Living Hope celebrates after trying times

Living Hope Church in Saskatoon recently celebrated the purchase of the building they rented for five years, dedicated the building, celebrated their fifth anniversary, and completed their annual 24/7 prayer week.

Ribbon cutting at Living Hope Church, Saskatoon

The journey to the Mar. 5 celebration was no easy feat for the congregation of about 120 people, however. In spring 2005, the congregation voted to raise a minimum of $50,000 by the end of the year to purchase the church building they had been renting. Before they could begin this daunting task, their pastor Dwayne Harms was diagnosed with cancer. After a brief battle with the disease, he passed away Aug.16.

That fall, with half the time to fundraise, Living Hope Church renewed its commitment to purchase the building. They held a garage sale, youth concert, walkathon, craft sale, and New Year’s Eve gala to successfully raise approximately $80,000 by the end of the year, enough for the down payment, legal costs, and much-needed new carpet.

The celebration service featured upbeat praise and worship, speakers Ralph Gliege and Janet Harms, a blessing from Dwayne Barkman of Living Hope’s “parent” church (West Portal Church), and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

—Crystal Stroeder