Baptist Builder—
Bluewater Baptist Church, Sarnia, ON
Appeal: #248
Rev Doug Blair moved to Sarnia, ON with his young family in 1977 to plant Bluewater Baptist Church out of Temple Baptist. Pastor Doug served at Bluewater for nearly 40 years until transitioning leadership with Tim Cressman.
For all that time, Bluewater has served the Sarnia area and been a Gospel-light in the city. Over the past three or four years, Bluewater has experienced significant growth and had the joy of planting Anthem Church in 2022. A second campus, in the heart of the city, was started in 2023 when the church’s facilities couldn’t keep up with the weekend service attendance or the mid-week ministries.
Bluewater now runs three services each weekend (two at our previous location and one at the new campus).
The Bluewater Devine St. Campus meets in a former United Church building under the leadership of Campus Pastor, Scott Stephenson. The impact on this new neighbourhood has been both surprising and encouraging. It’s been thrilling to see many of those in the community place their faith in Christ for the first time and get baptized!
The new location has also enabled the launch of a K-8 Classical Homeschool Academy this September. The previous church facilities could never have supported the number of people now attending services as well as the Academy. We are thankful to the Lord for His goodness!
Nevertheless, old United Church buildings have significant renovation needs. Through generous donations of finances, time, and resources, the facilities are functional and look fantastic, but other needs continue to arise. Currently, the flat roof, which covers about half the building, is in desperate need of replacement, among with a host of smaller necessary renovations. While the church leadership are not entirely sure where the funds are going to come from, they are leaning on the faithfulness of God for His faithful provision.
Thank you for prayerfully considering how the Lord would have you respond by coming alongside and financially assisting the Bluewater Devine St. Campus ministry.