Mission offers new life

KAMLOOPS, B.C.

New Life Mission, a nondenominational mission to the poor, the homeless and alcoholics and addicts in Kamloops, B.C., is in the process of building a new $1.4 million facility (right photo). Having raised $500,000 and having sold its old building (left photo), the Mission began building in February, 1998. However, funds ran out in June, and construction was halted. Construction resumed in September after it was announced that the project has been given a $442,000 infrastructure grant by the Canadian and B.C. governments.

Founded in 1980, the Mission has been led since 1996 by executive director Bert Kamphuis, who had previously served as an MB pastor in West Clearbrook Community Church in Abbotsford, B.C. and in Vernon (B.C.) Community Church. The Mennonite Brethren church in Kamloops, Valleyview Bible Church, is one of the supporting churches for the Mission.

The Mission serves hot meals six days a week, runs 12-step support programs, distributes clothing, offers chapel services and Bible studies, has a prison ministry, supports summer camps for Native children, operates a thrift store and provides short-term employment opportunities. It is a member of the International Union of Gospel Missions, which represents 250 missions in North American cities. The new building will provide space to feed 200 people daily and can house up to 25 people in 3-to-6-month recovery programs. In 1995, the Mission had one full-time staff person and an annual operating budget of $76,000; now it has a staff equivalent to six-and-a-half full-time people, and an annual operating budget of $191,000. The Mission receives no operating grants from government.

from reports by New Life Mission


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