Who We Are

GKM Church

We are a family of believers that worship together, grow together and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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Mission

What We Do

We are a family of believers that worship together, grow together and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Vision

Where We're Going

Seeing individuals and communities transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How We Live

Our Values

Word

We pursue truth

Encounter

We are transformed by God's presence

Prayer

We are connected to God

Servant Leadership

We empower others

Excellence

We focus on our call

Generosity

We give freely

Compassion

We care for our world

Growth

We make disciples that make disciples

Relationship

We are family

Our Foundation

What We Believe

We recognize as we did at the outset of our movement that there is some diversity of theological thought among us, but we remain committed as a Pentecostal community to the historic creeds of the church, to evangelical convictions of faith, and to the Full Gospel that Christ is Saviour, Healer, Spirit-Baptizer, and Soon Coming King.

PAOC Essential Truths Church By-law

GKM Church is a member church of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), a fellowship of over 1,100 churches throughout Canada.

Since 1956

Our History

A Missional Start

In 1956, founder Rev. Roy E. Upton, began meeting in a bowling alley on the property of Bethel Home for Girls at 664 Kennedy Road. Weekly drive-in Sunday services were held at a Dominion Store parking lot, where services were carried by amplifier to approximately 100 cars. Construction began in a wheat field at 710 Markham Road, with Phase 1 of Scarboro Gospel Temple (SGT) completed in 1957, and Phase 2 in 1963, with a seating capacity of 700. With the first offering dedicated to global missions, the vision and mission of SGT was clear. We would be a church with global missions at its heart, equipping believers to go and make disciples.

The Church that Cares and Shares

Rev. James Weller became SGT’s pastor in 1967. Rev. Weller held well-attended summer evangelistic tent crusades on the corner of Markham and Lawrence, and soon the church was full to overflowing. Volunteers drove 11 school buses that picked up children and families for Sunday services. Each bus was branded with the slogan, and some were flagged down for pick-ups enroute. SGT became known as “the Church that cares and shares.”

Holy Spirit Emphasis

Rev. Hudson Hilsden pastored Scarboro Gospel Temple from 1975 to 1983. His ministry emphasis was the necessity of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. In May 1978, SGT expanded once more. A three-acre plot of land at 6705 Sheppard Avenue East was purchased, and development for another church began. This new development, Malvern Christian Assembly, was planted with a focus and thrust in children’s ministry.

Growing Deeper and Wider

In 1983, Rev. George Atkinson’s strong teaching ministry began. The church continued to grow deeper in the Word and wider into the community. Rev. Robert Johnston began his ministry at SGT in 1996. With charismatic preaching and gracious leadership, the church used every corner of its facility to meet the needs of the community. With only 51 parking spots, cars lined the roads on Sunday mornings, and people shuffled through a cramped foyer to find a seat on a wooden pew.

We’re Going Places

Once again, there was expansion in 2005, with the purchase of 11 acres of land at 1250 Markham Road. The vision was cast, “We’re going places,” and we did. The new facility was completed in 2008 and became the main operating base for mobilizing believers and propelling them into their God-given destiny. With the new building came a new name, Global Kingdom Ministries, and a fresh vision, “Life with Jesus – Every Day, Everywhere.”

Today at GKM

In 2023, Rev. Benjamin Johnston became Lead Pastor of GKM. With an emphasis on being a church in the community, for the community, GKM hosts and partners with many local initiatives to provide a space for people of all ages to find connection in a Gospel-centred space. We're passionate about seeing individuals and communities transformed by the Gospel.

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