AN INTERVIEW WITH VARUN
For the past two months, we have been showcasing the elders who help make New City Church possible. These Christ-like men play key roles in shepherding our people and bringing the light of Christ to the broader culture in thought and deed.
In today’s interview, we are delighted to have Varun Rana give us a few thoughts on his role as an elder at New City and tell us a bit more about himself. Through him, you will see a deep love of service and missions that stems from a deep calling to bring the whole gospel to Hamilton until Hamilton is whole.
1. How did you and your family become a part of New City, and why this church?
My journey to New City was a long one that was decades in the making. To start, I first became a Christian almost 20 years ago through Power to Change in Vancouver. Soon after, I attended a PCA church there called Grace Vancouver. There I heard about Connan and Brenda and then met them through mutual friends. After meeting my wife Amelia through a Power to Change missions trip in North Africa, we got married and lived in Mississauga for a year. Then, we moved to Hamilton during the early days of Connan’s church planting efforts at the time.
It’s been over a decade since we decided to attend New City. New City is a very welcoming church, with a vibrant community that’s gospel-centered and mission-focused. We were on board with their teachings and embraced the centrality of God’s Word that we could apply to our lives. Amelia and I also feel called to reach the unreached, urban poor and in response joined a MoveIn team that lives and prays in a neighbourhood close to the church. This has made it easier over the years to link church and neighbours.
2. What do you believe is the primary role of an elder?
Elders are the primary leadership of the church. The first thought in an elder’s mind must be to shepherd the church. This can take many forms, including protecting the church from false teachers, encouraging the saints, admonishing in love when needed, and praying for one another. All in all, these activities must be grounded in the Word of God, for as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says,
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
3. Was there a specific moment when you knew that God called you to become an elder?
I wouldn’t say that there was one specific moment, exactly. Becoming an elder in New City was a very gradual process with multiple milestones that came along the way. In the years before I became an elder, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me little by little to use my spiritual gifts to shepherd the church, especially in one-on-one discipleship using Scripture. My calling was also confirmed in conversations with those who know me well.
4. If New City had unlimited resources, what is one dream you want to see come true at New City?
There are billions of people who have yet to hear and embrace the Gospel all around the world. But there are two regions where I would love to see New City Church make an impact. First, the 10/40 window. This region comprises a host of countries located between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator, stretching from Africa to Japan. Each of these countries has a very low proportion of Christians living in them. These countries are in dire need of local missionaries who understand their cultural contexts to spread the Gospel there. I would love for us to help support these missionaries and make the Gospel even more accessible to them in that manner.
I would also love to see us grow a penchant to spread the Gospel locally. Even in the City of Hamilton, we have so many people from all cultural backgrounds who have yet to hear the Gospel as well. I’d love for us to develop our own efforts to raise up members eager to share the Good News to our neighbours and have those hard, yet spiritually fulfilling conversations to lead more people here to Christ.
5. What is one thing about yourself that you want everyone at New City to know?
I love pool and Laser Tag. I’ve already invited several people at New City to play and would love to teach my kids both hobbies once they’re ready to go!