LoveYourCity.com - Real Lives Being Changed

Testimonials from 2007

"We had a lot of rain so we had our celebration/worship time inside. We told stories of the day and wrapped up by watching the video footage. We had to move the carnival indoors but that was fine. We cleaned cars, had BBQs, etc. in the rain and I think people were even more impressed because of the circumstances. Thank you for introducing us to this! Some of the new churches who came on this year found that it has energized their people for evangelism and generally encouraged them. Others want us to visit their churches to help them in the area of worship... so unity is growing!"

Kathy Francis
Sackville, Nova Scotia

"I just wanted to thank you again for the vision of Love Your City. We had our event, Love Yellowknife, yesterday and it was awesome! Our weather was fabulous (which is a miracle in itself!) and everyone took the Kindness Explosion on with all their heart. Every project went well but some did stand out that we would definitely do again, like giving out dog treats! Everyone took one for their dog even if they didn't want something for themselves. We also used coupons for free ice cream cones and coffees and went into the business' downtown where retailers were busy working. I believe they felt God's love in this act of kindness.

"May this be just the beginning of us getting out of our churches and going to the people God loves so much and sharing the Good News of Jesus with them. I could go on and on as it was a tremendous day but I won't. Thanks again for all the ideas and allowing us to use your logos. We are looking forward to next year’s event already!"

Leann Woelk
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

"Love South Delta happened June 1-2 and was an amazing event. The unity of the seven churches coming together to worship, fellowship, and then to serve our Lord by loving and blessing our community had a very positive effect on all. We have agreed that next year we look forward to the 15 churches in S. Delta ministerial being part of this. Thank you for the vision and for all your help. God bless you as you continue to serve."

Dawn Magee
South Delta, British Columbia

On the receiving end...

(click here for stories from pastors and leaders)

I just wanted to tell you thank you for what you are doing, I am just a nobody... going through severe crisis in my life, single with two children. I took my son to his soccer game today and your group was there... let me give you some history first... I have been living day to day trying to just make it through the day being happy if my children got one full meal. This morning, we got up... I had to explain to them that once again, I didn't have anything to give them for breakfast. They understood but I knew they were very hungry. When we got to the soccer game at Abby Christian School, there was a group of you there that were having a free pancake breakfast and car wash. My children were both so excited to have a full meal and when a young boy handed me a soda and said... Jesus loves you, I just about broke into tears. It may have seemed menial to some but I have to tell you... there is no way that I can tell you what kind of faith you have restored to my life. I guess God is real and does watch over even the worst of us. I have not gone to church in 15 years and have always been bitter at Churches, but this one simple "pancake breakfast" has made me change my whole way of thinking and I will be seeking out a church that I feel comfortable going to. So thank you from myself and my children.

Lara, Abbotsford

I just wanted to let you know about an exciting result from last year's Love Abbotsford. At Christmas I saw an old neighbour at South Abbotsford Church's Christmas concert - she was singing in the choir. I was shocked to see her there, as she had written off Christianity because of her "religious" upbringing. But now she's involved, her kids are connected and she's open again after many years. Last week I met her sister-in-law and I asked her how in the world this happened. She told me it was because of a pop can and a Love Abbotsford card. With the upcoming L.A. event I thought you should know what a blessing you, the organizers and participants are to the city!

Tammy, Abbotsford

We were in Abbotsford for an eye dr. appointment last Saturday and several
friendly people gave us pop, popcorn and hot dogs. Just wanted to say that
I think this was an effective way to share your message about God's love.
It certainly made my husband and I re-think our opinions about churches in
general. How inspiring that so many people were willing to give their time
to share with others. Thank you!

Kathy, Abbotsford

(told by an Abbotsford pastor)

One of our congregants is a teacher in a bilingual elementary school here in Abbotsford and she told me this story that happened in the staff lunch room of the school. As they were eating on Monday at noon, they were discussing the fact that there were lots of white T-shirted people all over the city handing things out to people. One lady, a vice-principal (not a Christian), began to gush over the fact that at one intersection she was offered a Coke and she kept expecting the person to preach at her and she remarked that it was amazing that there "were no strings attached--it was wonderful"! She just kept saying how amazing it was that her suspicions about them going to give a sermon along with the handout were unfounded because they were doing it for free. One other teacher made a negative comment about some kids not being safe at an intersection. The woman vice principal jumped in again as our advocate saying "oh no, I stopped and saw the instruction sheets these people were operating with and they were quite specific how not to be preachy and how to be safe" and then she re-iterated her amazement at the grace shown her. The Christian teacher who told me this was just smiling inside and praising God for the good outreach!

from Pastors and Point People on the giving end...

I couldn't be more ecstatic about the Love [your city] event. I speak about it wherever I am doing conferences. This is the very heart of the Lord in so many ways -- it is bound to be a great success. I feel honored to be a part of this event that God is so obviously inhabiting.

Steve Sjogren

Launching Pastor, Cincinnati Vineyard

Author of Conspiracy of Kindness

www.servantevangelism.com

Love Airdrie (Alberta) has been so special to this city. For years our ministerial rarely met and have had little to do with each other. Love Airdrie and our Chautauqua Christian event have rekindled the interest in working together and we can definitely thank the lord for this. Recently we had a shooting in Airdrie (which never happens) when a step dad killed the son, tried to kill the girlfriend and then took his own life. The house was a disaster area to say the least. So the churches of Airdrie got together and raised $60,000 to renovate the place to help with the family's pain and suffering. The church of Airdrie is actively looking for opportunities to show God's love through acts of kindness and we thank you for the spark.

Patrick Green

Pastor, Living Springs Church

This is the second year we have done Love Sackville (Nova Scotia) and it was an amazing weekend of blessing to all the participants. When brothers and sisters are praying and working together it brings pleasure to God's heart and releases blessing (Psalm 133). The comments of people last year who were blessed by the event made doing it again this year an automatic decision for all the churches involved. People in the community were blown away by the acts of kindness and by the fact that so many churches were working together. It was the talk of the town! We were even asked to repeat it as part of the annual Canada Day celebration. It has opened a door. We are no longer seen as being self serving clubs but as having a genuine love for our community.

While some churches are often out in the community doing things, many of the congregations who participated in Love Sackville had never done anything like this. Many churches never get out of their buildings. The Friday night prayer walk down the main street of our community is quite a sight as this procession of hundreds of people - children, teens and adults of all ages follow the cross from one end of town to the other. I am excited about a generation of youth and children growing up in churches where it is normal to take the gospel out into the streets in acts of love with prayer.

The Love [your city] event has given the pastors and leaders in the community a very tangible sense of being on the same team. Teenagers saw school friends they never knew were christians. People began to see the church as much larger than their particular congregation or denomination and it has not only broken down walls between churches, it has become a bridge for relationship and ministry.

Prayer changes the spiritual climate of a region and we have sensed that the unity, prayer and love exhibited through this event is helping to further change the spiritual climate of our community.

Pastor Paul Francis

Gateway Community Church (Mennonite Brethren)

Lr. Sackville, Nova Scotia

Love Abbotsford has provided the outward focus that is central to our local church. The one time event led to a weekly outreach opportunity in front of our church. Because of our location it was thought it would make sense to pass out pop and Love Abbotsford cards to the cars stuck in rush hour traffic. It could at least be a chance to plant some seeds. One Friday evening after doing the usual outreach with my two youngest sons, I received a call from a women who wanted to fax me a note. This is what it said,

“Dear brothers, I am writing this letter to let you know that the pop with the card you gave me was very nice. The message in the little card was so powerful and it meant a lot to me. Before I got your card I was so depressed because I felt that God had forgotten about me because I have been looking for a job for two months and I’ve had no luck. After reading the card it changed my life. It made me feel and know that God was with me and taking care of me. Thank you and God bless you.”

Needless to say that my sons and I were extremely excited when we read the fax and realized that maybe we were doing more that just planting seeds by being involved in servant evangelism through Love Abbotsford.

Todd Martin
Pastor
Harvest Christian Fellowship

Several years ago while living in Scotland someone prayed that I would go to B.C. and see the birth of a movement. A few years later I was working with Steve Sjogren at the Cincinnati Vineyard when Kevin Boese phoned and asked if I thought they could pull off a Love Abbotsford in just 3 months? I remember thinking... this is a God thing, and said yep. And I had to go up to Canada to check it out.

On the day of the event (June 10, 2000) we woke to the sound of pouring rain. It continued to rain up to the time to go out to serve the community but then amazingly the rain cleared. It was great to see people from all denominations wearing the same T-shirts, and serving their community in practical ways. Hundreds of believers participated and thousands of people were served on the day.

For me the highlight was the concluding evening Celebration. Over a thousand people joined together to worship. Needless to say the atmosphere was charged. Several local worship leaders led the evening of worship, dance and celebration. The weekend helped establish a network of church leaders who have committed themselves to reach their city.

I believe I have seen the birth of a movement. It is my prayer and hope Love [Your City] will sweep all of Canada.

Steve Bowen
pretty good evangelism
The Vineyard, Dayton Ohio

Interested in learning more about serving check out Steve Bowen’s home study course on www.daytonvineyard.com/resources or contact him at ssbowen@mac.com

The whole community conspired to make every resident feel loved. When I knocked on his door, one man told me: “Someone has already called by to give me some baking!” As I headed off down the street I saw a window washing team, with buckets and squeegees heading for his front door! The fire department was offering a free car wash at the main intersection. “What’s the catch?” enquired one motorist, passing through town... "You are telling me it’s free?.... Love your Neighbour? Where I come from it’s Screw your neighbour!” House to house prayer produced the usual surprises... “If God said to you: ‘I love Logan Lake and I really love you!’ - what would you say?” The lady dissolved into tears, quite unable to speak, overwhelmed by God’s love for her in the middle of her own tragic circumstances.

At 5,000’ Logan Lake is the highest community in BC. It rained on Saturday,
then it turned to snow, then back to rain. The open air concert and barbecue
was soggy and even the hot dogs were shivering. But with stubborn determination the event persisted, loving Logan Lake in the teeth of adversity.

The Saturday evening event, followed up by the combined Sunday morning service drew in a number of locals who never attend Church. The invitation to come to the Lord’s table, to participate in his loving sacrifice, was received with tears by some of these visitors. God is at work and his love for Logan Lake is unstoppable.

Justyn Rees

Abbotsford Pastor

Love Logan Lake participant!

What an amazing response I heard as we topped up windshield washer fluid and cleaned windshields at the Petro-Can with our youth on a Love Mission day. A customer commented to the employee at the till that, "she wasn't used to people doing nice things for her." When I told the youth about that comment they were very surprised and quite sad for the lady. They were also very encouraged that they could brighten her day. How awesome to make a positive impact on someone's life!

Paul Wicki
Associate Pastor
Northside Community Church (M.B.)
Mission, BC

Being part of Love Abbotsford was an awesome experience for our church! In washing cars for free and handing out free Coke through car windows, we learned anew how easy it is to show God's love in a practical way. Our involvement in Love Abbotsford in June was the spark plug that ignited another Love Abbotsford event we did in November (leaf raking and a hot chocolate give-away). Someone touched by that sent us a letter telling us of a needy family of six who could use some help at Christmas. We were able to put a Christmas hamper together, deliver it and see the mother moved to tears over this act of kindness. Love Abbotsford is changing lives - ours included!

Cam Taylor
Pastor
Mountain Ridge Community Church
Abbotsford, BC

Being involved in Love Abbotsford has confirmed to me that the Holy Spirit is definitely on the move in our city in a big way. Love Abbotsford is incredible for two reasons: Number one, walls are coming down and churches are starting to cooperate in action, not just words. Number two, the public is starting to once again believe that some things, like genuine kindness and God's grace, still really are free.

Matt Baker
Pastor
Worldwide Church of God
Abbotsford, BC