Paulo Andrade serves as senior pastor at Grace Bible Chapel in Parkhill, Ontario. His church has become embedded in the community and are well known for their “Five Fun Days” summer camp as well as other community events.
| Outline (AI generated): Paulo’s Journey in Ministry |
| Ron from the Canadian Small Church Ministry Center introduced guest Paulo, who hails from Ontario and has a diverse background in ministry. Paulo shared how his spiritual journey began in Portugal with his father, a pastor, and how he later moved to Canada to continue ministering to the Portuguese community in London. He revealed his initial aspirations to be a Christian recording artist but felt a strong calling towards full-time ministry after taking courses at Briarcrest and McMaster University. Paulo has since worked at various churches in the London area and has found the journey to be both challenging and rewarding. |
| Pastor Paulo’s Church and 5 Fun Days Program |
| Paulo shared that he is the pastor at a church in the town of Park Hill, which has been a thriving community despite the challenges of Covid. He revealed that he is married with three children and has a dog. He also spoke about a successful community program called 5 Fun Days, which has been running for around 33 years. The program, which is a summer camp, has become a staple in the community, reaching out to over a hundred people annually. Paulo emphasized that 5 Fun Days is not just a church program but a community one, as evidenced by the town’s widespread knowledge and involvement in the initiative. |
| Community Involvement and Networking in Church |
| Paulo shared that their church, which is a smaller one, involves and trains volunteers from the community, particularly youth, who then become leaders. They reach out to an average of 30 kids from the community per year, and have expanded to involve more children and their parents. To facilitate these activities, they utilize community facilities such as an arena and a campground. Paulo also mentioned that they have been able to develop networking within the community and have seen some individuals move closer to the church community as a result. |
| Church Growth and Low-Income Neighborhood Discussion |
| Paulo shared that their small church, which has been growing in reach, is considering the need for a new building or additions due to space limitations. However, they are exploring the possibility of partnering with the township to build a new low-income neighborhood, which could include a church. This idea is still under discussion and prayer. Further, Paulo mentioned his regular presence at the local Tim Hortons, where he engages with community members, many of whom are also from their church. |
| Community Connections and Church Strategies |
| Paulo and Ron discussed the importance of community connections and developing relationships through their church, Grace Bible Chapel. Paulo shared how he developed new opportunities and friendships through his involvement in the local art scene, which led to him being featured as the artist of the month. Ron agreed, sharing his own experience of forging connections with an artist guild in one of the churches he served. The conversation also touched on the church’s strategy of gathering not only on Sundays but throughout the week in various groups, which Paulo described as “Grace collectives.” These groups aim to extend the grace received within the church to their wider community. The future of these groups remains uncertain, but Paulo emphasized the importance of allowing people to connect and grow spiritually and in fellowship. |
| Small Church’s Tech Transition Amid Covid-19 |
| Ron and Paulo discussed the impact of technology on their small church, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Paulo shared how his church adapted to the circumstances by embracing online platforms to maintain community and continue offering services. Initially, they used a free live church resource platform to upload videos and facilitate live chat during services. This helped them to connect with about 40 people each Sunday. As they reevaluated their approach post-Covid, they decided to continue live streaming services to expand their reach beyond their physical location. This strategy has resulted in new connections with people who previously had no church experience. |
| Small Church Online Presence Strategy |
| Paulo and Ron discussed the importance of a strong online presence for small churches. Paulo emphasized that having a website or social media accounts could attract potential members and provide a valuable resource for the community, but stressed that it requires dedicated volunteers and time to manage effectively. Ron agreed, noting the need for a balanced approach and not overspending on technology at the expense of other ministry priorities. Both concurred on the importance of being present and known in the local community as a key factor for success. |