IMMANUEL FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH

 Immanuel Fellowship Baptist Church - Abbotsford

Before I completed my ministry at Sardis Fellowship Baptist Church in Chilliwack, I was approached by two individuals with a ministry request. I was asked if I would take another interim ministry at a Fellowship Baptist Church in Vancouver.  I declined that invitation.  The other invitation was from a friend and member of Sevenoaks Alliance Church asking me if I would consider leading a care group.  I said that I would do so and six couples from Sevenoaks, plus Leona and I, began meeting bi-weekly in the fall of 2002.   There were changes in personnel over the years, due to health and death, but I continued to lead this group for thirteen years.

In the summer of 2004 I was approached by Immanuel Fellowship Baptist Church, in Abbotsford, asking me if I would be willing to be their interim senior pastor for a few months.  Having agreed to do so, I began my ministry at IFBC the first Sunday in September.  My schedule was similar to what I had at Sardis Fellowship Baptist Church, preaching Sunday mornings, in the office Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, had  staff meeting one of those mornings and visited in the afternoons.  I also was invited to attend the elder's meetings at both SFBC and IFBC.

I regret that I had to terminate my ministry at IFBC after six months.  I experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA), one Sunday morning.  We had arrived at the church earlier than usual that Sunday.  Thinking that I had left the disc with my power point sermon outline at home,  I made a quick dash home to get the disc.  Part way home I became disoriented.  I knew I was driving, but somewhat lost.  Having driven five blocks past our condo I suddenly realized where I was and made it to our home.  I couldn't find the disc.  I arrived back at the church a few minutes late, while the congregation was still singing.  Back at the church I discovered that the "lost" disc, with my sermon outline, was in my suit pocket.  I handed the disc to the media man, slipped into a pew beside Leona, asking her to pray for me as I wasn't feeling well.  

When the time came for me to preach, I walked up to the platform and managed to preach for thirty minutes with no one, including my wife, sensing anything wrong.  That incident happened in the fall. I continued to serve into the new year at which time I figured that it would be better for me to take life a little slower.  So I submitted my resignation, with regrets.

I recommended Jim Penner, an Alliance pastor friend, to complete my interim ministry.  Jim, at that time, was caring for his wife who has been experiencing severe health issues for many years.  He lived just a few minutes away from the Baptist church.  The long and short of it all was, I concluded my ministry the end of February 2005, and Jim took over my interim ministry in March.  In September, of that year, he was hired, as their senior pastor, where he served for the next eight years. 

The six month ministry, which I enjoyed at Immanuel Fellowship Baptist Church,  meant that we had once again enlarged our circle of Christian friends.  Since IFBC is in Abbotsford, we now and then see some of these folks in the malls, restaurants and grocery stores.  When I think of the various ministries where I have served, I am reminded of Bill & Gloria Gaither's song, "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God."



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