Reflections on Indigenous Church Planting and Partnership with Fellowship Pacific
Last month, Rachel and Jacob Hwang of Maaqtusiis Community Church made the long journey from the coastal First Nations community of Ahousaht, BC to the Fellowship Pacific Ministry Centre. Alongside them traveled a vibrant group of youth leaders, eager to connect, learn, and grow.
Their time with Todd and Collette was especially meaningful. The Hwang’s have since shared their heartfelt appreciation for the warm welcome and uplifting conversations. Together, they explored not only what it means to grow in personal faith, but also how to lead and encourage others within their community in Christ. The discussions were filled with encouragement, vision, and a shared sense of purpose rooted in discipleship and community transformation.
Insights from Rachel Hwang
Firstly, what does it look like when a new church is planted in the Indigenous communities?
The Indigenous church continues to maintain its unique cultural orientation, which emphasizes respect for elders and prioritizes community values by heeding the wisdom of elders and serving others with humility, patience, and love. A planned course of action will be initiated to share the gospel with their parents and friends, thereby empowering them to assume the role of disciples of Jesus with prayer. They have identified a name under which they wish to begin sharing the goodness of God within their village, and they also remain committed to participating in monthly mission trips to reach out to other tribes and communities.
Secondly, if I (as an Indigenous potential leader) wish to serve my community as a church planter (pastor, minister), what preparations should I make? What roles and responsibilities (or competencies) will I be accountable for?
An Indigenous potential leader serving their community should embody both a learning and serving posture, which entails understanding the characteristics of Canadian church leaders and serving in accordance with that knowledge. God willing, we hope to have more opportunities to visit Canadian churches, share their ministries and prayer requests, and, in turn, recognize the blessings that arise from Canadian churches being established, sustained, and thriving across the country.
Finally, what is the significance of the partnership with Fellowship Pacific in church planting, particularly in initiating, sustaining, and thriving?
Through a partnership with Fellowship Pacific, new Indigenous churches will be strengthened in their organizational capacity, growth, and expansion to other tribes. Our objective is to witness an Indigenous movement that embraces the strengths found within Canadian churches.
A Heartfelt Invitation
Jacob and Rachel Hwang extend an invitation to the Ahousaht and Port Alberni Indigenous churches:
They would be honored to hear how God has led your communities to Christ through the support of Canadian churches. Your stories of faith, perseverance, and leadership are vital to the larger vision of God's Kingdom.
If it is the Lord’s will, Maaqtusiis Community Church looks forward to more opportunities to visit churches within Fellowship Pacific, to build deeper unity and grow together in the abundance God provides.
Let us continue this journey - side by side, church by church, community by community - as we bring the gospel to life in every corner of the land.
