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 April-May 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!