Looking For a Way to Reach Families Who Are Not in Church on Sunday?

Messy Church logo

Messy Church is designed to reach families who are not “churched” as well as those who are looking to explore faith and Christian community in a new way.

It is a once a month gathering, often on a weeknight from 5–7 p.m. that creatively engages all who are gathered in a Bible story or theme.

When the doors open…
a warm welcome, refreshments, and exciting activities and crafts.
When the fun is in full gear…
a celebration with creative storytelling, prayer and music.
When the tummies are rumbling…
a meal prepared with love for all to share.
When it is time to depart…
a special activity to take home and explore.

What Makes Messy Church So Awesome?

Messy Church values diagramChrist-centred Messy Church is a church that helps people encounter Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

All-age It is for adults and children to enjoy together – every element should be relevant and accessible to all ages.

Creativity It uses hands-on activities to explore Bible stories, to reflect a God of creativity and to give people a chance to play together.

Hospitality It reflects a God of unconditional love and is a church for people outside church, providing an oasis of welcome and a safe space in which to thrive. Messy Church is about hospitality, expressed most evidently by eating together – whether it’s a plate of sandwiches to share, spaghetti dinner or other prepared meal.

Celebration It reflects a God of joy who wants his people to have life in all its fullness.

Will Messy Church Work for You?

Messy Churches are found across Canada—about 275 that we know about—and almost 4000 registered worldwide, in many different types of churches and in a broad range of denominations. Several Presbyterian Churches in Canada are already successfully running Messy Churches.

If you think God might be calling your church to this type of ministry:

  • Get some Messy Church books – a good place to start is with the following:
    Messy Church: Fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community (Canadian Edition) by L Moore
    Starting Your Messy Church (Canadian Edition) by L Moore & J Leadbetter
  • Attend a Messy Church fiesta or workshop or register to take the FREE Messy Church On-line Course! Replace this Wycliffe link with: https://messychurch.ca/resources/ which will take you to info on workshops etc and to the course.
  • Contact Canadian Ministries to discuss how to build a thriving Messy Church in your congregation by email or phone 1-800-619-7301 ext. 271.