History of Sunshine Community Baptist Church
Sunshine Community Baptist Church (SCBC) was planted by God’s grace by missionary and church planter, Brother Steve Swires, on April 22nd, 1997. Bro. Swires was sent out of Central Baptist Church of Amelia, Ohio. The first meeting was held in Roberts Creek Community Hall, in Roberts Creek. The church continued to meet in the hall for the next year, then moved to the community room at Roberts Creek Elementary School.
Sunshine Community Baptist Church was officially incorporated under the Societies Act of BC on July 24th, 2000, with 26 members.
Change comes when you least expect it, and in 2004, after a change in management at the Roberts Creek Elementary school, it became necessary to find a new meeting place. At that time, we approached the Seventh Day Adventists, whose building is located at the corner of Jack Road and Highway 101 in Wilson Creek, just a few miles up Highway 101 from Roberts Creek, and they agreed to rent us their facility for use on Sundays and occasionally during the week for special events like Communion. This has worked out very well, and we have enjoyed meeting and getting to know their pastor and his wife, who are very nice.
In 2007, Pastor Steve Swires, the founder and pastor of SCBC, once again was called by the Lord to a new ministry as a traveling evangelist. After much prayer, he brought this before the church for prayer, and began the search for someone to be the new pastor.
Very early in 2008, the present pastor, Brother Dave Cottrell, a founding member of the church who served as the adult teacher during the Sunday School hour, was called by the Lord to preach and to become the pastor of SCBC.
In February of 2008, at the Annual General Meeting, the members were asked to accept Bro. Dave Cottrell as Associate Pastor, with Pastor Steve Swires to work with him during a training period that would see the shepherding of the church gradually turned over. The members approved, recognizing that our pastor was being called by God to a new ministry and that this was his will.
In February of 2009, at the Annual General Meeting, the membership voted to accept Pastor Steve Swires’ resignation as Senior Pastor, and to permanently record him as Pastor Emeritus of Sunshine Community Baptist Church. Pastor Steve and his wife, Liz, moved to Surrey, but remained as members and visited as often as possible between speaking engagements as they travel in Canada and the USA to various Independent Baptist churches.
Also at the 2009 General Meeting, the membership voted to make Pastor Dave Cottrell the senior pastor.
On Thursday, October 21, 2010, at a 6 pm special service, Pastor Dave Cottrell was ordained. Officiating was Pastor Emeritus Steve Swires, who made the trip up from his new home in Ft. Defiance, AZ for the meeting, and on the ordination committee were Bro. Gary Lester, missionary to students in the greater Vancouver area out of Anchor Baptist Church in Burnaby, BC; Bro. Ben Turner, pastor of Anchor Baptist Church in Burnaby, BC; and Bro. Bev Ward, pastor of Grace Christian Fellowship, in Davis Bay, BC.
In February of 2012, at the Annual General Meeting, the membership voted to make Brother Charles Cottrell, who had been acting in the positions since summer of 2010, the Assistant and Youth Pastor.
In May of 2013, , Pastor Charles resigned his position to work on family matters. We have appreciated all his hard work, and look forward to his return.