Our Foundation is

Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 3:11

Our Mission

To glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment

Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 22:37-39

Six Pillars

The foundation of our church is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The Six Pillars sum up what Mission City Bible Church is all about.

Fervent Prayer
Dependent and expectant (Ephesians 6:18)
PURPOSEFUL DISCIPLE-MAKING
Intentional and in community (Ephesians 4:11-16)
PASSIONATE WORSHIP
Spirit and truth (John 4:24)
COURAGEOUS EVANGELISM
Word and deed (Matthew 9:36-38)
BOLD PREACHING
Expository and applicational (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
STRATEGIC CHURCH PLANTING
Together and around the World (Matthew 16:18b)

3W’s of Discipleship

Mature disciples worship Christ, walk with Christ, and work for Christ.
At Mission City we emphasize a quality of discipleship, not a quantity of disciples.

Worship Christ
Experience the sufficiency and express the supremacy of Christ through a lifestyle of worship.
Walk with Christ
Faithful reading of God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
Work for Christ
Minister to one another and serve in the capacity each person has been gifted with

Elders

Kevin Weeks

Lead Pastor of Preaching & Teaching | Elder
elders@missioncitybiblechurch.ca

Jeff Kendrick

Lead Pastor of Ministry & Vision | Elder
elders@missioncitybiblechurch.ca

Deacons

Dan Groen

Deacon
deacons@missioncitybiblechurch.ca

Dan Joynt

Deacon
deacons@missioncitybiblechurch.ca

Antal Szabo

Deacon
deacons@missioncitybiblechurch.ca

Bryan Zietsma

Deacon
deacons@missioncitybiblechurch.ca

Staff

Kevin Weeks

Lead Pastor of Preaching & Teaching

Jeff Kendrick

Lead Pastor of Ministry & Vision

Matt Bunch

Pastor Of Youth Discipleship

Ellie Kendrick

Care Coordinator for Discipleship Ministries & Office Admin

Luke Imre

Director of Kids Discipleship

JOSIAH ROCK

Director Of Worship Ministries

MINISTRY LEADERS

Kristina Schuit

Welcome Team Lead

Azin Zurbuchen

Hospitality Coordinator

Lisa Stulen

Medical Team Lead

Dan Groen

Setup Team Lead / Deacon

Tom Murphy

Prayer Ministry Coordinator

Our History

IN ILLINOIS...

Meeting in a small conference room in September 1988, eighteen men and women came together to form a different kind of church. By God's hand, Mission City Bible Church in Rolling Meadows, Illinois has now grown into a healthy, functioning Christian fellowship of over 10,000 people. After meeting in a high school for seven years, God supernaturally provided a facility to house this significant ministry and the forty plus full and part-time staff who serve the church.

After planting their first church in 2000, Mission City Bible Fellowship, the church planting ministry of Mission City Bible Church, was formed in 2002. Since then, HBF has planted more than 150 churches in many countries around the world with 1 mission: to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.

IN OAKVILLE...

In early 2003, God placed a calling and a dream within a small group of people to see a Mission City Bible Church come to the Greater Toronto Area. Through supernatural circumstances, a core group of people was formed and the momentum was building. It wasn’t long before ideas were being articulated, prayer meetings were being scheduled and plans were underway for the launch of the second Canadian Mission City Bible Church.

A Bible study began in the summer of 2003 in response to the demand from people who were passionate about this church plant. The first Bible study met in a local office space. When those quarters became too tight, the Bible study was moved to a church basement in Mississauga. By the grace of God this core group continued to grow and develop and attract high quality disciples of Christ. It was in the early fall of 2003 that God clearly led the leadership from HBC Oakville to be connected with the leadership from Calvary Baptist Church in Oakville. In what can only be described as miraculous, God arranged for Calvary Baptist Church to become Mission City Bible Church Oakville, which included giving Mission City their church building, their property and, most importantly, their people. This was an incredible process that presented many challenges. However, this kind of unprecedented event was a sign of what God was up to and what He will do to accomplish His will in building His Church!

Since 2009, the Lord has continued to build His church through Mission City Oakville by planting churches in Brampton (2009), Niagara (2011), Toronto West (2013), Brantford (2014), Kelowna BC (2014), and more on the way.

IN BRANTFORD...

In the summer of 2011, six people gathered together in Brantford and started to pray for God to do things in their city that only He could do. Over time, a growing number of people from the Brantford area began attending Mission City Bible Church in Oakville. It was during this season that God started to knit their hearts together around a common vision for a church in Brantford that was committed to the Mission City philosophy of ministry. With the Elders at Mission City Oakville, this group continued to pray and to wait for the Lord to open doors for the gospel in Brantford through Mission City Bible Church.

Healthy things multiply, and over the next two-and-a-half years, this small group of six grew into a larger community of people calling out to the Lord for a glimpse of His glory. As it has always been the case, God has been faithful and has answered the prayers of His people. In the summer of 2013, the Elders at Mission City Oakville discerned that the time was right to plant a new church in Brantford.

Much work and great effort goes into planting a church, but may this one fact never be forgotten: Mission City Bible Church Brantford began with a small group of people humbling themselves before the Lord and asking Him for great things. By His grace, we will remain in that posture of humility before Him, for apart from Jesus Christ we can do nothing.

IN BRANTFORD...

Our History

IN OAKVILLE...

In early 2003, God placed a calling and a dream within a small group of people to see a Hope Bible Church come to the Greater Toronto Area. Through supernatural circumstances, a core group of people was formed and the momentum was building. It wasn’t long before ideas were being articulated, prayer meetings were being scheduled and plans were underway for the launch of the second Canadian Hope Bible Church.

A Bible study began in the summer of 2003 in response to the demand from people who were passionate about this church plant. The first Bible study met in a local office space. When those quarters became too tight, the Bible study was moved to a church basement in Mississauga. By the grace of God this core group continued to grow and develop and attract high quality disciples of Christ. It was in the early fall of 2003 that God clearly led the leadership from HBC Oakville to be connected with the leadership from Calvary Baptist Church in Oakville. In what can only be described as miraculous, God arranged for Calvary Baptist Church to become Hope Bible Church Oakville, which included giving Hope their church building, their property and, most importantly, their people. This was an incredible process that presented many challenges. However, this kind of unprecedented event was a sign of what God was up to and what He will do to accomplish His will in building His Church!

Since 2009, the Lord has continued to build His church through Hope Oakville by planting churches in Brampton (2009), Niagara (2011), Toronto West (2013), Brantford (2014), Kelowna BC (2014), and more on the way.

IN BRANTFORD...

In the summer of 2011, six people gathered together in Brantford and started to pray for God to do things in their city that only He could do. Over time, a growing number of people from the Brantford area began attending Hope Bible Church in Oakville. It was during this season that God started to knit their hearts together around a common vision for a church in Brantford that was committed to the Hope philosophy of ministry. With the Elders at Hope Oakville, this group continued to pray and to wait for the Lord to open doors for the gospel in Brantford through Mission City Bible Church.

Healthy things multiply, and over the next two-and-a-half years, this small group of six grew into a larger community of people calling out to the Lord for a glimpse of His glory. As it has always been the case, God has been faithful and has answered the prayers of His people. In the summer of 2013, the Elders at Hope Oakville discerned that the time was right to plant a new church in Brantford.

Much work and great effort goes into planting a church, but may this one fact never be forgotten: Mission City Bible Church began with a small group of people humbling themselves before the Lord and asking Him for great things. By His grace, we will remain in that posture of humility before Him, for apart from Jesus Christ we can do nothing.

Great Commission Collective...

As the church planting ministry of Harvest Bible Fellowship grew it became apparent that reorganization in the way we multiply churches was needed and a movement toward decentralization and regionalization began.

In 2017, a new church planting movement, The Great Commission Collective (GCC), was formed. In January of 2018 Mission City Bible Church joined the GCC.

We are grateful for our rich heritage, and now move forward with a renewed passion to be a worshipping and sending church in the GCC.

Church Name Change | September 2019

- MISSION CITY BIBLE CHURCH -

WHAT DOES OUR NEW NAME MEAN?
Our new name was chosen with purpose in order to reflect and communicate our mission and mandate as a church.
(click the "+" to expand the meaning of each word in our new name)

MISSION

We are a church with a mission.
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20)

We are a church on a mission.
“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (John 17:18; cf., John 20:21)

Though our name is changing, our mission remains the same: To glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. God has placed us in a church we love, within a city we love, to proclaim the name of the Saviour who first loved us. Our commitment is to make disciples in his name.

CITY

We are a city within a city.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14)

Brantford may not be “the big city.” However, as Jesus teaches, “city” doesn’t refer only to where we live, but to how we live. We have been brought from darkness to light and made to shine the light of Christ to a dark world.

We are a city sent to a city.
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7)

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the things he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:4-8)

Again, we believe God has providentially allowed us to be in this city at this time. And as it grows increasingly difficult to be a Christian in our Canadian culture — to be “exiles” in this land — we are committing to pray for our city and to share the good news of the gospel so that the city may know true joy in Christ.

We are longing for a better city.
“For he [Abraham] was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God . . . But as it is, they desire a better country, that is,
a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:10, 16)

“For we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14)

As much as we love our city and desire its welfare, this city is not our ultimate home. The brokenness we see in our city stirs the longing within us for the greater city in heaven with our God where all brokenness, despair, and hopelessness will be forever erased.

BIBLE

We believe in the power of God’s word.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16)

The Bible teaches us everything we need to know about knowing, loving, and obeying God. In the Bible, God has shown us the depth of our sinfulness and the height of his holiness, and how sinners like us can be reconciled to him through repentance and faith in the finished work of his Son, Jesus Christ. The good news of this gospel — made clear in the Bible — is what saved us in the past, it sanctifies us in the present, and it will hold us secure to the end. This is our hope, and it’s the hope for our city.

CHURCH

We are a church.
Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18b)

“And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18a)

The “church” is not defined by a name or limited to a certain building or location. The church, as described in the New Testament, are a people called out of something AND called out to something. By the grace of God, we are called out of the world. And by that same grace, we are sent back into the world with the life-changing message of eternal life in Jesus Christ.

We have chosen this name intentionally and desire for it to reflect that to which we believe God has called us, both now and in the future. However, in the end, there is only one name that is above every name: Jesus Christ. We are ultimately defined by the promises of God that are “Yes!” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

FAQ's

When will we start using our new name?

How will the name change impact my financial giving?

Why are we changing our name?

In the spring of 2017, Harvest Bible Fellowship dissolved. Since then, we have had no relationship or association with Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago. In the winter of 2019, Pastor James MacDonald was released from his role as Senior Pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago for ongoing and unrepentant patterns of behaviour that have disqualified him from ministry. Due to the seriousness of this, we believe it is important for us to cut all ties with this previous relationship including changing our church name, which is one of the key components of our identity.

Will anything else about our church change?

What about our four pillars of ministry? Has that changed?

As part of our partnership with Great Commission Collective (GCC), we are committed to six distinctives: fervent prayer (Ephesians 6:18), passionate worship (John 4:24), bold preaching (1 Corinthians 2:1-5), purposeful disciple-making (Ephesians 4:11-16), courageous evangelism (Matthew 9:36-38), and strategic church-planting (Matthew 16:18b). Each of the four pillars is clearly articulated in these distinctives and better reflects our new partnership with GCC.

How will this affect our partnership with Great Commission Collective?

What are our priorities in choosing a new name?

How will this affect our relationship with our sister Harvest churches?

Since we were planted by Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville and they have changed their name to Hope Bible Church, why don’t we change our name to that?

What else is involved in the process of changing names?

Our Doctrine

The Scriptures

We believe the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments to be the full record of God’s self-disclosure to mankind. Different men, while writing according to their own styles and personalities, were supernaturally moved along by the Holy Spirit to record God’s very words, inerrant in the original writings. Therefore, those applying themselves to study its literal, historical-grammatical context can accurately understand God’s Word. Scripture is fully trustworthy as our final and sufficient authority for all of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

The Triune God

We believe in the one living and true God, eternally (John 17:3) existing in perfect unity as three equally and fully divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). Each member of the Godhead, while executing distinct but complementary roles in redemptive history, has precisely the same nature, attributes, and being, and is equally worthy of the same glory and honor and obedience (John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4).

God The Father

God The Son

We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, moved by love in accordance with the will of the Father, took on human flesh (John 1:1, 14, 18). Conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the virgin Mary. He, being fully God and fully man (John 14:8-9), lived a sinless life and sacrificially shed His blood and died on the cross in our place accomplishing redemption for all who place their faith in Him. He arose visibly and bodily from the dead three days later and ascended into heaven, where, at the Father’s right hand, He is now Head of His Body the Church, the only Savior and Mediator between God and man, and will return to earth in power and glory to consummate His redemptive mission (1 Timothy 3:16).

God The Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ during this age. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He draws the unredeemed to repentance and faith, and at salvation imparts new spiritual life to the believer, bringing that person into union with Christ and the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit sanctifies, seals, fills, guides, instructs, comforts, equips, empowers, permanently indwells at salvation, and bestows spiritual gifts to the believer for Christ-like living and service (John 16:8; 13:15; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:22;4:11-12; Romans 8:9-17; 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:4-5, 11-13, 19; Galatians 5:25; Hebrews 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12).

Mankind

We believe that God created mankind—male and female—in His own image and likeness, free of sin, to glorify Himself and enjoy His fellowship. Tempted by Satan, but in the sovereign plan of God, man freely chose to disobey God, bringing sin, death and condemnation to all mankind. All human beings, therefore, are totally depraved by nature and by choice. Alienated from God without defense or excuse, and subject to God’s righteous wrath, all of mankind is in desperate need of the Savior (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 1:18, 32).

Salvation

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as the substitutionary atonement in our place, and that salvation is found in none other than Jesus Christ. Before Creation, God chose those who would be saved and granted this unearned grace solely based on His sovereign good pleasure. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was the sole and complete payment for sins, fully satisfying God’s righteous wrath, for each person that turns from sin in repentance and places their faith in Christ alone by grace alone. At salvation each person is made a new creation by the Holy Spirit, declared righteous before God, and secured as an adopted child of God forever. Genuine faith continues in obedience and love for Jesus Christ with a life eager to glorify God and persevere to the end (Romans 8:37-39; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

Election

An act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure.

“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 THESSALONIANS 2:13

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will."EPHESIANS 1:3–5

The Church

We believe that upon placing one’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, the believer is made part of the Body of Christ, the one universal Church, of which Jesus Christ is the Head. The Scriptures command believers to gather locally in order to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, fellowship, the ordinances of baptism and communion, service to the local body through the development and use of talents and spiritual gifts, and outreach to the world to make disciples (Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:42-46; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Matthew 28:18-20). Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the Church under the watchful care of a plurality of elders. A church’s members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ (Ephesians 4:16).

Baptism and Communion

Missions

We believe it is the aim, duty, and privilege of every believer and local church fellowship to glorify God by responding as active participants in the Great Commission call of Jesus Christ to go and make disciples of all nations. We believe the primary focus and priority of this call is centered on efforts that establish, strengthen, and reproduce biblically-based churches, which will then plant churches that plant churches for future generations and God’s glory.

Things to Come

We believe in and expectantly await the glorious, visible, personal, premillennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed hope of His return has vital bearing on the personal life, service, and mission of the believer (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. The lost will be raised to judgment and experience eternal wrath in hell. The saved will be raised to eternal joy in the new heaven and new earth in the manifested presence of God (Acts 1:3, 9; Hebrews 7:25-26).

Church Government

The Bible’s teaching on the subject of two church offices is found in 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9. Although there are three terms used for the offices of the church: bishop, elder, and deacon, analysis of these terms indicates that bishop and elder are used interchangeably.

Elders

Elder Qualifications

Titus 1:6-9

Above reproach
Able to teach
Husband to one wife
Not addicted to wine
Temperate
Not antagonistic
Prudent
Uncontentious
Respectable
Free from the love of money
Hospitable
Manage own household
Not a new convert

Elder Responsibilities

The Scriptures show that the elders serve by leading and that their responsibility involves the spiritual oversight of the congregation. All elders are equal in authority but not necessarily equal in influence.

The elders' primary responsibilities include:

Doctrine - Ensuring that the doctrine of the church is biblical; all doctrinal issues in the church will be settled by the Board of Elders.
Direction - Ensuring that the direction of the church is consistent with the Mission City Bible Church statement of purpose and the Six Pillars.
Discipline - Administering in love and humility the process of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20;Galatians 6:1-4; Titus 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, and Romans 16:17.

Plurality Of Elders

The Scriptures teach that a plurality of elders governed individual New Testament churches (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28;Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1). The Scripture does not mention any congregations featuring a stand-alone pastor and leader. A plurality of godly elders, exercising their individual giftedness, squares with the Scripture's teaching that wisdom is found in a multitude of godly counselors (Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20;Proverbs 24:6). This truth does not eliminate the possibility and likelihood that one or more elders will stand out from the others as more public in their ministries or more influential in their workings on the Elder Board.

Senior Pastor

Deacons

The Bible teaches that deacons lead by serving (Acts 6). The qualifications for elders and deacons are the same regarding an individual's character, but they differ in aptitude. The elders are to be able to teach while the deacons are to be able and proved as servants. Deacon Qualifications 1 Timothy 3:8-12

Individual of dignity
Above reproach
Not double tongued
First tested as servants
Not addicted to wine
Spouses must be faithful
Temperate
Not fond of sordid gain
Holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience
Husband of one wife
Manages household well

What We Believe About...

Integration and Church Membership

We believe in the importance of serving the body of Christ by offering clear paths for people to start and develop healthy and growing relationships with others in the church body. We value an intentional plan to help every interested person enjoy godly relationships in the church. Church membership is a by-product of people who are growing in Christ and who grasp the importance of serving the Lord by using their gifts to serve others in the local church.

Membership

The New Testament clearly indicates that groups of people who were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ identified themselves with and committed themselves to a particular local body. In order to implement the principles of accountability and commitment to the local body of Christ, as defined in the New Testament and practiced in the early churches, Mission City Bible Church recognizes the need for formal membership. Membership at Mission City Bible Church is for all who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and have visibly demonstrated that commitment through believer's baptism.

Membership Commitment

The effectiveness of our joining together will be determined by the level of the commitment we make. In a society where so few make commitments and fewer still keep them, Mission City Bible Church is seeking a group of people who are determined to know the joy Christ intended for His body, the church. To this end members of Mission City Bible Church must be willing to live in submission to our doctrinal statement. Further they must be willing to abide by the entire membership commitment:

I have, by faith, become a follower of Jesus Christ and I have been baptized as a visible way of demonstrating that commitment.
I am committed to worship Christ. As part of my worship-lifestyle, attending Sunday services at Mission City is a high priority for me. Further, I am financially supporting the ministry of our church by giving back to the Lord a biblical portion of my increase.
I am continuing to walk with Christ and in fellowship with other Christ-followers through regular and personal study of the Bible, prayer, personal witness, involvement in a small group and by avoiding criticism of others and always seeking to Biblically resolve any conflict.
I am at work for Christ and have found my place of service at Mission City. I am committed to fruitful ministry by using my spiritual gifts for God’s glory.

While the term of membership continues as long as the believer desires fellowship with Mission City Bible Church, the membership commitment will be renewed at a service designated for that purpose. The purpose of this renewal is to ensure that the believer's commitment to one another and to the ministry God has called us to is a genuine and continuing one.

Procedure For Membership

Attend Mission Essentials.
Get Baptized.
Get into a Small Group.
Apply for Membership.
Membership interview.
Your name will be published at the church for a period of two weeks. During this period members will be encouraged to clear up any relational or other difficulties which could hinder your ministry among us. This is done in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17 so that both you and the Mission City family will benefit.
At the end of the two week period, the names will be presented to our Elders.
At the end of the two week period those who remain as candidates will be welcomed into membership.

Baptism and Communion

Baptism and communion are the two ordinances required in the church. We believe that Christian baptism by immersion in water is a public identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Although baptism is not required for salvation, it is commanded of all believers and is for believers only (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 18:8). Scripture shows that a person was baptized after personally receiving forgiveness of sin by accepting Jesus Christ. The waters of baptism are a symbol of death, burial, and resurrection to newness of life that happens when a person becomes a new creation in Christ (Colossians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:1-4). Communion is the commemoration by believers of Christ’s death and a reminder—through the bread and the juice—of the Savior’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is to be a time of confession of sin and should be preceded by careful self-examination (Acts 4:13; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 11:20-29).

Sufficiency of Scripture

We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Scriptures and that they contain all the words of God that we need in order to completely trust and obey Him. The Scriptures are inerrant in their original writings (Psalm 119:97-104; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:18; John 5:46-47; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:15-16) and are infallible in their instruction (2 Peter 1:19), eternal in duration (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:23-25); the final authority and the standard for faith and practice (Matthew 4:4; Psalm 119); and sufficient for counsel in every issue of life (Psalm 19:14-17; 2 Timothy 3:16). We believe that the very words of Scripture in the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic are inspired by God. Therefore, we believe that the Bible versions which translate God’s Word most literally into modern English should be preferred.

Creation, Evolution, and God’s Sovereignty

We believe God created the universe in six 24-hour days and that, before He created the universe, nothing except God existed (Genesis 1; Exodus 31:17; Psalm 33:6-9; Acts 17:24; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16). God chose to create the universe and all that is in it to reveal His glory, divine nature, eternal power, infinite wisdom and supreme authority. (Isaiah 43:7; Psalm 19:1-2; Jeremiah 10:12; Romans 1:20; Revelation 4:11). We deny the theory of evolution, which states that nonliving substances gave rise to the first living material, which then reproduced and diversified to produce all living creatures. We believe that all people are descendants of Adam and Eve, whom God created personally and individually and as complete human beings (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 11:8-9). The fall of Adam and Eve infected all people with sin and death, but the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives the opportunity to receive God’s gift of eternal life. (Romans 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). God rules over His creation and cares about and is involved in the lives of individual people (Job 12:10; Acts 17:25; Acts 25:28; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:13; Ephesians 4:6).

Salvation And Security

It is God’s divine decision to save a person (John 6:37; John 6:44; John 6:65; Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9:11-18; Acts 13:48; Acts 16:14; Ephesians 1:4-6; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:3) and it is God’s kindness, forbearance and patience that lead that person to repentance (Romans 2:4). The Bible also teaches that each person is responsible to embrace or reject Jesus as Savior and Lord and that God welcomes all who come to Him by faith apart from works (Matthew 22:1-14;Luke 15:7; Luke 20:9-18; John 6:37; John 7:37; Romans 10:9-13; Acts 16:30-34; Acts 17:30.) Both of these two truths—God’s sovereignty in salvation and man’s decision to embrace Christ—are taught in the Scriptures. Their co-existence is a mystery and is completely understood only in the mind of our omniscient God. All glory for the salvation of every believer belongs to God alone (Romans 3:21-31; Ephesians 1:7-9; Ephesians 2:8-9,Jude 1:24-25). Those who are born of God’s Spirit through Jesus Christ persevere in the faith (Matthew 13:13; John 15:4-8; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:10-13; 1 John 4:13; 2 John 9). God is faithful to His people, and empowers them to persevere in the faith (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:19-20). We believe that everyone who is born of God’s Spirit through Jesus Christ is assured of salvation from the moment of conversion (Ephesians 1:13-14). This assurance relies on God’s decisive and faithful grace rather than on the works of the Christian. Obedience, good works and fruit-bearing do not earn or retain the believer’s salvation, but indicate the reality of the person’s love of Christ and profession of faith (Luke 6:46; John 14:21; James 2:17-18). Eternal security in salvation relies on the Lord’s guarantee of each believer’s adoption as His son or daughter (Galatians 4:4-7), and His seal of the believer by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14) and the conviction that God gives the Holy Spirit to each believer as a down payment toward future bliss in heaven (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). A person who professes genuine faith in Christ immediately becomes His possession (Luke 23:42-43; Acts 2:40-41; Acts 16:30-34), and nothing can snatch that person out of His hands (John 10:27-29). Having been bought with the price of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion as complete payment for sin, Christians are not their own. They are Christ’s possession (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This assurance is absolutely certain, reserved in heaven, protected by God’s unlimited power (1 Peter 1:4-5).

Process of Sanctification and Maturity

Mature disciples walk with Christ, worship Christ and work for Christ. A person committed to a relationship with Christ focuses on a personal walk with Him, worship of Him and work for Him. That person will experience significant growth in personal sanctification and, therefore, will experience a closer personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and will become complete in Christ (Colossians 1:28). We are committed to multiplying the godly characteristics of leaders’ lives into others (2 Timothy 2:2). This multiplication of ministry is key to the healthy growth of the church. We believe the disciples of Jesus Christ should minister to one another in the local church, rather than one or a small number of professional pastors bearing total responsibility to care for the entire congregation. God has given spiritual gifts to all of His people to provide mutual ministry in the context of the healthy and strong local church (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Worship

The chief purpose of mankind is to glorify God by loving Him with the entire heart, soul, mind and might (Deuteronomy 6:5; Isaiah 43:7; Matthew 22:37). All believing men, women and children are to glorify God and thus fulfill the purpose of their existence. Worship glorifies God through adoration (Psalm 95:6), praise (Psalm 99:5), prayer (Daniel 6:10-11), thanksgiving (Nehemiah 12:46) and a complete yielding to Him (Romans 12:1). Worship declares His worth, pays Him homage and celebrates Him in a life of devotion. We seek to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth (Exodus 15:1-21; 2 Samuel 6:14-16; Psalm 5:7; John 4:23-24;Revelation 4:11; 5:12). Several tenets guide our worship. We seek to:

Lift high the name of Jesus Christ (John 4:22-26; John 12:32; John 14:6);
Lead God’s people to lift their hearts and voices to Him, giving Him praise and thanks in music and lyric (Nehemiah 12:45-46; Psalm 66:1-4; Psalm 95:1-2);
Prepare hearts to hear the Lord speak through the proclamation of Scripture (Psalm 95:6-9; Matthew 28:19-20;Acts 2:41-42);
Emphasize fresh and contemporary expressions while retaining traditional elements that recognize the richness of our heritage in the faith (Deuteronomy 32:7; Psalm 33:3; Isaiah 46:8-9; Matthew 13:32, Ephesians 5:19;Revelation 5:9);
Pursue excellence in worship, knowing that God is worthy of our best (Exodus 12; Deuteronomy 17:1; Psalm 33:3,1 Timothy 4:14-15; Hebrews 11:4).

Church Planting

The church exists to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and in the spirit of the Great Commandment (Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 22:37-38).

The commission is fulfilled as disciples of Jesus Christ are made and grow in their relationship with Him and in likeness to Him. God is glorified when we manifest His presence as we do His work ( 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

In seeking to act upon the church’s purpose, we recognize the extraordinary value in multiplying the reach of His ministry by planting local churches and by associating with existing, like-minded local churches. God is glorified when like-minded churches associate with one another in order to foster relationships that edify, protect, encourage, support and admonish.

To enhance our church planting ability, the fellowship we belong to, Great Commission Collective (GCC) helps connect church-planting churches with other GCC churches who are looking to get involved and support a new plant. These churches work together to provide the process, training, and support needed for a new plant to thrive.

Women in Ministry

Mission City Bible Church affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in establishing and leading the local church. Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those that are excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the office of Elder and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men (1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9). We do not see this as an issue of equality, for men and women are equal under God. The Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. Qualified women should serve in any leadership position that is not forbidden in the Scriptures.

Spiritual Warfare

Satan and his demonic servants viciously oppose the work God performs in and through His people (1 Peter 5:8; Genesis 3:1-7; Ephesians 6:12). God, who by His nature is infinitely more powerful than Satan, in due time will have complete and total victory over Satan (1 John 4:4; Revelation 20:1-10). Although it is appropriate to pray in Jesus’ name for protection against demonic activity, the Scriptures do not instruct the Christian to “bind Satan in Jesus’ name.” Rather, the Scriptures instruct the Christian to combat Satan by:

humbly drawing near to God, knowing that He will give grace, mercy and strength (2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Hebrews 4:15-16; James 4:8; 1 Peter 5:6-10);
resisting his temptations (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9);
rightly applying the truth of the Scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11; John 8:44; Ephesians 4:24-27);
forgiving offenses (2 Corinthians 2:10-11);
putting on the armor of God’s truth, righteousness, readiness to share the gospel, faith, salvation and prayer (Ephesians 6:11-20);
demonstrating faithfulness to the Lord by enduring trials (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 2:13; Revelation 3:9-10)

Counselling Philosophy

The Lord changes lives and accomplishes His purposes directly through reading and applying the Scriptures, meditating on the truths of the Scriptures and prayer. The Lord also uses those who minister His Word as they encourage, exhort, admonish, edify, implore, reprove, rebuke, console and support others toward godliness. God needs no new or unique insight into the human condition in order to change lives, regardless of whether that insight is gained through psychology or some other tool of human origin. Psychological theories that may help people live healthier and more effectively are embellishments of principles already revealed in the Scriptures. Although some forms of human wisdom are true, they are not the Word of God. They are infinitely subordinate to, and not to be compared with, the matchless value of the Scriptures (Psalm 119:160; Isaiah 40:8; John 17:17). Problems that are approached by integrating the Scriptures with psychological theories tend to deceive individuals into diminishing the God of the Scriptures and into believing that He has not provided and cannot provide sufficient truth, insight and wisdom to change their lives (Colossians 2:8-10). There are occasions when a medical doctor may diagnose a physical problem that manifests itself in attitudinal, behavioral or emotional struggles. In those occasions, the use of medications may be appropriate. However, when psychology and other social sciences step beyond observing human behavior and seek to explain the causes of that behavior, they enter spiritual territory. Only the omniscient God can explain such causes and offer solutions that lead to godliness and a fruitful, joyful life. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). He changes us as we discipline ourselves through obedience to the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Peter 1:5-11). Each Christian’s passion should be to become more like Christ (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2) and fulfill the Great Commandment to love the Lord will the entire heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30; Matthew 22:37-38). The Christian who learns and applies the Word becomes mature and, in turn, can help others mature (2 Timothy 2:2). The Lord’s church is a community of faith—a living body with Jesus Christ at the head (Colossians 1:17-18)—that influences, supports and helps bring men, women and children into healthy relationships with the Lord and with others of the church. A healthy church body applies biblical principles to relationships at all levels, i.e. the overall church context, ministries within the church, families within the church and individuals within the church. God-honoring application of biblical principles throughout the church leads to healthier relationships at all levels (Ephesians 4:14-16; Hebrews 12:12-13). This application also helps ensure the integrity of the church’s corporate and individual witness to a watching world (1 Peter 2:12).

Charismatic Movement

Every Mission City Bible Church is a non-charismatic, conservative, evangelical body that welcomes all who know Jesus Christ as their Savior and all who are seeking Him. Those who claim to possess the gift of tongues and other sign gifts are welcome to worship and fellowship with us if they are willing to be a source of unity rather than division within our church body. We believe that the Christian life is supernatural and that the Lord continues to perform miracles. We also believe that current displays of the gift of tongues distract from the main task of the local church, which is to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Current displays of the gift of tongues:

give unwarranted prominence to the gift, which is described in the New Testament as being only one of many spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12);
emphasize speaking in tongues as the primary manifestation of the Spirit’s work in a person’s life, while minimizing the Spirit’s work in producing a holy life (2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 2 Timothy 1:9) and a life that displays the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22);
often suggest that speaking in tongues is a required proof of being Spirit-filled or of possessing salvation in Christ, even though the Scriptures do not teach this.

Mission City Bible Church seeks to prevent the propagation of doctrines that would cause divisions within an individual church. Therefore, members to and adherents of Mission City Bible Church are not to propagate the teachings and emphases of the current charismatic movement. Although we do not control personal, individual interactions with the Lord, the expression of tongues and other sign gifts are not to be overtly expressed at meetings that are under the organization and authority of Mission City Bible Church.

Reports & Policies

Accessibility Policy

(AODA) Policy

Policy

Here is the Mission City Policy.

Here

Accessibility Ontario Video

(AODA) Training Video

Training Video

Here is the Mission City Video.

Here

AODA Customer Service Training Confirmation

(AODA) Form

Form

Here is the Mission City Form.

Here

Privacy Policy

Mission City Privacy Policy

Prepared January 2022

Policy

Here is the Mission City Policy.

Here

Financial Statements

2022 Audited Statement

Prepared February 2023

2022 Audited Statement

Here is the 2022 Audited Statement.

Here

Employment

We believe that current and future staff members of Mission City Bible Church must have a clear sense of calling to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and those He calls to be part of our church family in Brantford. We highly value team members who strive for a spirit of humility and excellence in their service to the Lord and His church. In addition to a particular role a staff member might fill, we expect that each staff member will joyfully serve as part of the church body on weekends or as part of mid-week ministries of Mission City.

Open positions will be posted here. If you are interested in any positions listed here, please submit a personal resume via email to jobs@missioncitybiblechurch.ca . Please only submit resumes when positions are open and posted below. If you are presently attending Mission City Bible Church but you are not currently serving, we would encourage you to start serving before applying for any position of employment. Please note that only applicants considered for these positions will be contacted. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of how to best serve the Lord and His church.

Our Locations

Our church family meets two times every weekend.

Worship Services | Sundays 9&11am
Brantford Christian School
30 Clara Cres. Brantford, ON N3S 7C9

MAP

Our administrative offices are located at:

Open 8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Thursday (By appointment only)
1100 Clarence St. S. Unit 103B

Our Foundation is

Jesus Christ

Our Mission

To glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment

Six Pillars

Fervent Prayer

PURPOSEFUL DISCIPLE-MAKING

PASSIONATE WORSHIP

COURAGEOUS EVANGELISM

BOLD PREACHING

STRATEGIC CHURCH PLANTING

3W’s of Discipleship

Worship Christ

Walk with Christ

Work for Christ

Elders

Kevin Weeks

Adam Petersen

Ken Connell

Gord Davies

Andy Cumpton

Graeme Sands

Jeff Kendrick

Deacons

Dan Groen

Dan Joynt

Antal Szabo

Bryan Zietsma

Staff

Kevin Weeks

Jeff Kendrick

Matt Bunch

Ellie Kendrick

Luke Imre

JOSIAH ROCK

MINISTRY LEADERS

Kristina Schuit

Azin Zurbuchen

Lisa Stulen

Dan Groen

Tom Murphy

Our History

IN ILLINOIS...

IN OAKVILLE...

IN BRANTFORD...

IN BRANTFORD...

Our History

IN OAKVILLE...

IN BRANTFORD...

Great Commission Collective...

Church Name Change | September 2019

- MISSION CITY BIBLE CHURCH -

FAQ's

Our Doctrine

Church Government

What We Believe About...

Reports & Policies

Accessibility Policy

Accessibility Policy

Policy

Accessibility Ontario Video

Training Video

AODA Customer Service Training Confirmation

Form

Privacy Policy

Mission City Privacy Policy

Policy

Financial Statements

2022 Audited Statement

2022 Audited Statement

Employment

Our Locations

Our church family meets two times every weekend.

Our administrative offices are located at: