River East Church, Inc.

River East Church, Inc. (Business Registration Number: 107897811RR0001) is a Canadian registered nonprofit religious organization located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is recognized as a registered charity by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), serving both local and global communities with a focus on worship, education, recreation, and community building programs[2][3].

History

The church traces its origins to 1962 when services began informally following the efforts of Jacob Ens, who started Sunday School classes for Japanese families whose children did not speak German—the predominant language of Mennonite Brethren churches in the area. Initially named Princess Margaret Fellowship, services were held in a school[5].

In 1963, the group officially organized as Springfield Heights Mennonite Brethren Church and held a chartering service. Due to naming confusion with a nearby church, it underwent name changes in 1964, first to McLeod Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church and eventually to River East Mennonite Brethren Church[5].

In 1990, the congregation split over theological differences, leading approximately half the members to form a new church, Eastview Community Church. That same year, the pastoral staff resigned, and Karen Heidebrecht Thiessen was appointed associate pastor, becoming in 1992 the first female lead or sole pastor of a solely Mennonite Brethren congregation in North America[5].

Mission and Activities

River East Church belongs to the worldwide Mennonite family of churches. Its ministry extends into the local and global community through partnerships with various Mennonite agencies. The church offers Sunday worship services and a broad range of educational and recreational programs aimed at fostering community engagement[2][4].

Funding and Giving

The church's financial support primarily comes from voluntary donations, which constitute over 90% of its income. Other income sources include facility rentals, government grants (such as funding for summer staff salaries), GST rebates, and interest income. Approximately 180 individuals contribute, with an average annual donation of around CAD 2,300[4].

The church encourages a spirit of voluntary giving without rigid expectations, recognizing the differing financial abilities of its members. Some donors contribute significantly above average, while others give smaller amounts. The church advocates for regular and intentional giving practices according to individual capacity[4].

Affiliated Projects and Support

River East Church supports and collaborates with several Mennonite-related organizations, including Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), Donwood Manor Personal Care Home, Eden Foundation, Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), and Mennonite World Conference (MWC)[4].

This profile summarizes River East Church’s origins, development, mission, and community involvement as a registered Canadian nonprofit Mennonite Brethren church.