Hillcrest Church is committed to reaching out to those around us, both in our Medicine Hat community as well as around the world. We currently have 12 local and global Missions Partners that we connect with and promote.
OUR PARTNERS INCLUDE:
The Connection
Canadian Bridge of Hope - India
EMCC Partnership
Hillcrest Community Care
Rescue Cambodia
Medicine Hat College Campus Ministry
Nehemiah Construction Ministries
The Nigeria Project
Nurture Pregnancy Centre
Prairie Gleaners
Whispering Pines Camp
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Supporting Our Partners. Those who wish to give financially to our partners can do so by donating to our Missions Fund, or by direct donor support. We have a monthly missions focus one Sunday per month where two or more partners are scheduled to showcase their ministries in our services and connect with people in the Info Hub. They are provided with two such opportunities per calendar year and are featured on our website. They can also be provided with facility space at no charge, should they wish to host an event to update their supporters.
Focusing on Children, Youth & Young Adults. Since 2023, there has been a noticeable shift in our congregation to see increased care and support going to reach the children and young people of our city. Ministries like The Connection, Nurture Pregnancy Centre and Whispering Pines Camp are having considerable impact on the next generation. It is our desire, therefore, over the next few years, to see missions funding and support going to reach more children, youth and young adults, and to see them become fully formed followers of Christ.
College Campus Ministry. In April 2024, we heeded the call of the Medicine Hat Evangelical Association to partner with Chaplain George Koopmans of the Medicine Hat Ecumenical Campus Ministry. Since then George, who had previously served for many years as the pastor of the Christian Reformed Church, has repeatedly expressed his gratitude for Hillcrest’s support and endorsement of his ministry.
Student Worker Assistance Program. Last summer, Hillcrest initiated the Student Worker Assistance Program, affectionately known as “SWAP.” With a budget of $20,000 our goal was to support youth and young adults in our church family who were accepted to work at Whispering Pines Camp. Those meeting the requirements fill out an application and are then approved by the Camp’s Executive Director, with recommendation by a Hillcrest Pastor. In 2024, we had 18 students apply and approved for SWAP!
At the end of the season, we received 7 letters from students who were positively impacted by the support they received from their home church.
Katelyn wrote, “I think the most impactful week for me was the second one when I had 3 girls give their lives to Jesus.”
Emma replied, “I have seen God use this time in my life to grow my faith.”
Jordan said, “I wouldn’t be anywhere near the person I am today if I hadn’t worked at camp.”
Finn shared, “Never will I forget the myriad late nights spent reading [Bible stories] and the profound, honest questions from the kids.”
Jenna mentioned how a girl came to camp for the first time and, “I prayed with her and she decided to follow Jesus. I was beyond overjoyed to share that special moment with her… God was able to use me as a Cabin Leader to impact her life in a big way.”
Maddy said, “Through this experience, God has taught me so many things about leadership and discipleship that I will carry forward in my life.”
And Emersyn stated that, “The impact that working there as a counsellor had on my life was amazing. Getting to know my girls each week and telling them about Jesus and God and seeing their eyes light up. God also taught me through them and helped me realize I went through situations for a reason and that I could use my experience to help others.”
As summer approaches, we are gung-ho to see another 18 students receive the same level of support, so that God can continue doing what He wants to do in them and through them to reach children and young people for Jesus. Thank you for choosing to partner with us and with the Lord, as together we see His kingdom advance for the glory of God and for the good of children, youth and families.
Click the button below for more information about each of our missions partners from our website
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