Ted Adomanis, director of finance and administration with GBCanada, sent along this story, which is included in the upcoming Christmas update from the Canadian Grace Brethren. It’s news of a congregation in Bow Island, Alberta, Canada, who will be seeking to join the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches next summer. Oliver Edwards, who planted Grasslands Church, a Grace Brethren congregation in nearby Medicine Hat, Alberta, is the pastor. (Adomanis also serves on the board of directors for the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation.)
Bow Island Church Joins Fellowship
Since our last newsletter a lot has happened in Bow Island, the small town 60 kms SW of Medicine Hat. One of the first things Pastor Oliver did after being hired by the church was to lead the elders through a process of clarifying and defining their mission, vision, values and strategy. Prayer and discussion followed as the opportunity of purchasing a building interrupted the process. While considering financial options, Oliver invited Ted Adomanis, in his role as a GBIF director, to introduce the financial benefits of fellowship to the Bow Island church. The Grace Brethren Investment Foundation has always been a champion of our movement in Canada. The leadership loved what they heard. A month later, Mitch Van Rassel, President of Grace Fellowship Canada, was invited to also visit the Bow Island leadership while touring the two Canadian Fellowship churches, Grasslands and Community of Hope. Through that meeting they learned more benefits from being connected in fellowship. A few weeks later, Oliver accompanied two church elders to the Northwest Focus Retreat in Washington State. It was during that longcar ride back to Canada that the elders became thoroughly convinced that these were “our kind of people.” Having the church be a part of a fellowship of churches who care and help each other was something that they wanted for their church family.
On November 15, the Bow Island elder board unanimously voted to request membership in Grace Fellowship Canada and the North American FGBC. The church is excited to be a part of starting new churches and reaching the many Canadians who remain far from God. They are anxious to contribute to the network of churches with what they have to offer and receiving in return love and fellowship with people who share common passions. Please welcome Oliver and his elders from the new Bow Island Community Bible Church next summer in Toronto at Margins!
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