Maritime Church Builders Fellowship

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The Maritime Church Builders Fellowship was organized by Maritime Christian College in 1969 under the leadership of Kenneth T. Norris. In a letter explaining the purpose of this organization, the following was stated:

Throughout the Canadian Maritimes there are very few New Testament churches, and most of them are either rural or in small communities. However, in many of our cities and towns there are small groups of New Testament Christians who would like to see churches of Christ in their communities. Maritime Christian College is educating a loyal gospel ministry as fast as it can to serve in these areas. 

However, another pressing need is that of church buildings. In our present society and culture, church buildings are a necessary part of a vital progressive church program. But land and buildings are excessively costly as we all know, and it is very difficult for a small group of people to raise the finances for such a project. 

For example, the Sherwood congregation has been meeting for three years in the school building. It has three acres of land with a clear title and a nice amount in the building fund. It is imperative that it build this summer, but it needs help from the brotherhood. The O'Leary, P.E.I. work is in similar straits. This thrilling work, started and conducted by our students, is averaging forty in attendance each Thursday night. Property is being given it in an excellent location in the town. It also needs help in erect­ing a building. 

Every new church is faced with the same problem, but there are no funds available. For this reason the College is launching the Maritime Church Builders Fellowship to rectify this situation. We are seeking one thousand ( 1000) members who will join this Fellowship and contribute on a voluntary basis. 

The fellowship was organized as an extension of Maritime Christian College, rather than as an independent organization. All funds received or raised were overseen by the MCC Board of Directors, who were responsible for approving financing for projects that arose. However, while the funds were sent to, and overseen by MCC, they were kept in a separate account. 

The scope of this fellowship was limited. It was not intended to be a church planting organization; rather, it was intended to come alongside already planted churches to assist them in funding building projects.

While detailed records of this organization are not publically available, there are records showing that significant assistance was provided to the O'Leary Church for their church building to be erected. Additionally, a significant amount of assistance was also provided to the Sherwood church for their church building to be erected as well.