Church Planting Featured Story
by Vania Levans at Mosaic
People often ask me if I ever get discouraged ministering at Mosaic, given the mix of people that attend our congregation. Mosaic has a focus on the marginalized and thus draws many who are in the midst of struggles with addictions, homeless, or mentally ill. I guess the expectation is that when you're working with that type of group, transformation is hard to see and it can get discouraging. I've been working there about 5 years now and the answer to discouragement due to a lack of visible transformation is a resounding no! I don't need to sit still for more than a minute before many stories come pouring into my head. I think of Mr. Q who proudly announced recently that he'd been out of jail for 13 months straight. Amazing! He was in and out of jail all the time when I first started and quite an intimidating character. Mr. Q is not the same person anymore. He is more kind, more considerate and hungry for God. The love of God through the Mosaic community has transformed him, and it's great to watch him make a show of leaving and "having to get home" only to sit at the back and "sneak" in Bible Study. Or I think of the numerous stories of those who are used to being on the outside, not having a place and living in very isolated conditions, learning to be loved by God and people, and finding the courage to use their voice and gifts to bless others.
Also, Mosaic had a special ministry going for the Olympics. For the duration of the games we were open 24 hours a day. Our staff, support workers, and volunteers were overwhelmed with how well this time went. Who would have guessed that the opportunity to hand around a low-key but sacred space like Mosaic would be such a catalyst for transforming work of the spirit in people's lives, and who would have guessed we would have had such favor with the community? The Vancouver police were sending us people, (we have no idea how they found out about us) and so was one of the hospitals! In fact, one person the hospital sent who didn't have a place to stay and had never been to church is now sitting out in the main space, waiting for Bible study to begin, as I write. He has been attending our Saturday's service since the Olympic project and has a thirst for the Living God. We are trusting and hoping that it won't be long before he surrenders to Jesus. We were so blessed and are still grateful to the Alliance churches that partnered with us to see that project happen, and many of the men in our Mosaic community who volunteered their construction gifts to help us get renovated in time. Our community is still experiencing the fruit of that endeavor.
So yes, it's rather encouraging to serve and pastor those who come to Mosaic. We get to witness amazing changes in people's lives and are confronted and reminded on a weekly basis of the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives. It is true, we don't often see instantaneous change, but we do see gradual ongoing growth, and it often catches us by surprise how quickly changes do come.
That's not to say, however, that Mosaic is without its challenges. One of the ongoing challenges of ministering to those who come through the doors of Mosaic is that finances are an ongoing issue. With many of our congregants living below the poverty line, 10% of not much is not much, and Mosaic struggles yearly to keep its pastors employed and it is often easier to get funding for special projects like the Olympic one than our operating budget. We pick up extra jobs; take temporary salary cuts, and temporary layoffs. This is not always easy to do and we often each have to evaluate and reevaluate the significance of our ministry. We do feel it is important that these precious ones receive pastoral care, be loved, and encouraged to grow in Christ not only for their sakes, but also ours. We are constantly taught about God, His love, and how His kingdom works by these ones and have come to understand that the body of Christ is lacking if ones such as these are not welcomed in and given voice. Of course, we hope that one day Mosaic will be fully funded and financially stable; but we trust that by God's grace, even if it isn't, Mosaic will be here somehow and we will be granted the strength and perseverance to continue this work.