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Kitchener, Ont.
Church buys a fire hall


The minister stops for a dramatic pause, and the silence is filled by a siren. The fire trucks from the station next door are called out to an emergency. Members of the congregation have a chance to pray for the people involved. When the siren’s wail fades in the distance, the sermon can begin again. Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church is located on a busy city street, with a coffee shop and a car dealership across the road and a fire hall right next door.


About a year and a half ago, the fire hall became vacant as the firefighters and their equipment were relocated to a growing subdivision. A group of visionaries at the church became excited about the idea of purchasing the fire hall. Having control of the building and land would allow the congregation to determine how the site would be used. They felt the former fire hall held lots of possibilities because of its size and proximity to the church.

Eventually the church decided to take on a tenant for the building. Youth For Christ, a nondenominational youth outreach organization, had exciting, innovative ideas for turning the building into a teen drop-in centre. In a formal presentation to the church, YFC put forward a moving testimony of the work in which it is involved. Young people shared stories of how the Youth For Christ staff had become their friends and mentors. Many of the teens had come from abusive, neglectful or economically deprived homes, and every indicator had suggested that their lives were heading toward deep trouble. Youth For Christ staff explained how a drop-in facility would help them connect with the youth, share the life-changing message that Jesus Christ loves them and offers them hope for a new way to live.

Youth for Christ took possession of the building on November 1, 2002. The initial task was to renovate a fire engine bay into an activity centre. A full-time staff worker has been hired to direct activities and work with the young people. Church members are excited about their relationship with this new neighbour and about being ongoing supporters of its work. They hope that the drop-in centre takes off “like a house on fire”.

 – Lynn Graham

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Last modified January 10, 2003.

© 2003 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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