Introducing a New BOD Member

Posted on March 16, 2021March 16, 2021 by Andy Wood

We are excited to announce that Deyan Momtchilov has agreed to an invitation to serve on the Board of Directors. This will be an item that will be up for ratification by the membership at our Annual General Meeting on April 12 (mark your calendars). Deyan will join Cornelius Martens (BOD Chair) and Sara Epp on the BOD. Note that Andrew Chan and Andy Wood also attend BOD meetings as invited liaisons. Also, while we’re on the subject of leadership, don’t forget we’re seeking your input in the discernment process for New Elders.

A little about Deyan:

Deyan Momtchilov

Deyan and his wife Deanna have been part of the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard for over 20 years and continue to consider it home. They first met through one of the church’s house groups and got to know each other while serving the community together.

Over the years, the two have led a house group, completed the church’s internship program, and contributed to the creative community and kids church in leadership and supporting capacities. During his internship with WCV, Deyan was part of the development of the School of Justice, the set-up of the Hadishville Farm and directly involved with the church’s ministry to our street community.

Deyan’s educational background is in architecture. He earned his degree in Environmental Design from the University of Manitoba and worked as a project manager in the construction industry in the years to follow before joining the City’s Planning, Property and Development Department. He is currently on the management team of the Development and Inspections Division.

Another intersecting point of Deyan’s knowledge and interests has been the investment in residential real estate. Along with his partners, he has been providing safe and affordable housing in the community for over a decade.

Deyan and Deanna have four children, Simeon, Esther, Kaloyana and Gavrail, and live in the Scotia Heights neighbourhood of the city.

Feature Image credit: by Tobias Mrzyk on Unsplash

6 Month Financial Update

Posted on July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 by Andy Wood

A few years ago we began sharing our financial situation in the bulletin on a weekly basis as opposed to once a year at our Financial Info Nights. This was a direct response to an increased desire from WCVers to be “in the know” and to “own the financial situation of the church.” This letter is written in that same open spirit. We hope this information will help us carry our financial situation together as a whole church, each person taking ownership without manipulation.
As always, we hold this situation in prayer and ultimately look to God for provision and wisdom. We feel writing this update is part of that. Ultimately, this situation is not in the BOD’s, Pastoral or Lay Elder’s nor even the congregation’s hands. It is firmly in God’s hands – we’re simply trying to be obedient to our part.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7

Here’s the 6-month situation as of June 30:

The current deficit of $36,702 compares to $14,595 in 2015. This deficit includes the $13,280 buffer surplus that we used to cushion the shortfall and needs to be replenished. This deficit is alarming given that it is only mid-year and so high.

There are two reasons the significant deficit this year:

Our regular offerings are down and in line with the income shortfall (other sources of income, like rentals, are not down). Our donations for June were at a 3-year low and the trend from the past few months is down.
Our expenses to operate are increasing with no option but to pay.

As your Staff and Board we consider this situation to be unprecedented enough to make some recommendations that may help immediately. We ask you to prayerfully consider responding.

Here are a few ways to respond:

Review your current giving level and year-to-date totals. If you have a shortfall please consider topping-up immediately.
If you haven’t already done so, consider signing up for pre-authorized withdrawals. This helps tremendously with cash-flow.
Consider increasing your giving level.
Pray for God’s provision of our financial needs. We rely on His supernatural provision at all times but sometimes forget to thank Him in times of plenty and continue asking for His help in times of scarcity.

We continue to believe that WCVers have the potential to meet all our annual budget needs. Whatever your interpretations are about tithing (10% to the local church – be generous in every situation – or something in between), the call to us as followers of Jesus is to be generous and the call to us as a local community of believers is to hold our local needs up in prayer and practice. Again, we trust in the Lord, not in finances (or horses or chariots!). He will see us through this, but not without forming us a little more into Christ’s likeness first. As leaders, we will continue to manage well and communicate info as relevant. Thanks for walking with us through this – thanks for your support – and thanks for your prayerful consideration of this letter!

Prayerfully & Thankfully,

Your Staff and Board of Directors