In the small city of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, a seed was planted when James Folster, a Humboldt Seventh-day Adventist Church Group member, recognized a calling to serve his community. He began with a humble soup kitchen called “The Purple Door” – a ministry of warmth, fellowship, and support hosted in the local Anglican Church.
In 2022, James and his wife, Hilda, organized a musical fundraiser for The Purple Door. Little did they know this event would become the catalyst for something great. Two ladies from the Quill Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church, a small congregation of 25-28 weekly worshippers, attended that evening and, through divine inspiration, received their call to missions.
Inspired by the Folsters’ example, Myrna Gallant and Sherry Olynick took the first brave step into their mission field – the small farming town of Watson, Saskatchewan, with a population of barely 800. Despite their church’s modest size, they began by replicating The Purple Door model, meeting weekly in the United Church, offering hot drinks and friendly conversations.
But the journey wasn’t without its challenges. The initial approach wasn’t connecting with the close-knit Watson community as hoped. Instead of becoming discouraged, they faced this trial with adaptability and faith.
Listening to the community’s real needs, they transformed their ministry into “Acts of Kindness by The Purple Door.” In a town where everyone knows everyone, they began putting up posters offering an exhaustive list of acts of kindness, which included:
• Food hamper distribution
• Medical appointment transportation
• Puzzle exchanges for connection
• Transportation to the food bank
• Snow shovelling for those in need
• Friendly visits to the isolated
• Sharing garden vegetables
• Sharing a fresh loaf of bread
• And much more
The small but dedicated church members stepped out of their comfort zones, obtaining vulnerable sector checks to serve in the Watson Centennial Lodge, making countless trips to food banks, and offering practical help wherever needed. In a small town like Watson, word travels fast, and they have started to become known throughout the community as a Christian group that offers hope and service, trusted enough that locals now refer others to the Purple Door.
Sadly, James Folster, whose initial vision sparked this movement, passed away in Watrous, SK. Yet his legacy lives on—not only in Humboldt, where friends continue his work, but also through Watson’s transformed and expanding ministry. The Purple Door has helped to move Hilda, James’ widow, to Watson where she helps with the Purple Door.
Today, the small but faithful Quill Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church members continue to watch, pray, and reach out across their district. Their story demonstrates how even a small congregation can create significant ripples of change through faithful service. Quill Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church continues to be known as a church that cares for the people in their district, proving that it’s not the size of the congregation that matters, but the size of their faith and commitment to service.
Most importantly, they’ve seen spiritual fruit from their labour – some have attended church, and one precious soul is preparing for baptism. They humbly acknowledge, “Only God’s Spirit has planned and grown this mission, and has led in each activity.”
By Myrna Gallant, Quill Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor Jose Quezada, District Pastor
