Our Mission: Our Day to Day Unchanging Purpose
We exist to glorify God by making disciples who enjoy, follow, and share Jesus.
The Vision: Our 30,000 Ft View of a Preferred Future
As we make disciples who enjoy, follow, and share Jesus, we aspire to:
Overflow Jesus’ gospel of grace in all its beauty into a new culture, a new community, and a new city, for the good of our neighbourhoods and beyond.
Overflow Jesus’ gospel of grace in all its beauty into a new culture, a new community, and a new city, for the good of our neighbourhoods and beyond.
- We dream of a New Culture replete with beautiful stories of lives and communities transformed by God’s grace, even in the cracked and broken places.
- We dream of a New Community that surprises our neighbours with relationships characterized by transparency, forgiveness, acceptance, and loving accountability.
- We dream of a New City–the eternal City of God after this earth passes away–earnestly pursuing Jesus’ vision of mercy, justice, reconciliation, and human flourishing as an eternity-ward signpost for our temporary, earthly city.
Our Beliefs: What Anchors us
About God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully God, of one essence, equal in power and glory, yet personally distinct. God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness, wisdom, justice, and love.
Gen. 1:1, 26–27; Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1–3; 2 Cor. 13:14
About The Bible
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, fully and verbally inspired, without error in the original writings, complete in their revelation of his will for salvation, sufficient for all that God requires us to believe and do, and final in their authority over all of life.
Ps. 19:7–11; Ps. 119:105, 160; Prov. 30:5; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:20–21
About Humanity
We believe that God created humanity in his image, male and female, equal in dignity and worth, yet distinct in role and design. Humanity was made to know, glorify, and enjoy God. But in Adam, the first man and covenant head of the human race, all sinned, and through his disobedience the whole human race inherited guilt, corruption, and death. Therefore, all people are by nature sinners, alienated from God, and under his just judgment apart from grace. We believe marriage is instituted by God as a covenantal, lifelong union between one man and one woman, given for mutual joy, the flourishing of families, and as a picture of Christ’s new covenant love for his Church.
Gen. 1:27–28; Gen. 2:24; Ps. 8:3–6; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12–19; Eph. 2:1–3; Eph. 5:31–32
About Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who became flesh without ceasing to be God, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. As the Last Adam and new covenant Head, he obeyed where the first Adam failed, securing righteousness and life for all who are united to him by faith. He lived a sinless life, died in the place of sinners as a substitutionary sacrifice, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to heaven’s glory, intercedes for us as our High Priest, and will return again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:22–23; John 1:1–5, 14; Rom. 5:18–19; 1 Cor. 15:21–22, 45; Rom. 1:3–4; 1 Cor. 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; Heb. 4:14–15; 1 Tim. 6:14–15; Titus 2:13
About Salvation
We believe that salvation is the work of God’s grace alone, accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, applied by the Holy Spirit, and received through faith alone apart from works. In union with Christ, believers are justified, adopted, sanctified, and will be glorified.
John 1:12; John 14:6; Rom. 3:23–26; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8–10; Gal. 2:16; Titus 3:5
About The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and the Son. He glorifies Christ, convicts the world of sin, imparts new life, indwells all believers from the moment of salvation, equips and empowers them for obedience, witness, and service, and produces growth in holiness.
John 14:16–17; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; Gal. 5:16–25; Eph. 1:13–14
About the Church
We believe the church is the people of God, composed of all who through saving faith are united to Christ and to one another. The universal church is manifested in local churches, marked by the right preaching of God’s Word, the right administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the faithful exercise of discipline. The church exists to glorify God in worship, build up believers through discipleship, and proclaim the gospel to all nations. As a city set on a hill, the church is a foretaste of the New Jerusalem.
Matt. 5:14–16; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Cor. 12:12–27; Eph. 1:22–23; Eph. 3:10; Rev. 21:1–4
About Baptism and Communion
We believe baptism and the Lord’s Supper are sacraments instituted by Christ as visible signs of participation in his New Covenant community. They visibly signify union with Christ, nourish faith, and mark out God’s people, but they do not in themselves save. They are to be received by faith, in obedience to Christ, for the strengthening of believers and the witness of the Church. Baptism publicly signifies our identification with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Communion is given to all believers to remember Christ’s sacrifice, proclaim his death until he comes, and anticipate the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 2:38, 41–42; Rom. 6:3–4; 1 Cor. 10:16–17; 1 Cor. 11:23–26
About Angels & Spiritual Reality
We believe that God created all spiritual beings, including angels, who are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. Some angels, led by Satan, rebelled against God and were cast down, becoming demons who oppose God’s purposes and seek to deceive and destroy. Their power, though real, is limited under God’s sovereign rule. We believe that Satan and his hosts were decisively defeated at the cross, where Christ triumphed over the powers and authorities, yet their final judgment and destruction await the return of Christ. At that time, they will be cast into the lake of fire, never again able to harm God’s people or creation.
Gen. 1:31; Heb. 1:14; Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:7–9; Eph. 6:11–12; Col. 2:15; Rev. 20:10
About Endurance, Judgment, and Eternity
We believe that all who are truly united to Christ will persevere in faith to the end, kept by God’s power and grace. At the appointed time, all people will die once and then face judgment. Christ will return personally, bodily, visibly, and gloriously to judge all humanity, bring final justice, and consummate his kingdom. We believe that those who belong to Christ will inherit eternal life in the new heavens and the new earth, living in everlasting union with God, while the wicked will suffer eternal separation from him in hell. Both heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. We believe that this hope rests not in our merit but in Jesus Christ alone, who lived a sinless life and offered himself as the perfect, substitutionary sacrifice for sinners, securing salvation for all who trust in him.
John 3:16; John 10:27–29; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 10:14; 1 Pet. 1:3–5; Matt. 25:31–46; 2 Thess. 1:7–10; Rev. 20:11–15; Rev. 21:1–8
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully God, of one essence, equal in power and glory, yet personally distinct. God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness, wisdom, justice, and love.
Gen. 1:1, 26–27; Deut. 6:4; Ps. 90:2; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1–3; 2 Cor. 13:14
About The Bible
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, fully and verbally inspired, without error in the original writings, complete in their revelation of his will for salvation, sufficient for all that God requires us to believe and do, and final in their authority over all of life.
Ps. 19:7–11; Ps. 119:105, 160; Prov. 30:5; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:20–21
About Humanity
We believe that God created humanity in his image, male and female, equal in dignity and worth, yet distinct in role and design. Humanity was made to know, glorify, and enjoy God. But in Adam, the first man and covenant head of the human race, all sinned, and through his disobedience the whole human race inherited guilt, corruption, and death. Therefore, all people are by nature sinners, alienated from God, and under his just judgment apart from grace. We believe marriage is instituted by God as a covenantal, lifelong union between one man and one woman, given for mutual joy, the flourishing of families, and as a picture of Christ’s new covenant love for his Church.
Gen. 1:27–28; Gen. 2:24; Ps. 8:3–6; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12–19; Eph. 2:1–3; Eph. 5:31–32
About Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who became flesh without ceasing to be God, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. As the Last Adam and new covenant Head, he obeyed where the first Adam failed, securing righteousness and life for all who are united to him by faith. He lived a sinless life, died in the place of sinners as a substitutionary sacrifice, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to heaven’s glory, intercedes for us as our High Priest, and will return again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:22–23; John 1:1–5, 14; Rom. 5:18–19; 1 Cor. 15:21–22, 45; Rom. 1:3–4; 1 Cor. 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; Heb. 4:14–15; 1 Tim. 6:14–15; Titus 2:13
About Salvation
We believe that salvation is the work of God’s grace alone, accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, applied by the Holy Spirit, and received through faith alone apart from works. In union with Christ, believers are justified, adopted, sanctified, and will be glorified.
John 1:12; John 14:6; Rom. 3:23–26; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8–10; Gal. 2:16; Titus 3:5
About The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and the Son. He glorifies Christ, convicts the world of sin, imparts new life, indwells all believers from the moment of salvation, equips and empowers them for obedience, witness, and service, and produces growth in holiness.
John 14:16–17; John 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; Gal. 5:16–25; Eph. 1:13–14
About the Church
We believe the church is the people of God, composed of all who through saving faith are united to Christ and to one another. The universal church is manifested in local churches, marked by the right preaching of God’s Word, the right administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the faithful exercise of discipline. The church exists to glorify God in worship, build up believers through discipleship, and proclaim the gospel to all nations. As a city set on a hill, the church is a foretaste of the New Jerusalem.
Matt. 5:14–16; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Cor. 12:12–27; Eph. 1:22–23; Eph. 3:10; Rev. 21:1–4
About Baptism and Communion
We believe baptism and the Lord’s Supper are sacraments instituted by Christ as visible signs of participation in his New Covenant community. They visibly signify union with Christ, nourish faith, and mark out God’s people, but they do not in themselves save. They are to be received by faith, in obedience to Christ, for the strengthening of believers and the witness of the Church. Baptism publicly signifies our identification with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Communion is given to all believers to remember Christ’s sacrifice, proclaim his death until he comes, and anticipate the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 2:38, 41–42; Rom. 6:3–4; 1 Cor. 10:16–17; 1 Cor. 11:23–26
About Angels & Spiritual Reality
We believe that God created all spiritual beings, including angels, who are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. Some angels, led by Satan, rebelled against God and were cast down, becoming demons who oppose God’s purposes and seek to deceive and destroy. Their power, though real, is limited under God’s sovereign rule. We believe that Satan and his hosts were decisively defeated at the cross, where Christ triumphed over the powers and authorities, yet their final judgment and destruction await the return of Christ. At that time, they will be cast into the lake of fire, never again able to harm God’s people or creation.
Gen. 1:31; Heb. 1:14; Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:7–9; Eph. 6:11–12; Col. 2:15; Rev. 20:10
About Endurance, Judgment, and Eternity
We believe that all who are truly united to Christ will persevere in faith to the end, kept by God’s power and grace. At the appointed time, all people will die once and then face judgment. Christ will return personally, bodily, visibly, and gloriously to judge all humanity, bring final justice, and consummate his kingdom. We believe that those who belong to Christ will inherit eternal life in the new heavens and the new earth, living in everlasting union with God, while the wicked will suffer eternal separation from him in hell. Both heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. We believe that this hope rests not in our merit but in Jesus Christ alone, who lived a sinless life and offered himself as the perfect, substitutionary sacrifice for sinners, securing salvation for all who trust in him.
John 3:16; John 10:27–29; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 10:14; 1 Pet. 1:3–5; Matt. 25:31–46; 2 Thess. 1:7–10; Rev. 20:11–15; Rev. 21:1–8
Our Values: The Compass that Guides Our Church’s Decisions
Our values align us to a “true north” and guide us toward the fulfillment of our mission and vision.
Along the way, in building a New Culture, we seek to be:
Along the way, in building a New Community, we seek to be:
Along the way, in pointing to God’s New City, we seek to:
Along the way, in building a New Culture, we seek to be:
- Scripture guided;
- Christ uplifting;
- Spirit dependent.
Along the way, in building a New Community, we seek to be:
- Full of grace in relationships;
- Full of truth in relationships;
- Motivated to mature.
Along the way, in pointing to God’s New City, we seek to:
- Demonstrate the gospel through mercy and justice;
- Engage culture with the gospel;
- Synergize a gospel movement locally and globally.
OUR STORY
Then & Now
A Marriage
The story of Trinity Grace Church is the tale of a beautiful marriage, not between a bride and groom but between two churches. On one side was Leaside Bible Chapel and, on the other side, was a budding group of people who dreamed of planting a church which they could invite their friends to.
On One Side: Leaside Bible Chapel, 1949-2015
Leaside Bible Chapel was established as an independent Evangelical Church in 1949 by a group of families from the Christian Brethren Assemblies, commonly referred to as the Open Brethren. Construction of the church building began on May 29th, 1949. The first service was a New Year’s Watch Night Service held in the upstairs room on December 31st, 1949. The building as it stands today was constructed in two phases four years apart and from the beginning included space for two stores to serve the local Leaside community and reduce costs.
Acts 2:42 describes the New Testament church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to Fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Based on this New Testament model, the Chapel, led by a team of elders and deeply committed members, flourished through the fifties and sixties with large numbers and innovative outreach through popular children’s meetings and a ladies coffee hour, to name a few.
Support of missions both home and abroad was a major focus of the chapel. Often close to half of the church’s budget was designated for the spread of the good news in Europe, Africa, Asia, in addition to the strong support of Christian summer camps in Ontario and gospel outreach in Quebec.
After many decades of fruitful ministry, Leaside Bible Chapel reached a crossroads in 2014. The need became apparent to reevaluate its strategy to reach the community and greater Toronto with the gospel.
On the Other Side: A Vision for a New Church
Albert and Linda Chung were serving faithfully at Young Nak Korean Presbyterian Church of Toronto, a local Korean immigrant megachurch. The church was home to them. Yet an insatiable desire stirred in their hearts to share the gospel of grace beyond the Korean community. They dreamed of a multiethnic, multigenerational, and multiclass church to which they could invite their friends of diverse background, a church without cultural hurdles.
Thus began a six year journey of preparation, which included further studies in church planting, networking with church planting coaches, and an intensive six week internship in New York City with Redeemer City to City. After 12 years of ministry, Albert and Linda took a step of faith in 2014. The task of choosing a target area for a church plant felt daunting, since Toronto is a city of just over six million spread over nearly seven thousand square kilometres. One day in prayer, Albert got the idea to plug pins on a Google map of where all the couple’s friends lived. Everyone lived within a 10 km radius of the major intersection of Don Mills Rd. and Lawrence Ave.
God began to lead Albert and Linda to like-minded souls excited about the vision of the church plant. Over time, a group of about 40 people were gathering to pray. They envisioned a church that would overflow the gospel of grace for the good of its neighbourhood and beyond.
God’s Wonderful, Mysterious Orchestration: How It All Came Together
After resigning from Young Nak, Albert took on an internship at Grace Toronto, a local church in downtown Toronto with a vision for urban mission. They provided Albert the opportunity to lead two small groups in his church plant target area. In one of the small groups, God brought Albert into contact with a family who had recently entered a season away from their home church, Leaside Bible Chapel. On hearing about Albert’s vision, the couple connected Albert to the elders of Leaside Bible Chapel, who were at a crossroads themselves.
Albert and the elders met in December 2014. Thus began a seven month journey of envisioning together, praying together, and training together for a renewed presence of the gospel in midtown/uptown Toronto.
Along the way, Young Nak Korean Presbyterian Church of Toronto, City on a Hill Toronto, C2C Network, Redeemer City to City, Grace Toronto, and Grace Network provided invaluable support and insight.
On June 22, 2015, both sides came together in unanimous agreement and enthusiasm to plant Trinity Grace Church. Leaside Bible Chapel, in a gesture of unspeakable Kingdom-mindedness and generosity, gave themselves selflessly and cheerfully to being replanted as Trinity Grace Church under Albert’s leadership. Only in eternity will we see the fullness, profoundness, and beauty of their untethered transfer of stewardship in people, resources, and building to the new church plant.
By God’s overwhelming and overflowing grace, Trinity Grace Church launched and had its first public worship at 826 Eglinton Ave E., on Sunday, November 1, 2015.
To Be Continued…
Trinity Grace Church exists to glorify God as we enjoy and follow Jesus. We envision this grace overflowing into a New Culture, a New Community, and a New City. We find our life in Being Glad, Belonging, and Being a Blessing in and through the gospel.
God has helped our vision to become a reality. We love our multiethnic, multigenerational, and multiclass church. Our family is still growing and maturing in its mission, but we are gladly on the way.
The story of Trinity Grace Church is the tale of a beautiful marriage, not between a bride and groom but between two churches. On one side was Leaside Bible Chapel and, on the other side, was a budding group of people who dreamed of planting a church which they could invite their friends to.
On One Side: Leaside Bible Chapel, 1949-2015
Leaside Bible Chapel was established as an independent Evangelical Church in 1949 by a group of families from the Christian Brethren Assemblies, commonly referred to as the Open Brethren. Construction of the church building began on May 29th, 1949. The first service was a New Year’s Watch Night Service held in the upstairs room on December 31st, 1949. The building as it stands today was constructed in two phases four years apart and from the beginning included space for two stores to serve the local Leaside community and reduce costs.
Acts 2:42 describes the New Testament church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to Fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Based on this New Testament model, the Chapel, led by a team of elders and deeply committed members, flourished through the fifties and sixties with large numbers and innovative outreach through popular children’s meetings and a ladies coffee hour, to name a few.
Support of missions both home and abroad was a major focus of the chapel. Often close to half of the church’s budget was designated for the spread of the good news in Europe, Africa, Asia, in addition to the strong support of Christian summer camps in Ontario and gospel outreach in Quebec.
After many decades of fruitful ministry, Leaside Bible Chapel reached a crossroads in 2014. The need became apparent to reevaluate its strategy to reach the community and greater Toronto with the gospel.
On the Other Side: A Vision for a New Church
Albert and Linda Chung were serving faithfully at Young Nak Korean Presbyterian Church of Toronto, a local Korean immigrant megachurch. The church was home to them. Yet an insatiable desire stirred in their hearts to share the gospel of grace beyond the Korean community. They dreamed of a multiethnic, multigenerational, and multiclass church to which they could invite their friends of diverse background, a church without cultural hurdles.
Thus began a six year journey of preparation, which included further studies in church planting, networking with church planting coaches, and an intensive six week internship in New York City with Redeemer City to City. After 12 years of ministry, Albert and Linda took a step of faith in 2014. The task of choosing a target area for a church plant felt daunting, since Toronto is a city of just over six million spread over nearly seven thousand square kilometres. One day in prayer, Albert got the idea to plug pins on a Google map of where all the couple’s friends lived. Everyone lived within a 10 km radius of the major intersection of Don Mills Rd. and Lawrence Ave.
God began to lead Albert and Linda to like-minded souls excited about the vision of the church plant. Over time, a group of about 40 people were gathering to pray. They envisioned a church that would overflow the gospel of grace for the good of its neighbourhood and beyond.
God’s Wonderful, Mysterious Orchestration: How It All Came Together
After resigning from Young Nak, Albert took on an internship at Grace Toronto, a local church in downtown Toronto with a vision for urban mission. They provided Albert the opportunity to lead two small groups in his church plant target area. In one of the small groups, God brought Albert into contact with a family who had recently entered a season away from their home church, Leaside Bible Chapel. On hearing about Albert’s vision, the couple connected Albert to the elders of Leaside Bible Chapel, who were at a crossroads themselves.
Albert and the elders met in December 2014. Thus began a seven month journey of envisioning together, praying together, and training together for a renewed presence of the gospel in midtown/uptown Toronto.
Along the way, Young Nak Korean Presbyterian Church of Toronto, City on a Hill Toronto, C2C Network, Redeemer City to City, Grace Toronto, and Grace Network provided invaluable support and insight.
On June 22, 2015, both sides came together in unanimous agreement and enthusiasm to plant Trinity Grace Church. Leaside Bible Chapel, in a gesture of unspeakable Kingdom-mindedness and generosity, gave themselves selflessly and cheerfully to being replanted as Trinity Grace Church under Albert’s leadership. Only in eternity will we see the fullness, profoundness, and beauty of their untethered transfer of stewardship in people, resources, and building to the new church plant.
By God’s overwhelming and overflowing grace, Trinity Grace Church launched and had its first public worship at 826 Eglinton Ave E., on Sunday, November 1, 2015.
To Be Continued…
Trinity Grace Church exists to glorify God as we enjoy and follow Jesus. We envision this grace overflowing into a New Culture, a New Community, and a New City. We find our life in Being Glad, Belonging, and Being a Blessing in and through the gospel.
God has helped our vision to become a reality. We love our multiethnic, multigenerational, and multiclass church. Our family is still growing and maturing in its mission, but we are gladly on the way.