The Compass | Regina, Canada

• Blair Allen
• Jun 29, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church 

My calling as a church planter was a series of God ordained events. God continues to open doors sending people that are dedicated to Jesus and the Gospel. As opposition grows my heart burns stronger with the passion of Jesus and to spread the Gospel around the city of Regina. God is continuing to cultivate my heart as well as humbling me. My heart continues to burn despite my selfishness and sinful heart, this continues to encourage and spur me on to church plant. My pray since moving to our city is that God would cultivate in me a heart that begins to see those far from Jesus around me through the eyes of how Jesus sees them. I long to have a genuine heart for them not as a “project” but as a soul that desperately needs Jesus. More and more my heart yearns to see these people drawn to Jesus.

How did you build up your core? What advice would you give to guys in the core-stage? 

As a father of four and a tentmaker time is limited. My wife and I prayed God you open the doors and we will gladly walk through them in obedience be we are not going to go trying to open doors. So this has basically been the theme of our church planting building skills. We could be doing so many good things but many of them not God things. I have wanted to remain faithful with the people that God has given to me that being my family. I have never wanted to neglect my family during this process. So we rest knowing that Jesus will (and has) opened the doors!

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

Biggest challenges so far has been the lack of time and not having any funding. There so many things I should be doing but because of time restraints are not even on the top of my list. Although I see this as the right path for me to be taking I do not recommend it to everyone.

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

Three years ago I was really searching What is the Church? Why Church? and I had a pastor friend who was also asking the same questions. He had been listening to Driscoll and invited me to go to the ACTS 29 bootcamp in Seattle. The new insights new realizations were powerful, challenging and life changing. My passion for the Gospel has only grown from there. The greatest benefits has been the direction to keep our church Gospel focused keeping us on course theoligically and the importance of keeping our ministry Jesus focused with humility and grace.

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

DO IT! My wife and I have grown in leaps in bounds. We were to comfortable this has pushed us on every side in our faith. And we know there is a lot more to come!

How do you pastor your family? 

I find that encouraging my wife and cherishing her is by far the most important thing I can be doing for her and for my kids. I try to take teaching opportunities wherever I can. Giving my kids gospel eyes for the things around them.

Outside of the Bible, what is the most helpful book you have read for church planting?

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

How can we pray for you? 

Pray for our city, people are so hungry and needy for the gospel!

Church Profile: The Compass
Launch Date: Jan 1, 2010
Location: Regina, Canada 

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

My vision is twofold: First to reach the city of Regina for Jesus and help those who know Jesus to grow in their awareness of the Gospel and to learn and practice living missional lives. We want to see the church express the gospel to the city of Regina for the glory of God and the good of the city. Although this phrase is used often it does articulate our heart for our city and encompasses our vision well.

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

I am excited to say that over the last couple of months we have seen our church actually being a community! Where we can come together people from all different walks of life diverse but sharing Jesus together. We have really tried to give the picture of us all locking our shields (of faith) together we are not in the battle alone. We come together on a Sunday tired and weary but finding Sunday is our time of repentance personal and corporate and time of encouragmenet and renewal. We are a church where you are accepted where you are at but we aren't going to stay there!

Evangelism. We are being challenged and burdened that evangelism is about being Jesus to people in our own postal code. It's building relationships with people without and agenda but out of sincere love for that person. Taking time to talk and caring and trying through conversations deconstruct what they believe in a loving and kind way. Our generation is not want to be told about Jesus but to be shown Jesus. Getting people to vocalize what they believe gets them thinking and deconstructing what they believe.

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

A huge example of God's grace is that he has called me to church planting. Church planting has opened my eyes before I was introduced to the gospel my heart was so hard and life was all about me. But God opening my eyes and then wanting me to be apart of his work is totally an evidence of HIS grace. Secondly God's grace in our church has been amazing to see him drawing HIS people together. Seeing Him open peoples eyes to the truth and drawing non-believers to himself has been so refreshing to be apart of and getting to watch Jesus in action!