This Is What Kingdom Ministry Looks Like

It's easy to speak about  bringing the Kingdom of God into our communities—but what does that actually look like in practice? Recently, my friend Connie Jakab shared an update about what God is doing in her neighbourhood. I hope her story inspires you:

People often ask me, "How's the church going?"

I never quite know how to answer. Because what God is building in Ogden doesn't fit neatly into the categories we usually use. We're not simply trying to grow a Sunday service. We're asking a different question:

What would it look like if the Kingdom of God took root in one neighbourhood?

What if 8,500 people (the population of Ogden, Calgary) had followers of Jesus who knew their names, walked beside them, celebrated with them, grieved with them, and helped them flourish? That is the work God has invited us into. It's the whole chapter of Jeremiah 29. Over the past few weeks, I've seen glimpse after glimpse of His Kingdom breaking through.

Here are a few glimpses of what God has been doing recently:

God Opens Doors

I met with the owner of our local FreshCo, she reached out to explore how we might work together for the good of Ogden. She and her husband also joined us for worship on Sunday.They are originally from Iran and have an incredible story of faith and resilience. We are only beginning to build a relationship, but I'm continually reminded that God is already at work in our neighbourhood long before we arrive.

Ministry Sometimes Looks Like a Walk

This week we launched our very first neighbourhood walking group.

No stage. No microphone. No curriculum.

Just neighbours walking together. I spent much of the morning beside a woman who shared her journey through cancer and her remission. As we walked, she shared pieces of her life that likely never would have surfaced otherwise. It reminded me that this is what incarnational ministry looks like. Jesus walked with people. He entered their everyday lives. Sometimes following Him means slowing our pace enough to hear someone's story.

Around the Table

We also hosted a community potluck in our home. These ordinary meals continue to remind us that belonging often begins around a table. Where strangers become neighbours and neighbours become friends. Then friends become a community that carries one another through life's joys and struggles. This kind of ministry is wonderfully low and slow. It doesn't always produce dramatic headlines. But it produces deep roots.

Dreaming Bigger Than Sunday

I recently met with our local politician to propose new ways communities can support people transitioning between government benefits. Our hope is to create pathways that help people discover purpose, meaningful work, belonging, and contribution—not simply navigate another government system.

These conversations remind me again that our vision has never simply been to plant another church. We're dreaming about what happens when the Kingdom of God transforms an entire neighbourhood.

Going After Poverty

Last weekend I attended a conference where God gave me fresh clarity for Dream Academy. I've attached the vision here because I'd love for you to pray through it with us.

More than ever, I believe God is calling us to move upstream. Not simply helping people survive poverty...but helping them discover purpose.

Develop skills, build businesses, find meaningful work, strengthen relationships. Become contributors in their own community.

We aren't just addressing symptoms. We're believing God to transform futures.

Holding Joy and Grief Together

Ministry has a way of holding celebration and heartbreak at the same time. This weekend our church family lost one of our own. Shawn unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. He had been battling cocaine addiction and was preparing to enter the Calgary Dream Centre to begin recovery. We were hopeful. We believed a new chapter was beginning. Instead, we find ourselves grieving.

His death has reminded us again why this work matters. People need hope before they reach the edge.

Moving Forward

Sunday worship remains an important part of who Ogden Community Church is, but most of our ministry happens around coffee tables, neighbourhood walks, community meals, local partnerships, and initiatives like the Dream Academy that help people discover purpose, meaningful work, and hope. 

We see ourselves less as running church programs and more as joining God in what He is already doing throughout our neighbourhood for the redemption of all things.

For the Kingdom,

Connie