New direction for the New Year
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
The New Year holds some exciting directions for the Harvest Healing Church. Situated in the Canal Crossing district of Strathmore, they have built a new 6,000 sq. ft., two story sanctuary that will be move-in ready this spring.
“I give glory to God. I am really thankful for all the work he has done and is doing, and for all the work people have done to help out,” said Pastor Elizabeth Karp.
The church is a spirit-filled, biblically-Christian-based, non-denominational church. Services are high energy and music-filled.
“We are blessed with a good worship team,” said Karp.
The church is six-years-old and their mission statement revolves around keeping it REAL-relational, excellent, accepting and life-giving. The congregation is 70 members strong, composed of young families with a strong junior youth attendance. It also holds youth nights for 10 to 14-year-olds on Fridays at 7 p.m.
The church currently provides addictions life skills counselling and hopes to expand that with time. Another New Year goal is for the church to host a missions luncheon café, with proceeds that go towards their mission outreach. Karp also foresees a Wee College, where 4 to 6-year-olds can gain foundational faith learning.
With help from the tradesmen in the congregation, the inside layout will have a kitchen, classrooms, a sanctuary that doubles as a gymnasium and a mechanical shop.
“We want it to be a well utilized building. A lot of churches are used five six hours a week and sit empty most of the time. So this will be a community service and training centre,” said Karp. “We are hoping to get youth off the streets and we have some people that are willing to coach basketball, so we are hoping to utilize that sanctuary for more than a sanctuary. We want to teach classes on how to maintain your vehicle and bring the kids in and do some practical with them.”
The services will still be held at 10:30 Sundays at their 3rd Avenue address, until all the work in the new building is complete. Anyone wanting more information can call Pastor Karp at 403-880-3171. Everyone is welcome to attend services.