Last week we wrote about how Vancouver churches are responding through community food programs to the physical and spiritual hunger that COVID-19 is exacerbating. Prior to the pandemic, approximately one in 10 households in British Columbia were experiencing inadequate or…
WayBase released a report about The Impact of COVID-19 on Canadian Christian Charities June 5. WayBase is a platform that helps people and Christian ministries in Canada find each other, partner together and show collective impact. Director Tim Day and…
Pastor Peter (Jonghuen) Yang has been spending much of his time at Oppenheimer Park in the Downtown Eastside for more than a year, offering Sunday services and providing food, along with masks and sanitizer to protect against coronavirus. Now orders…
Union Gospel Mission (UGM) and The Salvation Army have joined forces to create a COVID Relief Together initiative – and their goal is to raise $2 million in two weeks. Speaking on CTV News last week, UGM spokesperson Jeremy Hunka…
Every night high-rise dwellers in Vancouver’s downtown core raise a cheer for health care and other frontline workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. The outpouring of goodwill is heartwarming, and illustrates just how widespread are the acts of kindness and the…
Restrictions, closures and social distancing affect all of us – but none more than vulnerable populations clustered in the Downtown Eastside but increasingly found throughout Metro Vancouver. Groups like The Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission and community meal hosts are…
One highlight at last weekend’s Missions Fest was hearing from a couple of city officials about how Christians, and faith groups in general, can have a better rapport with their city. The How Can We Inspire City Officials with God’s…
Fari Maghami is devoted to the 600 block of East Hastings Street. I found him behind the counter of Eden Cafe (643 East Hastings) on its opening day, late last month. He knows the whole area very well though, having…
For several years, Barry Jung has been going out of his way to meet his neighbours, build relationships with them and strengthen his South Cambie / Oakridge neighbourhood. Recently he has been sharing his experiences and insights with members of…
I met Rob outside Gospel Mission (Carrall Street Church) just before its second last service, Wednesday night (May 1). He was looking forward to gathering with the community, as he has for a couple of years now. He seemed sorry…