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'Ecumenical' More Than Just a Word in Melfort
MELFORT, SK (April 10, 2001) - By Craig Pinley
Many Christians worshipping in different denominations say they like the idea of being "one in Christ," but that doesn't always translate into ecumenical efforts to minister to local communities.
In Melfort, Saskatchewan, however, several local churches are coordinating efforts in ways that seem to be transforming the town, according to local Covenant pastor Dan Young. Melfort Evangelical Covenant Church (MECC) has participated in a number of citywide outreach events, worship services and other ventures that are bringing people closer to God and to each other, Young says.
The pastor is in the enviable position of trying to integrate 25 new believers into a congregation of 180, a challenge not unique to his church. More than 150 people in the city of 6,000 have become Christians in recent months, Young says, the result of a spiritual revival sparked by the united effort of nearly a dozen churches.
"I'm humbled but excited, unworthy and yet proud to be part of what God is doing," Young said. "I ask the question every day, Why me? I pray every day that I won't get in God's way."
Melfort is a farming community located two hours from Saskatoon, the capital of Saskatchewan, located in the northeast part of the province. Although there are 22 churches and a reported 1,800 regular church attenders, the problems of alcoholism, pornography, sexual and physical
abuse and divorce are as evident as in other communities where religion may not play as significant a role. "We give the appearance of being religious," Young said. "There are God-conscious people, but they're not living for Christ."
Because some local pastors concluded that their congregations needed a spiritual jump start, MECC and 10 other churches helped orchestrate a support staff for a Reality Outreach Ministries production called Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames. The play ran for four consecutive nights in Melfort last November. One hundred made first-time commitments to Jesus Christ.
Since then, Young has been encouraged by four developments:
- A Province-wide evangelism campaign that has brought 40-50 people to
Christ
- A covenant involving 14 local churches to combine forces in promoting
Jesus to the city's inhabitants
- A weekly prayer meeting by local pastors in the city hall chambers
- A united city effort to aid Friends of the Northeast Food Bank, which provides food for many in the area
Just as church leaders have united, others in various congregations have united as well. TRYBE, a citywide youth group that includes various churches and para-church organizations, meets Friday nights at a local church and attracts 100 teens on average. A citywide college group has organized "Worship for the Young At Heart," a gathering that meets at a different church each month. And a monthly Singspiration service has become popular among adults in the various congregations.
"Christ is doing a work in this community and He's trying to tear down the walls," Young said. "Denominational lines are hard to erase; people struggle around issues of doctrine. But pastors are becoming more open to looking at the bigger picture, not the little issues. We're taking a better look at the Great Commission - preaching Jesus Christ as Lord."
Even local and national agencies are supporting what has happened in Melfort's spiritual life. A new $120,00 building for the Friends of the Northeast Food Bank received local business support, including $40,000 in construction resources. Young said the remaining $80,000 has been raised during the past seven months. The building project should be completed by the end of summer.
A local radio station donated $15,000 of airtime to promote the fundraising effort. The city of Melfort is demolishing the old food bank building without charge and is waiving taxes for utilities for the food bank. The province of Saskatchewan will provide installation of electrical, gas and telephone lines without charge.
MECC is continuing its own spiritual growth, said Young. The church is incorporating a six-week new believers class for about three dozen people. Some come from the nearby Kiniston Reservation, which is home to about 500 Indian teens. MECC parishioners Neal and Darcy Alsbach live at the reservation, which saw 20 of the residents come to Christ during the revivals last November.
"We've been praying that God will visit us with great power and majesty," Young said. "That has been our prayer the past two and a half years."
For more information about the Melfort Evangelical Covenant Church and its ministries, contact Young by telephone at 306-752-4545 or by email at danleeyoung@hotmail.com.
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