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Promontory goes downtown

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In response to rapid growth, the eastern Fraser Valley’s youngest MB church has purchased and begun renovations on a retail building.

Promontory Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C., had grown to three services in its rented school gym facilities, and had nowhere to go. Promontory Community School serves as a community centre, as well as the elementary school to the new hillside neighbourhood.

After more than a year of research, prayer, and searching, Promontory Church finally secured a building downtown, with space for a 500–800 seat multi-purpose auditorium, 5–6,000 square-foot children’s and youth ministry section, and accommodations for mid-week activities. The church will retain its Promontory neighbourhood campus and run one weekly Sunday service there. It will also continue to operate out of its rented office facility on the valley floor.

The purchase price for the retail site was less than half the cost of a new church building, and the current occupant (Liquidation World) in the former Woolworth store will remain as a leasehold tenant in part of the building. The rental arrangement means the church does not have to alter its program budget.

Lead pastor Shawn Vandop says the acquisition will finally give the church consistency in its mid-week programs, which until now have been subject to the schedule of other community groups and events. Anticipating new opportunities, Promontory has appointed a new youth pastor, James Hooper of Sacramento, Cal., and expects to add to its children’s pastor and community life staff.

The church hopes to move in by early April.

—Barrie McMaster

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