Freshwater
Christian Church

On September 25th, 2005 there were 309 people at that first service under the leadership of Pastor Joel Main. Of those in attendance, the majority were from the community who were self-described as unchurched people at the time they were contacted on behalf of Freshwater Christian Church.

The extensive outreach campaign that achieved these amazing results was anchored by the MPC (Mass Personal Contact) program designed, coordinated and managed by Kainos Enterprises the developers of the Church Creation ToolBox and the Church Touch System. In addition to the MPC activity there were 2 sets of 20,000 door knob hangers delivered to homes. There were roadside signs and a few other incidental means of advertising and publicity. In addition, the launch team members brought some people from their personal networks based on personal invitations to people who were not properly engaged in a church.

Missionaries from Kainos blended with a few church volunteers and youth missions teams to conduct a focused personal conversation with each of over 25,000 households in Missisauga. This took 67,000 contact attempts during the month of August. Danny McDowell supervised the contacting center with as many as 40 people per night contacting via cell phone. Approximately 1.000 households agreed to receive printed information about the church. Five pieces of literature were sent to each home one week apart.

The launch team of a dozen people conducted the final step prior to the opening Sunday. Beginning in mid September they telephoned each of the families to give a personal invitation to church. Over the telephone, approximately 200 families indicated their intention to attend representing about 500 people. Results from previous campaigns have taught us that 20 to 25% of such people actually attend. Freshwater Christian Church was no exception!

Predictably not everyone comes back. But many do! The church has a full range of programming for those ready for continued participation. Visit www.freshwaterchurch.com for the details.

The key ingredient which will keep people coming back is the development of personal friendships amongst the participants. Follow up happens every day over the phone, in the coffee shop and across the kitchen table.

It is highly likely, based on past results that the church will settle in at an attendance in the 150 neighborhood and then grow from there.

It all started with a vision in the heart of Jim and Claudia Tune the key leaders of Impact Ontario. And the faith to believe in the process. Many churches and individuals partnered to provide the start up funds.

Many have said, "This must be your most successful campaign!" Actually, the answer is yes and no. Every campaign that we have ever conducted has seen similar results in terms of the ratios of people who actually get involved. Therefore, every campaign is just as successful! In fact, the results in this case are on the low end of normal.

The thing that impresses is the number of people in church. But the thing that actually drives the system is the number contact attempts that, in this case, were made in the hot summer months. The rest is somewhat like dominoes if each step is prayerfully and carefully conducted. People hypothesize that Mississauga being a growing community must be exceptionally responsive. But in fact, much of the population growth is from other world religions. We do not just attract people with residual Christianity. Others are desperate to see the literature that was sent. Nice but not bell ringing. Some wonder about the giftedness of the pastor. The people of the community couldn't evaluate that from a photograph! The key active ingredient is tenacious loving personal contact with strangers. Some of those strangers become new friends.

There is always a concern that at the next point of required commitment people will fall away. There has been no evidence of that in any campaign we have conducted. It seems so incredible to some. But there are no ingredients that stand out other than the volume of personal contacting.

Here are some questions to ask yourself. "Why is it so difficult to believe that there is ripe fruit in the community ready to be harvested?" " If the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, why is it so hard to believe that the power works when you invite people to get plugged in?" Why would anyone believe the process is too expensive when the people won will more than pay the cost of having been won through their giving within the first several months?" "How is it possible to fulfil the Great Commission if it is presumed that the money to reach people must come from the existing church? Is not the money in the pockets in the harvest field and not just in the pockets of existing harvesters? Why can we not believe that the harvest field brings its own financial commitment to the process?"

Everyone has their own questions! We love to answer them so please call or email with yours.