Your First Visit to Gospel Light
Visiting any church for the first time can be a tough experience. Where to go? What to wear? What time to show up? What's here for my kids? What can I expect? These and many more questions may arise. Well, we want to put you at ease.
Your first visit to Gospel Light Baptist Church will be refreshing, friendly, and enjoyable for your whole family. We want you to experience inspiring music, helpful teaching and preaching, friendly people, and a place where you feel welcomed, loved, and at home!
If there's something we missed on this list or if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We're here for you! Even our Pastor and his wife would be glad to speak to you on the phone or visit you in your home if you like. Whether you're new to the area and looking for a church home, or if it has been a long time since you've attended church at all, we hope your first visit at Gospel Light will be awesome!
We exist to serve you and your family, and we are looking forward to meeting you personally. We hope you'll feel right at home with our church family from the very first moment you visit. Let us know how we can serve you better, and we hope you will be our guest real soon!
Here are a few answers to your questions and what you might expect on your first visit.
1. Finding the church
Gospel Light Baptist Church began as a brand new church just a few short years ago. Therefore, we currently rent facilities until we can purchase our own property or church buildings. We currently meet at a private school, Richland Academy. This is easy to find, located at 11570 Yonge Street, in Richmond Hill. This is just north of Gamble Road/19th Avenue, next to the Lexus car dealership, on the west side of the road.
2. Finding the auditorium
When you arrive, enter the building through the doors of the front lobby (close to the parking lot). Any one of our church members or greeters would be happy to direct you to the right classes or to the auditorium for the service. Just ask them! They can also answer any other questions you might have.
3. Finding nurseries and classes
Again, any of our people would be glad to assist you in finding the right classes for you and your family. We also have small signs by the classroom doors indicating which Sunday School classes are for the different ages of children and young people. Our children's classes and teen/youth class meet at 10 am on Sundays. We do have nursery care during all of our services.
4. What's here for my kids?
There are special classes for all ages of children. Though our children's and youth program are still developing as our church continues to grow, we do believe that we have excellent classes for your children. We have well-staffed, loving nursery care provided for all of our church services. Each of our children's workers has undergone a very careful screening, interview, and application process and has been approved by the pastor to work with our children. You can be assured that your children are safe and protected in our nurseries and children's classes.
Our Infant Nursery is for children birth through twenty-four months. Our Toddler Nursery/Beginner's Class is for children ages two to four. These nurseries are open for all of our services. We have an outstanding program for the two to four year old children. The teachers are excellent. The curriculum is very good. Your little ones will have an enjoyable time coming to Sunday School and church. Our teachers use Bible stories, character lessons and stories, puppets "Mittens and Boots", colouring time, craft time, play time, singing time, and more!
We also have Sunday School classes for the children and teens. These classes also have times of singing, games, Bible stories, Scripture memory, object lessons, Bible quiz and trivia sheets, and take home papers for the lessons.
5. What's the Sunday morning schedule?
On Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m., we have "growth groups" for all ages. This is a time when your children can enjoy the Bible at their learning-level in our Children's Sunday School Classes. We also have Bible Classes for Teenagers and Adults. These small groups are a great opportunity for adults to study the Bible. You are welcome to arrive early and fellowship and talk and make friends with others in your class. These classes begin at ten o'clock and go for about forty-five minutes.
On Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m., we have our "Sunday Morning Service." During this time, we all meet together in the auditorium for our main preaching service. We have great singing, heart-warming special music provided by our church choir, smaller singing groups, and the pastor and his wife. Often the pastor leads the congregational singing and our pastor's wife plays the piano; our church enjoys their musical talents. Some of our teenagers also play violins, as well as the clarinet, cornet, and flute. Our morning service always includes an inspirational or encouraging message from God's Word. This service is usually just a little over one hour in length.
6. How should I dress?
There is not a dress code at Gospel Light Baptist Church for members or visiting guests. Our ministry leaders and most of our church family dress in more traditional "Sunday dress;" however, our main goal is that you would feel welcome and comfortable on your first visit here at Gospel Light.
7. Are there services at other times?
Yes. We have a "Sunday Afternoon Service" (not a repeat of the morning service) that begins at 1:00 pm. We enjoy a potluck lunch together after the morning service, before our afternoon services and ministries.
We also meet on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. for one-on-one and round-table discipleship groups. On Thursday nights, we are meeting at a different location. To confirm time and location (or if you have any other questions), please call Pastor Johnston (416) 300-0735.
8. Am I expected to participate in the offering?
No. We don't invite you to Gospel Light Baptist Church for your offering. Though people may choose to participate if they wish to do so, we want our service to be a gift and blessing to you. We are not after your money. We are a church that sincerely loves people. We hope you will find at Gospel Light a warm family spirit, a friendly atmosphere, truth from God's Word, and a place where you can grow in God's grace! Please don't feel any obligation to participate in the offering as a guest.