First Steps

It’s been said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Mile One Mission is taking it’s first steps on an exciting and challenging journey. I’m reminded of the words of Jesus as he sent out his disciples on a missionary internship:

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).

These words reach into our time with an urgent reminder that there is so much gospel work to do and many more gospel workers are needed.

What is Mile One Mission?

Newfoundland and Labrador is the most easterly province in Canada and standing on the east coast of the Avalon Peninsula, you will be the first in North America to see the sun rise. The capital city of St. John’s is one of the oldest cities on the continent and is the eastern starting point of the expansive Trans-Canada Highway – Mile 1.

We have started on an important mission; a mission of gospel renewal. Here in the Mile One City, St. John’s, just 1% of the population attends any type of evangelical church. St. John’s needs a movement of the gospel; the province of Newfoundland and Labrador needs a movement of the gospel; and we believe that the planting of new gospel churches is at the very heart of the gospel renewal we are praying for.

“The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the single most crucial strategy for (1) the numerical growth of the body of Christ in a city and (2) the continual corporate
renewal and revival of the existing churches in a city.” – Tim Keller

As a strategic church planting hub, Mile One Mission aims to provide financial and logistical support towards a long-term, consistent, and holistic church planting method, allowing carefully chosen church planters to focus on the task of building Gospel-centered churches, while Mile One Mission and its partners provide the resources for their task.

Will you help us?

As I write this, I am praying for God to stir up hearts; to stir up your heart. We desperately need partners; people to join us in this expansive mission of gospel renewal. Oh Lord, move people to pray for us. Lord, move people to give financially. And Lord, raise up gospel workers; yes, even gospel workers from Newfoundland and Labrador and send them out into your harvest.

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Russell Bartlett serves as the executive director of Mile One Mission. Russell begins this role after serving in pastoral ministry for 23 years. He and his wife live in Paradise, NL with their 3 children. Russell can be reached at russell@mileonemission.ca