A taste of heaven: celebrating cultural diversity and spiritual unity

The 20th annual Circle of Nations Day at FFBC (Faith Fellowship Baptist Church) brought friends from at least 50 nations together to celebrate. The flags of 60 nations, representing the usual congregants, paraded around the sanctuary. Songs in French, Korean and Tagalog were featured and congregants then sang Amazing Grace in their own languages. Scripture in Arabic, Farsi, Tamarjik and Hindi featured the message anchored in I John 1. Worship was led by an energetic multi-cultural youth team.

FFBC has intentionally repositioned itself to make disciples of Christ from all nations and reflects that in leadership, hospitality, community outreach, and visioning. After the restrictions and limitations under Covid, associate pastor Mark Buhler stated that “it was wonderful to see the joy of people sharing life with one another. I believe it is a picture of “heaven on earth” as we celebrate our cultural diversity and spiritual unity.”

The event happens in mid-September to provide a bridge for families from the community who participated in the summer camps and who embrace the DNA of multi-culturalism. Participants are encouraged to wear their native dress and to bring a generous sampling of their favourite foods. One participant stated, “it was so much fun that it was worth the late night to make the Bannock people enjoyed.” Others signed up for the Sunday School program to keep the children engaged in a continuing relationship.

Costumed participants who stood out came from Libya, India, Fiji, Burundi, Netherlands, Niger, Philippines, Chile, Dominican Republic, Congo, Korea, France, Poland, Switzerland, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Kenya, Cote D’Ivoire, Iran, Iraq and others. FFBC has an active ministry with International Students and has four missionaries on its staff to reach out to the community.

Under a row of tarps on a beautiful day, participants sampled Chevda, dates, kababs, samozas, cassava cake, dried seaweed, chicken pot pies, plantino, Vietnamese and Filippino spring rolls, mangos, braided breads, curry in rotis, sticky rice in banana leaves, Persian rice perogies, sausage, mandazis, sandwiches, fruits and much more. Games for the children were set up in the parking lot. 

FFBC has stretched its community ministry through founding New Hope Community Services Society to work with refugees; New Hope Childcare to focus on new Canadians and single parents; a hospitality outreach especially with BC Housing and the hidden poor; plus many of the traditional ministries across the generations.

Associate Pastor Peter Park has helped lead an active ministry to Lytton First Nations for 14 years and has been a key in assisting families recovering from the recent fire. The next major event for the congregation is an October 2nd ride and walk at Nanaimo Park where they are fundraising for their work with Uganda Street Boys and with Refugees. Faith is working to sponsor up to 20 refugees in the next year and depends on the generosity of committed friends.

FFBC has been serving the South Vancouver community for 65 years.