ThereB次元官网网址檚 a new church in town and this one has a bit of a twist for West Shore residents.

Glad Tidings (GT) Church is launching its Westhills campus with services starting this Sunday (Sept. 11) in the Belmont secondary school theatre.

Darren Abrahams, GT Westhills campus pastor, said theyB次元官网网址檝e had B次元官网网址渁 lot of connection with BelmontB次元官网网址� and the schoolB次元官网网址檚 staff has been fantastic to work with while they are preparing to open for Sunday services.

Andy Moore, GT lead pastor, added, B次元官网网址渨e just think itB次元官网网址檚 a wonderful place to hold church.B次元官网网址�

Moore noted that since the building functions as a school all week, theyB次元官网网址檝e been forced to be creative in finding ways to transform the space on Sundays while maintaining a presence in the West Shore community throughout the week. B次元官网网址淏eyond that, we use local coffee shops as our offices and can meet with people in their homes.B次元官网网址� He added that Parkway Dental has also provided them with office space, when needed, on Langford Parkway.

Making sure the church becomes an integral part of the community as a welcoming space for everyone has been their main goal during this process. Many people are hesitant to attend church services, Moore said, because they arenB次元官网网址檛 sure they will be welcome. B次元官网网址淔or us, we just want to make sure everyone knows weB次元官网网址檙e open to everyone.B次元官网网址� He added, B次元官网网址渢hereB次元官网网址檚 a place for you when you need a place; sometimes life gets really heavy.B次元官网网址�

While GT operates a campus on Quadra Street, Moore said they made the move to open a West Shore location because B次元官网网址渨e just want to put ourselves in reach of people B次元官网网址� Anyone who lives out there understands the daily grind of driving.B次元官网网址�

The commute back into town Sunday morning can often be a deterrent for some, he added. B次元官网网址淲e just want to serve, thatB次元官网网址檚 why weB次元官网网址檙e here B次元官网网址� That same great experience people have downtown, they can have in their own neighbourhood.B次元官网网址�

Abrahams said the West Shore residents heB次元官网网址檚 spoken with are thrilled to have another place to go, especially one closer to home.

B次元官网网址淭he response has been really goodB次元官网网址� Many people are looking forward to coming out.B次元官网网址�

With space for roughly 300 people in the Belmont theatre, GT Westhills has decided to offer two services this Sunday because of that response. The first will start at 9:30 a.m. and the second at 11:00.

Moore reiterated that everyone, including children, are welcome to attend either service. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檒l be a wonderful kids program for children (up to) Grade 5,B次元官网网址� he said.

Added Abrahams: B次元官网网址淭he kids program is second to none.B次元官网网址�

For more information go to GT.church.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com