Imagine towering buildings surrounding you. Evangel Pentecostal Church stands here in downtown Montreal. Its leaders once faced a challenge. How could they effectively share their message in this busy urban setting?
Every idea seemed to fall short. Signs got lost among the skyscrapers. Big events became costly and less impactful. Flyers ended up in the trash. The city even stopped the church from holding events at the small park across the street.
The apartments around Evangel Church seemed unreachable. Some rose 36 stories high. They housed thousands of people. These people seemed cut off from the church community.
Pastor Patti Miller and her team came to a conclusion. The only way to connect was to live among their neighbors. They needed people in those buildings. These people would intentionally get to know their neighbors. Hospitality was the key.
Patti and her husband Jeff started with themselves. They committed to being present. They lowered their privacy boundaries. Patti is an introvert. She pushed past her comfort zone. Together with others they started a “hospitality experiment.”
They found joy in making new connections. They watched a community grow. They saw God at work in their neighbors’ lives. It was not always easy. Hospitality demanded a long-term commitment. It reshaped their ideas about time. It brought new authenticity to their lives.
Patti realized something important. Some neighbors were watching their church services online. She would see them in the hallway. This changed how she preached. She became more than a pastor. She became a neighbor.
Patti shared her insights with Evangel Church. She started a sermon series on hospitality. Then COVID hit. The church did not lose focus. They believed God was still guiding them.
In the fall of 2021, a hospitality group was formed. A dozen people joined the 11-week experiment. They met weekly on Zoom. They practiced loving their neighbors. Each person’s story was unique. God worked through different personalities and situations. They prayed a simple prayer together: “Shape me.”
Patti said her goal wasn’t to convert anyone. She wanted to be present. She wanted to see where God was already working.
In January 2022, a second group started. Evangel Church is still on this journey. But the congregation has already felt the impact.
Patti admits she doesn’t know all the answers yet. Evangel Church is trying something new. They believe God is leading them. Loving their neighbor is not just a trend. It’s a core part of who they are. It’s what Jesus taught. So next time you are in the neighborhood of the Evangel Pentecostal Church remember their hospitality experiment.