Meet David and Valerie Phillips

Country girl meets City boy: Valerie grew up on a farm near Centreville, NB, and Dave grew up in Moncton. We met in college while studying to become business teachers, and married soon afterward. Ten years later our first son Adam came along, and our second boy Andrew arrived five years after that.

We started out teaching high school in Quebec and New Brunswick, but then went to the Community College system, where we spent most of our teaching careers at NBCC Woodstock and Fredericton. Over our 52 years of marriage, we have lived mainly between Moncton, Woodstock, and Fredericton, where we returned after retirement to be close to our pride and joy--grandsons Josiah and Asher!

Our church life has been with West Lane and Brentwood Baptist Churches in Moncton, then back and forth between Woodstock Baptist and Brunswick Street. We attended BSBS in the 90s, where our boys were involved in Sunday School and other activities. We are now happy to be back and call Brunswick Street our home church.

We enjoy walking, reading, quilting (not a shared activity), classic country music and old hymns, and spending winters in Florida.

Meet Rong Lu and Yunmi (Summer) Chen

Hi everyone, this is Rong Lu and Yumei Chen. We are so glad to join the family of the BSBC. I am the chief in the 5-star hotel kitchen for more than 20 years in Shanghai, China. And my wife Yumei was an experienced manager in the valve industry. We arrived in Fredericton in the beautiful fall of 2019. Our son Yulong Wang is 24 years old and just graduated from Columbia University in New York City in 2021 spring. Our daughter Yuhui Lu is currently in grade 8 and she always has a great smile that brings sunshine to us. Inspired by one of my previous colleagues who introduced me to God, I became a Christian in 1999. One day I went to church with him to check out his "God". It was on that day I was touched by the Holy Spirit through the preach of the pastor. After knowing more about what Jesus has done for me, I realized my sin and decided to be a Christian and follow him. After that, I met my wife. She was a "Sunday Christian" because of her fast-paced working schedule and heavy load. Then, God changed us by giving us a lesson. My wife had a life-threatening amniotic fluid embolism when she gave birth to our daughter. This also results in cerebral palsy in my daughter. Just like thunder in the sky, it broke our normal life. However, during these difficult times, God changed our spiritual from suffering the pain to bites the bullet, then finally enjoy having her as the daughter given by Him. And we finally understand that what God gives us is always the best for us. God also strengthens our will to trust and obey Him as we decided to keep walking with Him for our rest of life. It‘s not an easy path to be a Jesus follower but Matthew 11:28-30 told us: “Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”

Meet Jun (Diamond) Xu and Vivian Fei

We are so glad to join BSBC church family.We are from Shanghai,China.There are 4 members in my family, Diamond Xu(father), Vivian fei(Mother）,Paul（son) and Mary( daughter).We thanks for God, build our sweet family. I married my husband after he believe in Jesus. We are different people from different family,through God's love, we accept each other, forgive each other and support each other.We all think marriage is the best way to build each other.God has given me two lovely children just as He answered Hannah's prayer. Fortunately, we immigrated to Canada in 2016.We also think this is led by God. This is good place to live and to rest. We have more time to close to God, that’s why we would like to join this big family.

Note: Vivian had to return to China for several months and so we will welcome her on return!

Meet Chadwick & Georgia Anderson

Chadwick and Georgia Anderson along with their children Nathan, Zachary and Gianna are new members of the Brunswick Street Baptist Church. The Andersons, originally from Jamaica have called New Brunswick their home for the last four years, and over the last year, have been warmly welcomed into the BSBC family. They have enjoyed the worship, the word, and the sense of spiritual intent that at exists at BSBC. The Andersons are thankful for God's never-ending presence, His companionship, and the people that He has brought into their lives to lend a hand almost daily as they manage the complexities of life. As a word of encouragement, God has brought us all here for a purpose and its scary, and it's easy to be wary, or even worse, to cower in fear, but remember each day that "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.(2 Tim 2:17)" Blessings and Keep safe.

Note: Just after their membership interviews, Chadwick received offer of a new position in Ottawa. The family left for Ottawa on Saturday, June 26, but Chad and Georgia wanted to complete the process with us. We will miss them!

Meet Deborah White

Deborah White rediscovered belonging at Brunswick Street after seven years of moving/travelling. She will travel again, but now she has a place to call home. Favourite verses are Jeremiah 33:3 lifelong learner, Micah 6:8 day-to-day living, and Philippians 1:6 He's always with me.

Meet Rebekah Kierstead

My name is Rebekah Kierstead and I recently graduated from Leo Hayes High School. I come from a large family of nine with two gracious parents and six inspiring sisters. I remember asking Jesus into my heart at a young age with the support of being two parents who love the Lord. However, I feel that I didn't truly make this faith my own until I reached middle and high school. I started to learn that God wants a personal relationship with me and that I could not live this life without Him. I started to find so much rest and joy in just worshipping Jesus and talking to Him. Nonetheless, it has not always been an easy journey, where doubts, fears and struggles have been present, but I am learning how beautiful it is to trust Jesus in the midst of the storms we face. I have been learning that He is the One I can trust and follow and that He is so worth it. As a bit of a perfectionist it has been humbling to know that there is only One that is perfect and that He just wants my heart. I feel that I am still learning what it means to be in love with Jesus.

I wanted to become a member at BSBC because I see so much hope on the Horizon of this Church. I am trusting that God is going to do some amazing things as we learn to trust Him with all our hearts and I pray that we become closer and closer to what God originally intended His Church to be. I really want to invest in this community that has been there for me since the time I was born and I believe that fellowship and community is so important for believers. I know every single person as a part of this Church is so important and valued by our loving Father and I can't wait to see what He does in our hearts and the heart of BSBC.

New Members of the BSBC Family