KELSTERN COMMUNITY CHURCH

OUR HISTORY

 

As I contemplate what it must have been like when this church first opened in 1910, I cannot help but think of how “simple” life must have been; at least in comparison to life today.  In the same breath, I can imagine how complicated life must have been then compared to life with our “frills” that we have today.  Things that we take for granted:  F 150s, minivans, John Deere Combine Harvesters and running water were things that were big issues back then.  Having to fetch your water, hitch up you horse and buggy’s and seed and harvest almost by hand are aspects of life that many of us today do not comprehend.

 

In His infinite wisdom and guidance, God saw fit for a group of people, who desired to worship God together, to not only hitch up the horse and buggy but more importantly to hitch up the faith and join together to form Elim Mennonite Brethren Church.  Built, and then later moved to the town of Kelstern, Elim M.B. became a thriving church within a town that had, what seemed like, everything going for it.  Then, the train tracks were diverted and slowly, many of you witnessed and were a part of the decline of business and population until there was only the church and the manse and a few run down buildings left.  And yet, the church “Stood the Test of Time!”  Why?  I believe it is because of the faithfulness of this body of believers to uphold the gospel when “We Preach Christ”.

 

The decision to construct a new church building, rename it Kelstern Community Church, and in fact keep it right here in Kelstern continues to show faith and trust in God to help  “Stand the Test of Time”.  With a ministry radius of 40 miles (64 km for the metric folk) we see families from many communities come together each week to worship, glorify, and learn about God.  40 miles!  100 years ago this may not have happened, but it can and does today.  God brings us together from all over to join our hearts and our minds to Himself.

 

This church has existed for 100 years, and as I look at the church today and see the young families that are here I can see God continuing His faithfulness to us for years to come.

 

Where will we be in the next 10, 15, 25 years?  I do not know, but one thing I do know, “We Will Preach Christ” and declare, from the proverbial mountain top, that Jesus was Crucified, He Died and He Rose again!

 

Each Sunday is not about THIS church…It is about God…It is He who is, “Standing the Test of Time!”

 

When my family and I moved here in 2008, little did we know what a great place and blessing this church and community would be for us and we pray that we are in return for you.  My family and I are honoured to be a part of His faithfulness and His steadfastness.  In 2010 we celebrated 100 years of ministry.  I pray God will bless all those who have served here and who have been ministered to here over the last 100 years.  May God bless us with 100 more (unless He comes first)!

 

I Serve Because He is Faithful,

 

 

 

Pastor Dion M. Grimm

2008 - present