Ten years into planting and pastoring The Link Christian Fellowship, Mike Landry hit a breaking point. On the outside his church seemed to be thriving, but his congregation of 300 had plateaued and he felt personally burnt out.

After attending a Church Renewal Weekend, Mike sensed his church needed a greater working of the Holy Spirit. Mike signed up for Church Renewal International (CRI) mentoring and began a journey of renewal that continues to this day.

From personal to church-wide renewal

At the start of mentoring, Mike realized that he didn’t just need God to work in his church — he needed God to work in him personally and address the burnout he was experiencing. With the help of the weekly mentoring lessons, Mike established a regular rhythm of abiding in Christ and listening to his voice. Not only did this transform his personal times with God, but it also improved the unity and sense of direction among his church staff and board.

Learning to hear God and practice the gifts of the Spirit was a big hurdle for many members of The Link, especially those who had unhealthy past experiences. Using the CRI Hearing God materials and sharing from his personal experience, Mike systematically and prayerfully taught his church how to listen to Jesus’ voice in a biblical way.

Today, it’s commonplace for church members to use these practices in their day-to-day lives. Like the woman who received the gift of tongues at an Empower and now uses it in her prayer times. Or the young adult small group who practices the Hearing God teachings by listening to God and sharing words of encouragement for each other.

Things To Come: Gaining an eternal perspective

In January 2026, CRI founder and CEO Ray Duerksen came to The Link to teach a Things To Come Conference, which helps participants understand the End Times and eternity.

While there were many testimonies from the retreat, Mike said two main themes were that the conference brought clarity to scripture and perspective for how to live today. For example, in a small group the following week, attendees discussed how they felt a new urgency to witness to unbelievers and live with an eternal perspective.

Looking back today, Mike is thankful to CRI for teaching him the renewal practices that helped The Link overcome their plateau. Since he joined mentoring, their church has grown from 300 to 800 people. Mike credits this growth to the active work of the Holy Spirit in their church — just as he had prayed for 10 years before.

March prayer request

Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide pastors as they disciple their people by implementing each of the renewal practices.