West Gore Disciple Church

Worship services are in English.  Members joining online include family and friends from Hamilton, ON, Phoenix, AZ, and Doha, Qatar! Services include traditional hymns (with lyrics projected onto screens in the sanctuary and shared  online through a slideshow), prayers for the community and world, a contemporary sermon, and communion, which is open to all.

Children of all ages are welcome in worship. A children's lesson is provided during the service for children ages 4 to 12.

• West Gore Worthy Wisemen - the men's group meets weekly (Wednesday mornings) for conversation, snacks, coffee, and tea. Participants are invited to bring snacks and a small donation
• Christian Women's Fellowship (CWF) - the women's group meets monthly for fellowship, fundraising, and community outreach events
• Choir - practices  for Sunday worship are weekly (Wednesday mornings) and occasional practices are held for special ecumenical and community gatherings
• Board Meetings & Ministry Table Conversations - every other month, the board meets to discuss ideas and make decisions; in alternating months, the board and congregation participates in facilitated conversations about a ministry topic or idea regarding the church's development, outreach, and other ministries

Church and community volunteers make and deliver approximately 70 meals twice a month to people in the community through Meals2Go. Most recipients are seniors and a number of meals are provided through sponsorship so that recipients in need can receive them for free. Sponsorships are $12/meal.

The church hosts an annual outdoor ecumenical service every summer. As well, in months with 5 Sundays, the congregation partners with churches from different denominations to host ecumenical services on the 5th Sunday of the month. 

The congregation supports local missions, Johnston Christian Park in nearby Digby, NS, as well as international missions through the denomination.

The pastor administers the Otutreach Fund to assist people with emergency aid, including food, heat, and other items, upon request. The church welcomes any and all donations to reach out to those in need. The pastor is available to meet and visit with people, to listen to their stories and concerns, and to talk with them about questions of faith and navigating life.

West Gore Disciple Church was founded in 1832 by a group seeking to use only the Bible as a guide to life and witness. The church was first launched with a faithful group of 20 people. The congregation hovered around that number for almost two centuries. 

In recent years, the congregation began to host online services. Today, it hosts a weekly hybrid service with members worshipping in person and online in different provinces and countries. Average attendance is approximately 30 people. 

This congregation is remarkably congenial and cohesive. When there are differences of opinion, they commit to listening to one another respectfully, seek solutions that are satisfactory to all, and move on without animosity. Members work well together, they have positive attitudes, and are open to new ideas. 

Through leaders' and members' efforts and their shared emphasis on Christian values, they hope to attract new congregants who are open to asking questions and sharing doubts. The church also hopes to strengthen their awareness of and response to global problems such as refugees, climate change, human rights, and species extinction. The church strives to increase their leadership in ecumenical efforts as well as explore common values among world faiths.

West Gore is a rural, agricultural community that is nestled among a number of small rural communities in East Hants County. West Gore is approximately 70 kms from Halifax-Dartmouth, NS.

The church building has a sanctuary on the main floor and it has a fellowship hall, kitchen, and bathrooms in its accessible basement.

Pastor Mike Poworoznyk

Mike has been the student minister at West Gore Disciple since March 2019. He brings decades of experience in community development-focused non-profits and businesses. In addition to pastoring at the church, he is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity. 

On top of being a husband, dad, pastor, and student, Mike also sits on the boards of the East Hants Food Bank and The Peoples' Counselling Clinic. He is down-to-earth, likes people, and enjoys good conversations and learning about pretty much anything.