"Where there is no vision, the people perish..." (Pr. 29:18). In order to be an effective minister and have an effective ministry, it is necessary to see (by faith) through the eyes of God. Failure to do so will undoubtedly result in a loss of valuable souls.

The scriptures declare, "...he that winneth souls is wise...", hence it is incumbent on the one 'standing in the gap' to effect methods and provide means for souls to be won for the Kingdom of God. Such a one was/is Bishop Dorant W. Thompson. It is difficult to separate the ministry from the minister; therefore, Bethlehem United Church is a reflection of its pastor.

Dorant Thompson was born in St. Ann, Jamaica (West Indies) in 1939. At the age of 21 he immigrated to England, there he grew in faith and in the fear of the Lord. It was also there that he received his calling to the ministry. Brother Thompson got married on June 24, 1967 to Sister Edna Fullerton and was later ordained as a minister in 1968. Later promoted to the office of Elder then Overseer and in 1997 consecrated as a Bishop.

Minister Thompson continued to seek God and embarked upon his own ministry, in 1970, at 32 Vaughan Road, Toronto, Ontario, in a lowly storefront. The ministry grew and Pastor, along with his family and members of the congregation, purchased their first church building at 10 Maplewood Avenue in Toronto. It was here that Pentecost was repeated time and time again as souls were baptized in water and with the Holy Ghost. Families came, babies were born, marriages took place, a choir was formed, a music department initiated, and the ministry grew. God moved by His power at Maplewood! Hence, it was inevitable that the church grew in spirit, faith and membership.

In 1977, this growing body of believers moved to Old Weston Road. There the mighty hand of God hovered over his people; they were fed with manna from above. Souls continued to pour in and received from God. Powerful sermons like "Keep them alive" and "Where has your axe handle fallen" were preached. The Sunday School department grew. Auxiliaries such as the youth choir and catering were born. The spirit of God was abundant, the future was promising and the possibilities were limitless.

In 1980, the church moved to Keele St. The building and congregation were a minister’s vision fulfilling. The church disrupted the community and the former pious synagogue had become a tongue-talking, holy-rolling, hand-clapping house of God. Every department and auxiliary grew, especially the Sunday School. This department grew like wild fire to the point where two 47 seater buses and several vans and cars making several trips, were not sufficient. The church grew immensely.

The Bible cautions us, "...let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" I Cor. 10:12. It was at this location that satan caught sight of the vision, reared his ugly head and started his onslaught against the church. Dare to say satan’s mission was successful, but the beautiful edifice that the church worshipped in and was so proud of, was taken away. Pastor and the congregation continued to trust and have faith in God, for indeed the battle was not ours but the Lord’s. The vision gave sight to a new location, 90 Ascot Avenue. Here, the rebuilding process, which took more than fourteen years, began. During this time satan continued to buffet the church through various means including: death, financial hardship and dissension among the leadership to the point where a major split in leadership and membership occurred in 1989. Throughout the years that followed, faithful members relied on their commitment and the word of God which reminded that we should, "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die..." Rev. 3:2 and further reminded us that, "...except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." Acts 27:31.

The Bible declares, "Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" Heb. 5:8. Like Moses, who spent forty years in Median learning how to lead, Pastor Thompson spent more than fourteen years at Ascot Avenue enduring hardship as a good soldier for Christ. II Tim. 2:3. While the church went through this humbling process, the Lord blessed the congregation tremendously; a new generation of leaders arose to compliment the faithful old, souls which were born to Christ through water and the spirit, membership grew and saints increased in strength, power and faith. In fact, it was during this time that the "rough side choir" electrified the city of Toronto. The church lacked nothing save its own place of worship.

In 1995, 90 Ascot Avenue, an old building – surviving two world wars–was sold and later demolished. For 1-¸ years, Bethlehem United Church was nomadic. The church made several stops, including 2480 Dufferin St. and 179 St. Clair Avenue (St. Matthews), before settling at our present location. Now, at 1 Leswyn Road, God’s hand has not become short, but He still richly abides. His blessings are innumerable. Our faithful leader constantly reminds us that "this is not even the tip of the iceberg."

Over the past twenty-five years, Bethlehem United Church has been a pillar of strength and support in her communities. She has relentlessly demonstrated her duty and God’s nature of love. Not only has she been a hospital for sinners, but also the church has been a refuge of strength for all that enters in. She has and will continue to administer to the spiritual and physical needs of all. The communities that B.U.C. has reached and touched will never be the same. Its mission extends beyond racial, cultural and city boundaries. Over the years B.U.C. has hosted dignitaries, politicians, the police superintendent, mayor, a deputy Prime Minister, international preachers, singers and precious families and individuals from various walks of life. God is moving mightily and B.U.C. is a part of that move for we are the hands, feet, ears, and mouth of God. The vision lives on, the mission continues and through His strength we endeavour to make "full proof" of this ministry. Watch out, here we come!