History

Alive began as a single small group of 20’somethings in January 2000.  It became two groups that fall, and then plans were put in place to establish a broader gathering point for young adults.  Alive Ministries was launched Monday September 10th, 2001, based around the verse in Romans 6:11, “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” 

I will never forget that first night because we had prayed for 40 people, and God brought 44!  And that night we had one individual give her heart to Jesus, which was such confirmation that God was in this.  Ironically, the next morning was the infamous September 11th World Trade Center attacks, and this young woman woke up after making peace with God to a world at war!

Since that time, Alive has grown in scope and impact, with dozens coming to know Jesus for the very first time and getting baptized, and hundreds more making recommitments and new steps forward in their spiritual journey. 

In September 2005, Alive moved out of the cramped quarters of the Upper Room and into the 600 seat auditorium at Willow Park Church in Kelowna BC.  Our leadership team was so worried about it feeling empty that we bought black fabric to cover the back few pews to encourage people to sit together.  Within a month, that fabric was unnecessary, as God blew the doors off Alive, more than doubling our weekly attendance to between 250 and 350 people. 

Alive continues to meet in the auditorium at Willow Park on Hwy 33, but is also branching out to challenge young adults from around the Okanagan Valley.  As well, a revamped life group ministry, facilitated by peers and mentors, is designed to draw young adults into authentic community.

Our rallying cry is “Simpler & Deeper”.  We want to continue raising up healthy young adults who take personal responsibility for their spiritual lives.  We would love to have you be a part of that!

Vision

Alive is a community of 400 plus young adults, ages 18 – 30, who have a passion to know God in a way that awakens their soul and transforms their life.  It’s based out of Willow Park Church in Kelowna, B.C., but reaches into the broader community, drawing individuals from Keremeos & Oliver up to Armstrong & Enderby.  Alive is about speaking to a new generation of spiritual seekers through experiential worship, inspired Bible teaching, and authentic community.

We see Alive as being successful if individuals are moving forward in the following five ways:

1. Responding – salvation, baptism, commitments
2. Offering – lives, dreams, resources
3. Risking – conversations, actions, status
4. Growing – knowledge, love, passion
5. Serving – locally, regionally, internationally

Our heart is to create an environment where young adults from around the Okanagan can be introduced to and grow in a relationship with Jesus in a way that makes a difference in them and those around them. 

Our main touch point is Monday nights in the auditorium at Willow Park Hwy 33.  You’ll find hundreds of young adults coming together to worship God in music, prayer, Bible-teaching, and so much more.  We are committed to being a place that teaches the word of God in an understandable and relevant fashion.  We unashamedly hold up the Bible to be the standard of wisdom and truth, which is God’s gift for us to know Him and impact others.  Mondays are also a key time to connect with and encourage one another, through prayer times within the evening and coffee houses afterwards.  It’s an exciting place to be.

The second key component is our life group ministry. These are weekly gatherings of 8-12 young adults at someone’s house, designed to be a place where you can build authentic friendships of significance.  They include potlucks, studies, service opportunities, and prayer.  A new life group begins every month, so there’s room for you!

Our annual summer missions trip (June) to the Oliver Gleaners (www.okanagangleaners.ca) is designed as a week of leadership development and practical service in the name of Jesus.  And our yearly winter retreat at Gardom Lake Bible Camp (February) is a spiritual highlight for many who attend (www.gardomlake.ca).

We also have a desire to pour into the next generation of leaders, and Alive intentionally raises up, develops, and releases passionate Christ-followers to areas of meaningful service and leadership. 

Beliefs

We believe in God as eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created and sustains the universe. The eternal purpose of God the Father is to create a people who will bring glory to God forever. God alone is worthy of worship.

We believe that God became human in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to restore the world because humans have rejected God in disobedience. Jesus taught and modeled the way of God’s kingdom. He died on the cross, making it possible for us to accept a renewed relationship with God. He rose from the dead, broke the power of sin and death, and frees us to live in obedience to God’s will.

We believe that God the Holy Spirit invites all people to be reconciled with God and to join the global family of faith. Believers confess their faith, are baptized, and join in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and guided by the Bible, members of the church seek to live as followers of Christ and invite others to experience this new life.

As Christians we are called to turn:

• from ignorance of God to a personal relationship with God;
• from bondage of sin and past mistakes to freedom, forgiveness, and healing;
• from individualism to interdependence with others in the local church;
• from lifestyle choices that harm us, others and the earth to choices that nurture wholeness, healing, joy and peace;
• from hating enemies and ignoring neighbors to showing love and justice to all;
• from loving possessions to sharing with all in need;
• from aimless existence to a mission of representing God’s kingdom on earth.

As Christians we look forward to the day when God will once again send Jesus to bring all things under God’s eternal rule.

Alive, as a ministry under the umbrella of Willow Park Church, stands in full support of the Mennonite Brethren confession of faith, which can be found in its entirety here .