Annual Report 2023
Ministry Season: July 2023 - June 2024
“I found what I was missing all along and that being our Lord Jesus! I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I here and now commit, for the remainder of my life, to follow him and try to be more like him.” ~a new believer, baptized June 2024
The Numbers
When I read a draft of our report this year, the number that really stuck out for me was the number 40. As you know, it’s a number with biblical significance. And it happens to be the exact number of people who were baptised among Gateway during this past ministry season. And when you multiply that number by four, you get 160, which is almost exactly (158) the number of people who have been baptised at Gateway since the year 2018. If figures like this have some value, perhaps there is no better number that can help us to discern how we are doing in our mission of following Jesus together.
But, of course, numbers don’t really tell the whole story. To get a better picture of what God is doing among us, talk to those who have gone under the waters of baptism and how they were invited to give up their old identity of sin and rebellion. Talk to those who came up out of the water with a newfound passion to embrace the truth about who they now are in Christ – as those who are forgiven and free.
As you watch the video and read the reports below, celebrate with me what God has done in response to the prayer and gifts and ministry of his people who are following Jesus together. And when you have read the report, please mark your calendar so you can attend our Annual General Meeting on Sunday, September 22nd at 2 p.m. in the Auditorium.
See you there!
Pastor Steve
693
Average
Attendance
40
16
43
Baptisms
Family
Dedications
New
Members
16
Weddings
Report of the Nominating Committee
This year’s Nominating Committee consisted of Bruce Davies and Rachel Minton (who presently serve as Elders), Brad Archibald and Michelle Nuell (members who were elected by the membership at the Semi-Annual Meeting) and Pastor Steve Kerr. Out of their deliberations, they are nominating the following two individuals to stand for two available positions on the Elder's Board of Gateway Church: Mark van Donkersgoed (for re-election) and Jean Marcellin.
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Below is a brief biography of each candidate.
Mark Van Donkersgoed:
Mark and Brenda live on a farm near Cayuga Ontario. They have 2 adult children and three teenagers. They started attending Gateway in 1999 when they moved to the area and the church was meeting at Mckinnon Park High School. They have been involved in many different ministries throughout the years. Mark leads the mission team as well as leading short term mission trips to South America. He's also involved in prayer and deliverance ministry. Mark enjoys meeting with people to talk about Jesus and pray together. As a family they enjoy doing regular stuff together as well as taking care of various farm animals, swimming, hiking and biking. It is a privilege and joy to serve the Gateway family on the Elders board.
Jean Marcellin:
Jean and his family moved to Caledonia from Hamilton in 2017, and it quickly became "home" with its wonderful community and beautiful outdoors. Commercial pilot by trade, Jean is currently serving in a leadership capacity in order to remain more "grounded" - able to spend more time with his wife, Elizabeth, and their 3 children. Over the years, serving at Gateway has become the Marcellin family's favourite way to connect and partner with God's people in his beautiful work through the local community - starting with the Club House recordings during COVID, and branching out into Tech team, Prayer and Deliverance teams, as well as leading a small group that focuses on breaking bread as families and walking in the Word of God with all ages.
Bruce Davies, Raj Singh and Rachel MacCormack will be continuing on the Board.
Gateway's bylaws state, "The nominating committee shall present and post, at least four Sundays prior to the annual meeting, one name for each office to be filled. Other nominations, if any, shall be made in writing, signed by two members in good standing and filed with the chairperson of the nominating committee for posting before the public services on the Sunday two weeks prior to the annual meeting."
For more information on each nominee, please feel free to contact a member of the nominating committee or the nominee directly.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pastor Steve Kerr
On behalf of Bruce Davies, Rachel Minton, Brad Archibald, and Michelle Nuell.
JACOB'S TESTIMONY
Missions
The Mission Team had a dynamic and impactful year in 2023. We sent two short-term teams to support Inca Link ministries in different countries. In July, a team of 10 traveled to Ecuador to assist the Ninawachi Mission Institute, with many team members embarking on their first mission trip. Later in the year, we began planning our first family mission trip, which took place in March 2024. A team of 17, including several families, journeyed to Costa Rica to serve with Inca Link Ministry. The trip was a tremendous success, featuring some of our youngest team members who engaged in ministry and formed new friendships in Costa Rica.
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Short-term trips not only support missionaries on the field but also help our church family grow in understanding and supporting global gospel work and church planting efforts. We are also privileged to support missionaries connected to our church: Erika and Graham Hynds, Charlie and Lindsey Lyons, and Jordyn and Anthony Winfield.
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On behalf of the Mission Team, I want to express our gratitude to the church family for your ongoing support of the Global Advance Fund. This fund is crucial to our denomination’s mission to reach those who have yet to hear the name of Jesus. Thank you, Gateway family, for your faithfulness!
Ninawachi
The Ninawachi Mission Institute is a key part of Inca Link Ecuador. It trains national youth to become missionaries, sending them to reach forgotten people in remote jungle regions. Each year, new students join the program, while graduates return to their communities or move to new ones to share the gospel and disciple others.
Last fall, the students concluded their school year with a month-long practicum, where they ventured in pairs to various jungle communities. This hands-on experience allows them to apply what they’ve learned throughout the year. They assist local families with practical needs, host children and youth ministry events, and visit homes. The aim is to share the gospel, disciple new believers, and minister to existing Christians. Before heading out, each team sets specific goals for their time in the field. The practicum challenges the students and fosters growth in their faith and reliance on Jesus.
This year’s practicums impacted 8 communities, reaching approximately 64 families, 80 young adults, 147 teenagers, and 230 children. In January, Ninawachi welcomed 5 new students from various communities to begin their training.
Please continue to pray for the students and staff as they navigate the challenges of being away from their homes for the first time and engage in their ministry work. Pray for the staff as they teach and disciple the students, and ask that the gospel will spread to areas of the jungle where the name of Jesus has yet to be heard.
Cambodia
Since returning to Cambodia in July 2023, our ministry has focused on two main areas. First, we launched the Financial Stewardship Ministry to address the growing debt crisis. This initiative provides biblical financial education and counseling to families burdened by debt, helping them become better stewards of their resources. We’ve conducted training in five workplaces and counseled over 30 families, with plans to expand into churches and other workplaces. This ministry has opened doors for spiritual conversations and relationship-building with non-believers.
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Our second focus is working with the Vietnamese community, the largest minority group in Cambodia with less than 0.02% identifying as evangelical Christians. Carol and her team are engaged in discipleship, leadership development, and educational support for marginalized Vietnamese youth. This includes teaching scripture, leading groups, and offering music classes to support church development. Our scholarship program also provides educational opportunities, fostering long-term relationships and sharing the gospel.
Our children, Marcus and Mackenzie, are thriving in their new school in Phnom Penh, where they’ve made friends and adapted well.
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We deeply appreciate Gateway Church’s support and encouragement. Your commitment to prayer and mission work is a significant blessing to our family.​
Charlie Lyons
Spring 2024 has been a dynamic season for our chaplaincy, filled with significant updates and accomplishments. We are excited to report that our team has been actively engaged in a variety of impactful initiatives. We’ve seen remarkable growth in our outreach efforts, with new programs designed to better serve our community and provide essential support. One notable highlight is the successful launch of our latest project, aimed at addressing critical needs and expanding our service reach.
Our recent events have been met with enthusiastic participation, further strengthening our connection with those we serve. We’ve also been working on several upcoming workshops and seminars, designed to equip and inspire our volunteers. These events are not only opportunities for learning but also for deepening our collective impact.
As we look to the future, we are grateful for the continued support of our community. Your contributions and involvement are crucial as we drive forward with new projects and strive to make an even greater difference. We invite everyone to join us in this exciting journey, whether through volunteering or supporting our initiatives, as we work together to bring hope and care to those in need.
Erika Hynds
Thank you so much for your continued ministry partnership! Your support has been a constant source of encouragement and provision. We are especially grateful for your thoughtful and generous “coming home” gift when we adopted our daughter, Lucia. It truly touched our hearts and meant so much to us. Thank you for loving us so well.
During my parental leave from August 2023 to June 2024, while in Honduras, I had the opportunity to lead a small group with our church and assist with neighborhood outreach efforts. Although I wasn’t on campus, my staff team kept me informed, and I was thrilled to see the young women I had been discipling step up into leadership roles. For instance, three mentees co-led discipleship groups, and one young woman even discipled two others, witnessing one of her friends begin a relationship with Christ. Here’s a story from my last ministry update:
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Back in February 2023, I shared how one of the young women I disciple, Rachelle, organized a “Galentines” Day outreach. She encouraged attendees to create care packages for friends God had placed on their hearts. Rachelle gave her package to Bianca, who, despite initially rejecting Christianity, attended some of Power to Change’s welcome events to support her friend. To her surprise, she experienced thoughtful conversation and genuine friendship, leading her to trust in Jesus.
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I was amazed to hear that Rachelle’s act of faith resulted in Bianca joining the family of Christ. Bianca is now actively involved with Power to Change and is known for her welcoming spirit.
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Here’s a link to a video filmed, produced, and edited by TMU Power to Change alumni. Their dedication to the impact of Power to Change led them to donate their time and talents to encourage others to take their next step towards Jesus. Praise God!
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Some numbers from 2023-2024:
• About 50 students attended our weekly gatherings
• 36 students participated in weekly discipleship groups
• 2 new believers
• 4 students went on short-term mission trips
• 8 outreach events on campus
• Eleven students will join the student leadership team next year, and one graduate is returning as a P2C intern
• 15 students actively sharing their faith
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Thank you again for your ministry partnership. I send out updates every 6 weeks—please email me if you’re not receiving them or if you’d like to start receiving them!​
COSTA RICA
MISSION TRIP RECAP
Courses
# of Attendees
23
65+
80+
Set Free Retreat
55+
Barbecue
Newcomers
Lunch
15
60+
?
40+
Candlelight Grief Service
Alpha
Money Matters
Workshop
50+
Rooted
65+
?
Intro to Gateway
48
Three Crosses
CompassionTeam
The Compassion Team remains dedicated to supporting our church community during times of hardship and need. In 2024, the Compassion Fund received a total of $59,101.16 in donations.
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Disbursements totalled $66,874.39
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The primary purpose of the Compassion Team is to address the essential needs of our church members. These needs include physical, emotional, and spiritual necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and counseling. We also extend our assistance to regular attendees and consider compassionate responses both within our community and globally.
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This year, financial hardship intensified due to continued inflationary pressures. We provided support for various needs, including food, transportation, and housing, for individuals and families. Gateway continues to partner with Shalem Mental Health Network to offer counseling services through the Church Assistance Program (CAP), which provides up to six free counseling sessions per individual. The cost of this valuable program is covered by the generous contributions to our Compassion Fund.
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The Compassion Team members who served diligently throughout the year were Bruce Davies, Janet Mohl, Marian Ratzlaff, and Phil Drijber.
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“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick in prison, and not help you?’ And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.” - Matt. 25:44-45
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Gateway Kids
We had a fantastic year with our kids at Gateway. Many made new commitments to Jesus, were baptized, and heard His voice for the first time. Our 85 dedicated team members worked hard to help kids feel connected and accepted, ensuring they could clearly hear the message of God’s love. Among these team members are our talented young leaders under 18, who have been a privilege to work with.
With a new curriculum and focus, it’s been wonderful to see our kids worship Jesus, memorize verses, and learn 12 biblical truths that reinforce their identity in Christ. We’ve fostered a culture of belonging, from sign-in to parent pick-up, centered on relationships so every child and family feels welcomed and included.
82 new families came to Gateway and visited Gateway Kids.
Christmas Musical
The Christmas Musical 2023 was incredibly special in ways that are hard to describe! It has set a high bar for our 2024 musical planning. We had 65 kids on stage and 11 rehearsal assistants. The cast demonstrated exceptional commitment, behavior, talent, and care for one another. To support families navigating the busy Thursday schedule, we opened The Hub for a light dinner before or after rehearsals, thanks to Maggie and her team. This initiative was appreciated by many families. Given the busy nature of Thursdays with worship practice and adult choir, The Hub also served as a valuable space for adult connections, with some parents using it during practices and our welcoming team engaging with them.
We had a fantastic audience response, with four performances drawing over 1,400 attendees (including kids and volunteers, who were counted once). Parking was challenging on Sunday, and some attendees viewed from the foyer due to space constraints in the auditorium. The Hub was bustling on performance days, with guests enjoying refreshments.
Our two volunteers who delivered weekly devotions, Lora Zimmerman and Melissa Snider, did a fantastic job of expanding and explaining the concepts in the music, making the songs’ messages more meaningful to the cast. Christine Matthews and her team created a visually stunning set for the kids, while Ashley and the tech team provided excellent lighting and sound. The combination of these elements made for a profoundly impactful experience, touching many hearts in diverse ways.
Forest Cliff Camp
We welcomed over 200 children to our church site for Forest Cliff Day Camp in 2023, where they learned about Jesus and had a great time. One-third of these children did not attend church regularly, while another third attended occasionally. This year, we focused intentionally on salvation. Thanks to a dedicated prayer warrior’s inquiry, we trained the camp staff to lead campers to the Lord. At our site alone, we saw 25 first-time commitments, with a total of 66 first-time commitments camp-wide. This was the first year Forest Cliff actively emphasized salvation.
Family Mission Trip
In March, we took 17 people from 7 families on our first Family Missions Trip to Costa Rica, ranging in ages from 8 to 53! Partnering with Inca Link, we assisted with ongoing projects. A highlight was being invited into a local public elementary school for three days, where we shared the salvation message and 66 children decided to accept Jesus as their Savior. From this trip, we have one new full-time missionary, two others exploring part-time or full-time missionary work in the future, and a family applying to teach at the international elementary school in Quito.
The Well
In Binbrook
Last summer at The Well, we hosted our first-ever week-long Kids Camp, forging strong connections with families in our community and celebrating seven children giving their hearts to Jesus. Our Sunday morning Kids Zone continues to thrive, with an average of 25 children attending each week, including nursery. We’ve also seen an increase in family attendance at our Sunday services, as well as at our pancake breakfast last September and church BBQs throughout the year.
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In the fall, we launched our first Life Group, bringing together five families. These weekly meetings have been pivotal in deepening relationships within our church and encouraging consistent attendance. We celebrated one baptism in November and five more in March, marking a joyous period for our church family.
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Additionally, we held our first in-person Good Friday service and a Night of Worship in June. Every week, we welcome new families and individuals from our community, many of whom have joined our mission to help people take their next step toward Jesus. We are experiencing a season of great momentum and encouragement, and we praise God for His continued provision.
An Amazing Story about
Finishing Strong
Disciple-Making
Pathway
At Gateway, our commitment to following Jesus together is central to our mission. You might be wondering, “Where do I start?” and “What is my next step?” Here’s how we answer those questions!
Step One: Alpha
Alpha provides a safe environment to explore the Christian faith and ask questions. It’s designed for those new to the faith or exploring Christianity, but we also encourage long-time Christians to attend as a refresher and to invite non-Christians or new believers. This past year, we held two Alpha sessions with over 48 people graduating, thanks to Mike and Paula Falk and their team of small group leaders, technicians, and meal providers. Additionally, we hosted Youth Alpha with over 20 teens in attendance, led by Brad Archibald and his team.
Step Two: Rooted
Rooted is a dynamic ministry based on the seven rhythms of life modeled by the early church in Acts 2. Participants meet weekly for 10 weeks and engage in two experiences: a prayer experience and a serve experience. Rooted covers similar topics to Alpha but through five weekly Bible studies followed by group discussions. Since September, we’ve hosted three Rooted courses, with two small groups completing the program, totaling 68 participants.
Step Three & Four: Story of God or Theology and the Mission of God
These steps are for those who have completed Rooted and can be taken in any order.
• The Story of God offers an epic journey through Scripture, exploring how the story of Jesus is woven throughout the Bible. This 8-session course, including a pre-course orientation and post-course celebration, helps participants understand and live out the story of Jesus. Each participant receives a workbook with daily devotions and reflection time to be completed before group sessions. Short teaching videos and group discussions help demystify the Bible and deepen daily life as followers of Jesus.
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• Theology and the Mission of God is an 8-week group discipleship experience focusing on core Christian doctrines and their practical application. Participants receive a workbook with daily devotions and reflection, and engage in teaching videos and group discussions. The course emphasizes both doctrinal understanding and practical living (Colossians 3:17).
Gateway
Groups
Our ongoing disciple-making pathway includes participation in one of our groups. This past year, over 220 people were involved in about 30 groups. These groups range from open to anyone, to those focusing on specific demographics or topics. No matter the format of the group, every group includes three priorities:
UP – Getting to know God and hearing from him through Bible study and prayer
IN – Building relationships and supporting each other through regular meetings and additional time spent together
OUT – Serving other creatively. Examples include a choir group preparing a worship concert, several groups assisting with a food drive, a group sharing the love of Jesus in downtown Hamilton, and the Pilates group rasing over $800 for a pregnancy centre.
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Interested in growing in your faith journey with others? Join a group!​​
Newcomer's Lunch & Intro to Gateway
We are excited about the many new people connecting with Gateway, both online and in person. We hosted several Newcomer’s events, with 65 people participating in one of our Intro to Gateway sessions and over 80 people attending one of the newcomer's lunches.
Food Drive
Once again this spring, dozens of volunteers dropped off fliers throughout Caledonia, then returned on Saturday, May 4 to collect food. The people of Caledonia contributed over 14,700 pounds of food for the local food banks! Thanks to Diane Norman and her team, and all who volunteered their time and energy to another successful food drive!
Griefshare
We hosted two sessions of GriefShare this year. Betty Ann Stacey reports:
“We are thrilled with what God is doing in this group! Many participants came from no church background or had no personal relationship with God, and all are planning to return in the fall. We have developed close ties with those grieving, particularly those affected by complicated grief, such as the loss of a loved one through suicide. We’re also seeing new participants and inquiries, including from a social worker seeking help for a client in Caledonia. We’re grateful for the space and resources provided to facilitate this ministry.”
The Hub
The first year of the HUB has been an incredible journey of learning and growth for many of us. Our team has developed new skills, formed new friendships, and embraced the changes that come with Gateway’s expansion. Working together has been a joy, and our commitment to making every visitor feel welcomed—whether they’re new or a regular attendee—has been unwavering.
We’ve updated our menu to reflect the seasons, with summer’s special being a refreshing Strawberry Coconut Refresher, which has been a hit. Our offerings include favorites like Egg or Chicken Salad, Grilled Cheese, Ham and Cheese, and Roast Beef. We also offer salads in the summer and soups during cooler weather.
We’ve introduced a donation option in place of tips, supporting a different charity each month. Recently, we’ve donated $442 to the Haldimand Pregnancy Centre and Parkview Compassion Ministry. This initiative allows us to contribute to meaningful causes beyond our operational costs.
The HUB has fostered numerous connections within the community. We cherish our regular couples and families, and we genuinely miss them when they’re absent. Little Mitchell’s card games with various people—sometimes from our 55+ community, other times new arrivals—highlight the joy and relationship-building happening here.
We’ve also opened the HUB for events like the Kids Musical and Thursday night practices, where families could enjoy meals and snacks, leading to valuable connections between parents and with Pastor Kendra. After the Sunday evening Spanish concert, it was wonderful to see different churches coming together and enjoying each other’s company.
Volunteer Erin shares her experience: “I’ve loved serving in the HUB. It’s been a fantastic addition to my Sundays, allowing me to learn new skills, interact with a variety of people from church, and appreciate the effort that goes into serving so many. It’s been fun and rewarding!”
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!
Gateway
Youth
The 2023/24 year was truly remarkable, marked by God’s blessings, challenges, and invaluable learning experiences. We’re grateful for the continued support that enables us to run these ministries effectively. Together, both ministries averaged around 150 students this year—by God’s grace! Each group covered a range of series and biblical topics:
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BLAST explored:
• Then & Now: Leaders shared their experiences from grades 6-8.
• Jesus Stories: Lessons from the book of John.
• Christmas Series: Emphasizing our identity in God and the ultimate gift of Jesus.
• God Knows You: Exploring God’s understanding of us.
• KNOWING: The beauty and mystery of following Jesus.
• Easter: Celebrations around the resurrection.
• Different By Design: Understanding our unique roles.
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AXIS featured:
• Youth Alpha: Kicking off the year and continuing into the new year.
• Living As A Teenager: Topics included ‘Knowing Who You Are’ and ‘Courage To Say No’.
• Testimonies from Jodie and guest speakers like Nathan Martin, Sam Arthur, and Wes Dickson.
• Easter: Celebrations and reflections.
• YWAM Visit: Testimonies and worship.
• Special Events: Including Car Push Kick-Off, Christmas Coffee House, Deeper Life Summit, Progressive Dinner, Speed Friending Night, Paramount Collaboration, and AXIS Overnight.
In both groups, we prioritized preaching the gospel and demonstrating God’s love through our words and actions. This year, we placed a strong emphasis on small groups, with AXIS meeting weekly and BLAST incorporating small groups towards the end of the year. Next year, we plan to integrate regular worship into the AXIS schedule based on the youth’s enthusiasm.
90
Students
Blast
40
Students
Axis
35
Volunteers
Leaders
45
Students
Bedlam
30
Students
Deeper Life
Summit
81
Students
Camping
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Highlights
Our year was filled with fun and memorable events:
• BLAST Highlights: Ginormous Ice-Cream Sundae Night, Grade 8 Lounges, BLAST Got Talent, Bedlam, camping, and the Lock-In.
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• AXIS Highlights: Car Push Kick-Off, Christmas Coffee House, Deeper Life Summit, Progressive Dinner, Speed Friending Night, Paramount Collaboration, and AXIS Overnight.
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• Senior High Deeper Life Summit: Three students shared their God experiences, and Tanika had her first encounter with the Holy Spirit. The event fostered great conversations and connections.
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• BLAST Lock-In: One of our best-attended Lock-Ins ever, with around 90 students participating.
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• Baptisms: Several youth, including a BLAST leader, took this significant step.
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• Leadership Teams: Both BLAST and AXIS teams showed exceptional support and dedication. Their commitment was crucial to our success.
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• Bedlam: 45 junior high students participated, enjoying deep connections and prayer.
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• AXIS Overnight: 35 students attended, enjoying archery, a message on the Holy Spirit, and worship with Corbin.
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• DLS: 30 senior high students engaged deeply in their faith, with Graham Buchanan speaking and many students stepping out in faith.
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• Camping: 81 students and 18 leaders joined, with Pastor Sam sharing the Word despite rainy weather.
We are incredibly thankful for this year and excited for what God has in store for the next!
New Youth Pastor: Sam Arthur
With immense joy and gratitude, I am excited to step into the role of Youth Pastor and begin this journey of connection and care. As the summer unfolds, I look forward to meeting and connecting with both our youth and our dedicated leaders.
I want our youth to know that they are a vital and cherished part of our church family. Each one is precious and loved by God. My goal is to create a space where they feel seen, heard, and valued. I am committed to building meaningful relationships as a pastor, friend, and mentor. Their stories and experiences matter, and I am here to listen, understand, and support them every step of the way.
Throughout the summer, I plan to connect with our youth on a personal level by grabbing coffee or pizza and simply hanging out. These one-on-one meetings will help build trust and foster deeper connections.
I am also incredibly thankful for our dedicated leaders who serve our youth with such commitment. Thank you for the warm welcome and the opportunity to serve at Gateway.
Gateway
Young Adults
The Young Adults group had an incredible year! God was at work, creating a vibrant community through worship, Bible study, and shared meals. We averaged 25 young adults on Monday nights, with a dedicated core passionate about reaching their peers for Jesus and connecting them with a community of believers.
Throughout the year, we explored various messages and series, but the standout was our “Questions” series. In this series, young adults submitted questions about life and faith, which we addressed each week. Topics ranged from salvation and sexuality to purpose, and each week we delved into God’s word for answers. A common sentiment was, “I can’t wait till next week—I hope my question will be discussed!”
While we experienced many highlights, from deep prayer moments to personal breakthroughs, the most notable was the strong sense of community that developed. Several young adults shared how this was their first time being part of a group that deeply loved Jesus.
Praise God for all He accomplished this year!
Sermon Series'
(Slide to the left for highlights)
Music
Tech & Worship
Sunday mornings at Gateway continue to be dedicated to glorifying God and uplifting His people. This is achieved through the teaching of His Word, song and praise, the Lord’s Supper, sharing of testimonies, and meaningful congregational prayer.
While these elements come together for a single service, they are supported by a number of dedicated teams. The prayer team, connecting team, worship team, and tech team all play vital roles in creating a rich Sunday morning experience.
This year, many of these teams also contributed to special events, including Christmas Eve and Easter services featuring the choir, and an evening of praise organized by our worship and tech teams. We also welcomed guest speakers and musicians such as Santiago Benavides and the Martin Brothers Collective.
In all these events and services, we recognize that none of it would be possible without the Lord’s powerful presence. With gratitude and anticipation, we look back on this year and look forward to what is to come!
Prayer Ministry
The Prayer Ministry Teams are deeply grateful for the many people who have sought prayer together this past year. As a community, we’ve shared our hardships and celebrated our joys with the Lord. We’ve seen a steady flow of people seeking prayer on Sunday mornings and a dedicated group of prayer warriors at Pray 1st. Both Praise Night and Healing Night were filled with the Holy Spirit, powerful, and well-attended. Our deliverance team has been strengthened this year with training sessions and meetings, laying a solid foundation for this ministry.
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Thank you for your ongoing support and prayer.
Highlights:
• Healing Night was a remarkable event, bringing together people of all ages to support each other in prayer and healing.
• The Sunday morning prayer team is uplifted by the numerous prayer requests submitted on connecting cards, reflecting our community’s commitment to supporting one another.
• We request your continued prayers for our Staff and Leadership teams as they navigate the many demands of ministry. Let us give all praise to our faithful Father and honor Him each day.
Women's Ministry
Women’s Ministry is thriving this year! Women’s Morning Out continues to provide a cherished space for our church’s women and mothers to connect. We’ve also introduced some exciting new initiatives: January marked the launch of Women’s Evening Out, drawing 60-70 women each month to build community and grow in Christ. The Women’s Annual Breakfast made a triumphant return, with over 150 women joining us for nourishment both physical and spiritual. This fall, we’re eagerly preparing for our first Women’s Conference at Gateway Church and are excited about what God has in store. Additionally, our new podcast on the GW website is offering further encouragement to women in our church and beyond. We’re also beginning to develop a Women’s Mentorship program.​​​​​​​​​​​ As Women’s Ministry continues to grow and serve, we ask for your prayers that it may glorify our Lord.
Highlights:
• Revival of an existing ministry and introduction of three new programs, with one more in development.
• Enhanced community and connection among participants.
• Sharing of testimonies and biblical teachings leading to growth and challenge.
• Visible desire for spiritual growth, service to the Lord, and filling with the Holy Spirit.
Facility Expansion
In November 2023, Gateway’s elders received a conceptual plan from the architect, marking a key milestone with an initial layout of our expanded space. Given the high construction costs, the board decided to form a new lead group to reassess the project’s details and scope. Thus, the Facility Expansion Team (FET) was established, comprising Mike Bosveld (Chairperson), Mike Falk (Vice Chair), Dianne Norman (Secretary), Bruce Davies (Elder Liaison), Allan Parke, George Byleveld, Abbey Wensink, and Jenny Smith.
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The FET has been diligently working, meeting bi-weekly since March 2024. Their efforts include educating themselves, addressing key questions, and preparing detailed notes for the architect to finalize essential technical changes to the design. Their primary goal is to develop a feasible expansion plan that addresses both current and future needs of our congregation.
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The team has thoroughly reviewed previous expansion plans and draft drawings, met with staff to assess ministry needs, and visited five churches with similar size and needs. They are now collaborating with the architect to create updated draft drawings, with plans to seek congregational input soon.
Given the rising costs, the FET recommends modifying the initial plan to include flexible room usage and cost-effective design elements, integrating our existing building space to minimize new square footage. The aim is to create an expanded facility that supports our children’s, youth, and adult ministries while enhancing community involvement.
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The FET is excited about the opportunity to expand our facilities and continue impacting our growing community for Christ.
Refugee Sponsorship
Gateway re-established its Refugee Sponsorship Fund in 2022, in order to raise support to bring a destitute Syrian woman to reside with friends in Hamilton. She arrived in September 2023 and is making a good adjustment to life in Canada – learning English, doing volunteer work at a church and attending Mohawk College. Gateway’s commitment of settlement support (about $16,000) for her will be completed by September 2024.
Gateway’s board approved two additional sponsorship projects in 2023. We partnered with The Well Community Church in Binbrook to help a family in Hamilton to bring their elderly mother out of desperate circumstances in Pakistan. We thank our God that this woman was reunited with her children here on July 15/24. We have also partnered with another family in Hamilton to bring a relative to Hamilton from Uganda this year. Both projects are being funded entirely by the respective families. They are dependent on Gateway and our denomination’s Refugee Branch for the project resources to develop the detailed documentation required for government approval and accounting of the funding pooled for the first year of settlement.
Gateway could not take on these projects without the participation of church volunteers who assist with the documentation and commit to faithful prayer and practical support. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bren Stacey – bren@gw.church. Your financial support is much appreciated and may be directed to Gateway’s Refugee
Sponsorship Fund.
Thank you.
“I was a stranger and you invited me in…” (Matthew 25:35)
Finance Report
The Board of Elders is so very grateful for the generosity of our church family as they support the work of reaching unbelievers, teaching new believers, training growing believers and equipping leaders at Gateway. We are also grateful for feedback from members who asked us to report more financial information related to 2023 giving and expenses and the costs of the new café. The links below will take you to our Gateway 2023 Financial Report, the Gateway Café Project Report and the Gateway 2023 Financial Statements provided by our accountants.
​​Thanks for reading and watching the videos in this annual report. If you would like to inquire about any of these evangelism and discipleship opportunities, please click HERE.This annual report has been an opportunity to look back on what God has done this year. Please join us at the Annual General Meeting on September 22 at 2pm as Pastor Steve and the Board of elders share Gateway's vision for the coming year. See you there!​