BONNYVILLE - The Bonnyville Community Church hosted its 2025 Food Extravaganza fundraiser event on Feb. 17, where attendees could fill plate after plate of international food from the Philippines, the Ivory Coast, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and some down-home Canadian fare as well.
Pastor Ken Jagessar said the event was put together through countless volunteer hours, and the talented cooking of community members who shared their fare for the event.
“We do church as a team,” said Jagessar, as he commended all who worked together to make the event happen.
Jagessar expressed the importance of a strong community and said gatherings like the Food Extravaganza are part of the Bonnyville Community Church’s vision.
The Bonnyville Community church started 24 years ago with a small group that met at the FCSS office in Bonnyville. Jagessar said eventually they got the opportunity to purchase a building in 2008, with plans to utilize the large space for gatherings.
“When we bought the building, it was way bigger than we needed at the time, but we had a vision to reach into our community, to bless the community, and to do things in our community. That’s why we have events like this on Family Day,” said Jagessar.
Jagessar encouraged attendees to connect with one another and meet someone new.
“Introduce yourself, I know it feels risky, but that's what community is all about,” said Jagessar.
He said the Bonnyville Community Church aims to be accessible and open and spoke about the nature of his team.
“They have a heart to love, to serve, and to give to the community,” said Jagessar.
