In November 2017, The Living Room Church launched in midtown Toronto. The ordination service was held at St. Monica’s on Broadway Avenue, where they meet. Bernard Tam, lead pastor, writes:
The little gym at St. Monica was packed with over 100 people and with numerous kids running through and around. It was a simple but wonderful celebration service. At the end of the night a few of our friends told us how warm (not because the heat was on) and welcoming the time together had been.
I was really challenged and touched because welcoming is a distinctive and something that I believe our church has been called to witness in the neighbourhood. I pray that we will continue to be a welcoming and hospitable community for all who would be journeying alongside us.
As Bernard highlights, at the heart of this community is a desire to welcome people into the kingdom of God by opening up homes and lives. Here are some examples of that welcoming heart and its reach into the community:
The English Conversation Café ministry--a unique model of ESL/House church ministry--has been working on a new format and a fresh way of being church together. ECC leadership have also been looking at expansions sites in various parts of the city in addition to the three current sites in Toronto. Please pray for their team as they discern God’s next step and also pray for more facilitators and partners for house churches.
Also eager to build house churches in the subsidized housing communities around them, The Living Room continues to look for someone who would further develop ministry within these communities and also oversee the brunch ministry begun there.
This Christmas, on December 17, The Living Room will have its first carnival for the community. They are planning a Christmas performance and a narrative for the neighbourhood with the hope to build relationship and community.
Pastor Bernard Tam
Please pray with them for these specific endeavors and learn more about them here, and on their website: thelivingroomchurch.ca