Pemberton Christian Fellowship (Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada)
Pemberton Christian Fellowship has a diverse and storied history. In May 1974, Les Zimmerman and his family moved to Pemberton, British Columbia (BC) through the sponsorship of the Regular Baptists of Squamish, BC. Tom and Gale Mitchell joined them in their efforts the following month. After two years of service, the Zimmermans moved to Whistler, BC, leaving Tom to continue in the work already underway in Pemberton.
Through the sponsorship of the Open Brethren, Gary McLeod and his family moved to Pemberton in 1976. The resulting youth program flourished, but as the two existing groups of believers in Pemberton were small in size, Gary and Tom decided to combine their efforts. Unfortunately, turmoil and instability followed. The McLeod family also ended up moving to Whistler, allowing Tom to once again continue the ministry alone.
In 1982, Nick Dyck, of the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Board of Church Extension came to assist the congregation during its struggles; the resulting denominational variety intrinsic to the congregation's past created tension and stress. In May of this same year, Art and Leona Martens traveled from Surrey, BC to Pemberton on the weekends to lead the congregation. In 1983 the congregation organized under the support of the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches and the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
In September 1985, Henry Thiessen was called as the new Mennonite Brethren congregation's first pastor. His background in twenty-four years of interdenominational missions allowed for the required sensitivity to the diversity of believers in the congregation.
In 2018, the Pemberton Community Church purchased the building formerly owned by St. David’s United Church, and renovated the structure to add additional space and a modern elevator to the building.
Bibliography
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies. "Pemberton Christian Fellowship." http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/published_genealogies/mb_provincial_conferences_and_church_congregation_records/british_columbia_archives/pemberton_christian_fellowship_archives/ (accessed 10 November 2009).
Mennonite Brethren Herald (27 May 1988): 14.
Archives:
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies: Volume 398.
Additional Information
Mailing Address: Box 310, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0
Meeting Address: 7420 Dogwood Street, Pemberton BC V0N 2L1
Mailing Address: PO Box 301, Pemberton BC V0N 2L0
Phone: 604-894-6410
Website: Pemberton Christian Fellowship
Denominational Affiliations:
British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1983-present)
Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1983-present)
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1983-2002)
Pemberton Christian Fellowship Leading Ministers
| Minister | Years |
|---|---|
| Les Zimmerman | 1974-1976 |
| Tom Mitchell | 1976-1982 |
| Gary McLeod | 1976-1982 |
| Art Martens | 1982-1983 |
| Henry Thiessen | 1984-1991 |
| Will Born | 1991-1993 |
| Neil Klassen | 1993-2004 |
| Mark Leverton | 2004-2005 |
| Paul Cumin | 2006-2017 |
| Phil Cann | 2017-present |
Pemberton Christian Fellowship Membership
| Year | Members | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 17 | |
| 1990 | 35 | |
| 1996 | 25 | |
| 2001 | 49 | |
| 2005 | 55 | |
| 2010 | 60 | 80 |
| 2015 | 55 | 80 |
| 2020 | 24 | 40 |
| Author(s) | Andrew Klager |
|---|---|
| Date Published | June 2023 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Klager, Andrew. "Pemberton Christian Fellowship (Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. June 2023. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Pemberton_Christian_Fellowship_(Pemberton,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=175777.
APA style
Klager, Andrew. (June 2023). Pemberton Christian Fellowship (Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Pemberton_Christian_Fellowship_(Pemberton,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=175777.
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