January 15thA Small Congregation with a Big Heart - Refuge de Paix
Lucy bundled herself up warmly and made her way through the blustery streets of Sherbrooke on the way to Refuge de Paix early one Sunday morning. It was the kind of grey, stormy day when Sunday worship services are cancelled because it is too wintry to be outside. It was also a morning that Lucy Roca, pastor, had prayed. “Lord, even if there is only one person who will come,” she had prayed, “I will go and be there for them.”
One man arrived for worship that morning – only one. He was a young man from Mexico, new to Canada. He worshipped with the congregation for the next three months before leaving and returning to his native land of Mexico.
A few months later, he contacted Lucy by email. “It was that day I arrived at Refuge de Paix that I was in a bad space,” he wrote. “I was even thinking about suicide. God saved me that day. I am so grateful. Thank you for being there for me.”
God has influenced many lives through this small congregation. They provide a space for prayer, counselling and encouragement in their neighbourhood, responding to needs as they arise. They offer support to many Hispanic migrants, guiding and helping them to navigate their new surroundings.
A local community agency refers people who are seeking asylum or refugee status in Canada to Refuge de Paix. Refuge de Paix then assists them as they fill out immigration papers, helps them in interviews, takes them to medical appointments or to the food bank and provides translation services when needed. On average, they connect with people in this way up to three times a week.
“Most of the people that we see do not have family here,” says Lucy. “We welcome, encourage, accompany and help them according to their needs – to be a testimony of help and concern in caring for our brothers and sisters. We also pray with them if they are open to that.”
This small congregation started as a house church, moved to worshipping in the local library and now rents their own meeting place. “We have a dream to build a large space for the church with enough room to provide services to the community,” says Lucy. “We dream of a day care centre and a place to sell used clothing and furniture.” Lucy, a trained social worker, sees many women who struggle with depression. “This would be a great opportunity to provide jobs for women to help them support their families and gain confidence,” she says.
Originally commissioned by the Mennonite Church of Teusaquillo in Colombia, Lucy arrived in 2006 to plant churches for Hispanic people in Canada. Following a tradition that when one is sent from them with a passion and calling to plant a church, the Mennonite Church of Teusaquillo faithfully prays for and lights a candle for Refuge de Paix each week.
Refuge de Paix joined MCEC in 2011 as an emerging congregation and is excited to have become a full membership congregation in 2019.
“We have been attending the Annual Church Gathering since 2007 and my eyes have tears of gratitude to God every time for the brotherhood and unity of those gathered as brothers and sisters. We have different languages and ethnicities, but have the same open heart to serve the Lord. During difficult times, we did not feel alone despite the physical distance. We knew that you were there for us,” says Lucy. “God brought me to the Mennonite church and I will continue there because he brought me with a purpose. It is a privilege and a great gift of God to be part of this family.”