Langley Mennonite Fellowship, Langley, BC Source: D. Giesbrecht

Langley Mennonite Fellowship began when several individuals (Peter Rempel, Heidi and Henry Martens, and Mary and Hans Rempel) decided to begin meeting together for worship in December 1976, due to dissatisfaction with existing church options in the Vancouver area. Peter Kehler, the coordinator of the Conference of Mennonites in BC, encouraged the group to meet with other Mennonites from Langley who might be interested in forming a new church. A group of 15-20 people met in spring 1977 to explore options, and weekly prayer meetings followed. In fall 1977 the group decided to meet for evening worship services at Trinity Western College. This arrangement proved to be unsatisfactory and they were encouraged by Erwin Cornelson of Vancouver to begin meeting Sunday mornings at Douglas Hall in Langley. Morning services began in February 1978, and Cornelsen served in a leadership capacity until June of that year, followed by Jake Tilitzky. Sig Polle began serving as half-time pastor in September 1978. The congregation joined the Conference of Mennonites in BC in February 1980. In that year the congregation purchased a small church building in the Murrayville district of Langley. In 1983 a larger church, formerly owned by the Lutherans, was purchased on 56th Avenue and 196th Street.

Langley Mennonite Fellowship hired their first full-time pastor, David Gustafson, in 1981. During his years at the church, he also helped to establish a Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) in Langley. Henry Krause has served as leading minister since 1989. He has played a leading role in organizing the Arts and Peace Festival since 1992.

Langley Mennonite Fellowship has sought to be a community where people can think about matters of faith and has fostered a spirit of openness so that everyone could feel free to share both faith and doubts. The congregation has sought to discern and encourage the gifts of all participants, both women and men in leadership and worship. Lay ministry is strongly encouraged in the areas of preaching and teaching, and worship services include the congregational singing of balancing traditional four-part hymns with contemporary songs and a variety of instruments. The congregation has sought to promote peace and justice issues through a variety of ministries.

The need for adequate Sunday school facilities was an important factor in deciding in 1997 to build a new church.  By January 1998 they began regular worship services in the new building at 20097 40th Avenue in Langley.

Bibliography

Additional Information

Address: 20997 40th Avenue, Langley BC V3A 8N9

Telephone: 604-530-0333

Website: Langley Mennonite Fellowship

Denominational Affiliations:

Mennonite Church British Columbia (1981-present)

Conference of Mennonites in Canada / Mennonite Church Canada (1981-present)

General Conference Mennonite Church (1981-1999)

Langley Mennonite Fellowship Membership

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