Plant a Seed - Watch a Church Grow

 

Throughout the history of the Church, the Holy Spirit has given a few persons the gift of planting the seed of the Gospel and watching a local fellowship come into being. The Apostle Paul initiated many churches in the First Century. Saint Patrick took the Gospel to Ireland, and some of his followers planted the seed in receptive soil in Europe. Irish believers continue to make an incredible impact in congregations today.

Across Canada today, we see hundreds of new churches coming into being. 

Here in Toronto, empty stores in strip malls are often rented by a new congregation getting underway. Often, new fellowships are home to immigrants. 

Hope Christian Church in Calgary is an Arabic congregation learning how to tackle the difficulties of "being the church in diaspora." Pastor Mounet helps the members of this fellowship retain the Arabic language and many familiar cultural traditions while learning to live in a Canadian context. 

Emmanuel Iranian Church in North Vancouver is let by Pastor Arash. This community consists of mostly new believers in Jesus the Messiah. About 50% are refugees, havingarrived after undergoing extreme hardships, first in Iran, then Turkey, or Europe, and finally in Canada. Pastor Arash baptized hundreds who have come to faith, and he has begun a second campus in Coquitlam.

Another example of the dynamic power of the seed of the Gospel to change lives is found in New Westminster. In the Makarios Evangelical Church, Pastor Jessica Lee provides an open door among international students. Her time is spent building relationships formed in an atmosphere that acknowledges the emotional, intellectual, and financial stress of studying in a place far away from home. 

Thanks, Pastor Mounet, Pastor Arash, and Pastor Jessica, for your faithfulness!