Saturday afternoon, February 24th at 1 pm saw almost 90 people gather at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Victoria to share what God had called them to live out this year.
Fourteen out of fifteen churches came together. Fourteen churches exchanged covenants, the highest response in any region. I found it very moving to see Paul Pearce lead 14 church leaders in the covenanting part of our time. Below are some comments Paul makes about the time.
The recent listening sessions were a time of encouragement and challenge as we had the opportunity to hear what God is doing through the ministries of our BUWC churches. Each region reflected the commitment of our local churches to contextualize their ministries to their communities. The diversity being expressed between urban/suburban and semi rural was refreshing. The honesty and transparency of churches struggling and uncertain about the future also reflected the integrity of those who are working through significant times of change and challenge.
The Vancouver Island Saturday afternoon session presentations varied from the novel and creative Crosswinds ministry, to the stable and intentional care of seniors, to the excitement of new churches (Arbutus, Jubilee), to the growing and significant smaller city churches (New Life, FBC Nanaimo) and the development of New Hope Farm (Mustard Seed).
The value of these times for those who could attend was to gain a bigger picture of our BUWC work together and network churches for future resourcing. The commitments mutually made as we recovented around our shared ministries will be helpful and directional as we plan for the future of the BUWC. God was with us as we took time to share some time and ministry updates together!
What a group. From street churches to small island towns. From farms (Mustard Seed) to completely edgy new technology (Crosswinds in Sidney) from a heart for our sisters and brothers in the First nations community to new building for ministry in Elk Lake and Nanaimo. Too many stories to tell for now.
Warmly,
In Christ
Jeremy Bell
VANCOUVER ISLAND – 14 requests
First Baptist – Naomi Hersom
Legs
Intern from Carey/Regent to develop and coordinate programs under the leadership of our church
Feasibility?
Help in implementing the objectives we defined
Comox Community – Alida Houghton
Finding a pastor
Networking with other churches
Creative ways of ministry
Crosswinds – Norman Archer
Sow seeds among retired pastors and committed lay people to begin a “Crosswinds” in their community
Gateway – Peter McRaild
By being a resource in promoting unity and prayer among the churches that they may be released to be the “church” within the context of their community
Emmanuel – Rob Fitterer
To provide training and resources in recruiting, equipping and empowering volunteers, especially in ministry with university students
Elk Lake – Les Biggs
Leadership training and resources
Mustard Seed Church – Tom Oshiro
Prayer
Family Centre Building to minister to children, the innocent victims of poverty
Good volunteers with a Christian background
Calvary Baptist – Steve Lorimer
To advise, coach and mentor a unified Calvary Baptist as we staff and build for kingdom growth and community care
Western Community – Mike Oshiro
Financial: to help us with commitments and staff
Guidance while we rebuild
Dedicated support for our pastor
First Nanaimo – Paul Leslie
Engaging the churches of Vancouver Island in regional activities and gatherings
New Life, Duncan – Greg Sumner
Provide resources and people for specific topics such as:
- leadership assessment
- policy templates
- salary grids more appropriate to the locale (ie Van Island)
Work closely in the securing of our third and fourth pastors
Jubilee Christian – Bob Greene
To assist and enable the development of a network of small churches
Arbutus Christian Fellowship – John Schaper
Help us find space for an excellent youth and family ministry
Help us with creative ideas on how to build such a ministry
Qualicum Community – Allan Walker
For the Baptist Union to be more open to the Holy Spirit and be less bureaucratically hindered (life in the Lord leads to more life)