In this conversation, we catch up with our friends at Strathcona Vineyard, a small, vibrant, multi-ethnic, mixed-socio-economic congregation in the heart of Vancouver's DTES, Canada’s poorest urban postcode. Dawn Humphreys, Jamie Hellawell, and James Witwicki share what incarnational ministry means, emphasizing the importance of presence, relationship, and community engagement that levels inequalities and invites people to participate. They share their experiences living in the DTES, and the challenges and rewards of long-term commitment to a community. We touch on the significance of kinship, the need to challenge power dynamics, and the transformative nature of living in proximity to suffering. If you've ever wondered what living in inner city Vancouver will do to your ecclesiology and how you measure success in ministry, listen in, and perhaps embrace the risk of following God's call into this community, or another community like it.
Guest Bios
Dawn Humphreys helped plant Strathcona Vineyard Church 20 years ago and has served as lead pastor for the past 17 years. She was also on the founding team for Jacob’s Well, a relationally focused ministry in the DTES, and served on staff there for 11 years until 2012. Dawn is passionate about inspiring and equipping others to engage with God’s heart for the poor and oppressed. She has supervised Regent Interns for many years, including during her time at Jacob’s Well and at Strathcona Vineyard, and worked part-time as a Pastoral Representative for the M.Div. Program at Regent College for just over two years. She also works as the Engage Catalyst for Vineyard Canada, helping unify efforts in justice and societal impact so Vineyard Churches and the people who belong to these communities can flourish. Before her life in Vancouver, Dawn spent eight years living in various parts of Southeast Asia with St Stephen's Society, an incarnational missional community based in Hong Kong, where she learned the rhythms of faithful presence and how God moves in everyday life. Dawn brings a vital challenge and encouragement to the Church regarding current paradigms of ministry and the empowerment of people on society’s margins.
Jamie Hellawell has lived in Vancouver’s DTES for over 20 years, during which he completed a PhD in philosophy. He served as Associate Pastor at Strathcona Vineyard Church for over 8 years. After completing a master’s in counselling, Jamie began working as a counsellor at the end of last year. Jamie loves connecting with people from diverse educational, cultural, and life experiences. Over the years, he has overseen Small Groups, led Bible studies, and discussions exploring the intersection of faith, philosophy, and theology, among many other initiatives. He was also a key part of Strathcona’s Housing Project, where derelict houses were renovated into liveable homes for community members, allowing the church to continue offering hospitality. In this work, he drew on his skills as a professional painter, his love of working with his hands and seeing a project through to completion. Jamie is married to April, who has her own counselling practice, and together they have three daughters. Jamie brings a compassionate and steady leadershi
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Strathcona Vineyard: Faithful Incarnational Presence in the Downtown Eastside
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