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We are biblicists: we believe in a supernatural Bible, which tells of a supernatural Christ, Who had a supernatural birth, Who spoke supernatural words, Who performed supernatural miracles, Who lived a supernatural life, Who died a supernatural death, Who rose in supernatural splendour, Who intercedes as a supernatural priest and Who will one day return in supernatural glory to establish a supernatural kingdom on the earth.
Sunshine Community Baptist Church was planted by God's grace by missionary and church planter, Brother Steve Swires, on April 22nd, 1997. The first meeting was held in Roberts Creek Community Hall, in Roberts Creek. The church continued to meet in the hall for the next year, then moved to the community room at Roberts Creek Elementary School.
Sunshine Community Baptist Church (SCBC) was officially incorporated under the Societies Act of BC on July 24th, 2000, with 26 members.
Change comes when you least expect it, and in 2004, after a change in management at the school, it became necessary to find a new meeting place. At that time, we approached the Seventh Day Adventists, whose building is located at the corner of Jack Road and Highway 101 in Wilson Creek, just a few miles up Highway 101 from Roberts Creek, and they agreed to rent us their facility for use on Sundays and occasionally during the week for special events like Communion. This has worked out very well, and we have enjoyed meeting and getting to know their pastor and his wife, who are very nice.
In 2007, Pastor Steve Swires, the founder and pastor of SCBC, once again was called by the Lord to a new ministry as a traveling evangelist. After much prayer, he brought this before the church for prayer, and began the search for someone to be the new pastor.
Very early in 2008, the present pastor, Brother Dave Cottrell, who was not a pastor at the time, but a member of the church who served in a teaching ministry during the Sunday School hour, was called by the Lord to preach and to become the pastor of SCBC. He laid a fleece before the Lord and asked that rather than he approaching Pastor Steve, that instead, God would move Pastor Steve to approach Bro. Dave. A very short time later, Pastor Steve called Bro. Dave at work (most unusual, in itself!) and asked if he felt the Lord leading in this way as he believed he was. This was seen as a clear answer and Bro. Dave agreed to accept the call.
In February of 2008, at the Annual General Meeting, the members were asked to accept Bro. Dave Cottrell as Associate Pastor, with Pastor Steve Swires to work with him during a training period that would see the shepherding of the church gradually turned over. The members approved, recognizing that our pastor was being called by God to a new ministry and that this was his will.
IN February of 2009, again, at the Annual General Meeting, the membership voted to accept Pastor Steve Swires resignation as Senior Pastor, and to permanently record him as Pastor Emeritus of Sunshine Community Baptist Church. Pastor Steve and his wife, Liz, now are living in Surrey, but remain as members and are here as often as the can be, between speaking engagements as they travel in Canada and the USA to various Independent Baptist churches.
Also at the 2009 General Meeting, the membership voted to make Pastor Dave Cottrell the senior pastor.
Sunshine Community Baptist Church has seen a number of members move away, off the coast, and several became sick and have not been able to attend for some time. Our present numbers on Sunday average close to 30 in the morning service at 11am.
