Embedded Files
Our Staff
Our Staff
Pastor Anthony Elenbaas
Living Hope CRC is blessed to be led by Pastor Anthony Elenbaas, who began serving as our full-time pastor in April 2025.
Born in McBain, Michigan, Pastor Anthony studied Religious Studies at Alma College and earned a Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. Ordained in 2014, he served at Immanuel CRC in Hamilton, Ontario, first as Associate Pastor (Youth, Outreach, and Discipleship) and later as Co-Pastor with a focus on Discipleship, Worship, and Preaching.
Beyond the local church, he has been active in ecumenical and interfaith work, including leadership roles with the CRCNA, RCA, and TrueCity Hamilton, where he is known as a bridge-builder, encourager, and humble leader.
Secretary, Roely Cole
Co-Custodian, George Kamphuis
Co-Custodian, Joanne Stronks
Our Beliefs
Our Beliefs
Our name, Christian Reformed, identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ who also have our theological, spiritual roots in the Reformed branch of historic Protestantism.
We confess the mystery of one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father created the universe and still governs and maintains it by His daily providence. The Son, Jesus Christ, is both eternal God and yet fully human, born in Bethlehem during the reign of Caesar Augustus. His death on the cross and resurrection guarantee God’s unconditional forgiveness and love, as well as eternal life, to all who accept Christ in faith. The Holy Spirit lives in and among all Christ believers, awakens and nurtures our faith, inspires our witness, and gathers us around Jesus Christ as brothers and sisters of God’s one world-wide family.
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and as such is the sole standard for Christian lifestyle and teaching.
We believe that the universe and everything in it belongs to God. All people, regardless of language, race, gender, status, age, or ethnic origin are made in God’s image and therefore are worthy of respect and care. Although sin has tarnished all people and all things, God never gives up on His handiwork. In Christ He is redeeming and restoring all things.
The Kingdom of God is open to all without exception who put their faith in Jesus Christ.
Central to our Reformed faith is the conviction that Jesus Christ is Lord of all of life. We therefore seek to bring every part of our lives, both as individuals and as communities, under the rule of Christ. In politics, education, labour and industry, business and entertainment, as well as in personal morals, family life, and vocation, we strive to honour and follow Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
As followers of Christ, we are called by God to:
glorify Him in all we do,
gather people around His Word, and
grow ever-deepening relationships with Him and each other in all of life.
Core Ministry Values
Core Ministry Values
As part of the Christian Reformed denomination, we value:
preaching and teaching based on the truths of God’s Word with the goal of making us more Christlike
the final authority of Scripture for all faith and life issues
Reformed doctrine:
God rules over all areas of our lives
God works through all of history to save His world
God establishes a covenant relationship with us saying, “I am your God; you are my people”
Kingdom work that can be seen and experienced in all areas of life eg. education, politics, labour, justice, etc.
organization of ministries and church discipline through channels provided by the Christian Reformed denomination
nurture and discipleship carried out within the context of family and relationship
As members of our local community of believers at Living Hope CRC, we value:
visible care ministry
fellowship
intercessory prayer
authentic worship
family
unity in diversity
use of each individual’s God-given gifts
Our History
Our History
The Building
The Building
Painting of our original church building constructed in 1960
May 6, 1953 ~ First CRC, Orillia held its institution service in First Baptist Church in Orillia, and then continued holding its weekly services in what is now Marchmont Baptist Church. Later, services were moved to the West Ward Community Hall and then again to the Orange Hall.
April 27, 1960 ~ The new church building that was erected at 157 Coldwater Road was dedicated, and the first service in that location was held on May 1, 1960.
September 12, 1984 ~ Another new church building, this time located at 50 Fittons Road West, our current location, was officially dedicated. The first service had been held here already on July 25, 1984.
Pastors
Pastors
Rev. Jacob Kuntz ~ February 1958 – September 1962
Rev. Evert Gritter ~ September 1963 – September 1966
Rev. Wiebe Van Dyk ~ January 1967 – June 1973
Rev. Siebert Van Houten ~ September 1973 – August 1977
Rev. Peter Slofstra ~ September 1977 – June 1980
Rev. Gerard Ringnalda ~ September 1982 – June 1987
Rev. Peter Meyer ~ September 1988 – October 1995
Rev. Richard Nanninga ~ September 1996 – June 2003
Rev. Doug Vanderkamp ~ September 2004 – June 2010
Rev. Jane Porter ~ June 2014 –August 2024
Rev. Anthony Elenbaas ~ March 2025 - Present
Our City
Our City
People who live in Orillia experience the best of both worlds. Orillia is less than 90 minutes from the Greater Toronto Area. Even though growth and progress have been strong in recent years, the Sunshine City has worked hard to retain the small-town charm.
Orillia has learned to look to the future while celebrating its past. Quality of life is unbeatable in this city surrounded by two lakes, where outdoor pursuits are available in all seasons and are enjoyed by both visitors and residents.
Residents have access to an excellent hospital as well as a range of other public services, including a new state-of-the-art recreation complex, and a brand new public library, which complement a community that also boasts a thriving, historic downtown.
Check out the city’s website for a full picture of the benefits of living here.
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