Send and Sustain a Gospel Preacher in Rural Ontario, Canada
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good news of good things!”
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. God has ordained that sinners be saved through the plain preaching of His Word, and He has chosen to do that work through men who are called, sent and sustained by His people.
Many Americans picture Canada as a neighbor much like home. Spiritually, much of it is not. Across rural Ontario, small towns that once had a faithful pulpit now have a closed church, a building with no gospel in it, or no church at all. Generations are growing up who have never heard a clear sermon on sin, the holiness of God, and the sufficient work of Christ on the cross. The question Paul asks in Romans 10 is a live question in these communities: how will they hear?
In Grassie, Ontario, God has answered that question by sending a preacher.
Pastor Steve Bainbridge has given more than 20 years to ministry as an evangelist, missionary and pastor, calling people to “Behold Your God.” When the Lord led him to a rural church plant in Grassie, Steve and his wife Christine sold their home and moved their family there to stay. They came to settle in, preach the Word week by week, and give their lives to one community.
To settle in Grassie, they bought a house there and set out to make it a safe, finished family home. They used their savings to buy the house and did extensive renovations. They started with the roof in order to be sure that the inside work would be protected. Unfortunately, several storms that came through the area this summer/early fall and revealed quite a few leaks in the new roof!! The water that poured in managed to ruin a good deal of what had already been renovated as well as causing new damage. Because of this Steve and Christine now face a shortfall of about USD $51,000 to finish the essential repairs.
This is how you can stand with them. Paul’s chain in Romans 10 runs from the sender to the preacher to the hearer. Sending includes sustaining the men God has already sent so they can remain where He placed them. A finished home lets a pastor’s family stay put, open their doors, and keep the pulpit in Grassie filled for years to come.
Gifts through this page go to Steve and Christine to complete their home. This is a personal gift to a pastor’s family, not a donation to a church or charity, so it is not tax-deductible in the U.S. or Canada.
Here is how to help:
- Give. Every gift brings the family closer to a finished home.
- Share. Pass this page to your church, your small group and friends who care about missions.
- Pray. Pray that the Lord of the harvest would provide this need, keep Steve faithful in the pulpit, and save sinners in rural Ontario for the glory of His name.
Soli Deo gloria. Thank you for standing with the Bainbridge family and with the work of the gospel in Canada.
