Maranatha Evangelical Free Church

March 29, 2009 11:00 am
Maranatha Evangelical Free Church, 910 Sturgeon Rd. Winnipeg
Pastor Dave Friesen

This church was a perfect example of how first impressions aren't always indicative of what's in store. Maranatha is a small church, honestly looking a bit run-down from the outside. As I was walking in I had to pass through a gauntlet of older people huddled around the front doors smoking their lungs out. Naturally I was a tad apprehensive walking into the place.

I was greeted immediately by a greeter who had me fill out a visitor contact card. On the way to my seat I met the pastor and was invited for coffee. The sanctuary is a smaller room with rows of stacking chairs set out. A band was onstage getting set up and I was curious to see what this place was all about.

The service began with four numbers by the band. The band was obviously pieced together from volunteers in the church, and they performed well. The songs were mostly modified hymns and the words were shown on a big screen at the front. Through all these services I've been to I've decided that I really enjoy a live band, but there's just no good way to sing along. For singing along I'll take good old hymns any day.

Anyhow. There were announcements (including birthdays), prayers and an offertory. Apparently Maranatha is also actively looking to bolster it's congregational ranks, about 100 strong this morning, as Pastor Friesen mentioned in the announcements. The band played another song and then the sermon began.

I was intrigued by Pastor Friesen's sermon and though I found it a little ambiguous, it was an interesting meditation on Ephesians 6:10-18. The passage deals with a call to put on the "whole armor of God," and to "fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness." Pastor Friesen brought this passage into a modern context, using it as a call both to evangelism and to combatting Satan. I wasn't quite sure where some of his Satan-related arguments were coming from, though the concept of the Devil is an area where I'm personally a little foggy to begin with. Overall it was an empowering and inspiring sermon. Pastor Friesen is a really likeable, friendly and accesible speaker.

The service ended with a closing song. On my way out I must've been stopped by at least five people introducing themselves and wanting to chat. I was particularly excited that one of them was a youth: I've been at this since September and this was the first time that I was approached by a youth from the congregation I'm visiting. Very cool indeed. Seems like my first impressions were bunk, because this was one of the friendliest churches I've visited.

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