We live in a world where over three billion people are unreached with the Gospel. Because of this urgent need, churches must be strategic with where they go, what they do, and who they support.
Our church - First Baptist Church, Orillia - has criteria so that we stay focused. We look for things like whether other churches are theologically aligned, training national leaders, making disciples in unreached places, seeking a personal connection with our congregation, working in full integration with the ministry of local churches, etc. Mile One Mission fulfills all our missional partner criteria so we’re confident that we are being the best stewards of our resources when we commit it to them.
Further, as we have been praying, going, and giving, we have begun to see the enduring fruit of God’s work in this church planting initiative. Because of Mile One Mission, our church has experienced what biblical missions is about. We look forward to many more years, if the Lord tarries, of working for the Lord alongside Mile One Mission for the glory of God and the good of the people in Newfoundland. I hope you’ll consider joining us!
Evan Webster, Associate Pastor of Integration and Missions
First Baptist Church, Orillia
https://www.cornerstoneorillia.org/
Newfoundland & Labrador is, in many ways, a forgotten region of Canada; especially when it comes to seeing it as a mission field. Mile One Mission is changing that understanding and that need! Atlantic Canada and especially the city of St. John’s is in desperate need of more Gospel-Centred, Christ exalting churches that are founded on the power and transforming Word of God.
What I love about Mile One Mission is their love and passion for raising up indeginous pastors and church planters that deeply love their island and want to see it transformed by the Gospel! Their internship and apprenticeship processes are thoughtful and well planned as they partner with outside agencies for maximum impact.
The Mile One Mission team knows what it takes to see the island become Gospel saturated. A realistic awareness of the slow, arduous work of changing a culture despite the religious setbacks. Reaching St. John’s for Christ, and the rest of The Rock, is going to require a great work of the time, patience, calling and equipping of the leaders that are grounded in prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
I truly believe Jesus is going to use Mile One Mission in significant ways in the years to come. Join me in supporting Mile One Mission.
Chad MacDonald
Send Network - Church Planting Catalyst - Atlantic Canada
https://www.namb.net/church-planting/
Many women in our churches suffer in silence while both feeling overwhemed and, yet, longing for older and wiser women to guide them into maturity as a believer (Titus 2 in action).
Sadly, many churches have not only failed to equip women in their congregations but have never, truly, given much thought towards a cohesive discipleship care strategy. This is why it is so encouraging that MILE ONE MISSION consides women's ministries an essential and valuable component of the work they do in Canada.
Jennifer Winger has been strategically placed in her role as Director of Women's Ministry to help nurture, train and equip women to serve - complimenting the work of the Planter/Pastor strengthening and supporting congregations.
Sharon Dickens
20schemes - Director of Women's Ministries
Francois Turcott
SEMBEQ - President and Dean
Despite the identification of 97% of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with the Christian religion in a recent census, if one were to visit the capital city of St. John’s on a Sunday morning, you would find barely one percent of the local residents in a church service. A centuries-old tradition of mainline Christianity in the province has resulted in a population happy to call themselves Christian but content to allow that profession to rest very superficially on their lives. To be “Catholic” or “Anglican” means little more to many Newfoundlanders than saying one is “Ukrainian” or “German” would here in my own province—a mere cultural affinity, rather than the world-changing new life that the name of Christ is supposed to represent. Even more alarming, this outward identification with the Christian faith has lessened the urgency and dampened the appeal of the true evangelical Gospel, almost inoculating them against a right understanding of the Christian faith.
Church planting in Newfoundland, then, will be hard work, a labour of many years. A blunt, realistic appraisal of challenges and difficulties, a resolute commitment to staying for “the long haul,” and a cheerful willingness to work hard even in seasons where the fruit may be sparse will all be absolutely essential for any believers seeking to see the Gospel advance in this physically beautiful but spiritually barren land. Thankfully, in God’s providence, those are the very qualities that mark not only the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, but particularly the folks at Mile One Mission and Calvary Baptist Church.
We at Grace Church of Cochrane will be supporting Mile One Mission and I’m delighted to give a strong endorsement of Mile One to anyone else who is interested in seeing the Gospel advance and new churches planted in hard places.
Jeff Jones, Lead Pastor
Grace Church of Cochrane
https://www.gracechurchcochrane.ca/
Josh Brake
Elder - Maple Avenue Baptist Church
Matt Martens - Senior Pastor
Black Diamond Gospel Chapel
The desire and vision to see ten churches planted in Newfoundland is so compelling that all followers of Jesus should consider how the Lord wants for us to support this endeavour. The integrity and strength of the Mile One Mission team gives me full confidence to encourage people to move to Newfoundland and give both financial and prayer support to help move this project forward.
This project is worthy of different networks, denominations, and movements coming together to figure out how we can help Mile One Mission accomplish what the Lord has asked them to do.
Really excited to have a small part in the story of the expansion of the gospel and the kingdom of God in Newfoundland.
Dwight Bernier
Network Director of Acts 29 Canada
https://www.acts29.com/network/canada/
Clint Humfrey
Senior Pastor, Calvary Grace Church
From the moment we met Stephen Bray and heard his vision to reach Newfoundland and Labrador with the Gospel our hearts were moved to partner together. Living Water Baptist Church has a passion for partnering with and planting churches in strategic areas in North America and around the world. Hearing about the lostness and need for Gospel believing churches in St. John’s, it became very clear to us that God has brought Mile One Mission and Living Water Baptist Church together to stretch our faith as a church, grow our vision of fulfilling the Great Commission, and encourage our brothers in Christ and sister churches who are serving in a “hard place.”
Living Water Baptist Church has a vision to intentionally invest and partner to reach our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth with the Gospel. We seek to have strategic gospel partnerships with ministries like Mile One Mission, pastors like Stephen Bray, and church planters like Matt Lahey and others God is preparing to serve in Saint John’s. Years ago God gave LWBC a heart specifically for Atlantic Canada, having spent time in that area in the past as well as having friendships throughout the region we knew that God was calling us to partner to plant churches there. It has been so exciting for LWBC to hear and see Mile One Mission’s vision for reaching this city with the Gospel.
We could not be more excited about what is happening in Saint John’s through Mile One Mission and now Kilbride Community Church. Living Water is fully committed to partnering with Mile One Mission and our passion and heart for Saint John’s and Newfoundland grow with each prayer call, each trip up there, and each visit from the Mile One Team here. We are praying for and anticipating God to use this partnership to see ten or more Gospel believing and preaching churches planted in Saint John’s.
Dr. John Goudelock
Senior Pastor, Living Water Baptist Church
https://www.livingwaterbaptist.org/
Rev. Lebron Crisp
Associate Pastor, Living Water Baptist Church
At Union, we are committed to the reformation of the church of Christ around the world. Mile One Mission is a natural and perfect partner for us as we look to see churches planted, revitalised, or growing in Canada.
We love the Christ-centred and biblical thrust of this ministry, as well as the pioneering spirit and vision.
I’m delighted that Canadian planters and pastors can access Union’s theology courses, resources, and funding - and that we are able to join hands with Mile One in making these connections.
Dr Michael Reeves
President and Professor of Theology
Union, Oxford, UK