If you go far back enough, every church has an origin story. Some burst on the scene with excitement, and unity during Hamilton’s revivals in the early 20th century. Others began in difficulty: painful church splits or leadership scandals. Our start wasn’t nearly as historic as the Revival, nor as scandalous as a split, but we have an origin story!

Benediction was planted in 2017 when a handful of couples began meeting in the living room of Mike and Heather Mileski. Before that, Mike was already active in ministry in Hamilton, having pastored at Philpott Memorial Church for seven years, and a lay leader at Hughson Street Baptist Church (FEBCC) for six years.

The desire to plant what would become Benediction came from deep desire to offer Hamilton a new, unique community that would bring the Gospel to bear on real issues and challenges facing our neighbours. Some who joined us in the earliest days had baggage - whether with liberalism / moral relativism on the one hand, or moralism / fundamentalism on the other. Yet there was a shared commitment to being ambassadors of Jesus, and doing life together in simple, subversive ways that bless the city.

Benediction is a daughter church to Philpott Memorial, and part of the Associated Gospel Churches of Canada (AGC). In our earliest days the C2C Network provided crucial training and support, and we have been richly blessed by our partnership in Hamilton’s TrueCity network.