Annual Report 2024
Ministry Season: July 2024 - June 2025
“Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 4:16
DAY BY DAY
As we look back at this past year, we see encouraging indicators that God is at work among us at Gateway: more people gathering for worship, dozens declaring their faith through baptism and significant numbers engaged in our disciple making pathway and ministries for kids, youth and young adults. But keep in mind that these aren’t just soulless statistics – they represent countless small steps of faith taken by ordinary folks who are following Jesus.
Looking back, we discover that our growth in Christ often comes through steady steps as Jesus leads. That’s why the apostle Paul reminded his friends in Corinth that inwardly we can be renewed day by day. And so, our calling is to wake up every morning and ask, “How can I love Jesus more deeply and follow him more faithfully today?” As we all take these small steps of discipleship together, God takes us further than we could ever imagine!
I’ll be honest with you. Looking ahead, there’s a lot to do! We have funds to raise, ministries to grow, and facilities to expand. But it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming if we keep our eyes on Jesus and respond to the opportunities He brings our way. Day by day, walking together step by step, He will renew us, shape us and lead us into the future that He has prepared.
The pressure is off.
As you watch the video and read the reports below, celebrate with me what God has done in response to the prayer, generosity and ministry of His people who are following Jesus together. And after you have read the report, please mark your calendar so you can attend our Annual General Meeting on Sunday, September 28th at 2 p.m. in the Auditorium.
I look forward to celebrating what God has done and seeking Him together for what lies ahead.
Pastor Steve
762
Average
Attendance
67
22
18
Baptisms
Family
Dedications
New
Members
15
Weddings
Report of the Nominating Committee
Nominating Committee: This year’s Nominating Committee consisted of Bruce Davies and Jean Marcellin (who presently serve as Elders), Robin Tomlinson and Cindi Parke (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 four individuals to stand for four available positions on the Elder's Board of Gateway Church: Josh Turner, Winston Lohnes, Jarod Bebbington, and Peter Zimmerman.
Below is a brief biography of each candidate.
Josh Turner:
Josh has been connected to Gateway for the past 20 years, beginning in kids church and now worshiping alongside his wife, Alex, and their children, Haven and Malachi. Josh works as a physiotherapist and has served at Gateway in Youth, Young Adults, and Alpha. He’s passionate about discipleship and helping others deepen their walk with God. Josh enjoys reading, basketball, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Winston Lohnes:
Winston and his wife Heather have been attending Gateway for 8 years. They have been married for 22 years and have three wonderful children. Winston and Heather have both lived in Caledonia since childhood. Winston started his walk with Jesus here at Gateway church. From his passion to grow closer to God, Winston has attended the Set Free Retreat, Soul Care Retreat, Alpha Course, Rooted, and Three Crosses. He actively serves in several ministries including Gateway Kids, Facility Maintenance Team, Prayer Team, and the Deliverance Team. Winston likes to have fun, and make people laugh. Winston also enjoys going for walks, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.
Peter Zimmerman:
Pete and his wife, Lora, have been married for 15 years and are devoted members of Gateway Church, where Pete was baptized in 2007. They reside in nearby Hannon with their three children, Leah, Claire, and Samuel. Family has always been a priority for Pete and favourite activities together include anything outdoors as well as perusing a good used bookstore. He's a sports enthusiast and enjoys golfing. As a Denturist, Pete runs offices in both Caledonia and Hamilton. He has been actively involved at Gateway, previously serving on the board of elders and prayer teams, and participating in a missions trip and various small group initiatives over the years. Thankful for the community around him, he also enjoys volunteering at his kids' school.
Jarod Bebbington:
Jarod and his wife Erin live in Binbrook and have been active members of Gateway since 2005. Currently enjoying how the Lord is working in their 3 boys, Parker, Keaton, and Miles, who also serve in various ministries at Gateway. Jarod has been an elder previously, along with serving in the youth programs for many years and is also a part of various teams and special projects at Gateway. While Jarod’s day to day work is in sales and strategy management, his most cherished time is spent with his family on their many active adventures and coaching the various sports his boys play year round. Jarod and his family are passionate about being a part of Gateway and our collective journey of following Jesus together.
The Gateway Board of Elders is composed of six Elders and Pastor Steve. Continuing on the Board of Elders are Mark VanDonkersgoed and Jean Marcellin.
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 Robin Tomlinson, Cindi Parke, Bruce Davies, and Jean Marcellin
TESTIMONY: CHRIS
Missions
This past year has been an exciting season of growth and opportunity for our Missions Team. In March 2025, Gateway celebrated its first-ever Youth Mission Trip, with 17 youth and leaders traveling to Costa Rica to serve alongside Inca Link ministries. This trip, years in the making, was the result of faithful commitment from our church family and proved to be a powerful time of ministry, connection, and spiritual growth for our next generation of leaders.
In addition, Pastor Steve and Ashley visited Kevin and Carol Lim, our newest Seamless Link partners. While there, they also toured the two schools Gateway helped fund and build—witnessing firsthand the lasting impact, as well as the ongoing challenges, of supporting the gospel’s expansion in Cambodia.
We were also grateful to host Rich and Elisa Brown, missionaries with Inca Link, who spent a week with our congregation. They shared encouraging updates about the ministry’s outreach across South America and how Gateway’s involvement is making a tangible difference.
We remain deeply thankful for your prayer and financial support—both for Global Ministries and for individuals serving internationally. Please continue to pray for Erika and Graham Hynds, Charlie and Lindsey Lyons, and Jordyn and Anthony Winfield as they serve from Canada. Together, we continue to participate in the mission of reaching the unreached.
Rich & Elisa Brown
Inca Link has experienced a fruitful year, notably acquiring a soccer fields property in Ecuador to reach thousands of youth and families. The Zoe Home now supports three girls breaking cycles of dysfunction. A highlight includes sending Daniel and Nayeli to Spain to launch Inca Link’s ninth country, opening new doors for youth outreach across Latin America. Gateway’s partnership continues to support Anthony, Jordyn, and Selah as they prepare to serve in 2026.
For the full report from the Browns, please click here.
Kevin & Carol Lim
The Lims have continued their Financial Stewardship ministry in Cambodia, offering biblical financial literacy training and debt counseling. They have expanded their team with three Cambodian staff and held over 20 workshops with 600+ participants. Their ministry integrates practical education with spiritual conversations, impacting many families and individuals. The Lims express gratitude for Gateway’s ongoing support and highlight significant milestones like families breaking free from debt.
For the full report from the Lims, please click here.
Charlie Lyons
Charlie transitioned in January 2025 from legislative chaplaincy with Leading Influence to Executive Director of Greater Europe Mission Canada. His focus has shifted from ministering to elected officials in Ontario to discipling and equipping the Sending Office team and expanding partnerships with churches, donors, and seminaries nationwide. Recent ministry highlights include travel to mission gatherings and field visits in Europe, strengthening connections with missionaries and advancing GEM’s outreach. Charlie values Gateway’s faithful support in prayer and giving.
For Charlie’s full update, please click here.
Erika Hynds
Erika continues her ministry at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) with Power to Change. Despite a challenging year, including staff changes and a serious injury to a teammate, Erika led a vibrant campus ministry. Highlights include new believers, growing discipleship groups, and a successful missions trip to Honduras where her team served in medical, construction, and education roles. Over 20 students regularly attend weekly gatherings, with many actively sharing their faith. Erika expresses deep gratitude for the church’s partnership and continues to send regular ministry updates.
For Erika’s full update, please click here.
Anthony & Jordyn Winfield
The Winfield family serves with Inca Link International, focusing on reaching youth in Latin America. Jordyn works as a Global Outreach Coach, training and equipping outreach teams and national leaders. Recently, Jordyn and Anthony accepted an invitation to serve on the field in Costa Rica for one year, where Anthony will lead a construction project aimed at community development and discipleship. They are currently about 78% funded and seeking prayer and financial support to reach their goal before deployment. Jordyn welcomes conversations with anyone interested in learning more about their vision.
COSTA RICA YOUTH
MISSION TRIP RECAP
Highlights
# of Attendees
28
65+
31
Theology & the Mission of God
55+
Barbecue
Newcomers
Lunch
12
60
?
130+
Story of God
Alpha
Holy Spirit Weekend
79
Rooted
37
Intro to Gateway
1143
Easter Service
CompassionTeam
The Compassion Team continues to assist our church in caring for people experiencing hardship and need. In 2025, a total of $63,128.31 was given to the Compassion Fund, with disbursements totaling $80,424.88.
The primary purpose of the Compassion Team is to help ensure that the essential needs of every church member are met. These primary needs include those necessary for physical, emotional, and spiritual survival: food, shelter, clothing, transportation, counselling, and more. Assistance may also be extended to regular attendees, and compassionate responses may be considered within our broader community and globally.
This year, ongoing inflationary pressures caused financial hardship for many. The amount given out in 2025 is the highest ever disbursed in a reporting period. Assistance was provided to address needs related to food, transportation, and housing for individuals and families alike. The Compassion Team is deeply grateful for the generous support of our church family that makes this vital ministry possible.
Serving on the Compassion Team throughout the year were Bruce Davies, Janet Mohl, Marian Ratzlaff, and Phil Drijber
“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
Gateway Kids
2025 was an exciting year for Gateway Kids as we witnessed God at work in the lives of children and families. Each Sunday morning during the first two services, we offered weekly programming where kids grew in their understanding of God’s love. We hosted two Salvation Sundays, giving children the opportunity to clearly hear and respond to the Gospel. Many made the decision to follow Jesus, and several took the step of baptism.
A highlight of this year was the launch of the Gateway Kids Prayer Group, where children met monthly with Pastor Kendra and another leader to learn about prayer and spend time talking with God together.
Our Grade 4/5 class welcomed missionaries Jordyn and Anthony Winfield, and throughout the year, kids participated in four intergenerational services—helping them engage in the larger church family as they prepare to transition into Grade 6.
We were intentional about fostering family connections. In July and August, we hosted two family swim events at the Caledonia Lions Pool, with more than 250 attending. In December, families gathered again for a church-wide skating event in Hagersville.
This year we also introduced a monthly Bible verse program, encouraging kids to memorize Scripture and apply it to their lives. Families received verse cards twice during the year, and both parents and volunteers were invited to model scripture memory alongside the kids. A special fall event helped parents of young children understand why ages five and six are such a key window for memorizing God’s Word.
We celebrated 22 child dedications, with families committing to raise their children in faith. Two parent nights were held to equip and encourage families as they took this important step.
Our leadership team met regularly, gathered three times for prayer, and hosted two training events to invest in our volunteers’ skills and passion. We also supported families in significant life moments, delivering grief bags with helpful resources and baby welcome packages that included a children’s Bible, a handmade blanket, baking, a gift card, and encouraging materials for new parents.
72 new families came to Gateway and visited Gateway Kids.
Christmas Musical
In December 2024, Gateway Kids presented Jingle Bell Beach, our 24th annual kids’ musical. Sixty-five children from 40 families participated as cast members, supported by more than 30 dedicated volunteers. Official attendance for the four performances totaled 1,380, though accounting for repeat attendees, we estimate that around 1,100 people experienced the musical.
This ministry is about more than the performances—it’s about building lasting relationships. Throughout rehearsals, families were encouraged through weekly emails and children were affirmed and supported by leaders. Volunteers also prayed faithfully for their assigned group of six to seven cast members. Out of this intentional care, a small girls’ group formed and began meeting monthly through the winter and spring.
The lasting impact of this ministry was beautifully seen when one long-time cast member shared her testimony during a baptism service, speaking of how the musical had been a catalyst for her and her father to return to church after the loss of her mother. This reminder of lives being drawn closer to Jesus affirms the heart behind why we do what we do—helping families encounter the God who loves them.
Forest Cliff Camp
Forest Cliff Day Camp returned for its fourth year, welcoming more than 200 kids. Students in Grades 6–8 participated in the ACT leadership program, and 24 counselors were billeted in Gateway homes. Two family ice cream socials during camp provided opportunities to strengthen the bridge between church and home. Forest Cliff also partnered with us again at Fall Fun Day, blessing both our church family and our community.
The Well
In Binbrook
The past year at The Well Community Church, our church plant in Binbrook, has been marked by growth, impact, and God’s steady faithfulness. From welcoming new families and celebrating baptisms to launching a new Junior Youth ministry, we have seen momentum build across every area of ministry. As we continue to expand our outreach, God has been opening doors for connection and greater community impact.
This year we were especially encouraged by our first-ever kids’ Christmas musical, Angels Aware, which brought the message of Jesus to a full house. Our Kids Zone continues to thrive, and Kids Camp and seasonal events have helped us build relationships with dozens of families from the surrounding community.
Behind the scenes, important steps have been taken to strengthen our foundations. We clarified ministry structures, trained new leaders, and made significant progress toward obtaining charitable status. We also fully funded our first local summer internship, equipping a student to serve across kids and community ministries.
In June, Pastor Kevin and his son travelled to Senegal to connect with our Seamless Link partners, Mike and Nikki Howell, beginning to pray and plan toward a future team trip.
It has been a year of deepening roots and widening reach. We are grateful for God’s continued faithfulness and for Gateway’s partnership and support as we grow as a developing church.
2024/25 Highlights
22 kids participated in our first-ever Christmas musical, with over 200 in attendance
Over 50 kids attended and/or served at Kids Camp 2024
Junior Youth ministry launched for Grades 5–8
100+ visitors at our Christmas Eve service
2 baptisms celebrated this past year
Part-time Worship Director hired in June 2025
Summer 2024
Kids Camp 2024: Over 50 kids joined us for a week of games, music, crafts, and Bible stories. We were encouraged to see both returning families and many new families engage.
Picnic in the Park: In its 7th summer, this weekly initiative at the local splash pad offered free coffee, popsicles, crafts, and connection. It continues to create meaningful opportunities for spiritual conversations and community engagement.
Internship Program: Our church family fully funded a summer internship, which provided hands-on ministry experience in Sunday services, Kids Camp, and community outreach.
Sunday Worship
In August, we ran our annual At The Movies series, a creative and accessible way to engage families following our summer outreach initiatives.
An Amazing Story about
HOPE
Disciple-Making
Pathway
Our Disciplemaking Pathway is designed to help individuals explore faith, whether they are just beginning their journey with Jesus or have been following Him for many years and want to deepen their commitment. The Pathway offers a clear, intentional four-step process:
Step One: Alpha
A multi-week course that creates a friendly, open space where people can discuss life’s big questions. This year, 60 people completed the Alpha course, engaging in honest conversations about faith and life.
Step Two: Rooted
A 10-week course that invites participants to connect deeply with God, church, community, and their purpose. Whether new or long-time followers of Jesus, Rooted offers transformative experiences. This past year, 79 people completed the course.
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: Designed for those who have completed Rooted, this nine-session study explores the overarching redemptive narrative of Scripture, tracing Jesus’s story from Genesis to Revelation. It aims to remove the intimidation around reading the Bible and replace it with passionate understanding. Twelve people completed this course last year.
• Theology and the Mission of God: Another follow-up course after Rooted, focusing on both “word and deed” (Colossians 3:17). It balances doctrinal teaching with practical mission, completed by 28 people in the past year.
Gateway
Groups
Small groups continue to be a vital part of our community life at Gateway Church. Over the past year, we have had approximately 25 active small groups with over 200 participants involved in various Bible studies, fellowship, and accountability gatherings. These groups provide a supportive environment for spiritual growth, connection, and mutual encouragement.
When including those engaged in the Disciplemaking Pathway, we see over 300 people following Jesus together in small group settings throughout the year. The number of groups fluctuates as some start and others conclude, reflecting the natural rhythm of community life.
A key priority for the coming year is to expand our small group ministry by encouraging more people to host groups, particularly those who have completed the Disciplemaking Pathway. Hosting a group is a powerful way to serve the church family and deepen one’s own faith journey.
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 37 people participating in one of our Intro to Gateway sessions and over 31 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 3 to collect food. The people of Caledonia contributed over 16,378 pounds of food for the local food banks! Thanks to Maggie Dowdell and her team, and all who volunteered their time and energy to another successful food drive!
The Hub
The Hub has completed a full year of operation as of June 2025 and has become a vibrant space for community connection. It serves as a meeting place where people gather to play games, connect across generations, and enjoy fellowship. Kids often draw in participants of all ages, creating a lively, intergenerational atmosphere.
Others use The Hub to meet friends, catch up with church members they don’t see during the week, or welcome new people with coffee and conversation.
We have had approximately $16,000 in gross sales, which cover operational costs. Free coffee is always available, or visitors are welcome to bring their own. Generous tips and donations totaling nearly $1,700 have been directed to support the Haldimand Pregnancy Centre and Parkview Community Church outreach programs—thank you for your generosity.
Our team of volunteers loves welcoming everyone to The Hub and joining in conversations when not busy serving. Come visit us—you’ll find a warm, welcoming place to connect!
Gateway
Youth
The 2024/2025 ministry year has been an incredible season of growth, discipleship, and spiritual hunger among our young people. We are deeply thankful for the ways God is moving through our youth ministries. From moments of worship to meaningful conversations about faith, students are encountering Jesus in powerful and life-changing ways.
This year, both Blast (Grades 6–8) and Axis (Grades 9–12) have seen strong engagement. Blast welcomed an average of 166 students each week, while Axis consistently gathered 73 students. Together, we ministered to an average of 239 students weekly. Both groups grew in their spiritual walk through Biblical teaching, small groups, discussion, and worship.
Teaching Series
Blast: Foundations (Jesus as our cornerstone and source of life), Can I Ask That? (challenging questions about God and faith), and Christmas (focusing on Jesus as Savior and Redeemer).
Axis: Soul Care (identity, overcoming fears, forgiveness), Expository Teaching from John, and Rhythms of Grace. Guest speakers Ron Oppertshauser, Brian Osborne, and Aaron Oppertshauser also contributed to the teaching ministry.
The gospel was central to every message, and students were consistently pointed to the love of Jesus. With growing numbers, Blast was divided into two groups to create space for more students to connect in small groups. These groups remain a safe place where students feel encouraged to ask honest questions and explore faith together.
Spiritual Growth & Worship
One of the most exciting developments this year has been the increasing passion for worship among Axis students. Many expressed a desire for extended times of worship, reflecting their deep hunger for God’s presence. In addition, discipleship-focused programs—Rooted (25 students), The Story of God (14 students), and Youth Alpha (31 students)—created intentional spaces for students to go deeper in their understanding of Jesus.
Mission & Outreach
In March, 9 students and 3 leaders participated in a youth mission trip to Costa Rica, serving with joy and boldness alongside Inca Link ministries. This was a significant step of faith for our students and a highlight of the year.
Fun & Community
Alongside spiritual growth, our youth shared many fun and memorable experiences: Blast enjoyed events like the Ginormous Ice Cream Sundae Night, Grade 8 Lounges, Blast Got Talent, Bedlam, and Camping. Axis highlights included the Christmas Coffee House, Deeper Life Summit, Progressive Dinner, Paramount Collaboration, and Axis Overnight.
Highlights
Our year was filled with fun and memorable events:
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Deeper Life Summit (DLS): 33 students attended (up from 29 in 2023), growing deeper in worship and their walk with Jesus.
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Blast Lock-In: 77 students participated, strengthening friendships and connections with leaders.
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Baptisms: 17 students were baptized—an incredible testimony of young lives choosing to follow Jesus.
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Bedlam: 47 junior high students attended (up from 35 in 2023), a time of worship, fun, and discipleship.
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Axis Overnight: 50 students attended (up from 35 in 2023), sharing meals, games, worship, and teaching.
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Camping Weekend: 81 students attended (up from 75 in 2023), with powerful times of worship and teaching.
We are incredibly thankful for this year and excited for what God has in store for the next!
Gateway
Young Adults
Our Young Adults Ministry, averaging 25 in attendance on Mondays, continues to provide a vital space for those in their late teens to early thirties to connect, grow in faith, and build meaningful relationships. Throughout the year, this ministry has offered a variety of gatherings—from informal hangouts and discussion nights to service opportunities and prayer gatherings—that foster community and spiritual growth.
The ministry strives to support young adults as they navigate the challenges of early adulthood, helping them to ground their identity in Christ and discover their unique calling. With an emphasis on discipleship, mentorship, and authentic fellowship, the ministry has been a place where many have found encouragement and accountability.
We’re thankful for the faithful leaders and volunteers who invest their time and hearts into this ministry, making it a welcoming and spiritually nourishing environment for young adults at Gateway.
Sermon Series'
(Slide to the left for highlights)
Music
Tech & Worship
What an honor and joy it has been this year to worship God together as a church family at Gateway! Our Sunday mornings have been filled with heartfelt praise and moments of opening God’s Word.
We introduced several new songs this year, including ‘I Believe’ by Phil Wickham and ‘Echo’ by Charity Gayle. Notably, ‘I Believe’ tied with ‘Christ Be Magnified’ as our top songs for 2024-2025, both rich with worshipful praise to Christ.
Our sermon series have covered a broad range of Scripture and themes. Highlights include the September kickoff series “Who Is Your King?” where we explored the lives of Israel’s kings in 1st and 2nd Kings, and the New Year series “Jesus in Dialogue,” which examined Jesus’s teachings alongside the founders of other world religions to emphasize the truth of His words.
Easter was a significant celebration this year, marked by a single combined service at the Riverside Center with 1143 in attendance, followed by baptisms down at the river. This gathering was a powerful reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and the transformative impact of His resurrection. We thank all those involved—tech, worship, kids ministry, and more—for making this a special time of community worship.
We remain grateful for how God is moving in our midst and are excited to continue growing in worship together.
CARE TEAM
The Care Team at Gateway Church has served faithfully throughout the past year with a dedicated group of four members. Our mission is to reach out with compassion and encouragement to individuals connected with our church community, including newcomers, those who are unwell, elderly individuals, and anyone who specifically requests a visit through our Sunday morning connection cards.
Over the course of the year, the team completed approximately 30 visits. Each visit is an opportunity to extend the love of Christ in a personal and tangible way. Often, we bring baked goods to share during our time together.
These visits focus on encouragement, prayer, and blessing—taking time to listen, care, and be present with each person. It has been a joy and privilege to connect in this meaningful way, and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve the body of Christ through this ministry.
We look forward to continuing this important work in the coming year, trusting God to lead us in showing His love through simple acts of kindness and care.
Women's Ministry
What an incredible year for Women’s Ministry! This ministry has continued to expand its reach within the church and the wider community, creating a Christ-centered space where women support and encourage each other in their faith journeys.
We have witnessed many “God moments” that reveal the Holy Spirit’s active presence—whether through unexpected encounters, timely words of encouragement, or women joining Gateway after connecting with our programs. Powerful testimonies continue to inspire and remind us of God’s goodness.
Key highlights from the year include:
Women’s Morning Out: A welcoming weekly gathering averaging 8-12 women, alongside 10-15 children, fostering community and spiritual growth.
Women’s Breakfast: This event fed over 180 women both physically and spiritually. Fifteen men served, special guest speakers encouraged attendees, and a prayer tunnel offered a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit.
Women’s Evening Out: Monthly gatherings averaging 30-40 women, featuring guest speakers, testimonies, worship nights, ice cream socials, and more—helping build connection and spiritual encouragement.
Women’s Conference: Our annual conference drew over 300 women, including many from the community. It challenged and equipped attendees to walk in faith through life’s storms. The conference team is already planning for another impactful event.
Women’s Podcast: Available on the Gateway website, the podcast offers deeper encouragement through interviews with guest speakers and women from our church.
Looking ahead, this fall we’re launching a Women’s Mentorship Program, including mentor training and matching, as well as a Women’s Bible Study. We hope to see more Women’s Small Groups form but are currently seeking hosts and volunteers to support this growth.
Please continue to pray for this ministry as it glorifies the Lord and nurtures women in their faith.
Facility Expansion
Over the past year, the Facility Expansion Team (FET) has been meeting bi-weekly to explore Gateway’s space needs and propose a sustainable, future-ready solution. Guided by the theme “Wider and Deeper,” the team has prayerfully and thoughtfully evaluated our existing constraints, toured other churches for inspiration, and worked closely with architects, professionals, and church leadership.
Key constraints include land-use restrictions from the Grand River Conservation Authority and potential archaeological limitations to the north. Meanwhile, current church growth is already stretching our capacity, and anticipated future neighborhood developments and regional population growth further underscore the need for expanded facilities.
After reviewing multiple concepts, including various additional options, the team proposed at the June 14 Vision Casting Event the construction of a new, beautiful, and efficient two-storey church on the east hill. Stage 1 would include only the completion of the main floor, accommodating our core ministries while allowing for future phased development. The estimated cost for Stage 1 is $18–24 million, with the intent to finish the second floor in the future at an estimated cost of $2–4 million. The FET acknowledged that such a project would require significant capital campaign support to be feasible without impacting ongoing ministry—a key topic of feedback following the visioning event.
This proposal is designed to maximize long-term value, minimize disruption to current ministries, and create potential revenue through future uses of both the new and existing buildings. The FET gathered congregational feedback through several channels, organized and reviewed the input, and has shared that information with the board for consideration.
Refugee Sponsorship
Gateway Church has a well-established history of sponsoring refugees dating back to 2016, when we welcomed a Syrian family of four to Hamilton.
In 2022, we partnered with a local group to bring a destitute Syrian woman to settle with expatriate friends. She has since transitioned well into independent life—attending school, learning English, writing a book, and working locally.
Inspired by these experiences, Gateway has supported two additional refugee sponsorships in 2023: an elderly Afghani woman reunited with her children in Hamilton in July 2024, and a young Ethiopian man hoping to join relatives here in 2025.
These sponsorships are primarily funded by the families themselves, covering the first year’s settlement costs.
Currently, the Afghan family we support is seeking help with the son’s fiancée’s asylum application. Again, they have provided the necessary settlement funds.
Please pray that these families will come to know Jesus through their involvement with Gateway. If you feel led to serve with our refugee sponsorship team (Amy and Raj Singh and Bren), please reach out to bren@gw.church.
Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you invited me in…” (Matthew 25:35). Let us live this out together.
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. The links below will take you to the Treasurer's Report and the Gateway 2024 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 28 at 2pm as Pastor Steve and the Board of elders share Gateway's vision for the coming year. See you there!