An Overview of Spirit of Truth and Grace and Truth Christian Ministries
Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry and Historic Trinity Evangelical Church
Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry is located at 115 Gold Street, Buffalo, New York. Though fronted with Modernist additions, the main and oldest part of this church complex is obviously the wood-framed Gothic Revival structure seen at right, an 1887 work of local architect Louis Saenger. Here we see the style in a very simple iteration, with an austere façade perforated only by paired pointed-arched windows. The spire, projecting slightly from the base of the tower above the louvered windows, tapers to a crowning finial and stands 119 feet above street level.
The church was built as home of Trinity Evangelical Church, a German-speaking congregation based in what was rapidly developing into a multiethnic neighborhood on the far East Side of the city then known as Churchyard Farms (after the land's previous owner) and now called Lovejoy. Trinity became an English-language congregation in 1922 and witnessed a number of denominational mergers in the 20th century. Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry, a nondenominational congregation, owns the property today.
Grace & Truth Christian Assembly: Mission and Doctrine
Grace & Truth Christian Assembly is situated at 230 Sunset Beach Rd, Richmond Hill, Ontario. We are a group of Christians, saved by the grace of God, committed to gathering regularly in accordance with Scripture to worship and glorify Him. Our meeting follows the pattern of the New Testament doctrines and practices found in the Acts of the Apostles and expounded by the apostle Paul in his epistles. Our mission is to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission by making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ through the proclamation of God’s Word.
Core Beliefs of the Assembly
The Bible is used as our final authority, and the following doctrines come from there:
- The verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible (all 66 books, but not the Apocrypha).
- The Trinity (one God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
- The creation of the world and human beings by supernatural acts of God.
- The deity, eternal son-ship, virgin birth and impeccability of Christ.
- The substitutionary death, bodily resurrection and ascension of Christ.
- The ministry of the Holy Spirit in conversion, sanctification and witness.
- Justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
- Baptism by immersion in water after personal salvation.
In Spirit & Truth Christian Fellowship: Growth and History
In Spirit & Truth Christian Fellowship began as a family bible study that met every Friday evening and rotated between four or five homes. As the size of the bible study group grew, it became impractical to meet in homes. We began renting a room at the Camp Fire Girls Camp on 52nd & Sheridan in Arvada. Shortly thereafter we began Sunday morning services and Sunday School. In December of 2002, we purchased our present Church Building located in West Arvada at 6524 Urban Street from the Colorado District of the Church of the Nazarene. The Church was incorporated as a Colorado Non-profit Corporation in September of 1997.
Comparison of Ministry Locations
| Ministry Name | Location Address | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry | 115 Gold Street, Buffalo, New York | Wood-framed Gothic Revival architecture (1887) |
| Grace & Truth Christian Assembly | 230 Sunset Beach Rd, Richmond Hill, Ontario | New Testament doctrines and practices |
| In Spirit & Truth Christian Fellowship | 6524 Urban Street, Arvada, Colorado | Started as a family bible study in homes |
Regular Meetings and Community Life
Every Sunday morning, we gather for a Remembrance Meeting in obedience to the Lord’s final command to His disciples on the night He was betrayed: "do this in remembrance of me." In addition to these gatherings, the YP leaders organize various engaging activities to encourage fellowship and growth. Our bi-weekly youth meetings are held every other Friday at 7:30 PM in the GTCA building and are open to all individuals in Grade 7 and above. Furthermore, Glow Girls Meetings are bi-weekly meetings held every other Thursday at 7:30 pm, designed to teach our Young People how to get close to the Word of God.