About (8)
Thank you for supporting Emmanuel with your time, talents and resources. We are all part of the family and each contribution is used by God to make a difference in lives here in Victoria and around the world. All the ministries at Emmanuel are funded by your donations. From our student dinners, to our local and international mission partners, from our Sunday worship services to the maintenance of our property, it is all made possible by generosity.
Ways to give.
1. Monthly Direct Transfer. We encourage you to contact the office to register for automatic fund transfers. With no transaction fees and simple processing, this giving plan is our preferred way to receive your gifts.
2. Offering Envelopes. If you prefer to give by cash or cheque, and enjoy the act of giving in the worship service, we invite you to contact the church office and sign up for personalized envelopes. Feel free to use the envelopes in the pew, but it helps our volunteers if you register for numbered envelopes. Cash and cheques can all be received by mail or in person during office hours.
3. Interac eTransfer: You can now donate using Interac eTransfer, please read instructions:
- Log onto your banking website.
- Click on the “Interac eTransfer” tab (usually on the left hand side) of the bank’s website.
- Click on “Send money to”. If Emmanuel Baptist Church Victoria hasn’t already been entered as a Contact, add Emmanuel Baptist Church Victoria as a Contact using email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Enter the amount.
- In the “Message” window, indicate what the funds are for (General Budget, Hazel Merritt, etc.). You can designate to several accounts if you like. Those figures will then be entered in our tax software.
- There is no password required and the funds are deposited immediately into the church’s bank account for a very nominal Interac fee (typically $0.50 to $1.00).
- Our bank statement clearly shows who the funds are from for easy reconciliation and tax receipt recording.
- Click “Send”.
Emmanuel’s Teller Clerk will receive an email notification that the transfer has occurred.
4. Online giving through Tithe.ly. Download the App or use this website to make a donation with your debit or credit card. Sometimes this is the most convenient way to give. Because there are transaction costs, we invite you to select the option to cover the costs and if you are setting up a recurring transaction to use option 1. More info on Tithe.ly
5. Giving of Stocks and Securities. There are some tax advantages to this form of giving. We can process such gifts through the CBWC foundation. Contact the church office to make these arrangements.
Your donations to Emmanuel will qualify for an income tax receipt if you supply your contact information. Tax receipts are issued in February of the next year. At Emmanuel we take your privacy seriously. Your giving is between you and God. Our pastors and leaders do not know who gives or how much. Only a few trusted volunteers have access to your giving information.
Emmanuel is located just outside the University of Victoria at the corner of Henderson and Cedar Hill Cross Road.
You will find ample parking in the lot next to the church or behind the main building.
We are easily accessible by transit bus routes 4 and 7 which travel on Henderson and 14 which travels on Cedar Hill Cross road.
2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road Victoria BC V8P 2R6
Our Purpose: Living With God, Together in Community, Learning to Love.
Our name "Emmanuel" means God with us. This reminds us that our purpose is to live with God. This life with God is only possible because of the love and grace given to us in Christ. Having responded to God through faith in Jesus, we continue to follow Christ together, by loving God and our neighbours, especially those on campus and in our community.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Matthew 22:36–39
Our Ministries:
We understand that to fulfill our purpose, we will be involved in the following types of ministry:
Worship: We seek God's presence.
Discipleship: We reflect God's character:
Fellowship: We share in God's family:
Mission: We serve God's kingdom:
Stewardship: We resource our primary ministries.
Our Culture:
As we pursue our purpose in our ministries we will see the following qualities lived out:
Practical: We show God's love in action.
Biblical: We trust that God's Word transforms lives.
Attentive: We notice, welcome and do not forget.
Relevant: We engage with our culture and work hard to communicate.
Gracious: Our friendly attitudes value diverse people.
For more detail Download our Vision Document
Section A. The One True and Living God
We believe in the one true and living God, full of love, grace, holiness and glory, existing eternally in three equal persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Section B. The Father
We believe in God the eternal Father, creator and sustainer of life, supremely perfect in goodness, truth, beauty, wisdom and power, from whom all things come and to whom all things owe their being, obedience and worship. (Genesis 1; Matthew 6:9; Eph. 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3; Genesis 1)
Section C. The Son
We believe in the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, who shares equal divinity with the Father. He was not created, but is very God of very God. We believe that He became fully human, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. His earthly life was sinless and obedient. By His death He has taken away the sins of the world. He rose again to eternal bodily life, ascended to heaven, continues to advocate for us, and will return again in glory to this earth. (John 1:1, 10:38, 14:9-12, 17:1-26; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1.)
Section D. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit of God, who shares equally the divine nature together with the Father and the Son. He has spoken through the Apostles and Prophets. He lives within each believer and unifies and empowers Christ’s Body, the Church. He is at work in all those who turn from sin, who come alive to God, who seek to live according to God’s ways, and He gives insight and comfort for growth in faith. (John 15:26, 16:7-15; Romans 8:10-14.)
Section E. The Bible, God’s Word
We believe that the 66 book Canon of Holy Scripture, the Bible, is a work that, while fully human in its context and form, is also fully a work of the Holy Spirit (inspired). It is, therefore, the Word of God. The Bible is the sufficient, trustworthy, and ultimate guide in all things that we do and believe. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.)
Section F. Human beings and the problem of sin
We believe in the essential unity of all human beings, male and female, and of all races. We believe that both man and woman are created equal in dignity and value, and that together they reflect the image and likeness of God. Through disobedience, all human beings have become alienated from God and estranged from one another. We have fallen into sin. Every human being is in need, therefore, of the mercy and restoration of God. (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:7, 3:1-24; Romans 3:9-23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3.)
Section G. Salvation: rescue from death and the Gift of Eternal Life
We believe that salvation, i.e., rescue from our fallen human condition and all its consequences of death and separation from God, comes only through the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of a new, spiritual life. This happens only through the free grace and mercies of God. We take hold of this free gift of eternal life as we trust in the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:16; Romans 4:25, 5:10-11, 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8.)
Section H. The Church, the People of God
The Church in not a building; it is the whole people of God, all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (the Trinity), and who are appointed and empowered by GOD to be active lights of faith, hope and love for the world.
Section I. Ordinances
We believe in and practice two ordinances, i.e., specially commanded and spiritually significant ceremonies, regularly observed in the New Testament:
Baptism
The immersion of the believer, in water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, whereby the believer follows Christ’s own example of baptism, and is identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is the initiation into the Church and is an outward sign of an inward spiritual transformation. (Matthew 28:10-20; Acts 2:41, 8:37-38; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:13.)
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is the sign of God’s new promise (covenant) to the whole world, that sin, death, and the powers of evil have been conquered once and for all, through the forgiveness of sins, for which Christ died on the cross, and that all those who are united with Christ by faith are forever set free to live in the hope of eternal life. By practicing this supper, the Church continues to proclaim the story of salvation until Christ Himself should return. (1 Corinthians 11:23-24.)
Section J. What the future holds
We believe that Jesus Christ will return to this world personally, bodily, and with His divine glory revealed. He will raise up to life all those who have died and will judge both the living and the dead. There shall be eternal reward for the righteous and just retribution for the wicked. All creation will be restored to the Kingdom of God, and there will be peace and unity with God forever and ever. (Luke 16:19-31; John 5:28-29, 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; Revelation 7:1-8:13, 20:11-15, 21:1-27.)
Through the dedication of early families and under the leadership of Rev. P.H McEwen, the young church built its first building in 1892 in the present day neighborhood of Fernwood. This building is currently occupied by the Belfry Theatre.
After several short pastorates, the church found renewed strength under the leadership of Rev. William Stevenson from 1909 to 1924. Rev, Stevenson was well regarded in the community. During this time Emmanuel established Shelbourne Street Mission which in 1952 became Stevenson Memorial Baptist. Our meeting room is named after Rev. Stevenson. Today you can see his portrait and a memorial plaque that celebrates his ministry.
Emmanuel’s ministry grew significantly under the leadership of Rev. Norman K. Archer who served from 1966 to 1979. During this time (1970), Emmanuel and Stevenson Memorial joined together and moved to the current location on Cedar Hill X. In 1978 the average attendance in morning worship was 664. In 1977, Emmanuel member Gipp Forster founded the Mustard Seed Street Church which today is well known in Victoria for its food bank.
Emmanuel continued with strength in the 1980s and 1990s with leadership from Rev. Jake Kroeker. Pastor Ingrid White began her service to Emmanuel in 1983 and currently serves as Associate Pastor. The church celebrated its centennial in 1990 with plans to expand the facilities onto the corner lot. These plans did not receive approval from the city.
In the last thirty years Emmanuel continued to have a strong ministry in Victoria. As with many churches in the city, attendance has diminished from the height reached in the 1970s but new ministries have grown in strength. Pastors John Wilton [9 years], Rob Fitterer [9 years] and David Dawson [5 years] served as Lead Pastors. Pastor Joan Dosso continues to serve as Associate Pastor of Worship Arts [2006 to present].
In 2003, from small beginnings, Emmanuel has developed a ministry to students through a weekly student dinner. At times the church feeds upwards of 400 students offering them a loving atmosphere and a warm welcome.
In 2006 Emmanuel embraced the vision of Pastor Joshua Wang and began a ministry to Mandarin Chinese speakers. After an original partnership with a church from Vancouver, Emmanuel has adopted a multicultural identity. The Mandarin worship service has seen steady growth over the years.
Emmanuel is celebrating 131 years of ministry in our community and we are currently seeking God's direction as we search for a new Lead Pastor.
During Covid-19 restrictions, Emmanuel is currently offering YouTube Sunday Worship services. We are enjoying several guest speakers in these services.
Emmanuel is located just outside the University of Victoria at the corner of Henderson and Cedar Hill Cross Road.
You will find ample parking in the lot next to the church or behind the main building.
We are easily accessable by transit bus routes 4 and 7 which travel on Henderson and 14 which travels on Cedar Hill Cross road.
2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road Victoria BC V8P 2R6