Streams in the desert.
Belleville's church for everyone — a place to belong, a faith to believe, and a life to become. One moment in the presence of God can change everything.
A spring that keeps moving.
Desert Stream is an apostolic family in the heart of Belleville with a simple desire: to see people grow closer to Jesus, and to encourage one another to do the same.
We're built around three words — Belong, Believe, Become. You were made to belong somewhere, to be convinced of what you believe, and from there to become everything God created you to be.
Like a stream in the desert, we just want to keep moving — carrying life into dry places, one person, one family, one Sunday at a time.
Discovering God, and discovering you.
True belief in God is so much more than acknowledging He exists — it is a celebration of God, and of who God made you to be. A life of faith is a life of discovery.
Our Values:
G.K. Chesterton said, “A man goes to war, not because he hates what is in front of him but because he loves what is behind him.” Our values of Love, Grace, Family and Gratitude are what we desire to express as we enter our community each day.
Our Vision:
Is of a future where people have learned to live as sons and daughters of God. We believe you were placed on earth on purpose, not to live as an orphan but to be part of God’s family. As you learn more about Him, you discover more about yourself and your place at His table.
Our Mission:
Building upon our values and vision we have embraced the mission of: Encouraging people to Belong. (knowing identity comes from our relationship with Christ) Equipping people to Believe. (Understanding our purpose comes from how God uniquely created and gifted us) Empowering people to Become. (Alignment with others in the family of God enables us to become an answer to our world)
Our Family:
Built upon the principle of unconditional love we have been gathered together as family for over 30 years, learning how to carry and support one another through difficult times and to celebrate one another in life’s victories. The only thing missing from our family is you.
There's a stream for every season.
From your first coffee to your closest friendships, there's a place to gather, grow, and serve — whatever stage of life you're in.
- Belong · Connect — find your people
Sunday Celebration
Every Sunday at 10am — worship, a hope-filled message, and a warm welcome. Come as you are.
- Belong · Connect — find your people
Higher Grounds Café
Doors open at 9:30am with coffee, snacks, and a good reason to come early and connect.
- Belong · Connect — find your people
Youth & Jr. High
Grades 6–12 gather Wednesdays at 6pm for worship, the Word, fellowship — and a monthly dinner.
- Belong · Connect — find your people
Gen Jesus
Young adults (18–28) gathering Thursdays at 7pm for worship, the Word, and real friendship.
- Belong · Connect — find your people
Stream Family Ministries
Stream Family Ministries is all about helping families grow together in faith. From nursery to youth, we create safe, fun, and welcoming spaces where kids can connect, belong, learn about God, and build lasting friendships—while equipping and encouraging parents to be the biggest spiritual influence in their child’s life.
- Believe · Go deeper in your faith
Kingdom Living Groups
Small groups for deeper relationships beyond Sunday — because faith grows best in community.
- Believe · Go deeper in your faith
Celebrate Recovery
A Christ-centered 12-step program meeting Mondays at 7pm — healing for life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
- Believe · Go deeper in your faith
Real Sons
Men gather every other Friday at 6:30pm to become healthy, mature men of God who lead and serve well.
- Believe · Go deeper in your faith
The Women’s Network
Women of Prayer Wednesdays at 7:30am, plus luncheons, teas, and gatherings through the year.
- Become · Reach your potential, and help others reach theirs
DS Seasons
Seasons of prayer and seasons of practical teaching — gathering midweek to seek God together and to learn how to reach the potential He put in us.
- Become · Reach your potential, and help others reach theirs
Men’s Morning Prayer
Men meet weekly at 7:45am for conversation and prayer, then head out for breakfast together.
- Become · Reach your potential, and help others reach theirs
Victory Vacations
Local & global short-term missions — orphan care, construction, and prayer. All it takes is a willing heart.
An apostolic team, led by love.
Desert Stream is shepherded by an apostolic team who have walked together for more than three decades, with one shared value at the center: unconditional love.
Kevin & Shari Dowling
Team Leaders
As the pioneers, Kevin and Shari have enjoyed the privilege of giving leadership to DS since its inception, more than 30 years ago. From five couples meeting in a home in 1995 to the hundreds of people gathered every week on Sunday or in Kingdom Living Groups, DS has become a vibrant family.
Kevin and Shari share a passion for developing sons and daughters in the house. They have raised a ministry team from within their church family, which serves the house with passion and excellence. They desire to advance the Kingdom expressing the values of love, grace, gratitude and family, through every leader, every ministry and every connection at DS.
Kevin and Shari have also answered a call to the nations, sending teams to Central America, Southeast Asia, and to First Nations communities right here in Canada.
Armed with a firm belief that “life is too short to drink bad coffee,” Kevin and Shari can often be found sharing community, vision and mission over a good cup of java. Their goal is to live a life that will not be easily forgotten.
Kevin and Shari have three married children and enjoy 12 grandchildren, who are all part of our church family and are of course the most beautiful and brightest kids in the world.
Mark & Rhonda McFaul
Family Ministries
Mark & Rhonda have been part of the Desert Stream leadership team since 1999. Over the years, they’ve served in Family Ministry, Youth, and Junior High. They have a heart for helping kids and families discover how much God loves them.
Mark also oversees the daily operations and administration of the church to support the church’s mission and vision.
Mark & Rhonda have served in just about every area of church life, and they still love nothing more than seeing people grow in their faith, discover their purpose, and become all God created them to be.
They’re parents to three adult children and the very proud grandparents of six beautiful grandchildren! When they’re not serving at Desert Stream, you can hear their voices on UCB Radio, where they continue to share encouragement, hope, faith, and plenty of laughs on their weekend show. For Mark & Rhonda, ministry is all about family.
Marc & Katrina Henshaw
Pastoral Care
Marc & Katrina Henshaw joined the Desert Stream staff in January of 2015. Katrina is a native of the Belleville area and has known Lead Pastor Kevin & Shari since she was in their youth group back in the 1990s. Marc was born and raised in Spokane, WA, USA and met Katrina in Langley, BC while attending university.
Marc is responsible for overseeing our recovery ministry (Celebrate Recovery), home groups (Kingdom Living), and hospitality and pastoral care. He works with a dedicated group of volunteers with a food outreach program to our local public schools. Katrina is an elementary teacher in the local public school board.
Their shared passion is to see people discover their identity as healthy sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ. Enjoying deep relationships and helping people grow deeper in their walk with Christ is their passion. They have learned the power of: “Love everyone but invest in a few.”
They have 3 amazing children, Spencer who is off to college, Kate attending high school, and Lucy at middle school.
Barry & Tammy Maracle
Prophetic Ministry
Barry and Tammy Maracle have been married for 35 years and have lived in Belleville for 24 years. Together, they have raised five amazing children and are blessed with five adorable grandchildren.
They have served Desert Stream for nearly 30 years, carrying a strong prophetic voice to the community. Barry walks in the office of the prophet and has worked closely with Lead Pastor Kevin in shaping the Ekklesia.
Today, Barry and Tammy spend much of their time ministering in nations around the world, preaching and demonstrating the power of a transformed life through our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Adam & Niki Cooney
Young Adults · GenJesus
Adam & Niki Cooney serve as the Young Adult Pastors of GenJesus, ministering to young adults ages 18–25. Adam’s story with this church runs deep — he came to faith through Desert Stream’s ministry in 1996.
Adam and Niki met as students at the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry, Niki having come from Texas. Both graduated from the school, and Adam holds his credentials with the PAOC. Before GenJesus, they served as Youth Pastors and as missionaries in the Philippines.
GenJesus is a generation called to pursue His Kingdom with righteousness, pure love, and a passion for the Gospel. Adam and Niki long to see young adults encounter Jesus, discover their identity and purpose in Christ, be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and live boldly for His Kingdom — a generation who know Jesus deeply, walk in His presence, and carry the Gospel wherever He sends them.
Married for 27 years, they have two grown children. Find GenJesus on Instagram: @dsgenjesus
Ryan & Kristy Conroy
Youth Ministry · Men’s Ministry
Ryan and Kristy Conroy began their walk of faith at Desert Stream in 2012 and have been faithfully part of the church family ever since. In 2017, they stepped into ministry with Young Adults, serving and investing in the next generation until handing the ministry off in 2022.
That same year, they answered the call to take on Youth and Jr. High ministry through DS LIT (Living In Truth). Every Wednesday night, Ryan and Kristy serve alongside an amazing team of volunteers with a passion to create a place where students can encounter Jesus, grow in their faith, and learn to live boldly for Christ.
Ryan also leads Desert Stream’s men’s ministry, Real Sons, where he is passionate about helping men grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus and live out their faith with purpose.
Their daughters, Rory and Lily, have grown up in the church and now serve alongside their family in ministry as well. The Conroys are a family devoted to Jesus, and they share a deep passion to see the upcoming generation know Christ, follow Him wholeheartedly, and become faithful disciples who impact the world around them.
Come find your place in the stream.
Sundays at 10am · 535 Dundas St E, Belleville.The café opens at 9:30 — come early and say hi.
Plan Your Visit