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Pastor Grant Vander Hoek and his congregation were intrigued when a large item covered in a painter’s blanket was carried to the front of the sanctuary one Sunday morning at in Mission, British Columbia.

Rev. Grant Vander Hoek enjoys delivering the morning message from a new pulpit.

As Vander Hoek prepared to deliver his message from behind his usual music stand, he was interrupted for a timely unveiling of a new pulpit for the sanctuary.

The donor, who prefers not to be named, had found acceptance, love, and care at Mission Hills during a difficult time in his life. He had listened to many good messages but was bothered by the fact that Vander Hoek stood behind a music stand. The pulpit was his gift to the church.

The man said, “I have been coming here for the better part of eight months, and never have I felt so welcome in all my life. But one thing is wrong. When I am listening to Grant talk, it doesn’t feel right that he is speaking from a black music stand, so we are here to change that this morning.”

The pulpit is made from reclaimed wood and features a compartment for storage and a cross. Vander Hoek said, “It suits our church perfectly and is the perfect height for me.”

Mission Hills Community CRC has many hopes and dreams. Organized from a church plant, the church is tucked against the coastal mountains north of Abbotsford. With a membership of only 80, the church had set project priorities. A pulpit was not high on the list.

The donor has since moved on, but the pulpit reminds Vander Hoek and the congregation of paths that crossed and a gift that was given back to the church.

“If only I could have videotaped the reaction of the people in church” says Vander Hoek with a smile. “It was amazing. Clapping, cheering, crying, the whole nine yards.”