Our Story

We are a diverse community in Toronto, comprising people of all ages and backgrounds. Although many of us are not originally from here, circumstances have brought us together. We are regular individuals, raising families and working in various occupations, all with a shared concern for our city, country, and the world.


As Christians, we believe that God created us and cares deeply for us. Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to Earth and sacrificed his life to reconcile us with God. Through our faith in Jesus, we have his Spirit within us, empowering us to live according to God's will. The Bible is our guide for faith and life, emphasizing the importance of loving God and one another. We seek to be a loving and caring community, praying to God for guidance in all aspects of life.


Fairview Church of God, established in 1979, holds worship services each Sunday at 3:00p.m. in the Advent Lutheran Church building on Don Mills Road. Our services include a Sunday school program for children and feature a wide variety of music styles. We are an evangelical Christian congregation affiliated with the Church of God movement. You are warmly invited to join us and become part of our church family.

What We Believe

The Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) is a global movement of people seeking to fulfill God’s mission in the world. We’re committed to studying the Word of God and faithfully living it out. We’re committed to the mission that Jesus Christ gave every believer: to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18–20).


The pioneers of the Church of God hoped to restore a more biblical understanding and practice of what it means to be the church. We have not issued any official belief statement, and we have no formal creed. Yet, the following statements reflect the heart of the Church of God:

  • Salvation makes us members of God’s church. We believe that the church is composed of every person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. We enter into the life of the church, not by joining a denomination or a human organization, but by committing our lives to Christ (John 3:1–7).
  • Christians are called to be one. We believe that God calls all followers of Christ to live in unity and peace, regardless of who they are or the church they attend (Gal 3:28). While we may not agree on everything, we can rally around our subject, Jesus.
  • We must be holy. We believe that followers of Christ have been called to live a life of love, purity, and godliness. We are called to live like Christ, taking on a new nature (2 Cor 5:17).

We also embrace these biblical principles:

  • The Lordship of Jesus. There is one Lord, who is God’s Son Jesus Christ, over the church. Christ is the church’s ultimate authority on all matters (Acts 2:36).
  • Making Disciples. Each of us is called to fulfill Matthew 28:18–20, making fully devoted followers of Christ—disciples—who will then teach others to follow Christ.
  • Loving God and Neighbor. We are called to fulfill Matthew 22:37–39, not only loving God with our entire being, but also loving all that he loves.
  • The Work of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit equips believers with unique gifts that enable us to carry out the mission of Christ in the world. At the same time, the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in every believer (Galatians 5:22–23), which demonstrate the Spirit’s presence within us.
  • Stewardship. Since God is the source of life, all of life is to be used for the honor, glory, and service of God (Psalm 24:1).

You will find a great diversity of convictions and practices within the Church of God. Though we have differences, we share a common story of faith, growing together into the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). We worship and serve as citizens of God’s kingdom. We celebrate our life in Christ and accept our call to be the body of Christ in our world—all to the glory of God.


Here are some links to some more detailed information on what we believe:


You can find more details about our denomination at the Church of God's main site: Jesus is the Subject.

Leadership


  • Ben manickam (Lead Pastor)

    Our Lead Pastor, Ben Manickam, has been with our congregation since 2022. 

    Ben came to know the Lord Jesus Christ when in high school and years later experienced the call of God into full time ministry. Ben comes with years of experience in leadership development, youth work, pastoral and teaching ministries. He is committed to seeing the people of God equipped for every work of ministry, and to build up the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ben lives in Toronto with his wife Angela and two sons, Joshua and Dushane.

  • roger bitner (pastor emeritus)

    Our Pastor, Roger Bitner, has been with our congregation since its inception. He and the late Pastor Paul Kilburn, planted the congregation in 1979. Pastor Roger serves in the role of pastor and music director. He received the Bachelor of Theology Degree from Gardner College in Camrose, Alberta and his Master’s Degree in Religious Education from the Anderson School of Theology, Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. His wife is Deanna (nee Patrick) whom he met while studying at the School of Theology in Anderson, Indiana. Deanna served as editor of Sunday School children’s curriculum for Warner Press, our church publishing house in Anderson. After many years of friendship they married in 2004. Both serve together in a fulfilling ministry with the church.