It is with deep gratitude and joy that we share an important staffing update from the Fellowship Pacific Ministry Centre and Northwest College and Seminary with our family of churches across British Columbia and the Yukon.

After more than 17 years of faithful, visionary service, Krista Penner will be transitioning from her role at Fellowship Pacific to a new position with Northwest College and Seminary, where she will serve as Director of Leadership Development, beginning March 1, 2026.

Harbour Community Church, a Fellowship Pacific church plant that launched in 2022, exists to live the Gospel in everyday life. Not primarily through programs or events, but through relationships—ordinary people responding to Jesus in ordinary places. Harbour believes every instance of brokenness and injustice is an opportunity for the Kingdom of God to be made visible today.

The following testimony, shared by a woman from the Harbour community in Nanaimo, offers a glimpse of what that looks like in real life.

Over the past few years, it has been customary for the Regional Director to write a short article encouraging churches to welcome in the new year, get excited for all the possibilities that God has for them, and embrace the mission of reaching this country (and beyond) with the gospel. And while I believe that these things are true for 2026 just like previous years, I must also acknowledge the heaviness I am feeling this January.

The past year has not been an easy one. Significant leadership change can be challenging at the best of times (and I do believe we have navigated that transition well—though I may be slightly biased). When that transition is combined with one of the most significant seasons of conflict our region has experienced in the past couple of decades, it makes for a particularly difficult year.

Nine days before a city wide Christmas event downtown, the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area (DDBIA) realized they were short on volunteers. Wanting the evening to run smoothly, they reached out to Valley Church to see if the church could help. The initial hope was for 20–30 volunteers. But as details came together, the DDBIA realized even more support would make a difference. Sunday before the event, Valley Church extended one final invitation to the congregation and then, in faith, assured the organizers, “Go ahead. We’ll cover the volunteer needs.”

A Spirit-filled weekend of worship, fellowship, and fun in God’s Creation.

Camp Qwanoes recently hosted a full and vibrant Women’s Retreat, welcoming women from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Krista Penner served as the speaker, and the camp was grateful for the ways God worked through her teaching, making the retreat a spiritually impactful experience for all.

I called Juliana yesterday – just to catch up. Juliana was the first student I met in 2016 when I joined Vancouver Urban Ministries (VUM). Juliana was, and is, a bright young girl who is impacted by a hidden disability – just like an estimated 1 in 5 of children in our communities.
Hidden disabilities are not immediately visible, but significantly impact the daily life, learning, and interactions of children.

October 18, 2025, marked another inspiring milestone as seven more graduates launched into ministry through the Immerse program. Hosted at South Delta Baptist Church, the celebration began over a joyful brunch with Northwest College & Seminary, a fitting way to honour the strong partnership that continues to shape and equip the next generation of church leaders.

On September 27, staff teams from five Fellowship Pacific churches gathered at Immanuel Church for the Safe Sanctuaries seminar. This free, one-day training equipped church leaders with essential tools to better prevent and respond to situations of abuse, violence, and misconduct within church communities.

Changing Lives in Colombia & Inviting You to Their Christmas Gala:

At our annual IMPACT event earlier this year, we had the joy of celebrating Seeds of Love and Hope International Society (SOLAHIS) - a ministry whose mission and heart align closely with our Fellowship Pacific values - joining our family of churches and agencies. Now, we’re excited to introduce SOLAHIS in their own words and invite our churches to come alongside them in their transformative work.

“She’s feeling hopeless and alone.” A Baptist Housing chaplain was sharing about a new resident. Her family was unable to visit, and the chaplain had become this person’s main social and spiritual support. In her isolation she struggled to find meaning.

Imagine if this woman had someone who visited her regularly, listened to her stories and came to truly know and affirm her.

That is what we are dreaming of and praying for in the new “Volunteer Companion Program” launching this fall at Baptist Housing.

The Migrant Workers Ministry team continues to serve migrant farm workers daily in a variety of practical and relational ways, always with the goal of building trust and creating space to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Pastor Carlos Carrión also leads a weekly Bible study with a group of workers in Cloverdale, providing consistent spiritual support and discipleship.

In July, the ministry reached out to two new groups of workers in Langley. One of these opportunities came through a worker Pastor Carlos had connected with in the past, who has now returned to Canada and is working at a new farm. These types of reconnections happen often and offer a valuable way to extend the ministry’s reach to new workers and farms across the region.

On June 28, 2025, people from across Fellowship Pacific - and beyond - gathered for a powerful and timely presentation by widely regarded speaker and author Scott Sauls. He speaks to how we engage our community with the love of Jesus at all levels of our culture. With a passion to equip leaders to think well, live with integrity, and make meaningful contributions in their everyday lives, Scott shared profound thoughts on how we love well in the midst of difference and disagreement.