Bowling alley church strikes a chord in community
AURORA, ON—When pastors John and Victoria Irving of Gateway Church decided to start a new church in the north suburbs of Toronto, they knew God was leading them to do something extraordinary. But they never expected it would involve setting pins after Sunday worship.
The Gathering Place is a lively and vibrant "spirit-filled" congregation, based in a five- and 10-pin bowling alley called Gateway Café and Lanes. The church is connected to Eagle World Wide Ministries, a network of apostolic churches founded by Russ Moyer.
The congregation first began to meet 10 years ago in the auditorium of a seniors' centre. It moved to a local hotel shortly before the SARS crisis limited access into the first facility. John says God prompted him in a dream to make that move. God also made it clear to the church when it was time to start looking to buy a place of their own.
"It seemed like all along, every move we made from one place to another, it was always something which came from the Lord," says Victoria.
As the property search commenced, many people in the congregation began to dream about bowling. For the Irvings, who hadn't told the general congregation their real estate agent had shown them a bowling alley, this was a powerful confirmation that it was where God wanted them to be.
"Probably everything we've ever done is based on a vision, or a dream or a prophetic word from the Lord," says John. "We don't move until we know the Lord is on it."
They gutted the preexisting bar and tavern, replacing it with a bright and airy sanctuary. Along with regular Sunday services, they also host youth concerts and worship events.
The church has made a subtle mark on the bowling alley too, including mixing some "not too churchy" Christian music into the music they play. Upon close inspection, wall graffiti contains the various names of Jesus.
"We tagged the building," John says.
"We really wanted to create a place where parents felt safe having their children come," says Victoria. "Everyone says it's the cleanest bowling alley they've ever seen."
Gateway holds a monthly kids club, which includes bowling, games and a Bible message. They also hold a summer bowling camp. Both attract a large number of non-churched young people.
They also hold an annual food drive fundraiser in the summer and host an annual Big Brother Big Sister event. John says they've been fortunate to build relationships with local politicians and business leaders, as well as with local churches that use their lanes for events.
"Our desire is to impact our community and to be a light," Victoria says, "so that the name of Jesus Christ will be lifted up."
She says people going through personal crisis or marital problems also approach the church, looking for a listening ear from a faith perspective.
"Sometimes people just drop in to have a cup of coffee and talk," Victoria says. "One of the greatest things is the opportunity we have to speak one-on-one with the people who come in here. When people come in here they know something is different. The atmosphere is different."
"Our main mandate as a church is to be a place where people are ushered into the presence of the Lord," says John. "That's demonstrated through the gifts of the spirit. We continually see gifts of healing, miracles and financial breakthroughs."
"Looking back, at all the ways the Lord has spoken to us over the years," Victoria says, "how He said He was calling us to be different, calling us to be unique, calling us to be on the cutting edge. We didn't know what the Lord was really trying to say to us back then, until we stepped into this place."
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