Southland Church Inc.

Southland Church Inc. is a Canadian nonprofit organization and registered charity based in Steinbach, Manitoba. Operating as an evangelical Christian church, Southland Church focuses on spreading the message of Jesus Christ by fostering personal relationships with Him and strengthening community bonds through faith-based outreach and programs. It is officially registered with the Canada Revenue Agency under the business number 118870500RR0001.

Mission and Activities

The church's stated mission is “Love God, Love People, Be Discipled, Make Disciples.” It achieves this through a range of activities aimed at spiritual growth and community support. On average, Southland Church holds two worship services each weekend with approximately 2,000 members attending in person and an additional 400 joining online. The church also provides ministries for children from birth through grade 4[1].

Programs and Ministries

• Worship and Online Services: Southland Church offers weekly worship services both onsite and online, including dedicated children’s ministry during these services.

• Cell Groups: Small groups for all ages that encourage mutual support and faith development.

• Bird River Bible Camp: For over 17 summers, Southland Church has operated Bird River Bible Camp, a faith-centred summer camp attracting children in grades 2–12. The camp features activities such as archery, canoeing, rock climbing, and water sports alongside Bible teaching, prayer, and worship. In 2019, the camp hosted 1,451 campers and provided leadership training to 56 participants. The camp fees are subsidized for church members[3][4].

• Church Renewal Program: A free mentoring initiative for pastors and church leaders designed to equip and renew churches for their mission. The program, which operates online, had nearly 2,800 pastors involved globally as of fall 2024, representing 66 countries, including 390 Canadian pastors. The program provides mentoring, resources, and tools to strengthen church leadership[3][4].

• Additional Ministries: Southland Church runs a live-in mentorship program called the Freedom House Fund aimed at individuals struggling with destructive life patterns, providing support for spiritual renewal and personal freedom in Christ. The church also manages funds and projects to assist those in financial need and to support charitable projects in Africa through affiliated organizations[5].

Financial and Organizational Structure

Southland Church is incorporated under the Manitoba Corporations Act as a not-for-profit entity and benefits from income tax exemption as a registered charity. Its financial accounting follows Canadian standards for not-for-profit organizations, utilizing a restricted fund method of accounting. The organization maintains several funds to manage resources for various purposes:

• General Fund: Covers program delivery and administration.

• Capital Fund: Pertains to fixed assets management.

• Benevolent Fund: Supports individuals in financial need.

• Project Africa Fund: Finances charitable projects in Africa.

• Replacement Reserve Fund: Allocated for maintenance and equipment replacement.

• Freedom House Fund: Dedicated to the church’s mentorship program for personal transformation[5].

Community Impact

Southland Church positions itself as a community-centered evangelical church, providing various programs that support spiritual growth and practical needs. Its extensive involvement in mentoring pastors internationally and running summer camps for youth demonstrates a broad scope of influence both locally and globally.

Summary

Southland Church Inc. is a significant evangelical Christian organization in Manitoba, Canada, with a broad range of ministries focused on worship, discipleship, pastoral mentoring, youth engagement through summer camps, and community support initiatives. Its registered charity status underlines its role as a nonprofit committed to its faith mission and community service.

This article is based on information from Canadian charity registries, financial reports, and public data available as of 2024.