Our Story
In Kelowna...
In the Spring of 2020, Covid 19 affected almost every part of our lives. Hope Kelowna took the approach that regardless of what was going on in the world and in our lives that “the mission marches on”.
Sunday Gatherings moved to online, and when permitted, gatherings took place in 4 locations offering (2 services at each location with the mandated maximum of 50 people in attendance) throughout the Central Okanagan. In the spring of 2021 the church re-gathered outdoors in the parking lot at the German Canadian Club in Kelowna. They remained outdoors until early September enduring with great enthusiasm and gospel joy being able to meet together in person despite record setting heatwaves and wildfire smoke.
In the fall of 2021 Sunday Gatherings moved inside the Hall at the German Club having 2 morning services while streaming the service to those unable to attend in person
Hope Kelowna is thankful for God’s leading and provision and anticipates the Lord will continue to work powerfully in the Central Okanagan through the proclamation of His Word, and that God would use Hope Kelowna to see more churches planted locally, nationally and globally to the Glory of God.
Over many conversations and a visit by the Lutzer’s to Oakville the Elders at HBC Oakville recognized the Lords’ calling on this faithful group of people and on Meldon and Charlotte Lutzer. In the late Spring of 2013 the elders in Oakville agreed to become the sending/supporting church of a new work in Kelowna.
Meldon joined the staff of HBC Oakville in August 2013, working remotely to prepare for church planting. This group continued to meet and became the Core Group of HBC Kelowna. After a year of extensive training and preparations on October 5th, 2014 HBC Kelowna officially launched meeting Sunday mornings at Dr. Knox Middle School.
After 10 months the young church transitioned to the Cineplex Theatres at Orchard Plaza Mall for their Sunday services. Office space and mid-week meeting area was rented in early 2016 at the First Mennonite Church.
In 2018 Harvest Bible Chapel Kelowna officially joined the family of like-minded churches affiliated with the Great Commission Collective. Their desire for planting churches, for connection, accountability, relationship in the gospel, and for world-wide evangelism struck a chord with the leadership team at Hope Kelowna as something the church family should be part of. In the Spring of 2019 the name was officially changed to Hope Bible Church Kelowna.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
In the fall of 2012, a group of people started to meet weekly for prayer, seeking God for renewal and revival in the church in Okanagan Valley. The theme of their prayer meetings was based on 2 Chronicles 20:12,“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
Over a period of time, they sensed the Lord leading them to consider planting a church built on a foundation of prayer that would boldly proclaim God’s Word. A few months later Meldon Lutzer, a pastor in Western Canada for 20 years who was a part of this prayer group, contacted Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville, (now Hope Bible Church Oakville) whose mission and values he and the prayer group deeply resonated with.