By Ptr. Jesame von Tronchin
A city boy. That’s what I’ve always considered myself to be. I was born and raised in The Hague (Netherlands), worked in Metro Manila (Philippines), and now serve here in Vancouver. But never in my life did I imagine that one day I would become a pastor involved in urban ministry.
It wasn’t until my third year of university that I began sensing God might be calling me into this kind of mission field. To be honest, I didn’t really want it at first. My main exposure to urban life was Metro Manila—a place that felt busy, crowded, noisy, and overwhelming. For an introvert like me, it was the kind of environment that could easily push you away rather than draw you in.
But something changed.
I remember riding a bus from Cavite on my way to the airport in Metro Manila. As we entered the city and slowly crawled through traffic toward the terminal, I found myself staring out the window. Cars were bumper to bumper. People hurried through the streets trying to catch the metro, a jeepney, a taxi, or a bus. Some were heading home after a long day. Others were just beginning theirs. Everyone seemed caught in the endless rhythm of survival—working hard, making ends meet, carrying responsibilities, and trying to build a future for the people they loved.
And in that moment, a question popped up in my mind:
“How many of these people have truly experienced God in their life?”
Life in the city moves fast. So fast that even spending time with family can feel difficult. And somewhere in that chaos, another question:
“Where does God fit into the busy life we live in the city?”
That bus ride changed the way I viewed urban ministry. I realized that behind the crowded streets and towering buildings are real people carrying real burdens. People searching for security. People longing for peace. People trying to survive another day. And many are doing it while feeling spiritually empty and emotionally exhausted.
Jesus understood cities. He saw beyond the crowds and into the hearts of people. Scripture says,
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36).
The city is more than traffic and noise. It is a mission field filled with people who are longing for hope, purpose, rest, and belonging—whether they realize it or not.
And honestly, I see that here in Vancouver too.
Behind the beauty of the mountains and the ocean are people carrying invisible burdens. The student trying to survive another semester while balancing work and school. The immigrant family trying to build a new life. The young professional exhausted from the pressure of keeping up with the pace of the city. The lonely person riding the SkyTrain surrounded by people yet still feeling unseen. The homeless man sitting outside the café. The neighbour quietly battling anxiety behind the closed door of their apartment.
Cities can make us feel connected and isolated at the same time.
That’s why urban ministry matters.
Sometimes ministry in a city like Vancouver isn’t always about standing on a stage or preaching to a crowd. Sometimes it looks like slowing down long enough to notice people. Choosing kindness in a culture that’s always rushing. Being present for someone who feels forgotten. Inviting a friend out for coffee. Listening before speaking. Creating spaces where people can breathe, belong, and encounter the love of Jesus in a genuine way.
Maybe the greatest mission field isn’t somewhere far away.
Maybe it’s the people we pass by every single day.