What your Worldwide Mission Tithes are making possible

By Apostle Shannon McAdam

Recently I watched a video that warned against losing hope in the face of what’s happening in the world today. At the end, the creator said: “and don’t worry, if you are losing hope, you can have some of mine, I’ve got loads!” I liked this because I feel the same way much of the time: a big part of my job is to share my hope with you when yours is waning.

I want to tell you about how you can help build hope in three places (though really there are way more than three!) where hope is needed today. I noticed these three places when I was preparing for a recent meeting of the Canadian Community of Christ Corporation Board. These three places stood out to me when I was reviewing how Worldwide Mission Tithes, generously given by Canadians, were used in 2025.

The first place I noticed is the Philippines! Right away I paid attention due to my recent trip there for the International Resource Summit. The specific project listed was funding Marylou’s position as the Mission Centre Financial Officer for the Philippines Mission Centre. It was a delightful surprise to see her name because I had the joy of meeting Marylou at the summit, and her deeply faithful ministry of generosity impressed me. Her wise, hospitable approach, and care for every person are evident in everything she does. As I read the report of all her travels in 2025, I pictured the dirt roads and rural landscapes that I, too, visited. Marylou brings hope to many in places where life can be very hard.

The second place I noticed was Zambia, and I noticed it because I saw the name of the person employed there, Patrick, and wondered “is this the Patrick I met at the Summit?” I looked deeper and discovered to my surprise and delight that indeed it is the same Patrick. Patrick who I had meaningful conversations with over lunch and in the jeepney rides back to our hotels at night. Patrick is a dynamic, deeply thoughtful, and hope-filled minister of vision. Investing in Patrick is not only an investment in growing the church in Africa, where he is bringing hope to people in need through supportive community, but also an investment in future leaders in Community of Christ around the world.

And the third wasn’t a surprise so much as a reframing. The third is the whole Aurora Belt mission field that I help lead – because I am one of those line items that Canadian Worldwide Mission Tithes pay for! And as I mentioned at the beginning, I see one of the key parts of my job as bringing you hope. I bring it by encouraging your experiments, by maybe challenging you to see the world and your discipleship in new ways, and by sharing stories of hope with you. I have deep gratitude for the fact that my livelihood relies on your generosity, and I do not take that generosity for granted.

These three places are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of how your generosity can grow hope in the world. So, the next time you are thinking about where to share generously, I encourage you to consider what you give to Worldwide Mission Tithes. Your response brings more hope than you can imagine – hope that our world desperately needs today. Thank you for your generous response