Despite the snowy weather, the community of the Sovereign Grace Church held their first service in their permanent place of worship on the morning of Sunday Feb. 2, 2020.
The date is recognized as a palindrome (read the same way backward as forward) and marks a special occasion for the community and a date that won’t be forgotten.
Visitors from Toronto, North York and Markham travelled to celebrate the day with their fellow church members.
The building was the home of Westside Community Church (formerly Springdale Christian Reformed Church) but has since held its last service on September 15, 2019. The church was then gifted to the Sovereign Grace Church who feel extremely blessed to have received a generous gift from the church council.
“We are really humbled. When the church started meeting in our living room, we were just dreaming about the future and it came up often that Highway 9 and 400 Highway would be an ideal place for our church,”said Joanne Kerr, wife of Pastor Tim Kerr.
Tim and Joanne Kerr started gatherings in their home back in the summer of 2004, with a handful of families. Since then, they had grown as a community and have gathered in places all over the area including, Cookstown, Vaughan and King City, and now finally settling into their new home in Bradford.
“To have this building offered to us is unbelievable. We are amazed of God’s grace,” said Joanne.
Pastor Josh Tong led the Sunday service speaking of the gratitude of receiving the gift of the church. Cleverly comparing the nine-month journey to that of new parents welcoming the birth of a child and, in their case, the birth of this first day of service in their new home. Thanking the Westside Community Church and Springdale Christian Reformed Church members for their gift of the building and extending a welcome to worship with them.
“I want to begin by saying thank you. On behalf of the Sovereign Grace Church, thank you for giving our church a home,” said Tong.
It was evident in the kind welcome they extend to visitors and guests why the church was deserving of this building. A short break in the service allowed for current members to welcome guests and a community meal was provided by the church afterwards.
Worship services are held every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Sovereign Grace Church located at 1466 Sideroad 5 in Bradford. Visit their website here for more information.
