A Surrey, B.C., Mennonite Brethren church has closed its second campus and reduced its staff. Gracepoint, in South Surrey, had been operating a second site at the Bell Theatre for a more than a decade, but ultimately found the costs (more than $100,000 per year) to be prohibitive.
Three staff positions were discontinued and four others went to half-time as adjustments were made to align with the new shape of the church.
Gracepoint held its first Sunday together in the main building on May 6; lead pastor Phil Wagler estimates at least 80 percent of the regular attenders from the Bell campus were present. Total for the two services was in the 550–600 range. The church is also continuing its community dinner (which usually draws about 175–200 people) on Sundays at 5 p.m.
Wagler says over the last year, many hard choices were made. He paid tribute to all staff for demonstrating unity in a difficult time. But at the end of it, Wagler says it feels like Gracepoint ‘has its feet again’ and can now dream of new ministry opportunities.
