Skip to main content

Oct 14, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Recently Kathy and I were in Malawi. We’ve been there every year since 2002. And in all those years very little has changed. Malawi is the 4th poorest country in Africa and it shows. Unemployment is rampant, the currency is continually devalued, and the people suffer. There is little comfort from a relentlessly corrupt government and there’s a kind of cultural acquiescence. The people seem resigned to sorrow. Yet there are flashes of hope, one of them being the ministry of an indigenous ministry called “Somebody Cares”. Founded by a remarkable woman named Theresa Malila, it is having a huge impact in the lives of suffering and dying orphans and widows. If you follow us on Facebook (@workingfororphansandwidows) and Instagram (@wowmission), you’ll receive daily updates on our partnership with Somebody Cares. WOW and Somebody Cares have partnered for 24 years and we’re constantly inspired by their world class work. Kathy and I feel privileged and humbled to come alongside this remarkable ministry. Somebody Cares is truly “the hands and feet of Jesus” in one of the darkest, neediest places in the world. We support and pray for them daily. I’m inviting you to do the same.

Sept 30, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

One of the responsibilities of pastors is to visit those of his congregation who are in hospital. I say responsibility but it’s more than that. It’s a privilege. And it’s inspiring too. Why? Because people who are sick enough to be in hospital are fully aware of their vulnerability and their need for healing. Sometimes they face inevitable death. Conversing with the dying is serious business.

So often I’ve heard from the depths of a dying person’s soul. There’s no small talk, no platitudes, no discussion of the weather. Rather it’s often about choices they made that bore lifelong consequences – choices for good and for bad. And in the face of their terminal condition they know there’s no going back.

For both good and bad memories I remind them that the grace of God knows no limits. His mercies are “new every morning”. He “knows our frame, that we are dust”, and His word tells us that “when our hearts condemn us He is greater than our hearts and knows everything”.

These moments are precious. Time and again I’ve seen palpable peace appear on their faces, sighs of relief, and quiet. We pray together. We weep together. Sometimes we even quietly sing together – often a stanza or two of a much loved hymn. Peace descends in the room and I move on with the promise to return. But I’ll never forget the hardly audible words of one dear soul I visited years ago as I was preparing to move to Jerusalem to plant the King of Kings church. “You’d better hurry pastor, or I may get there before you!” she whispered with a faint smile. And she did. She died that evening, her heart at rest in Jesus.

 

 

 

Sept 16, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

In the past 25 years with WOW my wife Kathy and I have not ceased to be humbled and inspired by the child-like faith of the orphans and widows to whom we minister. In our western world terms they have nothing but adversity. They are ravaged by HIV and AIDS and opportunistic afflictions like tuberculosis, blood cancers, dysentery, oral thrush, bed sores (yes, you can have excruciating bad sores from lying on the ground!), and even leprosy. And added to these physical sorrows is food insecurity. Yet, when we’re with them they laugh, sing, and dance (if able) with loud and heartfelt praise to the faithfulness of God. Kathy and I have often remarked at how they bless us with their joy. These are all rural people far removed from global concerns. They know nothing or little of the wars in Ukraine, Iran, and the Middle East. Nothing of the raging wildfires and floods, the political intrigues, and the scary state of the world economy. They are isolated and in that sense protected from big picture sorrows. It’s as though they live in a parallel universe. So while we are still in shock at the recent warnings from the three big AI companies re: AI’s potential to wipe out the human race in ten years(!), our WOW patients live as they’ve lived all their lives just wrestling with the urgencies of today with no concern for tomorrow. This reminds me of Jesus’ teaching that we should “think not what the morrow bringeth. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”. There is comfort in these words. Indeed we might take a lesson from our African and Indian orphans and widows: Praise God for today’s provisions of grace and love and let tomorrow, under his fatherly care, look after itself.

Sept 2, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

It’s a challenge these days to lift our eyes and thoughts above the sorrows that plague our world. The recent flooding in Nepal has us all sighing and praying. At times like these (everyday times!) we can and must turn to the scriptures. There are so many encouraging passages. Here’s some excerpts from Psalm 89 (NLT): “I will sing of the LORD’S unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness … O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O LORD? … The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours … you created it all … You created north and south … Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! … Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you … our protection comes from the LORD … Praise the LORD forever! Amen and amen!” There are several “teaching points” in these words but the comfort comes from the knowledge that “the heavens are yours, and the earth is yours”. Our Creator has not orphaned us. Indeed, as the old hymn puts it, “He’s got the whole world in his hands!” Yes, our world is in crisis, but we’re not alone. In God we trust.  

August 19, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Our planet is hurting and may be angry. I’m no “Henny Penny” declaring that the sky is falling but I’m very concerned, as are you I think, about current global disasters. Here’s a summary:

WILDFIRES

North American conflagrations in the Northwest USA and northern Canada. Mediterranean and Europe – massive spread with severe blazes in Belgium, France, Greece, England.

DROUGHT

Rhine and Danube down to a trickle. Colorado River very low. Lakes Mead and Powell levels so low that the electrical power for millions of Americans is at risk.

FLOODS

Central USA devastated with flash flooding – especially Indiana. Regions of India, China, Pakistan, Nepal inundated. Torrential rainfall Chad, Sudan, Kenya.

CYCLONES

East Asia under several storm and tsunami warnings.

EARTHQUAKES

Venezuela, Colombia, Indonesia.

LAND DEGRADATION

Amazon deforestation creating both a tinder box for wildfires and a serious reduction of a huge carbon sink. 40% of global population impacted by $577 billion loss in crop production.

Anyone who reads the Bible is aware of the dire warnings of the Book of Revelation. It is “apocalyptic” literature with regard to the end of days. Much of it is difficult to grasp. However in the 16th chapter there is reference to what are called “bowls of wrath” that will precede the final curtain on the world’s history in space and time. Three of those “bowls” resonate with our present day: Verse 8 says the earth will be “seared” by fire and intense heat. Verse 12 says that great rivers will dry up, and verse 18 warns about earthquake and hailstorms.

With millions of us suffering from extreme temperatures, and hundreds of thousands lacking food and potable water, to say nothing of destroyed homes, one wonders if we are experiencing the initial rumblings of the end. I’m no end-time prophet but, like you, I’m more than impacted by the Bible’s fair warning. As believers have prayed over the centuries I pray, “Even so come Lord Jesus”.

 

 

 

 

August 05, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Maybe for the first time in our lives many if not all of western nations are feeling a new sense of vulnerability. It’s not only the rising fear of the escalation of war, with the entire Middle East on the verge, but also the hacking of water systems, and, as one recent headline put it,”the world is on fire”. The raging wildfires in Europe and North America have us all on edge.

We need help, not from governments but from Above.

More prayer is being prayed than ever before. We need divine intervention. We need salvation from our own warlike tendencies and from an angry planet. Indeed we need a Savior.

At a time like this the words of Psalm 121 take on fresh meaning.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will not slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forever more.”

We all have an intuitive reflex when faced with calamity: O my God! Dear Lord help us!”

That’s the prayer of millions. Let’s remember He is “a present help to those in trouble”.

July 22, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Most of the world (at last count 1 1/2 billion!) were watching the World Cup last week. The “beautiful game”. The world’s most popular game called “football”( which we call “soccer”). It was intriguing and almost addictive. But beyond the televised drama there were several social media posts with pics of opposing teammates in prayer huddles after the games. Added to that were personal testimonials from star players about their faith in Jesus. These were bookended by strong statements of faith from Spain’s winning manager Luis de la Fuente. He spoke boldly about his faith stating that life had no meaning without belief and trust in God. Who knew that the World Cup would become a platform for evangelism? There is, or should be, a caveat however. Jesus made it clear that verbal profession of faith must be accompanied by a life and lifestyle of faith. “By their fruit you shall know them”, he said about true disciples. The apostle Paul stressed “the fruit of the Spirit” as vital evidence of sustainable faith. Or as the famous theologian/philosopher Soren Kierkegaard put it, ”Mere mental assent to a doctrine is not enough. Where there’s no transformation there’s no Christianity”. The scripture tells us that even the devils believe and they do something many verbal Christians never do – they “tremble”. So it’s encouraging to see and hear world famous sportsmen state their faith. But the old adage still applies: we must “practise what we preach”.

Feb 18, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Much of our western world has been in the grip of Olympic coverage. And it IS gripping. There’s something pretty much irresistible about “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” as one USA network famously put it over 50 years ago. Most of us cheer for our national athletes but we also find ourselves fascinated and drawn into many of the personal stories behind them. Some competitors have made amazing comebacks from accidents and injuries that would sideline lesser people for life. But there they are racing down icy mountains at breakneck speeds or flipping and twisting 50 feet above the ground in “big air” contests. Truly amazing.

But what I find even more amazing is the geopolitical unity that descends on the Games for two short weeks. We don’t seem to care let alone notice the political and ideological differences that catalyze global conflicts outside of the Olympics. We see and cheer for athletes, not political systems and regional conflicts. It seems that these two weeks of athletic competition eclipse the constant chaos in our world. It’s almost that we are blindsided by peace.

Another, but little reported, unifier in our world is the slow but sure growth of the church. It’s a wonder but not surprising that two of the rogue nations in daily news, Iran and North Korea, are experiencing major surges of people finding faith in Jesus. And, there’s been a long term “underground church” thriving in communist China. It brings to mind Jesus’ words,”I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. The Lord is not intimidated by political ideologies, dictators, and warmongers. He is at work. And He is Lord over the “right side of history”. Indeed He is Prince of Peace.

Feb 04, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

The book of Job is regarded by most commentators as the oldest book in the Bible. It’s a remarkable work dealing with the universal theme of suffering and evil. The troubles described bear a remarkable resemblance to much of what we face here in the 21st century let alone what humanity has dealt with over aeons. Perhaps one of the most quotable quotes comes from Eliphaz, one of Job’s three “comforters”: “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).

Or to put it in other words, “Life happens”, and it’s not always a happy happening.

When we look at the last hundred years of our history it appears that those “sparks” are flying upwards in troubling volume. Wars and rumours of wars, whether two world wars or countless regional conflicts, have defined our troubles. We are as many put it “in a mess”.

Currently we are inundated with bad news. The Ukraine is still under bombardment from Russia, Sudan is embroiled in bloodshed and famine on a colossal scale, and Iran and the USA are on the edge of another regional war. Little wonder we are troubled and as Jeremiah put it, “sick at heart”.

We need to hear Jesus. He says, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy of heart and I will give you rest”. This is more than a bromide, it’s a powerful word of truth from the Son of God. Nothing takes an omniscient Lord by surprise. He is, as always, sovereign.

Our troubles are a mere blip in history. Our Heavenly Father sees the end from the beginning and his will ultimately will prevail. It’s time to revisit the timeless statement of faith, “ In God we trust”.

Jan 21, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

There have been several articles, posts, and blogs recently about our social media culture’s push back against our addiction to screens. Smart phones, computers, and YouTube increasingly are being seen as detrimental to relationships, physical fitness, and mental health. Our demand for instant stimulation and information is wearing thin.

What’s more this social media compulsion has bled over into church life. Our services in many ways have become easy answer, simple solution, and pop culture with soft rock music and “Ted Talk” motivational sermons. And we’re tiring of it. More and more people, especially those 20-35 years old are looking for lyrically substantial hymns, proven liturgy, and expositional preaching.

Many years ago the famous pastor and author A.W. Tozer (April 21,1897-May 12, 1967) speaking to his generation could at the same time have spoken to ours:

“This is a blasé generation.
People have been over-
stimulated to the place where
their nerves are jaded and their
tastes corrupted. Natural things
have been rejected to make
room for things artificial. The
sacred has been secularized,
the holy vulgarized, and worship
converted into a form of
entertainment.”

We need to remember that Christianity has never appealed to culture. Rather it has resisted it. Indeed it is counter-cultural, calling for cross bearing and the cost of discipleship. Yet, as one puts trust in Jesus one finds, as he promised, that “his yoke is easy, his burden light”. An irony for sure, but the point of faith is obedience to his word and the knowledge that we are not saved by works but “for” works. Indeed, we’ll be known “by our fruit”.

Jan 07, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

New Year’s resolutions are “de rigeur” every January. We make these resolutions with tongue in cheek. We rarely follow through no? Most have to do with losing weight, joining a fitness club, or some other subjective concern. It’s an exercise in navel gazing. Such self-focussed resolve is looking more than a bit superficial this year. Our world is in crisis. Wherever you look you see conflict. The war between Russia and Ukraine, Middle Eastern tensions, protests in Iran, various African catastrophes (especially Sudan), the mounting tensions in Cuba and other Central American nations after Maduro’s downfall in Venezuela, etc etc make our petty self improvement new year commitments seem… petty. Better we should try to assume the “30,000 foot view” and take on the responsibility of lifting our troubled world to the Lord in prayer. There’s an old adage that declares, ”prayer changes things”. ‘Tis a mystery but for his own reasons God chooses to engage us in universal outcomes through our fervent, faithful petitions. Perhaps the most sustainable resolution we can make this year is to pray. Pray for our world. Pray for our families, our churches, our neighbours, and, of course, for ourselves. As the scriptures say prayer “availeth much”.

Dec 24, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

This Christmas, may the light of Christ shine into your heart and home. May His peace quiet every worry, His hope renew your strength, and His love remind you that you are never forgotten. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we pray you experience the joy of Emmanuel—God with us—today and in the year to come.
Blessings to you and those you love.

—Jim and Kathy Cantelon