During the fiscal year 2025-2026, we focused on “firstfruits” – and throughout PORTICO, we have seen tangible signs of the harvest God is beginning among us.
One of my favourite examples is our Care Centre garden. With the support of local donors and skilled gardeners, what began as a small garden is now producing tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, herbs and more each week for the dozens of families we serve through our food pantry. Another family planted their own garden at home and literally brought their firstfruits to bless members of our ministry team.
We took meaningful steps forward in our Care Centre, prayer ministry, and commitment to studying God’s Word. We baptized more people than ever before in our church history, including 21 people on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Despite a challenging economic climate, our church demonstrated remarkable generosity, giving $217,237 beyond our goal for Kingdom Builders. We now have 875 people gathering in 99 Growth Groups – also more than ever before. I especially love hearing how people are using the new gazebo, volleyball court and fire pit beside the church for summer gatherings and small group BBQs.
Everywhere we look, there are signs of growth and health. I believe many of these firstfruits were nurtured by the step we took during Lent to devote 40 days to prayer.
As we enter 2026/2027, we want to continue on that path. The firstfruits of Spring point toward the greater harvest of Fall. Between them comes a season of patience, diligence and growth. This is a season to seek the Father – the One who gives life and makes things grow – and to become, more than ever, a church of prayer.
Daniel provides a model for us. Even while living far from the Promised Land in a culture opposed to his faith, Daniel remained faithful. He established a daily rhythm of prayer and trusted God as he waited for His promised deliverance.
We, too, are waiting for a promised return – the return of Christ and the restoration of His creation. As we commit ourselves to prayer and faithfulness, we trust God to free us from what holds us captive and draw us closer to Him.
As you read this report, I pray you will celebrate the goodness of God and the faithfulness of His people while also positioning yourself in humility and dependence on Him. Together, may Daniel’s prayer become our own:
Rick Carrol
Senior Pastor
The dashboard consists of 8 metrics and evaluations for the fiscal year, which are presented in the form of dials.
The dials consist of 5 quantitative ratings which are reviewed and set prior to the start of the fiscal year.
The goal is to achieve a Green - Met Expectations, rating for each dial.
Each goal is set annually and reasonably achievable using existing capabilities, including staffing levels, data collection mechanisms, reporting and automation processes.
Goals, metrics and evaluations are fully aligned with PORTICO’s best practices. Monitoring PORTICO’s collective ENDs will increase effectiveness and provide tangible results on the story of God’s faithfulness within our vision and mission.
The dashboard enables the Elder Board, Senior Pastor and ministry teams to monitor the fulfillment of PORTICO’s ENDS, in keeping with the mission of:
Helping people find their way back to God
“Come Follow Me…” Matthew 4:19
At PORTICO, we track growth by attendance and newcomer responses, and provide daily care by responding to requests for prayer and counselling.
1,720
In-person Sunday Attendance
454
I’m New Connections
40
“I said Yes” Connections
1,116
Pastoral Care or Counselling Appointments
“…I will make you…” Matthew 4:19
At PORTICO, we track spiritual growth through growth group involvement and regularly reading and studying the Bible through daily devotionals.
875
Growth Group Participation
59
Water Baptisms
“...fish for people.” Matthew 4:19
At PORTICO, we measure success by ministry involvement and increased giving to Kingdom Builders.
571
Ministry Partners Actively Serving
$517,237
Kingdom Builders Donations Growth
We praise God for each one of you, our church family representing more than 90 nations across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. We are grateful for the many ways God is working through you, in your families, and throughout our broader community. We believe He will continue to do amazing things as we faithfully follow Him together.
Guided by our core values to CONNECT with Christ and His family, GROW together in Christlikeness, and SERVE Christ's mission in the world, we have experienced a fruitful season of ministry. Throughout 2026, we have seen encouraging progress toward our vision and have consistently achieved key goals and milestones.
Above all, we remain focused on our mission: "Helping people find their way back to God."
As we celebrate God's faithfulness, here are a few highlights from this past fiscal year. You will find additional details throughout this Annual Report.
Ministry Highlights
Since last year:
New connections have increased by 12.66%.
The number of individuals seeking care and counselling has increased by 56%.
99 Growth Groups are actively helping people learn, grow, and build meaningful community together.
We have exceeded our goals for Ministry Partner engagement.
We have also significantly surpassed our goals for Kingdom Builders support, enabling greater impact both locally and globally.
Care Centre Impact
Our Care Centre continues to support the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social needs of our community through the faithful ministry of more than 80 care providers.
This year:
We served 142 clients through counselling and care services.
1,465 people attended seminars and educational programs.
The Food Pantry, launched in FY2026, served 706 individuals between September 2025 and July 2026.
Many of you have noticed the beautiful Care Centre garden, lovingly maintained by one of our women's Growth Groups. The fresh produce harvested from the garden helps provide nutritious food for those served through the Food Pantry.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As we look toward 2027, we invite you to prayerfully seek God's direction for how He may be calling you to serve at PORTICO. Each of us has been uniquely gifted, and together we can continue advancing God's Kingdom through faithful service.
With renewed commitment, we will continue to:
Care for and support people in need.
Help more people connect with Christ.
Live as examples of Christlikeness in our daily lives.
Serve Christ's mission in our communities and around the world.
We also encourage you to prayerfully deepen your understanding of the role of the Elder Board and consider whether God may be calling you to serve in this important ministry in the coming year.
May God's grace and favour rest upon you. May His blessings abound in your life and family, and may you experience His presence and faithfulness throughout the year ahead.
