ASSINIBOIA — The interview with Assiniboia Apostolic Church, which is marking its 25th anniversary in its current building, started with, “It is with grateful hearts that we have seen our tiny church on 4th Avenue West in Assiniboia grow to what it is today.”
The congregation knew 30 years ago their small building was not going to be adequate for their growing needs. The little church where they once were located had been home to many of those who were part of this church for 42 years.
Construction of a new church started in 1997 and the work was completed in June 1999, holding their first service June 6. The building was dedicated Nov. 6, 1999.
The silver anniversary celebrations will take place Nov. 2 and 3. Saturday’s events will include a come-and-go tea. A banquet will follow that evening and guests will be invited to share their past and present moments with this church in their community.
Rod Barks will lead a special service on Sunday morning. Pastor Les Fisher presided over the first service in the new building in June of 1999.
Asked what some of the highlights have been over the past two and a half decades, parishioner, Patsy Anderson tells the Assiniboia Times, “Kids’ club was a wonderful ministry that carried over from the old church. Sometimes we would have over 100 Kids attend on a Friday night. Vacation Bible School, Christmas banquets with guest speakers some coming from Rider Nation were always exciting. Tehillah Ministry, many weekend conferences where people would come from all over the province to hear our young people preach.”
This Assiniboia Church is proud to have instituted a way to continue worship during pandemic-prescribed pauses, stating, “Praise in the park and Church in the rink parking lot during COVID. We even did three CDs.”
Anderson affirms that one of the greatest challenges for them and any church is when a pastor and his family decide it is time to move on in their ministry. Pastor Les and Diane Fisher were with them from 1996-2008. Pastor Terry and Shelley Severson served from 2008-17 and Pastors David and Vanessa Meher began in October of 2018 and are with the church today.
The old church did not stay idle long as it was moved by Ron and Lorna Silvester, of Twin Lakes Ranch Ministries, to be used in their rodeo school church services.
Congregation members and guests join in Sunday worship at 10 a.m., with programs offered for children that include God Ventures for Pre-K to Grade 6 and 2.0 for children Grades 6-10. There is also a youth group offered for kids Grades 6-12.
Their website states, “This church family values relationships. Whether you are a grandparent, a single parent, a teenager, married without kids or single; family encompasses everyone, and families are important to us. Our goal is to make you feel at home at AAC. We want to see people empowered in their God-given gifts, become inspired to serve and share the love of Jesus Christ with Assiniboia, Southern Saskatchewan and beyond. All are welcome here and we invite you to join us.”
Assiniboia Apostolic Church says they offer friendly ushers, warm smiles and comfortable seats as well as encouraging you to bring along your morning coffee as they want you to feel comfortable and at home.
This church also continues to engage with its community by being part of the summer’s “Better Together” barbecues. They were also part of a summer and holiday food drive for the Assiniboia Food Bank. Embracing fun family times, the church held a family picnic in Kinsmen Park in June that included food, fun and fellowship.
