About Us
Who is Open Arms?
We are new church plant under the direction of Faith Baptist Church in Great Village NS. ‘Open Arms’ is the essence of who we are under Christ: we want everyone who comes in our doors to feel welcomed, encouraged, and at home.
We welcome you to ‘come as you are’ no matter where you come from or what your background. We have a relaxed and modern style, with a focus on the delivery of the truth of God's word. Our greatest desire is to see you experience love from our people and our Lord Jesus Christ.
What Happens on Sunday Morning?
Sunday morning gatherings begin at 10AM. Come a few minutes early so you can grab a coffee, sit down and relax as you get to know our folks. Enjoy the service as we seek to be authentic in how we present the truth.
What are Community Groups?
We believe there is a need to have learning and community outside Sunday mornings. Community groups are held at different homes and nights during the week so you can ask questions or just simply listen. They are essential to individual and church growth. Hosts and leaders create an environment that parallels the Sunday morning, helping you to feel welcomed, accepted, at home, and part of a family where you learn truth. In a smaller group you will find more support through developing relationships that are not as easy to make in a bigger group such as Sunday mornings.
We are new church plant under the direction of Faith Baptist Church in Great Village NS. ‘Open Arms’ is the essence of who we are under Christ: we want everyone who comes in our doors to feel welcomed, encouraged, and at home.
We welcome you to ‘come as you are’ no matter where you come from or what your background. We have a relaxed and modern style, with a focus on the delivery of the truth of God's word. Our greatest desire is to see you experience love from our people and our Lord Jesus Christ.
What Happens on Sunday Morning?
Sunday morning gatherings begin at 10AM. Come a few minutes early so you can grab a coffee, sit down and relax as you get to know our folks. Enjoy the service as we seek to be authentic in how we present the truth.
- We start with an introduction and probably a little humour to bring a smile to your day. God made humour!
- Our band leads us in contemporary worship music as we sing praise to our God.
- Our kids are dismissed to Kidz Church where they are taught about Jesus in a safe, interactive, and fun environment (See details about our programming and how we work to keep your children safe on our ministry page)
- An easy to understand message is given, relevant to people’s lives and straight from the truth of Scriptures.
- Prayer ends the message portion of the gathering.
- At approximately 11:15, if you have time, we wrap up with coffee, snacks and great conversations, getting to know one another!
What are Community Groups?
We believe there is a need to have learning and community outside Sunday mornings. Community groups are held at different homes and nights during the week so you can ask questions or just simply listen. They are essential to individual and church growth. Hosts and leaders create an environment that parallels the Sunday morning, helping you to feel welcomed, accepted, at home, and part of a family where you learn truth. In a smaller group you will find more support through developing relationships that are not as easy to make in a bigger group such as Sunday mornings.
Meet our Lead Pastor Doug Lake
I (Doug) am originally from Port Greville (about 15 minutes west of Parrsboro) and grew up in the area. As a young man, I met my sweet wife Lillian who is from the other end of the country (BC) and God gave us two beautiful daughters, Caitlin and Jessica. After a rather rocky start to our marriage and family life, God intervened when I met Christ in 2001 at the age of 34. He transformed me. The change was so sudden and so unexplainable that Lillian soon found herself compelled to give her heart to Christ as well and in very short order we were a Christian family.
Not only that but we found ourselves part of a greater Christian family as God provided the local church in Great Village as a spiritual home for us. We have been nurtured and have grown in the family of faith . Over the years of our personal involvement, God has taught us so much and allowed us to grow in so many ways that the immensity of our gratitude to Him is hard to express.
Right from the start of our walk with Christ, He gave us a tremendous passion for reaching out to people who don’t have the Lord in their lives. This continues to be our passion and is the reason why in 2014 we made the commitment to lead a team of Christ followers in seeking to establish this ministry for His glory.
“But if I say, ‘I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name, His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.’” Jeremiah 20:9
Not only that but we found ourselves part of a greater Christian family as God provided the local church in Great Village as a spiritual home for us. We have been nurtured and have grown in the family of faith . Over the years of our personal involvement, God has taught us so much and allowed us to grow in so many ways that the immensity of our gratitude to Him is hard to express.
Right from the start of our walk with Christ, He gave us a tremendous passion for reaching out to people who don’t have the Lord in their lives. This continues to be our passion and is the reason why in 2014 we made the commitment to lead a team of Christ followers in seeking to establish this ministry for His glory.
“But if I say, ‘I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name, His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.’” Jeremiah 20:9
Meet the Team:
Denis and Wanda Clay
Wanda and Denis Clay have been a part of the Open Arm’s leadership team from the beginning. Being good friends and doing ministry with Doug and Lillian at FBC for many years, they all felt the call from God to plant a church in Parrsboro. God has used their love for Him and people to support one another through this huge life change. All of their giftings complement one another, so in an area where one is weak, another is strong. Denis is Doug’s right-hand man and accountability partner. He fills in preaching when Doug is away, as well as preaching biweekly at Port Greville Baptist Church, a partner of Open Arms. Denis intros every service with a great story and usually a laugh to help people relax and feel comfortable, something important to us at Open Arms. Wanda oversees the worship team and the Love in Action Team. She has a heart to see Open Arms reach into the community with the love of Christ, and to help residents know that Open Arms is a ministry they can trust. We do that by “Getting Out There” and being an active part of our community in Jesus’ name.
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Denis and Wanda live in Economy, NS with their schnoodle, Jake. Retired from the Toronto Police Service since 2003, they now spend the majority of time in active ministry, though they do enjoy gardening, hiking, and the occasional golf game. |
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Worship TeamMeet the Worship Team for Open Arms!
We call ourselves 180. When Open Arms began the church plant process there wasn't a worship team in place. We prayed that God would bring people through our doors who have musical gifts and talents that could be used at Open Arms to worship Him. Although none of us are professionals, He has blessed us with abilities that can serve Him. Wanda Clay is our worship leader. She has put in a lot of work picking songs, organizing the team and learning to harmonize! Rachel Collins, Emma Collins, Cindy Yorke and Katie-Lynn Webb are also singers on the team. Randy Elliott and Logan Elliott have been blessed with the ability to play acoustic guitar. Lillian Lake and Mikayla Collins play percussion, and with no previous experience have taken a lot of time and effort to learn to play the beat box and African drum for us. |
Audio/Video Crew
Our audio/video team consists of Craig McCormick, Caleb Guenette, Josh Levy, Andrew Adshade, Jen McCulley and Linda McCormick. God has provided our church with a team of technologically gifted volunteers who keep each of our morning services looking and sounding great.
This team is also responsible for making sure our sermons are available online and on the go. |
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Support Staff:
Gary Barton: Finance and offering
Doug and Yvette Yorke: Greeters
Denis Clay: Hospitality
Keith Taylor: Parking
Cynthia Barton: Kidz Church Leader
Many of our other volunteers have come from FBC Great Village and have been huge contributors for this church plant. Members have taken turns cleaning the church building, helping with Kidz Church, baking goods for Sunday service and hosting community groups.
Doug and Yvette Yorke: Greeters
Denis Clay: Hospitality
Keith Taylor: Parking
Cynthia Barton: Kidz Church Leader
Many of our other volunteers have come from FBC Great Village and have been huge contributors for this church plant. Members have taken turns cleaning the church building, helping with Kidz Church, baking goods for Sunday service and hosting community groups.
Supporters
This grass roots church planting initiative to see a vital and Gospital- centered church presence established in Parrsboro is a joint effort involving a number of partners:
FBC Great Village
Fellowship Atlantic
FEBCC (Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada)
Port Greville Baptist
Red Bank Baptist (South Carolina)
True Life Church
Main Street Baptist Church
FBC Great Village
Fellowship Atlantic
FEBCC (Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada)
Port Greville Baptist
Red Bank Baptist (South Carolina)
True Life Church
Main Street Baptist Church