Our Beginnings

Beginning the early 1990's as the Ajax/Pickering area had just gone through a time of fast growth, the Christian Reformed Church began to dream of seeing a new church be planted in this suburban area just east of Toronto. A church that would specifically target those who had recently moved into the area but who were not presently connected to a church home. From the beginning they made a strong commitment to not only seeing this church get off the ground but also supporting it, both financially and with much prayer.

In 1994, our founding pastor Adrian Van Giessen and his family were sent to Ajax by the mission board of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, with the goal of beginning this new church. During the early stages of this new churches' life, a leadership group was gathered, a number of community wide seminars and events were held, and the core of this new church begun.

In February of 1996, Crossroads held its very first public worship service. Since that time, Crossroads has grown, our staff developed, and a large core of volunteers mobilized to continue to carry out our vision of being a church that 'helps people connect to God. In addition to our worship services, Crossroads is made up of a growing network of small groups throughout the Durham region.

As we continue to grow and multiply, our original dream remains the same:

To be a growing community of people where lives are changed, where people who have given up on church find new hope and meaning, and where love and acceptance is a normal part of our life together, and where God forms new communities in which his transforming work is allowed to be front and centre.

Our Roots

From our start, we've received support and encouragement from the Christian Reformed Church in North America, a Christian denomination with roots on this continent of over 150 years. It's a denomination of some 1000 congregations spread throughout North America with its historical roots in the Reformation. We stand firmly with them in believing and promoting the good news of Christianity.

Even more than that, as part of the Christian Reformed Church family, we are blessed with partners who share with us a deep desire to see God's love and grace have a transforming impact on many people's lives. We are so grateful to them for their support and the stability that this brings to our new church!