Before the Central Evangelical Free Church opened to the public at a new location in Courtenay, it had been robbed during the move-in period at the former Record office at 765 McPhee Ave.
But it was a petty theft, and the incident afforded Jeremy Boehm to make an early connection with the community.
Previously, the associate pastor had seen some of the clients at the soup kitchen at St. George’s United Church, where Central Evangelical serves in rotation.
“I go in there to meet people, especially when our office was next door,” Boehm said. “I got to meet them at a different level.”
After the robbery, he asked if anyone had noticed anything. Sure enough, a few soup kitchen clients helped him find some of the stolen equipment that had been dropped in the area behind the church’s new digs.
“I had a chance to meet our little tent city,” Boehm said. “We sat down and we started doing some bluegrass music. I’m a musician, and it was a chance to meet some of the people and break the ice. Unfortunate things happen to everybody. It was a great opportunity for that.”
The Central Evangelical Free Church, which held an open house Saturday, is trying to appeal to the entire community, particularly inner city individuals.
“I have a heart for people who are in addictions,” said Boehm, whose father, Helmut Boehm, started Wagner Hills Farm in Langley.
Jeremy grew up in the Christian community, which is ministered to addicts. He recalls visits to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside when his father worked with St. James’ services.
“I’ve been around those people my whole life,” Boehm said, noting the proximity of the Free Church to the Salvation Army shelter on Pidcock Avenue, and the Comox Valley Recovery Centre.
“We’re thinking about Puntledge Park, about young families, people who are interested in church. We’re also thinking about people who maybe through celebrate recovery or freedom sessions are going to want a Christian community, as my dad would call it, that is a place to heal.”
The open house included children’s crafts and a free family movie night. The first service is Sunday.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
