About Us

Pastors Mike and Iris Blume have been in full-time ministry since 1990. One person described Pastor Mike's ministry: "Mike has a gift when it comes to putting word pictures together. One sign of a mature theologian is their ability to tie disparate events in the Bible together in a manner that clearly and consistently demonstrate the timeless ways God has interacted with man." Another said, "A wonderful blend of passion and fact." Members of Portage Breath of Life Church also manifest unique giftings and ministries that add so much of the overall work of God here. We cherish each and every member of the Church body of Breath of Life, and so much appreciate all the giftings God has supplied us with for ministry here.

Vision Statement

The vision of Breath of Life Church is to establish and maintain a non-denominational Christian Church, and to promote the Gospel and Christian living in the community. Our goal as Christians is to affect the atmosphere, climate and culture of individuals, families, workplaces, communities and the world by converting people to Jesus, then training and empowering them to work efficiently and effectively to build the spiritual Kingdom of GOD.

By planting a new non-denominational church in our town, a number of families will come to faith. Worship in an accessible and informal style and a practical concern for the community, and involvement with it, will encourage people into the church. A programme of nurture and teaching focusing in Biblical deeper Christian life alongside a growing fellowship will lead people into a deeper spiritual experience. We desire to see the fullness of spiritual gifts in operation as depicted in the Book of Acts and taught in the Epistles, primarily 1 Cor. 12, as well as in-depth teaching and preaching of the Word, for both Spirit and Truth are required for a healthy spiritual existence. Our specific and unique purpose in Portage is to facilitate people with a balance of a vibrant and true move of God’s Spirit in our midst while at the same time a solid and in-depth Bible-based message for spiritual maturity.

As the name of our church implies, God’s Spirit is the Breath of Life, analogous to God’s creation of Adam before God placed him in the Garden giving him dominion on earth. We believe the Church is intended by God to be the restored Garden Kingdom of God in the earth. But this is a Kingdom that is not focusing upon material concerns as the kingdoms of this world focus upon. It is not a political body vying for our nation’s political positions, nor focusing on change in our nation by protest or political activism. It is rather a spiritual kingdom dealing with hearts and souls of people. It is not about financial prosperity, although we believe God’s will includes blessings in that manner, for the Bible teaches that Godliness is gain and how it is error to consider that gain is godliness. It is not a kingdom operating in a manner in which we do nothing towards practical growth to benefit the lives and families of our town. It is a Kingdom in which people of any walk of life are encouraged to shine forth the righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Ghost in the walks of life in which they currently live. Jesus told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world, otherwise his servants would fight. The Kingdom of God is simply God’s will that exists in Heaven being extended into this earth.

Ministry both meets needs of people in regards to the spiritual works Jesus accomplished while in this world, as well as bringing them to a place in which they can be led by God’s Spirit, themselves, to accomplish something for Him. We do not believe it is the will of God for members to not accomplish something in this world by way of touching and spiritually benefiting the lives of others in ways that can only be accomplished with the empowerment of God’s Spirit.

We feel to grow our church to a good size of a few hundred in the next few years to facilitate as many people in Portage who are hungry and in need of in-depth ministry, both in Word and operation of the Spirit. Further vision and greater influence will be determined as time goes by.

Pastoral and elder leadership follows these scriptures:

John 10:11 KJV I am the good shepherd (pastor): the good shepherd (pastor) giveth his life for the sheep.

Acts 20:28-29 KJV Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

1 Peter 5:2-3 KJV Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

1 Timothy 5:17 KJV Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Churches have "cultures" in them that vary from church to church. Some church cultures prefer no Word, but rather emotion, or only a focus on the supernatural in action, or only hearing Word with no demonstration of the Spirit. We must learn how the apostles led Church in the first century and do the same in just such an APOSTOLIC manner – that is, after the pattern shown in the New Testament, and in a way that fulfills all needs of the church members.

Pastors Mike and Iris Blume came to Portage La Prairie in October, 2009, having pastored in Eastern Canada and Winnipeg as well as California and Texas. You will enjoy the lively and in-depth Bible preaching!.