Unveiling The Vision And Passion of Pastor Marlon Medina: Crave Church's Journey of Faith and Growth

Crave Church is a Christian organization located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia that seeks to serve with passion and boldly show up in their community, sharing hope and a salvation message. Led by Pastor Marlon Medina, the church continues to grow and has international reach along with a relentless vision. In its pursuit of excellence, creativity, and a Christ-centered vision, the church continues to craft sanctuaries across the globe and seeks to forge connections with those seeking a relationship with God.

Where did your passion for leadership come from?

My heart is filled with joy when we get to see those who have walked away from their faith return. Since day one, I've witnessed God's goodness within our church. I have seen how God uses the messages I preach as a vehicle to call people back to Him. Seeing this assures me that I am leading in the way I've been called to lead. While God doesn't need me, He still uses me and our church. Witnessing His hand over us still amazes me every day. This fuels my passion to move forward, grow, and delve deeper into His word.

What is something unique about Crave that sets it apart from other churches?

Crave is something else. From the moment you walk in, you can feel and see the passion and drive of our leaders and our congregation. The culture of worship differs significantly from what you may expect from a church—we do not lean towards a casual or unenthused approach. The people here blow me away constantly with their sacrifices and surrender to God in every respect; time, resources, dreams, desires, etc.

We are committed to authenticity, and our leadership diligently exemplifies the truths we preach. We hold each other accountable according to God's word, staying faithful to the vision we've been entrusted with. I believe that ignorance can provide temporary bliss, but reality eventually catches up, so we unapologetically share God’s word with no filters or avoidance of tough topics. The past few years have been an amazing journey filled with blessings and new opportunities. This year, we celebrated our church's 11th anniversary, and we recently recorded our first worship music album.

What does a typical day look like for you?

The life of a pastor is not about preaching on a stage on Sunday. My days consist of preparing for messages, coaching leaders, attending meetings, reviewing things my leaders bring up regarding their areas, and lastly, time in the studio for songwriting or producing for our albums. But most importantly, my day starts with what I call my Chairtime - my devotional time with the Lord. I make sure that as a pastor I am remaining in Christ (my life verse: John 15:5). I approach every task listening to make sure what I’m about to do is what God is tasking me with, not what I think is best or what I would prefer to do. I am tasked with keeping this entire church moving forward along God’s path and not just maintaining but making sure we’re bearing fruit and doing it excellently at the same time. Listening prayerfully and receiving what God puts on my heart has been the key to all of our present success. I believe that every pastor/church leader should start their day with prayer—first thing. When I do that, I can be in sync with God’s plan. Through Him, I can put aside my emotions and put the mission first, and that’s invaluable.

What are the most valuable lessons you have learned from your experience as a pastor?

The life of a pastor requires filling your tank and staying true to the mission in front of you, regardless of what’s being thrown at you. The only way this is possible is if you remain in Christ, and Christ remains in you. I’ve learned that church leadership is not about a skillset or charisma alone; you need God’s presence, and out of that flows what so many spiritually hungry people crave. I always say, “You cannot give what you don’t have.” If you don’t have God’s presence in you, how can you offer it? This also means not only having an active and genuine relationship with God but also surrounding yourself with support and the mentorship of other pastors and leaders. You cannot build something great alone. You need a great team of people for that. Both in and outside your organization!

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

I am blown away by the blessings that have come from going where God sends us. We expanded to another city and built a church plant for just four people. Instead of simply focusing on growing big, we’re growing the right way. Our journey is a prime example of God’s promise that, when we put Him first, everything will follow. Every day brings new moments that surprise me. Crave Church 10 years from now will look different. I envision a global ministry that has spaces of grace all over the world, and we’ve already seen this take place. In early 2024, we’ll release our first worship music album, which was recorded this year. We can’t wait to see God’s word spread further across the globe through these songs.

Key Takeaways

● Begin your days in prayer, always.

● Put God first, and the rest will follow.

● Surround yourself with greats, and you will accomplish greatness

In a profound conversation with Pastor Marlon Medina of Crave Church, it’s evident that the church stands as a vibrant community of faith in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, dedicated to fostering authentic relationships with God. Guided by Pastor Medina’s unwavering commitment to leadership, rooted in daily prayer and mentorship, Crave Church thrives on a unique culture of bold preaching, worship, and authenticity, truly living out its vision statement: "We create a space of grace for imperfect people to crave God."

Celebrating a decade of growth and blessings, including the recording of their first album, the church exemplifies the fruits of putting God first and staying true to its salvation-centric mission. Through this enlightening dialogue, Pastor Medina underscores the indispensable lessons of faithfulness, the transformative power of prayer, and the importance of creating an inclusive sanctuary, embodying the church’s commitment to guiding each individual toward a deeper, personal connection with Jesus Christ.