Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/78

Contributor - Murray Moerman

Title - New Life Community, Burnaby B.C.

Topic - New Life Community, Burnaby B.C.

"We are pleased and excited about recent happenings at New Life Community Church! People's lives are being touched by the Lord! For that we are grateful to Him and this is what we want to share with you in His name."

A young woman had accepted Christ as a child but didn't live for the Lord. This spring she was invited to New Life Community Church by friends, has re-committed her life to Christ and now wants to be baptized. By her baptism she wants to say to the world, in her own words: "I want no more to live for myself, but now only for Christ."

An older couple had been married for 34 years. He was Catholic but had not returned to the Catholic Church since his marriage. Now since the couple has started faithfully attending New Life Community Church he feels spiritually ready to receive Communion - after 34 years! For that spiritual step we are thankful.

Much of our ministry continues to be with those with family problems. One woman was left by her husband with their nine year old son. She had not been n a church for many years and became severely depressed. Two women of our fellowship began to take her under their wing and to care for her. Soon she had recommitted herself to Christ, joined one of our Bible study groups and is now also in the pastor's class. Another woman with family problems accepted Christ as her personal saviour in the midst of her crisis and has since become an enthusiastic evangelist encouraging many of her neighbours to consider Christ through the ministry of the One Hundred Huntley Street television program.

A younger couple had lived on the west coast for two years but remained lonely and were considering moving back east to be with friends and family. They had not been to any church in the seven years since they had been married. Their children were invited to our vacation bible school ('77) and enjoyed themselves so much that the parents decided to also visit a worship service. They have not missed since. Recently the young father was offered a job back east with a fifty percent raise. His response? "No, we'll stay. We've found our spiritual home here!"

Stories like these excite me because they show Jesus continuing at work in people's lives. This summer's vacation bible school brought out fifty children for a week of learning about the value and joy of praising God. Those who were new, received personal visits from their teachers to invite them to attend Sunday School regularly. Responded one youngster: "I wish the other school was only one week and vacation bible school was all the rest of the time

Our most emphasized program continues to be our weekly home bible study groups. This fall we have eight such groups, all in homes, all led by lay people. We have found that the best leaders are those who begin by saying: "I'm not sure I am able to do this, but I will give my very best.,, In these groups deep commitment to Christ, His word, and to fellow Christians has developed. In fact, I believe that more significant decisions, commitments, and sharing continues to take place in these groups from week to week than does even during Sunday morning worship services. These small bible study and prayer groups gathered in homes during the week are the backbone of our fellowship.

One of the other emphases of our fellowship is the acceptance of diversity in the body of Christ and the caring for all equally. People from backgrounds as diverse as Baptist, Anglican, Mennonite, Catholic and Pentecostal have joined us and we are delighted with the way Christ is knitting us together in Him. We want to accept and care for one another as Christ has accepted and cared for us. It is a joy to be a part of that and to see it happen.

We have grown. Numerically our attendance has increased by twenty percent between January 1 and September 1. Average attendance for that time, including children, has been 85 persons. During that same period personal giving has increased by sixtv-five percent. Our budget for the year is $18,000 and by present indications that figure will be reached. That speaks to us of growth in personal vision and commitment We are trusting the Lord for still' more growth in all these areas and for Him to touch yet many more lives even day to day. The Lord has been faithful to us and has in store for us yet greater things as we are sensitive to His Holy Spirit. IN HIM WE TRUST!

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