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This is the first of two ‘snapshots’ of
the church in Abbotsford. Next month will include a focus on
Abbotsford’s large Indo-Canadian community, M2W2 prison ministry and
the new hospital. It will also have an interview with Northview’s new
lead pastor, Jeff Bucknam.
 | Fraser Valley from Sumas Mountain |
SITUATED mostly to the north of the No. 1 Highway, some
30 minutes from the Port Mann Bridge, Abbotsford – aptly named ‘city in the country’ –
is a fast growing centre with no appreciable high-rise downtown section.
Five highway exits indicate something of its hidden size. Abbotsford
International Airport serves as a reliever airport to Vancouver.
The town seems to have a church on every corner, and
has around 100 churches all told. Indeed, Abbotsford's largest religious
group is ‘Christian,’ at 61.4 percent of the population
(according to the 2001 census).
City of Refuge
 Abbotsford has for many years had a significant
ministerial. In the late 90s, they became the Abbotsford Christian Leaders
Network (ACLN). Mitch Burrows (pictured), head pastor at Abbotsford
Christian Assembly, leads the ACLN.
“We have around 60 churches actively
involved,” he said.
ACLN’s stated mission is: “To unite the
whole church to love the whole city with the whole gospel.”
As an example of this mandate in action, Burrows cited
Love Abbotsford, an annual event involving church members doing acts of
kindness and service for their neighbours. An extension of this is a new
initiative called ‘City of Refuge.’
“Things like Love Abbotsford, over the
years, have been influential in helping Christians see that connecting with
neighbours is not just a once-a-year event,” said Burrows.
 | Abbotsford's South Fraser Highway |
“This has led to a matured vision being fleshed
out at present, in ‘City of Refuge.’ It aims to call a
wider network of leaders together – not only including pastors, but
Christian business leaders, educators, ministry leaders and others, in
addressing the growing social needs in our city.”
Burrows said the ACLN is zeroing in on an exciting
vision of increasing church support for agencies like the Food Bank
and the Salvation Army’s new shelter, and raising awareness of issues
like homelessness.
“What if we could eliminate wait lists for M2W2,
Big Brothers and Sisters? What if the church taught that social services,
mental health, and children and families were also missional occupations
for intentional young Christians entering the workforce?”
Abbotsford churches, he said, “already make many
individual good efforts in these areas. What the City of Refuge concept
envisions is doing it on a far more sacrificial, intentional, strategic,
comprehensive and coordinated basis.”
Sally Ann
Deb Lowell, public
relations director for Salvation Army Abbotsford is based in the old
‘Lego’ building, now redecorated and named ‘The Centre of
Hope.’ She outlined the work of the centre, along with the shelter
they run.
 | The central Sevenoaks Mall |
“The centre has 20 shelter beds, a full time
counsellor, nurse, case workers and outreach workers. We now see many
senior citizens who just can’t make ends meet. There are also the
‘working poor’ young families. There are many seniors without
proper accommodation, and many suffer with diabetes.”
Lowell noted another surprising recent factor.
“Our numbers have increased since gas prices have risen. When you are
so near the
edge, such an increase is impossible to deal with.” Another element
she considers critical is the lack of detox beds for those wanting to come
off drugs.
“There are two beds in Chilliwack, and none
allocated in the new hospital. I think detox is a foundational resource in
Abbotsford – yet it is a crucial missing link.” The Shelter is
open 24 hours a day year-round, and has 20 emergency care beds.
Andy Kwak, the new executive director at the Centre of Hope, has started 'Super Sundays' - with an 8:30 am church service, and brunch at 10 am. "Last week we saw 62 people come out," Lowell said.
The Salvation Army also provides up to 70 people a full breakfast, and more than 100 lunch every day. They also have 14 independent living suites onsite, for men who stay up to a year. "Upon completion," she said, "many of these clients return to volunteer - and some even are employed."
Continue article >>
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 | House of James Christian store |
– stats & faith –
Population: 159,020 ((Source: 2006 Census.
Population growth: 2001 – 2006: – 7.9 %)
Religious Profile (source:
2001 Census)
• 56,250 Protestant
• 37,975 No religious affiliation
• 16,705 Roman Catholic
• 13,395 Christian
• 16,780 Sikh
• 3,140 Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim,
Jewish, Eastern religions and Other
• 740 Christian Orthodox
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MCC
A prominent ministry in Abbotsford is the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Ron Van Wyk has been provincial program director for the past six years. "I attend the ACLN, and collaborate with the Cyrus Centre," he said.
He oversees a range of services MCC offers, including: two thrift stores which help with funding; support for several hundred people with HIV/AIDS; an employment centre that sees over 100 clients a month; an abuse prevention and response program; a program which helps churches sponsor and support refugees; and Aboriginal Neighbours, which helps build authentic relationship with First Nations bands.
Van Wyk was also involved in the March 08 homelessness count in Abbotsford. "We counted 235 people, but this was very likely under-counted," he said. "One contribution to homelessness is our proximity to prisons. People [just] released have few housing options."
Food Bank
Dave Murray, a professing Christian, heads up Abbotsford's food bank. "We have 6,000 clients a month, with over 4,000 using it regularly; 40 percent are youth and children."
Cyrus Centre
Responding to a proven need in Abbotsford, the Cyrus
Centre building opened April 1.
It provides a drop-in resource for youth, where their
basic needs can be met. The centre is open to them every day.
 | Cyrus leader Les Talvio |
“Some are homeless, street entrenched, sexually
exploited, affected by poverty; yet others come because they feel they
don't belong, or don't fit in elsewhere,” said the centre’s
leader, Les Talvio.
“We see many kids walking around hopeless and in
the dark. We want to give them hope, and bring them into the light.”
Staffing is handled by several full time people, 14
volunteers and some practicum students. They now see anywhere from 20 to 50
youth daily, and serve dinner to around 20.
“We’ve evolved from being a small drop-in
centre, to being an inner city mission. We now have the first two emergency
shelter beds for youth in the city, and hope to expand that to four,”
Talvio said.
 | New Hospital |
He also spoke of the encouragement he has
received from both the city council and Abbotsford mayor George Ferguson.
“We work with the city. I’m quite impressed
with our mayor and council, for actively engaging the community in
addressing the increasing social needs.”
Cyrus receives no government funding and is supported
by a number of churches, individuals and the Abbotsford Christian
Leadership Network. Services such as laundry, showers, meals and food
hampers, advocacy and computers are offered.
Talvio notes: “It could be that up to 30 percent
of the youth we see come from Christian homes. Around one in three have
addictions.” He adds: “Dozens have come into personal faith.
Whole families have come to Christ.”
The centre is at 2616 Ware Street. Contact: cyruscentre.com or
604-859-5773.
October 2008
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