About Us
Who is Open Arms?
We are a 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. Our mission is "Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus known through Love, Faith, Truth and Action."
We welcome you to come as you are no matter where you come from or what your background is. 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 a 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. Our mission is "Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus known through Love, Faith, Truth and Action."
We welcome you to come as you are no matter where you come from or what your background is. 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.
- A time of offering to give back to the Lord.
- 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.
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 to establish what is now Open Arms Church.
“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 to establish what is now Open Arms Church.
“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
Support Staff:
Denis Clay: Elder
Gary Barton: Elder, Offering
Doug Yorke: Elder
Doug Rupchan: Deacon
Cynthia Barton: Kids Church Ministry
Wanda Clay: Worship Team Leader
Jennifer McCulley: Office Administrator
Kathy Taylor: Offering/Envelope Secretary
Caleb Guenette: Tech Coordinator
Keith Taylor: Cleaning Ministry
Polly Suttis: Hospitality
We are thankful for both leaders and workers at Open Arms. We are a church family working together to fulfill the plans that God has for us.
Supporters
This grass roots church planting initiative to see a vital and Gospel- centered church presence established in Parrsboro is a joint effort involving a number of partners:
FBC Great Village
Port Greville Baptist
Main Street Baptist Church
FBC Great Village
Port Greville Baptist
Main Street Baptist Church