oikos, Ancient Greek (noun):
“a building consisting of one or more rooms and normally serving as a dwelling place”
A woman walked through the open door of our new church building and stayed for the prayer meeting. While we were studying the Gospel of Luke every night, she was amazed to discover that the baby Jesus was God even from birth. When the revelation struck her, she said, “I’m going to tell all my friends; they won’t believe it!”
Then there was a man who also came into our prayer meeting and sat down on a plastic chair. Standing up, he gave his first name, saying “I’m an alcoholic.” He thought he had joined an AA meeting. So, Bishop Peter Klenner stood up and said, “Hello, my name’s Peter and I’m a recovering pharisee!” That night we led him to the Lord. An amazing conversion.
Last year when we began to fundraise for our new ‘oikos’ project, we had no idea of the magnitude of the miracle God was going to perform in Crescent Beach. During the middle of a global pandemic, while everything was pretty-well shut down, God provided a way for us to purchase the Roman Catholic church building in Crescent Beach known as Holy Cross Church. On the 1st of April 2021 we took possession of the building. Holy Cross Church became All Saints Community Church!
The First Miracle
Here’s how that happened. After writing to our friends and neighbours for help, we raised $400,000 in cash. Some people gave us interest- free loans worth $600,000 and one very generous business man arranged for us to borrow the balance needed, $1,500,000 at a very low interest rate. We were able to purchase the building, and pay all our fees. People thought it impossible, but our God is the God of the impossible.
The Second Miracle
While we were still negotiating the purchase and financing of the building, a church in North Vancouver which was closing down, donated all their padded pews and two truck-loads of church furnishings to us. They also paid for the delivery of the furniture. Subsequently, we hired a furniture restoration specialist to dismantle the pews, cut them down to ten feet—the same length as the original pews in our new church—and then reassemble them. Now we have a church full of padded pews. Every time we sit down, we are reminded of God’s miraculous provision.
Now the renovation process begins. We plan to add an extra washroom to the narthex (entrance way) of the church. We’ll move the sacristy (clergy room) to the back room, upgrade the electrical and build in the choir loft to transform it into a kids cum-bible study room. We have however, come across one unexpected issue. The central beam running down the length of the church has come off its footings. To that end, we have to rip out the floor, pour new concrete footings down the center of the church, replace the central beam and re-floor the building. An extra expense of $200,000. We’re still trusting God. Here’s how we need help:
We need to raise the $2,100,000 to pay off our loans and leave the church in the hands of the next generation debt free.
We have already raised $180,000 of the needed $200,000 to pay for the repairs to the floor and foundations.
Would you please pray for us that our fundraising efforts will find people who are willing to invest in this Kingdom work and that we will soon have the needed permits for the renovations?
The Third Miracle
Since we purchased the building, we’ve held many of our services outside. It is absolutely amazing how many people walked off the street to join us for church. Every week one or two people either came and sat down to join us, or watched from a “safe distance” and listened to the service. During the worship, we’ve had bicycle riders cheer us on as they ride past the church, people on their Sunday morning walk welcome us to the community, and interested people stop and look as they go on their way. All of this leaving a positive impression on people regarding the Kingdom of God. What we are doing in Crescent Beach is essential for the Kingdom and we invite you on that journey with us.
One of our Crescent Beach neighbours came after being invited during our Week of Prayer walking. After coming in she was saved, delivered and healed. I remember her saying, “I’ve wanted to dedicate my life to God and Jesus all my life, but I didn’t know how. Will you show me?” Amazing conversion, deliverance and healing.
Then there was a newcomer who visited once while we were working on the pews. We invited him in and bought him lunch. Eventually he came back and started attending our prayer meetings. He said, “I’ve never studied the bible before.” Now he comes regularly for bible study and prayer. Amazing transformation.
This Christmas, some of the new people helped build an outdoor Christmas Creche. Many neighbour have stopped to contemplate the true meaning of Jesus’ coming to earth.
Our journey to Crescent Beach can only be described as miraculous. Many people have supported us, prayed for us, visited with us, and told others of our story. That in itself is also a miracle. Please consider joining us as we celebrate the goodness of our miracle-working God. If you would like to partner with us in Project Oikos, don’t hesitate to contact us: https://www.allsaintswhiterock.com/project-oikos-new/ )