As a local church grows in size (or is forced apart because of a virus!) it can become increasingly difficult to actually know everyone in the community and, thus, to be blessed by everyone in the community. This is unfortunate because there are no unnecessary members (1 Corinthians 12:7), none who are ungifted (Romans 12:6), and not one who isn’t called to the “work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” unto spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11–13). Said another way, we need one another as Spirit-indwelled conduits of God’s grace to propel us toward holiness and, when unable to be around one another and to know one another, this process is hindered.
With that in mind, we’re going to try and “shrink the church” a bit today and, hopefully, provide an opportunity for one particular Oakridge family member to “build up the body of Christ” from afar. On this episode, Josiah chats with Shirley Buchanan about her walk with Christ, the greatest struggles in her Christian life, lessons she’s learned along the way, and much more.
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Shirley received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Applied Studies prior to completing a Bachelor of Laws at McGill University. After graduation, she worked at a global branding and design agency before transitioning to her current role at Prison Fellowship Canada, an opportunity God has graciously provided as her hearts' desire is to bring Christ’s message of grace, forgiveness, and hope to those experiencing crises, grief, and isolation. Shirley and her family have long been pillars in the Oakridge Bible Chapel community, serving in a variety of ministries over the years.
Josiah has served the Oakridge Bible Chapel family as one of its elders and one of its pastoral staff members since September 2018, before which he ministered as an associate pastor to a local congregation in the Canadian prairies. Josiah's desire is to be used by God to help equip the church for ministry, both while gathered (edification) and while scattered (evangelization). He is married to Patricia, and together they have five children—Jonah, Henry, Nathaniel, Josephine, and Benjamin.
