LIFT Church

LIFT Church is a Canadian nonprofit organization and registered charity that operates as a Christian church primarily focused on university and college campuses. It is dedicated to engaging students in discovering and following Jesus through community, discipleship, and outreach. The organization holds the business registration number 747381911RR0001.

History and Mission

LIFT Church was founded out of a desire to establish a faith community within university settings where many students experience questions of belonging and purpose. The movement began when Robin Wallar, a first-year engineering student at McMaster University, sought to create a church presence on campus, ultimately leading to the launch of LIFT Church. Over time, the church grew from a small dorm-room prayer meeting into an expanding network of campus churches.

The organization’s mission is to see people made fully alive in the hope of Jesus by being the church on every campus. LIFT Church envisions a discipleship movement resulting in thriving churches on ten campuses by 2026[2][5].

Organization and Activities

LIFT Church’s ministry model centers on what is known as Simple Church—small, missional communities usually gathering in homes. Each Simple Church typically includes a mix of missionaries and students who meet to pray, study scripture, worship, engage in evangelism on campus, and serve their local communities. These groups aim to multiply by forming new Simple Churches as they grow.

The weekly rhythms of Simple Church involve:

• Huddle: Small group meetings focused on prayer, scripture study, and encouragement.
• Gathering: Larger worship meetings on campus.
• Evangelism: Active outreach to the campus and surrounding community[3][5].

Currently, LIFT Church operates on multiple campuses including McMaster University, Brock University, and Mohawk College, engaging approximately 500 students monthly and organizing around 40 Simple Churches[2][4][5].

Community Impact

LIFT Church provides both spiritual and social support to college and university students, helping them navigate the challenges of academic life with a sense of belonging and purpose. Beyond campus, the church participates in outreach initiatives to underserved neighborhoods, fostering community service as part of its discipleship process[4].

Charitable Status

LIFT Church is registered as a charity in Canada and complies with the Canada Revenue Agency regulations. Its charitable registration enables donors to contribute securely and receive tax receipts, helping facilitate ongoing ministry and administrative support[2].

LIFT Church continues to expand its presence across Canadian campuses, seeking to fulfill its vision of transforming student lives through relationship, faith, and discipleship.