From The Desk of Our Executive Minister

Imperialism, Islamism, Communist Colonization, Crony Capitalism…

 It's quite easy these days to get pulled into ideological antagonisms and demonizing the other. Certainly there are anti-life and anti-Christ behaviours of various actors local and global that should be called out. However, where the world is changed is often not in the great moves, but the little.

Church Plant Update

Dear Friends at MCBC,

As Valley Road Church moves into its third year, we want to express our sincere gratitude to MCBC for the ongoing support, encouragement, and prayer that have helped sustain and shape this work. We are thankful for the partnership we share and look forward with anticipation to what lies ahead in 2026.

When the Church Listens Both Ways

On October 16, 2025, thirteen participants—including three Canadians—embarked on an Anabaptist Learning Tour in Guatemala and El Salvador organized by CASAS, a program of SEMILLA Latin American Anabaptist Seminary. While each visit offered insight into faith lived amid complex social realities, one encounter left a lasting impression—a moment of unexpected solidarity that reshaped assumptions about who gives and who receives in global church relationships.

From The Desk of Our Executive Minister

At North American Baptist Seminary, where I studied for my MDiv, one of the ethics courses used Glen Stassen's Kingdom Ethics. This was a marvelous text in which he, and co-author, David Gushee, used the Sermon on the Mount [SOTM] as a key source of a Jesus-Centered way of practicing the faith in real life (Orthopraxy). They identified 14 "triads" (groups of three, not the Chinese mafia) in the SOTM. Jesus cites the problem, traditional 'righteousness' approach and its vicious cycle, and then a new way forward. A way that has a transforming initiative which breaks the vicious cycle we get trapped in through our false holiness or other ways of control.

Revitalization Grant Nov Update

Shawna Swanson is growing our youth ministry at UMCBC through weekly Bible studies in the Psalms, service opportunities in our church, and outreach events in the community. Looking forward to a local youth conference and possible missions/service trip in 2026.

IW Global Companion for January 2026- China

Pastor Y is visiting anabaptist leaders who face similar challenges to their ancestors in faith. Read more and pray for China, the International Global companion for January. 

From the Desk of Our Executive Minister

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish you, your family, and our shared extended spiritual family of Jesus’ followers in the Anabaptist stream in BC Merry Christmas and Christmastide!

From The Desk of Our Executive Minister

When I think about some of the core aspects of why I identify with the Anabaptist stream of Christianity (I am shaped by Anabaptism, Evangelicalism*, and Spirit-filled streams), there is one focus above all: King Jesus Gospel. Many folks my age (give-or-take) who have straddled Evangelical and other streams of Christianity have done at least two hours on a cold Tuesday afternoon as a neo-Calvinist/neo-reformed "theobro" (and yes, it's usually "bro"). *the Bebbington definition.

Emissions Reduction Grants 2025

All eight Mennonite Church Canada congregations that applied for an Emissions Reduction Grant in 2025 were approved!

Advent 2025

Matthew 2:16-18 NIV
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”

From the Desk of Our Executive Minister

Every new church year (Advent) and then the calendar/work year in January, there is a threshold space (liminal time/space is the $20 word) in many people's hearts and minds. One of the most powerful spiritual formation tools is using the calendars of life in your discipleship practices as a church community and personally.

Season of Gratitude

This week on MCBC's Season of Gratitude, we want to thank Darnell Barkman.