Our Story

The inspiration for the name was given in a prophetic word from Donnel McLean who said, “this is a release ministry”. Rev. Lionel Batke founded Release Ministries Society with a vision for trans-local ministry within the Kingdom of God through imparting the gifts of the Holy Spirit, sound Biblical preaching, and establishing churches in the Kingdom of God.

Other ministers with a similar vision subsequently joined Release Ministries and expanded it’s reach to embrace Canada and 35 other nations.

In 2022 the Spirit led Lionel to entrust the leadership of Release Ministries to Rev. Shannon Stange. As President, he is repositioning Release Ministries to embody this vision within a new generation in the Kingdom of God.

Our vision is to inspire, activate, and release spiritual gifts in churches in an ongoing and operative way; preach sound biblical doctrine; and establish churches in the Kingdom of God. These core values were built into the foundation of this ministry yet were being used by each of us as the keys to effective trans-local ministry.

We came together because of this vision that Lionel had for ministry, recognizing that these shared values could be pursued together rather than individually. The friendship we share with each other has transformed Release Ministries into what it is today.

Though we share a common bond of friendship and organizational unity, we each minister through Release Ministries with our own approach to ministry within our own spheres, united by our commitment to the Spirit, Word and Kingdom.

Our Commitment

Ministering in a trans-local and international capacity has financial implications. So, we came together because we saw the value of working together to safeguard our financial integrity with those who contribute to our work.

Release Ministries registered with the Government of Canada as a charitable organization on January 24, 2013. Canadian charities issued with a registration number are authorized to issue official receipts for funds thereby exempted from personal income tax. This gives the Government a compelling interest in the way charitable funds are spent at home, and on foreign fields.

Charities are required by the Government of Canada to provide proper records and clear documentation that shows how the funds are spent. These records are subject to scrutiny and examination. The Scriptures command us to ‘provide things honest in the sight of all men’ (Rom 12:17) so we are happy to be accountable and to comply with these requirements. Since ‘we are in all things desiring to live honestly’ (Heb 13:18), this ministry is committed to the highest levels of integrity in all its financial dealings.

When we receive donations in the name of Release Ministries, the accounting is handled and overseen by a board of directors to ensure full integrity in all these matters.

Notwithstanding these things, this ministry is about giving and receiving, not buying and selling.