Pastor Ward Draper is “bringing the church back to where it should be”—and that includes providing clean needles and pipes
Pastor Ward Draper is ministering to addicts in Abbotsford, in defiance of the municipality’s ban on harm reduction activities. Pastor Draper is the founder and executive director of The 5 and 2 ministries, the only Canadian church outside of Toronto that does needle exchange work. And it happens in a city that, according to The Province newspaper, is the only community in the country that bans needle exchange work.
Pastor Draper told The Province that it took three years for he and his church to make the decision to ignore the bylaw and begin distributing needles. “When we finally took that stand, we were sure it was right,” he says. Ward “serves those in need on the streets in British Columbia’s bible belt,” and that includes people living in addiction.
We speak with Pastor Ward Draper.
RELATED | Wikipedia: The miracle of the five loaves and two fish | “The greatest commandment”: Matthew 22:36-40 | YouTube: Street preacher: A glimpse into the ministry of Ward Draper (viewer discretion advised) | CIVL Radio: Abbotsford Streets |
