A New MCEC Congregation! Rehoboth Evangelical Church

"The Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land." (Genesis 26:22) Rehoboth is Hebrew and can be translated "room." For the members of Rehoboth Evangelical Church, this verse found in Genesis is one that they relate to and are experiencing.

Pastor Kassa spent his first three months in Canada living in a shelter. It was here that a vision grew in his heart for helping people - specifically Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrants like himself. Begun with six people meeting for worship, Rehoboth Evangelical Church was birthed in 2005 and has grown into an active community of Christians.

Familiar with the Mennonite Church in Ethiopa, Pastor Kassa believed it important to connect with other churches. After walking with MCEC Mission Council, Rehoboth has solidified their relationship to the people within MCEC. Upon recommendation of the Mission Council, the MCEC Executive Council has officially welcomed Rehoboth Evangelical Church as an emerging congregation.

This status of membership in MCEC brings with it all the rights and responsibilities of full membership status congregations and signifies an important testing time for both congregation and area church as each determine if this is the direction of God's leading.

They are eager to join in the mission of extending the peace of Jesus Christ to the Ethiopian and Eritrean population of Toronto.

Rehoboth Evangelical Church, along with The Church of the Living Word in Ottawa and the Markham Christian Worship Centre will officially be welcomed at the 2009 Annual Church Gathering in April. The addition of these three congregations will bring the total number of congregations within MCEC to 95.