Mckenzie bible fellowship vida, oregon

A LITTLE ABOUT US
What’s first to know about us Jesus followers here in Oregon’s McKenzie River Valley?
That which is closest to our heart: "Glorifying God through lives changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ."
This mission statement, hanging on a wall in the church’s sanctuary along
Highway 126 near Vida, expresses our desire for loving, totally Bible-based fellowship. We’re a mixed bag of religious backgrounds, perhaps, but rejoice in our love for the Lord and the purity of his Word. We’re also quite diverse in our walks of life: Loggers. River guides. Various professionals. Retirees from here and there. Many of us fish, raft on the McKenzie River’s whitewater, golf, mountain bike, hike the high country — outdoor recreation always calls here in the Cascade Mountains and foothills. But we’ve suffered loss, too. Last year’s historic wildfire, while sparing the upper McKenzie River’s wild and scenic run, destroyed about 400 mid-valley homes, including 17 of our own church family. One man in our fellowship lost his life in the fire. Ministries by our church, as well as the community at large, continue for those seeking to rebuild.

NEW PASTOR SEARCH
Now the time has come for a new pastor. Our beloved Dick and Christie Roberts recently retired after more than 30 years of ministry. Big shoes to fill, but we’re also excited about what the Lord has in store for us now.
What do we seek in a new pastor? Elders made sure all in the flock had a voice in this pursuit through a pastoral survey sent to about 80 households. Most of all we desire a teacher of God’s word: A gifted communicator steeped in Biblical truth, who can relate chapter and verse to people’s everyday lives. We hope for a humble yet strong leader, someone given to encouragement, who’s a capable administrator and experienced in community outreach. This overseer should have a heart for the unsaved, for the sick and needy, for stronger families, and for discipleship. Skill sets would hopefully include small group development, community outreach, counseling and teaching experience. But heart and the Holy Spirit can make up for what may be lacking. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."

MORE ABOUT MBF
Our church history dates to 1921 — before we even had a church building, for that matter. A missionary with the American Sunday school union first navigated a crude road up the river to Vida. Other missionaries followed from 1921 to 1947, all helping to establish Sunday school and church services at various sites in Leaburg and Vida. Finally local believers built McKenzie Baptist Church in 1959, adding a parsonage in 1965.
But as time went on, fewer and fewer in the church identified as Baptists. Thus we became McKenzie Bible Fellowship in 2006 to better reflect our diverse congregation with emphasis on fellowship of the saints.
MBF supports many missions, notably a family-run orphanage and school in Peru; a Bible translator in the Mid East; Dove Medical, a Eugene abortion alternative clinic offering women pregnancy support, ultrasounds and counseling; and an on-site food pantry for the larger community. Our newer church gym allows for community sports, dancing, church events and crisis staging, such as for clothing, food and supplies following the September 2020 wildfire. Church programs include Sunday school, VBS, women’s Bible studies, men’s breakfasts, and small groups when deemed safe from Covid exposure. Sunday morning perks include lattes, hot chocolate, tea and coffee.

​MORE ABOUT THE MCKENZIE VALLEY
The McKenzie River tumbles some 68 miles eastward from its headwaters at literally pristine Clear Lake in the mountains down to the Springfield/Eugene metro area of about 230,000 people. Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, New Hope Christian College, Bushnell University and Lane Community College.
President Herbert Hoover loved the McKenzie River for fly-fishing, relaxation and wilderness access. Celebrity visitors have included Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra and Willie Nelson, among many others.
Valley farmers grow fantastic blueberries, along with fruit orchards, mint fields, organic produce and Christmas trees. Cascade Mountain peaks rise an hour up the road; just 90 minutes away are ocean beaches to the west and Central Oregon’s High Desert to the east. Two school districts serve the valley: McKenzie to the east and Springfield to the west. Even while the mid-valley bears deep scars from the 2020 fire, the mighty McKenzie keeps rolling on. It is truly an outdoor paradise.