On April 2nd, 2004 four families (The Boyces', Flashs', McIntyres', and Marcellins') who were residents of the Town of Ajax and also members of The Apple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church requested a meeting with the Apple Creek Church Board to discuss the possibility of planting a church in the Town of Ajax.
This group was granted the opportunity on April 15th, 2004 to meet with the Apple Creek Church Board. A letter was sent on May 25th, 2004 to the attention of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, President Derrick Nichols and to the Director of Church Growth, Hilton Garnett formally advising the Conference of our desire to start a Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Town of Ajax.
In the spring of 2004, the four families, along with other members who reside in the Durham region, started meeting weekly at the home of Lance and Candy Flash for Wednesday evening prayer meetings. The Ontario Conference President, Elder Derrick Nichols, who welcomed the idea that we were preparing to have an Adventist presence in the Town of Ajax, attended the prayer meeting, on November 21st, 2004 and gave his blessings.
Under the guidance of Pastor Manley Coleman we prayed that we would find a place to worship in the Town of Ajax. On January 1st, 2005 we began to worship at the Refuge City Pentecostal Church. As a Church, we were also pleased to start an Adventist presence in Ajax, which coincided with the Town of Ajax's fiftieth (50th) Anniversary year. This hallmark year was marked by the visits from the Town's Mayor, Law Enforcement Official, Social Worker and other community interest groups. Judy Hutchinson-Boyce spearheaded these activities. On that first Sabbath we welcomed ninety-seven worshippers. Pastor Garnett delivered the first sermon entitled: "Three Indispensable Pillars", which encouraged us, inspired us, and motivated us to have an Adventist presence in Ajax.
On March 5th, 2005, the Church conducted its first Ordination Service. Wendell Boyce was ordained as a Deacon by Pastor Manley Coleman. On March 12th, 2005 the Church conducted its first communion service, lead by Pastor Manley Coleman. Fifty-two people participated at this first communion foot washing service.
Our Mission at the Ajax SDA Community Church still is to reach out to our community and under the leadership of our Personal Ministries Leader, Brother Cornelius McIntyre; the group met the first Sabbath in each month and distributed flyers to the community. We also have an opportunity to visit the Windborne Nursing Home in Ajax the second Sabbath of each month and minister in song to the nursing home residents. Angela McIntyre initiated this program. Ballycliffe Nursing Home followed in 2008.
On September 22nd, 2005, one of Ajax's Seventh-day Adventist Church co-founder, Bernice Marcellin, succumbed to cancer.
On September 24th, 2005 we held our first benefit concert, organized by Genifer Husbands, to assist the victims of the Katrina hurricane storm in New Orleans.
December 17th, 2005 marked the Church's first Youth Day under the leadership of Lance Flash. Pastor Fred Nichols entitled his sermon; "Dare To Be A Daniel", which encouraged, inspired and motivated our Youth to stand boldly for Jesus.
On December 31st, 2005 the Church celebrated its first baptism. There were ten candidates baptized and three were added on profession of faith with a total of thirteen (13) members added to the church. Baptized were: Junior Brown, Jermaine Brown, Carema Brown, Sean-Neil Brown, Jennifer Hewitt-Vasel, Shyla Hibbard, Kennisha Humber, Nicole Joseph, Rodel Stuart and Michael Williams. The three candidates who were added on the profession of faith were Catherine Leonce, Fabian Leonce and Bonnie Batson-Samuel.
On January 1st, 2006 Pastor Charles Leader was appointed to be the Ajax Seventh-day Adventist Community Church's part-time pastor. The evangelistic meetings "Hope for the Family" were held from May 19th – June 11th, 2006, led by Pastor Leader.
On March 19th, 2006 the Adventurer Club was born at the Ajax Church under the leadership of the Ontario Conference Executive Director, Elder Velma Morgan. The club initially enrolled six children and held its first Adventurers' Induction Service on June 17th, 2006.
In 2006, the Community Services Ministry, led by Marcia Sutherland had a significant presence in the local community. Marcia represented the Ajax Church at Maranatha, the Canadian ADRA Conference in Alberta, and the Community Services Convention in Toronto. Healthy Food Boxes occur each month. Ajax had its first baby dedication of Kymauni Joseph Samuel on September 9th, 2006: the grandchild of Bonnie Batson-Samuel. The church held its first Children's Day on October 7th, 2006 and the sermon was passionately delivered by Joneeta Smith, a gifted child from the Ajax Sabbath School primary division. The Sermon was entitled "The Battle is the Lord's."
On November 26th, 2006 the Ontario Seventh-day Adventist Conference unanimously voted to grant the Ajax Church status, recognizing this Branch Sabbath School as an official Church within the Ontario Conference. The official Service was held on March 17th, 2007 at Forest Brook Community Church, with hundred’s in attendance.
On August 4th, 2007, Ajax Church welcomed our new Pastor – Rupert Gray and his wife Pansie Gray.
On Sept 22nd, 2007 under the Leadership of Pansie Gray and Ermine Leader, Ajax Pathfinder’s Lightbearers Club was formed. Club membership was seven along with Elder Cornelius McIntyre.
On October 13th, 2007 the Lightbearers had their first Induction Service. Ajax church joined forces with Agape Temple and conducted an Evangelistic Series from Sept. 29th to Oct. 27th, 2007 led by Pastor Fred Nichols. Kyle Bharath, Jordeena Smith, Olivia Humber, Ingrid McLaren and Michael Cornwall were baptized in 2007. Angus and Veronica Batson, on March 30th, 2008 helped organize a Health Expo at Agape Temple Church. Free Lecture by Viriato Ferreira, MD was featured as a part of community outreach.
May 16th - 18th, 2008 Genifer Husbands organized a trip for the Ajax Church to Andrews University and a historical overview of Ellen White estate. May 31st, 2008 Ajax held its first Education Day, with guest Speaker Norman Brown.
On April 27th, 2008 Ajax official enrolled into the Toronto Adventist District School Board (TADSB) educational subsidy program commencing on July 1st, 2008. The Ajax currently has two students (Kyle and Kenyon Flash) who attend Crawford Adventist Academy – East Campus. The school resides at Agape Temple in Pickering under the leadership of Wendy Hutchinson, Principal.
In May 2007, Ajax Launched it's very own website
n September 2008, Ajax formed its first Church Building Committee, led by Pearl Flash. The goal for the Committee was to target to have $100,000 in the Church Building Fund by the end of 2008. To assist with this goal the Church had two concerts – August 9th, 2008 Lance and Candy Flash held a “GospelNation Reunion Concert” and November 1st, 2008 Genifer Husbands and Angus Batson held a concert at Pickering United Church. Hundreds came out to support both the Youth Choir “Expression of Praise” and the “Albert Dudley Singers”. The Church will continue to support Church Building by conducting a bake sale on December 27th, 2008 as part of its fundraising drive.
