Jake Thiessen, Shannon Wilm, Holly and Mike, Gwen Thiessen, and (front) Wayde and Cody |
God is still in the business of changing lives. Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. celebrated this reality on February 23, when a young couple exchanged marriage vows during the morning worship service. It was a picture of God’s goodness and faithfulness, as senior pastor Michael Dick married Mike Verigin and Holly Wilm. Pastor Dick explained that the wedding was the fruit of God’s grace extended to two hurting people. 
Mike Verigin, Michael Dick and Holly Wilm |
Mike and Holly first came to Bakerview in early 2002 requesting money for food and gas. At that time, they were both drug addicts, and their three children had been removed from their home by Child Protection Services. Mike and Holly were invited to attend the Alpha program and enjoy a free meal. They began attending Alpha regularly and heard about God’s great love for them. Soon after, Mike and Holly entered Christian recovery houses. Having committed their lives to Christ, they received strength from God to overcome their drug addiction. Holly and Mike both found strong Christian support systems and were baptized in June of 2002 at Christian Life Assembly in Langley, B.C. Mike and Holly returned to Bakerview in the fall, re-entered the Alpha program, and regained custody of their two boys. It was the answer to long years of prayer by many people, including Mike’s mother, who attends Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C.
In early February 2003, the couple voiced their desire to become members of Bakerview. In talking with them, Dick discovered that Mike and Holly were not husband and wife, although they had lived together for 13 years. The couple explained that they did not have the money to get married, even though it was their desire now that they were Christians.
Dick sprang into action, and within a week a wedding was planned. The whole church community rallied around to make the event possible. A local jeweller donated gold wedding bands, others brought fresh flowers, another couple purchased a wedding cake, and the church paid for the marriage license. The biggest surprise came when a queen-sized quilt crafted by the MCC Quilters called “The Garden of Friendship” was presented to the elated couple on behalf of the church.
The congregation cheered as the newlyweds shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Mike and Holly were then welcomed into membership and the service proceeded with the celebration of communion. At the close of the service, several people stood at the microphone to express their congratulations. Some of the most heartfelt words came from Jake and Gwen Thiessen, long-time Bakerview members, who had providentially been the foster parents of Mike and Holly’s three children. They had witnessed the amazing transformation of the whole family, and were thrilled to see the parents and children reunited.
After the service, everyone was able to enjoy a meal together, thanks to the Bakerview youth group, who had planned a fundraising lunch for that afternoon. Suddenly, the fundraiser was transformed into a wedding banquet! It was an appropriate ending for a Kingdom celebration, and an appropriate beginning for a new life centred in Jesus.
Laura Kalmar is pastor of children’s ministries at Bakerview MB Church.
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