Picture this: A warm July evening at the Regina International Airport. Joerlene stands alone at the terminal exit, two weathered suitcases at her feet, watching the sun slowly sink towards the horizon. Her destination, Estevan, lies 200 kilometres southeast – a daunting distance that might as well be a journey to the moon. With no public transit system in Estevan, no ride-sharing services willing to make the long trek, and not knowing a single soul in this vast prairie landscape, she faces a reality many newcomers to rural Canada encounter: isolation by distance.
The Estevan Seventh-day Adventist Church understood a profound reality about their community: in a city without public transportation, a car isn’t just a convenience – it’s the difference between thriving and merely surviving. While Estevan’s compact size makes walking possible for some short trips, during the harsh Saskatchewan winters, it can turn a brief walk into a dangerous endeavour, especially for newcomers still adjusting to Canadian weather patterns.
When Joerlene arrived, the church didn’t just offer spiritual guidance; they demonstrated their purpose – to make disciples, build a Christ-centred, loving community, and glorify God through fellowship and service, through practical action. Church members initially used their vehicles to help her navigate life’s essentials: grocery stores, job interviews, medical appointments, and worship services. But they knew this was just the beginning.
As more immigrants arrived – the Lumindas family, the Santos family, the Kang family, and others – the church’s mission expanded.
In a city where winter temperatures can plummet dangerously low and walking or relying on carpooling becomes inconvenient and hazardous, how could they build a loving community without addressing this fundamental need? The answer came through faithful prayer and partnership with the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference and ADRA: a dedicated ministry vehicle.
This wasn’t just about transportation. In Estevan’s context, where newcomers often feel doubly isolated—first by culture shock, then by physical distance—the church’s vehicle ministry became a lifeline of hope. Every ride became an opportunity for fellowship, every journey a chance to help immigrants understand their new culture, and every trip a step toward building genuine community.
Today, the Estevan Seventh-day Adventist Church’s transportation ministry is a powerful testament to its purpose. The dedicated vehicle has become more than just a means of getting from point A to point B—it’s a mobile ministry centre, helping welcome 19 new individuals into the church family.
The impact is measured not just in kilometres driven, but in lives transformed. During worship services, you’ll hear testimonies of how a simple ride became the gateway to deeper fellowship. You’ll see former strangers now serving others, glorifying God through their acts of service. In a city where physical isolation could easily lead to spiritual isolation, the church’s purpose statement has come alive through practical action.
For churches seeking to impact their communities, especially in rural areas without public transit, the message is clear—sometimes the path to making disciples starts with a simple question: “Need a ride?” In small communities like Estevan, building a Christ-centred, loving community often begins by bridging cultural gaps and the physical distances that separate us.
Want to be part of this transformative journey? Your church can start today. When we align our practical service with God’s purpose, we don’t just help newcomers navigate a new city—we help them find their way home to Christ’s family.
By Pastor Federico Cela, District Pastor
