GET TO KNOW
CHRIST CHURCH HALIFAX
WHO WE ARE
Christ Church Halifax is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a denomination that was established to be “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.”
In early 2020, a few of us started gathering to pray, learn, and prepare to begin a new church in Halifax. We began weekly Sunday services in October 2021.
Our church was formed to welcome not just people with faith, but also those with little or no faith. This means we're both a worshipping community and a learning community; we both hold firm to and celebrate the faith that's been passed down to us and we engage the questions and doubts of skeptics (and Christians!) taking their first steps in the life of faith.
For anyone angry or afraid, worried or bored, weighed down by guilt and shame, or seeking comfort and peace yet unable to find it, you’re welcome here!
If you’re wondering, “Why start a new church instead of helping struggling ones?” or “Doesn’t Halifax have enough churches?”, check out this discussion on the importance of church “planting.”
WHAT WE BELIEVE
While we’re a new church, what we believe is not at all new! Our doctrinal beliefs are expressed in the ancient creeds of the church (the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creed) and those summarized during the Protestant Reformation (the Westminster Confession and catechisms).
If you want to see what our beliefs look like on the ground level, please visit us for Sunday worship, check out our values below, or contact us so we can talk about it more!
OUR VALUES
THE GOSPEL
Celebrating Life in Christ
The gospel (or good news) of Jesus Christ is the central storyline of the Bible. In the gospel, the long-awaited good news is announced: in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has entered his broken world and is making all things new! By having faith in Christ, people who were once lost, sinful, and rebellious receive forgiveness and restoration as gracious gifts from God. Because Jesus is the source of true and vibrant life, our church is centred on him!
THE BIBLE
Listening to God Speak
All sixty-six books of the Bible, including history, law, prophets, poets, eyewitness accounts and letters, is the Word of God – God speaking to us about who he is as God and who we are as people. The Bible, therefore, is our first and final authority for all things related to Christian belief and practice. Far from being a religious rulebook or historical literature, God's Word is a sweet word from our Father. Therefore, as a church, we establish habits to listen to God speak in the Bible to receive comfort, correction and to be drawn into a deeper relationship with him.
THE CHURCH
Nurturing Community
There are a host of biblical images used to describe the life of a Christian, and they all involve a deep connection to other Christians. As a local church, we gather regularly to worship God, encourage and help each other, and demonstrate to those not yet in the faith what the family of God looks like. Maturity in the faith (aka discipleship) means much more than gaining knowledge; it's learning to welcome, serve, and encourage those around us (and in particular, the poor and suffering).
THE CITY
Loving Our Neighbours
Our location is not incidental to the church – Halifax is where God has chosen to send us. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbours, and our neighbours are here! This is our mission: we joyfully, boldly and respectfully share the good news of Jesus with our neighbours, while we love and serve Halifax in such a way that our city becomes a more just and good place for everyone.
OUR MISSION
To make disciples of Jesus, to a thousand generations.
LEADERSHIP
Rev. Mike Chhangur
CHURCH PLANTING PASTOR
Mike was born and raised in Ottawa, ON and worked as a health care professional in the city before being called into pastoral ministry. He helped plant Resurrection Church in downtown Ottawa where he served until being sent to plant Christ Church Halifax. He is ordained in the PCA and is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and Reformed Theological Seminary.
He and his wife Britney live in Halifax’s West End with their five kids and one cat. Together they enjoy listening to the Blue Jays on the radio, eating pancakes on Saturday, and finding new trails to hike. They own a trampoline.
You can contact Mike at mike (at) christchurchhalifax (dot) ca
Ben Reid
MUSIC AND MINISTRY COORDINATOR
Ben was born and raised in Charlottetown, PEI. After spending some time in Ontario (most recently at New City Newmarket), he and his wife Hannah couldn't resist the call to come back East.
A graduate of Redeemer University and Reformed Theological Seminary, Ben started serving the church through music about 15 years ago.
When Ben is not working, he enjoys cheering for Liverpool FC, cooking and supporting his wife Hannah, who is an ICU nurse at the Victoria General.
You can contact Ben at ben (at) christchurchhalifax (dot) ca
DENOMINATION & PARTNERSHIPS
The PCA is a group of North American churches formally established in 1973 to be a denomination that’s “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.”
Christ Church Halifax receives local accountability and support as a member of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada.
The Grace Network Canada is a national church-planting network made up of churches, church plants, and leaders who have aligned themselves together to plant new gospel-centred churches in Canada.