Mission Statement
Leading people to love and serve Jesus Christ
Statement of Faith
We believe in the one, true living God, Creator of heaven and earth. We confess God as eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that the entire Bible was inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. We believe the good news of God's salvation in Jesus Christ is for all people. We believe that Jesus calls people who have experienced the joy of new birth to follow Him as disciples. We believe that the saving grace of God in Jesus is the only means of reconciling humanity with God.
SCC History
Sardis Community Church held its first service in Vedder Junior Secondary School on September 7, 1975. The church grew out of two Bible Study groups involving seven couples who were members of Broadway MB. church but lived in Sardis. The need for a community church in the rapidly growing area of Sardis was affirmed by the Board of Church Extension of the B.C. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Services were held in the Vedder Junior School during which time Harold Penner was called as the church's first pastor in July 1976. It was at this time that small fellowship groups called Household groups were organized. They continue to be an important foundation of church life at Sardis.
Harold and Marg Penner left in 1978 to pastor the 108 Mile Chapel.
In July 1979, Arlee & JoAnn Johnson with their three children arrived from Fresno California to begin pastoring a growing church which was in the completion stages of its building project on South Sumas Road. The new church was dedicated in May 1980. During the five years of the Johnson's ministry in Sardis, many people accepted Christ and many newcomers to the community from a variety of church backgrounds joined the church.
The Johnson's accepted a call to Bethany, Oklahoma (their home state) in the summer of 1984. In October 1984, Steve and Marlene Miller, who were pastoring a church in Southern California accepted a call to give leadership to Sardis Community Church.
The church body recognized the need for a second pastor, particularly to give leadership in youth & children's ministries, as more young families were making Sardis Community their home church. Don & Judy Klaassen from Yarrow, B.C. became part of the ministerial team in the fall of 1986.
Steve and Marlene Miller resigned in the Spring of 1989 to pastor a church in Washington. Don Klaassen took on added responsibilities until the summer of 1991. At this time Arlee and JoAnn Johnson consented to return to Sardis after Arlee had completed a teaching assignment at the M.B. Seminary in Fresno, California. They served until 1997.
In the Summer of 1993 Don & Judy Klaassen and daughters left for Chicago, Illinois where Don continued post-graduate studies at Wheaton College. The need again was felt for a second pastor. In a diverse congregation such as Sardis Community was, besides the preaching ministry, much of Arlee's time was taken up with counseling. The church body agreed to look to God for direction in hiring someone as a pastor of Family Ministries with training and experience in counseling. Dorothy Martens, who had recently completed counseling courses at the M.B. Seminary in Fresno, began her ministry at Sardis in August 1993, as pastor of Family Ministries.
In 1995, Allan Rempel was hired as Youth Pastor and he and Heather served with joy and enthusiasm until 2006, when Dave Heinrichs & Andrea were hired to this position.
In 1997, Graeme Isbister & Verna accepted the senior pastor position after they had attended Sardis for 2 years, and they continue to the present.
Over the thirty-one years of the church’s history we have received abundant grace and mercy in our pilgrimage.
"TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!"
Information about the Mennonite Brethren Church
Confession of Faith
A Confession of Faith is what you confess you believe in. Click here to read a summary or a detailed version of the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith.
What is Mennonite Brethren?
This link leads you into all sorts of information about the distinctives of a Mennonite Brethren church and gives you an idea of how we "fit" into christian history.
What do MB's think about the Bible?
We read the Bible to understand it. We believe it is personal and meaningful for an individual to read. We believe that God talks to us through the Bible. Read more about how the MB view the Bible.
The Canadian Conference of MB Churches
This is the site for the Canadian branch of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
The MB Herald
This monthly magazine is full of authentic Christian living. From stories about facing depression to updates on conferences, missionaries and recent deaths, this magazine keeps you up to date on everything that is happening in the denomination. The editor is not afraid to have differing viewpoints on subjects and encourages discussion among the members of the Mennonite Brethren denomination in Canada.
MB Herald Subscription
Phone the church office to find out more about how you can get a subscription to the MB Herald. It is complimentary for members of a Mennonite Brethren Church.
