Beth and Philip Bryant, church-planters in Surrey (Vancouver) British Columbia, Canada, give an encouraging report on their newest church launch, Community of Hope, in their latest e-mail update. Here is an excerpt:
It was in December of 2005 that we arrived in Surrey on a rainy night. We didn’t know anything about Surrey or the West Coast for that matter. It amazes me how much God has done since then.
It was in June of 2006 that Cedar Grove said they wanted to partner with us. It was in December of 2006 that four families were meeting regularly and dreaming of a future church called Community of Hope. It was in May of 2007 that 25 adults said they wanted to be on the team to see this new church get started.
It was in September of 2007 that over 200 people came to the launch of Community of Hope.
Wow! Now, as of this Sunday, over 100 people have been meeting each week for three months at the Strawberry Hill Cinemas as Community of Hope Church. Just this past Sunday, six adults signed on to join the membership and God continues to build His church here in Surrey.
Five community groups meet each week, a youth group is in its infancy and a young adults group meets on Sundays after services. We have seen up to nine young moms take part in the mom’s group on Tuesday mornings and relationships are growing. Life is happening at Community of Hope.
Over 60 of us took part in Cedar Grove’s Christmas Dessert Theatre – what a great outreach! There was one first time profession of faith and several of our guest who indicated a desire to know more about God. It is so exciting to see our people loving, serving and growing into a community of Hope.
Many of you have prayed and God has answered your prayers; Community of Hope is off to a great start.