THIS IS US:
celebrating
50 years of god’s faithfulness
the history of portico community church
2000s
this is us: the history of portico community church | 2000s
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Table of Contents Introduction
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003–2004
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2005
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2006
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2009
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Credits
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Introduction THE WORLD ON OUR DOORSTEP In the 2000s, Mississauga Gospel Temple experienced a transition of leadership as Doug Rhind stepped into the role of Senior Pastor following a notable tenure by Pastor Evon Horton. A rise in the immigration population increased multiculturalism in the church as people from many cultures and backgrounds came together for worship and fellowship. This inspired a name change to PORTICO Community Church—a name that would come to define such a diverse demographic and guide the next chapter of the church’s vision. An expansive building program rounded out the decade to accommodate the burgeoning congregation and further roll out the welcome mat to the world.
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2000 The church established a discipleship forum with a focus on spiritual growth and maturity in lifestyle and relationships. In September, 2000, Evon Horton resigned as Senior Pastor to accept the invitation to serve as President for Master’s College and Seminary. Pastor Gordon Upton served as Interim Pastor while a pastoral search committee sought a qualified candidate to serve as MGT’s next Senior Pastor.
Evon Horton and family’s 2000 Christmas card
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2001 In the Spring of 2001, Pastor Doug and Laura Rhind were interviewed by MGT’s pastoral search committee, and they were invited to let their names stand for consideration. On Sunday morning, May 27, the Rhinds were presented to the church congregation and at a Special Business Meeting, held immediately following the morning services, Doug Rhind was voted in as MGT’s new Senior Pastor. The Rhinds moved to Mississauga, and Pastor Doug began his new responsibilities in July 2001.
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We felt there had been a prophetic call for us to be pastoring a church reflective of the nations of the world. On the first day we arrived in Mississauga, entered the church, and walked onto the platform, it’s as if I heard God just say, ‘Welcome home.”
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– Pastor Doug Rhind
Pastor Doug and Laura Rhind
this is us: the history of portico community church | 2000s
As a staff member I’ve never worked under such a good pastor and leader as Pastor Doug. The way he treats his staff and his personality, it’s exemplary. We are extremely blessed to have such a great pastor.” – James Craig
Church gathering
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2002 The holidays were marked with family fun events, including the Community Easter Egg Hunt, Hallowe’em Family Alternative, Children’s Christmas Banquets, and Christmas Musicals. The church ran and participated in annual conferences, including the Promiseland and Willowcreek Leadership Conferences. Work began on a future vision which included a new governance model, emphasis on evangelism, gift-based ministry, and growth in community through small groups. Additional staff positions were put in place to support the changes and prepare for the future.
On set at the Promiseland Conference
Elders of the church, spouses and staff to Willow
Christmas production
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2003 MGT became an Incorporation under the provisions of the Canadian Federal Government and adopted an elder-based governance model to better serve the needs and demands of the growing church. Over the course of the year, the entire congregation participated in the “40 Days of Purpose” spiritual growth campaign, during which 41 were baptized. Vacation Bible School celebrated 157 children making first-time decisions to follow Christ. Additional evangelistic activities included “A Christmas Tale” dinner theatre and mission trips to Uganda, Trinidad and Poland.
2004 The youth ministry took extra steps to host large-scale community outreach events, including a PAOC Junior High conference with over 1,000 in attendance, a seven-week Quest2 series for high school students and young adults, and the UBERetreat high school event.
2003 church logo
Start of the day at VBS
Mission Poland team
Mission Saskatchewan team
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2005 A burgeoning immigration population in the region meant tremendous change for the Greater Toronto Area. Mississauga was optimally positioned to leverage this change, and MGT welcomed this opportunity with changes of its own. At a special ‘one-service’ gathering in January entitled Revolution Day: It’s Time for a Change, the church officially changed its name from MTG Family Church to PORTICO Community Church. The selection of the new name was based upon the biblical model of the Temple situated in Jerusalem. The “portico” in the Temple was the place where all people, regardless of race, age, gender, etc. could gather as a community and explore faith. Portico is also defined as “a place of entrance; a covering without walls; and a place of welcome.”
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At first, people didn’t really realize what PORTICO meant, and then they’d look it up and it says, “a welcoming place,” which is what the church should be.” – Dave and Ruth Croft
An ancient portico
Revolution Day event
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“I was on the board at the time and I’m so glad that we did change the name because it’s much more inclusive. When we think we’re a church without walls, that’s exactly what we want. PORTICO is a perfect name to be able to celebrate that we are a church reaching out to our communities all around the GTA.” – Paul Woodley
New PORTICO logo
this is us: the history of portico community church | 2000s
The 2005 VBS team
Our Story
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2006 2006 was marked by many vision-focused events, beginning with the ‘Extending Our Reach’ building campaign in January and a Vision Banquet in April. PORTICO’s future vision included a building program to expand the current 42,000 sq. ft. facility to 65,000 sq. ft. Plans included the construction of new Children’s Ministry space, a Chapel, offices, meeting rooms and renovating the existing facilities.
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When we made the decision to change the name of the church, our church was growing, we were becoming extremely multicultural, and we knew that we were facing some space challenges. We felt in our hearts the best way to handle the future was that we would move into a multicampus model, and the way to prepare for that was to begin an expansion program here.”
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We have a great deal of generosity in our church, and one of the things we had always encouraged was not equal gifts but equal sacrifices. That’s how we try to live.” – Laura Rhind
– Pastor Doug
Congregation poses outside new church structure
Congregation is all hands-in removing suspended ceiling
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New PORTICO offices & children’s ministry wing from the outside
2006
PORTICO offices under construction
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The main hall to the chapel sees to its finishing touches
Construction of kids area and offices
We’d do anything to save costs. We would tear out cabling. We took out the suspended ceilings. We would come on Saturdays– moms and dads and their kids–we’d be sweeping floors, vacuuming, washing down the seats, and preparing for the Sunday services” – Pastor Doug
Church before and after construction
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2009 The newly expanded and renovated church facilities were officially dedicated on December 6, 2009, with many special guests in attendance, including PAOC and WOD representatives and special guest speaker, Rev. David Wells, General Superintendent, PAOC.
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What I truly appreciated is in the church, you didn’t hear people talk about the building. They talked about what we were doing together, and that really spoke to what we were trying to become.” – Pastor Doug Rhind
One Hope event with Doug Rhind and Mayor Hazel McCallion
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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
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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
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