History

History of Martensville Baptist Church

Martensville Baptist Church began in 1977 with a few people from Ebenezer Baptist Church meeting in a school in Martensville to explore the potential of a Church Plant in this area. Martensville Baptist Church was officially organized in 1978. That same year, with the blessing of donated land, they began a building project that was completed by November.

1978-1980 — Pastor Walter Boymook, interim pastor 2000-2002
1980-1992 — Pastor Henry Gossen
1993-1999 — Pastor Dennis Brucks
1997-1999? — Barry Friesen: Youth Pastor (records of exact dates are unclear)
2002-2023 — Rev. Harv Sawatzky: Lead Pastor
2007-2009 — Pastor Jared Brandes: Associate – Youth
2010-2024 — Rev. Aaron Dalman: Associate – Youth & Kids; Discipleship
2013-2015 — Sharon Balzer: Children’s Ministry Director

Leadership Structures

In 2002, Pastor Harv and the Board forged a new Mission and Vision for MBC. Building on this, a new leadership structure was developed, and the MBC Leadership Team began functioning in September of 2003. As the church grew, new strategies were implemented, and direction became clear. This Leadership Team functioned well for several years. The church became healthy and strong, steadily growing spiritually and numerically every year. As staff were added and the church grew, it became clear that a new model of leadership structure was needed. The Leadership Team became a Board of Elders and, working closely with the Lead Pastor, took on the role of overseeing the direction and vision of the church. With the Elders Leadership Team overseeing the larger vision of the church, a new team was formed, the Ministry Staff Team, whose job it is to carry out the vision. This team is led by the Lead Pastor and includes both paid and volunteer staff. In 2019, a Deacon’s Team was formed to specifically aid the pastoral staff with hands-on ministry. MBC’s Affirmation of Faith, Vision, Mission, & Core Values are the guiding principles for all areas of ministry.

Life Changes at Martensville Baptist

In the early years of Pastor Harv’s ministry here, the Sunday Morning services were the first to receive a face lift as new vision and direction was set. The atmosphere on Sundays soon became warm and welcoming. Music was a challenge with no musicians and for 2 years, guests were invited every Sunday to help. God lead musicians to MBC who could help facilitate a change in style of music bringing us to a place where in 4 years we had a full band and worship team leading some of the most current worship songs. With the arrival of Pastor Tim Braun in 2006, this area has grown strong and continues to grow as he trains young musicians and integrates them into the music teams.

First Impressions ministry began with training ushers, adding greeters and serving coffee before church. With the new addition, the lobby became the perfect place to welcome people with Café 77 as coffee central. Challenging sermon series and weekly small groups helped to fulfil our mission by building relationships with people, meeting them where they are on their journey and encouraging development of fully devoted followers of Jesus.

Youth and Children’s Ministries have always been an important growth focus through the years as new families have come. Each leader of our ministries is given the freedom to run them in a way that works well for them (within our statement of faith and mission), so while curriculum and programs have changed under different leaders, youth and children are being taught to grow in their walk with the Lord.

MBC has always supported missionaries, growing the list and gifts every year as the church budget grew. In the last few years, God has worked in the hearts of many MBC folk prompting them to go on Missions Trips. This growing heart of missions affected the lives of people in our congregation to give more and we have seen several people who have committed to go into part-time or even fulltime mission work.

Facility Development

Our Facility has gone through some significant changes since 2002. Outdoor workdays refreshed the curb appeal, and several reconstruction projects indoors allowed us to facilitate a growing church and staff. By Fall 2007 the church had outgrown the original facility and so MBC held a Giving Campaign called “Building for Eternity. In October 2007, the congregation held a Celebration of God’s Provision service. At that service, approximately 145 people gave and pledged a total of $370,000 to expand the church building. The construction process was both a challenge and a joy. God provided all along the way, blessing us with a fantastic facility. In the summer of 2024, the offices were modestly renovated to accommodate a growing staff team.

The history of this church is not complete. God is at work and continues to call us to lead people to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus.