“Arise,
shine for the light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen…”
Isaiah 60:1
With the light of God that shine upon the brethren
of JIL Ontario since 1996, the vision for Quebec was born in their hearts as three brothers from JIL Toronto traveled to Quebec
and started to pray and declare God’s kingdom to come upon that land . . .
With the fire of God that gave
birth to the vision which continued to light up thru prayers, fastings and intercessions that God will open the door in Quebec
and that God will provide a contact person for JIL Ontario to start an outreach in that big province . . .
With
the faith to continue JIL vision and obey God’s mandate and with the love for God that enabled one of our sisters from
JIL Hong Kong to gather some brethren in Montreal, Quebec (specifically held in Darlington place) weekly for prayer and cell
grouping (starting February 1998).
With the zeal of the Holy Spirit that gave courage and joy to the 20 JIL Ottawa
brethren to visit these seven Montreal sisters last Thanksgiving Day (October 12, 1998) in order to serve as encouragement
as they joined in fellowship and to have a warfare and thanksgiving prayer with them so as to hasten the opening of an outreach
there. . .
With the love and unity and with the commitment and determination of JIL Ottawa brethren to continuously
serve God even in another place . . .
With God’s faithfulness in answering our prayers and with His abundant
grace and continuous bountiful blessings being showered to JIL Ontario Chapter to sponsor another Outreach/Chapter….
Finally… God’s light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon …. JIL QUEBEC - BORN ON
DECEMBER 27, 1998. The 1st Sunday Service ( hosted by JIL Ottawa) was held at 5910 Cote des Neiges, Montreal, Quebec which
was attended by around 70 people, coupled with Prayer Rally dedicating the Province of Quebec to God and declaring that JESUS
IS LORD OVER QUEBEC Province !!! From then on, Weekly Sunday Services were being held at the same place at 5910 Cote des Neiges
from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with the help/support of JIL Ottawa Music Ministers handling its Praise and Worship and with the
sponsorship of JIL Ontario for its expenses.
The following years were times of great encouragement and challenges
as well. There were trainings set-up to meet the needs of the new church and the support from JIL Ottawa was solidly behind
JIL Montreal for almost a year. JIL Montreal never faltered in continuing its mandate from God. And God has been really so
good, prospering and blessing, enabling this Church to really grow. From 7 people, it now had grown after a year to 30-40
regular Sunday Attendees, with 25 active workers and trainees blessed and enriched by God with much potential, working hand
in hand towards the vision.
Another breakthrough came when Pastor Bong Gonzales, a Pastor from Ilocos Norte, Philippines
was brought from Philippines to Canada and gave the assignment to pastor JIL Montreal in 2001 and through his ministry gifts
growth was experienced since then. Surely, God knows when to send the right man in His own time and the visit of Bro Eddie
Villanueva and Sis. Dory, the Spiritual Leaders of JIL Church gave a huge impact as well. Furthermore, when the Non-Full Time
Pastor Program of JIL Canada was implemented, Imelda Lapitan was assigned as the Church Pastor of JIL Montreal. The introduction
of the JIL Vision also contributed greatly to the growth of the church and with a clear focus on evangelism, JIL Quebec is
continuing with its Vision of establishing JIL Churches with Sunday Services in each of the 4 corners (North, South, East
and West) of Montreal. It was through this vision that JIL Notre Dame de Grace was opened last December 2007 and became the
first fruit of this declaration.
We believe, God will continue to do more wonderful things in this Ministry in
the years to come and will continuously use this Church mightily for His kingdom to come and the Name of JESUS to be continuously
proclaimed throughout the whole province of Quebec more so in the years to come, as its 1st Anniversary theme last July 16,
2000 states: “PROCLAIMING JESUS ! … Exalting and Declaring His Kingdom, Power, Dominion, Majesty and Authority!”
(1 Chronicles 29:11-13) To God be all the glory, honor and praise as we declare that JESUS IS LORD OVER QUEBEC!!!
