A “new” church – Hope City Church.
A new name – Langley Evangelical Free Church is now, “Town + Field Church.”
A new vision – Richmond Chinese Evangelical Free Church celebrates their 35th anniversary with a celebration and a refreshed vision for the future.
Many district churches are launching into a new season of ministry – pray for one another!
The weekend ahead is a full one for Karen and me!
Friday evening, we look forward to joining Richmond Chinese EFC, as they celebrate their 35th anniversary.
This church, planted by pioneer “founding members” who came out of Vancouver Chinese EFC in 1983, planted a church for the growing population of immigrants from Hong Kong. The church has grown and changed, and now as they look to the future, it is with a refreshed vision and commitment to mission. Honouring their core values and calling, they believe that God is calling them to, ” strive to be a Christ-Centred community where people are deeply connected to one another for the advancement of His Kingdom.”
Sunday morning, we will join Hope City Church, as we welcome them into the LPD as a member church. This church represents teamwork, in working together to further what we believe that God has called us to join him in doing.
On September 1, 2012, our LPD invited Phil and Grace Yung to become church planting missionaries, and “hired” them. Their journey has taken them through internship, coaching, visioning, launching and planting and leading what has now become Hope City Evangelical Free Church (Hope City Church for short). Charlie Worley (EFCC), Ray Chang (EFCA), Steve Sharpe (LPD), Vancouver Chinese EFC and members of our LPD Advisory Committee Committee have invested in Phil, Grace and their ministry, as have you, as part of the LPD. We are so thankful for what God has done, and we celebrate this marker of what God has done. May they always have the heart and calling of church planters.
While we are at Hope City Church on Sunday morning, Langley Evangelical Free Church will cease to exist. Don’t worry – the church will continue to exist – but it will be known as Town + Field Church.
Why change a name, you might ask? A name change itself may simply reflect an attempt for a new image. In the case of Langley EFC, it is much more than this. It reflects a deep conviction of what God has called the church to be and to become for the future. Honouring the past history and mission of Langley EFC, the name change is part of defining God’s call to the future for Langley EFC/Town + Field Church.
While Richmond Chinese EFC celebrates 35 years of ministry, Langley EFC celebrates 70 years of ministry. Birthed out of the sacrifice and vision of Pastor Bill (Jo) Johnson, who planted and pastored New Westminster EFC, Langley EFC boldly enters a new chapter.
While I would not see much sense to change the name of a church for an “image change” itself. I do very much celebrate a name change that represents a deep conviction and passion for what God has called a church to, and I affirm and celebrate this for Langley EFC/Town + Field Church. You are in my prayers Pastor Darren (Wendy) Young and Team, as you launch this new season and chapter at Town + Field Church on Sunday.
Please view Lead Pastor Darren Young’s short video of the significance of the name change to Town + Field Church at: http://www.lefcchurch.ca/#home-section
Sunday afternoon, we host a fellowship and dinner for church planters and their families, and at last count, we have 26 adults and their children attending. We look forward to this time together with those who, believing that God is calling them to join him in the birth of new churches, are stepping out in faith. Pray for clear skies, as we will have quite a houseful!
While we are busy at Richmond Chinese EFC and Hope City Church, we know that God will be at work in each church in this new season of ministry. We will be praying for you, and look forward to telling your story too!
Please pray for:
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