What were you doing 19 years ago?
The need in 2000.
Can you believe it’s been 19 years since a new church facility was built on the corner of 167 Ave and 142 Street in Edmonton? I wrote this post in 2016 and never published it. How quickly nine more years have passed. 19 years ago we were anticipating the end of a six year journey of relocating our congregation.
In January 2006, we had just stored away the Singing Christmas Tree after it’s December presentations to over 10,000 guests. We were readying for Easter and looking forward to July when we would move into a brand new, 52,000 sq ft facility. And there was a deep sense of assurance that God had led us rookies each step of the way on a journey of a lifetime. We knew we were coming to the end of the beginning.
It’s healthy and wise to reflect on and remember God’s faithfulness.
Land dedication. We buried Jill Burn’s Wee College Bible on the property as a symbol of building the church on the Word of God.
“Remember how the Lord your God has blessed you in everything that you have done.” Deuteronomy 2:7
Remember The Past
1. Remember the blessings over the first ten years.
- In just one short decade, ’06-’16, North Pointe became known as a trusted, transformational, family church with a “come as you are” acceptance.
- 85 nationalities came together to worship Jesus.
- Countless answers to prayer for salvation, forgiveness, healing, new jobs, new homes, restoration, deliverance, reconciliation, pregnancies, births, marriages, graduations and more.
- New ministries for our community: Grief Share / Divorce Care / Single and Parenting / CARE Ministry / Rainbows / Light in the Darkness
- Remembering the contribution of elders like Bill Mack and Garry Lefebvre / Longtime volunteers like Orpah Benson, Florence Lange, Gary Schalin, Naemi Phelan, Oralee Kozak who have gone to their eternal reward.
2. Remember the miracles.
- Purchasing North Pointe’s property in April 2003. The biggest and most costly step of faith in 30 years for the congregation.
- $2.9 million debt paid off by 2011, less than five years after moving in.
- Over 450 people who crossed the faith line to follow Jesus.
- Personal answers to prayer and miracles like Diana Clifford, Jonathan Craig, Angela Hawrylak, Brittney Tancowny, Jenny Schroeder to name a few.
- The over 180 babies born to families and dedicated at North Pointe, including those who were told they could not get pregnant.
3. Remember the tests.
- A six year journey (2000 – 2006) of relocating from an historic, urban, regionalized location on sacred ground in an iconic facility to an undeveloped, localized site in a farmer’s field.
- The volume of respected voices who predicted failure.
- Setback, after setback, after setback. All followed by greater comebacks.
- In 2007 when 167 Ave was closed to traffic for a year, people could not easily drive to the church, and we drove through a ditch to get onto our property. During that time the congregation grew in numbers and faith!
Prayer gathering on the new property 2003
4. Remember the lessons.
- For every setback, God will give a greater comeback.
- Not all delays are God’s denials. Persevere, so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what He promised.
- Never, ever, ever, ever quit.
- God’s truth applied in each test will lead to triumph.
- God’s work, done God’s way, never lacks for God’s supply.
Never look back too long. The past is very good for one thing: Learning. 
Be Ready For The Future
- Live with integrity – having an undivided mind and the courage to face reality.
- Fully dedicate your life to God.
- Strengthen your faith.
- Focus your resources, time and money.
- Intensify your passion.
- Dream big.
God uses people who have fervent faith; people who are all in; people who say, “God, I’m not leaving here, I’m not going to stop praying until you bless me. I have to have your blessing in my life. I’ve got to know your purpose in my life.”
Were you on this journey? Please join the conversation and post a comment below. Thank you.
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