Ministering God’s Love to a Hurting World
Hillcrest Church is fully committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed throughout Medicine Hat and around the globe.
In 2025, we had 11 local and global Missions Partners that we supported, providing each one with opportunities for visibility and educating our church family both in person and online. Every third Sunday of the month, 2 or 3 Missions Partners were highlighted in all three services and given space in the Info Hub to connect one-on-one throughout the morning. Upon request, we also provide partners with facility space when available to advance the purposes of their ministries.
In 2025, we established a Missions Care Team to increase our prayer support for our Missions Partners and provide them with even more personalized care.
Below are our 2025 Missions Partners. We would ask you to remember them in prayer and check out our Missions webpage to learn more about each ministry and how you can connect and be involved. Those who wish to give financially to our partners can do so by donating to our Missions Fund, or by direct donor support.
Children, Youth & Young Adults
Since 2023, there has been a noticeable shift in our congregation wanting to see care and support go more towards reaching children and young people in our city. Ministries like The Connection, Nurture Pregnancy Centre and Whispering Pines Camp are making a considerable impact on the next generation. In light of this, it is our desire over the next few years to see missions funding and support go to reaching even more children, youth and young adults, and to see them become fully formed followers of Christ.
In 2025, our Summer Worker Assistance Program (SWAP) offered $1,000 for up to 18 Hillcrest young people dedicating their summer to full-time service at Whispering Pines Camp. For Camp Director Denver Knodel, this was welcome news as WPC once again did not receive government funding for any of their positions in 2025.
In total, 13 young people qualified for SWAP in 2025. We are grateful to those students who, at the end of summer, sent us written testimonies about their experiences at camp and what the Lord accomplished through their ministries.
Jayda writes: “Every day we had two chapels that prompted sincere questions and meaningful conversations in the cabin, and the call to follow Christ at the end of every week was by far my favourite part.” Jayda continues: “For me personally, the summer offered a unique experience in nature, away from my schedule, where I could grow more deeply in my walk with God alongside wonderful, godly coworkers who were doing the same. I thoroughly enjoyed every day at camp and hope to work there again for as long as I can.” Jayda concludes: “None of the work that happens out there would be possible without your generous hearts and willingness to put in the effort. Without your faithful prayer and/or financial donations, the camp wouldn’t have the opportunity to minister to all these children and I am so grateful. I pray for God’s blessing for you and that it would be multiplied. Thank you again so much for helping me serve at camp.”
Edmar writes: “Thank you so much for your generous support for Whispering Pines Summer Camp this year. Your support made it possible for campers and staff, including myself, to experience another incredible, faith-filled summer.” Edmar points out that “Your sponsorship and prayers helped me spiritually and financially so I could continue my college studies” and notes that This summer was a blessing! I saw God work in many ways—through meaningful conversations with the staff, powerful testimonies, and in the lives of the Leaders in Training as they grew in their faith and leadership.”
Grace writes: “This beautiful summer I had (from those that shared) 5 campers accept God into their lives! Knowing that I was there to help and watch it happen was a blessing beyond all measure, and it couldn't have happened without any of your prayers or donations.”
Partner Highlights
Nurture Pregnancy Centre: In 2025, Nurture featured their Baby Basket Campaign in January, followed up in May & June with their Baby Bottle Drive that runs each year from Mother’s Day till Father’s Day. Ilsa from our church represents the ministry and was on hand to receive back the baby bottles people filled with loose change. In October 2025, Nurture hosted their Bountiful Blessings Harvest Brunch Fundraiser, where participants were also encouraged to bring new baby items for donation.
Rescue Cambodia: Blaine & Shelly offered some encouraging feedback about Hillcrest’s support of Rescue Cambodia on Sundays, as well as online. Showing him our missions webpage, Blaine noted that Hillcrest provides a coordinated setup and web presence that really helps their ministry. The RC Team are very grateful for Hillcrest and how we partner and communicate with them.
Nehemiah Construction Ministries: Highlights include completion and commissioning of a brand new, 40ft x 25ft church facility in Lokaparapare, ministering to 1,200 pastors and administrative leaders at conferences hosted in 6 different villages across Turkana, and construction on a second pregnancy clinic in Nakalala as the first clinic to accommodate mothers is already full. Also, the team drilled to 80m to unleash a 1,600L/hr well in a location where water was almost inaccessible. During his December trip, Dave suddenly lost vision in his right eye but God met every financial and medical need and was airlifted to receive the much-needed surgery.
Dave is looking to wind down his role in NCM over the next few years. Both he and Larry (who oversees the well drilling teams in Kenya) are not getting younger. The ministry and teams are all doing well, but new and younger leadership will be needed for the future.
Canadian Bridge of Hope: In November 2025, CBOH hosted their annual Fundraising Banquet, where I served as emcee. There were 120 guests with a good showing from Hillcrest. About $14,000 was raised! Based in Medicine Hat, CBOH is able to support projects in rural parts of South India, in partnership with established Indian organizations. In 2025 they were able to serve and support 80 children from 3 villages through their STEP UP Program, as well as provide 550 cataract surgeries, treat 7,200 patients and perform 8,200 diagnostic tests for those in poverty or without access to medical care through their Shalom Medical Center.
MHC Campus Ministry: Back in April of 2024, we began partnering with Chaplain George by providing visibility and prayer support. In 2025, we were able to provide the ministry with year-end financial gift as we look to increase our support of this much-needed ministry within our city.
To learn more about our Missions Partners and the good work they are doing in Jesus’ name, you can visit with them on the Sundays they are here. You can also visit our Missions webpage to connect with Partners individually and to find out how you can be involved. Please pray and consider supporting our Missions Partners by donating to our Missions Fund, or through direct donor support.
