The Elders of Central Community Church met on the evening of November 19th at the Chilliwack Campus. We broke bread, sharing a meal with the pastoral staff along with a time of fellowship and prayer. Although we encounter trials, anxieties, and discouragement, we also share a common bond of joy and peace in our Lord Jesus and that, through all adversities, He sustains us individually and in community through His Grace, the Word and the Holy Spirit. This is a great and wonderful mystery that makes my heart glad.
We are encouraged by the abundant fruit of the many ministries of Central. Daily we see lives transformed, young and old. Through the living work of the Word of God in our hearts enabled by the Holy Spirit, we see repentance from sin, disciples growing in faith, obedient baptism, and a yearning among our community for a life marked by trust in our Lord. This is enabled by the faithful diligent work of volunteers and staff and by obedient regular financial giving as an act of worship.
We received updates on the ministries of the church and note that total Sunday attendance at all campuses is regularly over 1500 people each week. Faithful preaching of the Word of God remains our primary ministry and God's Word remains living and active, able to teach us. Children's ministry is thriving with children hearing about Jesus each week at 5 locations and 7 different services. Youth has dedicated staff and volunteers creating a community each week to help make faith real for teenagers both North and South of the Fraser. There are many other ministries to highlight, and we hope to enhance our communication about what God is doing so you may be encouraged in your faith and trust in God.
Trust in the Lord is difficult, even for elders, even surrounded by evidence of His work. God gives us grace and yet we find it challenging to contemplate our budget and ministry priorities for 2025 because we are in a deficit of $384,000 as of October 31st. Most years we see that 20-25% of annual giving happens in December, but we do not know what will happen and we have no options to increase revenue except to pray and ask that God stir up a generous Spirit in our hearts, providing abundance. As of now, in faith, we have fully used every available resource to keep paying our bills and we move forward in faith anticipating God's provision through our community's generousity. We pray that God blesses you and you are able to respond to His Blessing in worship, glorifying Him through your finances. We also pray that God multiplies our resources, as He is able, to enable disciple making here in the Eastern Fraser Valley that glorifies Him and is good for us.
“My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts."
Haggai 2:5-9
In the Peace of the Lord, Your Brother in Christ
Eddy Mejlholm
- On behalf of the Elders at Central Community
Finance Update
The Elders received an update regarding the year-to-date finances to the end of October. It was noted that expenses continue to outpace income with our current deficit at $384,089. Following our historic giving patterns, November and December tend to be our largest giving months and it is hoped that this year will follow a similar trend. The elders noted that expenses are well within budget allowances with most areas significantly below budget. Increased costs, staffing five campuses, and maintaining five locations continues to be our largest expense categories. The elders received the first draft of the 2025 budget that contained an operations reserve, and recommendations from the Stewardship Team related to the budget and updating the congregation on our financial picture. The elders noted that the lights in the Chilliwack sanctuary have been installed and have been well received. They also spent time evaluating the benevolent fund noting that strict protocols are in place to ensure that monies are used for their designated purpose. 
As Central moves into the final weeks of 2024 the elders are grateful for the congregation's faithful participation in the financial needs of the church to reach the Eastern Fraser Valley with the gospel. Recognizing that for many this has been a challenging year financially; they are thankful for everyone's sacrificial investment in Kingdom ministry.
ELDER'S PRAYER
We believe in the power of prayer. We value prayer. And we believe that God answers prayer and uses it as a means of achieving His purposes in the church and world.
Central's Elders invite you to come and receive prayer in the Chilliwack Campus Sanctuary.
Tuesday, December 17 | 6.30PM - 7.00PM
Chilliwack Campus | 46100 Chilliwack Central Road
You can also submit prayer requests using the link below.
Got questions or words of encouragement? We'd love to hear from you!
Please contact The Elders - elders@centralcommunity.ca