Connecting with our Four-Building Community Thinking Outreach: Vision 20/20


by Gary and Kathy Vos


Gary and Kathy Vos told their story of moving in to “temporary” housing in an apartment complex (“Big Impacts fom Small-Groups,” Fellowship Focus, January/February 2018, page 8). Trough small groups, they have been able to introduce Christ to many in their complex. One activity of their small group is an annual barbeque they provide to the residents and local safety personnel. —Editor


Our small group community barbeque was a success again this year. Even though it was raining, 65 people came to enjoy! Te population has become a lot less transient over the last eight years at the complex, partly due to community-building events like this. Te Abbotsford Police were unable to attend this year, but we usually have them or the Fire Department come for an hour visit. Last year the Police Canine Unit attended with two dogs to visit with the kids. And of course, we feed everyone well in the kindness and love that can only come from Christ. We are so thankful for a donation of $150 from FEBC. As a


result we were fully funded for our budget of $600 to purchase food, giſt cards for four patio prizes (cleanest, nicest decorated patios, one prize for each of the four buildings), face painting


supplies, a kids’ raffle prize, and balloons. Tis event has become a great outreach for our small group and is a great way to invite this community to Grace Church’s Ribfest. Tis year 23 people from our complex, 12 of them nonbelievers, came to Ribfest. Because word had spread about our event, we had a great


group of volunteers this year — more than we ever had before, as word-of-mouth spreads. We are already making plans for next year.


On behalf of the Commission on Outreach we would like to thank Gary and Kathy Vos for their many years of service at Grace Church and their involvement in their community. It’s encouraging to hear how they have been rallying their small group to reach out into the community! As a commission, we’d like to challenge other small groups


within our fellowship to pray and consider how God may want them to get involved in reaching their community. If you have a story of how your small group has ministered to people or groups in your community, let us know! —Ryan Peixoto, Chairman, Commission on Outreach


Fellowship Focus, November/December 2018


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