Garth and Patty Leno had never considered planting a church. Garth had preached before as a minister on staff. But church planting? He and Patty were content inviting people into their Windsor, Ontario home for a Saturday evening Bible study. However, God began to reveal He had other plans.
The Bible study outgrew their living room and started meeting at a local golf club. Then they outgrew two bigger rooms. The Gathering Church in Windsor was forming naturally and organically with the invisible hand of God guiding their steps the entire time. “One day I jokingly asked, ‘Maybe we should start a church?’” Garth said. “All the people agreed, and Patty started sobbing. I think I must have been the most reluctant church planter.”
The Gathering Church has experienced steady growth and now meets in its own building, one strategically located to reach younger families. The church regularly gives money to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® out of gratitude, but also because they believe so much in reaching new people and planting new churches through North American Mission Board’s Send Network model.