Earlier this year, we sent out a request for our churches to consider joining us in supporting families who were displaced by the tragic fire in Lytton, BC and within two weeks we had raised over $25,000!

But you all didn't stop there and we are now thrilled to report that we have been able to contribute over $55,000 towards the work being done in Lytton!

Take a moment to read this update on how these funds have been able to love and support families in a very difficult time.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: NEW HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES

“I would never wish the Mexican border crossing to anyone, but we had no choice. We crossed a river with my baby on my husband’s shoulders – the current was so strong that I thought we would be swept away. One week later, six people died in that same river crossing.”

Can you imagine living years of your life in hiding, afraid to go outside for fear of being hurt or threatened by soldiers? For Gabriela, one of our recent New Hope graduates, this was a daily reality. Gabriela and her family were hunted, threatened, and persecuted for years. With no options left, they were forced to leave the country. After a long journey, they finally arrived safely at New Hope, where they were welcomed to a home with clean beds and cabinets full of food. They were surrounded by a brand new community of people ready to support and encourage them as they began the next step of their journey in Canada. “I cried tears of joy for the blessing I found here.” 

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: W.I.NG.S (WOMEN IN NEED GAINING STRENGTH)

“To provide women and children in need the opportunity to gain strength and to live according to their true worth.”

This is the mission of W.I.N.G.S. (Women in Need Gaining Strength), and for 22 years they have been serving the community and caring for the vulnerable women and children who so desperately need the love, hope, and safety that they provide.

UNEXPECTED LEGACY: WHEN THE END IS JUST THE BEGINNING

From death… new life. Sometimes, for various reasons churches come to the end of their lifespan. When that happens, those decades of hard work, faithful service, and sacrificial giving that have sustained it for decades do not have to go for naught. In fact, through the proviso that most of our Fellowship Pacific churches have written into their constitutions and by-laws, if and when a church comes to an end, its assets can be remobilized in various ways to ensure its legacy continues.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: MIGRANT WORKERS MINISTRY

Every year, there are about 6,000 temporary farm workers living in BC during the height of the agricultural season. These workers have left behind the people they love in order to provide for their families, and it’s not easy. There are always challenges—leaving their families behind, those families having to face not having their dad/husband there, language and cultural differences, housing issues, discrimination—and of course, just as with all things right now, COVID-19 has only made it harder.

SOUTHRIDGE SPEEDWAY: LOVING A COMMUNITY IN NEED

On July 17, 2020, a fire tore through the Madison Place Apartment building, instantly changing the lives of 49 families. They lost their homes, their belongings, and their sense of security. The Langley community immediately rallied to offer donations of clothing and furniture in an effort to help the families rebuild. While this was very appreciated, they really needed so much more. That’s when Paul, the Executive Pastor at SouthRidge Fellowship Church stepped in. He arranged a sizeable donation of gift cards from the church’s Benevolence Fund for the families to help purchase food, clothing, household items, medications, etc. He also reached out to the church, asking them to pray about how they could help. Immediately more donations of gift cards and money came in as people felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to help those in need.

GOD IS GOOD — THE MEETING PLACE, NANIMO

Back in August, we received an email from Camp Qwanoes asking if we would be willing to have three Kaleo students attend and serve in our church from September to April. We were really excited at the prospect of having them join us. The only hurdle we had to overcome was getting the students from camp in Crofton to Nanaimo—about a 45 minute drive. Conversations ensued about how we could make this happen and the only viable solution we could come up with was to supply the students a car.

SERVING FAMILIES TOGETHER — CENTRAL FELLOWSHIP, PRINCE GEORGE

At Fellowship Pacific, our mission is “to leverage the collective strength of our churches in order to produce a God-honouring impact in BC and Yukon” because we know that to reach a mission field as large as this one, it’s going to take all of us working together. It’s not just about big goals, however, like reaching an entire region, we also need each other in the ongoing, day-to-day challenges as we minister to each person in our churches and communities. Take a minute to read and be encouraged by this beautiful story of how God has used and is using the collective strength of multiple Fellowship Pacific churches to love and provide for two special families.

RADIANT LIFE OUTREACH — CAMPBELL RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH

In October 2018, CRBC took over the ministry at Radiant Life Outreach, so I have been bringing leadership to the ministry for 6 months now. Time sure does fly by!!

For those six months, there have been many peaks and some hurdles as I have learned to lean on others for wisdom in the things that I don’t know anything about. God is faithful and has seen us through each and every trial.

REACHING OUR CITY — SAANICH BAPTIST CHURCH

These are a few examples of outreach initiatives that Saanich Baptist has been involved in in 2018. Many of these are possible for your church to do in your own communities.

SMITHERS BAPTIST CHURCH

As with many small towns, Smithers hosts an annual Fall Fair complete with a parade that runs through the centre of town, down Main Street. It had been many years since our church participated in the parade, so in 2018, we decided to get involved by entering a float.

AMANDA’S STORY — NORTHERN COLLECTIVE CHURCH

Northern Collective Church launched as a new church plant out of Mountainview Church in Whitehorse last April and Pastor Harrison Kwok is excited to share this story of God’s redeeming love for Amanda who is the church’s first new believer. In her own words, Amanda shares her journey to redemption.