Full-Time Lead Pastor at Cariboo Community Church (Williams Lake, BC)

Our Vision

When the Titanic sank, Lifeboat No.4 pulled pull back to the wreckage site, or at least near to it, to look for survivors. Cariboo Community Church sees ourselves as the church that goes back to the margins or to undesirable places to speak of the Good News both in words and deeds. The vision of Cariboo Community Church is to grow an effective, dynamic, and integrated community in Christ locally and abroad to the glory of God. Our mission is to reach young families and grow them into passionate followers of Christ.

Our Church

Cariboo Community Church came into existence accidentally or organically 22 years ago, as a result of a gathering of forestry workers who were not associated with any church or loosely related to church, but who were transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit.

What began as a gathering over a cup of coffee morphed into a men’s group, then into a couple’s bible study out of which a church plant team emerged. Cariboo Community Church remained as an emerging congregation for 10 years before becoming an organized congregation in 2010 under the Christian Reformed Church.

Our church is hospitable, warm and accepting.  A recent survey revealed that people attend church mainly for the fellowship/community.  This was followed by their love of the preaching/teaching and Sunday experience.

 What we have here is a multi-ethnic community with diverse demographics and it is a good representation of our community as well as an inter-denominational community of faith.

 Some other interesting facts:

• Store front facility with maximum seating capacity of 300 with classrooms and kitchen (10,000 square feet.)
• Attached is the church demographics
• Church attendance on a Sunday morning averages around 80 -100 and slowly beginning to grow post Covid.
• Our worship style is more contemporary (but structured around liturgy)
• Church ministries would include King’ Korner – our children’ ministry, some variation of a youth group, Life Groups, Community engagements ministry, worship ministry team, Hospitality to name some.

 

Our Staff:

The Interim Transitional Pastor in this transitional period is been wonderfully assisted by our part time administrator to help bring Cariboo Community Church to a place of health and stability as we wait to call a Lead Pastor. Those positions are well supported by an emerging, willing and enthusiastic volunteers in various areas of ministry.

Under passionate leadership and committed volunteers we are able to offer wonderful in church programs and able to build pathways for our church to engage in the community and beyond.

Our Community

Williams Lake is a small and affordable city, but an important hub for the rural ranching and resources in the central interior area of British Columbia known as The Cariboo, a reference to the mountain range making up the area and lying generally east of the City. This rugged country provides ample opportunities for recreational activities in all seasons; both for those who enjoy the tranquility of a canoe on a lake or the thrill of a mountain bike thundering down some of the best trails on the continent. Regardless of the thrill, the amazing wonders of God’s creation are in plentiful abundance around the city. Despite its small size and rural character, Williams Lake maintains a multicultural population, which is reflected in the Cariboo Community Church.

Challenge and Opportunities

• Challenges in finding leaders willing to take responsibilities in different ministries. 
• Helping the church relate or connect to a changing culture, and “be in the world but not of the world”.
• People are busy and overcommitted and the task of equipping people for the building up of the church is halted.
• Another challenge is the discipleship of our congregation due to irregular attendance.  It raises the question of how do we grow our people towards maturity in Christ.
• Reaching and enfolding younger family’s young people who see the church not only as irrelevant but also not spiritual enough!