Andrew Porter

I was born in Northern Ireland into a Pastor's family.  During my childhood, my dad pastored a number of rural congregations.  I have two older brothers and a younger sister.  Through my parents’ example and teaching, I was saved at seven years old.  I spent a lot of time at kids clubs and youth events, which I enjoyed.  I have many happy memories assisting my parents with church building projects, special community outreach events and church picnics, etc.  Like a lot of those who profess salvation at a young age, in my mid­teens I went through a time of "counting the cost" and wrestling through my faith.  Praise God I came to a point of fresh commitment.  After leaving high school, I attended a local agriculture college for three years.  After graduating college, I worked on a dairy farm.  At the end of my contract, I took a summer off and came to Canada to work with Faith Mission doing camps and VBS's.  I had been thinking through a call to full­-time ministry and had applied to Bible School.  I attended the Faith Mission Bible College in Scotland for two years and received a diploma in Theology.  After coming to Canada in 2000, I began serving with The Faith Mission.  I was located in various places in Ontario (Kirkland Lake, Mount Forest).  Melissa and I were married in 2002.  We have four children, Ben, Keziah, Luke and Calvin.  Melissa was born and raised in the Niagara Falls area.  Her ministry passions include kids work, speaking at ladies ministries and friendship evangelism.  My passion for the church is to see us captivated with the glory of God and filled with praise for our God and Saviour.