Eastiew Community Church
Eastview Community Church

Today at Eastview

Profiles in Community: Friends of the Family

Philip Wiebe - 2008-09-23

When service is a core value of a care group, what does that look like? A group in their mid-20s led by Jeremy and Heidi Boon and Jonathan Wiebe has happened upon a novel model for living out faith in service and relationship.

Having sponsored a child through Compassion International and served at Siloam Mission, the group was recently looking for a new place to serve. With that in mind, Heidi spoke with Greg Armstrong, Eastview’s Outreach Chaplain, who had a unique idea.

One of the men Greg got to know through his ministry at the Winnipeg Remand Centre is an aboriginal Christian man named Cliff who, with his wife Sharon, are raising their four children in the Elmwood area. To connect with this family was the idea Greg pitched to this group. But for a group used to serving, this involved a change in mindset.

“In this situation, for us to come in with the attitude that we’re here to parachute in and help this family would not dignify them or open the door to real relationship,” says Jonathan. “When we get together, it’s about hanging out, not handing out,” adds Jeremy.

There are other differences with this initiative as well. “This is an indefinite commitment,” observes Jonathan. “We’re committed to building a relationship, and that’s not something you can turn on or off.” Community-building does not just happen between the family and the care group, either: “Within the care group, we’ve really bonded over stepping into this new experience,” says Heidi.

Finally, when asked where they sense God taking this relationship, the group seems equal parts unsure and hopeful. “Ultimately, we are getting together to be blessings to one another,” concludes Jonathan. “We are building a friendship through which God can work.” If that isn’t community, what is?