AIRDRIE ALLIANCE CHURCH

Rockyview Alliance Church continued a steady growth with the vast majority of the people coming from NE and SE Calgary.  A few families came to Rockyview from NW and SW Calgary.  Seven families came from Airdrie, a growing community about 25 minutes north of Rockview.  These Airdrie families made the trip to Rockyview every Sunday, plus some mid-week activities.  With help from the Western Canadian District of the C&MA co-coordinating matters, we agreed to give birth to a daughter church in Airdrie.  Those who were in attendance at the first service were a few folks from the Airdrie area that attended First Alliance Church in the south of Calgary and from Foothills Alliance Church in NW Calgary, along with six of the Airdrie families that regularly came to Rockyview Alliance Church.

 Dan speaking at the first service in Airdrie, April 1982

Space was rented in a hotel in Airdrie for a meeting place.  I spoke at the first service in April 1982.  A male quartet, from Rockyview Alliance Church provided some special music.  We were encouraged to see a total of 47 people attend that first service.  Thereafter different speakers, including my associate Allen Powles, would speak at their Sunday morning meetings.  I believe they had at least three pastoral candidates, if not four, over the next several months.  None of these candidates seemed to be a fit for Airdrie.  Allen had spoken at Airdrie several times and the folks attending the Airdrie Sunday service appreciated his ministry.  They were asking for Allen to be their pastor.  Allen had only been with me at Rockyview for two years.  It finally got to the point that they would not take NO for an answer.

This discussion and request for Allen from the Airdrie folks continued for several weeks.  Finally, one Sunday night following our evening service at Rockyview, I met with Allen.  A decision had to be made.  We had given Allen the green light, letting him know that if he felt led to go to Airdrie that he had my permission, as much as I hated to see him leave.  However, we had to come to some decision soon.  I believe that Allen wrestled with this as much as I did.  After my meeting with him that Sunday night, I went home and told Leona that I think Allen is going to stay with us.  Anyhow, he agreed to let me know within an hour or so.  He phoned.  I was wrong.  He told me that they felt they would accept the invitation to be the pastor of the Airdrie Alliance Church.  He left us at the end of 1982.  Allen and Suzanne worked hard to see that church organized, grow and become a vital force in the community of Airdrie.  They stayed there for seven years before moving on to Barrhead.

I recently contacted Airdrie Alliance Church to get an update.  I was thrilled to hear how that church plant has continued to grow.  Today, after some 36 years of ministry, the church has two Sunday morning services with an average attendance of close to 700.  The Lead Pastor has been there since 1990, with a total of six pastors and seventeen full time and part time staff.  To God be the glory, great things He has done!

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