Board of Directors
Board of DirectorsHistory
The Mustard Seed operates out of a ninety year old church building that was built by immigrants and originally known as the First German Baptist Church and later as Central Baptist Church. Following Central's move to the top of Connors Hill in 1973 the building became the home of several dining lounges and bars for a number of years until left vacant and unattended. Under the leadership of Tom Millman, Central Baptist Church partnered with First Baptist Church and through their respective denominations, The Alberta Baptist Association and the Baptist Union of Western Canada, the building was purchased and leased to a new organization called The Mustard Seed Street Church. Today The Mustard Seed draws strong support, not only from across the whole faith community of Edmonton and area, but from many businesses, professionals and individuals.The Mustard Seed Edmonton has been dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of people in Edmonton's inner city since 1988.
The Mustard Seed Edmonton was patterned after the pioneer street work that originated first in Victoria, British Columbia and later in Calgary, Alberta. In the early years The Mustard Seed was involved in several innovative partnerships. With Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (sharing of staff and clergy), with World Vision (help to provide employment training), with the Church Council on Justice and Corrections (to bring awareness and response to family violence), and the establishment of a desktop publishing company which was eventually turned over to the employees. In 1992 a Food Depot outlet in partnership with Edmonton Gleaners Association (Edmonton's Food Bank) was established at The Mustard Seed and continues to the present.
