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Church brings in Bell for fundraiser concert

Steve Bell has been called the best-kept secret in Canadian music and he’s coming to play at the First Baptist Church

Steve Bell has been called the best-kept secret in Canadian music and he’s coming to play at the First Baptist Church as a major fundraiser for its building project.

“We’re looking to build a new church at some point,” said Shelia Pateman, project fundraising committee member.

The new addition will be attached to the old church and include a sanctuary that can seat 400 people.

Pateman says fundraising for the project has been going on for approximately two years. “In that time we bought a house and demolished it to expand our parking lot.”

“We’ve been fundraising for about two years but it’s been a dream of the church for a long time,” said Pateman.

A group called the Dream Team initially approached an architectural firm about the project, paving the way for the fundraising committee.

According to Pateman, an architectural drawing is set but the church doesn’t have enough money to go ahead with the project.

The church is receiving a portion of the money raised at Bell’s concert.

“He’s very well known in Western Canada. He does great concerts,” said Pateman. “We’re very excited he’s coming. Like I said, he’s very well known in Christian circles. We know his music, we’ve sang it in church.”

Bell is a singer/songwriter who works to encourage Christian faith through his music.

“He certainly has a way of entertaining and ministering people that’s different every time we see him,” said Duane Stretch, who approached Bell about the concert.

Over a solo career that has spanned two decades, Bell has released 17 albums, received two Juno Awards and been nominated for two others.

The concert will take place Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. A dinner buffet will precede with punch at 5:30 and dinner at 6 p.m.