Reverend Wendell Gibbs, M.Div.

Interim Pastor

 

Direct line: 416-977-5877

Email: w_gibbs@rogers.com

 

 

Greetings!

 

We encourage all to offer their time, energy and skills to serve and do good will as neighborly community members. But it is more than being a good neighbor, it is Christ's command in Luke 10:27, when He said: "Love your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself."

 

In the advent of the 21st century, the church is called to re-examine its Mission Theology as it is now faced with the structuring of postmodernist systems and beliefs. The concept of being 'missional' seems like stating the obvious -- that the church's mission is to reconcile humanity with God. As it is currently used, a missional church seems more of a return to our biblical mission and a reaction against the church growth and mega church movement. Interestingly enough, the word 'church' has been so misrepresented that it can refer to a building or people. However the church (ekklesia) that Jesus told Peter He will build in Matthew (16:18), is His body of believers, Christians.

 

We structure our life around being a sent community instead of a vendor of services. That means that our mission at First Baptist must be fully owned by the whole community, not just the few who provide programs to meet the needs of others. Worship must not be something people attend but must be the gathering of the praise and adoration in our service to God and the community. Evangelism must not be member recruitment but genuine gospel journalism, reporting the good news of the Kingdom and giving the gospel away. This is the postmodern world we live in and it means that story becomes more important than doctrine. The community is not interested in what we believe, but why we believe it and "our acting must be a natural outgrowth of being." (The Church and the Kingdom of God by Peter Kuzmic)

 

We hope you share the journey with us as we seek to live out this good news -- new life that's possible for all people, through Jesus Christ.

 

 

Here is a more about my life experience and passions.

 

Life Story

• Born in Trinidad, West Indies
• Immigrated to Canada in 1974
• Motivated and inspired from a family of 11 siblings
• Married for over 21 years to Rosil Gibbs-Burnett
• Proud father of two teens, Brandon and Brittney
• Committed follower of Jesus since 1983

Education/Accreditation

• An Ordained Minister with the Church Triumphant Assemblies of Canada
• Master of Divinity Degree acquired at Tyndale University College and Seminary
• Engineering Technologist Diploma acquired at DeVry Institute of Technology

Pastoral Ministry Experience

• 30 years of ministry/church experience - youth leader, board member, Promise Keepers ambassador, community advocate, and pastor
• Assistant pastor at Heron Park Baptist Church, serving in a multicultural setting and helping the church reflect the goals and needs of a rapidly changing community.
• Operational director for Christian Leaders Pastor's Network, a Toronto-based ministry dedicated to community transformation, reconciliation, and unity within the body of Christ.
• Officer of African Canadian Christian Network
• Board member and Administrative Director of Mission GTA Pastor's Network, responsible for coordinating the ministry's bi-monthly leaders prayer meeting held at Toronto's City Hall Council Chambers
• Chaplaincy - served at Toronto Police 43 Division and currently serves at Centenary Hospital in Scarborough

Special Interests and Skills

• Coaching and mentorship to youth through sports, especially soccer and basketball, involved at local school, house league and city association levels
• Community leadership support which includes coordinating community and church/ministry programs and relations
• Experienced musician (vocalist, drums and saxophones)