B.C. pastor goes public with difficult story

Kelly Cochrane, pastor of Discovery Community Church in Campbell River, B.C. has gone very public with a difficult circumstance in his life. His picture and story, under the heading “A lesson of faith,” dominated the front page of the May 14 Campbell River Mirror.

Cochrane has been diagnosed with hepatitis C, a serious and potentially fatal viral infection that attacks the liver. The article, written by reporter Grant Warkentin – a member of Discovery Church – explains that Cochrane does not know whether he was infected during “an act of heroism or past indiscretions.” Several years ago, in Bellingham, Wash., he helped rescue a drug addict who was covered in blood. But he might also have been infected in his younger years, when he used drugs for a while. (According to the article, 65 percent of patients with the disease contract it through drug use.)

“I used intravenous drugs before I was a Christian,” Cochrane told Warkentin.

When he got the diagnosis, Cochrane had to decide what to do with the information. “It’s really politically incorrect to have this disease, especially for a pastor,” he said. “Do you want to know that your pastor is imperfect?”

The article goes on to say that he chose to be honest with his family and congregation and then found himself strongly supported by both. “In a strange way, it’s had a positive effect on our family – it’s brought us closer together,” he said.

His faith has grown stronger too. “My God could heal me in a moment, but He’s chosen not to. I want people to know my faith through my illness,” he said. “I’m saying watch me, watch God as He brings me through this thing.”

Cochrane will be in a long-term treatment program against the infection. The drug treatments are invasive, however, and may have side effects such as depression, hair loss, thyroid disease and weight loss.

In a letter to the MB Herald, Dave Ratson, moderator of Discovery Community Church, says, “It may seem strange to you at first that I would choose this time to tell you how proud we are of our pastor.” The letter enclosed the newspaper article and said that the article on Pastor Cochrane has received a great deal of response. All of it has been positive. Says Ratson, “We are just beginning to see how God is using this victory story to touch believers and non-believers in this community.”

—Dora Dueck