About Us
We are a diverse church serving a multi-ethnic community in North Etobicoke. We’ve been serving this community for over 60 years with the mission to connect Rexdale to Jesus and His mission as a member of The Alliance Canada.
WHO WE ARE
Our Mission
Connecting Rexdale to Jesus and His Mission
Our Vision
Transformed by Jesus, Transforming Communities
Our Values
-
We depend on God—Proverbs 3:5-6
-
We thrive in community—Romans 12:5
-
We live in the light—1 John 1:7
-
We put others first—Philippians 2:1-4
-
We walk by faith—Acts 20:24
-
We prepare and release for ministry—2 Timothy 2:2
RAC is committed to supporting and growing Rexdale’s community
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our Statement of Faith identifies the core beliefs of The Alliance Canada.
-
There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
-
Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures.
-
The Holy Spirit is a divine Person, sent to indwell, guide, teach and empower the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.
-
The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of people. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice.
-
Humankind, originally created in the image and likeness of God, fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All people are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The destiny of the impenitent and unbelieving is existence forever in conscious torment, but that of the believer is everlasting joy and bliss.
-
Salvation has been provided only through Jesus Christ. Those who repent and believe in Him are united with Christ through the Holy Spirit and are thereby regenerated (born again), justified, sanctified, and granted the gift of eternal life as adopted children of God.
-
It is the will of God that in union with Christ each believer should be sanctified thoroughly thereby being separated from sin and the world and fully dedicated to God, receiving power for holy living and sacrificial and effective service toward the completion of Christ's commission. This is accomplished through being filled with the Holy Spirit which is both a distinct event and progressive experience in the life of the believer.
-
Provision is made in the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the healing of the mortal body. Prayer for the sick and anointing with oil as taught in the Scriptures are privileges for the Church in this present age.
-
The universal Church, of which Christ is the Head, consists of all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, are redeemed through His blood, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and commissioned by Christ to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the Gospel to all nations. The local church, the visible expression of the universal Church, is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together to worship God, to observe the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, to pray, to be edified through the Word of God, to fellowship, and to testify in word and deed to the good news of salvation both locally and globally. The local church enters into relationships with other like-minded churches for accountability, encouragement and mission.
-
There shall be a bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust; for the former, a resurrection unto life; for the latter, a resurrection unto judgment.
-
The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal and visible. As the believer’s blessed hope, this vital truth is an incentive for holy living and sacrificial service toward the completion of Christ's commission.
He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace.
MEET OUR TEAM
Pastoral & Ministry
TJ Syroteuk
-
TJ Syroteuk was born in Humboldt, SK, grew up in Manitoba, spent several years in Wisconsin in the USA where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies as well as his Masters in Christian Counselling.
TJ married Joanna, a friend from a worship team back in university, in 2012 and moved to Edmonton to help with a church plant. TJ later became the director of youth ministries at Spruce Grove Alliance Church, and a regular camp and conference speaker. In 2016, they moved to Calgary where TJ became the Director of Discipleship at Bearspaw Christian School. In 2020, God moved them to Toronto where TJ began serving as lead pastor of Rexdale Alliance Church.
TJ loves God and loves teaching the Word of God. He is a life-long Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan and is excited about exploring his new city of Toronto.
Cheryl Guinness
-
Raised in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Cheryl committed her life to the Lord around the age of 8 through a Christian comic book. During her first week at university, she attended the campus InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Group and learned about having a personal relationship with Jesus. It was through IVCF she experienced many ministry leadership opportunities.
After using her science degree in teaching, she served on the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team and eventually became volunteer Director. After one year in this position, she came on staff as the Director of Women’s Ministry. Eventually the role transitioned to Pastor of Discipleship. Cheryl is passionate about the local church and seeing believers become growing and healthy followers of Jesus Christ.
Cheryl and Paul have 3 children: Joshua, Daniel, and Emma. Some of her favourite things include discovery through local walks, mini-vacations to explore interesting areas or a cup of hot coffee with friends.
Melad Markos
-
Melad was born in Egypt. He accepted Christ as his Saviour when he was 12 years old. Melad graduated from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1994. He became the senior pastor of Komobo Evangelical Church in 1995 for sixteen years, and Al Zagazig church for 4 years.
In 2004, Melad married Azza and God has blessed them with Sam and Reuben. Melad has continued his studies and holds B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology, a MA in counselling, as well as certificates in Conflict Management and problem Solving, Christian Leadership and Advanced Leadership Skills. Currently, he is in the process of attaining a M.Div. in clinical Counselling from Tyndale Seminary.
In 2013, Melad and Azza came to Canada where God called them to start Love Unending Ministries. Melad loves the Word of God. He is passionate to reach out to newcomers to invite and integrate them into the local church.
Dan Ryan
-
Dan was born in Grand Falls, Newfoundland and grew up in Mississauga, Ontario. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from University of Toronto where he studied voice and conducting and is working toward a master’s degree at Tyndale Seminary. Dan has years of teaching, performance, and ministry experience.
Dan has been involved in music at Rexdale Alliance since he began dating his wife in late 2013. During that time, he served Kingsway-Lambton United Church for six years as worship leader and conductor. Dan made Rexdale his church home in 2019, taking on greater involvement in worship and volunteering in different ministries, including day camp, youth, and young adults. Dan and his wife, Alison, became Worship Coordinators in 2021 and helped transition back into in-person services from pre-recorded music during the pandemic lockdowns. Dan transitioned to Worship and Engagement Pastor for the Rexdale community in 2022 from his role as Seminary & Graduate Admissions Counsellor at Tyndale University where he'd served since 2019.
Dan met Alison in university and they were married the weekend following their commencement in 2016. They welcomed their first daughter in 2020 and their second in 2021. Dan loves being a girl dad, and he and Alison enjoy involving their babies in all that they do. They live together with their dog and two cats in the Rexdale area.
More than anything, Dan is a partner in God’s mission and wants to help others foster a dependent relationship with Jesus, realize their potential, and utilize their gifts to glorify God, coming to know His peace in the process.
Jessica Nguyen
-
Jessica comes to RAC from an early childhood education background. After completing a Bachelor of Education in Primary/Junior Education (2010), a Diploma in Early Childhood Education (2016), and a Post-Diploma Certificate in Early Childhood Management (2024), she began a career in response to God’s leading.
Serving as a missionary ESL teacher in Cambodia, she spent two years teaching a grade 1/2 class at Asian Hope International School. Upon returning to Canada, she spent 7 years as an occasional teacher for the Toronto District School Board and spent two years serving as an early childhood educator in several settings. Jessica’s most recent adventure was running her own home daycare called Little Light Child Care for the last five years.
Back in 2020, Jessica’s family began attending RAC and became members in 2023. Jessica and her husband, Brian, have three children—Joshua (10), Katelyn (8), and Keira (7)—who have been attending RAC's summer camps since 2019.
Beginning September 2024, Jessica will be overseeing RAC's Family Ministries. She looks forward to seeing where God leads and what He has in store for our church family!
Paul LaRocque
-
Paul is originally from New Brunswick - it was halfway through his Bachelor's degree in Nova Scotia that he encountered Christ and dedicated his life to Him. He continued his science studies there and then at the U of Toronto where he completed a PhD in laser physics.
Paul retired in 2020 after 35 years at the same company, where his work as a scientist and eventually a VP was the design of special lidars for terrain and ocean mapping. He is passionate about the integration of the Christian faith with modern science.
Paul is married to Grace and they have three grown boys and four grandkids (so far). They have been attending and serving in various roles at RAC since 1990. In mid 2020, Paul completed the credentialing interview to become an Alliance pastor at RAC, and took on the lead pastoral role at Neighbourhood Connections Church (NCC).
Paul Buchan
-
Paul is a part of Youth Unlimited's Jane and Finch neighbourhood team, serving youth through sports outreach programs. Community sports programs provide a special opportunity to connect, positively influence, and share Christ with youth. Paul is passionate about serving youth and the community through sports; he has personally experienced the benefits that come from involvement in these activities, such as achieving goals and connecting with others, both as a lifelong participant in organized sports and through professional and volunteer experiences in leadership roles as an adult.
Operations
Solange Werners
-
Solange was born and raised on the Dutch island of Curacao until moving to Canada to complete her post-secondary studies, before moving to the Netherlands to complete her graduate studies. She was introduced to Vacation Bible School at her neighbour’s house and became actively involved in the children and youth ministry during her teenage years.
In July 2013, she accepted the position of Director of Family Ministries. Her passion is to love and invest in children, youth and young adults. She also has a love of travelling and nature walks. Her favourite phrase:” Jesus love me this I know!”
Fiaz Masih
-
Fiaz was born into a Christian family in Lahore Pakistan where he served as an elder in his home church and worked at OM Pakistan (Operation Mobilization Pakistan). He has completed a graduate degree in Math and Physics, post graduate studies in Management & Information Technology and has an MBA.
He moved with his family to Malaysia in 2014 after experiencing severe persecution for his Christian faith in Pakistan. The family escaped miraculously from their home after it was set on fire. He later served at Open Doors Malaysia, serving the persecuted Christians in Southeast Asia.
Fiaz moved to Canada in September 2021 and began working at RAC shortly thereafter. He currently lives in the GTA with his wife Naomi and their two children. He served first on a part-time basis and now is our full-time Accounting Clerk. We are so happy he has decided to use his many talents in this current role.
In his spare time Fiaz enjoys playing table tennis, cricket and watching movies.
Marilyn Spagnolo
-
Born and raised in a Christian church, Marilyn has been actively involved in a variety of ministry areas throughout her life including children’s ministries, teaching, women’s ministries, small groups, etc.
Rexdale Alliance Church has become Marilyn’s new home church since the spring of 2018. Marilyn is currently serving as Family Ministries Coordinator, co-leader of the LOFT Moms Group, and in Worship as well. Outside of church, Marilyn enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, baking, and hiking.
Priscilla Loo
-
Priscilla was born and raised in Hong Kong before moving to Canada with her family in 2006. Since then, they have attended Hamilton Chinese Alliance Church where Priscilla served in various ministries, including children and youth, as well as worship and tech.
Following her passion for the arts, Priscilla completed a BFA in Studio Arts at McMaster University. In 2022, after COVID threw a wrench in her plans for further education in Theatre Production, she entered Humber College's Advertising and Graphic Design Diploma program instead. It was then that God brought her to Rexdale Alliance Church where she later began volunteering on the tech team in response to the sermon series Rated E for Everyone.
Outside of church, Priscilla enjoys reading manga/webcomics, watching musicals, and seeing squirrels run around the yard.
David Boerger
-
David is one of Rexdale Alliance Church’s custodial staff. He can be found all over the building, maintaining the property both inside and out. He came to know of Rexdale Alliance Church through the Road Hockey outreach. In his free time, David can normally be found at the movie theatre, gaming or out on the golf course.
Elders
-
Peter Van Alphen
-
Edgar Crowdy
-
Wayne Deering
-
Stetson Ford
-
Alex Maniglio
-
Neil Porter
-
Sean Vanderweerd
-
Marcel Vander Wier
GLOBAL PARTNERS
-
The Alliance Canada
The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada is a growing evangelical denomination, founded in the 1880s. We are people committed to Jesus. With more than 430 local churches in Canada, engaging in justice and compassion work in Canada and around the globe, we long to be a movement of churches transformed by Christ, transforming Canada and the world.
-
The Eastern Canadian District
The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in Canada is organized into six geographic districts. Each district office oversees the licensing, ordination, and supervision of the workers located in that geographic area. Each district has a District Superintendent and together with a team provide resources and guidance for local Alliance churches in areas of growth, leadership, Christian education, missions conferences, multicultural ministries, pastoral care, and church-planting.
-
National Workers
National Workers engage locally to introduce people to Jesus and be His hands and feet in our city. Here are those that we are partnered with and support financially, listed alphabetically by last name.
-
International Workers
International Workers engage globally to bring access to Jesus all around the world. Here are those that we are partnered with and support financially, listed alphabetically by last name.