Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15
It was a busy summer at Central and this past week the Elders were able to get together and celebrate the wonderful things that God is doing around the eastern Fraser Valley. At the same time, it was an opportunity to come together in prayer for those in our congregation going through difficult times and recognize that pain that still exists in this fallen world. Truly a time to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
Throughout the summer, Central was blessed to be able to connect with the communities where our campuses are located with kids camps, soccer camps, and even a day of wood cutting for families around Lake Errock. It was a wonderful time of building relationship and meaningful connections and leaning into opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with those who might not otherwise hear the gospel message. We are thankful to all the staff and volunteers who put in so much time and effort preparing for these events and faithfully serving the call God has put on us.
The end of August saw six people baptized in Harrison Lake surrounded by a wonderful show of support from the Central congregation as several hundred people gathered on the beach to celebrate together. In addition, several others became ministry partners as we continue to strive to meet our vision and mission.
With the fall kickoff to ministry, we officially launched Central’s fifth campus in Harrison. It was amazing to have 170 people, including many visitors and non-believers, come out to the launch service which now sees a local church in Harrison for the first time in several years. After a long period of preparation, renovations, and facility updates, we are blessed to have a great facility with which to minister to that community. We are thankful for Pastor Jeremy’s hard work, patience and outreach over this past year and a half and the incredible core team of volunteers committed to being the church and serving the community of Harrison Hot Springs with the love of Christ.
Many ministries are starting up again this fall which you can be both participating in and praying for. Youth Group was launched with around 90 Junior High youth and 80 Senior high students attending south of the Fraser at the Chilliwack campus and another 20 youth north of the Fraser. We are grateful to have Matt Boettcher moving into a larger role with the youth north of the Fraser as he builds on his role with our students and at Lake Errock he started in the summer. Other ministries that are starting up include the Men’s and Women’s ministry, an upcoming Freedom Session and part 3 of the Foundations Course, Faith Formation. In addition, the Bible Basics portion of the Foundations Course will be offered North of the Fraser, keep your eye out for details on that.
Staffing wise, we are thankful to hear that Pastor Matt was able to use his sabbatical over the summer to get refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to go into this ministry season. Pastor Eldon was also able to make use of some time off to get refreshed and spend time with family. The summer also saw the departure of Pastor Jayeson Wall, Cody Jackson, and Julianna Tschetter as God has called them into the next chapters in their lives. While their leaving has created some voids in ministry, we are confident that God will raise up new individuals to fill them. Please keep all the staff in your prayers.
Finally, we are always looking for more volunteers to help fulfill the lofty vision we are called to at Central. If you are not yet volunteering, we ask that you pray and discern if there is an area of support that God is calling you into.
God bless,
Tyler Schulz
- On behalf of the Elders at Central Community