Satisfied by God. Skilled at life.
Walking with people from disenchantment to discipleship.
Churches are a lot like shoes. Above everything, a good pair of shoes has to be a good fit. Since God has created each of us as unique beings, and then placed each of those unique beings into communities of faith, it stands to reason that each church will be unique. We believe this is a good thing. Unity is best expressed through diversity.
No one church can be all things to all people. We need to plant churches because we each need to find a good “fit” as we grow in our faith and serve God together.
Why yet another church in the Niagara Region?
Why plant another church?
Churches are a lot like shoes. Different shoes have different functions. Most of us have more than one pair of shoes. There are shoes for work, running, and enjoying an evening out.
So also, a diversity of churches will engage in their communities in different ways. Together we are salt and light, inviting people to be reconciled to God as we build relationships. We do that using each of our distinct opportunities to serve. The apostle Paul said God has placed each of us in places of service which He has determined so the Gospel can be presented everywhere (Acts 17:26).
Finally, each church itself will have within it a diversity of shoes (think of your closet!) as we find ways to serve and worship God together. Shoes are meant to be worn and to be used. They are of little value if there stay on a shelf or in a box or on display. They need to get dirty and maybe even a little stinky.
This does not mean there is a deficiency in the shoe. It is proof it is doing what God designed it to do, to walk in His creation and Kingdom. It should be obvious, then, that shoes need regular care. This is what we do as a community of faith: together we walk from disenchantment to discipleship. Come, walk with us!
Satisfied by God. Skilled at life.
Our Mission
Each of our life journeys is unique (maybe uniquely crazy!) and yet demonstrates the grace of God in action. Together we encourage each other to be faithful to the God who loves us and gave Himself for us.
Our Vision
Motivated to reflect God’s love, together we will grow in our ability to know and trust Him, and become skilled at engaging with the people and issues God brings into our lives.
Satisfied by God. Skilled at life.
Satisfied by God. Skilled at life.
Our Culture
God’s track record of love and faithfulness gives us comfort and courage. Our culture gives us opportunity to contextualize that in fresh ways. Together we demonstrate the relevance of God in ways our culture will understand.
Read More About Our Beliefs
Walking with people from disenchantment to discipleship
After the ancient Israelites exited Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for forty years the most burning question to be answered was, "Who is our God?" While the miracles were impressive and life-saving, they did not explain Who God was.
Moses opens the Torah he received on Mount Sinai by describing the creative works of Israel's God. The purpose of the Creation narrative was not to explain how God created, but to reveal who created the world, and why He did so. Such insight into the Person and nature of God is part of what made Israel's God, YHWH, unique from all other gods (Deut. 4:7-8). God has created so He can be known. Ours is a God who desires relationship.
The pinnacle of creation is humanity. Made as God's image-bearers, our purpose within creation is clear: to steward the resources of the Creator in His Creation, and to represent the King in His Kingdom.
As a church we are committed to fulfilling our image-bearing responsibilities; to be stewards and representatives of God's kingdom, inviting those who are not yet part of it to be reconciled back to our Creator and enter His Kingdom.
Although sin has now corrupted our ability to fulfill these functions, and has destroyed our relationship to the King, Jesus' birth, sinless life, death and resurrection have provided the means by which we can be reconciled to God and fulfill our original purpose.
There are two mandates given to God's people; the first is in the Creation narrative where we are told to live as God's image-bearers (Gen. 1:26-28). The second is the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. From a Creation Theology perspective these two mandates are saying exactly the same thing: make known the work and Person of our Creator God. The New Testament emphasizes the spiritual reconciliation now made possible through Jesus' sacrifice.
As God's image-bearers we have been commissioned with two responsibilities: to steward the resources of the Creator in His Creation, and to represent the King in His Kingdom. The ancient cultures understood what it meant for a king to have an "image." It was a constant reminder of the king's presence.
Although sin has now corrupted our ability to fulfill these functions, and has destroyed our relationship to the King, Jesus' birth, sinless life, death and resurrection have provided the means by which we can be reconciled to God and fulfill our original purpose.
There are two mandates given to God's people; the first is in the Creation narrative where we are told to live as God's image-bearers (Gen. 1:26-28). The second is the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. From a Creation Theology perspective these two mandates are saying exactly the same thing: make known the work and Person of our Creator God. The New Testament emphasizes the spiritual reconciliation now made possible through Jesus' sacrifice.
Since God is the Creator of all things all knowledge and truth are sourced in Him. Thus, all that is true is sourced in God and is, in some way, a revelation of Him. Our challenge, however, is to pursue truth without the influence of our alienation from God and rebellion against Him. It is an impossible task.
However, God has revealed Himself to us through His Word and His Son so we can live life wisely and with knowledge of what is true, what is real and what has value.
This is not limited only to the "religious" or "spiritual" spheres, but all truth, in any discipline, is sourced in God.
The source of this statement is Augustine. His point was that all of life has coherency. Our inability to understand, or our ability to distort truth does not negate the reality: if is true, it is from God.
As God's image bearers we were created to be His stewards and representatives. We were made for work. Unfortunately, our rebellion against God resulted in the distortion of that purpose so work, instead of being fulfilling, now becomes drudgery.
Yet there is still value and purpose in work. All righteous work can be done as a service to God. God does not create levels of value to our work. A "spiritual" role is not more significant in God's eyes than a "trivial" job. His focus is not what we do, but how we do it. Whatever task God has placed before us it is an opportunity to practice faithful stewardship and representation of the Creator King.
In the Kingdom of God faithfulness is of greater value than prestige or influence.
Interestingly, the idea of "work" is the root of Israel's worship of God. Authentic worship begins with authentic service to God, faithfulness in work. To worship God is to work for God.