THUNDER BAY — After making a leap across town from a small office on Archibald Street to a full-sized church on Wilson Street, Joyce Spence and her small congregation now have room to grow.
Spence pastors and speaks for Shining Light Ministries in the former Bethel Lutheran Church.
It's part of the Christian Aboriginal Fellowship of Canada, headquartered in North Bay.
Shining Light Ministries moved into the church after the Lutheran congregation closed last year due to declining membership.
It's leasing the building from a Thunder Bay businessman who purchased it six years ago but rented it to the Bethel congregation.
"We're not a big organization. We're probably at, I'd say, 10 people. Because we're Indigenous, we do have a lot of people who come to the city for medical reasons, shopping and school. We capture those people that come to our Fellowship for services," Spence told TBNewswatch.
Most of the current members are younger adults.
Spence said COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult for people to get together, but the group is careful to abide by all COVID-19 restrictions.
In the previous location on the opposite side of the city, Spence said, "We were in such a small space, we weren't able to come together as a body. Here we have ample space for services."
She described the new, more central location as ideal for the expansion of programming.
"We're not even using it to its full capabilities. There's space for growth, unlimited possibilities to reach out to the community. The sky's the limit."
As one example, Spence mentioned the possibility of establishing a soup kitchen to help community members having challenges.
"I know people from the North come to the city with limited resources, and don't know what services are available."
Even when the church was closed due to COVID, she said, "We would meet families at the hospital and possibly provide clothing, because sometimes when they come here for an emergency they're not able to pack."
Shining Light Ministries also wants to reach out to families who lose loved ones in Thunder Bay by providing spiritual support before they return to their home First Nation.
Tax Callianteris, the owner of the property, is happy to have a long-term tenant.
He said he's made extensive improvements to the building and an adjacent house, and plans to do more, including work on the steeple.
A banquet hall in the basement has a separate entrance and is available for the use of the church or other interested parties.
