Lindsey Williams
Writing Specialist
The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board’s (MBCB) Missions Mobilization sent 11 pastors and mission leaders from 10 different Mississippi churches on a Vision Journey to Hamilton, Ontario, to build partnerships with church planters, Charlie and Leslie Harris.
Hamilton sits less than an hour away from Toronto, the world’s second most diverse city, and represents a vast array of nations whose people flock to Hamilton in search of housing. However, Charlie and Leslie’s story began in Vicksburg, where Charlie pastored a church before he felt God calling him and his family to become church planters.
After going through the process with the North American Mission Board, the Harrises—Charlie, Leslie, and their three children—arrived in Hamilton, Ontario, in 2019, following what they believed was the Lord’s direction. Common advice from all sides suggested they visit churches to raise support, but Charlie and Leslie remembered the faith of George Müller. Müller never asked for help from anyone, instead praying for God to meet his ministry needs and waiting on Him Who is our help.
Feeling nervous at first, the family moved to Hamilton with little visible guarantee of support. Nevertheless, they continued to trust and pray. In time, churches sought out the Harrises, asking them to share their mission. By communicating the needs before them without directly asking for financial support, they found that God provided through willing and giving churches with open eyes and arms to those needs.
Not only is the cost of ministry daunting, but the cost of living in Hamilton is also remarkably high. Consequently, Charlie works as what he calls a co-vocational pastor—a pastor who also has another job. His business in animal control has turned out to be quite sustainable. Chad McCord, Director of Missions Mobilization at MBCB and the organizer of the Vision Journey, explained, “In Canada, you can’t kill any animals. You have to catch the animal, ensure you don’t hurt it, and release it within a couple of miles from where you caught it—so it’s a great business because everything he catches, he’s likely to catch again!”
Charlie has been able to run his business while simultaneously meeting people and inviting them to their church. Their church, Summit Fellowship, meets in the basement of their home and consists of about 20 people from six different nations.
“If you know much about Canada during Covid, you’d be aware of the extreme lockdowns. Churches were not allowed to meet, forcing the Harrises to be creative. They had to start meeting outdoors—a challenging endeavor in Canadian weather,” McCord recounted. “Despite the difficulties, they’ve endured and are more passionate than ever about their calling. They feel at home and have a heart for Canadians and the diaspora peoples arriving there. They’re doing great work.”
McCord added, “The purpose of these Vision Journeys is to encourage churches not only to go on mission trips but to create lasting partnerships with church planters worldwide. It’s about forming long-term relationships for prayer support and mission teams to help sustain the work.”
Reflecting on his role, McCord shared, “This was my first Vision Journey as Director of Missions Mobilization, so I told the group they were the best I’ve ever had,” he said with a laugh. “They were enthusiastic and easy to lead. We had people like David Williams from Lincoln County and members from First Baptist Petal, all eager for new partnerships.”
“Nathan Case from New Prospect Church in Lincoln County had never traveled far before, and this trip was eye-opening for him. It helped him envision how his church could engage in missions,” McCord observed.
The impact of the trip was clear, as McCord expects several churches to return and form partnerships with the Harrises and Summit Fellowship.
McCord was especially impressed by the Harrises’ focus on leadership development. “Although Summit Fellowship is currently small, Charlie is already preparing future leaders. He’s cultivating a church that disciples effectively, trains new leaders, and aims to plant additional churches. That’s a testament to their vision and commitment,” he admired.
If you and your church are interested in forming partnerships with church planters and missionaries on a Vision Journey, contact Chad McCord at cmccord@mbcb.org or Cassie Munn, Missions Mobilization’s Ministry Assistant, at cmunn@mbcb.org.
