| Where you are: FCF
> About - History |
| Our History |
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| 1974 |
Two ladies, Nancy King and Mary Sandwell, were faithfully
seeking God for the salvation of Chuck and Don, their husbands.
They were also seeking Him for the desperately needed healing
of Don Sandwell's back. Together, these two couple's attended
a miracle service where Don’s back was completely healed!
The four of them began a spiritual journey together, praying
for a work of God in this region.
Hungry for more of God, they began a Bible study in their
home which quickly attracted others of similar faith and experience.
Out of this small beginning, the foundation of the fellowship
was forged.
When the gathering outgrew the Sandwell’s home, they
were able to secure space in the Transport for Christ building
for weekly Sunday evening meetings. The group that met was
made up of Anglican, Reformed, Christian Reformed, Baptist,
Missionary Alliance, United, and Roman Catholic backgrounds
and became known as the Christian Fellowship Centre. |
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| 1976 |
Jack and Bev Chamberlain agreed to pastor this new church.
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| 1977 |
The group moved it’s meeting place to Carlisle’s
Community Hall and renamed themselves Carlisle Christian Fellowship.
Rev. Stanley Clark with his wife Jessie and their daughter replaced
the Chamberlain’s as Pastors. |
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| 1982 |
Five years later, Rev. Errol Alchin and his wife Lynette were
directed to Carlisle Christian Fellowship by Carlton Spencer,
President of Elim Bible Institute. They became the first full-time
pastors. They served for 5 years and brought the church into
official affiliation with Elim Fellowship. During this time,
many Friday evenings were spent in all night prayer meetings.
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| 1985 |
After months of cleaning and renovating, the fellowship moved
into the Orange Lodge Hall on Centre Road in Carlisle having
been given a 10 year, $1.00 per year lease. |
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| 1988 |
Three years later, Rev. Gerard Haberstro, his wife Maureen,
and their 3 daughters came from Buffalo, N.Y. to pastor the
flock. Soon afterwards Pastor Gerard suffered from a severe
stroke. The church banded together and over time God brought
about a miraculous recovery. |
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| 1990 |
Prayer walking the roads of Flamborough, the area was claimed
for Christ. A house with 20 acres was acquired at 329 6th Concession
East, Flamborough to build a church. The fellowship became incorporated
and the name was changed to Flamborough Christian Fellowship
to better identify with the new location. |
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| 1993 |
After tremendous effort, sacrifice and a miraculous decision
by the region to exempt churches from land levy’s, the
beautiful church building we enjoy today was dedicated to the
Lord. |
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| 1994 |
Rev. Ralph Byma along with his wife Debbie were brought in
as the Worship Leader and Youth Pastor. Pastor Ralph worked
alongside Pastor Gerard for 4 years. During this time, the Holy
Spirit visited the church breathing in new life. Like a firebrand,
Evangelist Ray Sel brought a deposit of the Holy Spirit, awakening
fresh hunger for God. Nights were set aside for seeking and
soaking in God’s presence. Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship
was experiencing an outpouring of the Father’s love and
the people of Flamborough Christian Fellowship, hungry for God,
pressed in for more.
During this time, Pastor Gerard who had a strong Missions
vision led numerous short-term missions trips, especially
to Jamaica. |
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| 1995 |
God led Robert Warriner along with his wife Betty Anne and
their two children to attend Flamborough Christian Fellowship.
At that time, both simply needed ministry and healing. Mr. Warriner
had been an Associate Pastor in an Elim Church in Oneida, New
York for four years and an Assistant Pastor in Hamilton for
seven years. Soon Pastor Haberstro realized that God had brought
this couple to someday replace him as Pastor. During this time,
Pastor Byma was called to pastor Grand Valley Christian Fellowship
in Brantford. |
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| 1998 |
God led an individual to give a sizeable offering specifically
to cover a year's salary for Pastor Bob to join Pastor Haberstro
on staff. |
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| 1999 |
After 11 years of service, Rev. Gerard and Maureen Haberstro
clearly heard God’s call to the nations and resigned as
Pastors of F.C.F. The leadership and congregation clearly confirmed
that God had called Pastor Bob Warriner along with his wife
Betty Anne to lead the fellowship forward. |
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| Today |
We are now in the process of writing history again. There
is so much that God has promised us regarding our call to the
nations, revival in this region, financial resources, apostolic
anointing, etc. Our vision is to pursue the presence of God.
As we do, God will fulfill His Word to send us to our neighbors
and to the nations with His love. |
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