our strategic ministry process
the heart behind our process
who is the community we serve?
OUR RESEARCH
Our highest goal is to be effective in ministry and mission. This starts with us getting a clear picture of the people and community we are here to serve. Who is the typical person in our community? What is the average age, stage of life, marital status, life cycle, income, average commute, education, etc.
Stats Canada 2021 Census Date for Whitchurch-Stouffville
Population Growth from 2016-2021 is 8.8% (city centre 12.6)
Total Population 50,000
19% Under the age of 14
17.9% Over the age of 65
Average age 40
Average Household size: 3
Predominately singe detached households
65% Married
Median House Hold Income: $104,000 (after tax)
Notable second languages: Italian, Tamil, Mandarin, Cantonese
88% of our community are home owners 12% renters
Average dwelling price: $1.2 Million
65.2 % have post secondary education
70% of workers commute out of our city to work
Average commute is 30-45 Minutes (30% of persons older than 15)
Stu Ville & Wanda Whitchurch Profile Highlights & Takeaways
Stu and Wanda are 40 years old, married with 1-2 children, post secondary educated and full-time in the work force. Both Stu and Wanda work to support their household and they both on average work 30-45 minutes from their single detached home here in town. Stu and Wanda own their $1.2 million home. Stu and Wanda live and budget on an
average household income of $104,000 after tax.
Significant Take Aways: Family Oriented, Dual Income, Well Educated Professionals, Commuters
what we do & why we do it
OUR MISSION & VISION
MISSION
Our mission is simple and clear: to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18–20 is our foundation:
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We are resolved to this calling. Our responsibility is both to introduce new people to Jesus and to strengthen and equip existing disciples—helping them move from being spectators to becoming active participants in faith, community, and the purposes of God’s Kingdom.
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Our vision is to create and nurture
a home for everyone to grow in faith,
community & purpose.
VISION
A Home for Everyone
Why “a home”? Scripture tells us God’s heart is that none should perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). A house is just a building; a home is where you belong, are loved, and are valued. Our prayer is that our church would not only be known as “the house of God” but also as a true home for all people, a place of belonging where lives are transformed.
Grow in Faith
Faith is not only about knowledge but about following Jesus with our whole lives, heart, soul, mind, and strength. As we walk with him, he shapes, renews, and leads us. We are committed to helping people grow in a living, active faith that transforms both who they are and how they live.
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Grow in Community
We were made for relationship with God and with one another. The body of Christ is where we are encouraged, challenged, comforted, and celebrated. Just as a home is defined by the people in it, our vision is to build a multiethnic, multigenerational, and multicultural community that reflects the beauty of heaven and the love of Christ.
Grow in Purpose
Every person is made on purpose, for a purpose. As disciples, we are not only saved but also sent gifted and empowered to serve God and others. One of the greatest joys of following Jesus is discovering that our lives matter in God’s mission. We long to see every person living out their unique calling as a partner in God’s great work.
what we value & the
heart we carry
OUR VALUES
VALUES
If our vision is to build a home for everyone to grow in faith, community, and purpose, then these values are what make that house a home.
As a church, we hold to the historic core of the Christian faith—we believe the Bible, we center our lives on worship, and we depend on prayer. But beyond those foundations, these guiding principles shape the culture of our church and define how we live out our mission together.
We call them our four heart values—the spirit and posture we want to carry as we serve, lead, and minister to people both in our church and in our community.
Humble at Heart
Jesus led with humility. He washed his disciples’ feet, welcomed the outcast, and served those the world overlooked. His way was not about status or preference, but about laying down his life for others.
We want to follow that same example—joyfully setting aside our own ambitions and preferences so that the mission of Jesus always comes first. Humility is the posture of our hearts and the culture of our home.
Open to Interruptions
Scripture reminds us: “We can make our plans, but the Lord establishes our steps” (Proverbs 16:9). We value preparation and planning, but we hold them with open hands.
Whether it’s pausing to pray with someone, shifting direction in a service, or taking bold steps of faith, we want to remain attentive and responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit—even when it interrupts our plans. His will is always better than ours.
Make Room For More
God is building His church, and we live with the expectation that He will continue drawing people to Himself. Our role is to stay ready, flexible, and willing to adapt—whether in our structures, schedules, or personal preferences—so there is always room for more of what God wants to do.
What we faithfully give, God faithfully uses. We choose to give our best and to keep making space for the new lives and new work He is bringing.
Excited for the Future
The Church carries the greatest hope and the greatest reason for joy. God has given us the promise of eternity and the assurance that He is not finished with His people.
Life brings challenges, setbacks, and trials—but our posture is one of expectation. We look forward with faith, celebrating that God’s best is still ahead, and reminding ourselves often of the great hope we have in Christ.
leadership structure
OUR TEAMS
An assessment and inventory of team members and leaders. This includes staff, board members, key leaders in the church, and existing team members represented in the life of the church.
OUR PASTORS
OUR BOARD
Scott Burton
Board Chair
Marianne Appadurai
Board Treasurer
Robbie McCrossan
Board Secretary
Everton Thomas
Board Member
Deion Weir
Board Member
Blaine Hockley
Board Member
Operational Teams
Task focused teams that meet task focused needs.
Building Team
Production Team
Serving Teams
Task focused teams that meet a people focused needs.
Welcome Team
Welcome Desk
Cafe Team
Ministry Teams
People focused teams that meet people focused needs.
Worship Team
Kids Ministry
Men’s Team
Women’s Team
Serve Stouffville
Prayer Room
Altar Team
Groups Leaders
Youth Team
60+ Team
church health metrics
ORGINIZATIONAL METRICS
What are going to be our measurable markers for progress given our research, our mission, our vision and values?
attendance
Average Weekly Avttendace
target of:
10% Growth Annually
retention
What % of first time guests return
target of:
50% of Guest Return in the next 90 days
serving
what % of our church are involved in a group?
target of:
70% of our church serving monthly
giving
% of our Church Giving Regularly
target of:
50 % of church gives regularly
digital reach
Average Monthly Online Engagement
target of:
100,000 people per month
new people
First Time Guests (Monthly)
target of:
10% of outreach
groups
what % of our church are involved in a group?
target of:
50% of our church attending
a group
next steps
Baptisms, Membership, First Time Serving, Giving, Groups
target of:
50% of new people engage in a next step
outreach
# of attendees at outreach events
target of:
2x our average Sunday attendance
missions
% of our Annual Giving given to Missions
target of:
10% of projected annual income raised for missions
ministry pipelines
OUR APPROACH
In our community, the typical Stouffville family—like “Stu & Wanda”—both work full-time and face a daily commute of 30–45 minutes each way. Time is precious, and schedules are full.
That’s why our ministry philosophy is built on adding value, not adding volume. Rather than overwhelming people with a high number of programs and events, we want to create intentional, meaningful moments that invite people to encounter Jesus, connect in community, and grow in purpose.
Our focus is on the times families are already committed to being at church—Sunday mornings at 10am and one midweek gathering. By centering ministry life around these touchpoints, we maximize impact while honoring the rhythms of everyday family life.
Faith
Sunday Services
Regular Sunday attendance
mdwk Groups
Small Groups, Kids,
Jr.High & Youth
Community
Church Events
Highlighted Sunday Church Wide Events
Season Specific Ministry
60+, Men's, Woman's, Etc.
Purpose
Serve on a Team
operation, serving & ministry teams
Serve our Community
The Coldest Night of the Year, Share Day, Backpack Drive, Etc.
what does a disciple look like?
PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP METRICS
MARKERS OF DISCIPLESHIP
As a church committed to both creating and strengthening disciples, we need clarity on this question: What does the life of a disciple look like?
While the depths of the heart and a person’s relationship with Jesus are known only to God, Scripture gives us clear indicators—markers of genuine faith—that consistently appear in the life of a disciple.
These markers are not a checklist to complete, but a description of the kind of life that grows out of a sincere decision to follow Jesus. They point to the fruit of transformation—evidence that God is at work shaping us into the likeness of Christ.
we celebrate a life in progress
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.
The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17