How Forest City Community Church found fresh vision
A Spirit-led blend of creativity and persistence helped one church discover fresh vision through an unexpected partnership that continues to transform lives locally and globally.
Written by Karen Marroquin
on April 29, 2026
When Senior Pastor Rob Hogendoorn reflects on leading Forest City Community Church in London, Ontario, two words come to mind: creativity and persistence.
Finding a “water shaft” moment
Drawing from 2 Samuel 5:4–8, Rob points to David facing an impregnable Jerusalem. With no conventional strategy available, David finds an unexpected way in through the water shaft.
This moment of Spirit-led creativity is exactly what Rob says we need today—people and partnerships that help leaders re-energize their ministries when things feel stuck, stale or out of options.
“What’s needed is fresh vision and faithful persistence,” Rob explains.
Transformative partnership with World Vision
Rob shares that Forest City found its own “water shaft” moment through its partnership with World Vision Canada.
“World Vision is an incredibly powerful source of creativity for churches in engaging their people and accomplishing the mission of Jesus,” he says. “We did a deep dive into World Vision about six years ago with a CHOSEN experience, and it’s had a transforming impact on our church.”
CHOSEN is World Vision’s sponsorship experience that flips the traditional sponsorship model, giving a child the power to choose their sponsor, restoring dignity to the process. Since then, the church has hosted two CHOSEN events.
“We did a deep dive into World Vision with a CHOSEN experience, and it’s had a transforming impact on our church.”
Since then, the church has hosted two CHOSEN events, continuing to build a culture of compassion, generosity and global awareness within the congregation.
Coby, wife of Pastor Rob, shares a moment with a church congregant rejoicing over their Chosen child.
Growing impact through long-term engagement
Chris Schroeder, Church Engagement Lead Advisor at World Vision Canada, has been serving alongside Forest City for many years.
“Partnering with pastors Rob and Coby has been an incredible blessing—year after year, Forest City continues to be more engaged and committed to the work being done through their support for children and families, along with special projects in Malawi, and the impact of this partnership continues to grow!”
For Forest City, the relationship has become much more than a one-time initiative. It has evolved into a holistic missions partnership that continues to bring life and purpose to the church community.
Building community through the Global 6K for Water
Forest City has also embraced World Vision’s Global 6K for Water, a six-kilometre walk that reflects the average distance women and children around the world typically walk to find clean water.
This event lays the foundation for the church to connect and engage with its surrounding communities while fundraising for clean water projects.
“Every year, we do a 6K walk in the fall, and what’s beautiful to me about it is that people learn things, are growing and can explore their faith,” Rob explains.
“The Global 6K walk is accessible to people in your church who are devoted followers of Jesus and to those who aren’t.”
Faith conversations that last beyond the event
One story particularly stands out to Rob as an example of the event’s deeper impact.
“One congregant chose to do the Global 6K for Water with her daughter for her birthday. As they walked, they talked about God, faith and what it means to follow Jesus. The experience became both a gift and a testimony.”
Moments like these remind Forest City that mission experiences can open doors for meaningful conversations, spiritual growth and stronger relationships.
Creativity and mission bring new life to the church
For Forest City, World Vision has been a holistic missions partner and a source of creativity and renewal.
“There’s something very attractive about being part of something that does good in this world,” Rob says. “It engages people and gives life to our church.”
In a cultural moment where many churches feel they have “tried everything,” Rob hopes Forest City’s story encourages other church leaders to remain open to new, mission-shaped opportunities.
When churches embrace experiences like CHOSEN and the Global 6K for Water, they often discover fresh life on the other side.
Partner with World Vision Canada
World Vision Canada stands alongside pastors and church leadership teams seeking to engage their congregations and build stronger communities rooted in Christ.
To learn more about resources and partnership opportunities for churches, visit the World Vision Churches website designed specifically to support church leadership.