Written by Guest Author: Dan Veeneman
Every Thursday morning, before the first bell rings at Margaret Stenersen Elementary in Abbotsford, the gym fills with the smell of pancakes and sausages. It is a simple meal, but one that has become a tradition of hospitality and belonging. For more than thirteen years, Living Hope Christian Reformed Church has partnered with the school to serve breakfast to families in their neighbourhood, just 500 metres down the road. The short distance between the church and the school makes this ministry deeply local. Volunteers and families often see each other at the grocery store, on the sidewalks, and at community events. For Living Hope, this is what it means to serve right where you are.
When members of Living Hope first became involved, their goal was not to launch a new initiative but to respond to a need they could see right in their own backyard. What began as a small “Breakfast Club”, hosted by three faithful volunteers, grew into a weekly community breakfast supported and sustained by the church. Pearl Peters, a longtime member of Living Hope, helped shepherd that transition. “I was teaching at the school and started volunteering with the breakfast,” she recalls. “Eventually, our church offered to help by taking one day a week. It did not take long before it felt like something God was inviting us to take ownership of.”
That invitation has grown into a ministry where food is only the beginning. Each week, a team of four volunteers from Living Hope sets up tables, flips pancakes, bakes sausages, and welcomes between forty and seventy families before school starts. Parents and children share a table, teachers drop by to visit, and students mingle with classmates they might not otherwise talk to. The atmosphere feels less like a school function and more like a neighbourhood gathering filled with laughter and conversation.
“It is amazing what God can do through something so ordinary. A simple breakfast has become a bridge between faith and community.”
—Rev. Steve Berkenpas, Living Hope CRC
Vice Principal Victoria Fehr says the impact reaches far beyond a hot breakfast. “The breakfast program has become a vital part of our school community. It offers more than nourishment; it creates connection. Families have the opportunity to meet others, building relationships and a sense of belonging. Students engage in social activities, helping build friendships and a more inclusive school culture. For staff, it is a joy to witness the warmth and togetherness that this program brings to the start of each day.”
For Living Hope, the breakfast is a tangible expression of diaconal ministry. It is caring for neighbors, building trust, and showing the love of Christ through acts of service. Rev. Steve Berkenpas, Lead Pastor at Living Hope, puts it simply: “The meal is only part of it. What we see each week is connection. Parents and children come together, volunteers and teachers work side by side, and a sense of community grows. This is where we see God at work, in the small acts of showing up.”
After breakfast, students join Little Movers, a short program of music and games led by school staff that helps them start the day energized and ready to learn. For many children, it is one of their favorite parts of the week, a natural extension of the warmth and community they experience over breakfast.
The ongoing presence of the church has built a foundation of trust that has grown into something larger than the breakfast itself. Over time, the school has reached out to Living Hope for other kinds of support. “The church has helped in many meaningful ways beyond breakfast,” Fehr explains. “They have provided funds for school supplies and financial assistance for students who cannot afford field trips. Their campus has been made available for large school events and even emergency situations. These contributions have removed barriers for many families and enriched the educational experience for everyone.”
For the church, those opportunities have reinforced what it means to live out faith in practical ways. “Our goal has always been to be a good neighbour,” Pastor Steve says. “It is not about programs or outcomes. It is about presence. It means showing up, week after week, with a heart to serve and a willingness to listen.”
Fehr believes the difference is visible in the school’s atmosphere. “Without Living Hope’s involvement, our school would feel less open and welcoming. Community and parent engagement would likely decline, and the sense of connection that now defines our school would be noticeably absent. Their involvement has helped transform our school into a place where families feel supported and valued, not just academically but socially and emotionally.”
Each year ends with a celebration breakfast that captures everything this partnership represents. The church brings extra toppings like berries and whipped cream, and the gym fills with joy, laughter, and gratitude. Families often express their appreciation in person, while students write heartfelt thank-you notes to the volunteers. The school has presented Living Hope with giant cards covered in hundreds of signatures, a colorful reminder of what happens when people work together for the good of their community.
For those who serve, these small gestures carry deep meaning. What began as a simple act of service has turned into a space where relationships form, stories are shared, and barriers fade away. “The school absolutely loves it,” Pearl says. “It has been a long and wonderful connection. Everyone who helps knows we are not just feeding people. We are showing them they matter.”
Fehr hopes that other schools and churches will take inspiration from their experience. “We wholeheartedly encourage others to pursue partnerships like the one we share with Living Hope,” she says. “It is a win-win that benefits everyone. What makes this relationship so special is its authenticity. Living Hope has come alongside us not to promote itself, but to genuinely support our students and families. Their humility and commitment have made a lasting impact, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have them as part of our school’s story.”
For Living Hope CRC, the Community Breakfast has become a living picture of diaconal ministry that is consistent, relational, and rooted in love. It reminds both church and school that God is present in the ordinary rhythms of life, even in the early morning clatter of plates and laughter over pancakes. “It is amazing what God can do through something so ordinary,” Pastor Steve reflects. “A simple breakfast has become a bridge between faith and community. And that is exactly what we hope to be as a church.”
Your Next Faithful Step
“Living Hope’s commitment began with just three volunteers. Every movement of God starts small,” Rachel Vroege, Regional Ministry Developer with Diaconal Ministries, reminds us. “I would encourage every church to ask, ‘Where might God be inviting our congregation to show up in simple, ordinary ways?’ Then to reach out to a local school, neighbourhood group, or community partner and start a conversation. Stories like this remind us that God is already at work in our neighbourhoods and He’s’ waiting for us to join Him!”
Diaconal Ministries Canada is here to help deacons and churches get started. Deacons are encouraged to connect with our field staff to explore our tools, coaching, and stories that can help your congregation discern its next faithful step.
