Our Team
Pastor and Catalyst: Jason McGibbon
Jason McGibbon moved to Hamilton in 2011 with a vision to start something new: The Hamilton Fellowships. After helping plant churches in Oakville and Milton, Jason and his family launched what began as a single house church. Over time, that small gathering multiplied into a network of LifeGroups across the city, eventually growing into a Sunday morning worship gathering that brings those groups together under one roof at the historic Westinghouse building at Barton and Sanford—a place they’re proud to call home in the heart of the Barton neighbourhood.
Beyond pastoring, Jason leads The Hamilton Fellowships’ church planting residency. Through this ministry, the church has already planted two other churches in Hamilton, is coaching several planters in the area, and is preparing for its next season with four new residents in the pipeline.
Jason is also an artist, musician, and writer. His creative work has been featured in exhibitions and private collections throughout Hamilton. Most recently, he and his family wrote and performed The 9 Lives of Ross Fordham, a musical co-produced with Theatre Aquarius.
Jason is married to his best friend, Kimberly McGibbon, who serves as the Director of the Send Relief Centre in Hamilton—a key partner ministry of The Hamilton Fellowships serving newcomers to Canada. Together, Jason and Kimberly are the proud parents of four adult children and have recently stepped into their favourite role yet: grandparents. As Jason says, “It’s a pretty sweet gig if you can get it!”
Church Planting Apprentice: Shams Siddiqi
Shams Siddiqi is a Church Planting Apprentice in the The Hamilton Fellowships’ church planting residency pipeline. He grew up in a multicultural Muslim household in Oakville, but came to faith through the discipleship of his mother and pastor. Shams then moved to Hamilton to explore his calling to church planting while also completing his Bachelor's Degree in Urban and Intercultural Ministry at Redeemer University. He connected with THF during his undergrad, integrating into the residency program following his graduation to pursue church planting further. He is also the Experiential Learning Coordinator at Redeemer University.
Shams helps to lead the Sunday morning Serve team as well as leading the Monday evening Life Group. He also preaches on Sunday more once in a while.
Shams enjoys participating and watching sports. He plays ultimate disc throughout the year in the Hamilton Ultimate Club and is an Ottawa Senators fan. He also enjoys watching movies, playing board games, and cooking.
Beletew Dubale
Born in Ethiopia, Beletew grew up in a remote village that had no electricity, clean water, paved roads or telecommunication. His parents were farmers and he had seven brothers and two sisters. The village experienced spiritual darkness until God sent Southern Baptist missionaries, which is how he and his siblings came to know Christ.
Beletew and his wife, Haregewoin Hailemariam, Beletew has three children. His family still lives in Ethiopia, but he is praying for the opportunity for them to eventually join him in Canada.
Beletew served as a pastor in local Ethiopian churches for twelve years, and was the President of the Ethiopian Baptist Denomination for ten years, where he oversaw over three hundred churches.
In December 2024, Beletew started a new chapter of his life when he moved to Canada. He is enrolled in the church planting residency with the goal of planting an Ethiopian church.
Beletew loves people and has a passion for missions and leadership.