Hope and love can feel far away to a homeless person or an addict. They can feel far away to the single mom struggling to make ends meet, or to the thousands of Albertans who lost their jobs in the economic downturn. In the 2015 recession, more and more people brought their burdens to our church, to be laid at the cross.

“Many lives were affected by the recent economic downturn,” said Compassionate Ministries Pastor Steve Griffin. “More and more people were asking for help from our church, and we wanted to know how we could help in a deeper, more long-term way. When people are in cycles of poverty, for us to truly help we need to practically meet their needs, but also primarily help them in a Christian context to make meaningful changes in their lives towards finding fullness of life.”

So, in 2015, as more people came, one CSC pastor prayed for a miracle — for manna from heaven. “During the downturn, I knew the masses would soon arrive seeking help. I worried we weren’t ready. While praying for guidance, I felt God shift my thinking. I realized, we don’t need a strategy; we need a miracle. I began to pray for mana from heaven. Soon after, the Calgary Food Bank phoned seeking a partnership. They said they’d provide food if we provide the space,” said Pastor of Global Ministries Brad Friesen. In 2016, the Compassionate Ministry was launched to provide food, friendship and fullness of life, through Christ, to people in need.

Central Campus has become the hub for this mission work. Two small intake rooms near reception are doorways to big changes. An initial assessment meeting, Step One, allows ministry volunteers to provide short-term relief for people’s practical needs. Coming into Step Two, volunteers use a “Life Budget” approach to gain a greater understanding of each person’s needs (financial, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual), so they can create an action plan to support each individual more deeply and connect them to a supportive Christian community.

“We believe the people have greater, long-term success with strong Christian community and connection, which is why we are now launching our ‘Compassionate Friends’ program,” said Pastor Steve adding this program will need many CSC volunteers who would serve as mentors. “Each Compassionate Friend would be paired with a ‘family’ or ‘neighbour’ in need of friendship and support as they follow their action plan.”

Trent Eaglespeaker is just one individual whose life was transformed through our Compassionate Ministry. He had lived much of his life on and off the streets, addicted to alcohol. One night at a shelter, he looked out at all the people sleeping, crying and talking and he thought, wow…is this hell? He prayed that God would help him get his life together. Soon after, God opened doors for him to rent a place in the Highland Park community, where he stumbled upon Central Campus while taking a walk. “When I first saw the large building, I felt a tug to go in there. Finally, one day I decided to walk in. As soon as I walked in I felt a warm feeling come over me. I was blown away by the whole welcome I received. Everyone took time to talk to me. I knew inside that this was going to be my home,” Trent said. That was just the beginning of what God had in store for him. Through the support he received at CSC, Trent found Jesus and experienced miraculous healing from sickness and addiction.

And people in need aren’t the only ones benefiting.

“Volunteering with Compassionate Ministry allows you to bring hope into a hopeless situation,” said Step One Intakes Volunteer, Kathy Miller. “I remember a particular individual who was at his lowest low and just so ready to receive the Lord. It was a thrilling experience; I would easily choose leading someone to Christ over winning a million dollars,” she said.

Bryan Ireland, another Step One Intakes Volunteer, also sees how serving with Compassionate Ministry has transformed his life for the better. “I can see how the Holy Spirit works through me in these meetings. I’m pushed out of my comfort zone and he faithfully supplies me with the words again and again.” One memory stands out to him: “I met with one man who, for the first ten minutes of conversation, couldn’t make eye contact with me. It was so sad. But after a while, he began to enjoy sharing his story. By the end of our conversation, we were making eye contact, and he left with a smile on his face and shook my hand. It’s so incredible when you know someone who has been in touch with Jesus’ love through you.”

BUILD more room for compassion

Today, Compassionate Ministry works with around 300-400 people each month, has over 150 volunteers and has handed out 200,000 lbs of food. Presently, the ministry is experiencing space-related barriers that can make it challenging to provide deeper opportunities for training and relationship building. These challenges will only grow once we lose access to our recently sold West Campus in three years. Despite these challenges, the Lord has continued to bless this ministry. Since October 2016, more than 200 people have committed to moving forward in one or more of the ministry’s life change processes.

As we look toward the future, we desire to build stronger bridges with our established and new partners, concerned Calgarians, and marginalized communities, including the ever-growing immigrant population and those in cycles of poverty. The strategic sale of our West Campus provides an opportunity to turn Central Campus into a hub for mission work, serving all our campuses, ministries and the greater needs of Calgary. We need to give people “a space to belong before they believe.”

It’s our hope that through a Central Campus expansion, we will build a “Centre for the City.” This centre will provide: classes for new Canadians and refugees (ESL, citizenship classes, cooking, sewing and more); career connections (job training, interview help and resume support); and a clothing corner and food hamper.

We know God isn’t finished yet. As Pastor Henry says, “He is not a status quo God!” We ask all our congregation to pray with us that He will continue, despite all obstacles, to move through our ministries and help our volunteers and leaders advance the mission, leading people to Jesus and helping them become fully devoted followers. We ask you to journey with us as we build…more room for God.