Grace Church on 99 merged with Squamish Baptist Church, in “all but the paperwork.” Now both congregations meet at Squamish Baptist Church at 10 a.m. for Sunday worship services.
The churches have been in talks since last March, when Pastor BK Smith of Squamish Baptist Church approached Pastor David Corrente, formerly of Grace Church on 99, with the idea.
Church members initially voted against the merger, but after further discussion, they passed another vote with “nearly 90 per cent” approval, Corrente said.
The two churches already had a close relationship and often partnered in ministry activities like youth groups. Corrente regularly sent teens from Grace Church on 99 to Squamish Baptist Church on Sunday nights, while Smith sent children to Grace Kids on Wednesdays. The pastors said members of both congregations already had close relationships and frequently spent time together.
“Our people gelled in a way that – people were crying,” said Smith, about a combined worship night held before the merger. “I thought there was something that God was doing, connecting people.”
While the process of merging took time, Corrente said the opportunities created by the partnership are “exponential.” Together, the church now has significantly more leadership support for each member.
Between 150 and 190 churchgoers attend every Sunday, Corrente said, but the congregation is divided into small groups of about 20 people, each led by a pastor or elder.
“I was the only pastor at Grace Church 99,” said Corrente. “So I was in charge of essentially overseeing everything.”
Now, more people share the church’s responsibilities.
Children’s programming continues at the Grace Church on 99 building every Wednesday, but the pastors say there are plans to expand the use of the space. They hope to turn the building into a Christian daycare and, in the long term, possibly a Christian school.
“We’re just starting to figure out, what are we going to put our hands to the plow with?” said Corrente. “How can we use this for the community?”
