By Alexa Gilker

A YEAR ago, Port Hardy Christian Fellowship (PHCF) began dreaming of a new prototype for the church – one that pastor George Ewald said will “show people the love of God that we’re always talking about.”

Last May, after securing initial funding from the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, PHCF bought and took possession of the seedy Thunderbird Hotel – a move that takes them closer to fulfilling their ambitious vision for Port Hardy.  

“There are some real needs that we are attempting to address,” said Ewald. These include accessible housing for seniors, homeless teens and others. The downtown hotel, once the home of a disreputable rock-and-roll bar, is now in the process of being transformed into Providence Place Inn.

The 51 rooms have been undergoing renovations by volunteers from different churches and denominations across the country. Ewald said some 8,000 hours of volunteer time have already been clocked, thanks in part to a creative ‘adopt-a-room’ sponsorship program. There are still 11 rooms left to finish, along with an old stripper stage that is being converted into the sanctuary pulpit.  

The seniors housing ministry is already running, helpin the elderly “to stay connected to their families.”

For neighbouring native communities, the next available option for assisted living is as far away as Campbell River, or sometimes even Victoria, where seniors become completely estranged from their families. “As it is now,” said Ewald, “we even have hotel rooms for families to come stay in.”

Eradicating loneliness is  a central goal. “We desire to reach the mobility-challenged, those who are ‘shut-in’ because of illness, mild psychological disorders, strokes, et cetera,” said Ewald. “Here they can be part of a community . . . They can even come down to church if they want to.”

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The vision for Providence Place Inn doesn’t stop with housing, however. An upper floor is designated as a new 24-hour teen drop-in centre. “For those kids hanging out on the street corner, we give them a safe place that’s warm – and we love them where they’re at, the way Christ does,” said Ewald. Some, he noted, “are getting off drugs and alcohol, and that’s a victory we’ll take along with the spiritual.” He said young people thank them for the alternative space, through which they’ve “seen a lot of kids get saved.”

Ewald also described a phenomenon on the north Island, which he called “babies having babies” – referring to an overwhelmingly large number of 12 – 16 year old girls getting pregnant and dropping out of school. The young mothers are able to get funding for daycare, but are finding space in local daycares is limited.

“If we provide them affordable daycare, we also have the opportunity to assist them through our youth programs,” said Ewald. He noted a need for volunteers.

What does the community think of losing their bar and central liquor store? “They’re ecstatic,” said Ewald.  The loss means a million dollars a year in liquor is no longer being sold. Since nothing new has sprung up to take its place, “police say the face of the downtown core has changed.”

Ewald added that he was stopped on New Year’s day by a gentleman who said PHCF’s new ministry is “the biggest positive change the town has seen in a very long time.”

March 2010