Messianic centre completes first construction phase
TORONTO, ON—Toronto's Messianic Jewish community has a new home, even if it only partially finished.
Headed by Chosen People Ministries Canada (CPMC), part of an international movement founded in 1894 with the purpose of introducing Jews to Yeshua, the Toronto Messianic Centre recently completed phase one of its construction.
"The centre represents a significant new facility to serve the Messianic Jewish community in Toronto," says Ben Volman, former interim director of CPMC who now serves as Toronto director of ministry. "The facility will support our Messianic Jewish congregation and will help us to bring together the extended community across the city where there are several other Messianic congregations and outreach groups."
There are about 325,000 Jews in Canada, with 280,000 living in the Greater Toronto Area. The need is great, but the workers few, says newly-hired national director and former church planter Jorge Sedaca.
"In order to expand the missionary force, we need to train new leaders, and that's where we want to use the centre," he explains.
As pastor of one of Toronto's Messianic congregations, Kehillat Eytz Chaim (Tree of Life), Volman currently meets with 50-plus congregants in a rented church in the west end of the city. He is looking forward to using the second floor of the new centre for Bible studies, prayer meetings and outreach events.
"The facility will help us to expand the scope and nature of our public ministry," says Volman.
Once a damaged restaurant, the building housing the Toronto Messianic Centre now comprises a fully furnished basement, with kitchen, restrooms, storage space and a gathering area, as well as a main floor with a reception area and five offices. CPM staff moved in this October.
Phase two of the construction—of a second floor with classrooms and an expansive gathering area—will commence in spring, provided the funds come in; to date, $200,000 is needed to complete the project.
"We want to be good stewards; we don't want to start something we cannot finish, because people give to us, and we will not do anything to jeopardize our testimony," says Sedaca. "We trust the Lord that things will happen by spring."
Originally intended for completion in early 2011, delays have occurred due to staff turnover. "However, the construction company with whom we've been working, Birkim, did an outstanding job in finishing the first phase," says Volman.
CPM has been planting Messianic Jewish congregations in cities nationwide, including Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg, since the mid-1980s. "We are meant to be united, and we must give the larger body of Messiah [all faithful churches in Yeshua] a deeper understanding of their Jewish roots," says Volman, who came to faith through the outreach work of CPM more than 34 years ago.
"This facility will help us stage events that give a deeper understanding of our message to the wider Christian community."
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