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Comox, B.C.
Hope for congregations found in uniting


In June, Glacierview Christian Fellowship, a small congregation affiliated with the B.C. MB Conference, near Courtenay, B.C., merged with an Alliance congregation, forming a new church.

Located about 100 km north of Nanaimo, B.C., lies the Comox Valley, an area stretching about 50 km north to south on the east side of Vancouver Island. Once a thriving logging and fishing area, the region’s biggest employers are now the Canadian Armed Forces base, the Comox Valley School District and tourism. Many people living in the area are retired. The area is home to about 40 churches.

For over 10 years, Glacierview Christian Fellowship had a small congregation and seemed to struggle with its purpose. Then in 1996, the congregation was left without a pastor, and many people left the church. Attendance dwindled to about 12 people.

Paul Hamilton, an itinerant teacher with the Comox Valley School District, became involved in the church. The B.C. Conference was asked to assist in placing a full-time church planting couple. At that time, the B.C. Conference was unable to meet this request. In January 1998, Hamilton took a leave from the School District and became part-time pastor of Glacerview (see personalia, MBH, June 12, 1998).

Hamilton started an outreach ministry into the community. By the end of 1999, the church had grown to about 35 people. About 70 per cent of the congregation had no church background. The church met in the Hamiltons’ home. Hamilton says that he struggled with the demands of being a pastor, and with the many needs of the people which were not being met. “Many people were falling through the cracks,” he says. He felt something needed to be done.

During this time, Hamilton was meeting for prayer with other pastors in the area. One of those pastors was Ron Freeman, pastor of Comox Valley Alliance Church, also a small, young congregation, affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. The two men learned that both congregations were struggling. They also learned that they had a similar vision and style of ministry. They considered merging the two congregations.

Since the Alliance Church was on full subsidy, it made sense for the MB congregation to join the Alliance congregation.

Most of the Glacierview congregation was in favour of the merger. The B.C. MB Conference granted Glacierview Christian Fellowship permission to be released in order to merge with the Alliance church. However, the policy of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church didn’t allow a fully subsidized church to hire additional staff, explains Hamilton. “But they made an exception in this case,” he says. Hamilton went through the steps of becoming licensed with that denomination.

The two congregations merged to become Living Hope Christian Fellowship, keeping Freeman as its full-time pastor and adding Hamilton as a part-time associate pastor. Hamilton says the transition has been smooth. Prior to the merger, the Alliance church was meeting in a United church. After the merger, the two groups met in Hamilton’s house for about six weeks. They now meet in Courtenay Junior High School.

Hamilton says he appreciates the efforts of the B.C. MB Conference and its affirmation throughout the merger. He is especially grateful to Ike Bergen, B.C. MB Conference minister, for his support over the last few years.

Since the two congregations have joined, they have had a significant increase in attendance – up to 70 people. Giving in the church has also increased, says Hamilton.

Living Hope Christian Fellowship celebrated a “special service of blessing” Sept. 17. Many local church leaders were invited. In October, the congregation plans to start an Alpha course, and it is committed to starting house or care groups in the near future. Hamilton says he prefers not to be in competition with the other churches in the area, but wants to work together with them.

 – pw

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Last modified November 7, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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