About Us
Who We Are
The Gathering Place is a church in Airdrie, Alberta. We are part of the Mennonite Brethren denomination. Our community of believers is led by a staff of committed and passionate learners:
Administration
- Tandy Balson (Bulletin and Announcements)
- Karen Kuzyk (Office Administration)
Board of Management
- Mary Ann Ng (Treasurer)
- Gina Horwood (Chairperson)
- Chris Ng (Special Projects)
Children’s Ministry
- Charlotte Hudson (Director)
Church Coordinators
- Mac Horwood (Set Up)
- Mark Johnas (Sound/Audio)
- Josh Murphy (Visuals/Communication)
- Vacant (Hospitality)
- Vacant (Ushers)
Elders
- Brian Balson (Chairperson)
- Mark Clark
- Ben Terlesky (Interim Pastor)
- Jason Van Dellen
Small Groups
- Mac & Gina Horwood (Tuesday - Mixed)
- Vacant (Wednesday)
- Vacant (Thursday)
- Ben & Sandy Terlesky (Friday - Mixed)
Youth
- Scott and Shauna Cowan (currently absent on year-long missions venture)
Website Administrator
- Karen Kuzyk (in training)
- Elbowroom Design
Worship Arts
- Andy Dyck (Coordinator)
- Ben Terlesky
What We Believe
Purpose Statement:
“Living like Family: Loving like Jesus!”
Vision Statement
To be known in the community of Airdrie . . . as a safe and welcoming “Gathering Place” for people who are sincerely desiring to know Jesus Christ better, where the joy of loving friendship is experienced by each person who attends, and shared with the community at large so as to positively affect the City of Airdrie for this time and eternity.
EXPLORE – THE WONDER OF CHRIST
EXPERIENCE – THE JOY OF COMMUNITY
EQUIP – THE FAMILY FOR SERVICE
ENGAGE – THE WORLD WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS
Core Values:
- Living every day passionately committed to Jesus Christ
- Sharing God’s story and our story
- Hearing and speaking life giving truth
- Experiencing the power of prayer in our lives
- Embracing unmistakable loving relationships
- Knowing authentic community
- Seeing the power of God as we serve others
- Tasting the unique flavour of celebration
- Multiplying leaders and reproducing churches
Faith Statement:
We believe in God as eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created and sustains the universe. The eternal purpose of God the Father is to create a people who will bring glory to God forever. God alone is worthy of worship.
We believe that God became human in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to restore the world because humans have rejected God in disobedience. Jesus taught and modeled the way of God’s kingdom. He died on the cross, making it possible for us to accept a renewed relationship with God. He rose from the dead, broke the power of sin and death, and frees us to live in obedience to God’s will.
We believe that God the Holy Spirit invites all people to be reconciled with God and to join the global family of faith. Believers confess their faith, are baptized, and join in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and guided by the Bible, members of the church seek to live as followers of Christ and invite others to experience this new life.
As Christians, we are called to turn:
- From ignorance of God to a personal relationship with God.
- From bondage of sin and past mistakes to freedom, forgiveness, and healing.
- From individualism to interdependence with others in the local church.
- From lifestyle choices that harm us, others, and the earth to choices that nurture wholeness, healing, joy and peace
- From hating enemies and ignoring neighbors to showing love and justice to all.
- From loving possessions to sharing with all in need.
- From aimless existence to a mission of representing and proclaiming God’s kingdom on earth.
As Christians we look forward to the day when God will once again send Jesus to bring all things under God’s eternal rule.
Why Our Church Exists
We were inspired by a couple verses from the book of Matthew. To us, these verses meant that we need to be doing everything we can to let people know about Christ.
The Great Commandment
Jesus said: ” Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Matthew 22:36-40
The Great Commission
Jesus said: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
- Matthew 28:19-20
Our Work in Airdrie
The Gathering Place aims to meet the needs of the community around us. We offer a time of worship, learning and fellowship every Sunday at 10:00 am at St. Martin de Porres High School. Throughout the week, we open our homes for friends and strangers to spend some time talking, laughing, studying the Word and praying. You can find us on Sundays at 410 Yankee Valley Blvd (click here for a map), and you can click here for more info on our small groups.
Beyond Airdrie
We think that sharing the love of Christ with friends and neighbours here in Airdrie is important, but that it shouldn’t end with our town. As a church, we want to take Christ’s call to “make disciples of all nations” seriously.
We partner with MBMS International to pray for and support many different international missionaries. Details of the countries and projects are available on the MBMS website.
From our own congregation and beyond:
Peter and Jennifer Brassington
Please pray for our Wycliffe Missionaries in Calgary that God would continue to bless and encourage their ministry and for future plans. Please check out the Brassington’s blog.
Jessica Richards
Currently working in Thailand, you can read all about Jessica’s lessons, thoughts and adventures on Jessica’s blog.
Individual members of the church also actively share in mission work through prayer, encouragement and financial support to people and projects in many parts of the world including:
Uganda, Philippines, Thailand, Mexico,
…and of course Airdrie, Calgary, and a few other parts of Canada!
