encouraging for me to see a picture from Acts 2:44-47 of how the believers would gather in fellowship within the temple and homes, rejoicing and spending time in the Word together. I loved seeing the joy of everyone at Port City when serving and fellowshipping together. Everywhere our team went in Nova Scotia was breathtaking, a continuous reminder of God’s glory like mentioned in Psalm 19:1.

Regarding what God taught me through my time and experiences in Halifax, I learned a lot about continual dependence on God. I enjoyed Jeremy Dager’s sermon that Sunday from Luke 18:9-17, talking about pride and humility. Pride produces much more than I usually think of in terms of holding yourself loftier than others, while pride can present itself in a variety of ways like self-dependence, self-importance, self-confidence, and self-righteousness. Especially considering his sermon in context to visiting Halifax to serve with Port City, to learn, and to evangelize. The key point was how our focus should ultimately be on God. 

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV) says, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

One of my favorite parts of my team’s trip to Halifax was evangelism. I loved going out and talking to people about the gospel, and it convicted me to continue to do so now that I have returned to North Carolina. Evangelism was one of my favorite parts, but it was also one of the most difficult areas. In the United States, especially in the south, many people are willing to at least engage in conversation with you concerning beliefs and God. In Halifax - I quickly learned - that is not always the case. I remember someone mentioning how in the USA, we are perhaps one or two generations removed from people being in the church, but in Halifax there are people three or four generations removed from being in the church and knowing about God. It was strange to talk to people who had never heard of John 3:16, or had never heard the gospel, but it was also a stark reminder of the millions of people around the world who have not heard the truth before. 

Romans 10:13-17 (ESV), “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Considering how many have not heard the truth of the gospel about Jesus, that Scripture from Romans 10 has been a convicting reminder to me to share about the hope within me. As mentioned previously, I have been learning continual dependence on God and that was never clearer than when in evangelism. As 1 Corinthians 3:6 talks about, we can plant the seeds of truth in a person’s life and water those seeds with more truth, but only God gives the growth. 

When doing evangelism training, Jimmy Contino talked about how the more our affections are stirred for Christ, the more we will desire to share about Him. If I am quick to talk with someone about my favorite TV show or my classes in university, then shouldn’t I talk even more about what Jesus has done in my life and heart? That question has been ringing through my head in consideration of talking about the Bible with others, because the more we fall in love with God’s Word the more we should desire to share about Him. Psalm 119 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. The psalmist continually talks about delighting in the Word of God. I know for me personally that the more I delight in God’s Word – the Bible – the more likely I am to want to talk with others about it. 

Seven days in Halifax almost didn’t feel like enough time, but God’s timing is far superior to my own. I enjoyed each moment I had in Nova Scotia, and I am thankful for the time I spent in Halifax. It was amazing to see Port City at work within the city of Halifax. God is always working and the fact that the God of the universe invites us into that work with Him is mind boggling.