Dr. Brian Beattie, his wife Sharlyss, and their children moved to Brantford from Toronto many years ago to help be a part of the city’s tangible transformation. 

In his new book “City of God”, Beattie tells Freedom House’s story and how this modest local Church helped spark positive community growth in many areas. For 15 years, Freedom House Church has been finding creative ways to serve the city of Brantford beyond the weekly Sunday services and group meetings in the basement of the Market Square: Hosting Movie Nights in the Square; Frosty Fest; Flipping Fridays, handing out free hamburgers to folks on the street; The Kindness Project with Captain Kindness; Baptisms in The Square; helping with Hockey Night in Brantford; The Living Nativity and The Kindness Centre.

The passion and unstoppable force behind this unyielding transformation is Freedom House Pastor Brian Beattie. Beattie is also the Chair of the One Church group, made up of all the pastors and ministers representing outreach ministries in Brantford. He is an ardent downtown advocate and is always asked to be on municipal strategy committees. 

“There is no mystery to city transformation. Get outside of the church – love and serve people. If you want to have influence, you have to have involvement.”  Dr. Brian Beattie, ‘City of God’

City of God is a testimony of what a city can look like after God’s Kingdom comes to it. It is a story of how God will transform hearts and lives; and then increase vision to believe that city transformation is more than a Biblical and historical story, but the desire of God for today. You will be inspired, but more importantly, given insights as to how to make your city, the City of God.

“A story of big dreams, huge risk and hard work.  The old-time hymn “Trust and Obey” kept ringing in my mind, repeating as the core message colouring Brian’s book of how the power of faith has driven the transformation of our city.  The unconventional Freedom House leadership approach has resulted in God’s blessing to all parts of the community, while positively changing and saving individual lives along the way.”  MP Phil McColeman

​

MPP Bouma, Mayor Davis and City Parks and Recreation manager, Lori-Dawn Cavin also spoke to their encouragement congratulations and respect for the positive community partnerships coming out of the team at Freedom House that have helped  struggling individuals, filled Harmony Square with annual family events and are forever improving Downtown one step at a time.

 “City of God” is the story how God can transform hearts and lives; and then increase vision to believe that city transformation is more than a Biblical and historical story, but the desire of God for today. You will be inspired, but more importantly, given insights as to how to make your city, the City of God.

“This century belongs to dreamers, strategists, and risk takers.” Dr. Brian Beattie, City of God