Gary Cropley

Community Chaplain

Picture the corner of a busy Tim Hortons - you see a middle aged (quite handsome) white guy with a young 23-year-old Indo Canadian. Books all over the small table. A French vanilla and a "double double" and look, the former Sikh has his eyes closed and is praying for his friend Gary. The description above is the result of a 7-year friendship with a guy I met in his high school. We have had discussions throughout the years and now, after drug addiction and getting married and really researching faith, he has decided to follow Jesus. We meet weekly to walk through his questions.

See in your mind's eye Gary leading an amazing wedding on the waterfront rocks outside Nanaimo. This the culmination of connections made when the bride was about 3 years old. The groom has been my dentist for years. We have connected here and there for years with the family. Two months earlier we sadly performed the bride's mother's funeral. Sherinne sang as she had at the grandmother's funeral a few years ago. Then we were available to walk through the grieving with the family. This kind of long-term commitment and contact with people results in our being called to give God's care in times of need.

Imagine it is a rainy night and two men are walking in the gloomy, dark forest up a muddy, almost obscure trail. Gary is leading the way by flashlight. The brother with him is wondering what in the world he is doing. They reach a cabin in the bush, light a cozy fire, cook up some smokies and talk and talk about the problems of marriage and manhood. They pray and then peacefully sleep in this sacred space in the hills. I have numerous spaces to take men for spiritual retreats. I use a cabin out behind Mission, a commercial fish boat, motorcycle trips, walks, or playing darts in my workshop to create moments when people can share and be cared and prayed for.

Sherinne and I have been connected with Central Heights since 1981 when we came here as newlyweds. Wow, that is 29 years! Through those years we kept busy with lots and lots of youth work and being in Abbotsford high schools and connecting with parents and teachers. There has been lots of music ministry for Sherinne and, in the last few years, more prayer ministry and mentoring of ladies.

This longevity has produced the unique privilege for me of being a Community Chaplain. We have hundreds of connections to former students who are now 30 to 45 years old, with their own kids, facing life's battles. Many are not connected to any church, but they have connections with Sherinne and me and they are making use of us. Many times a week I meet with people in a variety of coffee shops. I run a men's group on Wednesday nights and a young marrieds' group on Thursdays, and will start another for 40ish people. I am daily involved in one-on-one mentoring with many men and young couples. I am available for couples for premarital meetings and weddings and then the follow-up. As a "pastor to people outside the church walls" I am able to be available to people with many needs.

I am very excited also about our work in service projects in Mexico and Guatemala. I have added this dimension to our work because one of the best ways to figure out our own dilemmas is to just get out and help others. It usually gives us a much healthier perspective. Besides, it has always been my hope that when people come into our sphere of influence that they see, hear, and experience the Gospel. Then, when they do make a decision, they know what to expect. We have tremendous connections in both countries and want to continue helping where we can. (I am looking for some people to get excited about putting a team together for July to do service work in Mexico and, one that would spearhead a team to Guatemala to do a marriage retreat. Oh, it will be great!)

Thanks for letting me give you a glimpse of our work. It is a unique ministry, wonderfully facilitated by the church. We still raise all the funds needed for this work. If you have questions about donations or want to get more info, or just have a coffee so I can ask you how life is going, please call me at 604-308-2430.