A Call to Prayer and Fasting
Beginning in October 2026, and ending in March 2027, the Pastors and Ministry Council of Hillcrest Church are calling the members and attendees of Hillcrest to a season of prayer and fasting and seeking the Lord’s guidance for the future growth of our church family.
God’s Blessing
Over the past five years, we have seen God’s blessing on our church family. God has been refreshing and renewing the citywide church in Medicine Hat. Many churches are seeing growth in new believers and baptisms. This is exciting news and something the Pastors in Medicine Hat have been praying toward for many years. We are in a beautiful moment in time when God is growing his church! What a blessings to see it and be part of it!
The Challenge for Hillcrest
At Hillcrest, we have experienced growth as we play our part in God’s movement in our city.
Many people are coming to Christ, getting baptized and looking for a church to call home.
Our 10am service is consistently 80% full in our busiest seasons with overflow seating also increasing in Hub 1.
Our 11:20am service is steadily growing and current growth trends show this service may need more space within a few years.
Our Children Ministry is full to the brim with little ones and older kids who are learning about Jesus.
Our Youth and Young Adults ministries are steadily increasing, as God continues to move in the hearts of young people.
On our busiest Sundays, our parking lot can be full to overflowing.
And on another practical (and significant) note;
Our worship space is in need of repairs and upgrades as it has not received attention since it was first built 40 years ago.
A Call for Prayer and Discernment
Ministry Council and Pastors have been processing these developments and praying for wisdom from the Lord over what direction to take. In prayer and discussion, we have realized the question of what to do is beyond us and we need to consult with the congregation in order to discern the Lord’s direction more clearly.
Will you Pray with us?
Prayer: Would you commit to praying for Hillcrest Church through the months of October and November?
Fasting: Would you commit to taking a day (or a half day) to fast and pray for the Lord’s direction?
Sharing: Would you commit to sharing with leadership what God places on your heart as you pray?
God has been faithful in the past
As we begin this season of prayer, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness in the past. Our church family has a rich history of responding in faith and obedience to God in circumstances similar to this.
By faith, a group of believers planted Hillcrest Church in 1949 in order to reach the English speaking people of Medicine Hat. (We were originally from an historically German speaking congregation with both a German and English worship service).
By faith, this group of believers founded a bible college to train young people in service for Jesus. (This school eventually became Rocky Mountain College in Calgary).
By faith, this group purchased land and built a church building in 1957 to Give God Room for worship and outreach. (This building is currently KidsPlay Pre-School).
God blessed this work and the church grew to capacity with two worship services.
By faith, this group purchased the land on our current site to Give God Room for further growth.
By faith, this group gave willingly and God provided the resources for a new church building which was completed in 1987.
By faith, this group expanded the original building in 2001 to Give God Room to contain the ministry work he had called them to do.
By faith, this group planted the Link Church in 2007. God has blessed the Link Church and it is thriving and healthy.
Time after time, as we have stepped out in faith, we have witnessed the faithfulness of God.
The Opportunity
In the midst of the challenge, God has given us many opportunities.
God has blessed the current people of Hillcrest with faithful hearts and a desire to be a blessing to our community.
God has given us resources and the promise of his faithful supply for all of our needs.
God gave the founders of our church a vision for expansion and our current worship centre can be expanded to seat approximately 1400 people. (This is approximately double our current capacity).
God has given us over 20 acres of unused land. (Some of the land is currently up for sale and some of it is reserved for future expansion).
The Options
Hillcrest Church is at a new point of decision. How should we respond?
At this point, we have three options we are considering, and Ministry Council is asking you to pray into these three options.
However, before we look at the options, we should mention one obvious option not on the list below: a church plant. Yes, another church plant, or a satellite campus plant, is on the horizon for Hillcrest in the future. However, that would not be a wise move in light of our aging worship space. A church plant would hive off people and resources, and leave the founding congregation to support the new work, in addition to still needing to address therenovations and repairs needed to the existing facility. Thus, it would be wise to first take care of ‘home base’ before we consider a church plant or satellite campus plant.
In light of the above, the three options Ministry Council would like you to pray about and consider are:
A simple renovation
This would involve removing the pews, replacing carpet, fresh paint, and lighting and technical upgrades.A more comprehensive renovation
This would involve replacing existing seating with new seating, new carpet, air quality improvements, new paint, and lighting and technical upgrades.Building Expansion
This would involve expanding the current Worship Center to seat 1400 people. It would also involve a building expansion for Children’s Ministry, Furniture Ministry, and a small chapel / worship space for 150-200 people.
A Call to Prayer & Fasting
In light of the above, we invite you to pray and fast with us as we seek the Lord’s guidance for the future growth of our church family.
Join us in prayer by:
Find prayer updates on the church website at:
Text “Pray” to 403-587-855-5423
Join our Facebook prayer group: Hillcrest Church Prayer Meeting.
Follow the weekly bulletin for prayer updates.
Prayer blog
A Vision Gathering in February
In the first week of February, 2027, Hillcrest leadership will host a series of Vision Gatherings. These Vision Gatherings will be held every day of the week in as many spaces and times possible so that everyone can attend and see a more detailed plan for each of the three options, including projected costs and timelines.
A Survey in March
In the month of March 2027, you will be invited to complete a survey form, to help leadership discern the plan moving forward.
Feedback
FAQs
Is the decision already made?
No. Hillcrest Church leadership has not made a decision on what will be next for us.
Is this because of the flooding in Hub 2/Fireside room?
No. This was already a discussion ministry council was having before the water main break.