Who We Are
EXPLORE CHURCH
Eastern Passage is a community unto itself, separated by approximately 5km from the rest of residential Dartmouth. Home to approximately 18,000 people, the community is expanding.
The Passage has a recently evolving demographic. Originally the area was primarily blue collar workers employed by the fishing industry, oil refineries, Shearwater airbase, and an auto import/export facility. Now the community is changing into a bedroom community with a diversity of new people.
Explore Church is the fruition of LifeBridge Community Church’s vision to see multiple churches developed in the Dartmouth area, working together for greater kingdom impact. Our belief is that Christ should be evident in and through our lives as we engage in the community around us, attracting people to him. Jesus deeply loves our neighbourhood, so do we!
As a missional church, we exist to encourage people to explore a relationship with Jesus Christ. We embrace celebratory worship, and strategic and intentional discipleship through our Explore Groups.
At Explore Church, we’re all about exploring Jesus, the Christ – who he is and how he can radically make a difference in our life. We understand people struggle with doubts and questions and that’s why we’re here. We want to help people grow in their understanding and relationship with God, so they can be restored to everything he created them to be and do.
THE LAIDLAWS
If one word were used to describe our family, I think it would be adventurous.
We all love adventure, whether it be crawling through caves, scaling waterfalls, hiking scenic look-offs or church planting – we love experiencing God’s creation and stepping out in faith in whatever he calls us to do. Rob has an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoys seeing new kingdom ministries developed and developing young leaders. Julie is a part-time music school teacher and loves both worship ministry and children’s ministries. Brett is pastoring in southwest Nova Scotia. Lindsay is working and helping a church plant in Manitoba.
THE WYSES
The Wyses love connecting with people, whether that’s through hosting suppers or simply connecting with people one on one, speaking encouragement into their lives.
Entrepreneurship, helping youth and communities have been Russell’s passion since a little boy. Often he did this utilizing his video production and photography skills. Now he brings that same adventure to Explore Church, wanting to see God do great things. Melissa loves children. She currently home-schools their four children (Chloe, Isaiah, Skye and Kaylee). Melissa is also passionate about encouraging women and does so through retreats, home gatherings or even games nights (watch out- she’s competitive!!). They both have a passion for God and look forward to helping others grow in their faith.
Explore Church is born out of the vision of LifeBridge Community Church in Cole Harbour, to see multiple churches started around the the Halifax area. The idea is that we will raise up and equip average people who will take on a pastoral role, and start a church with them. Though each church is independent, we still team together with LifeBridge and the other church plants for global missions, church training events, praise nights, future visioning and strategy, and weekly staff training and encouragement.
Explore Church, along with LifeBridge, belongs to a larger family of churches known as the Baptist General Conference of Canada. The BGC extends from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, but is primarily rooted in the west. We are just now starting to see churches developed here in the Maritimes.
The C2C Collective is a cross-denominational, national network that serves nearly 30 evangelical denominations, networks, and mission agencies. They partner with churches and denominations to plant Gospel-Centered, Spirit-Led, Mission-Focused churches.