Who We Are

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

 The first official service of Westney Heights Baptist Church was held March 4, 1990 in the basement of the former United Church in Pickering Village. Pastor Jim Rendle and his family had moved to Ajax in November 1989 to plant a new church with the support of the area churches of our Association. Prospects looked very promising! Letters were sent out announcing an informational meeting for interested people. Fifteen came to that meeting, but it was soon evident that most were reluctant to step out and join this new endeavour. Only three of those attending were willing to commit themselves to join the Rendles. Weekly prayer meetings were begun and a nucleus of four families met for worship before the official opening.

The early months were very difficult and growth was slow, but through prayer, patience and persistence, we began to see fruit and growth. In August, we moved to the newly renovated Montessori Building on the same property. This provided better facilities for children but it soon became inadequate for our growing congregation. In May, 1991, we moved to our next location at Applecroft Public School. Significant growth took place as people learned about the new church in the area. Our summer Vacation bible School and weekly Awana club program helped acquaint families with our church and increase our attendance.

One of the highlights in the development of our church was the way that God orchestrated the smooth transition of leadership. As Pastor Rendle neared retirement age, it was necessary to have someone else take over as Senior Pastor. The Lord wonderfully arranged to allow Pastor Jack Hannah to come as part-time assistant, then as Associate Pastor, and finally as Senior Pastor of our church. In 1998 we began the drive for "The Road to Ravenscroft", the future location of the church. In September of 2002 we had our first service in our new building.

Through the years God has changed many lives and there has been steady growth and a wonderful spirit of love and togetherness.

January 14, 1990

First service of Westney Heights Baptist church held in the basement of the old United Church in Pickering Village. Attendance: 17

March 4, 1990

Official opening Service held.

Attendance: 51

August, 1990

The church moved to the newly renovated Montessori building on the same property. - Income for 1990 - $25,000 

May, 1991

The church moved to Applecroft P.S. because of lack of space. Significant growth took place as people learned about the new church in the area.

1992

Awana Club began on Friday nights with Sparks (K - Gr. 2)

1993

Awana Clubs added Pals and Chums (up to Gr. 4).

Offerings for the year (including Building Fund) $61,181.41

1994

Pastor Jack Hannah was asked to join the team as Associate Pastor

1995

The pastors switched roles - Pastor Hannah became Senior Pastor and Pastor Rendle became Associate Pastor. - Mission ’95 Outreach Telephone blitz resulted in an attendance of 272 on "Celebration Sunday”, October 1

1996

Jesus Video telephone campaign. 160 videos distributed to the community;

follow-up calling indicated that at least 30 people had either made a commitment

to Christ, or rededicated their life to Him, as a result of viewing the videos.

January, 1997

Pastor Rendle "retired" but continued to serve as "Minister of Pastoral Care”.

Bev Rendle joins staff as church secretary.

February, 1998

Received gift of 3 acres of land from John Boddy Developments.

Fall, 1999

Retained services of Dickinson & Hicks Architects for building plans.

March, 2000

10th Anniversary Service with musical singing group, Diapason.

February, 2001

Voted to commence with the building of the church and to bring on staff a Youth pastor

April, 2001

Darin Martin began ministry as our first Youth Pastor.

May 6, 2001

Ground-breaking ceremony for the building, after the morning service.

May 31, 2001

Road to Ravenscroft Dessert Night fundraiser for church building with Hiram Joseph

and Paul Henderson. Income for 2001 was just under $500,000.

February 8, 2002

Building setback as a fire in our building destroyed the main roof, north wall and part of the east wall of the building.

September 8, 2002

First Service in the building at 1201 Ravenscroft Rd.

October 20, 2002

Official Opening of Westney Heights Baptist Church.

Summer 2003

Youth Missions Trip to Haiti.

January 2004

Church supports Hugh Gordon on short-term missions trip to Mid-east and Pakistan.

February 2004

Bonnie Carter added to staff as Bookkeeper & Facilities Coordinator.

Fall, 2004

KIDDS with Purpose program introduced as our mid-week children’s program.

Spring, 2005

Discipleship program, Christianity Explored, offered.

August, 2005

Don Salmon added to staff as Director of Music & Worship and Administrator of Adult Ministries.

April, 2006

Darin Martin finishes his position as Youth Pastor.

June, 2006

Chris Fortin added to staff as new Youth Pastor

March, 2007

Pastor Jack announced the goal to distribute a Bible to every home in Ajax in "their mother tongue". Westney Walking With the Word. 

W4 Strategy Begins.

June, 2007

Podcasting began as the new audio player was launched on westney.ca. 

September, 2007

Chris Fortin submits his resignation as Youth Pastor.

October, 2007 

At the October 28th business meeting, members voted to approve the W4 financial plan

and called Dr. Craig Carter as Theologian-In-Residence. 

January, 2008

W4 officially was launched with over 250 people involved in the first "D-Day".

March 2008

Over 10,000 Bibles delivered to Town of Ajax. through W4 "D Days".

February 2008

We've been through fire, we've been through rain... Church basement is almost completely

flooded resulting in cancellation of KIDDS' programming for one week.

May 2008

W4 final D Day sees the completion of the Bible delivery program.

September, 2008

Jonathan and Summer Fitter, joined Westney with Jon taking over duties as the new Youth pastor. 

October, 2008

Celebration of Pastor Jim & Anna Rendle’s 50 years in ministry with an open house at WHBC on Saturday, and special speaker, Rev. David Haines on Sunday. It was a wonderful time of reflection of God's goodness and grace.

November, 2009

Special Offering raised almost $70K, half of which is for a future WHBC mission trip to work with David & Brenda Mensah in Ghana.

March, 2010

Westney celebrates 20 years on March 7th, 2010.

June, 2010

A succession committee was formed to seek out the next senior pastor for Westney.

July, 2010

Pastor Jon Fitter resigns to take a posting in Texas.

November, 2010

Special Offering raises over $51,000

Westney's new website Westney Online debuts.