Mountains and ocean are what make Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, known for its natural beauty and recreation opportunities. But amid the beauty is “the absence of God,” said Ray Woodard, senior pastor of Towers Baptist Church, Richmond, British Columbia.
“Within three blocks of Towers Baptist Church, you can see Islamic mosques, a Jewish school, a Sikh temple, a Buddhist temple and a variety of other religious groups,” he said.
According to the 2001 Canada Census, 2.8 percent of the more than 3 million who live in the province of British Columbia are Baptist and “no religion” ranks as one of the highest religious preferences among immigrants.
“Our prayer is that the people of this city will not put their focus on the beauty of creation but become a follower of the Creator,” said Kristy Carr, volunteer connection specialist for national Woman’s Missionary Union. “The city of Vancouver is a mosaic of ethnicity and cultural diversity.”
Some 30,000 immigrate to British Columbia annually, making Vancouver a gateway to the Pacific Rim. “Some [immigrants] come for more opportunities, some to visit [their family], some go back home after receiving Canadian citizenship,” said Jiang Ping, pastor of Richmond Gospel Baptist Church, Richmond, British Columbia.
“If we can reach Vancouver, we can reach the world,” said John Martens, a church planter in Maple Ridge, a suburb of Vancouver.
This year marks the start of the impact year for Vancouver, the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) Strategic Focus City for 2006–2007. Strategic Focus City is a NAMB initiative to reach major cities in North America by 2020. Vancouver was chosen as the first Canadian city and the ninth North American city. The vision is to see a movement of God that will significantly impact the cities and the world with the gospel.
Cities such as Vancouver are becoming the gathering places of the 21st century, said Bob Reccord, NAMB president. “As Southern Baptists, we ignore [these cities] at our own peril,” he said.
With a population of almost 2 million in the metropolitan area, God impressed on the Vancouver leadership the goal to have 100 churches in the local Baptist association by 2010. In 2004, there were 34 churches in the association, so meeting the goal would mean an almost 200 percent increase in churches.
Vancouver Focus is asking Southern Baptists to commit to help reach the city. “Because of our small network of relatively small churches, we need external help,” said Alan Au, city coordinator for Vancouver Focus. “We are praying for many strong churches of like mind and heart who will feel called to come help reach our city for Christ.”
Dick Thomassian, recently retired associate pastor of missions at Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, in Madison Baptist Association, said his church is planning to do just that. A missions team from Whitesburg Baptist is preparing for a trip to Vancouver in July to help with outreach and missions.
“I want to urge every Baptist association throughout Alabama to participate in the Vancouver evangelistic opportunity,” he said. “Mobilize your human and financial resources and help to evangelize the strategic city of Vancouver, British Columbia, and the surrounding areas during this year.”
Individuals, churches or associations can commit to pray, participate or partner with Vancouver Focus:
• Pray. Visit www.prayvancouver.ca to view specific requests.
• Participate. Teams coming to Vancouver can help local churches and church planters with block parties, Vacation Bible School, sports camps or help in other ministry ventures, such as teaching English classes to immigrants.
FamilyFEST Vancouver, set for July 22–27, is also an excellent way for families to serve on a missions trip together. For information about FamilyFEST Vancouver call Volunteer Connection at 205-991-4097 or e-mail volconnection@wmu.org.
• Partner. Individuals and churches considering being a part of Vancouver Focus can go on a vision tour.
For more information visit www.vancouverfocus.ca.
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