History of the Church of God

An Introduction to Camrose Church of God

In the late 1910's, Camrose , Alberta, was home to a teacher training institute. A Camrose resident who was affectionately known as "Mother Sarah Monroe" hosted female students in her home. Mother Monroe carried a deep concern for the spiritual well-being of these ladies, so she began a bible study for them, using written materials published by the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). In the 1930's, when Alberta Bible Institute moved to Camrose, an informal fellowship began meeting for worship in its library facility. A church was born there, and in the 1950's the first pastor was called to serve the congregation.

In 1953 the first church building was completed on the present site under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Gordon Schieck. Several facility expansions have taken place since then, but the church building remains on its original site. The congregation has grown in many ways through the years, and today around 500 women, men, youth, and children consider it their church home.

The church actively supports career missionaries in Uganda, Malawi, and Guam. If you'd like, you can visit http://www.bistritan.com/ to meet our missionaries to Guam - Gary and Gwen Bistritan and their family.

In recent years the local congregation has been known for initiating Run For Shelter, a fund-raising event in support of three community agencies: The local women�s shelter, Habitat for Humanity, and The Open Door. The Open Door, an outreach agency to at-risk youth, was birthed in the Camrose Church of God.

Camrose Church of God is a partner with NeighbourAid Camrose, an interchurch coalition which provides care to persons in need of food, clothing, and other life essentials.

Our Church Logo
The cross is central...it is what we proclaim - Jesus Christ crucified and risen victorious over sin and death. The green stem around the cross is symbolic of new life we experience in Christ. The red rose has a two-fold meaning - it refers to the biblical title for Christ as the "Rose of Sharon" and it also relates to our local setting in Camrose - the "Rose City." As a church, we exist to minister and serve in our community. The stylized figures standing under the cross are symbolic of the unique persons in our church, all growing to their potential in Christ.