Living Hope
Living Hope
WHO WE ARE
Living Hope Baptist Church
Living Hope Baptist Church exists to lead people to hope in Jesus
We are a community of born-again believers dedicated to exalting Christ. We believe in the faithful study and exposition of God’s Word. We want to bring glory to God by proclaiming his goodness through our words and actions. We are committed to growing in the knowledge and love of God. This is done through faithful biblical instruction and caring fellowship so we can become better witnesses wherever we are. We are also committed to Christ-centered, gospel-filled worship and preaching. Our desire is for people to know God's grace.
Our mission and values
As we lead people to hope in Jesus, we seek to become...
... a church that exalts God, edify and equip believers and evangelize the world through the power of Jesus Christ;
... a church that's defined by our commitment to the gospel. This is evident through faithful biblical exposition of God's Word, genuine care and fellowship, and wholehearted worship;
... a church that grows in the knowledge of God and is passionate about living out the gospel for God's glory;
... a multicultural church across different generations, known for our unity and love;
... a church that has a lasting impact on the Lakeshore area through intentional evangelism;
... a church that plants other churches.
Meet our leaders
We believe in a plurality of elders as the model set in the New Testament, so we have two elders serving alongside our Senior Pastor.
Our Pastor
RJ Umandap
Pastor RJ (or "PRJ" to some) came as our associate pastor in 2011 and became our lead pastor in 2013. He pastored Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Kingston, Jamaica, where he and his wife Joëlle (who's from the French island of Martinique) had their two boys before moving to Toronto to serve as an assistant pastor at Jarvis Street Baptist Church in 2007. A Chemistry graduate who wishes he'd studied English Lit, he obtained an M.Div. From Toronto Baptist Seminary and his D.Min. from Talbot School of Theology (Biola University). He now leads a family of five with their friendly, energetic toddler.
Our Elder
Melvin Gilpo
Melvin Gilpo is our longest-serving elder at LHBC. He's in charge of our Outreach ministry, having served with Emmanuel International in the Philippines, Ethiopia and Tanzania. That's how he met his wife, Pat, who was working as a missionary nurse in Tanzania. They have lived in Toronto since 1991 and have been blessed with two young adults who are active at the church.
Our Elder
Arnold Chiong
Born in the Philippines, Arnold Chiong has lived in Canada for 20 years and works as a Help Desk Analyst at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. He and his wife, Marivic, are raising their six kids in Mississauga. Before becoming an elder in 2013, he served as a deacon from 2009-2011. His organizational acumen keeps our cell group ministry running and helps the elders keep things from falling through the cracks.
Board of Deacons
Chairman: Feras Jawdi
Vice Chairman: Ryan Vives
Edwin Arroz
Joshua Carles
Nathaniel Gilpo
Charles Mikee Victor
Finance Committee
Alicia Frias
Jennifer Victor
Church Clerk
Rachel Chiong
Moderator
Julius Quintos
Outreach Committee
Melvin Gilpo
Josie Balcita
Purita Garrovillo
Pat Gilpo
Tess Jawdi
Feras Jawdi
Ivy Palattao
Worship Committee
Jil Garrovillo
Dorothy Garrovillo
Joelle Umandap
Nathaniel Gilpo
Christian Education Committee
Arnold Chiong
Marites Quintos
Joelle Umandap
Ruth Vives
Jil Garrovillo
Fellowship Committee
Millie Feria
and many others
Have questions? Want to get involved? Feel free to contact any of the people above for more information.