OUR ROOTS IN OSHAWA
A Legacy of Faithful Leadership:
Our local story began in 1978, when a group of believers planted a new work in the city of Oshawa, Ontario, then called Erie Street Gospel Centre.
Through the years, this church grew under faithful leaders who carried the torch of truth: Bishop Caston Johnson, Bishop Headley Raymond, and the late Bishop Newton Cole.
Each leader stewarded a season of grace—building not only a congregation but a spiritual home for generations. In 2009, the mantle was passed to Pastor (now Bishop) Kevin M. A. Cole, who continues to lead the church into its next chapter of Spirit-empowered renewal and community transformation.
Our local story began in 1978, when a group of believers planted a new work in the city of Oshawa, Ontario, then called Erie Street Gospel Centre.
Through the years, this church grew under faithful leaders who carried the torch of truth: Bishop Caston Johnson, Bishop Headley Raymond, and the late Bishop Newton Cole.
Each leader stewarded a season of grace—building not only a congregation but a spiritual home for generations. In 2009, the mantle was passed to Pastor (now Bishop) Kevin M. A. Cole, who continues to lead the church into its next chapter of Spirit-empowered renewal and community transformation.
DISCOVERING OUR IDENTITY
From Erie Street to Abundant Life
In 2013, our church entered a season of rediscovery through a series of “Appreciative Inquiry” church membership gatherings that brought together voices from every generation. We asked deep questions: Who has God called us to be? How do we live out His heart in our city?
Those conversations marked a turning point. We realized that our ministry’s heartbeat was summed up in one word: “Abundance” — the kind of overflowing life that Jesus promised in John 10:10.
From that revelation, in 2016, we embraced a new name: Abundant Life Gospel Centre — a name that reflects both our message and our mission.
Through prayer, dialogue, and discernment, three clear values emerged that defined how we live out God’s call:
In 2013, our church entered a season of rediscovery through a series of “Appreciative Inquiry” church membership gatherings that brought together voices from every generation. We asked deep questions: Who has God called us to be? How do we live out His heart in our city?
Those conversations marked a turning point. We realized that our ministry’s heartbeat was summed up in one word: “Abundance” — the kind of overflowing life that Jesus promised in John 10:10.
From that revelation, in 2016, we embraced a new name: Abundant Life Gospel Centre — a name that reflects both our message and our mission.
Through prayer, dialogue, and discernment, three clear values emerged that defined how we live out God’s call:
- Mentorship (SOW) – “Giving youth a voice.” We invest in the next generation to provide opportunities for their tomorrow.
- Discipleship (GROW) – “Rightly dividing the Word of truth.” We teach and model biblical truth in practical ways that form mature disciples.
- Compassion (GO) – “Doing it unto the least of these.” We serve and restore marginalized people, helping them move from consumers to contributors in society.
OUR MANDATE
Beautifying Regions for Christ:
“To beautify regions by inviting (Sow) as many people as possible to encounter Jesus Christ, involving (Grow) them in His dream team, and impacting (Go) many through our collective divine purpose.”
We believe the local church should be a beacon of beauty—where people’s lives are transformed, families are restored, and communities flourish because the gospel is lived out in word and deed.
Our threefold strategy guides how we fulfill this call:
This is our story and OUR WHY!
RECEIVE LIFE; GROW LIFE; SHARE LIFE!!
We exist because God called us to raise a Spirit-empowered, compassionate, and disciple-making community that beautifies regions and reveals the abundance of Christ to the world.
“To beautify regions by inviting (Sow) as many people as possible to encounter Jesus Christ, involving (Grow) them in His dream team, and impacting (Go) many through our collective divine purpose.”
We believe the local church should be a beacon of beauty—where people’s lives are transformed, families are restored, and communities flourish because the gospel is lived out in word and deed.
Our threefold strategy guides how we fulfill this call:
- SOW – INVITE: Steward the vision faithfully by engaging people to become passionate stakeholders in God’s cause.
- GROW – INVOLVE: Foster an infectious culture of discipleship and volunteerism that draws others to serve.
- GO – IMPACT: Expand our reach and increase our resources to touch more lives and transform more communities.
This is our story and OUR WHY!
RECEIVE LIFE; GROW LIFE; SHARE LIFE!!
We exist because God called us to raise a Spirit-empowered, compassionate, and disciple-making community that beautifies regions and reveals the abundance of Christ to the world.