John Borefelt, along with his wife Tennille, is the Lead Pastor of Hillsong Italy, with locations in Milan, Naples, and Rome. John is originally from Sweden but his journey to Italy has been anything but linear. John has spent time ministering in Canada, Australia, and England along the way. John brings a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience that Luke gets the chance to unpack on this episode of On Point.
This episode combines stories from John’s past and wisdom on building the church of the future. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this.
John talks about his experience growing up in a Christian home, but that it wasn’t until, through some chance circumstances, John ended up studying at Bible college in Canada at the age of 16 (the youngest ever to do so), he became on fire for God and for ministry. This was also where John’s passion for Italy started to flourish. Prior to moving to Canada, John used to listen to Italian worship music even though he had no idea what they were singing. But the woman who sat in front of him in Bible college in Canada was Italian, and when she started translating the lyrics it all clicked and Italy was put on John’s heart.
After graduating high school, John went to Hillsong college in Australia. He opens up about the initial challenge and his thoughts about leaving after six months, but that one of his close friends challenged him to go all in and immerse himself in the experience. And that proved to be pivotal advice that set the trajectory for an impactful career in ministry.
John talks about his experience after Hillsong college and how he turned down an opportunity to join PJ Stenstrand (the first guest on On Point) at Lifecenter church in Sweden to pursue an opportunity in London England, but after a short time there he was called back to Sweden to join Lifecenter. John talks about the importance of timing and the importance of listening to God’s calling.
John then goes on to talk about what he calls “The University of Life”, where every season is a learning season. John talks about being humble to learn and adapt when building church, among other lessons for building a community and the local church.
After 5.5 years in Sweden John moved back to England, this time with the right timing, to join his - now wife - Tennille who was living in England. John talks about how going back to England was a challenge after the disappointment from his first stint. John shares wisdom about how to move with God, trusting both him, and trusting your own discernment as well.
John then goes on to talk about his journey volunteering at Hillsong London while managing coffee shops and how he continued to approach this with a servant’s heart, with no expectation beyond making an impact in the church, until one day he did join the staff and he was able to turn this passion he’d had since he was a teenager to a vocation.
The next parts of John’s journey you will have to listen to to truly appreciate how God worked in his life and in that situation. It involves a calling to Italy, the provision from his team at Hillsong London, and an 8 week old child, culminating in a worship night in Italy with 600 people, 10 days after he lands.
Luke and John go on to talk about the experience of building church during a time where physical gathering restrictions are in place and how they have been navigating building an online audience while making the most of the physical presence. Luke puts it well by saying that church has been forced into a “go to them movement”, not just a “come to us” movement - which is healthy for the church.
The episode wraps up with encouragement to keep seeking faith, seeking the Lord, and that nothing is impossible through God.
