Imago Dei Christian Community
a community drawn to Christ
Multi-campus Church plant in progress
Rob Des Cotes
Pastor, Imago Dei Christian Community
1290 Plateau Dr., North Van., B.C.
(604) 987-7931
What
A new church, Imago Dei, identified initially as a multi-campus expression, emphasizing the 'incarnational church' by fostering Christian community in neighbourhoods around the Vancouver area. The prime meeting focus for the church at present is in a variety of house settings where worship, teaching, prayer and communion take place on a weekly basis.
History
Between 30-40 people have been meeting since the beginning of October, 2002, at our home in North Vancouver. As we have sought God together, the vision has emerged for a multi-campus expression of Christian community that I would oversee. We are presently preparing to launch a second house expression in the Mount Pleasant area of Vancouver later this month-one that will have a specifically seeker emphasis. We have also been encouraging another family who have recently moved into a co-op in the West End of Vancouver in their desire to see their house become a focus for Christian community and have already hosted a Christmas caroling event there. This week also saw the first meeting of a house fellowship group in the Kitsilano area with a focus on prayer.
Strategy
At present we continue to meet as a larger group at our house on a weekly basis in order to seek the Lord and to serve what he is encouraging in the lives of members of this community. As other campuses emerge in various locations I will continue to mentor the leaders and be creating resources for spiritual growth. We will also plan to meet, as combined campuses, partnering with the Vancouver Arts Network, to host monthly worship gatherings. These services will emphasize the presentation of the gospel in a contemporary voice, using the arts as a primary means of communication.
Because of the established reputation for quality arts presentation that the Vancouver Arts Network already has, we expect that these services will have a high profile in the city and will draw many people. I believe it will be an ideal event to which to bring seekers.
We will advertise these worship services through the Vancouver Arts Network newsletter which reaches over 400 people, as well as through a city-wide poster campaign. During these gatherings we will draw attention to the Imago Dei multi-campus expressions and encourage those who are unchurched to join one of them. One of our members is the team leader for Intervarsity's UBC ministry and we expect that these arts services will also become a focus point for this ministry.
At present we are negotiating with Fairview Baptist Church as a possible location to host these larger services. Fairview Baptist is ideally located at 16th and Burrard St. in Vancouver and would serve our present needs.
We are also planning for a second monthly service that will have more of an emphasis on drawing people closer and deeper in their relationship with Christ. If the arts service is seen more as a time for proclamation and celebration, this second service will be more intentionally prayerful in mood. Together these two services will reflect both the 'reaching out' and the 'drawing in' activities of the church.
Other strategies for the near future include a summer arts program for children as well as an environmental day camp that will introduce children to God, through nature. We will also draw upon outside resources for retreats and discipling people in Christian life and in Biblical theology.
Rob Des Cotes
Pastor, Imago Dei Christian Community
(604) 987-7931