Hillcrest Church is fully committed to Ministering God’s Love to a Hurting World, 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.
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.
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 and Rescue Cambodia: In 2025, NPC received additional time at the Info Hub between the months of May & June to promote the Baby Bottle Drive that runs from Mother’s Day till Father’s Day. We would encourage our church family to lean into this bottle drive during these months as the money that is collected results in tangible support to current and soon-to-be moms.
Blaine & Shelly Sylvester gave encouraging feedback about Hillcrest’s support of Rescue Cambodia on Sundays, as well as the online support we offer. Showing him our missions webpage, Blaine noted that Hillcrest provides a coordinated setup and web presence that really helps their ministry. Blaine & Shelly are extremely grateful for Hillcrest and how we partner and communicate with them.
Ilsa from our church received 10 baby bottles for NPC on Father’s Day. Pray they continue to receive support via the promotions we did in service plus the QR codes that connect congregants to their ministry. I also spoke with Dave McElhinney who 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 the teams are all doing “well,” but new and younger leadership will be needed for the future. Please pray for this process and the Lord’s blessing and direction in all areas of Dave’s ministry.
Missions Update: We welcomed Canadian Bridge of Hope the last Sunday of October. Aaron & Asha Peter and their family do so much to raise awareness for this incredible ministry which Asha’s father began. Their Fundraising Banquet will be held on Saturday November 1st in the Hillcrest Gym. We have also started to receive letters from Denver from students who served at WPC last summer and were beneficiaries of our Summer Worker Assistance Program. We will provide some highlights of those letters in November’s update.
CBOH: hosted their Fundraising Banquet November 1st, and I served as emcee. They had 120 guests with a good showing from Hillcrest. About $14,000 was raised! They are grateful for our support (see attached). MHECM: Great to connect with Chaplain George! This December we are providing the ministry with its first year-end gift of $1,000. SWAP: We have received 3 letters (attached) from those who served last summer, with more to arrive in due time. Missions Care Team: Sharon and I have established the MCT to take partner care to the next level and increase prayer support and promotion of missions. Team members: Charlotte Donudenu, Cammie Kannekens, Karina Mohammed (MC Rep).