British Columbia gives glory to God

It was a weekend set apart to glorify God. And that’s just what happened at B.C.’s annual convention May 4–5 at Central Community Church, Chilliwack. “That’s our message in a nutshell,” said provincial conference minister Steve Berg. “ ‘Now all glory to God.’ ”

During the opening session, delegates heard amazing stories of God at work. They heard there is budget, and church planters, to start six new churches in the province.

The Young Street Vocal Band entertains delegates at the B.C. convention. Photo: Jan McMaster

They heard how seven elder couples from Port Coquitlam’s Hyde Creek Church provided $330,000 to buy land and construct a church building. The other 79 members of the congregation, touched by the elders’ faith, then committed $171,000, pushing the total over the top of the $500,000 target.

They heard about Abbotsford’s Life Centre, which was welcomed as B.C.’s newest church. Pastor Bindu Sidhu said one of their first converts was his own brother. “That’s a pastor’s dream,” he said, “and it was God who did it.” The Life Centre’s goal is to be a clear reflection of the community – multi-coloured and multicultural.

In his keynote address, Berg said there’s a limit to what we ask from God, because we can’t imagine what God can do. He said we’re like the disciples in Mark 8, fretting about running out of bread when they had twice seen Jesus provide food for the crowds, with baskets left over. “We need to start acting as if God could do more!” Berg said.

Delegates vote

The following business items were approved during the B.C. convention:

• Permission to Central Community Church, Northview Community Church, and Willingdon Church societies to own their land and buildings under their own property title (92% approval). Dave Jackson from Central Community said, “Our commitment to our faith binds us to this body more than a piece of land ever could.” Willingdon’s Rick Reimer said the outcome of discussions around this issue was a greater involvement by the church on provincial boards and committees. “Let’s create a conference people want to join, not leave,” said John Redekop from Bakerview MB, Abbotsford.
• Adoption of three conference ministry priorities – “healthy churches, healthy leaders, and healthy ministry collaboration”
• Adoption of a $1.5 million budget and permission to allocate the funds according to the newly approved ministry priorities.
• Requirement that all pastors serving in B.C. MB churches be credentialed by the B.C. conference within one year of starting ministry.
• Requirement that all credentialed pastors take a course on clergy trust within three years.
• Establishment in principle of a B.C. camp executive director position.
• Affirmation of new conference moderator Reg Toews (Greendale MB).

—Barrie McMaster