NOTE: The roots of renewal are in our congregations. We hope that sharing the brief story of a vibrant congregation may be encouraging to you.

By Jeff Walther
Westminster congregant

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Barrie, Ontario

Our congregation began in 1962 in the gymnasium of a local public school. In 1964 we marched across a field to turn the soil at our new location in a nearby area of the city while singing “Onward Christian Soldiers.” Now an active group of about 400 people of all ages gather for weekly Sunday morning services and a variety of Christian studies and activities throughout each week.

But of course, a church isn’t a building. It’s the people of Christ, energized by the Holy Spirit. Through time Westminster has evolved. And we are so joyful that God is using us to love him and others for the healing of the world.

Alive with the Holy Spirit, Westminster is a Christ-Centred, Family-Friendly Church. We seek to be a relaxed-but-reverent gathering who worship with a blended style, don’t shy away from God’s truth, diversify the ways people can connect, and are hungry to learn about following Jesus in today’s world. We believe that, in the words of Pastor and Teaching Elder Matthew Ruttan, “The point is to point to Jesus.”

Our mission statement is succinct: “Loving God, Loving our Neighbours.”

Here’s what Jesus said about the most important commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength… [and] Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). These teachings permeate everything we do in our congregation and community.

Under the leadership of Pastor Ruttan, Westminster is a vibrant gathering place and community outreach is a vital part of our ministry and congregational activities.

Services are held every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. Our services usually include a Children’s and Adult Choir, much prayer, a thought provoking and inspirational sermon, contemporary and traditional music. These are an integral part of worship as we focus on the main thing, which is Jesus. Sunday School is offered during this same time and Vacation Bible School and March Break camps are highlights for church and community youth each year. Members of the congregation are actively involved in services through many innovative and connective opportunities to learn from and share with one another.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, Westminster has been livestreaming services on YouTube http://westminsterpc.ca/youtube-stream which is linked through the main church website (westminsterpc.ca)

Pastor Ruttan and the leaders of the church use many tools to communicate with the congregation and the community. Sermons, blogs, special music and study materials are available 24/7. Podcasts, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and our YouTube Channel are used in conjunction with a Westminster app and traditional communication vehicles such as email and telephone. Pastor Ruttan has also authored two books of motivational and instructive daily devotionals (“Up!” / “Turbulence”) and hosts a weekday morning radio broadcast (Up!) on the Central Ontario Christian Radio Network LIFE FM.

Small group Bible studies (Vine & Alpha) are held in person and virtually year ’round, led by volunteer members of the congregation. Weekly prayer meetings, youth group gatherings, a “Stitch and Chatter” ladies group, choir practices and session meetings keep the halls of the church busy. Westminster’s commitment to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community keeps members of the church busy supporting international and local outreach through various programs and charity work. Open community barbecues, a Christmas tree loaded down with hats and mittens for less fortunate families, unfailing support and fund/resource raising drives for the David Busby Street Centre, The Barrie Food Bank, Youth Haven and a wide variety of local causes are enthusiastically embraced by the people of Westminster.

“Pray. Trust God. Love Others.” These are the marching orders of our Lord Jesus and at Westminster Church Barrie we march onward as Christian soldiers to help facilitate the healing of the world and the work of God’s Kingdom here on earth.

In the words of Pastor Ruttan, “The teachings of Jesus offer the most hope for this world and its future.” Amen.