Jesus and His disciples met in homes.

The apostles planted churches that met in homes.

The early church met in homes.

At The Navigators of Canada, we tend to think that the disciples, the apostles and the early church were on to something. So, we are following their example.

The goal of our Church Planting Network is to create house-sized, disciple-making churches that are like the ones we read about in the New Testament. These house churches are communities of love, grace and truth. They reflect the vision and values of The Navigators.

Not a building, but a body of believers

House churches are small, informal and like a family. In these house church fellowships, the members participate when they meet. They pray, ask questions, encourage each other, seek direction, and share their needs. They lead in worship. They are led in worship. They contribute to the teaching and admonishing of one anther, exercise their gifts, and develop as leaders. Each member has something to give and something to receive.

When they visit a house church, seekers observe the discipling process taking place in others. They see lives healed, lives transformed. They see people being cared for. They feel free to ask the wildest questions, and to benefit from the gifts and hospitality of the community of believers. When these seekers come to faith in Christ, the process continues. They will now invite other seekers to their house church, to discover what they have found.

The New Testament with skin on

In these small disciple-making communities, the New Testament is lived out in ways that are reproducible and adaptable to the culture and circumstances of the people. Prayer, worship, teaching and ministry to one another (including children) all takes place during one weekly event, giving the church members time to meet for one-to-one discipling, and to spend time with those who haven't yet turned to Christ. The church leaders who are gifted at equipping the members for the work of the ministry concentrate on leading networks of house churches and equipping the leaders of individual churches.

The vision of these house-sized disciple-making communities is spiritual multiplication—multiplying disciples, house church leaders and planters, house churches, and entire networks in other cities.

Church Leader Welcomes Navigators Presence in Church Planting
"I am delighted that The Navigators are intending to plant churches! They have a long history in Canada of passion to reach non-churched people and of a commitment to the body of Christ. For years they have been innovators in the area of evangelism. They are in tune with Canadian culture and are willing to adjust their methods to effectively reach their communities.
The Navigators have decades of experience in discipling new converts and drawing them into the fellowship of followers of Jesus. Their emphasis on helping ordinary Christians learn to share their lives and their faith with those around them, bodes well for the mission of a new church. The principles of ministry that I learned from The Navigators are foundational in my church planting responsibility."
Ray Klassen,
Director of Missions and Church Extension
Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba

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