Jean-Pierre and Julie Gagné Saint-Césaire, Quebec Current ministry: In the summer of 2000, they move to Granby so Jean-Pierre could become a pastor in training with the Granby church. The Gagnés’ passion for evangelism and discipleship became central to their ministry in this cell-based church. In the following five years, Jean-Pierre had a fruitful ministry, including developing six cell groups among the youth of the church and implementing discipleship training in the church as a whole. Gradually, Jean-Pierre felt called to plant a cell church in Saint-Césaire as a daughter work of the Granby church. The Gagnés moved to Saint-Césaire and began building links to people in this community. Jean-Pierre is involved in soccer and scouts, while Julie volunteers with an organization to help families. Presently, three cell groups are meeting in the Saint-Césaire area under Jean-Pierre’s leadership and he sees potential for many more. The adults involved in the core group meet once a month to prepare to launch the church in January 2007. Family: Jean-Pierre and Julie married in 1993. They have five boys between the ages 10 and 2. Spiritual Background: After a turbulent adolescence fuelled by serious family problems, Jean-Pierre Gagné’s conversion at age 18 brought radical changes to his life. He joined the church in Granby and immediately became very involved. He was coached and discipled by several of the pastors who were there at the time: François Picard, Serge Gagné and Antonio Bascunan. Within a short time, he became responsible for the youth group. He participated in a summer evangelism team with JBEQ in 1989 and helped with a student group while he attended CEGEP in St-Hyacinthe. After graduation in 1990, he moved to the Hull-Ottawa area and obtained a position as a building inspector with the Quebec government. Ministry Experience: Jean-Pierre became involved in the church in Hull, where he served first as a deacon in training and on the board of elders. Although he aspired to full-time ministry, he was not actively involved in a training program for a number of years. He says, “I see that God was giving me time to develop as a person. I grew in my knowledge and personal relationship with God.” In Hull, Jean-Pierre and Julie had the joy of leading four couples to the Lord and discipling them. Through this experience, the Gagnés became more aware of their spiritual gifts and developed the desire to participate in a ministry where personal relationships are important.