Five minutes on Friday

Please remember,

Vancouver Chinese
Evangelical Free Church

– our LPD “Church” of the Week.

Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!

There is much to learn from churches in small communities. Often, they are one of only a couple of churches in town, and the other church will be either a cult or sort of a “counterpoint.”

This presents both opportunities and challenges. One opportunity is for the local body of Christ to be diverse and in the EFCC sense to “major on the minors.” People do not “church shop,” and find one that meets their needs and preferences in style, ambiance and music. There is no real choice.

It also gives the opportunity to speak into and influence the whole community for Christ.

Thirdly, every member matters and everyone has a role to play! No need to audition – you’re needed – and we do not demand or even hope for perfection!

The challenges come in that with diversity, unity must be in Christ, not in personal preferences. Charismatics and non-charismatics must get along. When there is disunity in the church, this becomes public knowledge and can negatively impact the reputation of the church (and Faith), and the witness of it’s members.

There are several pastors in our district who are pastoring in “small” churches and church plants. Some of these are also in small communities. Two of these churches are currently searching for their next pastor – bi-vocational pastors. Please pray for the “small churches,” their leaders and their pastors.

Here are a couple of articles as encouragement to smaller churches. In reality, all churches should have the “body life” of small churches, where every member matters and has a place in the life and ministry.

Three Reasons to Not Discount Pastoring in a Small Town
https://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2018/03/12/three-reasons-not-discount-pastoring-small-town/

Three Types of People in a Small Town
https://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2018/01/11/three-types-people-small-town/

Speaking of small towns, Pastor Ben Crumback’s father Brian, devoted his life to serving in small communities on the West Coast. Brian and Mary Crumback served with North American Indigenous Mission. They have been deeply respected and loved by many, and only in heaven will the impact of their ministry be realized.

Brian passed away on March 6, and I have invited Ben to share a brief biography of his father with us. Here it is below.

Brian & Mary Crumback have spent the last 30 years serving with North American Indigenous Ministries among the First Nations people of British Columbia. Brian’s heart was to share the good news of Jesus Christ, and over the years he was able to do exactly that in Prince Rupert, Merritt, Campbell River, and by boat in many remote villages up and down the North coast of BC. Brian was diagnosed with cancer just over a year and a half ago, but continued to minister and share with people as long as he was physically able. Brian truly had a heart for the Lord, and on March 6^th 2018 he entered into the presence of his Heavenly Father.
Brian was 65 years of age & is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Sarah, & sons Ben (Anna) & Michael (Courtney). A memorial service will be held at Camp Homewood (on Quadra) on March 23rd at 2 pm.

Please Pray for:

Ben and Anna Crumback. Please pray for them, after the passing of Ben’s dad, Brian. Please also pray for the Crumback family as they grieve – with hope, and for the memorial service on Quadra Island on March 23.
EFCC Board Meeting today, Friday, March 16.
Pray for Central EFC in Courtenay, as they seek the Lord in purchasing a suitable building to house their church and ministries.
Steve (Gillian) Sharpe, as Steve establishes himself in his new role as LPD Missionary of Church Planting Development. In this role, Steve is serving both our LPD Church Plants and missionaries, and also across the EFCC. We are thankful for Steve’s ministry and are glad to share it!
At conference, Pastor Sammy Kabyemera updated us on the intensifying violence in Congo, and also on the refugees who have fled to Uganda.
The refugees are in a serious need of tents to extend the gathering space due to the flooding number of the refugee who have arrived in the camp.
As for today they told me they are in a quick need of $1200 for buying tents and sticks to extend the place for worship
Sammy is seeking people who would continue to pray and if they could donate also, this would facilitate the project.

Please Pray – and please give, as you are able. Gifts can be made through Jesus Grace International Church. Contact Pastor Sammy at: http://sammykabyemera15@gmail.com

Quadra Island Bible Church in their pastoral search.
The Steveston Project Team – Allen and Hannah Chang and Daniel and Joyce Wong. Praise God for a Core Team and lives being touched with the Good News.