As of July 2009, our church (MGA) along with our Abram’s Land Development Corporation partners (St. John’s Parish, Markaz Ul-Islam, Health Authority) continue to work with the provincial government and our local municipality to acquire the land in the Dickensfield area of Fort McMurray. For the past few years, the faith groups have partnered believing that this partnership would assist with the acquisition of land for church development and would assist each group with keeping the cost of purchasing land as well as land development at an affordable rate. This has been a very long process.
We are thankful for the work of our Directors (Dave Trotter, Les Gill, Christine Goertzen) who continue to attend monthly meetings with Abram’s Land partners to support the progress of this project. The Directors provide information to the Leadership Team of MGA on a regular basis. We are confident that God will provide as we continue to plan for the present and the future of our community/region.
For further information, please contact any of the Directors, Elders or Pastoral staff of MGA.
Faithful Living – Live Life To The Full
Life to the full is the promise of Christ to all who believe. God has no limits – neither should we. Limitless living is not about greed or recklessness; it is about expanding our imagination for the vision God has for us. Our mission is To Know God and to Make Him Known to the world. God is the doorway to limitless living. Those who know and love Him are entrusted with the harvest He has prepared. Our vision for a Christian community in Fort McMurray will require a campus to serve it.
“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10
Faith for Land – A Legacy
1947 – A Bus Stop Café: the scene of the first Sunday School
1951 – The first church building was completed. During construction, twelve feet of
space were added “for a study and in case of a crowd”
1953-57 – Homeless children were housed and fed by the church
1958 – First vacation Bible School served 64 children
1964 – Church building moved to McDonald Avenue to make way for Hwy 63
1969 – The little church burned down.
1974 – New church building completed at the corner of Manning & Main Street
1988 – An enlarged sanctuary was completed
“…when your descendants ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them… that the hand of the Lord is powerful…” Joshua 4:21-24
Faithful Vision – Before Our Eyes
Our community has experienced unprecedented growth – it grew from 1800 to 35,000 (1965- 1995) – and from 35,000 to 70,000 (1995-2007). From 1995 to the present, our church community has tripled in size.This region is set to grow to 250,000 people by 2030. This mandates a response from the Christian community. Expanding our facility is motivated by plans for healthy growth on three levels.
Personal: opportunities for every person to fully develop their God-given potential.
Relational: growth in personal relationships and healthy connections.
Numerical: an automatic response to health in the above areas. This is about people
discovering God, becoming disciples, relating with others and spreading the message.
The Christian community of Wood Buffalo is responsible to share the gospel with the whole region. MGA owns a significant part of that privilege. In addition to our regular attendees, we serve multiple people who view this church as their closest spiritual venue, as well as 8 world nations through our Missions Team. We must continue towards healthy growth in order to effect a positive and godly influence upon our community and our world.
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” Isaiah 54:2
Faithful God – Stretching Our Faith
In 1999, we agreed upon a mandate for leadership development and facility expansion. Leadership development began immediately through the addition of lay leaders and staff. Our 9-year land search has led us to a 8 acre site within Abram’s Land: a 88 acre parcel to be shared by a consortium of: the hospital, MGA, and 2 other faith groups on Thickwood Boulevard.
This land and unique partnership were an affirmation of prophetic voices that have spoken over the past 10 years.
While challenged with the enormous task of crossing the river, our faith is inspired by the God who provides.
“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’ ” Joshua 3:5
Faith-filled Potential – Why The Land?
We need to fulfill the Word (Isaiah 54). Our future architectural process will involve all ministry leaders in planning and site development.
These are current concepts of the new Christian Life & Community Center
PHASE ONE
1. A multi-use facility or a theater-style Worship Center to seat 1200 people (expandable to 2500) – including facilities for adults, children, and youth.
2. A Welcome Center to include an inviting reception area, office space, nursery and pre-school service, daycare, prayer center, a resource center and cafe.
Note: the Worship and Welcome Centers will be on one level. To reduce our footprint, other ministry space may be located in a multi storey tower.
FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
May include a cafeteria for weekend worshipers; a family life/retreat center; a Christian training center, two staff housing units; a quality senior’s residence; a chapel, growth space for compatible community services, outdoor recreation and green spaces. Hiking trails and a near-by recreation center are being planned by the community.
“However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
When a group of people work together with implicit faith in the God of purpose, the result is “mission accomplished”. God’s plan for the spiritual well being of children,youth, adults, and families of Wood Buffalo is about to engage new effectiveness” – Glen Forsberg
“Imagine the Lord leading us on a faith journey to cross a river to the land He has prepared for us to expand His Kingdom! This land will join all nations for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. What part will you play in this journey?” – Don Geiger
At MGA there seems to be a new energy and determination to get on with the church’s outreach vision. Such attitudes are contagious and bode well for the future.” David Belsey, Harder & Associates
“God is looking for people through whom he can do the impossible; what a pity we plan only for the things we can do ourselves!”
Faith-filled Possibilities – What can you do?
Your partnership in McMurray Gospel Assembly is valued and needed. This project will require the participation of 100% of this community of faith. This faith project can be completed with your investment of prayer, attendance at informational meetings, and strategic giving.
God has placed something of value in each of our hands. As you will note in the scripture, offerings for the tabernacle were an additional gift over and above the tithes God’s people were to bring for the ministry.
The work of God has already been “building” in our hearts and homes. It indicates His passion for us to make room in our facility to reflect God’s heart for this growing community. Our time, talent, and funds all belong to Him. If we all do our share, there will be more than enough for the completion of this work!
“Because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work” Exodus 36:7
“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all…
…so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God”
Ephesians 4: 5-6, 12-13
