Celebrating a new church in Warman, SK
Over the years, several cities in Saskatchewan have experienced an influx of immigrant workers, primarily Filipinos. The leaders of Saskatoon New Life Community Fellowship sensed a call to partner with Jesus in reaching these new Canadians, praying for direction about their next steps as a church.
Today, we celebrate the culmination of their faithful prayers and discernment, which has led to a new church of The Alliance in Canada: Inter-Cities New Life Alliance Fellowship, in Warman, Saskatchewan.
In 2015, Pastor Tim Lardizabal shifted from his role as Lead Pastor of Saskatoon New Life to focus on this multiplication initiative. Pastors Odie Tancongco and Boc Laurico, who continued to lead at New Life, shared his hope and prayers for the region.
“. . .The world has come to Canada,” shares Pastor Odie, reflecting on the importance of establishing new expressions of church in the country, especially for new Canadians. This is what Saskatoon New Life Community Fellowship set out to do.
They began the process by launching small groups which, in turn, could grow into house churches with time. The vision? The emergence of a church that would serve a cluster of communities and cities near Saskatoon—Martensville, Dalmeny, Osler, Hague, and Warman.
Soon, a gathering in Warman was born.
The first set of elders of Inter-Cities are installed in 2023.
The plan, all along, was for Pastor Tim to one day oversee the new church that they were fervently praying for. When the time came, however, Pastor Tim was diagnosed with cancer. Pastor Odie soon sensed God leading him toward this role.
“It changed our game plan, and I was sent out to the [Warman community]” shares Pastor Odie, who was serving in an associate role at the Saskatoon New Life at the time. “When I think about it I can only shake my head in disbelief. I am a pastor and I am in church planting. Two things that I had been running away from for two decades. I guess God can transform misfits for His service!”
Following Jesus’ lead in this endeavor was not seamless nor easy. Looking back, Pastor Odie believes one of the greatest lessons gleaned from the birth of Inter-Cities New Life Alliance Fellowship is the importance of faith and perseverance. The words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 inspire this posture (read here). Odie explains:
“We do not give up [nor] take the easy way out simply because circumstances are challenging or difficult. Imagine if the Apostle Paul did that!”
When the pandemic hit, the small community suffered financially, and its future was uncertain. Pastor Odie was preparing himself for the possibility of being bi-vocational, or working full-time in the marketplace and volunteering at the emerging church. In the end, God provided miraculously through the generosity of believers.
Today, in March of 2023, Inter-Cities New Life Alliance Fellowship is a church of the Alliance in Canada.
Full of families, the congregation gathers weekly for worship and small groups. They have celebrated baptisms, run a children’s ministry and “next gen” ministry for youth, and do outreach in Warman through initiatives like singing in a long-term facilities.
We recognize this important step in the community’s story, in becoming part of a wider family of churches in Canada.
We rejoice in the faithful support and prayers of Saskatoon New Life Community Church, leading up to this exciting milestone.
And we celebrate the good work that Inter-Cities New Life Alliance Fellowship is doing in Warman, in the name of Jesus.
May He go before them.
Inter-Cities New Life Alliance Fellowship is supported by the Canadian Midwest District and Saskatoon New Life Community Fellowship. Pastor Odie Tancongco leads Inter-Cities, and both Pastors Boc Laurico and Tim Lardizabal lead at New Life Community Fellowship, along with their teams.
Excited by what God is doing in Warman?
Join us in praying for Inter-Cities New Life Alliance Fellowship:
For God’s favour as they continue to participate in what Jesus is doing in Warman, as a church.
For God’s leading and provision in this season of change for the community.
For more open doors to start small groups in the area
For success as they venture into bridging events in Warman.
