ABOUT CIRP
Our Story
Our church originally began in 1995 to serve the people of Toronto’s downtown core; it was then known as Cornerstone Urban Church, a partner church of Church in the City. Cornerstone began a dinner to feed the hungry and offer a place to belong in a safe community. The Regent Park Community Meals feeds 275 people weekly, almost entirely with volunteers. As Regent Park continues to be revitalized, we saw the desire of many to have a church to call their own. Church in Regent Park officially re-started Easter 2016.
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
Mission
To lead others to a life-changing relationship with Jesus, by serving them at the place of their need
Vision
To create an inclusive, just and loving community which transforms lives and heals brokenness by loving like Jesus
Values
- Grace- Loving without Exception
- Encouragement- Creating Hope
- Compassion- Serving Others in Need
- Recovery- Transforming Lives
- Authenticity- Being genuine
- Community- Sharing Together
- Laughter- Spreading Joy
- Diversity – Celebrating our differences
OUR LEADERSHIP
Church in Regent Park is a partnership of many people working together who help serve at our service, our dinners or throughout the week at our office location.
Below is a list of our pastoral team who are here to serve you.
Mark Goring
Lead Pastor
Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Kimberley and his three children and is a devoted and loyal fan of a number of under-achieving sports franchises (who will continue to remain anonymous). In 20 years of ministry in a number of different contexts, to a wide variety of ages and cultures, his ministry has been marked by a willingness to serve, compassion for others and faith to attempt God-directed ideas.
Kimberley Goring
Associate Pastor (Worship and Admin)
Kimberley loves leading others in worship. She has a compassionate heart and serves, whether on the stage in worship & speaking or in the background. Kimberley is here to serve you while serving Jesus.
Timothy Sills
Associate Pastor ( Pastoral Care and Technical Art)
Timothy lives in the rapidly evolving neighbourhood of Regent Park, growing up in the suburbs he’s always felt a pull towards the city. Timothy has a Bachelor of Theology, works as a fixer of first world problems, and loves being able to go for runs through the city – when it’s not cold outside.
Ashley Alagurajah
Children's Pastor
Meet Ashley! She is the newest member of the CIRP team and is looking forward to serving our Park Kids community! You may recognize her from the time she spent with us as an intern a few summers ago. She and her husband Gavin live in Toronto and are passionate about seeing Jesus work in this city.
Emily Sinate
Community Dinner Assistant
Meet Emily! She was one of our CIRP summer interns for 2023. You might recognize her because she is a long-time member of Church in Regent Park and an even longer-time Regent Park resident. She is always in the area so be sure to say hello if you see her around.
What We Believe
The Bible
The Son
HUMANS
Trinity
The Holy Spirit
Salvation
The Father
Eternity
The Church
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16
Trinity
God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10;James 2:19
The Father
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4
The Son
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.
Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ.He baptizes the believer empowering them to boldly share their faith. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Genesis 1:2; Psalm 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Lk 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27;1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17,
Eternity
Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15
Humans
Humans are made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Humans were created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, humans cannot attain a right relationship with God through their own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31;15:19, 21-22; Eph. 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11
Salvation
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20
The Church
The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3
Contact
info@cirptoronto.ca
Phone
416.756.9509
Mailing
Church in Regent Park
P.O. Box 82878
Toronto, ON, M5A 3Y2
AddressES
Saturday Community Meal 5-6 pm YSM's Davis Centre, 270 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON, M5A 2G4
Sunday Worship @ 3:30 pm: Nelson Mandela Park Public School, 440 Shuter St, Toronto, M5A 1X6
