Joining Jesus in Bringing Hope to Calgary
At FAC, we believe that joining Jesus in the renewal of all things can start right here in the city of Calgary! That’s why we intentionally partner with local organizations that share our heart to see Calgary transformed by the love of Jesus.
We invited a few of our local partners to share about their work in Calgary and how the FAC community can come alongside them. Here’s what they had to say:
Local Partner: Radiance Society
FAC: Share a little about who you are and what you do. What’s your mission?
Nadia: My name is Nadia, and I work with Radiance Society. Radiance Family Society exists to illuminate a path towards a world free from domestic violence. We are driven by a collective commitment to ending the cycle of abuse and providing a lifeline of support and resources to those affected. Addressing violence from all angles, Radiance is a multi-faceted agency that offers a wide array of program and outreach services dedicated to preventing violence and supporting those who have been impacted by it. As the first licensed agency providing affordable childcare in Calgary, we remain a provider and strong advocate of affordable childcare.
FAC: How have you seen FAC partner with you in the past?
Nadia: FAC sponsors Unit 305 and makes continual donations for all our residents, including gift cards and Telus Spark passes. The suite sponsorship primarily involves preparing units so they are ready for clients to move in, ensuring a smooth and welcoming transition.
FAC: How can the FAC community best support you?
Nadia: Radiance welcomes donations, either with financial support or gift-in-kind. We are always needing support with grocery gift cards for our residents, and providing new bedding, new bath towels, new kitchen towels, hygiene items, and bathroom items (bathmats, shower curtains, etc.) for residents moving into our shelter.
FAC: What are some specific ways someone can help?
Nadia: We’re always looking for help! We’re currently looking for people who can help with suite staging and painting, as well as volunteers for donation pick-ups and events.
Local Partner: Connie Jakab
FAC: Share a little about who you are and what you do. What’s your mission?
Connie: Dear friends at FAC, my name is Connie Jakab, and I have the privilege of leading Ogden Community Church, an incarnational community right here in SE Calgary. When I say “incarnational,” I mean that we are not just building a church in the community—we are living as part of the community. Our mission is to reach those on the outside of faith: the ones who have been wounded or rejected. We are here to create beauty and goodness in partnership with the people of Ogden, so together we become a thriving community where the Kingdom of God is evident in everyday life.
FAC: How have you seen FAC partner with you in the past?
Connie: We started this church with nothing more than a “yes” to God’s call. No funding, no guaranteed salary…just faith that God would provide. And for the first year, we prayed for our rent and resources every single month. It was an exercise in trust and perseverance. This year, God answered our prayers for partnership through you. FAC stepped in to cover our rent and expenses, and that support has allowed us to focus on what we are called to do: love people into the Kingdom of God.
FAC: Any specific stories you’d like to share that would help people at FAC understand what you’re about and the felt needs your organization serves?
Connie: Let me tell you about six people who have been baptized this year because of the work you’re investing in!
- Debra was angry, deeply wounded by the church, but still had a longing to believe in Jesus. She didn’t think she could belong in any faith community. Today, she’s found a safe place to heal and is walking in a new relationship with Christ.
- Brittny always felt like she was on the outside of faith, like grace was for everyone else, but not her. Through connection and community, she discovered God’s grace really was for her, too.
- Helen is a single mom living at the Hub, working on her recovery from addiction. She encountered Jesus in our community and found the strength to take the next steps forward.
- Sandy had been searching for years for a church home where she could truly belong. She found it here, among people who welcomed her as she is.
- Mona was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. In her despair, she had even begun the process for a MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) appointment. But God met her in her pain, and she chose life in Him before her time on earth came to an end.
- And there’s one more story still unfolding; someone who is discovering that a loving God not only wants them but delights in them.
These are people who would never have walked into a traditional church building. But because of the ministry we’re doing together, they met Jesus right where they were.
If you take one thing from this letter, let it be this: we must relentlessly pursue people who seem the farthest from faith. These are not “projects” to fix. They are people to love. This is frontline work. It’s messy, it’s costly, and it’s where Jesus spent most of His time.
FAC: How can the FAC community best support you?
Connie: I am asking for prayer for me, for our team, and for our families. Pray for protection, for courage, and for the Holy Spirit’s leading. We also need people who are willing to get their hands dirty alongside us. If outreach stirs your heart, come partner with us. We’ll help you find ways to connect with people right here in Ogden who desperately need to know they’re loved.
FAC: What are some specific ways someone can help?
Connie: And, very practically, we need financial partners. I am living by faith to do this work. I’m asking God to raise up people who will partner monthly so my family’s needs can be met and I can continue on the frontlines. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your generosity and faithfulness this year. FAC, you are more than partners. You are part of every baptism story, every healing moment, and every life turned toward Jesus!
Local Partner: Defend Dignity
FAC: Share a little about who you are and what you do. What’s your mission?
My name is Glendyne, and I work with Defend Dignity. Our mission is to support survivors of sex trafficking across Canada and to work toward ending all forms of sexual exploitation. We provide direct support to survivors through programs like our Survivor Support Fund (SSF), which helps women take steps to rebuild their lives after experiencing exploitation. We also run educational initiatives to equip parents and children with resources to stay safe online and advocate for stronger laws to protect vulnerable populations.
FAC: How have you seen FAC partner with you in the past?
FAC’s financial support is instrumental in helping us provide resources through the Survivor Support Fund. This spring alone, we had 75 applicants to the fund, and your generosity directly helped each of these women as they took the next steps in their healing journey.
FAC: How can the FAC community best support you?
Your faithfulness has also enabled us to expand our educational programs and advocacy initiatives to better protect children from online recruitment. Your donations give survivors tangible help and also empower us to reach more families and communities with preventative resources.
Through our local partners, we get to come alongside those helping to meet real needs in our communities! If you would like to learn more about FAC’s community partners or how you can be involved, please contact Bev Dow, the Missions Administrator.
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