This is Us - PORTICO in the 1990s

THIS IS US:

celebrating

50 years of god’s faithfulness

the history of portico community church

1990s

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

1

Table of Contents Introduction

3

1992

4

1993

5

1995

7

1999

8

Credits

9

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

2

Introduction REACHING OUT IN LOVE Under the leadership of Pastor Evon Horton, the 1990s were marked by a congregation reaching out in love to the local community. Efforts to expand its reach started with an informal church name change and continued through largescale musical productions, a new Ministry Training Center, and more robust youth programs. From the church stage to the television set, people near and far were broadcast an open invitation to come and begin a journey with Jesus.

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

3

1992 Pastor Ken Birch resigned having served six years. Evon Horton stepped into the role as Senior Pastor after having served almost three years as Assistant Pastor.

During this era, MGT became informally known and promoted as MGT Family Church as a means of identifying the focus of ministry being offered to the community.

“ “

Pastor Evon Horton was the senior pastor when we came. He had an incredible vision for community outreach. That was so important to him.”

– Paul and Nancy Woodley

Pastor Evon Horton was my teddy bear.

He constantly made sure we were okay.”

Worship at one of two Sunday services

– Ruth Sorhaindo

Pastor Ken & Shirley Birch, serving the church from 1986-1992

Evon Horton and his wife, Deborah, serving as Senior Pastor from 1992-2000

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

Children’s Sunday School at MGT Family Church

4

1993 Under Pastor Horton’s leadership, MGT continued to grow and garner influence in the community through Christmas and Easter productions and relationships with church and civic leaders.

A second five-year plan emphasized the leading of the Holy Spirit, intentional relationship building, caring for one another, effective ministry in the community, and growth in missions.

“

For Pastor Horton, the way to do outreach was through musicals. The one in particular Two from Galilee was absolutely amazing.

We did it for a number of years. There were goats, sheep, and other animals.

It was interesting to watch a live donkey come down the center of the aisle. We ran everything to the best of our abilities, with excellence as unto God, and showed lots of enthusiasm about the music and what message we were getting across.”

“

At the time, a lot of people were into live theater, and people connected musically with our production. We had about 12,000 people come to see it. The aisles were filled with extra seats.”

– Leigh and Carol Walsh

– Paul Woodley

Two From Galilee cast and live donkey

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

Two From Galilee program cover

5

1993 With People on the Way, many of the church’s musicals were taped by Roger Local Cable Outlet then put on television, as one more means of bringing people to church and into that personal relationship with Christ.

“

Pastor Evon Horton was working with the people at Rogers– a program showing local community television, introducing and interviewing different people with the church.

It was another one of those opportunities to reach out to the community.”

– Leigh and Carol Walsh

Evon Horton with People on the Way

Church musical

The production of The Greatest Gift

The taping of Home for Christmas

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

6

1995 The church initiated a series of large-scale ministry initiatives, including the sponsorship of Spanish, Egyptian, and Chinese churches and the establishment of a Ministry Training Center for pastors-in-training.

Arabic Church

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

Chinese Church

7

1999 Youth ministry deepened its offerings with the launch of Ignite camp for junior high students. VBS increased growth, reaching upwards to 750 children and their parents in the community each year.

“

The church has been the center of my life. It is where I’ve gotten to experience the different ministries: the youth, the arts… We are still looking forward to what’s next. There will be more changes and more opportunities to meet more people and see the Lord do different things. We couldn’t be happier.”

– Leigh and Carol Walsh

Fun in the sun at Ignite Camp

Ignite Camp for junior high students

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

Crossfire program for junior high students

8

SPECIAL THANKS TO: SENIOR PASTOR

Doug Rhind EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Amitabh Singh WRITERS

Bethany Talbert Doug Rhind GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jabelle Micu Christina Cook LOGO GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Christina Cook Joan Stoddard RESEARCH TEAM

James Craig/PAOC Archives Amitabh Singh Paul Woodley Nancy Woodley Danielle Sawh Helen Aello Beverly Graham David Graham

SueAnn Fennelly Chris Atkins Ronald Jacob Silvia Martin STILL PHOTOGRAPHS

James Craig/PACO Archives Paul & Nancy Woodley Enn & Silvia Martin Gabriel & Dianne Sawh Denise Peltomaki Helen Aello Terry & Melissa Bone Colleen Clark Evelyn Degazon Joan Morin Marg Salamat Barb Parkinson Gord & Rollande Jones Jerry & Marlene Bergman Bill Dupley Hana Elzohiry SCANNING OF PHOTOS

Juliet Nakamura SueAnn Fennelly

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

9

OUR MISSION

Helping people find their way back to God! CAMPUSES

CONTACT US

Brampton 7585 Financial Drive (inside École Jeunes Sans Frontières) Brampton, ON L6Y 5P4

Milton 45 Bruce Street (inside Milton Christian School) Milton, ON L9T 2L5

905.826.9612 info@porticocanada.ca porticocanada.ca

Español 1814 Barbertown Road Mississauga, ON L5M 2M5

Streetsville 1814 Barbertown Road Mississauga, ON L5M 2M5

SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on Instagram

@PORTICOcc Like us on Facebook

PORTICO Community Church Follow us on Twitter

@PORTICOcc

this is us: the history of portico community church | 1990s

10