Axe21 | Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

• Marc Pilon
• Dec 3, 2009
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles

Planter Profile: Axe21

Briefly explain your calling to plant a church.

I am still very surprised to have been called to plant a church, as I had never even thought of church planting before this time last year. God had a plan though and He is carrying it out amazingly, He has placed a specific personal call on my heart and it has been confirmed and shared by my wife, my friends, the pastoral team of my sending church and by Acts29. I go ahead in trembling but in faith as I see God's plan unfold.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)?

So far, the biggest challenge has been to re-assure other Christians and the elders board at the sending church, of where we are going with this innovative church-plant. Getting others to understand, capture and share the vision.

How did you build up your core?

Mainly through recruiting from our sending church.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network?

I attended an Acts29 Boot Camp, I loved the fact that Acts29 Churches are focused on being Christ-Centered and Culturally relevant. I started my application process when I got a confirmation from God that He was calling me to plant a church and I suddenly felt so incapable of fulfilling the task that I wanted to get all the advice and help I could find.

Acts29 has been great and very insightful in evaluating me, my family, our planting strategy and guiding us in each steps we move forward. The concept of a network is great as within Acts29 it is so easy to find people who have in the past been through what you are going through right now and that advice, wisdom and experiance being shared in priceless.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant?

Do not plant a Church unless you feel God is forcing you to do it and that you will be disobeying Him if you don't. Else, when the difficulties come you will ask yourself if you got there because God has wanted you there or if you simply got there because it was your own desire and this can only lead to disaster.

How do you pastor your family?

I spend time with them. Living with someone is the best way to have an impact in their life, whether positive or negative. With family being priority and learning to love them as Christ loves the Church, that teaches a whole lot.

How can we pray for you?

Pray for wisdom and for me to be a spirit-filled leader and good husband and father. Pray for finances and finding right classroom space for children's ministry

Church Profile: Axe21 
Launch Date: September 2010 
Location: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Mission, Vision, Values of Church

At Axe21 (Focus21) our mission is to help the maximum of people discover the relevance of the message of Jesus-Christ for the individual in the 21st century and help them integrate it to their own life. (Matt. 28:19-20)

Our vision is to plant a Church which will be simple in it's strategy and activities in order for our efforts to be concentrated on the essential. Our Sunday services will be a tool for Christians, in their growth but also in their evangelism relationships.

Our growth groups will be very diversified according to the gifts and needs of individuals and will be a place to explore and experience life with Christ in both theory and practice.

Axe21 also aims at being very close relationally to the people of Sherbrooke, love the people and get to know them. We want to be the reflection of Jesus living in their city.

What is your philosophy of community in your church and what does that look like practically?

Love one another, serve one another and edify one another. The church is the family of God and should grow together. A community of Christians should contribute to bringing each other to maturity in living out the truths of the Gospel.

What is your philosophy of evangelism in your church and what does that look like practically?

Love the people, serve them, get to know them and be the reflection of Christ in their life.

Practically, people build relationships and want them to meet Jesus, so they talk about Jesus, they bring them on Sundays because they want them to be confronted with the transforming message of the cross.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church?

One huge example is how this past June, when I presented the project to the elders board, there were so many obstacles like lack of experience, leadership, finances etc. and it didn't seem that the project would go through when it would be voted in August. Between our meeting in June and the one in August, practically the entire pastoral staff including myself were on vacation, but God was not. During that month, God answered in a way or an other to literally every major objection that had been brought up in June. When the elders board met to vote in August, all we could do is acknowledge that God was at work and wanting us to go through with the church plant. That was amazing grace demonstrated by God towards myself and the Axe21 Church. It is so exciting to see God's hand working so tangibly.