WElcome to SERVE 2024

ABBOTSFORD

We are so excited that you chose Abbotsford for your 2024 SERVE location! While in Abbotsford you will enjoy all that the West Coast has to offer - beautiful mountain scenery, fresh air, great hospitality, and so much more. 


You will experience the beauty of God's creation! 


This site will tell you all you need to know about the Abbotsford SERVE. We encourage you to check back often as we will continue to update this site with new and relevant information. 


If you have any questions, feel free to email me at marcel@gatewaycrc.org.


Let the good times begin!

When you arrive

When you arrive at Gateway Church you will be greeted by our amazing Host Team.  Depending on when you arrive, you will receive lunch or a delightful snack that will hold you over until dinner. 


You will also be directed to your sleeping area where you can set up as you make Gateway Church home for the week. Showers will be available.  Saturday will be a chill, relaxing day as you settle in. It will be a day of getting to know the entire SERVE team, games and so much more. 


Sunday you will join us for Church at 10:00 am. Following the service we are going to have a church-wide BBQ to welcome you to Gateway and to the beautiful Fraser Valley. For the Sunday afternoon, you will be in your assigned work groups for a wild photo scavenger hunt that will bring you to some pretty cool places, giving you a good taste of the Fraser Valley. 


WHERE IS GATEWAY CRC: 2884 Gladys Ave, Abbotsford

Accomodations

While at the Abbotsford SERVE, you will be staying at Gateway Community Church. Gateway is a wonderful facility that will meet all your accommodation needs. 


You will be sleeping in our "heritage wing" in classrooms. You will need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow but we will provide you with a folding camping cot so you are not sleeping on the floor. 


We have large washrooms, with lots of mirrors, so no problems getting ready in the mornings. 


We are also blessed with a large field for some awesome field games and our 150 foot slip and slide will be available nightly for your enjoyment. In addition we have a games room with a pool table, air hockey, ping pong, and more. 

Worksites

For the days you are SERVING in our community, here are the confirmed sites for ministry:

  • Gateway Summer Camps: Every day, one of the teams will be serving at our Summer Camp. You will hang our with the campers, engage in the activities, and enjoy all the fun Camp has to offer
  • You will enjoy landscaping projects at Jackson Manor
  • You will work with and minister to our homeless population
  • You will be serving at organizations that fight local and global food insecurities
  • More projects will be added ~ check back often!

Fun Day Away

One of the first things you will notice are the beautiful, majestic mountains that surround Abbotsford. On the Friday morning, we are going to tackle one these majestic beauties by going for a hike that will lead to some pretty phenomenal views. 


Another amazing feature of the Fraser Valley is all our lakes. You need to see it to believe the beauty! So, for lunch we will be having a BBQ at Cultus Lake.  


To end the day, you will enjoy one of our major attractions - Cultus Lake Water Park! Cultus Lake Water Park is BC's largest waterpark! Pack a bathing suit and try the FreeFall slide - it's a total rush.  You will be responsible for purchasing your dinner at the waterpark. (We will be at the waterpark from 2:30-7:00 pm) 

Your personal Mailbox

While you are at ABBOTSFORD SERVE you will have a personal mailbox. How cool is that! This mailbox can be used for the following:

  • Your prayer partner's words of encouragement and prayers
  • Team 'blessing' notes
  • Encouragement from your Team Leaders
  • Encourage for your Team Leaders
  • Moments of praise
  • And so much more.....


PAcking and other cool things

In addition to all the regular things you would back for a trip, here are a few extra things to remember: 

  • Please bring a pair of indoor shoes. You may be on muddy worksites and a clean pair of shoes for inside the building is great. So please bring a pair to wear while inside the building. 
  • You are heading to the beach, enjoying a 150 slip-n-slide and going to the waterslides - bring a bathing suite. 
  • We do have laundry on site so we can wash your work clothes often. Please make sure they're clearly labeled if you want them back. 



  • Ron Devries - Chapel Speaker

    Ron currently servers as Ministry Ambassador for Thereforego Ministries. He lives in Devon, AB

Pre-trip prayer

Do you have prayer requests as you prepare to come and SERVE? Please send them through the form below! Your prayer partner will begin praying for you right away. 

Got Questions?

If you have any questions about your upcoming SERVE experience in Abbotsford, please ask.


Host Team Coordinator Pastor Marcel deRegt

marcel@gatewaycrc.org