Inspiring Hope Ministry Plant

Manitoba Church Plant

“Inspiring Hope Across the Generations”

In the span of 8 short months, a team of 12 individuals; 6 adults and 5 youths came together from Elmwood Christian Fellowship in Steinbach to form an intergenerational church planting team, that has now launched a brand new daughter church, “Inspiring Hope Ministries” in the bustling city of Manitoba. Their leader and Pastor, Marcia Barrett is also the church planting pastor.

Pastor Marcia explains the heart and mission of the new daughter church, “even though the new church plant in Manitoba is nestled inside a church centric community, we are losing a generation to hopelessness. We also have a steady influx of new immigrants that we want to reach out to.” Pastor Marcia and her team go out regularly to understand the needs of the community.

Pastor Marcia attributes the success of the new church plant, the church planting team, and the Mother church congregation to several key factors: mentorship, discipleship, unity, following the Holy Spirt, and continued learning.

Mentorship throughout the entire church planting process and beyond has been a vital source of spiritual and prayer support, guidance, strength and fellowship. Discipleship is a main priority.

Through Pastor Marcia’s leadership, unity has been embraced by every member of the church planting team. Pastor Marcia speaks of the Mother’s church’s passion for their new daughter church, “There has been much joy and enthusiasm in Steinbach. The genuine joy and excitement is a testimony of what the Lord is doing among them.” She continues, “The team has been unified and without prompting they invite others to join. The reproduction mindset she has infused into their hearts from the beginning has been holistically transferred to every member, and they are embracing it.

Pastor Marcia and her team have endeavored to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading for every aspect of this mission. Pastor Marcia and her team continue to invest in themselves and in God’s harvest through continuing learning and collaboration with DCPI.Pastor Marcia and her mentor Bishop David Brown speak highly of DCPI’s training tracks. They are both certified trainers with DCPI and have also expressed that the training they received through DCPI has benefited and strengthened their mentorship focus, brought confidence in the leadership pipeline that has already been in place, and has given them tools to pass to the next generation. Their association of churches in Canada is actively engaging the next generation.DCPI’s NexGen Challenge training was facilitated in April and attended by several of their youth and young adults in the region. There are plans currently being made to take the NexGen training to more churches to empower young people to train and influence their own generation.

Pastor Marcia offers a piece of valuable advice to new church planters, she confidently urges, “go beyond your own limits, because God has no limits.” Bishop Brown adds another integral piece of advice, “be Spirit-led, there is only one plan the Lord can bless; His plan. When we align with His plan we will see and be able to accomplish great things.”