Stories of Hope

We're Part of Something Bigger   Recently, I've had a number of people ask me how it is that we periodically have pastors from other Christian Reformed Churches in the area preaching for us. You may have noticed that, since this past September, that happens once each month and they are called Classical Appointments

  December 28, 2016 saw the arrival of Ghada and her grandchildren. They have joined Ghada’s daughter Reem and children in their temporary home in Bowmanville. We are thankful that they are reunited as a family group and that they have had opportunity to connect with Feras and Shahla and their extended family in Canada.

Love All - An Affirmation   For the past number of years the plight of Syrian refugees has been in the forefront of the news. The brutalities and horror of the conflict between various factions have taken an enormous toll with mind boggling devastation and death. Many millions have fled for their lives leaving their generational homes and communities.   Countries and communities throughout the world have responded as borders have been opened and refugees welcomed. I am thankful for the small part we as Hope Fellowship have chosen to play in responding to the great need

  The first meeting of the subcommittee looking for housing for our Syrian friends confirmed what we expected: finding both temporary and permanent housing for our group of seven would be a significant challenge

Hemorrhaging Faith - Part 2   The previous issue of The Sun introduced an extensive study on the reasons for the significant exodus from the church by young people and young adults. While this problem isn't new, what has changed is that the primary age of “dropping out” has moved into the high school years, with the university and college years coming a close second.

Hemorrhaging Faith - Part 1   At Hope Fellowship we are blessed to have many teens and young adults as active and regular participants in church life. I’m excited about and grateful for that! I love hearing young people say “we’ve got a great church!” That being said, it is likely that you are aware of the fact that within Christian churches throughout Canada teens and young adults are dropping out of church life at a very significant rate.