This past Tuesday, we met as an elder team and started our meeting, as we usually do, on our knees in prayer. With humble, thankful hearts, we praised our Lord for His faithfulness and grace, and for His abundant care throughout this past year. We also got to spend time in prayer with the deacons celebrating their ministries and the blessing they are to the church.
We received Ministry updates for December 2025 and were amazed of God’s provision to finish the year, in such a special way. Over 2070 people joined us for our Christmas Eve services and heard the good news! By God’s grace and the generosity of our congregation, we exceeded our 2025 budget, by approximately $82,000. Central has never given so much in a year! Moreover, God’s transformational power has been evident throughout this period with so many people being led to Jesus, being baptised, and many becoming ministry partners. As well, our Ministry of Care and Counselling was launched; we started a School of Ministry; Commissioned a church, Promontory Community Church; and had tremendous growth in our youth and kids ministries. This year has been an incredible faith story and a joy to celebrate God’s provision for his church through his people working together.
Looking ahead, all ministries have now launched for the new year. School of Ministry classes have resumed for the winter semester (34 students in ‘Love In Action’; 59 for ’Through the Eyes of Jesus’); Women’s Ministry are doing a study in Malachi (north & south). On January 24, Central will host an Adoption Seminar with guest speakers Aaron & Kveta Rose. We have a churchwide worship night happening February 1 to praise God in all that He has done this past year at Central. Pastor Crystal along with three elders will be sharing at the Remembering God family equipping class on February 3. Our next Baptism and Ministry Partnership Class is February 7, 2026. So, overall, to start 2026, a lot is going on, and it is a privilege to witness God’s transforming work in people’s lives across the Eastern Fraser Valley.
In addition, regarding Promontory Community Church, we were pleased to find that they finished the year on a strong footing. The elders determined to further bless Promontory with a generous one time financial gift to provide them with support to start the new year. We rounded out the evening by learning about a partnering opportunity with a nationwide organization called “Safe Families” (Canada). This Christian based non-profit ministry helps keep children safe and families together. The elders reviewed this opportunity and agreed that Safe Families be adopted as one of our key strategic ministry partnerships.
In summary, this has been a deep faith enriching year and we look forward to continuing to serve you and are excited to see how God moves His Kingdom forward in 2026.
Leonard Feldes
- On behalf of the Elders at Central Community
Finance Update
The elders received the year-end financial summary for 2025 at the January meeting. The report was cause for celebration, as not only was the budget met, donations exceeded the budget. Our historic giving pattern held true for 2025 with a full third of our annual giving being received in the last two months of the year. Giving increase some 10% over the previous year, with total donations being $3,272,818. We are grateful to the staff for managing the expenses of the church with diligence, with expenses for the year being $3,150,544. As the result of a surplus in income over expenses, the elders authorized investing in capital projects that have been on hold, or are of an urgent nature. Replacing the sound system in Agassiz was approved, as was replacing a section of the roof on the Chilliwack building. Other investments in infrastructure will include sound treatment in the Sleese room, where children and youth meet weekly, and where the bulk of the School of Ministry classes are taught in order to maximize sound quality.
The elders invite you to join them in praising God for his provision through the church, thereby allowing us to fully engage in our mission to reach the Eastern Fraser Valley with the Gospel. As we launch into a new budget year, the elders encourage you to continue to participate in the ministry God has given to Central through your faithful giving, and the investment of the resources entrusted to you for Kingdom advancement.
ELDER'S PRAYER
We believe in the power of prayer. We value prayer. And we believe that God answers prayer and uses it as a means of achieving His purposes in the church and world.
Central's Elders invite you to come and receive prayer in the Chilliwack Campus Sanctuary.
Tuesday, February 17 | 6.30PM - 7.00PM
Chilliwack Campus | 46100 Chilliwack Central Road
You can also submit prayer requests using the link below.
Got questions or words of encouragement? We'd love to hear from you!
Please contact The Elders - elders@centralcommunity.ca