Community Highlights

Ministering to Marketplace Leaders. Led by Solomon Sands, a business owner. We make use of excellent resources from www.FaithDrivenEntrepreneur.org. In 2024 there were 15 leaders, both men and women, who accessed this option for spiritual and professional growth as we learned to follow Jesus in the marketplace and encourage each other.

Ministering to Men. Our Monday PM Men’s Group led by Miles Wright & Pastor Jamie offered a Freedom in Christ Course in January. It ran 13 weeks and we saw a total of 42 men take part. The response was very encouraging and several participants mentioned the great value of taking this course, which exposes the lies of the enemy and helps us discover and be set free by the truth of who we are in Christ.

Monday evenings are the weekly connecting point for men in the church. We currently have 82 men who participate at some level. We enjoy coffee, food and fellowship in Hub 1, study God’s Word around coffee tables, allowing each group to discuss, process what God is saying and wants them to do, and to pray for each other.

2024 also included a study in the book of Jonah, an apologetics course led by veteran homicide detective, and archaeological discoveries supporting the truth of the Bible.

Ministering to Women. Included the IF:Gathering in February, led by Leanne Wright & Carrie McDonald. More than 70 ladies took part locally in this faith-building, livestream event which gathered more than 100,000 women from around the world.

Women’s Spring Brunch. Hosted in May with high-performance leadership coach and trainer Darlene Jenkins speaking on “You Can Make A Difference” and the truth that God does not give up on any one of us. The morning also featured a fashion show by Twinkle Dolls and a Jewelry Boutique with proceeds going to the Furniture Ministry. The brunch was a sold-out event with more than 200 ladies attending, including those invited or brought by a friend of family member from Hillcrest. The Spring Brunch was put on by a capable volunteer team led by Donna Serr, including Glenda Edwards and Kim Karg, and serves as a tremendous gospel outreach to the women of our community.

Mother’s Day. Honouring the moms with a hand-made gift bag of tea and a cookie, baked fresh by Karen Schlamp and creatively packaged by Linda Freimark and her team of volunteers.

Women’s Christmas Brunch. Our annual Christmas Brunch was a wonder-full success! This year’s event entitled, “Star of Wonder” was developed and directed by Carrie McDonald & Val Seitz, along with the help of many volunteers. Karen Schlamp and her team prepared an amazing assortment of foods. Kia Kannekens & Rhea Nayak provided Christmas music. Michelle Mauer & Christy Wonnenberg presented a gift wrapping demonstration. And this year, the message of Christmas was a drama enacted by Pastor Jamie, Jacinda Klaiber, Peter Grafton & Richard Grafton, with a follow-up call by Donna Serr to look to Jesus this Christmas Season. Many of the guests and first-time attenders were impacted by the truth of Jesus and were given an opportunity to accept the Lord, and 13 Bibles were handed out.

Ministering Cross-Culturally. Bruce Lee from our church had a vision to reach the Mandarin-speaking Chinese community. In January 2024, we launched a Saturday afternoon gym event and Bible study in Mandarin which Bruce oversaw. This ministry ran for a full a year with as many as 12 individuals participating, and was a way to connect this cultural group to the church and share the gospel with family and friends.

Ministering Through Bible Studies & Life Groups. Hillcrest was blessed in 2024 with 10 Life Groups meeting in homes and other venues, with 110 adults, teens and children participating in those groups. The church also has 6 adult Bible Study Groups meeting weekly for fellowship, prayer and the study of God’s Word in the church facility, with 365 men and women having actively participated in these groups. We are so thankful for our Bible Study and Life Group facilitators who pray, prepare and provide opportunity for God to speak and to minister through His people.

Ministering Through RightNow Media. According to our church’s engagement report, we have 991 registered users, 69 percent of whom are accessing Bible studies, while the remaining 31 percent are accessing kids shows. In 2024, we averaged 1,517 visits, and with an average of 5 unique viewers per visit, that amounts to 7,585 men, women and children accessing quality Christian teaching content throughout the year.

Each person who calls Hillcrest their church home can have free, instant access to this platform, with 20,000 videos and counting. It’s also a tremendous outreach tool, as it can be given away for free by simply accessing the share option on the app.

I am so thankful that Hillcrest is able to freely share such an excellent evangelism and disciple-making tool. Visit our website to get access today!

Ministering to Our EMCC Family. This year, I contributed to a theological paper on women in ministry, attended the Regional Conference as a representative of Hillcrest, and wrote an article for EMCC Together Magazine (published in 2025) on the 24/7 prayer movement in our city.  

Ministering Through Celebration. Served on the Planning Team that put together the 75th Birthday celebration of Hillcrest Church.

Ministering Through Fun. With all that is going on in our city and church, we try to plan one or more fun events per year so that adults can gather together, enjoy fellowship, and get to know one another better. This year it was a night of bowling and ice cream at DQ.

Ministering Through Craft Workshops. Led by Michelle Mauer & Christy Wonnenberg. It was a fun year of learning new crafts and making new friends! The workshops were well attended with 20-25 people joining and many bringing friends from outside the church.  

Jan – Learn to Crochet – Maryanne Westgard 
Feb – Bible Journaling – Christy, Michelle & Teresa Rempel 
Mar – Cupcake Decorating Evening – Baking with Candice 
Apr –  Watercolor Botanicals with Mable Mund 
Oct – Watercolor with Mable Mund 
Nov – Cooking Decorating with Candice Funk 

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Next Steps

Baptisms & Church Memberships. In 2024 we celebrated a record 41 baptisms and welcomed 10 new members into the Hillcrest Church family. We thank God for each one who takes the step of faith to be baptized in obedience to Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). We also thank God for those who choose to officially make Hillcrest their home church and commit to taking an active role in the work of this local church family.

The Alpha Course. We began in January with extreme cold weather, yet still had 12 registered guests show, plus an extra 5 walk through the door! Our A-Team included 7 hosts and helpers, plus a Kitchen Team of 3. By the next Sunday, 8 more guests were added. We averaged 18 per Sunday and wrapped up March 24th with 21 as we celebrated the conclusion of another Course.

This semester included several pre-Christians and one woman gave her life to Jesus! She had been invited by a friend from Hillcrest and the two attended together. We have found this to be the most effective way of reaching family and friends with the good news of Jesus, and would ask you to pray about and consider who you could invite and attend with on a future Alpha Course.

In August we offered a brand new course on Sunday mornings through Alpha Canada entitled Life Shared, discovered and hosted by Rob & Janice Kirchner. This 4-session course offers Biblical teaching from leading Christian voices and real stories of invitation, exploring what it means to live out God’s call to share our lives and our faith with friends, colleagues and neighbours.

We began our Alpha Course in September with 12 registered guests plus 7 walk-ins. Our A-Team included 8 hosts and helpers and we were blessed with a Kitchen Team of 4. By the next Sunday we had 23 guests, 5 of whom were invited by individuals and families from Hillcrest and who graciously attended with them. We count it a great success when we see people from our church family inviting others and attending together!

Thank you for your continued prayers for Alpha and letting those in your circle of relationships know about this life-changing Course!

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Guest Services

Ministering Through Smiles & Coffee. Our volunteer Usher, Coffee, Greeter and Info Hub Teams offer excellent service and a friendly welcome to all who attend on Sundays, from the front door, to the doors of the Worship Centre, to the hubs and social spaces. Donna Serr leads our Hospitality Teams at Entrances 1 & 5. Ivan Karsten gives leadership to our Coffee Teams. And our three Usher Teams were led in 2024 by Doug McDowell, Brad Dillman and Ed Jollymore.

All of our teams are coordinated through my office with the capable assistance of Linda Freimark. This year, in 2024, we expanded Guest Services to include 7 Info Hub Hosts, along with an increase in other areas of this ministry (26 Ushers, 23 Coffee Servers, and 20 Greeters). We are very thankful for these front line volunteers and pray their ministry will flourish and foster a friendly, welcoming, Holy Spirit-led environment at Hillcrest, blessing those who are being served.

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Pastoral Care

Ministering to those in hospital and hospice. Visited 35 unique patients and their families in hospital and hospice over the course of the year, ministering to them as well as to various staff members in those facilities.

Ministering in prayer. Led a young adult to Christ over the phone and provided her with resources to grow in her faith. Led a grandmother to step out in faith who was struggling to forgive, teaching her from the Bible what forgiveness is and isn’t, and how to willingly forgive someone as an act of faith, not based on feelings. God did a tremendous healing work in her that morning. Prayed with an individual going through a marital betrayal and was able to share the hope of Jesus with a non-Christian family member who was also in the room, and who ended up seeing firsthand the power of God at work in that situation. Prayed for someone with auditory nerve damage who not only received a measure of healing, but was powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit. These are just some examples of how God answered prayer in 2024 and performed the work that only He can do.

Ministering to grieving families. Met with 4 families in 2024 to minister to them in their loss and officiate the service of their loved ones.

Ministering to Christian couples. Had the honour of taking 2 young couples through pre-marriage counseling in 2024 and performing their weddings. Also began mentoring a young couple with a passion to develop new life groups for young families.

Ministering to volunteers. Finding ways throughout the year to encourage individuals and teams and support the good they are accomplishing.

Ministering to Christian men. Mentored several men on “stronghold busting” using the Freedom In Christ app. Met with an entrepreneur to pray over his new commercial building and anoint him for God’s work in the marketplace. Counseled a young business owner regarding his career options and prayed with him for God to open the right door for him and his family. Continued mentoring a young man who attends university on an athletic scholarship, via texts and phone calls, encouraging him to keep trusting the Lord and providing him with helpful resources.

These are just some of the ways the Lord has used me in 2024 to mentor, encourage and walk alongside those He has placed under my care.

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Weekly Ministries

This was my final year in the role of Weekly Ministries Supervisor. With Pastor Mike taking on the Executive Pastor role in 2025, my supervisory responsibilities with regard to Children & Families and Youth were transferred to him. It has been a distinct honour to serve in this role and provide pastoral encouragement and mentoring to a number of our Pastors, Ministry Directors and Support Staff.

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Personal Notes

I am thankful for the Sabbatical that was provided me through Hillcrest in 2024. My time away from June through August was spiritually refreshing. It included a visit to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky, and traveling with Carrie through Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes and visiting family. I am grateful to God and to the church for this opportunity for rest, reading, and personal growth.

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Final Remarks

During my Sabbatical, Carrie and I had the privilege of visiting Parliament Hill in Ottawa and successfully locating my grandfather’s name as an elected member of the 20th, 21st and 22nd Parliament of Canada. It was an incredible honour for my grandfather to serve the people of his constituency, but even more important that before his life on earth was over, he opened the door of his heart to Jesus. Because of that, his name is written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27), and right this minute he stands perfectly whole and alive in the presence of his Lord and Saviour. It’s a reminder to me of the need for personal salvation through Jesus Christ and the work that the Lord has called me to do. Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom…” (John 18:36).

Of course, I am able to do what I do here at Hillcrest because of the many hands that make ministry possible.

  • To Carrie, who faithfully serves alongside me and serves our church family in so many ways.

  • To Linda, my administrative assistant, who ensures that people are contacted, lists are kept and items like Communion supplies are re-ordered.

  • To Christy who works the front office reception and helps me with staying connected with Bible study leaders and printing off materials for our groups.

  • To my prayer team and the many volunteers who, without their involvement,. prayers and support, would make it impossible for me to do what I do and for the church to function in a healthy, life-giving, Christ-honouring way.

Once again, I find myself grateful to God for His grace and for giving me the opportunity to work and serve at Hillcrest Church. I am thankful for the amazing and talented staff I get to work with, and for the gifted and dedicated volunteer leaders I get to serve alongside, including many of you! I am humbled and blessed to be part of all that God is doing in and through this church family, and I am privileged to be part of it. Thank you for allowing me to minister God’s love to a hurting world through Hillcrest.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Jamie

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