OUR PASTOR
Rev. Zohrab Sarkissian was born in 1979 in Aleppo, Syria. He is the middle child of Hamazasb and Shoghig Sarkissian. He attended the local Armenian kindergarten and elementary school, and later completed his secondary education at Karen Jeppe Armenian High School.
In 1998, he continued his studies at the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Lebanon, where he co-founded the Lebanese Armenian Heritage Club and served as its first president, holding four consecutive terms. He graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
In 2003, he relocated to Montréal, where he earned a Graduate Diploma in Management from McGill University in 2004. During his time there, he also served as president of the McGill Armenian Students’ Association.
Since childhood, Rev. Sarkissian has been deeply involved in the Armenian community. He attended Sunday School at the St. Krikor Lousavorich Armenian Apostolic Church and joined the Armenian Sports Organization (HMEM), where he played European team handball for 22 years. He captained his university team throughout his studies and represented both Syria and Canada at the national level.
Rev. Sarkissian was also an active member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) in Syria and Lebanon, serving on several local and regional boards. After moving to Canada in 2008, he settled in Toronto, where he continued his community service — first as president of the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada for two years, and later as president of the Armenian National Committee of Toronto.
In 2019, he commenced his theological studies in the Master of Divinity program at Tyndale University, specializing in Pastoral Studies with a concentration in Theological Studies. From 2020 to 2023, he served on the Tyndale Seminary Student Council as the president and as a representative on Tyndale’s Academic Senate for two years. In 2024, he successfully completed his pastoral ministry internship within Tyndale’s Student Development Department. During this time, he served in a potential chaplaincy role, focusing on fostering the spiritual growth and development of undergraduate students. In 2025, Reverend Sakrissian graduated with honors from Tyndale University and was recognized as the valedictorian of his graduating class.
Since 2024, Rev. Sarkissian has served on the Board of the Armenian Missionary Association of Canada (AMAC).
Rev. Sarkissian’s Christian faith was firmly rooted in the Armenian Orthodox Church. His spiritual journey took a transformative turn on September 20, 2018, when he experienced an audible revelation from God. He heard a voice urging him to “speak about Jesus” to a Hindu stranger. This life-changing encounter, reminiscent of the Apostle Paul’s revelation of the risen Christ, marked his spiritual rebirth.
For the past five years, he has served as a lay preacher and worship leader in the Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto. In September 2024, he became the church’s Intern Pastor, and on September 27, 2025, he was overwhelmingly elected as Senior Pastor. On November 8, 2025, he was ordained and installed as a reverend by the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.
Rev. Sarkissian is married to Lori, and they have two children, Gassia and Hamo. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing sports and working in the garden. Rev. Sarkissian likes travelling, listening to worship music, cooking, and dancing Armenian folklore dances.
OUR HISTORY
The Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto was established on November 6, 1960, by a small group of newly immigrated families seeking to build a spiritual home rooted in Christ and Armenian Evangelical tradition. The founding members—Mr. Barkev Karnigian, Mr. Hovhannes Jamgotchian, Mr. Khachig Balabanian, Mr. Arsham Kulidjian, and Mr. Solo Nigossian—laid the foundation for what would become a vibrant and enduring church community.
Mr. Solo Nigossian served as the church’s first minister from 1960 to 1968. He was followed by Reverends Khachik Sarian and Hagop Gurlekian, who served as interim ministers from October 1968 to August 1969. In 1969, Rev. Abraham Jizmejian was appointed pastor and served faithfully until 1980.
From 1980 until his retirement in 2004, Rev. Yessayi Sarmazian faithfully led the congregation with spiritual devotion and a heart for God’s Word. Under his leadership and by God’s grace, the church moved to its current location in Markham. Upon his retirement, he was honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus in recognition of his many years of faithful service to the Lord and His church.
Rev. Samuel Albarian served as pastor from October 2005 to August 2013, faithfully guiding the congregation in spiritual growth and encouraging a deeper walk with Christ. He was followed by Rev. Serop Mgrditchian from Aleppo, Syria, who ministered from 2016 to 2018. During his time, the church became a welcoming refuge for many Armenian newcomers fleeing conflict in Syria.
Although the church was without a full-time minister after 2018, by God’s grace, the life of the church remained vibrant and spiritually fruitful. A variety of faithful preachers, leaders, and servants stepped forward to ensure that the pulpit was never empty and the Word of God continued to be proclaimed each week. The Lord provided in every season, using both guest speakers and committed members of the congregation to shepherd and encourage the body of Christ through sound teaching, prayer, and discipleship.
Throughout this time, our ministries continued to thrive—not by human strength, but through the leading and provision of the Holy Spirit. Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Women’s Auxiliary, Wednesday Night Bible Studies, Crossroads, Thrive, Missions, and Vacation Bible School all remained active and Christ-centered, nurturing believers of all ages and drawing many into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
In 2022, we were encouraged by the biblical teaching and pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Avedis Boynerian, who served with us for three months. Then, in September 2024, we welcomed Zohrab Sarkisian as our intern pastor. With humility and dedication, he embraced the call to shepherd our church family. In November 2025, we rejoiced together as he was officially ordained and installed as the current pastor.
Through every transition and challenge, we continue to testify to God’s faithfulness. He has built His church, sustained it, and continues to use it as a light in our community.
To Him be all the glory.
