Rabbi Don Meecha had been leading monthly Bible studies in London for a number of years. Eugene Banak, who was a Messianic Jew in the London area, felt a need for a Messianic congregation in the city. Between the years of 2004-2005, Eugene started to become acquainted with Rabbi Don and Light of Messiah Ministries International through Rabbi Don’s monthly Bible studies. Eugene and his family visited Light of Messiah Congregation in Toronto, and Eugene expressed to Rabbi Don the burden that he felt for a congregation in London. Eugene was hoping that someone could start a congregation in the near future. He was surprised when Rabbi Don suggested that Eugene could start working towards that. This was a new idea, and Eugene wondered if the Lord was leading him this way.

The Messianic Calling 

After struggling with it, and praying about, he received confirmation from God and was willing to accept the calling. In 2005, he started his seminary education to prepare for this ministry position. After some prayer, in February of 2006, with the support of LOMMI, Eugene, together with a small group of people in London who were united in their vision for a Messianic congregation began meeting together at each other’s houses, with the goal of planting a Messianic congregation.

They were meeting every other week, and praying and talking about the time when they can have a congregation. They did not know how long that would take. Surprisingly, they were only meeting like this for five months, when in July 2006, they had our first Shabbat service as a congregation at the Salvation Army Centre of Hope, in London, Ontario.

The Meeting Place 

The way that this meeting place was provided for them is a testimony. Dorota Banak, Eugene’s wife, was getting a tour of the Centre of Hope as part of her job as a case worker. While there, she saw the chapel in the building and she was impressed to later talk with the Major Lewis, together with Eugene, to share with him about how our group of Messianic believers was looking for a place to worship.

Amazingly, Major Lewis expressed to Eugene and Dorota that he and his wife had felt a burden on their hearts for the Jewish people, and were praying for an opportunity to reach out to them. They were happy to allow our fellowship to meet in the chapel for services free of charge. It was so exciting, and an answer to prayer!

While meeting at the Centre of Hope, we had a unique opportunity to be a light to the people who were living there, during their worship services.

In late 2007, it was time to move on, as the Centre of Hope was expanding, and so in December of 2007 they started meeting in the basement of RidgeView Community Church, where they currently meet.