ABOUT US
Thanks for your interest in us! Here is some information on our vision statement, mission statement, history, our core values, and our statement of doctrine.
VISION AND MISSION
"To see lives transformed through knowing and experiencing God."
Let's be real - mission and vision statements are tricky things. You get too specific and no one can remember what you wrote. You get too general and it means absolutely nothing. So we came up with this vision statement. It's not long, it's not complex, it's just what we hope to see happen here at this church.
If you want a lot more specifics, you can check out the additional information under the "About Us" section.
CORE VALUES
As a large and diverse congregation we have many different view points and passions. That said, the following values are core to this church and our identity as a congregation. If you would like to discuss any of these values, please contact Pastor George.
Lost people matter to God, and therefore matter to us. This includes the concepts of relational evangelism and evangelism as a process. (Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Matthew 18:14).
A clear relevant exposition and application of scripture along with a vibrant prayer life, is crucial to spiritual growth and maturity, and the catalysts for life change and transformation. (Heb 4:11-12; Acts 20:32; 2 Tim 3:16-17; James 1:23-25; Romans 12:7)
The church ministers in a celebrative and innovative style that communicates to our culture. (1 Cor. 9:19-23; Eph. 5:18-20)
The church is led by discerned leaders who empower people for ministry according to their gifts, passion and personal style. (Heb 13:7,17; Romans 12:6,8; Acts 6:2-6; 1 Tim 3:1-10)
Loving relationships will permeate every aspect of our lives. This includes concepts of love-driven ministry, ministry accomplished in teams, and relationship building, (1 Cor. 13; Neh. 3; Luke 10:1; John 13:34-35)
Authentic caring is vital to each person and life change is best experienced in small groups. Therefore development of small groups is a high priority. (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor. 12:12-26; Romans 12; Luke 6:12-13) (Includes a network of care, recovery, support and task groups)
The church is a place of healing and therefore we will emphasize God’s unconditional love and forgiveness for everyone and attempt to motivate people through love and thankfulness rather than guilt, shame or duty. (John 13:34-35; James 5:16)
The church operates as a unified community of servants with men and women serving on the basis of their spiritual gifts, passion and personality. (John 13:34-35; Eph. 4:12-13; Mark 9: 33-35; Neh. 6:15-16) (Includes loving relationships, unity, team based ministry)
Striving for excellence honors God and inspires people. (Colossians 3:17; Proverbs 27:17) (Includes the concepts of evaluation, constructive review)
We will partner with other churches and Para church ministries to advance the kingdom of God in our community.
STATEMENT OF DOCTRINE
The following is ECBC's statement of doctrine. These doctrinal statements are at the core of what we believe in.
We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate.
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for the godly living and service.
We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God.
We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age.
We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ.
We believe that only those who are thus members of the true church shall be eligible for membership in the local church.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs.
We believe in the personal and premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this "blessed hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to ever-lasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and ever-lasting conscious punishment.
HISTORY
1972 - Today
March 5, 1972
On March 5, 1972, ECBC Founder, Pastor Sun, led the first Sunday service of ECBC. There were about 30 to 40 worshippers who came together for the first ECBC worship service on the premises of the Evangelical Free Church.
With Rev. John Sun at the helm, the church grew to about 350 worshippers within ten years. The growth was due largely to the hard work of the early leadership, who often went door to door to invite people to the worship services and the evangelistic meetings.
March 12, 1992
The church building started from a purchased house at East 50th Ave., Vancouver. On Mar. 12, 1992, the ground- breaking ceremony was held together with the Church's 21st anniversary. It took three years to complete the construction of the current ECBC church building.
At the turn of the millenium, the average attendance at the mother church in Burnaby stood at 1,200 worshippers, with another 300 members at the 3 branch churches in Coquitlam, Surrey and Richmond.
Today
We give all the glory to God who has blessed the church bountifully. We give thanks also for the many faithful co-laborers who, by their examples and selfless devotion, have given generously of themselves and their resources to build ECBC to be what it is today.