New Winnipeg church thrilled to host first in-person service

Starting up last August, a new church in Winnipeg is welcoming people to join them for their first in-person service. 

"I grew up in a Christian home but didn't know I was going to be a pastor," says Pastor Victor Akinyemi of Desire of Nations Church in Winnipeg.

Akinyemi grew up in Nigeria which is the ninth most dangerous country in the world to be known as a Christian, according to Open Doors World Watch List. That didn't stop him from stepping into his pastoral role in his home country. 

"In 2008 I had a strong leading to go into full-time ministry in Lagos, Nigeria. Coming to Canada has to do with God leading us."

Akinyemi came to Winnipeg in 2019 to start a church. 

"We landed in Canada and I said to myself, God has been gracious to me and I know I have this calling. I registered the church right after coming here."

Without being able to anticipate that church would be done online for the most part in the coming year, Akinyemi had already felt he needed to start the church on an online platform. 

"I heard God clearly that when you get to Canada you're going to start online services. I knew I had to obey but I never knew there was going to be COVID. I was so privileged that my former church in Nigeria, we had been used to running services online, even though we have physical locations where our services are being transmitted."

Akinyemi started online services for Desire of Nations Church in August 2020. However, he recently found space at Winakwa Community Centre in Winnipeg and as of December 5, he'll be having in-person services as well as online. 

"In my spirit, I wanted to serve the community and to serve Winnipeg, and to showcase God's glory. I'm very expectant and looking forward to December 5, when people will come together under the same roof to worship and celebrate the goodness of God."