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Stoney Creek, Ont.
Mountview MB Church closes, hopes to restart


Mountview Mennonite Brethren Church in Stoney Creek, Ont. held its final worship service on November 4, 2001. However, a restart will hopefully happen early in the new year.

The “closing celebration” was filled with mixed emotions for the 151 people – from the congregation’s past and present – who gathered to worship the Lord and give Him thanks for how He has worked in people’s lives during the history of the church. Many testimonies of people coming to the Lord through the ministry of the church were heard. Those present heard how God had used the church family to draw people closer to Him and bring healing, peace and comfort to their lives.

Pastor Craig Frere shared a message of encouragement and challenge from Psalm 149. As Christians, we don’t stop celebrating the Lord just because the battle gets difficult. We must keep praising Him because no matter how situations change, the victory belongs to God, he said.

Henry Wiebe, moderator of the Ontario MB Conference, and Clinton Bell, director for the Board of Church Extension, also shared words of encouragement and support.

Mountview MB Church began in 1954 as a ministry of Vineland (Ont.) MB Church. Members of the Vineland Church held Sunday school on Sunday afternoons in Lake Avenue School for children in that community. In 1958, the Ontario Conference built a basement chapel in Hamilton. In 1966, the church moved to a new facility at 380 Highway 8.

The congregation remained small over the years, never growing beyond 80 or 90 people. The last few years attendance stayed between 40 and 50 people. It became obvious that things couldn’t remain the way they were, and some families left for a variety of reasons. At that point, a decision was made to close the church, hire a church planter and lead those remaining in a restart. While Nov. 4 marked the end of an era for many people, there is a strong sense of hope in what God is going to do in the future. About 15 people have committed themselves to being a part of the restart which is expected to take place in early 2002.

Pastor Craig and his wife Kim will not be involved in the restart but are stepping aside in preparation for a church planter to lead the work. They are currently seeking the Lord’s will for future ministry.

 – a release

Closing celebration

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Last modified December 7, 2001.

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