In late 2009, a handful of families discerned that Barrie would benefit from the establishment of an additional evangelical church, with a focus on discipleship and meaningful community, where the Elders could know and effectively shepherd the congregation.
CHAPTER 1
In 2012, Jason Austin and his wife Laura agreed to relocate from Massachusetts, and pastor Southshore. Pastor Jason’s ministry experience as an Associate Pastor, his exemplary personal and family life, and being known to Southshore as a relative of a founding family, made him the perfect choice.
Southshore Bible Church formally launched on August 5, 2012, initially meeting in the Bob Rumball Home for the Deaf, and then relocating to Ecole la Source in October, where the church remained until moving to our current facility on Bryne Drive in 2017.
During this first chapter, the heart of the church was formed. Southshore grew as a community devoted in service and love for one another and committed to biblical instruction and spiritual growth.
CHAPTER 2
In 2016, Pastor Jason returned to the United States to assist his aging parents. Prior to his departure, Pastor Jason contacted Dr. Adam Brown and his wife Angie, who agreed to succeed him as the pastor of Southshore. Though deeply saddened to lose Pastor Jason and his beloved family, Southshore rejoiced greatly in God’s provision of a wonderful successor to lead Southshore in the next season.
During this second chapter, the bones of the church were put in place. Southshore matured in church doctrine, developed a ministry structure, and Adam and Angie led in discipleship of men and women.
CHAPTER 3
In 2019, Pastor Adam was released to prepare for God’s calling to minister at The Gulf Theological Seminary in Dubai, while pursuing a pastoral replacement. Through God’s continued faithfulness, in 2020 Dr. Jody Cross with his wife Alexandra began as Southshore’s third and present pastor.
In this third and ongoing chapter, with the heart and bones in place, the soul of Southshore is growing. The Elders, with Pastor Jody at the helm, safely nurtured the church through the years of the Covid pandemic, and are leading the church in this next season of growth in eager evangelism, earnest prayer, and heartfelt worship, as we turn our focus outward to our community.
AFFILIATION
Southshore Bible Church is affiliated with the Canadian National Baptist Convention (CNBC).