(Comments from John Kapteyn on his recent western Canada visit)

It was my first visit as Executive Secretary and I did not know what to expect. I soon discovered that I was being blessed by the dedicated and hospitable brothers and sisters in Christ whom I met, ate with, prayed with and stayed with. I was most blessed by meeting God everywhere I went. I met God in the people and the ministries that clearly displayed His presence.

Pastors David, Jeremiah and Brent welcomed me to the Richmond Fujian church, It was clear they were a unified team with a desire to use their spacious facilities to enable a growing church family to deepen their faith in our Lord! They are eager to take advantage of the great opportunity which God has placed before the them to build up His kingdom.

I watched a consistory display love in action as Pastor John Manlove and his team met in a home to share what God was doing, to encourage others in ministry and to pray for one another. It was my first experience with a consistory consisting of couples and I was impressed with the god-like manner in which business was carried out. I learned how the children of the church sent 400 chickens to the poor in Africa.

I was welcomed by at a BC Classis meeting that focused more on worship, ministry and workshops than on business. Everyone rejoiced together as churches reported how God was blessing their ministries.

Meeting with Pastor Jack and the Parksville consistory over lunch, I heard how they were ministering to the elderly (the lonely) in the community with weekly meals, a monthly Prime Time event, and other activities. I heard how they provided Christmas dinner on Christmas day to 37 older persons who would otherwise have spent the day alone. This indeed was Christ coming into the world.

Pastor Bill and the leadership of Port Alberni shared how they appreciated the love and acceptance they experienced in the fellowship. The church has two teams looking at a vision for the church and at potential facilities.


Pastor Les and his team in Lantzville showed me their beautiful facilities and shared how members were bringing their grandchildren to church and how this was also attracting the children’s parents to join them in worship. The children are given tasks to do such as handing out bulletins. Summer services are sometimes held outdoors.

Pastor Jason gave me a tour of Powell River and showed me their “Front Line” ministry location in the downtown area. It’s a bridge to the community, a place for all to drop in, share their music or other talents, and hang out. The consistory discussed the 20/20 Visioning process they were beginning and I was impressed with their well-kept, fresh sanctuary and facilities. I met with our President, Laurie and her husband, Mike, with a spectacular view of the island from their window.

I was blessed to sit with Pastor John and the leadership team in Monarch - a church that will celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2009. They shared some of their struggles and showed me the beautiful anniversary books they were assembling (a work of art!). They have a good, active youth group and are reaching out in the community in a number of ways - shining forth the love and truth of our Lord!

The CP Classis meeting was a time of worship, teaching and reporting what God was doing in their churches.


In Calgary, Pastor Bart and the consistory shared its joys - the mission focus of many of the members and a new Saturday night ministry. The fellowship in Sunday’s worship was warm and welcoming.

After 11 days on the road, I arrived home at 1:00 a.m. on a Monday morning, tired but blessed.