Former members at Grace (and current members of Community of Hope), Bill & Lianne Thomlinson have added another baby girl to their family.

Claire Alexandra was born on June 14 at 9:27pm weighing in at 8 lbs. 6 oz and measuring 21.5 inches.

In case you happened to miss it, a few weekends ago (June 6 & 7) about 15 couples from Grace spent a weekend at the Cedar Glen YMCA for the 2008 Couples Encounter.

Here’s what some of those who attended had to say about the event:

“The sessions were very realistic and applicable to my marriage.  The games were fun!!!”

“We really enjoyed the opportunity to meet new couples and to be away from our kids!”

“After this encounter I feel that my life with God is enriched and we are closer and more connected to Him.”

“This experience has given me some additional tools and strategies to improve my marriage.  I know as I work on that, I honor God.”

Plans are already in the works for another Couples Encounter in the winter of 2009.  We hope you’ll make plans to join us!

Last weekend at Grace, the elders officially comissioned Willy Sanchez as the new pastor and church planter of the next Grace Brethren church to launch in Canada. Willy and his wife, Mary, will be leading a team to plant Manantial (Spanish for ‘well spring’) in September 2008.  They will begin house church meetings within the next couple of weeks, and in the fall, they will begin public meetings at West Credit Secondary School.

The Sanchez family, originally from Guatemala, has been attending Grace for over three years.  During their time at Grace they have been small group leaders, have served as hosts on the First Impressions Team and Willy has occasionally played guitar or bass in the worship band.  Willy also currently serves as an elder and executive board member.  Willy and Mary have been involved at a high level with two previous church plants. 

We are thrilled to be supporting them in this effort to more effectively connect the Spanish speaking community in Mississauga to Jesus and his wonderful love!

Keep on praying!

As of today, our offer to lease 6670 Campobello Road has been conditionally accepted by both parties. There is now up to a 10-day waiting period to confirm that all conditions can be met. If all goes well (and God is with us) we could take possession of the building on July 1.

Here are some things to pray for specifically:

• That the title search and site plan come to us clean with no prohibitions regarding our need for parking expansion.
• That the property owner would look at our financials favorably.
• That the process for developing our build-out plans would go smoothly and that the City of Mississauga will work with us generously regarding our plans and the parking requirements.
• That the process for selling 7575 Danbro Crescent would continue to move forward (and quickly).

These are EXCITING TIMES at Grace! Our dream of having a full-time ministry centre is just a few steps (but a lot of dollars) away from becoming a reality. Here are a few photos of the property:

We are very excited to announce that the elders of Grace Community Church have officially commissioned Armando Padovan as Pastor of Brazilian Ministries.

Pastor Armando, a native of Brazil, has been working, since early 2008, with Pastors Nathan Bryant and Bartley Sawatsky to formulate a plan for the launch of Grace’s newest international ministry: VIVA BRASIL

The Brazilian community in the Greater Toronto Area has been steadily growing over the last decade and this strategic move of developing a Portguese-language ministry is another step in moving Grace to being Meadowvale’s greatest love source.  Please join us as we pray for the Padovans in their new leadership role.  Also join us in praying for the possibility of their son, Marcos Tiago, moving from Brazil to Mississauga this year to assist his father in this ministry.  (The Padovan’s older son, Marcio and his family, are already members at Grace).

Pastor Armando Padovan

The Elders at Grace commission Armando Padovan

Here’s a recap of the All Request Worship Weekend Top 10:

#10 - Beautiful One (Tim Hughes)
#9 - Happy Day (Tim Hughes)
#8 - I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (Martin Smith & Delirious)
#7 - Hosanna (Paul Baloche)
#6 - Open the Eyes of My Heart (Paul Baloche)
#5 - You Never Let Go (Matt Redman)
#4 - Blessed Be Your Name  (Matt Redman)
#3 - Here I Am to Worship (Tim Hughes)
#2 - Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone (Chris Tomlin)
#1 - How Great is Our God (Chris Tomlin)

And here are the band selections:
Let The Praises Ring (Lincoln Brewster)
Cannons (Phil Wickham)
Miracle in My Heart (Robin Mark)