It Only Takes a Person Willing to Listen and Obey

La maison de mon Père, translated as My Father’s House, is a non-profit located in Rimouski, Quebec, where individuals and families can experience the tender love of God and connect with the Christian faith no matter where they are at spiritually. My Father’s House seeks to be mission-focused and, ultimately, self-sustained. Since the doors opened on April 3, 2017, God has been moving in tremendous ways with leaders and individuals from various Christian backgrounds coming together to make this project possible. The staff of over 20 employees has begun to catch the vision and many have had the opportunity to engage in a process of reconciliation with the Christian faith. The board of directors, composed equally of evangelical and Catholic leaders, is ensuring that the environment and activities will foster a climate of respect between the different church families.

La maison de mon Père began as a dream, a dream carried from three years of prayer and discernment before the project came into being. This dream began in the heart of Nathalie St-Pierre, a business woman from an Alliance church. Through much loss and hardship, Nathalie decided to trust and obey the Holy Spirit, giving a great deal of what she had left to make this project possible. Inspired by a profound sense of calling, she bought and renovated an old Catholic church, turning it into a Christian multifunctional center. Here, people can eat at the restaurant, use the reception room, visit the Christian bookstore and gift shop, enjoy the free Wi-Fi, or simply come to just listen to the worship music playing all day long. As they come in, they are welcomed by staff who long to share with them a loving testimony of the God who cares about them (John 13:35). Volunteers and chaplains connect with the visitors and can engage in various activities such as conferences, workshops, Christian movie night, or daily Bible meditations. For many Quebecers afraid of Christianity and, especially, Christian leaders, it is a powerful testimony to know that believers can live in unity and journey with them no matter where they are at spiritually. Slowly but surely, they are learning to discover what unites all believers, a profound and respectful desire to be intimate with Jesus and to make His great love known.

It all began with a person willing to trust and obey. It always does. What will begin with you?

This story is taken from the Fall 2018 Alliance Connection magazine. You can get a free copy of the Alliance Connection at Alliance churches across Canada or view the digital copy online. We hope you will be encouraged and inspired to go deeper in Jesus and as a result, further on mission.