Installation of our New Lead Pastor

On Sunday, January 7, 2018 we officially welcomed our new lead, Pastor Dave Hildebrandt. Regional Minister John Cressman led the installation. Thank you to our congregation for embracing Dave and his family and please keep them in your prayers as Dave settles into his new role, leading HMC as we move forward in this new chapter.

Lead Pastor Update

Pastor Dave Hildebrandt was presented as a lead pastor candidate on Sunday, October 22. After delivering a message on living a fearless life, a congregational vote brought in a unanimous 100% stamp of approval from the present members and Dave was extended the offer of the Lead Pastor position.

We are so excited to announce that Pastor Dave—together with his three boys, Josh (9), Andrew (7), and Caleb (4), and his wife of 12 years, Shannon—has accepted the call and will be assuming the role of Lead Pastor at HMC as of January 1, 2018.

Dave is leaving his position at Port Rowan Mennonite Brethren Church, where he has been serving as the pastor of youth ministries. Prior to that, he spent time working with 100 Huntley Street on the 24 hour prayer lines, was the sole pastor at a church in rural Saskatchewan, and was a worship ministries director before that. Dave has attended Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, BC, and Briercrest College in Caronport, SK. He is presently working towards his Masters of Divinity through Heritage Seminary in Cambridge.

Dave is passionate about communicating the Word of God in a life-changing way, caring and encouraging those who are hurting, empowering and equipping people to serve in their God-given areas of gifting, seeing people understand who they were created to be in Christ, and loves seeing the church fulfil the purpose that God has laid before it.

Please be praying for Dave and his family as they wrap up their ministry in Port Rowan and begin a new chapter with us at HMC. Pray that they would find the housing they need, that the boys can settle well into a new school system, that God would give clear direction to Shannon regarding employment, that Dave would feel settled and encouraged as he starts leading our congregation, and pray for the current staff team as they prepare to welcome a new team leader.

We wish to extend a gracious thank you to the members of the search committee, for their tireless work in the face of many hurdles. Thank you to the warriors in our congregation who kept the needs of HMC at the forefront of their prayers — please don’t stop! And we give thanks to God for His continued blessing, for the reminder that we are not far from His sights, and for His constant and unfailing grace.

Update on our Lead Pastor Search

Meet Dave and Shannon Hildebrandt. Dave is being presented to the congregation as the candidate for the position of the lead pastor. Dave has been married to Shannon for just over 12 years, and have three active and friendly boys: Josh (9), Andrew (7), and Caleb (4). They presently live in Port Rowan, Ontario, just off the shores of Lake Erie.

Dave grew up in a Christian home. His father was a pastor for many years and was born in Burkina Faso, Africa, where Dave’s grandparents served as missionaries for 40 years.

Presently Dave serves as the pastor of youth ministries at Port Rowan Mennonite Brethren Church. Prior to that, he spent time working with 100 Huntley Street on the 24 hour prayer lines, was the sole pastor at a church in rural Saskatchewan, and was a worship ministries director prior to that. Dave has attended Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford British Columbia, and Briercrest College in Caronport, Saskatchewan. He is presently working towards his Masters of Divinity through Heritage Seminary in Cambridge. Dave’s ministry passions are getting to communicate the Word of God in a life changing way, caring and encouraging those who are hurting, empowering and equipping people to serve in their God given areas of gifting, seeing people understand who they were created to be in Christ, and loves seeing the church fulfil the purpose that God has laid before it.

Shannon is an American ex-pat, coming to Canada shortly after marrying Dave in 2005. She worked as a R.N. in the states prior to moving to Saskatchewan. She presently works at McMaster University for a trio of pediatric surgeons and has loved every minute of it. She felt God leading her to resign her position for the end of October 2017 and is excited to see where God is directing the family.

In their spare time, they enjoy board games, good coffee, good music, and  spending time with friends and family. They do not canoe (anymore)

Join us on Saturday, October 21
from 3-5 p.m.
for a casual meet and greet with
the Hildebrandt family.

Consider volunteering to help with this event (speak with Marie) or sign up to bring some desserts (sign up sheet on the reception desk in the foyer)

On Sunday, October 22, Pastor Dave will be preaching. Immediately following the service we will hold a congregational meeting to vote. All members and regular attenders are encouraged to attend.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a reminder that our offices will be closed today.

We hope you’ve been enjoying a wonderful long weekend with friends and family!

Colossians 3:17 New International Version (NIV)

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Roof Update

Our roof is leaking and needs to be replaced!

At the April meeting, Ministry Council approved a recommendation by the facility team to replace the flat roof. The total cost will be $115,000 (including the contractor quote and a 15% buffer). Our reserve fund containing $150,000 will be used temporarily, but we are asking the congregation to help recuperate all funds through special donations to the roof and any future expansion.

Please prayerfully consider giving a one time or ongoing offering – over and above what you regularly give – to help pay for the roof repair. Special donations marked “building fund” will go to the roof replacement as well as to future building enhancement.

Let Us Feast!

Before the sermon last Sunday, Pastor Jason asked the congregation to complete a brief survey to determine if there was any interest in beginning a monthly congregational meal.

The following questions were asked:

       1. Would you be interested in eating monthly with other HMCer’s?

       2. What scenario would be best for you?

    • Wednesday supper at 6pm before Family Ties
    • Sunday supper at 5 or 6pm before a time of Praise and Worship
    • Sunday evening dessert, after a time of Praise and worship

       3. Which would you prefer: potluck or food provided for a small fee/donation?

In all, 159 surveys were completed and 112 said that yes, they would like to share meals together with the most checks going to a Sunday evening potluck meal before a time of Praise and Worship. A good group of people also indicated that they would be willing to help with a recurring event like this which is an amazing blessing.

We want to thank everyone for their response to these questions and we are excited for what this means as we continue to move forward and build up the community of HMC.

Planning for the fall is well underway and we will keep you posted as to what this will look like.

If you did not get a chance to contribute to the survey your opinion is always welcome. Use the comment form below and share your thoughts – we would love to hear from you!

Our Website Got A Makeover!

If you’ve visited our website in the last few days you will have noticed a major change. Gone is the vibrant rainbow of colours and the busy buttons in exchange for a more simple, streamlined look.  It still requires some little tweaks here and there but overall things seem to be functioning well.

The goal of our website is to communicate well all that is going on in the world of HMC – a one-stop-learn-all, if you will.
So far, we’ve had very little feedback in regards to what people actually want from our website so we’re putting the question to you…
What do you use our website for?  

Does the website meet your needs?

Are there things we should add/take away?
Please use the comment link below to share your suggestions and we will do our best to make our website a helpful tool for anyone connected to the Hanover Missionary Church. 

Preparing For Christmas Eve

What began as a simple plan, intended to be a stress-free welcoming of the Christmas season, ballooned into an exciting (and not exactly stress-free) production that called for many volunteers, a full week of building and painting, the writing and re-writing of scripts, hours dedicated to learning lines and timing, costume design, prop gathering and much more.

Nothing is more rewarding and humbling than watching the rally of people who bring to light a vision that only existed in imagination.

Building the set

Painting  

Our (un)Happy Couple rehearses their part
Mike gets into his role as the narrator

And now, all that remains is to fill the seats.  Please join us tonight as we present to you what we hope is a charming Christmas Eve Service that lightens your heart and draws you closer to the true meaning of Christmas.

Hemorrhaging Faith: Why Are They Leaving?

North America is facing a spiritual epidemic:

  • Only one in three Canadian young adults who attended church weekly as a child still do so today.
  • Of the young adults who no longer attend church, half have also stopped identifying themselves with the Christian tradition in which they were raised.

                                                                                                                                   tgcfcanada.org/hemorrhagingfaith/

Why is this happening?  What is our role?  How can we stop it? 

tgcfcanada.org states that ‘there are four primary toxins that keep young people from engaging with the church: hypocrisy, judgement, exclusivity, failure.’

Last Wednesday evening during our Family Ties program Pastor Jason facilitated a discussion surrounding this very issue.  Out of that discussion came a very practical way we might care for our young people: simple care packages, sent to wherever they are attending school, as a little reminder that we care.  It is a small step against a growing problem but necessary in establishing a much needed trust between the body of the church and it’s disappearing young people.

A group is rallying together to make this happen but they need your help! They are looking for donations of granola bars, mini chocolate bars, hot chocolate packages, gum, wrapped candy, or a cash donation to help cover the cost of packaging and postage.  Please consider making a contribution and dropping these off at the church office by Sunday, October 27.

If you’re interested in exploring this issue further, take a little time to read through the Faith Today article, Why They’re Leaving from their September/October 2012 publication.

A New Pastor at HMC

Amos & Faith Shelley

We are very pleased to announce that Amos Shelley has accepted the position of Children and Family Pastor.  He will begin in this role on August 1.  Please pray for him and his family as they prepare to relocate and settle into their new life here in Hanover.

Amos comes to us after spending three years as the Children’s Pastor at U-Town Church/Point Grey Community Church in Vancouver, BC.  He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Religion – Major in Biblical Theology – in 2007 – received his Master in Christian Studies – Major in Christianity and the Arts – from Regent College in Vancouver this past spring.  His Thesis consisted of writing and illustrating an original children’s book, focusing on themes regarding abandonment, existential isolation and eternal hope.  He has a wide range of passions, including philosophy and theology, his wife and family, and, of course, hockey!

Amos grew up in Simcoe, five minutes north of Lake Erie, as the middle child of seven – stuck between four boys and two girls – all named for Biblical characters.  he and his wife, Faith, have recently welcomed their first child, newborn daughter Eden Anderson and they currently live in his childhood town.

Amos has an acute passion for the well being of children, specifically their spiritual growth, identity and imaginations.  He is creative and artistically minded while being theologically balanced and relationally driven.

Amos has had many creative ideas for Children’s Ministry.  Among his favorites was the creation of an interactice 8ft by 4ft 3-dimensional model of the Land of Israel, complete with tribal boundaries, individual cities, soldiers, agricultural systems, temple and Ark of the Covenant which proved to be a consistent and highly successful teaching tool.  He is currently in the process of developing a narrative/play based teaching and learning style, based on play therapy and theory, narrative and story.

His favorite Bible character is a toss up between the Apostles John or Paul.  He likes how they are both thoughtful and poetic, understanding the importance of the gospel and articulating it so beautifully.

Amos likes to spend lazy afternoons browsing through thrift stores or hanging out with family as a delicious meal is being prepared.  He has a weakness for both coffee and chocolate, the combination of which has proven to be lethal!  He loves to play, draw and create and looks forward to entering into the Biblical story as an active participant and becoming a mature disciple of Jesus Christ.