What does church look like now that 2022 is here? In Canada the interest in church and numbers attending have dropped to an all time low. Many people feel that church has lost its edge and relevance and there is a surge of people walking away from faith and church altogether.
Milestone wants to change that!
Milestone’s vision is doing church for those that don’t do church. “We want to offer environments for those who are seeking, starting or returning to faith that addresses modern needs and busy schedules. Our atmosphere will be inclusive so everyone can feel comfortable while exploring who Jesus is and the life He offers,” says Jan Douma who sits on the Milestone Leadership Team.
Born from the passion of eight individuals, Milestone will focus on practical messages of faith and how to apply them to our lives. “We want people to feel at home!” says Jan. “Where they can belong before they are even sure if they believe, where the next generation finds purpose and meaning and where teaching is simple, practical, and relevant.” It is Milestone’s commitment to make it an experience you'll want to revisit.
Planning for launch got underway and Milestone obtained its charitable status in 2019. Then in early 2020, COVID hit. Despite the setback, Milestone’s programming was able to adapt and provide messages of hope streamed from Andy Stanley, a well-known faith-based communicator. “He does an excellent job of sharing the message of faith that is applicable to our lives,” smiles Jan. Due to COVID, Milestone’s September 2020 launch was postponed. “We decided instead to move forward with small group experiences, which followed COVID protocol along with faith-based activities, which were home-delivered to the children of Guelph. We also supported Guelph’s community initiatives where we were able to.”
This fall, Milestone looks forward to their in-person experience.
Jan continues, “Milestone is not tied to the traditions of ‘church every Sunday.’ Our fall launch will start with one event per month – creating an experience you don’t want to miss! Each event will include a talk by video of Andy Stanley based on faith in Jesus and how to apply that faith to our busy and pressured lives, along with a full children’s program overseen by qualified staff. There will be terrific music, both secular and faith based, which we hope will appeal to all generations of those in Guelph and the surrounding area.”
On Milestone’s off weeks they will continue with small group studies and community involvement such as the ones they have had the pleasure to be involved with over these past two years – bike drives, soup programs, clothing drives, and donations to various programs. “We want to encourage people to participate in something beyond themselves by supporting existing charities that are already up and running, not reinvent the wheel.”
Milestone continues to grow despite not being able to meet yet in-person. The original eight have been joined by many as they follow on Instagram and Facebook and have signed up for their email updates.
Jan concludes, “For too long the church has been known for what it is against. We want to be known for what we are FOR. We believe people matter and want to meet people where they are, share Jesus’ message of hope and be active in making the world a better place.”
Milestone Church is #FORGuelph. Visit us here to find out more about this new and creative way of “Doing church for those who don’t do church.”