June 28 was an emotional day at Elim. That was the day we said farewell to two families – the Churchills and the Preaters .

     After eight years of leadership at Elim Community Christian Centre, Pastor John and his wife Jennifer felt it was time to move on to different ministry. District Superintendent Jim Poirier was in attendance to preside over a ceremony marking the closure of  their ministry here. At that time Bernie Cormier was named as the Transitional Pastor along with his wife Nancy. Under the leadership of Pastor John, Elim Church purchased the present facilities and moved from small rented facilities to become Elim Community Christian Centre. The new name demonstrates the goal of Elim to become more involved with the surrounding community. 

     A luncheon was held after the June 28 service, and an open house was held on July 11 so people from Thunder Bay could come and bid the Churchills farewell.

Also on June 28,  Bev and  Donna Preater and daughter Ellie said their goodbyes before they returned to their missionary work in Papua New Guinea. The occasion  was bittersweet, as they are leaving behind daughter Beverly and son Robbie who have begun their university educations.