Toronto Baptist Ministries, formerly known as the Toronto Area Association of Baptist Churches (TAABC), is one of seventeen Associations within Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (the new name for the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec). Our 83 churches stretch from Oakville to Markham and from Newmarket to Lake Ontario and worship in many different languages.

WISMER BAPTIST CHURCH OPENS IN MARKHAM

Bridle Trail Baptist Church celebrated the opening of its Wismer Church plant on Mother's Day afternoon, (May 10). The new church is strategically located at 180 Mingay Ave., Markham, on a hill overlooking a large Chinese community. Rev. Timothy Ngo is senior pastor of this missional congregation, which offers worship and other activities in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.

WE CELEBRATE THE NEW THINGS GOD IS DOING

Toronto Baptist Ministries' Annual Celebration of Mission and Ministry took place at Spring Garden Baptist Church on April 25. It highlighted the new things God is doing in and through Toronto Baptist churches:

We heard the testimony of a new believer. Jennafer DaSilva, a member of the Dramatic Change Youth Theatre company, told how God has used DCYT to draw her toward faith in Christ.

We welcomed Greenhills Christian Fellowship into our Toronto Baptist family. Pastor Narry Santos (above, left) brought a dozen leaders from the two new churches that have been planted here by Greenhills Christian Fellowship, a thriving Baptist church in the Philippines. GCF-Toronto, begun two years ago, has grown to 150 members, outgrown its worship space at the Chinese Cultural Centre (Scarborough), and planted a second church, GCF-Peel, with 90 members. They plan to plant a third church in Vancouver this October, and are already planning future churches in Surrey and Calgary. According to Rev. Dr. Santos, small groups are their vehicle for growth.

Temple Baptist Church has been reborn as Westminster Chapel, a congregation of 150 led by pastor/author/apologist Joe Boot. Church elder Steve Van Dyck paid tribute to Temple's pastor Howard Herbert and the 15 faithful members of Temple who were so convinced that God had new life for their church that they resisted temptations to sell their property to developers for millions of dollars.

Joan Ward, just back from North East Kenya, could hardly contain her excitement as she reported a new Christian medical clinic and healing ministries for people with HIV/AIDS in the Somali town of Garissa and a vibrant new church and Bible school in Dadaab, the world's fastest-growing refugee camps. (TBM supports Joan and Ron Ward's work with Somalis in Canada and Kenya under the Toronto Baptist Intercultural Services umbrella.)

We were even given a new song to sing. Worship leaders Monica and Greg Kay of Spring Garden introduced what could become TBM's theme song. "In this Torontonian city", written by Greg, expresses our desire to shine the light of Christ into all areas of the city. Watch this site for information on how to obtain a copy or CD.

Audley Goulborne, pastor of Lisle Memorial Baptist Church, will continue as moderator of the Toronto Association (Toronto Baptist Ministries) for a second year. Jason Shine has joined the executive as a member-at-large. We are still seeking a new vice-moderator and other members-at-large to serve alongside Phyllis Whyte and Mary Cowan.

Copies of the Annual Reports have been sent to all TBM churches.

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOUR?

Are people in your congregation curious about their Sikh, Hindu, or Muslim neighbours? Do they wonder what they believe, how they worship, or how they perceive Christ and Christianity? You could teach a seminar or show a video at your church.

But here's a better idea--take a group to Brampton and see the real thing. The South Asian Welcome Centre, TBM's partner ministry at the heart of Peel Region, invites you to take advantage of their "Getting to Know Your Neighbour" program. It begins with an introductory seminar on the religions of the South Asian community, and continues with visits to their places of worship. Designed for 14-15 participants, this is an excellent mission immersion experience for your youth group, mission committee, or women's fellowship.

Call Bill Virgin or Sushil David at SAWC (905-790-0676) and ask how they can help you get to know your neighbour.

(Above) Bill and David took a dozen Toronto Baptists to the Malton gurudwara (Sikh place of worship), on February 24.

NATIONAL FILM BOARD DISCOVERS MATTHEW HOUSE

Everybody's Children is a new National Film Board documentary about unaccompanied minors. It follows the lives of two refugee teens, one of whom was a Matthew House resident from Sierra Leone. It will be featured on CBC Newsworld's documentary program, The Lens, in 2009. But you can also show it to your church or group to use as an educational tool. Contact MH director Anne Woolger-Bell .