About The Church
A New Church
In 1978, Jake Turksma and his wife, Ada moved from Ontario to Bridgetown, Nova Scotia. Following the call of God on their lives, they established the Living Word Fellowship with 3 members. For a time, they met in an old school bus before moving into the basement of the Turksma's newly built home. This didn't contain the church for long, however, and they soon moved once again to the basement area of another local church.
Growing
In 1981, Jack Skafte (Jake's nephew) and his family moved from Ontario, also following the call of God. In 1982, he began construction of his home directly next to the future location of the church building.
In 1983, an old barn in Torbrook was torn down and relocated to Bridgetown. Property was obtained near the Turksma's home, and the LWF chapel was built from the barn's framework. Construction was accomplished over the course of nearly two years, largely with used materials and without a mortgage.
Change
The Living Word Fellowship was one of the first non-denominational churches in the Annapolis Valley area. Throughout the 1980s, the LWF leadership operated in several ministries. Through the Turksma's deliverence ministry, many were set free as people were drawn from across the surrounding area.
In early 2003, Jake Turksma was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent treatment over the course of 3 years. In September 2006, he passed away at his cottage on Connell Lake. Earlier, in September 2006, Jack Skafte was ordained as a pastor. When Jake passed away, Jack became pastor of the Living Word Fellowship. In May 2022, Jack became Treasurer of Independent Assemblies of God International (Canada) and stepped down as pastor at the end of September 2022.
Gerry Bezanson became the new pastor October 2022.