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Calgary, Alta.
Two more MB churches for Mission Calgary


Two more Mennonite Brethren church plants have begun under the banner of Mission Calgary, the church planting initiative of the Alberta MB Conference and the Canadian MB Conference Board of Evangelism. There are now five church plants as part of this initiative, which has set a goal to plant 10 new churches in five years, primarily in the Calgary area.

Carol and Grant Galpin

Grant and Carol Galpin are pastoring Saddleridge Community Church in northeast Calgary. Northeast Calgary is considered to be the most multicultural part of the city. The church targets the Saddle Ridge area of the city, an area that Galpin describes as having few evangelical churches.

Despite this fact, the hunger for spiritual things is high. According to a survey of that area conducted by Galpin, 40 per cent of people that were contacted expressed an interest in knowing more about a new church.

The church currently meets in the Galpins’ home. On occasion, the church has used the local community centre. About 30 people are involved in small groups, and about 50 people are committed to this church.

Previously, Galpin pastored Grace Baptist Church in Airdrie, Alta. for three years and was a church planter at Bethany Christian Assembly in Richmond, B.C. for four years. He has an M.Div. from Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Langley, B.C. The Galpins have two children, Nathanael, 14, and Kayleigh, 12.

The Galpins are partnering with Ridgeview Community Fellowship in Calgary, a church plant that joined the Alberta Conference last year. Phil and Deb Wideman are its pastor couple.

Saddleridge Community Church has scheduled its grand opening service for this October.

Ray and Kathryn Wiens

The other church plant is in Edmonton, but it is still considered to fall under the mandate of Mission Calgary. Ray and Kathryn Wiens are pastoring Summerside Community Church in the Mill Woods area of Edmonton. Currently, the church has about 120-130 people attending, and attendance has peaked as high as 163.

Summerside Community Church leases the building once used by Millwoods Pentecostal Church and targets the Summerside area, a new subdivision in the city. To date, two baptisms have occurred and a third is being planned for the beginning of this month. The church also will be holding a chartering service in March.

Previously, Wiens pastored Sunrise Community Church in Edmonton for 12 years, and was a church planter in Whistler, B.C. for seven years. He has a diploma from Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C., a B.A. from the University of British Columbia, a Diploma in Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver and an M.Div. from MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif.

The Wienses have four children, Eric, Darrell, Sharon and Philip.

 – PW

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Last modified July 5, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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