Sojourn’s Philosophy of Ministry

Why Sojourn? What’s with the name?

Sojourn refers to the journey. Oftentimes in the Bible, Jesus meets people where they’re at, on the journey of life.

Think of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Read Luke 24, great story!). Two guys who were discouraged, confused, lost, and without purpose. Jesus came alongside them on their journey, ate a meal with them, opened the Scriptures with them, and showed them the truth at the heart of Christianity. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

That’s why we are here as a church. Peter says the church is the community that follows Jesus, proclaims the urgent message of his gospel (good news!), a community of “sojourners and exiles” travelling together on the way home, to the eternal city (1 Peter 2:11). We are fellow pilgrims on the way of Jesus.

The name Sojourn reminds us that this world isn’t our home, and that we’re not meant to be alone. Jesus walks with us. Jesus calls into his community, a spiritual family, called the church. Jesus forms us as a community of pilgrims who walk alongside one another, share life together, and live by God’s Word and in reliance on God’s Spirit, pointing others to the Way.

If you’re weary, curious, skeptical, discouraged, searching, or unsure—you’re welcome to join us. We’re a church for people on the way.

Christ meets us on the way.


Our Identity

  • Evangelical. We are joyfully centred on the gospel of Jesus Christ – the good news that Jesus, the Son of God lived, died, and rose again for the salvation of all those who put their faith in him. 

  • Confessional. We are grounded in the Bible (God’s inspired and inerrant Word) and in truths summarized in various Christian creeds and confessions. We adhere to Reformed confessional standards such as the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms. These statements express biblical truth in time-tested words. Knowing and embracing sound doctrine leads to healthy, beautiful, and God-glorifying lives.

  • Missional. We believe the gospel calls us to live lives of grace, generosity, hospitality, and service. This means that while holding firmly to to God’s trustworthy Word, we seek to sow gospel seeds with lives characterized by patience, sacrificial kindness, and resilient hope. What we believe affects how we live.

  • Presbyterian. We believe that the Bible teaches that churches should be led by pastor-elders, each Christian being an active part of the body of Christ. We are a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

Our Vision

To be a gospel-driven community, journeying together in the way of Jesus, raising a new generation of disciples, and working for the good of Stoney Creek.

Our Purpose

To proclaim and live out the gospel, gathering the saints and seeking the lost.

Our Values

  1. Delighting in God

  2. Growing in Christ

  3. Serving the Church

  4. Blessing the City

Our Story (so far)

  • June 2023: Pastor Phil called by New City Church as assistant pastor to plant a church in Stoney Creek

  • June 2023: Began fundraising

  • September 2023: Began to meet with the purpose of raising disciples committed to the vision of a church plant

  • March-April 2024: Formally gathered a group of 30 adults committed to founding Sojourn Community Church

  • May 31, 2024: Sojourn is established as a mission church in the PCA

  • Summer 2024: Soccer Camp outreach, Trial Worship Services, Membership Classes

  • September 8, 2024 (Lord willing): Begin public worship services!

  • September 22, 2024: Our first adult baptism!

  • Fall 2024 and Winter 2025: preaching through Galatians, Isaiah’s Servant Songs, Luke’s Journey to Jerusalem, and the letter to Titus. Establishing a culture of welcome & hospitality, laying foundations

  • January 2025: Small Groups begin (Life with God by Tim Chester)

  • March 2025: Wedding of a couple in our church

  • July 2025: KidsCaper camp in Riverdale