About Lifecentre

OUr STORY

Our Heart for Lifecentre

In 1981, six people planted a church around a singular idea: people need the life only Jesus can give. For Pastors Barry and Joyce, this meant planting a church that would centre on the life of Jesus, or as it would come to be known, Lifecentre. For the past forty years, I have watched them sacrifice, serve, and give the fullness of their hearts so people could experience the love of Jesus, which still never fails.

Today, we have planted, launched, and revitalized as many churches as people were dreaming about what Lifecentre could be in 1981. Together we are still dreaming about making a Jesus-sized difference in each life, what it could look like to connect more people during the week as on Sundays, and what Lifecentre could look like downtown or in unique environments.

Our story is a little different from other churches. In 2007 when my father and I transitioned senior leadership, we said to our church, “You don’t have to choose which one of us you like more; you get us both.” In the history of our church, we will only ever have one set of Founding Pastors. As a church, it is our privilege to honour Pastors Barry and Joyce as forever ministers at Lifecentre. After all, their love and collective leadership give us the freedom to continue dreaming about our bright future as a church.

When we look to that future, we still believe in that original singular idea; People still need the life only Jesus can give. So let’s continue growing people with Jesus, to make a difference in our city.

And let’s keep doing it together.
Pastors Jason & Lori
Lead Pastors

Our History

1981

Launch of Lifecentre at Talisman Feb 8, 1981

1982

Purchased 1826 Woodward Drive. Launched Life Christian Academy. Launched Ottawa School of the Bible

1992

Moved into 2214 Innes Road, March 1st

1993

Launch of the Downtown Church (Vanier Community Church), September 4th.

1994

October 9th – Launched the Westend Church (now known as Living Waters)

1994

October 30th – Assumed responsibility for Le Centre de Vie (formerly Eglise de Nouvelle Alliance)

1995

40 Days Ablaze that lasted 120 nightly meetings

1996

Launch of first missionary to Israel for 24-hour prayer tower

2007

Lead Pastor transition

2008

Transitioned LCA to a city-school

2011

September – launch of Blackburn

2012

September – launch of Kanata Campus

2013

Food Bank launched in Blackburn

2018

August – Blackburn Mission Focus

2018

September – Launch of Cornwall Campus

2021

Celebrated 40 Years of Lifecentre & Launched Heartstrong.

2023

Lifecentre Care is launched. A new humanitarian charity serving our city.

2024

Lifecentre is mortgage-free. Additionally, we minister to as many in the community than attend Sundays.

Our Vision & Values

Starting in 2023, to better Grow People With Jesus To Make a Difference In Our City, we have set foot on a path to embrace four Spirit-focused shifts at Lifecentre.

From decline to development. We must address the decline in Christlike discipleship in Canada.
From programs to people. We must focus on equipping you to minister, not more ministries.
Both touch and transformation. We must love one another better in all of life’s seasons.
Both church and care. We want to serve our church and our city family well.

Our nine values ensure how we walk out our Spirit-focused shifts at Lifecentre. When we fall short, our values serve as the standard that calls us repeatedly higher.

Jesus Focused

Jesus is our focus. Our constant compass. We are always changing. He is perfect, alone remaining unchanged.

Expectant

We trust the Holy Spirit is moving, therefore our posture is worship. Whether with song, service, or measured in taking a step we engage with hungry, humble, and holy hearts expecting the

Holy Spirit is moving.

Serving

We serve God by serving others whole-heartedly. Our service positions us to best see others. We care about people first before we think about what they can offer. We endeavour to look for the best in each other.

Generosity

We give generously with joy. Our generosity is a reflection of our love. Never a percentage, or a duty, but a delight. We start where others stop.

Loving

Jesus’s love never fails. Our love for others therefore isn’t negotiable. Without love, we’re just making noise. When we fall short, we are trusting in the never-failing love of Jesus to make up the gap.

Equipping

We grow people who make a difference by inviting everyone to be involved in ministry because every believer in Jesus is a builder. It takes the whole church, to be His church for our city.

Whole-Hearted

All of me, more of Jesus. We bring our everything. We set lofty goals. We try, and then try again. Jesus sets us free from the traps of perfectionism and comparison. We bring our best, but He is always greater.

Urgency

People need Jesus today. We do things with a sense of urgency because every day people live, leave, and die without knowing Jesus. Living lost one more day, is a day too many.

Character-First

Character comes before gifting. Our character isn’t value neutral. How we live, love, and lead matters. Gifting is good. Purpose has its place. But Christ-like character always stands above.

Statement of Faith