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Our history started
on a school bus.
In 1954,
Ed and Dorothy Wright began leading Sunday school on a bus in northern Oshawa. In 1955, six lots were purchased on Byng Avenue for a future church.
1956
Having outgrown the school bus, we moved into a ranch-style home church. In 1958, Calvin Morgan began leading ministry. We held services every night with the exception of Mondays.
1962
Byng Avenue Pentecostal Church was officially opened and dedicated on November 11, 1962. It seated 200 people (adults and children). The former house church was renovated as a parsonage. We joined the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). Pastor David Strome initiated Byng's expansion in 1976/77.
Our Lead Pastors
1954 Edward & Dorothy Wright
1958 Calvin Morgan
1960 George Carroll
1966 Frederick Spring
1969 Ian Presley
1974 David Strome
1983 Doug Schneider
2021 Léon van Weerden
Having outgrown the school bus, we moved into a ranch-style home church. In 1958, Calvin Morgan began leading ministry. We held services every night with the exception of Mondays.
1956
1962
Byng Avenue Pentecostal Church was officially opened and dedicated on November 11, 1962. It seated 200 people (adults and children). The former house church was renovated as a parsonage. We joined the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). Pastor David Strome initiated Byng's expansion in 1976/77.
Our history started
on a school bus.
In 1954,
Ed and Dorothy Wright began leading Sunday school on a bus in northern Oshawa. In 1955, six lots were purchased on Byng Avenue for a future church.
Our Lead Pastors
1954-1958
1958-1960
1960-1966
1966-1969
1969-1974
1974-1982
1983-2021
2021-Present
Edward & Dorothy Wright
Calvin Morgan
George Carroll
Frederick Spring
Ian Presley
David Strome
Doug Schneider
Léon van Weerden
1989
Renamed Community Pentecostal Church, our new building seated 700 people and officially opened on April 30, 1989. This initiative was led by Rev. Doug Schneider, who had been the church's Senior Pastor since 1983. We celebrated our 50th Anniversary by faithfully expanding the building with an auditorium that seats 2,500-3,000 people. Over the years, we have been able to present amazing dramas and notable concerts through this addition. The original church building continues to be used as the Family Centre for next generation ministries and other events.
2003
Shortly after our expansion, the church was renamed to The Embassy of the Kingdom of God—a reflection of our mandate and philosophy of ministry. Today, we are generally known as The Embassy Church.
2021
Our beloved Pastor Doug passed away to be with the Lord on December 27, 2021. With great comfort and hope, we celebrated his life a week later on Monday, January 3rd. He was known for making everyone feel like his best friend through the love of Christ. #Together we remember and continue to press forward in the upward calling of Christ that Pastor Doug did so faithfully.
2022
Pastor Léon van Weerden became our Lead Pastor on March 6, 2022. On June 26, 2022, the original church sanctuary was renamed the Douglas A. Schneider Family Centre Auditorium in honour of him.
Renamed Community Pentecostal Church, our new building seated 700 people and officially opened on April 30, 1989. This initiative was led by Rev. Doug Schneider, who had been the church's Senior Pastor since 1983. We celebrated our 50th Anniversary by faithfully expanding the building with an auditorium that seats 2,500-3,000 people. Over the years, we have been able to present amazing dramas and notable concerts through this addition. The original church building continues to be used as the Family Centre for next generation ministries and other events.
1989
"Church is not a building; it's about the people and spending time with each other, making lasting friendships, and working together."
- Pastor Doug
Shortly after our expansion, the church was renamed to The Embassy of the Kingdom of God—a reflection of our mandate and philosophy of ministry. Today, we are generally known as The Embassy Church.
2003
2021
Our beloved Pastor Doug passed away to be with the Lord on December 27, 2021. With great comfort and hope, we celebrated his life a week later on Monday, January 3rd. He was known for making everyone feel like his best friend through the love of Christ. #Together we remember and continue to press forward in the upward calling of Christ that Pastor Doug did so faithfully.
Pastor Léon van Weerden became our Lead Pastor on March 6, 2022. On June 26, 2022, the original church sanctuary was renamed the Douglas A. Schneider Family Centre Auditorium in honour of him.
2022
Is this the end? Hardly.
The best stories are yet to be written and told. We’d love for you to join us and share the excitement of what is clearly the hand of the Lord upon our lives. Come this Sunday at 10am!
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