HIStory of GCF Toronto

  • The Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF) narrative tells a story of God’s dealings with ordinary men and women whom He calls to know Christ and make Him known.

    GCF was a vision sought after by Rev. David and Patty Jo Yount of the Conservative Baptist Mission, aimed at reaching the emerging, self-reliant Filipinos who have the influence, and the leadership to do a significant work in spreading the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the Philippines and even to other nations. It began February 14, 1978 when 67 people met at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan for a Valentine's Fellowship Dinner. GCF grew and eventually settled at Medecor Building along Ortigas Avenue in 1978. In 1990, GCF moved into its own building at the corner of Garnet and Ruby Roads in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

  • Under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Luis L. Pantoja, Jr., GCF continued to grow and to reach influencers to support missions-oriented efforts in the Philippines and abroad. In early 2005, God placed a calling and a dream in the hearts of a small group of believers to see a GCF satellite established in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). From September to October 2006, preview services were held at the basement of the Brookbanks Public Library. From November 2006 to May 2007, preview services were conducted at the basement of the Don Mills Public Library in uptown Toronto. In May 6, 2007, GCF Toronto was officially launched as the first international satellite of GCF with the Rev. Dr. Narry F. Santos as Resident Pastor and an inaugural service at the multi-purpose hall of the Centennial Recreation Centre in Scarborough. Before long, GCF began conducting full-orbed worship services at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Scarborough. The Youth Ministry was formed and led by Eric Hart.

  • In the beginning of 2008, the Youth Ministry began holding its own worship services. On March 23, 2008, GCF Peel was birthed by GCF Toronto as the second GCF satellite in Canada. As the year progressed, God increased the number of regular attenders at GCF. Highlights of the year included the formation of the GCF Toronto Choir, the launch of the International Students Ministry and the first Family Retreat at the Muskoka Bible Centre. By the end of 2008, there were 13 active growth groups.

    In 2009, GCF Canada was established by GCF Toronto and GCF Peel and the partnership with the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ) began. This was also the year that GCF Toronto moved to the Centennial College Residence and Conference Centre (CCRCC).

    In 2010, GCF Toronto supported the launches of GCF Vancouver, GCF Calgary and GCF Winnipeg with Hizon Cua, Cliff Gonzales and Reymus Cagampan as Resident Pastors, respectively. P. Robert Cousins joined the Pastoral Team as a Consultant on Multiculturalism. In the early stages of GCF York’s church development, Luis Cruz helped out by organizing small groups and leading Bible Studies.

    In 2011, GCF Toronto supported the launch of GCF York with Johnny Dalisay as Resident Pastor. The Tuxedo Court Ministry was formed.

  • In 2012, GCF Toronto began to share the facilities of the Salvation Army Westhill Community Church to fulfill its ministries. The Ajax Initiative between GCF Toronto and the New Life Christian Church was funded by CBOQ. Highlights of the year included the following: First Church Yard Sale, PRASIA Concert, “Courageous” Growth Group (GG) Campaign, Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) opened to the community, Tyndale Intercultural Ministries (TIM) Centre Cohort Program, and Calamity Fundraise for Typhoon “Pablo” in the Philippines.

    In early 2013, Ajax Christian Fellowship was launched as a tripartite partnership among GCF Toronto, CBOQ and the Canadian National Baptist Convention (CNBC). In May 2013, P. Luis Cruz, first scholar of GCF Toronto, graduated from the Tyndale Seminary with a degree in Master of Theological Studies. In September, Dr. Narry F. Santos responded to God’s call to serve in Saddleback Church’s ministry in the Philippines beginning 2014.

    In 2014, with the departure of Dr. Narry Santos, GCF Toronto focused its efforts on the search for a Lead Pastor with the help of CBOQ, P. Robert, P. Luis and P. Eric. In August, God brought the Rev. Edward McLean to GCF Toronto to serve as its Lead Pastor.

    In 2015, the focus was on getting ready for the Ontario Charities Act (ONCA).

    In 2018, P. Ed McLean responded to a different ministry call.

  • In 2019, GCF Toronto moved to the Père Philippe Lamarche Secondary Catholic School for the location of its worship services.

    For the period 2018-2022 which included the years of the COVID pandemic, Elder Marc Sosmeña of GCF Ortigas assisted in-person and remotely in fulfilling its various ministries.

    In January 2023, Ptr. Chris Evangelista was installed as Pastor.

    To this day, GCF Toronto continues to remain true to its resolve to be a missional church and surge forward seeking To Know Christ and To Make Him Known.