Reverend Rob Kamerman has seen positive changes to both his church and community over the last six years. Formerly the First Baptist Church in Thorold, Living Water Community Church congregation celebrated its 95th anniversary last Sunday with a festive luncheon following the sermon.
“Being the hands and feet of Christ and being able to do what we can for the community,” is the mission and goal of Living Water Community Church, said Kamerman.
At Sunday’s celebration, Mayor Terry Ugulini presented a plaque stating a “sincere appreciation for your commitment to the City of Thorold and our entire community with best wishes for all your parishioners.”
About 60 to 70 people were celebrating, which has become the “average” weekly attendance of the church, he said. In addition to all the new changes, he's most pleased about the fact that this church has become a vessel for more people “getting to know Christ.”
Kamerman moved to the Ormond Street church six years ago and the church has attempted to reach out to the community and has developed Thorold Kidz Club, which is attended by about 28 children every Wednesday night.
There is a youth group for pre-teen and teens from Grades six to 12 every Monday night, and last year, the church coordinated a baseball team which became a part of a league in St. Catharines, he said.
55 North is a seniors’ group, which gets together to sing, as well as play Bible games and quizzes every third Thursday of the month.
Last year, a delegation of people from the church, in conjunction with other teams, ventured to a small community near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic to build a water treatment facility.
A Thorold resident, Kamerman said the Living Water Community Church often collaborates with other churches in town such as the Anglican, Presbyterian and Village Church, to discuss different issues and current happenings in the community and to brainstorm strategies for improvement. The churches hosted two events called "Party in the Park" in Beaverdams Park.
Physically, the church has made improvements to its structure. Renovations were made inside as well as outside the building; the classroom downstairs and the sanctuary were all upgraded with a face-lift to the outside.
Because there are many First Baptist churches founded in Ontario and Quebec, and “You can’t all be firsts,” said Kamerman, the church decided to change its name to something more “relevant.” About two years ago, the First Baptist Church became the Living Water Community Church, through a democratic decision, with many of their members making suggestions and voting on it. “Living water is a reflection of Christ,” he said, when asked if it was symbol of purity.
He described the content and style of their sermons as being “Biblical and scriptural-based,” adding, “We’re not just a feel-good service,” although he does apply the scripture to modern-day issues and problems. He also administers one-on-one pastoral counselling and mentoring youth, which he said is especially important today.
Kamerman, who has been in the ministry for 11 years and was a Youth Pastor previously in the Kingston-Ottawa area, said he’s known he wanted to be a minister since he was 18. However, he said his learning challenges in school made him insecure about attending university to complete a degree. It was at a concert with Mark Hall from the Georgia-based Christian group, the Casting Crowns, that he states God provided the inspiration he needed. Kamerman passed the entrance exam and was accepted into university, and eventually became an ordained minister.
He maintains, “I've always had a passion for reaching the lost.”
