Thank you for taking the time to check out the Living Faith website. I'd like to take the opportunity just to tell you a little about the church, its history, and what really matters to us here at LFCC.

OUR HISTORY

The church was founded in 1996 by Rev. Kees and Faith Tengnagel, Ontario natives who have a heart to see people's lives impacted by the power of God through the Word of God, particularly in leading them along the path from religion and tradition to the uncompromising Word of God, helping them to walk by faith (www.acofm.org). The Tengnagels have planted 6 churches in Ontario, including this one, and are currently pastoring Niagara Living Faith Church in Niagara Falls (http://www.icaboodlesites.com/niaglivingfaith). Pastor Kees still sits on the Board of Directors of LFCC.

Once established by the Tengnagels, the church has been led by Pastor Jim Price, and most recently by Pastor Kevin Vaughn and his wife Anissa. Having served the church since 2000, they felt led by the Holy Spirit to move on in answering God's call for their lives. I became pastor here at the start of February 2007. For more information about my background and testimony, please click the pastor link above.

OUR CHURCH

Living Faith Christian Church would be described as a non-denominational, evangelical, charismatic, full gospel church. What does all that mean, I hear you ask?

• Well, by non-denominational, I mean that we are not affiliated with any of the well-known mainline denominations. We do, however, belong to a fellowship of churches under the umbrella of A Case of Faith Ministries (ACOFM), and I am also personally ordained with the Association of Faith Churches and Ministers (AFCM).
• By evangelical, I mean that we attest to the authority of Scripture as inspired by God Himself. We believe that if God said it, then it's good enough for us! And we wholeheartedly believe that He did. His Word is relevant, accurate, and practical, and we take it to be our final authority in matters of doctrine, morality and truth.
• By charismatic, sometimes referred to as Spirit-filled, I mean that we receive the Holy Spirit as our teacher and guide. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as God's New Testament empowerment for His people to enable them to serve and represent Him.
• By full gospel, I mean that we believe that Jesus showed us in the gospels what a Christian was supposed to look like. So our aim is to grow more like Jesus everyday, but also that it is our responsibility to continue the work He started here on earth 2000 years ago, and which was continued by His apostles in the book of Acts. So, we expect to see souls saved, bodies healed, captives released, blind eyes opened, and we expect to hear God speak to us in meaningful ways through His Word and by His Holy Spirit.

WHAT MATTERS TO US?

In Old Testament times, names were very important. A name represented a person, and in time they came to have specific meanings. So, for example, Abraham means 'Father of Many Nations.' So, you can see why God changed His name from Abram ('exalted father'). Similarly, Job means 'afflicted,' Jesus comes from Yeshua / Joshua meaning 'Yahweh is Salvation,' and Jamie comes from James which in turn comes from Jacob, meaning 'supplanter,' because he stole his older brother Esau's birthright.

Now the name 'Living Faith Christian Church' to me incorporates what we stand for as follows:

LIVING - meaning 'alive' - Church should be full of life, heart and hunger for God and His Word. Preaching should be relevant, practical and inspiring. Our services should be memorable, our worship should be passionate and our people should be contagious.

FAITH - meaning 'firmly persuaded' - We are uncompromisingly Bible-believing: all of it. We are called to walk by faith, believing a God who deserves and has earned the right to be believed.

CHRISTIAN - meaning 'of Christ' - We are Christ-centred in all our activities: prayer, worship and devotion

CHURCH - meaning 'gathering of God's people' - A people united in serving Jesus.
Church is about relationship: We 'do life' together.
Church is about discipleship: We grow in maturity together.
Church is about reaching out: We draw others to Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Healer and Lord.

A CLOSING WORD

So, in short, at Living Faith, we believe that the world's only hope is Jesus. So, we serve God seriously. It matters to us, and you matter to us.

If you are new to the area and need a church family where you can learn, grow and make friends, then please come and check us out.

If you know the Lord but have fallen away, become discouraged, even rebelled, then the voice of God is drawing you back. Please come and introduce yourself; we serve a God who is able to meet your needs, even heal your hurts.

If you are earnestly searching, looking for God, for meaning, for hope, then again, please visit us. No-one is judging you; no-one is staring at you. The Bible says that if you will seek God, you will find Him (or perhaps, He will find you!) Please feel free to call, email, drop b y or come to one of our services, where we trust that you will find the answers you are looking for.

Thank you for reading, and hope to see you soon!

Yours in His service,

Jamie Cox
Pastor

Email: pastor@livingfaithcc.org