A seed of faith was planted, a vision to serve God, reach the lost, and build a community rooted in His Word. What started as a small gathering of believers has grown into something extraordinary. And for that, we give God all the glory.
Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that:
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness.“
Through every season, every trial, and every triumph, one truth has remained all these years, God is faithful.
Our story began in 1974 when Pastor Robert Kirkland obeyed God’s call to plant a church in the Durham region. God gave him a vision to begin a work where lives could be transformed by the gospel. He began holding small Bible studies and eventually Fundamental Baptist Church was formed. Several years later, Fundamental Baptist Church became what we know today as FaithWay Baptist Church.
The early years were built on a foundation of prayer, trust in God’s Word, and a desire to share the gospel. Throughout these 50 years, FaithWay has continued that vision.
Our journey has been more than just about buildings. The true marks of what God has done over these 50 years are the testimonies of the lives that have been changed by the gospel. Over the years, generations of believers have worshiped together, prayed together, and grown together in Christ. And as we look back over these years, truly all we can say is, this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
In 1980, God led Greg and Melissa Baker to Faithway Baptist Church. Pastor Baker served as the college vice president and school principal. Upon Pastor Kirkland’s resignation in 1988, Pastor Baker became the senior pastor of Faithway. Under his leadership, the church missions program, Bible college, and Christian school grew. Several building programs also took place during his time. Melissa Baker came on staff as the music administrator and a teacher in the school and college. Under her guidance, the music program of the church and college flourished. We are thankful for their years of service here.
In 2009, Pastor and Mrs. Wall came to Faithway. They were truly an encouragement and a blessing to Faithway Baptist Church, and they came with humble, serving spirits. Pastor Wall took over as the senior pastor, college president, and school principal. Mrs. Wall came on staff as the kindergarten teacher and has worked with the Church Ladies Programs.
At the beginning of 2025, Pastor Eric and Melisa Léveillé began their ministry at FaithWay Baptist Church. With hearts devoted to Christ and a passion for people, they have stepped into leadership with faith, humility, and a strong desire to continue the vision that was planted so many years ago. We are excited for how God will use them to guide FaithWay into the future and continue to build on the foundation that has been so faithfully laid.
We are forever grateful for the Shepherd’s heart Pastor Wall has shown for us and are thankful for both of their investment in our lives for the past 15 years.
Over the past five decades, Faithway has grown into more than a church. Through our vibrant missions program, our Christian school, and the Bible College, God has allowed us to touch countless lives, training the next generation of leaders, sending workers into the harvest, and sharing Christ with the world. Each week, all across Canada and in several parts of the world, graduates from our Bible College are faithfully ministering in local churches and furthering the Lord’s work.
They are living out our college motto, training servants for the master. It is our prayer that God would continue to grow the various ministries of Faithway Baptist Church.
Through every season, times of challenge and seasons of growth, God has been faithful. And today we stand together as one family, praising Him for His goodness and grace. The legacy of Faithway is not just in its past, but in its future. We are committed to continuing the work that God has entrusted to us, equipping the next generation and reaching our community in the world for Christ.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we honour the past, give thanks for the present, and with hope and faith, we look forward to the future. We are more than a building or a congregation. We are a family. Together, we are FaithWay Baptist Church.
