Our Story

In 1985, Chuck Coulson was a former policeman who had recently graduated from Bible school. He and his wife, Margie, moved to Red Deer and began having Bible studies in the basement of a Dairy Queen with several friends. As the years passed, the Bible study became known as Canadian Baptist Mission, outgrowing the basement, and eventually filling the Coulson's house.

Grace Chapel began in Lacombe during the fifties and was pastored for many years by Ken Scarrow. They were a vibrant church, working hard to reach the community, particularly through children’s programs. Towards this end, Pastor Scarrow dug the basement by hand towards the back of the chapel’s property, and the little building was moved there, providing space for VBS and AWANA activities.

After Pastor Scarrow’s retirement, Grace Chapel decided to close its doors, hoping to sell the building to a like minded church. They turned down an offer for $70,000 in order to accept the fledgling Canadian Baptist Mission at only $40,000. The members of Grace Chapel donated this money towards mission work and hoped that the property would always be used to honour God. With great joy, Canadian Baptist Mission held their first service there in July 1989.

Around this time, Canadian Baptist Mission was incorporated as Canadian Baptist Bible Church. Members gave generously and the building was paid off in only three years. In addition, the church began to develop a focus on missions. In particular, Pastor Coulson had a heart for Eastern Europeans during the end of the Cold War. CBBC had the privilege of developing relationships with several national churches in different countries, many of whom we still work with today.

By 2001, it became clear that the church needed a new building. Even with renovations, the building purchased from Grace Chapel was bursting at the seams. A building fund was started, but repeatedly given away to missions. In a meeting to decide whether to build a building or to focus on missions, it was unanimously decided to sacrifice the building and focus on the heartbeat of God: missions. However, money began to flow in for a new building and construction was completed debt free in 2004.

Throughout his time as pastor of CBBC, Pastor Coulson discipled several men for ministry. One of these was Matthew Patton, a young man who had grown up in the church and been called to preach in 2008. A journeyman plumber, he began working alongside and learning from Pastor Coulson. In 2017, Pastor Coulson began a transition to retirement, guiding the church through a gradual change of leadership.

On February 10, 2018, Matthew Patton was officially ordained and became the Pastor of Canadian Baptist Bible Church. Pastor Coulson continues to attend in his retirement and taking care of his wife Margie. Both Pastor Coulson and Pastor Patton frequently travel to preach on the mission field, at other churches, and are very active in church ministry and outreach.