What started as a newcomer ministry has become bigger than their current building can handle.

"It started as a dream to see how we could bring Canadian Christians together in service with newcomers to Canada, with the point being to introduce people to Christ," said Justin Bradbury, lead pastor at New Horizons International Church and founder of the International Place of Friendship.

It started with an weekly English class, helping those who have just moved to Canada develop English language skills. It was also an opportunity to invite them to a Sunday morning service. 

"As Christians [got] involved, they were part of inviting our new friends to church," Bradbury explained how more people started attending both the midweek programs and the Sunday services.

But word of mouth has been so great that the church is ready to burst. Bradbury says they can handle 30-40 people comfortably, but they are now getting up to 60 congregants on a Sunday morning, and the midweek programs continue to grow as well. In fact, even more show up during special events.

"We had our Easter service this year at Canad Inns," said midweek volunteer Susan Ash. "We had 140 people come out, and a few were participants in the program who wanted to see what a Canadian Easter church services was all about."

Ash is a part of the weekly English class and helps the intermediate speakers out by going over different newspaper stories and having them read it out. She has been here since the beginning and it excited for the future of the church.

"I really feel the Lord is behind all this," said Ash.

Bradbury hopes that one day they can purchase an entire strip mall and use a couple of the storefronts for their ministry, while renting out the additional space for extra income.

"We want to remain a storefront ministry," Bradbury explained.

Because of the size, New Horizons is moving to Fort Richmond Collegiate for their Sunday services. Starting this Sunday, October 1, join them at 10:55 a.m. at the school's theatre.