Haven Church Toronto

Home means being with the people that see you at your worst, and your best. The people that celebrate you but also tell you the truth when you need to hear it. In 2020, I was able to see home a little more clearly, see the people that really went out of their way to care for me when I was seriously debilitated by the hopelessness of the pandemic. God is my shelter and he placed specific people in my life to make me feel loved. He has really shown me that not only are the peop...le that love me home, but that He is my home too. Over the pandemic I'm realizing that God is calling us to grow into a more authentic relationship with Him and his people. Before this I felt as if I walked through church life doing what I was supposed to do, but as that’s been cut out of everyone’s life (physically at least) I’ve been coming to know what community ACTUALLY meant to me, and what it means to love Jesus, and that church community and Jesus go hand in hand. I’m excited and hopeful for the new world we are all going to be living in. A place where people are a little more thankful for friends and community. With that I’m excited to listen to people who have never been heard or felt they had a place in the church, I’m excited to learn more about what it means to have compassion to people who need the church, and I’m hopeful that Haven will literally become a physical haven and safe space for people to ask questions and know God more deeply. I can’t wait to continue to be a part of that. I remain hopeful for a new day, a fuller relationship with God and a renewed sense of excitement for being WITH people. I’m hopeful to see the beauty of the bride of Christ come to life! -Christina

As an interior designer, I find the topic of home both fascinating and complex. More than just a collection of rooms filled with things, ‘home’ is an entanglement of hopes, fears, loved ones, identity, meaning and memory. Last March, on the eve of the pandemic mayhem, I moved into a new apartment. For the first time I was living alone, and I was all for it. I was excited to work out these concepts in my own space, to see what my own expression of ‘home’ would become. This lon...g anticipated process was unexpectedly segmented with long stints spent living away at my parent’s house. The continual back-and-forth held my heart in tension between two places I called home - inhibiting me to be fully settled or ‘at home’ in either place. In the struggle to find stability I was reminded of Christ’s call in John 15:4 to ‘abide in me and I will abide in you’. Jesus was calling me to find my stability fully in him. His presence can go with us anywhere. Like the ancient Israelites who transported the tabernacle of the Lord to each new encampment, my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within [me] (1 Cor. 6:19). My heart is his home. In every space, in every place, I can be at home when I abide in him. -Andrea

Despite the Ontario-wide lockdown, Vision Night is still happening this Sunday online! It’s going to be an incredible night of community, vision, and dreaming together. You can register here: https://haven-toronto.ca/vision/

Growing up, my family moved thirteen times, causing me to feel a lack of rootedness. I learned quickly that home was not a place, rather the weaving of family, friends and church relationships. In 2020, not being able to spend time with loved ones left me feeling adrift again, and sparked fears of losing those close relationships. However, God has been reminding me of his faithfulness, and that He promises us never to leave or forsake us. One way He promises His presence is t...hrough the Church. His desire for us is to support and care for another in community. John 13:34-35 says, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. At Haven, I have experienced a taste of this, and my prayer for Haven is that we continue to be a community that invites people into God’s home with care and love. -Mark

He is risen indeed. EASTER SUNDAY | Sunday, April 4 | 10:30AM

We're gathering together online tomorrow as we set aside the morning to hear the Word and encounter God! If you've never been to church before, or are curious about who we are, there's no better time than now to check us out! SUNDAY SERVICE | Sunday, January 24 | 10:30AM https://haventoronto.online.church

God is building a home. He's using us all - irrespective of how we got here - in what He's building. Ephesians 2:19 MSG Our first DNA for 2021 is Thursday! It's going to be a phenomenal evening as we come together and dream about the future, and what God wants to do in Toronto!... DNA | Thursday, January 21 | 7:30PM https://haventoronto.online.church

Our last day of Prayer & Fasting is TOMORROW - we'd love to have you join us at 9AM before our Sunday Service! PRAYER & FASTING DAY 8 | Sunday, January 17 | 9AM www.haventoronto.online.church

See you all tonight! PRAYER & FASTING DAY 1 | Sunday, January 10 | 7PM www.haventoronto.online.church

We're starting Day 7 early tomorrow morning - can't wait to see you all there! PRAYER & FASTING DAY 7 | Saturday, January 16 | 9AM www.haventoronto.online.church

Life Groups look a little different in this season, as Toronto continues in lockdown. BUT, this is our way of gathering together and being the body of Christ in this time, as we eagerly wait for the day when we can meet face-to-face again. If you feel isolated or alone right now, we have a Life Group that's ready to welcome you (virtually)! You don't have to be a part of our church or a Christian to be part of our community. You can sign up for a Life Group here: https://haven-toronto.ca/life-groups/

The best way to end the week and start the weekend! PRAYER & FASTING DAY 6 | Friday, January 15 | 7:30PM www.haventoronto.online.church

Checklist for tomorrow: Coming to the service hungry for God to do something! Decided what I'm fasting and when I'm fasting. Set aside some of my evenings in the next week for prayer with the Haven community.... We're so expectant for this next week - see you all in the chat tomorrow! SUNDAY SERVICE | Sunday, January 10 | 10:30AM START OF PRAYER & FASTING WEEK | Sunday, January 10 | 7PM www.haventoronto.online.church

4 MORE DAYS LEFT! One gives freely, and yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,... and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25 To donate to our food drive: http://support.dailybread.ca/site/TR Thank you so much as you give!

TOMORROW we have Ron Baker, Lead Pastor at Vitalpoint Church, speaking at Haven! He'll be preaching about "shalom" in this season, and we're so excited to hear from him. Don't forget to say hi in the chat! SUNDAY SERVICE with Ron Baker | Sunday, December 13 | 10:30AM... https://haventoronto.online.church See more

Life together - whether that's through Zoom, a phone call, or a little walk in the woods. You were not meant to do life alone. To get connected to a Life Group, visit: https://haven-toronto.ca/life-groups/ (Photo taken pre-lockdown).

A little shout out to our volunteers, who are so committed to making church happen every Sunday. They have the biggest heart for this city and for reaching people with the Gospel - we love you all! #HavenChurchTO

We’re so looking forward to 2020 and all it’s going to bring! DNA has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 21st as we spend this week preparing for PRAYER & FASTING (January 10-17). Watch this quick video from Jesper to learn more!

What are you going to fast from, and seek God for, next week? PRAYER & FASTING WEEK | Sunday, January 10 - Sunday, January 17 | Various times of devotion and prayer throughout the week. www.haven-toronto.ca/fast

We're partnering with the Daily Bread Food Bank to raise money for our fellow Torontonians this Christmas! It'll only take you TWO easy steps to give: 1. Click this link: http://support.dailybread.ca/site/TR 2. Click "Donate Now", input your donation amount, and you're done!... We'd love if you'd share this fundraiser with family and friends as we all do what we can to ensure everyone has a great Christmas this year!