We are Compel Church.
Compelling the unconvinced to become passionate followers of Christ
Founded on the vision to compel the unconvinced to become passionate followers of Christ, we are now one church in multiple locations. Through the vision of God and the leadership of our lead pastors, Patrick & Treasa Conrad, we believe that church should be more than just religion and ritual. It should be relevant, authentic and fun! We are convinced that if you show up as you are, God will lead you to embrace truth, experience freedom, live intentionally and make a difference.
Our Story
In 2002, we began as Life Fellowship Church with just 75 people in a leased shopping center store front.
After moving into our first permanent location in 2006, we’ve experienced exponential growth over the last 18 years. From increasing the number of weekend services at one campus to now leading four campuses with multiple service times across DeSoto County, we knew God was calling us into the next season of vision to compel the unconvinced about Him.
Here we are in 2023 as Compel Church.
Lead Pastors
Patrick Conrad serves as the lead pastor of Compel Church, a multisite church located in DeSoto County, Mississippi, just south of Memphis, Tennessee. In 2002, Pastor Conrad sensed that God was calling him to a new ministry that would be relevant, authentic, and fun. Life Fellowship Church was launched, focusing primarily on reaching the unchurched and de-churched. 19 years later in 2021, Life Fellowship was renamed Compel Church, conveying the heart of its mission: to compel the unconvinced to become passionate followers of Christ.
Pastor Conrad’s commitment to growing a relational church that is deep, not just big, has led to an effective multisite ministry with campuses in Olive Branch, Southaven, Horn Lake, and Hernando, Mississippi. He is also passionate about providing encouragement and sharing resources with local churches. A native of North Carolina, Pastor Conrad is a graduate of Appalachian State University and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Pastor Conrad is happily married to Treasa Conrad, and they have two children, Sydney and Zach.
Meet Our TeamWhat We Believe
At Compel Church we have five core beliefs that we as a church corporately believe. We are all in unity on the value of these truths and ensure that everything that happens is in alignment with these beliefs. These represent what we call “the essentials” – those things that cannot be compromised and that unite our faith.
It is the full and final authority on all faith matters. It is everything we believe and it directs everything we do at Compel Church. We believe the two main sections in the Bible (the Old and New Testaments) were given to us by God, and the principles of the Bible shape the way we live.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.
—2 Timothy 3:16-17
The person of Jesus was and is totally God. He was fully God and fully human. In His divinity, He was and is equal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. In His humanity, He embraced every human limitation but did not sin.
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God… So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
—John 1:1, 14
God’s Spirit is a real empowerment in our lives today. The Holy Spirit helps us to live for God every day. The Holy Spirit connects people to Christ, and he equips Christ followers to grow spiritually and to share Christ with people who do not know Him.
And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
—Acts 10:28
Every person needs and can have a relationship with God. A new relationship with God is totally a work of grace, through faith. It cannot be improved on through our obedience nor should it be taken lightly and used as an excuse to sin more.
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
—Romans 3:22-23
The church is God’s idea and is the hope of the world. God’s church is expressed globally and locally. His church exists for worship, connection, outreach, growth and ministry.
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
—Ephesians 4:4-6
For Your Kids
Kids from Birth-5th grade get to experience church in an exciting, fun and relevant way while getting to know that God loves them, is with them, and wants to be their friend. Our kids teams and environments are so epic, they’ll be asking to come back each week.
Visit Kids Page
Compel Youth
In step with the mission of our church, the youth ministry at Compel Church is designed to help 6th-12th grade youth become passionate followers of Christ.
We believe that if a youth experiences the power of God’s Presence, develops healthy relationships with God’s people, and connects to the purpose that God has for their life, they will graduate from our ministry prepared to take on their next phase with a greater sense of confidence, clarity and identity.
Visit Youth Page
School of Ministry
Equipping Leaders for a Life of Ministry
We are very excited to announce our newest program, The School of Ministry. This program launched in January of 2022.
This program is for leaders desiring to strengthen their ministry muscle as well as those who feel called to pursue full-time ministry. It is convenient enough to commit one night a week, 2-hour class with childcare included, but also challenging enough to stretch any believer’s Biblical knowledge and leadership.
Visit compel.church/schoolofministry
Outreach
Missions—Local. Regional. Global.
At Compel, we believe that one of the vital next steps on the path to becoming a passionate follower of Christ is to serve through Missions. We offer serve opportunities locally, regionally and globally. It is our prayer that every Compel Church Missions endeavor helps people grow closer to God and their purpose and makes a difference in the lives of others.
DeSoto County Dream Center
The DeSoto County Dream Center has made its mission to connect people to a community of support by serving as a resource center focused on finding solutions to hunger, lack of education and healthcare. We offer a hand-up rather than a hand-out, encouraging individuals and families to “Dream Again.”
God Behind Bars
Our prison ministry brings the Compel Church Weekend service and small groups into the women’s facility in Henning, TN and the men’s prison at Parchman, MS. Services and volunteers help lead men and women into a growing relationship with Christ.