Our Vision
We exist to know God and make Him known.
Our vision comes from the Great Commission, the enduring vision Jesus Christ gave to the church, to make disciples:
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Core Values
Core Values
If doctrinal distinctives define what we believe, core values define who we are and give shape and substance to everything we do.
God’s Word
We are rooted in the Living Word of God.
“…preach the Word…” (2 Timothy 4:2)
Truth matters. Systematic, expositional preaching of the Bible is our regular practice, and all of our teaching ministries are rooted in the truth, authority, and relevance of God’s Word. By it we are equipped for a life of faith and ministry.
Corporate Worship
We glorify God when we worship together.
“…let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe…” (Hebrews 12:28)
Sunday matters. We gather to proclaim the greatness of God, exalt the name of Jesus, and welcome the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, through our singing, praying, learning, and fellowship, as we stir up one another to love and serve the Lord.
Prayer
We are devoted to prayer as those dependent on God.
“…Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2)
Prayer matters. Without God’s enabling, we can do nothing of eternal value. So, we pray in faith and with persistence because prayer connects us to God’s purpose and power for life and ministry. Prayer saturates our own walk of faith, our homes, ministries, and worship services.
Mission
We exist to lead people to new life in Jesus.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)
Lost people matter. The Gospel isn’t just for us. Motivated by Jesus’ commission to make disciples and His call to love the lost, we seek to speak and live the Gospel in the places we live and work, praying and working to also see the Gospel spread to every language and nation.
Life Together
We are committed to doing life together.
“…they devoted themselves to … the fellowship [and] to the breaking of bread.” (Acts 2:42)
Community matters. Southshore is a family of believers who seek to fulfill the one-another commands of Scripture together through friendship, discipleship, practical helps, and intentional hospitality.
Shepherding
We thrive under the purposeful care of elders.
“…shepherd the flock of God that is among you…” (1 Peter 5:2)
Leadership matters. As those called by Jesus to know, love, and lead His flock, our elders work diligently to shepherd God’s people. As those called to give an account, our elders minister according to biblical principles and wisdom, as they follow Jesus’ example of servant-hearted leadership.
History
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).