|
Brand New Baptist
Work in Ottawa
By Rev Terry Orchard ('79)
An Urban Spiritual Acorn
Why is it that we are so comfortable in staying in the box.
The word of God is unchangeable, as is the nature of man.
Cultural and social structures however are fluid ---subject
to change over time. At one time until recently the main
reception of information was audio, but now in the Internet
age it is visual. At one time there was a more cohesive
family and community structure, but now this has fragmented
as people move farther away for work or studies. These
factors all pose challenges for the Christian church today.
The church in New Testament times was one based in
community, and built on caring relationships Acts
2:42-47.Today the church can so easily become a mega
commuter church servicing through its programs a diverse
population of people traveling from a wide area. Yet
sometimes there is little or no impact on the local
community. At other times inner city areas of great need
often lack a church presence because churches have either
died or have moved away to the suburbs where land costs are
much lower and are in proximity to young families looking
for a worship environment. The inner city area is also now a
tougher mission field to reach requiring a greater
investment of time and energy so it is easy for
denominations to look to the suburbs instead.
I have lived for 25 years in an urban area of very diverse
contrasts. Across from my home, a house was recently listed
for $750,000.Families take young kids to hockey or other
programs. Just 3 streets away is one of the largest,
toughest social housing projects in Ottawa. There are people
including Christians who are afraid to go in there. This
area has some of the highest robbery and assault rates in
the city. Three gangs operate in the area. Most Christians
living here have tended to go to mega churches outside of
the area, some go the few traditional churches here, and
some go to a few small recently established works that have
had limited influence—one of those groups is thinking of
moving away to the suburbs to build a worship center. The
area has also had extensive door to door visits by Jehovah’s
Witnesses which limits the effectiveness of this type of
outreach.
On September 20th 2009 we started holding services in a
school gym near a large social housing development in the
Britannia area of Ottawa. We have had over 1800 flyers
distributed in local mail-boxes, and extensive media
coverage. These efforts have so far resulted in greater
community awareness and a family coming to services. Prior
to starting there were promises by various families
contacted in visitation that they would attend, but most did
not follow through on that commitment. The people who are
attending are primarily coming as a result of relationship
connections established by us through living in the
community, or by finding us through the Internet. My
involvement as a community activist on issues such as crime,
my full-time employment in a government agency, my
membership on the boards of directors of community
organizations and my wife’s connections with young couples
through play groups she takes our young son to, as well as
her ethnic connections to other Filipinas has all resulted
in relationships being built over time. Our extensive
multi-lingual web site
www.britanniabaptistchurch.com/ with games and videos
links has resulted in local people finding us, as well as
people from many other countries. A Christian in the Middle
East contacted me by e-mail from the web site saying he
hopes to join us when he comes to Ottawa to study.
We have started as a complete work of faith. We tried
meeting in our home for bible studies, and had a special
speaker—ex-gang leader/ex-convict-- come into the community,
but few people came out as a result. Our home church was too
far away to provide people as a church core to build on.
Recent newcomers are difficult to attract to us as they
usually prefer to attend a church where members are from
their former country and services in their native tongue.
The home church, local association and denomination could
provide limited or no financial support. My position as a
bi-vocational pastor though has given me the stable
financial support for my family during this starting period.
In faith we have rented a school gym which can be divided
into a meeting area and a place for kid’s activities. We
have gone under the umbrella of the home church as a mission
extension for 3 months—they will help cover our bare-bones
budget-- and have had many people praying for us.
Our experience is not a one size fits all procedure to
follow. Each urban area is different, but hopefully what has
happened here will offer insights for others contemplating
similar spiritual ventures. Two women we have known for some
time are now coming, and both have not been in a church in
years. This in itself is very encouraging. God also answered
our prayer in providing some mature Christians who are
coming to support us. We believe that as a spiritual acorn,
in time we will grow into a strong presence for God in this
community. Ps 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, its
builders labor in vain. This is His work. May He receive the
honor and glory through the efforts made in this
community—Amen.
|
