We are very excited about an opportunity that has recently developed for us to partner with local church planter, Brett Porter, in starting a new church in a very ethnically-diverse area near downtown Mississauga. Brett's church, The Sanctuary Mississauga, is only three years old and has its share of financial difficulties -- and yet they are ready to start a new church. Brett could give a thousand reasons for why they are "not ready" for such a task, and yet Brett sees no other option because he understands the larger picture and has heard clearly from the Lord on the issue. He firmly believes the Lord will provide and bless this new church plant as long as we're obedient to His command to reproduce ourselves where there is no light. I agree.
We've prayer-walked the area a few times and are amazed at the ethnic-diversity, the multitudes of people living in high rise apartment buildings, and the obvious lacking of God's light. We found one church in the area, but it dried up spiritually long ago and has absolutely no desire to reach the community. There is a desperate need for a Bible-believing church that is on mission to bring the hope of Christ to the perishing, and we feel strongly that the Lord is calling us to this task.
We are currently praying about the next step, and would ask that you join us in praying. We are considering mass Gospel sowing in the area as well as starting "discovery Bible studies" for non-Christians. We are hoping Muslims and Hindus will want to come, and are thinking about doing a study in the Gospel of John concerning "the true identity of Jesus." If it's the Lord's will to do this, then please begin to ask Him to provide a neutral place -- right there in the community -- for us to have this Bible study.
Please continue to pray for "persons of peace" that are discontent with their current belief or religious system and are receptive to the Gospel. These people (similar to the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius, Lydia, and the Philipian jailer -- and those in Luke 10) are essentially the "gatekeepers" to the community and others who may be receptive to the Gospel. Pray that the Lord will cause our path to intersect with theirs soon! Pray for many open doors, for many to come to Christ, and for many churches to develop from this! We desire to see a Kingdom Movement more than just one local church, though this one local church may be a launch pad for such a movement. We want to always keep the big picture in mind.
Pray for boldness. Pray against the enemy. And please pray that God will do something that only He can take credit for in downtown Mississauga!
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