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Winnipeg, Man.
North Kildonan MB Church comes home to new building


It was just a few days before Good Friday, 1998 that the building of North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church on Kingsford Avenue in Winnipeg was destroyed by arson. But on June 3, 2001, members and friends of the church were celebrating the homecoming at their new church facility located at 1315 Gateway Road. The congregation has matured and grown in the past three years – in number as well as spiritually while conducting their services at Jubilee Place (MBCI), and never missing a beat by running their programs during the week in other churches and institutions.


Not only was this the first Sunday service in the newly constructed spacious building, the congregation was also celebrating Pentecost as well as adding seven new members to their family by baptism and transfer.

The festive mood was already evident at the German service. The new fireside room was filled to capacity with people grateful to God for His continued provision. A large choir set the tone with songs of praise and thanksgiving. Roland Marsch, associate pastor for German ministries, spoke about the glory of God and how worship should be the normal reaction to God’s glory and presence in our life.

“If God’s presence and glory are no longer among us, we can close shop”, he remarked.

As people entered the multipurpose room for the English service, they were drawn to the prominently displayed motto of the church: “Meet God, Love God, Serve God”. Senior Pastor George Klassen welcomed the congregation with the words: “This is the day that the Lord has made. Welcome home after being away for a couple of years.”


A responsive reading of Psalm 84 was followed by words of greeting and a prayer from Herb Kopp, Manitoba MB Conference minister. Klassen, aware of the task of doing justice to the three themes on that day – homecoming, Pentecost and baptism – chose Matthew 3:7-11 as his text.

“We stand at a threshold of a new history,” he said. “On this homecoming day, we have a chance to start again and follow Jesus’ example for greater mission and ministry.”

The youth choir under the direction of Derek Zeilstra, associate pastor of music and worship, contributed to the festive mood with several numbers. After hearing the faith stories of the new members of the church that morning, the congregation moved to the incomplete sanctuary for the baptism and communion.

 – adapted from a report by Marianne Dulder

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Last modified August 22, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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