The Living Room Church

Full 1

Family of Jesus’ Followers Serving the Neighbourhoods

About Us

Who We Are

We are a family of Jesus’ followers striving to be Christ’s presence among our neighbours. Our mission is to equip believers to be Jesus’ faithful disciples, living out the reality of God’s Kingdom on earth.

Accessibility

We strive to make the gospel message accessible to all peoples.
“I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor. 9:22).

Welcoming

We gladly and openly receive all people into our midst.
Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”(Rom 15:7).

Service

We are a community founded on serving others.
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14).

Relationship

We seek to embody the love of Christ in our life together.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Rom 12:10).

Trust

We actively seek to be vulnerable with one another.
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16).

Our Leadership Team

As a group of leaders, we believe that we are called by Jesus Christ, our Lead Pastor, to serve him in assigned roles. We strive to serve as a team acknowledging that we are given specific gifts to complement and collaborate with one another.

Co-Pastors:

BERNARD TAM

Bernard resides in Midtown Toronto with his wife Susan and their two fun-loving and silly boys, Jeddie and Joshua. Learning to live in the urban center has been quite the journey for the Tams, but they are learning daily to see the beauty of the urban jungle. Bernard is passionate about connecting with people and (re)imaging possibilities while wrestling with faith and culture. He is also currently working part-time with The Alliance as a New Ventures Implementor, seeing new churches and new leaders in Toronto. Bernard is also a host of the Canadian Asian Missional Podcast. In the neighbourhood, you can often find Bernard hanging out in coffee shops where his passion for community and coffee intersects. Susan often likens the coffee shops to the show Cheers for Bernard.

To reach Bernard you can email him at btam@thelivingroomchurch.ca

CYNTHIA TAM

Cynthia lives in a condo in Midtown Toronto where she enjoys meeting with her neighbours for knitting, lunches, walks and other social functions. She hosts a house church at her place. Cynthia is passionate about the church, believing that the body of Christ is comprised of people with all different backgrounds and abilities. Having finished her PhD studies, she is involved in teaching at various divinity schools. Her book, Kinship in the Household of God, emphasizes how Christians should accept people with profound autism as beloved siblings in Christ. Cynthia is also the National Coordinator for Disability Ministries of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and the pastor of Village Eulogia for families with children with special needs.

To reach Cynthia you can email her at ctam@thelivingroomchurch.ca

TOM MORE

Pastor Tom was instrumental in planting two house churches with international students and new immigrants. He hosts one of these house churches with his wife Karmen. Tom founded the English Conversation Café 3 years ago, where many house church members come from. His passions include teaching, missionary work, and community involvement, as well as Toronto’s various sports teams, working with his hands, and walking his dog Luna. Tom works part-time with Yonge Street Mission. To reach Tom you can email him at tmore@thelivingroomchurch.ca

EDITH CHEN

Edith joined The Living Room Church in 2020 in pursuit of a dream of creating caring communities through different creative spaces in the Midtown neighbourhood. She is particularly concerned about the vertical development of the GTA urban landscape that tends to breed isolation and loneliness, leading to the vanishing of neighbourhoods where people can feel they belong. After decades of working in the geriatric social work field, Edith is fascinated with the spiritual growth and insights developed by older people. Edith believes that one’s aging journey is worth the hardship as it leads to true human maturity. For leisure, Edith experiments with recreating dumplings from friends’ childhood memories. She co-owns a virtual restaurant “Fireflies of the Urban Alley” with her cat. Edith’s favourite quote is Psalm 92:14, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” To reach Edith you can email her at echen@thelvingroomchurch.ca

Mission & Vision

Vision: To be the presence of Christ among our neighbours
Mission: Our mission is to equip and release people to be witnesses for Christ’s presence and continual work in and among us.