Stories of Hope

  It all started in January with a phone call to the office, “We’re planning our summer holidays, can you tell me when VBS happens this summer?” And we could, because at that time four women were already meeting regularly to plan this year’s Vacation Bible School.   Hope Fellowship’s VBS, called “Cave Quest” was held the first week of summer holidays.

  For days now, we have been averaging only 4-5 hours of sleep because we keep reviewing last week's "over the top" farewell weekend.   The songs we sang during our God-glorifying worship services have become a joyful musical loop that runs constantly in our heads. Your affirming words keep coming to mind.

  They say it takes a village to raise a child. Apparently it also takes a village to celebrate a pastor who is retiring. There was a veritable army of people who worked on the retirement celebrations for Pastor Peter and Marja.

  Deacons are often asked to help people from the community.  This past year we were able to help a man who had no hope left.  His life had spiraled out of control.  This could be you or me at any time.

  Thank you for extending a call to me thirteen years ago. After fifteen wonderful years at Jubilee Fellowship in St. Catharines, Marja and I were ready for an exciting new challenge. You invited us for a date and followed it up with a Letter of Call. That was a wonderful leap of faith on your part

  Every year we celebrate a “Stand Up Sunday” at Hope Fellowship. The name comes from the old hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” and that’s exactly what happens. Men, women and children stand up and declare their faith in Jesus.

  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