Plunder Hell, Populate Heaven: An Invitation to Partner in the Mission

The late evangelist Reinhard Bonnke used to say the mission of the Church was to "plunder hell and populate heaven." It sounds bold. It is meant to. Because Jesus said something even bolder first.

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Matthew 16:18

Gates don't attack. Gates defend. The picture Jesus paints is not a Church hiding behind its walls, hoping to hold on, but a Church on the move, and the gates of darkness unable to stand against it. Every person who comes to Jesus has been, in Paul's words, rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son he loves. That is what this is about. People. One at a time, by name, rescued.

What God has been doing

Katie and I have had the privilege of serving in ministry for over twelve years. It began in 2014 with Love on Hamilton — weekly street evangelism and practical care for our city's homeless community, sharing the gospel with everyone we meet.

• A small outreach grew into a movement of 50+ people gathering weekly to evangelize in Hamilton, and Love on The World was born to carry the same heart to other cities.
• In 2022 we launched Overflow, a Sunday evening service where the Holy Spirit was given full permission to move — and salvations, healings and baptisms followed.
• Every year the Jesus Festival gathers thousands in Hamilton to worship, glorify God and share the message of Jesus with our city.
• We've watched lives healed, chains of addiction broken, people delivered, and many come to faith in Christ. Baptisms and salvations have become regular testimonies of His grace.

To God be all the glory. None of it happened because we're special. It happened because God is faithful, and because ordinary people said yes.

Why e3 Canada

We partnered with e3 Canada, alongside I Am Second, because they share the conviction at the centre of our calling: equip believers to evangelize, and establish multiplying, life-changing churches around the world. Not a few professionals doing ministry for everyone else, but disciples making disciples, and churches becoming sending hubs.

That is where the vision is going next. We are believing God to help establish 100 multiplying outreach groups anywhere and everywhere around the world — ordinary believers, equipped and sent to bring the gospel and practical love into their own communities. We also love to train local churches so evangelism becomes a lifestyle, not an event. We believe Canada is on the brink of its greatest revival, and we all have a part to play in it.

The front line needs a supply line

Scripture never treats the people who send as second-class to the people who go. When David's men came back from battle, some wanted to keep the spoils from those who had stayed behind to guard the supplies. David refused.

“The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”

1 Samuel 30:24

Paul thanked the Philippian church for exactly this. They weren't on the road with him, but he called them partners in the gospel, and he told them the fruit was being credited to their account. When someone gives their life to Jesus on a Hamilton street, at the Jesus Festival, or through a group multiplying in another nation, those who prayed and gave share in that harvest.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Philippians 1:3–5

“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"”

Romans 10:15

Five ways to stand with us

• Pray — for open hearts, bold believers, transformed cities, follow-up that lasts, and a fresh move of God across Canada.
• Become a monthly partner — partnership is set up through e3 Canada's giving page. Steady monthly support lets us plan, train and go further.
• Invite training — bring us to your church to help make everyday evangelism a confident, biblical lifestyle.
• Come to the Jesus Festival — worship with thousands in Hamilton and bring someone who needs to hear about Jesus.
• Share the story — send this to one person who would be encouraged by it or wants to be part of the Great Commission.

Our promise to partners

We pray for our monthly partners every day — for God to multiply every seed sown and for His blessing, provision and favour over your life. We send a monthly newsletter with what God is doing, the salvations, healings and stories most people never see, so you can rejoice in the fruit of your partnership. And we run our ministry and our lives as lean as we can, so every gift goes as far as possible.

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:9

That is the finish line: a multitude no one can count. Heaven populated. Every gate of darkness that tried to hold people captive standing open and empty. We get to play a part in that now, and so do you.

Seek first the Kingdom. Then go — or send. In Jesus' name, let's plunder hell and populate heaven together.