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Pastor: Richard Peacock
Wife Bobbi and youngest daughter Kristi
...Richard Peacock was sent out by Summerville Baptist Church in June, 1994 to Creston, British Columbia, Canada, to pastor Valley View Baptist Church. This struggling ministry in the heart of the Kootenay's had been without a pastor for two or three years and was about to disband. Due to God's grace and faithfulness of a few believers to persevere it is now a well established New Testament Baptist Church. We thank God for the way He worked out all the details as this ministry is greatly blessed. There are very few strong fundamental, soul-winning Baptist churches in B.C. . Our goal is to be faithful so Christ can build this church to His honor and glory. Our love and thanks to all who have prayed and given of time, energy, and finances to this ministry.
...I was born June 26th, 1947 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Twenty seven years later (1974) I was "Born Again" in Creston, B.C.. Now, I find myself back in the same area as a pastor. How did all this come about? By God's divine power and grace.
...I was raised at Alicel, Oregon, in the beautiful Grande Ronde Valley. While attending Eastern Oregon College, I met a beautiful young woman. Bobbi and I were married on Dec. 28th, 1968. Following a move to Bend, Oregon we decided to head "North". North ended up being Creston. This small community is only 10 miles from the Canadian/U.S.A. border, near Bonners Ferry, Idaho. It was here that I finally heard with my "Spiritual Ears" that "by grace are ye saved through faith". God's free gift of eternal life was for me. This came about when the pastor of Creston Baptist Church shared with me this great truth. I became very active in that church and served five years as a trustee, sunday school teacher, youth worker, and deacon. Bobbi was active as well with church responsibilities and raising daughters, Dawn, and Lara.
...We then moved back to Oregon and settled in Summerville. The purpose being to help build and operate a sawmill in Alicel, Oregon. By God's grace we became members of Summerville Baptist Church. After many years of discipling and service as a teacher and deacon the Lord called me to be a pastor in October, 1992. I was ordained by Summerville Baptist Church on June 26th, 1994. The Holy Spirit led us back to the small town of my spiritual birth to pastor a church which is now reaching the lost, baptizing, and discipling believers.
...Valley View Baptist Church is located in Creston, B.C., a small town of 5,000. There is approximately another 5,000 in the surrounding area which we can reach with our church ministries. It has a very diverse economic base: Timber, farming, lumber mills, recreation, with all the usual service sectors. The area also has a history of supplying housing and services for the mentally challenged. It also has a large retirement population.
...Creston's population is a cross-section of Canadian culture. It is very diverse due to a wide range of nationalities and religious influences. Cultural diversity is quite strongly promoted by government, press, education, etc.. This promotion of diversity is somewhat responsible for there being a rather liberal, relativistic viewpoint. The present generation basically "does that which is right in their own eyes". Our church finds itself reaching out to many people with little biblical knowledge. Past church backgrounds, if any, are usually Catholic, Anglican, United, and Lutheran. The numerically large churches do not hold to anything even closely resembling "Evangelical" doctrine. Valley View Baptist Church is the fundamental witness in this area. Our challenge is to present a clear, concise gospel message to folks who are generally disinterested or slightly "religious". Our hope is in God who has prepared hearts to respond to the life-saving, life-changing gospel.
Following salvation we use the following ways to teach disciples the word of God:
- •Sunday morning and evening services.
- •Sunday school classes
- •Bible studies - Life works; A.B.C. Ladies; "Growing Kids".
- •One-on-one discipleship training.
- •Bible Institute
...Our first service in Creston was on July 1st, 1994. Since that time the Church has grown numerically and spiritually. From a handful to last quarters average attendance of 75. New converts or people with nominal Christian backgrounds make-up the majority of the congregation. It is an exciting ministry with quite rapid spiritual growth taking place in many lives. It has been challenging to provide the "Milk & Meat" necessary for each person. Until this year the only teachers available were Bobbi, Kristi, and myself. What a blessing to have a wife and a daughter who want to serve the Lord. Without their support, this ministry would not have reached as many people or grown as quickly. There are now others coming forward who are God called and biblically literate to labour together with us. What a blessing!
...Our facility can be described as 3500sq ft of unfinished, yet usable and big enough, but barely. The building has taken a lot of time and energy and there is yet much to do. There is a need to be saving toward a new sanctuary and class rooms as we finish the existing structure. It appears that our facility is limiting growth to some degree. But we will continue to use the building and property to the best we can.
...God is moving mightily in many lives. Many of those being reached have come out of "horrible" backgrounds. Family, religious, culture, and personal problems often seem insurmountable. Yet, the Word of God is transforming those lives. At times, the "problems" seem to be just to much, yet, "He is able". Salvation for many of these people means Drastic Changes in lifestyle. Extensive discipling is required with a willingness to change. Oh, how we depend on the Holy Spirit to fill those lives and ours.
...The call to Pastor this church has been the greatest blessing of my life. Christ said He would build His Church and I am simply pleased to have any part. My prayer is that I will not hinder the process. I see that God chooses to work through men. We are simply vessels fashioned by the potter. Please pray that this vessel would be:
- •Filled with the Spirit;
- •Clean and pure;
- •Fit for the Masters use;
- •Filled with wisdom and knowledge;
- •Strengthened in the inner man.
... Thank God for Bobbi and Kristi. They have both been so loving and faithful as we serve together. Each has persevered through the many difficulties and trials and allowed the Holy Spirit to fill and use them. Pray that they, too, will just keep growing and going for Him.
...How we thank God for all the support and encouragement we have received in this ministry. Please pray for us that we may be found faithful. Knowing of your love and prayers has given us great boldness to preach the Word of God in Creston.
Yours, Because His.
Pastor Richard Peacock