Proudly partnering with you to equip and empower Christian leaders for ministry
Students from CBOQ churches qualify for additional scholarships and financial aid. Visit our website to learn more about our programs or contact divadmit@mcmaster.ca for more details.
Every three years, our Strategic Planning Committee develops a Strategic Plan to help guide our CBOQ staff and Board as they support our churches and guide our ministries. This plan is not meant to be another to-do list. Instead, we prayerfully discern the areas where we sense focus is needed in the coming ministry season. You can find further details about our Strategic Plan on our website at baptist.ca/strategicplan, and our five main goals are listed here:
We remain passionate about sharing the hope of Christ with our communities around Ontario and Quebec. However, the cultural reality of ministry has changed and old assumptions regarding ministry and church will not sustain us into the future.
We are experiencing a pastoral leadership crisis, with many anticipated retirements in the next decade and few replacements. Leadership will have to come from a greater variety of ministry streams, and effective means of developing each of these modes to ministry is needed.
We believe churches and leaders are healthiest in community. In recent years, many of our churches and leaders have grown disconnected. We have also experienced confusion around our understanding of Baptist Polity. We see a need for greater connection between churches which speak different languages.
We need to make space to listen to God and discern the work of the Spirit. This helps us be healthy as leaders and make wise decisions as churches.
As donations change and sometimes decrease, we must be wise in developing income streams, while also being good stewards of the income we currently receive. To be wise stewards of our resources, we want to focus on impact and not just output
There are three specific ministry models that we believe will help this vision come to fruition, and
prove meaningful for our churches, as we lean into two particular aspects of our Strategic Plan for this coming year. Your CBOQ staff are eager to support your church in the areas you wish to explore with us.
Have you heard of the game Geoguessr? In this online game, you are “dropped” somewhere in the world on Google Maps. On your phone or computer screen, you will see an image of a location from anywhere around the globe. Your task is to guess where you are by looking at the clues around you. Can you see a street sign to determine what language is spoken? Are there landmarks that are familiar? Does the landscape provide any hints? Geoguessr is all about determining where you are. Our first strategic priority is a lot like that.
As your Executive Minister, my heart is to help all of our churches move forward. However, to do that our churches need to know where they are. As a family of churches, CBOQ is not the same denomination it once was. In the 1990s we had 440 churches. At the time of writing, we have 294. Church closures account for the vast majority of this decline. Most of the churches in CBOQ would be categorized as small churches, with our most “typical” church being about 50 people in size. We have many thriving churches, but we also have churches that are struggling to pay the bills in buildings too large for them. Many of our churches lament a decrease in young people among them. Almost all our churches struggle to find pastors and leaders.
In Geoguessr, you have to look at the clues to determine where you are. We also have to do this with our churches, and that’s a critical part of our first Strategic Goal: “Encourage and Equip Churches to Listen, Discern and Respond to the Holy Spirit.” One of our tasks within this goal is to “provide training and facilitation for churches to engage in group discernment, especially in determining their phase in the Church Life Cycle.” To this end, we will be using a “life cycle” model to help our churches assess what is most needed in their congregation, and help CBOQ understand what
supports would be most useful to address those needs. The “Life Cycle” church model calls on the work of George Bullard and uses four concepts that are part of healthy churches, represented by a letter. V stands for vision – the big picture of who we are and what we do. R is for relationships – the connections we have among us as a church family. P is for programs and ministries – the things we do to help fulfil our mission from day to day. M is for management – the structures we put in place to help the church thrive. Churches move in and out of various phases along this cycle, where each of these elements may be high or low.
Let me flesh this out a little more, using some fictitious examples, starting with “New Plant Church.” New Plant begins when a couple named Hayden and Samantha catch a vision for starting a church in their neighbourhood that would resonate with people who have never been part of a church before. With the support of their home church, they begin this plant with two other families who share the same vision for creating a space that is easily accessible to people curious about faith. At this point, the Vision is at a height (upper case V). As the group starts meeting regularly, and several new people join them, Relationships strengthen (upper case R). They are a group with a vision in common and close connections.
After three years, they have forty people and they start to get more established. By now, they have a midweek gathering for young parents and children, as well as a monthly church meal. They have a particular style of church service and a Sunday School. Now they have P – programs (upper case P).
By now they also realize that they need to put some structures in place. To protect the vulnerable, they utilize Plan to Protect to safeguard their children’s ministries, and they settle on a clear church constitu-
tion to determine how the church will be structured. They now have appropriate Management (upper case M). Five years after the vision began, New Plant is a small thriving church of fifty people that worships each Sunday, runs several community programs, cares for new and existing members, and has robust systems of church governance. They are at the “height” of the church cycle – VRPM. Note that this thriving church is not simply about measuring size or numbers. It is about considering the various aspects of a healthy church community.
Up the road from “New Plant” is another church watching New Plant with longing – we will call them “First Church.” First Church started in the same neighbourhood 89 years ago. They have a beautiful building and a long history, but they are not the same church they once were. The church is now down to a dozen people on a Sunday morning. They scrape together enough money to pay a piano player and someone to preach each Sunday. They write a lengthy annual report each year, with ten of the twenty-five nominated positions reading “vacant” and the same three names on the remaining fifteen. First Church often talks about how they need more people to come and restart their old programs “so the church can keep going” as most of the members are tired. Where are they on the cycle? My guess would be that they are at the phase vrPM or even vrpM. The sense of vision the church once had has waned, and the sense of being a thriving family (Relationships) has faded. It seems they mostly have “management” – structures that they maintain. This does not mean that First Church should be overlooked – but what they will need is different than New Plant.
As we seek to hear from God at CBOQ, our hope going into the next few years is to help each church discern where they are, so that we can also help you best determine what to do next. We are working towards creating and enhancing our supports for churches in each of these life cycle phases. For churches just starting out this may include supports to settle into meeting spaces or develop leaders. Further along the cycle, we can assist with developing important policies and structures. For our thriving churches, we want to help them grow in mission and in partnership with sister churches that they can support. When churches begin to struggle, we want to come alongside to help them consider how to return to places of thriving. Finally, we also want to journey with our churches in a legacy season, helping them discern if they are called to merge with another congregation, replant or close
– and supporting them to do each of these things well. Some of these supports are already in place at CBOQ, and some we will need to intentionally develop. When you determine where you are on Geoguessr, you get to move up levels and win various online rewards. It’s different for churches. We aren’t out to get medals or prizes. Instead, as we listen to God to determine our church’s life phase, we receive the gift of insight and wisdom. Honest looking helps us move to helpful living. Going forward, we look forward to journeying with your church as you listen to God and respond to His calling.
What Can Your Church Do? Contact your Regional Associate or Ken Foo of the Church Life and Leadership Team to learn more about resources and supports to discern your church’s life cycle phase (and how we can support you in the phase in which you find yourselves).
For the past year, our Church Life and Leadership (CLL) Team has been piloting a project to support pastors at every phase of their ministry life, starting with those new to ministry.
Through Leading Edge, pastors meet several times a year to learn about key ministry realities in their particular ministry season. In 2024–2025, seventeen pastors who were new to CBOQ joined in this learning hub, and discussed topics ranging from appropriate boundary setting to helping build effective church boards. Recognizing that the day-to-day reality of ministry can present a steep learning curve for new pastors, Leading Edge seeks to “fill in the gaps” of the practical pieces of pastoring that may not come up until someone is serving in a church.
As pastoring continues, the learning should continue as well. That is why the CLL Team looks forward to launching groups that support pastors from the first weeks of ministry all the way to retirement.
What Can Your Church Do? We encourage all our CBOQ churches to connect their pastors to Leading Edge. If you are hiring a new pastor, or have recently hired a pastor, participation in Leading Edge should be part of the job description. If you are a pastor, sign up to participate. Reach out to your Regional Associate
or Ken Foo of the Church Life and Leadership Team to learn more.
Research from Dr. Chap Clark and the Fuller Youth Institute has proven something many of us already believe: relationships with the next generation make a difference. Their studies show that one of the greatest indicators of long-term faith commitment for young people is the amount of relational investment they experienced from church members in their lives. Specifically, Dr. Clark states that youth benefit from a 5:1 relationship model – for each young person in a church, there should be five adults who are intentionally building into them. As we move forward with our Strategic Plan, we want to continue to build the ethos of 5:1 throughout CBOQ.
What does this mean? It can seem a bit confusing at first, because this isn’t about starting a specific youth program. As churches, we often want to find a system or project with step-by-step instructions that can help us build a Next Generation ministry. 5:1 isn’t about starting another program. It’s not even about creating a strong youth group or Sunday School today (although that might be a bonus). Instead, it is about looking to the future and building into the Kingdom. It is asking ourselves, “How will we care for the children and youth God has entrusted to us now so that in 20 years they are still followers of Christ – even if that is in another church or another city?”
The answer includes creating experiences and a culture within the church where parents invite five trusted Christian adults to invest in their child’s life, and where those adults intentionally carve out time to be available and prioritize investing in the child’s spiritual development.
Because of this:
The pastor, at the invitation of Liam’s parents, meets with him once a month to discuss a Christian book together.
A busy couple in the church, with the support of Liam’s parents, hires him to mow their lawn— always making an effort to talk with him, show interest in his life, and be available for chats.
The worship leader, at Liam’s or his parents’ request, teaches him to play guitar more effectively and encourages him toward leading worship on some Sundays.
A senior in the church, with Liam’s parents’ support, commits to pray for Liam regularly and intentionally shares ways he can also pray for her.
Liam’s family encourages his camp cabin leader to text him throughout the year and support his questions about the Christian faith.
Maybe Liam will never have a big youth group in his small church. But this investment can have a huge impact when Liam continues to move forward in his faith for years to come, and he continues to see church as a place of safety, support, and love.
The good news about developing a 5:1 culture—where adults, at the invitation of a young person’s parents, intentionally invest in that child—is that any church, regardless of size or financial situation, can disciple adults to live this out in the lives of the next generation. In fact, we think it is a perfect fit for our many CBOQ churches that have lots of love, but not a lot of youth.
What Can Your Church Do? As part of our Strategic Plan, we are excited to start working with pilot congregations to help develop a 5:1 vision. If you want to know more or participate, please reach out to Alvin Lau of the Next Generation Department.
by Cathy Millar, Associate Director of Communications and Events, CBOQ
Last month, I had the absolute privilege of visiting one of our Indigenous churches in Mistissini, Quebec. I sit on the Canadian Baptist Ministries’ Learning Circle committee. I’ve been engaged in conversations around truth, reconciliation, and healing, but, nothing could have prepared me for what I would experience on this trip.
To be honest, when I first got the invitation to take the 15-hour drive with Rev. Dr. Ken Foo and Rev. Leanne Friesen, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. It wasn’t on the top of my summer wish list. In fact, several times, I said; “let me think about it.” But the Holy Spirit has a way of nudging us into unexpected places. I am thankful I listened. Because what I encountered over those few days changed me.
From the moment we arrived, we were met with warmth and hospitality. The people of Mistissini welcomed us not as outsiders but as their brothers and sisters
in Christ. We were invited into their church and most humbling of all, into their stories.
I was struck by the strength of their faith. It was resilient, unwavering, and deeply rooted in the love of Jesus. I heard testimonies of pain, healing, grace, and forgiveness. I witnessed the beauty of worship in Cree and of laughter shared over meals, including a feast of local foods. I witnessed first hand the faith of people who have endured generations of trauma and injustice. Each morning, I would sit at a picnic table outside the lodge, gazing over the stillness of the lake. The beauty was overwhelming but so was my sadness. I prayed that God would help my heart hold the weight of what I was feeling. I felt shame for the harm caused by those who came before me. I felt heartache for the generations affected by the residential school system, once strangers, now friends.
On this journey, I found myself asking hard questions about my own faith. Would I be able to remain as faithful in the face of such history? Could I offer the same grace and forgiveness I had heard and witnessed on this trip?
One moment I will never forget is sitting with two sisters who shared their testimony with me. They spoke with raw honesty about their life, their journey, their pain and healing. I had read some stories that were similar, but now I sat across from two sisters who told their real experiences.
It was incomprehensible for me. I didn’t have words, just deep, silent grief, tears and awe.
“See, I will not forget you. I have carved you in the palm of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16
That moment has changed me. Their strength, their vulnerability, their faith! And it reminded me again that healing begins when we listen.
This trip wasn’t just a visit to a place in Quebec. It was a view into the heart of God through the lives and stories of our Indigenous siblings. And it left me forever changed.
As we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, I urge you not to treat it as a moment in isolation, it’s not just a day. Let it be the starting point of your own journey of listening and learning. We are all part of the story of healing and hope. And we all have a role to play.
Listen when it’s hard. Learn when it’s uncomfortable. And let the Holy Spirit lead you not just on September 30, but every day.
I’m grateful to my travelling partners for grace when they knew I was struggling and for my playlist that clearly indicated a different genre and timeframe, plus the quick and sudden requests to stop on the side of the road to capture that worthy photo. I’m grateful to the community of Mistissini for their generous welcome. And I’m grateful to God for the road trip I didn’t know I needed and didn’t want to take.
by Rev. Dr. Phil Styles
First Baptist Church Fort Erie has a heartwarming story of loving and caring for the nations. The story began 83 years ago in 1942, during World War 2. Believing a Baptist church was needed in Fort Erie, Russell and Elizabeth Hicks, Roland Coppin, and Donald Bedggood started to meet. They began their church services by inviting Dr. J. E. Graham, a missionary to China, to bring the initial messages. In a time when the world was filled with fear, First Baptist Church Fort Erie began with a desire to spread God’s good news to the ends of the earth!
Soon thereafter, European refugees from Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and other countries joined as they unified themselves at the foot of the cross.
Fast forward the clock 58 years later, Rev. Gordon Gooderham invited the church to take some time to pray about what God would have them do. After prayer and research, the church realised that Fort Erie was one of the busiest ports of entry for newcomers to Canada! Anne Woolger of Matthew House Toronto was invited to share with the church about serving newcomers. Matthew 25:35-36 became a catalyst to our sense of God’s calling. Therefore, with faith and an available parsonage, the church agreed to open their parsonage doors and started Matthew House Ministry to Refugees in Fort Erie with the help of our Niagara-Hamilton Association and other churches. What began as a humble endeavor soon blossomed into a transformative ministry, touching the lives of over 5000+ refugees and newcomers over the last 25
years! Matthew House is now incorporated as its own ministry, but our church has never lost its joy in our shared partnership!
One of our strategic steps as a church was to hire Pastor Adrien Wilsonne as a newcomer himself, to serve other newcomers in their times of need. With the help of a CBOQ missional grant, Pastor Adrien was able to be hired part-time in 2009 as an Associate Pastor. He attended McMaster Divinity College, earning his MTS as he learned about the Word of God and some of Canadian distinctives. As such, our story is truly a Kingdom story of many Baptists pulling together to see God’s will be done. We are deeply grateful for our family of Baptist churches!
I, Pastor Phil Styles, was called to First Baptist Church Fort Erie in the post-Covid-era of 2021. God continues to stir in the church a vision of inclusivity, unity, and love that permeates all areas of our church life! We aim to be intergenerational and intercultural in our worship, leadership, and ministry strategies. Many tongues and nations participate fully in the ministry of the church and the worship of Jesus! Honouring the diversity of cultural expressions of faith has some challenges, but love is patient and the rewards are priceless! Some newcomers who have checked out our church have been Tibetan monks and Muslims who are grateful for the practical help and love they are receiving from Christians. They are welcomed wholeheartedly as everyone who comes through our doors matters and is important to God! There is always room at the cross and at the LORD’s table for more!
In conclusion, First Baptist Church Fort Erie feels like a sliver of Heaven to me! Isaiah 56:7 says in part, “I will bring [them] to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer … for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” I can testify that there is indeed joy in the house of the LORD when our prayers align with God’s heart! May we all embrace the transformative power of prayer and joy in the house of the LORD as we embody the love and compassion of our Heavenly Father. Amen.
From
Lebanon Kenya
Sherbrooke Mistissini
Oshawa
Montreal
Kigali
Bolivia
Guatemala
Togo
Congo
Cuba
South
Manila
Odisha
Myanmar
by John Sherren, CSD
This soul care ministry builds on the classical spiritual practices of the directee’s Christian traditions, including elements of their corporate and personal spiritual life. As a spiritual companion, the director assists the directee in discerning the activity of the Holy Spirit through primarily contemplative spiritual practices. Accordingly, the director partners with the Holy Spirit to facilitate the directee’s spiritual growth by offering a safe place of spiritual support, friendship, hospitality, and rest during their spiritual journey with our Triune God.
Why does spiritual direction matter? In brief, spiritual direction promotes spiritual formation which fosters spiritual renewal and deepens our relationship with God. The ultimate aim of our life with God is transformation into the likeness of Jesus. However, our “old self” (Eph. 4:22) or “old Adam” (1 Cor. 15:22), including the effects of the world, the flesh, and the devil, interfere in our relationship with Christ (Gal. 5:17). We naturally resist exposing our “old self” that is in bondage to hidden emotions, feelings, and even past traumas that need to be explored and redeemed. Then, as we experience transformation, (2 Peter 1: 3-11) we begin to experience greater spiritual freedom and the abundant life Christ promised (Jn 10:10).
Spiritual direction can serve every member of the body of Christ regardless of spiritual maturity. Given the wide array of personalities, giftings, and life settings of church members, a variety of contemplative spiritual practices are available to believers so they can engage the Spirit beyond traditional “intellectual” approaches to our life with God. Besides, because the Holy Spirit is the true Spiritual Director, personal transformation is best accomplished when we rely on the Spirit to point us to Jesus.
Of the wide variety of spiritual practices available to us, imaginative prayer engages our “sanctified imagination.” Here, the Spirit helps us confront bondages and false representations of who we are in Christ. During times of silent meditative prayer, we may ask God to help us to discern what makes us feel vulnerable and how we perceive ourselves, then ask God to heal those areas of our life. Similarly, through Gospel contemplation the Holy Spirit can help us imaginatively enter an event in the life of Christ as presented in the Gospels. By pondering these Gospel accounts, we share in Jesus’ experiences with him and can discover where we are in God’s story according to the Spirit’s agenda.
We can also discover the presence of God in daily life through the prayer of examine. Here, we become aware of God’s activity in the events of our day. This activity allows us to “see” behind the various presentations or “masks” that we wear. Akin to a prayerful examine is spending time with God in silent meditation to identify any thoughts, reactions, feelings, or sins, then offering them to God in prayer. As a result, we begin to discover our “true self” and the good things God planned in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10). As the believer prays through the effects of various types of sin and brokenness, their new-found freedom contributes to both personal and corporate renewal.
Finally, a spiritual direction session in its most basic form is a safe place where a believer may, through the work of the Spirit, admit their illusions, and insecurities, and break free of their old self through Spirit led conversations. Just as “a little leaven leavens the whole loaf” (Gal. 5:9), the sanctifying work of the Spirit promotes spiritual formation, thus rejuvenating the body of Christ, as the director and directee look to the One true shepherd and overseer of our souls for hope and healing (1 Peter 2: 24-25).
Is your interest in spiritual direction tweaked? You can reach out to CBOQ to learn more on how to experience spiritual direction yourself.
Gatherings & Events
Spaces
Leadership
Resources
Global
Partnerships
Spiritual Formation
Tools
by Tanya Yuen
When those who share a common calling gather, the weight of week-in, week-out ministry meets the warmth of worship, learning, and laughter, and something sacred is stirred. That’s what TCMC offers every year. It’s a space that reminds us we’re not alone, and that what we do matters. For many who serve in children’s and family ministry, this conference is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a day that reorients and renews our attention to God, one another, and the children and families we serve. One participant last year put it simply: “The conference was a great way to recharge and reconnect to the core of why I serve in the ministry.” That’s it! This day helps us remember why we do what we do through deep, practical, Spirit-led formation. TCMC offers theologically rooted teaching, hands-on learning, and space to process it all with others who get it. And it’s not just the content that makes this day so meaningful. It’s the connection with people who know what it is to show up again
Whether you’re a paid ministry leader, a volunteer, or a teen serving in children’s ministry, you’re invited to be part of the Toronto Children’s Ministry Conference. Held annually on the first Saturday in November, TCMC offers both in-person and online registration options.
2025 marks our 15th anniversary, a milestone year you won’t want to miss!
Visit torontochildrenministryconference.ca for details and registration.
and again with Goldfish crackers, pipe cleaners, lesson plans, and a heart for kids to know Jesus. Time and again, participants tell us that what made the biggest difference wasn’t just a workshop session (though we curate a wide range of excellent ones), but the conversations in between sessions or at lunchtime. Or the chance to hear how someone else is navigating similar questions. Or the spark that comes from someone else’s idea. It’s the reminder that “yes, this is hard, and yes, it’s worth it” that makes this so much more than a training day. One participant shared, “Great day of connections, remembering we aren’t in it alone.” Another wrote, “I loved the fellowship, learning, and synergy of so many children’s ministry workers together.” Whether someone has been in ministry for 20 years or is just stepping into a new role, TCMC makes space for both the seasoned and the newly called, the paid staff and the volunteers. “It was great being around people passionate and experienced in children’s ministry and having participants of all different experience levels and church sizes come together”, wrote one participant. And that includes teenagers who are serving in children’s ministry, many of whom attend TCMC alongside their pastors or ministry leaders. It’s a powerful thing to watch young people be equipped for leadership and just as powerful to watch them teach us, through their questions, creativity, and deep compassion for the children they serve. We believe learning should go both ways, and this day offers space for that kind of intergenerational exchange to thrive. In that shared space, the Holy Spirit moves. Not in big, flashy moments, but in the quiet strength of encouragement that runs through the day. “This day inspired me to not give up,” one participant wrote. That line hits home. Because this work is beautiful, but it can also be lonely, especially in our smaller churches where there are only a few serving. TCMC reminds us not to give in to cynicism, burnout, or the temptation to just keep doing what’s expected. As one participant wrote, “Children are changing, society is changing, and the way we do or be church is changing,” and another shared, “I was inspired to not give in to doing the same old boring routine in Sunday school and children’s ministry, and to let new life and breath be breathed into us by the Holy Spirit.” That’s what this day is for. Space to breathe. To imagine. To learn something new. And TCMC is a day to remember, we are formed
as much as we seek to form others.
“Children’s Ministry is my calling,” one participant shared. “I left this conference feeling very equipped, energized, and humbled to continue doing what I know I am called to do. This means I will keep learning and, more importantly, allow the Holy Spirit to direct all aspects of my life as I teach and build relationships with the children and their parents.” Every year, I am struck by the wide range of voices and the shared heart for Jesus. TCMC isn’t just about filling heads and hands with new ideas and resources. It’s about stirring hearts. It’s about holding space for those who believe Jesus is calling children to himself and are committed to growing and learning how best to be part of that work. And that we, as his church, are invited to make space for them. Be inspired. Be equipped. That’s not just our conference tagline. It’s a prayer for each person who walks through the doors and for the communities they return to.
Emily: Hi, everyone! My name’s Emily, and I have the privilege of serving as the Communications and Leadership Program Specialist for Camp Kwasind. One of the really cool things I get to do in my role is serve as the LIT Director. I’m here today with Ewan, one of our LITs from Summer 2025, and we’re going to chat a little bit about the program, the impact it’s had on his life, and why you should consider being part of it next summer.
So welcome, Ewan! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself - where you’re from and how you got connected to camp?
Ewan: So, I’m Ewan. I grew up in Scarborough and eventually moved up to Uxbridge. I got connected to camp through my mom—she used to come here when she was younger. My first year was just a couple of years ago, and I’ve only ever come during Teen Week.
Emily: That’s awesome! You’ve done t wo of them so far?
Ewan: Yeah, I started in 2023.
Emily: What was it that drew you to the LIT program?
Ewan: Honestly, I was really drawn to it because of YAK, one of the amazing leaders here. He’s been here for me since my first year, and he’s such a great guy to talk to. I thought the program would be a fun experience and also a way to get to know other people.
Emily: How has the LIT program helped shape you as a leader?
Ewan: One of the biggest things is how it helped me start and grow in my faith with God, and how I draw closer to Him through relationships. As a leader, I’ve always been stronger with oneon-one conversations, but I really grew in being able to speak in front of groups.
Emily: Final question—would you recommend the LIT program to others, and if so, why?
Ewan: That’s a good question, because I’ve already recommended it to a bunch of people! I did it a year late, so I was with younger people, but I still had an amazing time. It’s one of those things you only get to do once, and I would hate for anyone to miss out.
Emily & Mikayla
Emily: OK. Hi, everyone! My name is Emily, and I have the pleasure of serving as the Communications and Leadership Program Specialist for Camp Kwasind. I’m joined here today with Mikayla. This summer, Mikayla was one of our LITs—our Leaders in Training—at Camp Kwasind.
So, welcome, Mikayla! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself - where you’re from, how you’re connected to camp, and how long you’ve been coming?
Mikayla: Sure! My name is Mikayla, and I’ve been coming to Camp Kwasind as a camper for nine years. I first got connected
to camp through my church, Kingsway. Kwasind became a really big and impactful part of my church community and my life.
Emily: And what drew you to the LIT program this summer?
Mikayla: I’ve heard about LIT since I was around seven years old, and I always knew I wanted to do it. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was a devotional where we talked about how God shows up in really hard moments. That talk gave me goosebumps—it was so good, and it’s something I’ll never forget.
Emily: How did your relationships with the other LITs
and leaders shape your experience this summer?
Mikayla: We had 31 LITs this year—the most ever! At first, I thought I’d get lost, but a month is a long time. The canoe trip especially brought us close. At first, you’ve got walls built up, but
by Week 2, everyone knows you— your highs, your lows, when you’re frustrated, when you’re happy. Emily: Final question—would you recommend the LIT program to others, and if so, why?
Mikayla: 100%! Honestly, it was the best month of my life. I truly
think it’s the best thing this camp has to offer. It mixes all the fun things like wide games, campfires, and community with intentional teaching about God. And the staff team? Honestly, the best ever. I honestly think everyone should do the LIT program.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7
Just as we are called to live with spiritual consistency, through prayer, worship and service, monthly giving is a way to practice regular generosity that sustains ministry, discipleship and God’s work
Support Churches across Ontario and Quebec with leadership development, pastoral care and new church planting.
Equip leaders with biblical training, mentorship & theological resources
Invest in Youth & Families and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Monthly giving is a practical way to offer your “first fruits” and put God’s work first in your finances, not as an afterthought but as a faithful commitment to His work.
Give online, by mail or by phone.
• Visit our online page at https://baptist.ca/give/ and select the monthly gift option to make your gift with a credit card.
• Mail a void cheque to: 5 International Blvd Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3
• Phone: 416-622-8600 and speak to a member of our team
• If you have any questions, you can also email us at: info@baptist.ca
https://baptist.ca/give/
Side note: John Cserepka and his family went on to serve in Bolivia as part of CBM in 1963. Together with his wife, they provided medical care among the indigenous tribes as well witnessing to them. They founded the Bethesda Clinic in Chapare, as well conceiving of a hospital ship, the Clinica Flotenta Bethesda.
By Yevgeniya Bakai
Churches within our CBOQ family are as diverse as the landscape of our homeland. Many cultural churches, ranging in tradition and practice have found in both our nation and convention an adopted home, preserving their unique identities contributing to the rich tapestry that is Canadian Baptist life. Among said churches are the Hungarian Baptists, considered one of a kind both in language and culture.
Situated within the Finno-Ugric language family, the Hungarian language consistently ranks among the five hardest languages to learn. Yet this should not dissuade one from attempting it. It is known as one of the oldest and most unique in all of Europe, soft and lyrical, filled with rich idioms, easily rhymed for those able to do so. As for the culture, it is strongly familial, with a love of hospitality, emphasizing poetry, art, and music although not lacking in any of the sciences.
Hungarian Baptists came to North America in the last decades of 1800’s settling in large industrial cities of the US. The first church established in Canada was in Yorkton SK, with other churches forming in due time.
After meeting in several locations before settling at Brooke Avenue Baptist Church in Toronto, the First Hungarian Baptist Church was officially registered in 1929, shortly after joining the CBOQ (formerly BCOQ). In the aftermath of the 1956 revolution Canada was one of the first nations to welcome Hungarian refugees, a total of 37,500 in number. This wave of immigration bolstered the Hungarian Baptist churches within Canada.
Among the refugees were John and Margaret Cserepka. Margaret was a trained doctor and John was an ordained pastor of the Hungarian Baptist Union, who accepted pastorship of the First Hungarian Baptist Church in Toronto. It was his vision and determination to have a place of spiritual retreat for the Hungarian Baptists. That vision was fulfilled with the purchase of a five-anda-half-acre farmland in Rama, Ontario. The property, containing an old house and a well, was transformed into a camp that continues to serve as the heart of Hungarian Baptists throughout Canada and the US. Each year the Annual General meeting is held (this year was the 117th) on its grounds, updated with many cabins, a dining hall, chapel as well as access to Lake Couchiching. Prior to the AGM there is a youth camp, afterward a children’s camp. During the AGM there is a noted tradition of a soccer (football to Europeans) match between Canada and the US, with Canada
taking the majority of the wins. The camp also used by other (cultural) churches for retreats, conferences and special gatherings, ensuring the continuity of Pastor Cserepka’s vision that the camp be “a blessing, firstly to those who labor for it with love and sacrifice…Hungarian or English or any other brother or sister in Christ, who find in it spiritual and bodily refreshment.”
Today, 65 years later, if you drive on a beautiful two-lane Rama Road 44 heading out of Orillia, you’ll find the camp, vibrant with cottages and tall fir trees, with the beautiful lake Couchiching across the road, still a bastion of spiritual and bodily rest. It is here that my story intersects with the story of the camp, as our family attends yearly the children’s camp (VBS). Along with my husband and children, we lead the “English group.”
This is on account of those who are not culturally Hungarian, or do not speak the language, and yet love to attend the camp and be part of it. Our children learn of faith as well as their shared heritage, learning the Greatest Story as well as their own. A story that is woven into who they are, as well as into the story of CBOQ. And these stories are worth telling.
compelled to take a step of faith into the unknown, trusting the Lord to lead us to where we could serve next. Within just three weeks of our farewell, the Lord providentially brought three separate people into my path—each inviting me to prayerfully consider Banwell Community Church in Windsor.
As we engaged with the people of Banwell, we found a congregation in the midst of leadership transitions and emerging from post-pandemic realities—yet still marked by deep commitment, servant hearts, and a community rich with opportunity for outreach and growth.
I soon learned that Banwell was itself born from a bold step of faith. In the early 2000s, two struggling congregations—Temple Baptist and Olivet Baptist— joined together to envision a new beginning on the east side of Windsor. This group of 150 faithful believers purchased land and built a sanctuary designed to hold a congregation three times their size. Their visionary faith and sacrificial generosity became a spiritual legacy that still inspires us today.
The last five years have been some of the most challenging seasons for the Church and her leaders. Disruption, division, leadership fatigue, and shifts in engagement have reshaped and refined congregations in profound ways. Like many pastors, I have felt these realities deeply. Yet in my darkest moments, my soul was buoyed by Jesus’ words to His disciples at Caesarea Philippi:
“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”
Those words have carried me through this season of ministry, fuelling my hope for the future of His Church.
In 2022, after 15 fruitful years of ministry at FBC Tillsonburg, my family and I sensed God calling us into a new chapter. We had journeyed through a major building project and a pandemic, but now felt
In 2023, Banwell took another step of faith, breaking ground on a 10,000-squarefoot Community Outreach Centre. This new building expansion included a gym/auditorium, kitchen, fellowship lobby, mezzanine for youth and young adults, expanded parking, and additional washrooms. God provided a supportive congregation and a skilled team of leaders in engineering, finance, management, and trades to see the vision through.
The project was funded through a combination of land sale, a CBOQ loan, and generous internal fundraising. Our “Build it Together” capital campaign drew inspiration from Nehemiah, who rallied God’s people to work sideby-side in rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. Each of our 200 households received a physical brick to take home and pray over before returning it with their financial pledge. Those bricks were then incorporated into the very structure of the building—a tangible reminder of our shared commitment.
In January, we celebrated the grand opening with our church family, neighbours, as well as local church and civil leaders. The mayor of Windsor offered a poignant reflection, saying:
“I see so many people in our city leave for work in the morning, press the button to open their garage, return home, close their garage door at night, and live without real connection. This place changes that!”
Since that day, our newly expanded facility has been bustling with ministry. We inaugurated the space with an Alpha Course attended by over 70 guests, held weekly programs for children, youth, young adults, and seniors, welcomed more than 70 children to our summer VBS, and hosted numerous conferences, fellowship meals, weddings and funerals receptions, and other milestones of life. We’ve also opened our doors to community groups and non-profits, making the Centre a bridge between our church and our city. And this is only the beginning. With numerous highdensity housing developments being built along the Banwell Road corridor, we believe God has positioned us for a season of unprecedented outreach and growth.
Recently we are seeing worship services getting full, with people hungry for God’s Word. Newcomers from diverse ethnic backgrounds finding a spiritual home. Men and women, young and old, coming to faith, being baptized, and becoming active members of Christ’s Body. New ministry staff and volunteers being appointed to keep pace. The Lord is adding to our number weekly.
At Banwell, we have no slick slogans or fancy mission statements—just the simple words of Jesus: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe
all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This is our mission. These are our standing orders. And Jesus Himself has promised to be with us to the very end of the age.
It is abundantly clear that the Church Jesus is building is not made of bricks and mortar, but of people— living stones—being built together on the foundation of Christ. Buildings are merely tools, yet they can be powerful tools when dedicated to God’s glory.
As we look ahead, my prayer is that Banwell’s unfolding story would encourage other churches to pull out all the stops, dream big, step out in faith, and to invest in spaces—physical and relational—where the Gospel can take root and grow. Our world is lonely, fragmented, and searching for meaning. Christ and His Church hold the only hope that will last.
If you are a church leader or member, I want to encourage you to ask yourself: What would it look like for our generation to take a bold step for the sake of the Gospel in our community? What vision might God give us if we dared to trust Him with more?
We have seen firsthand that when God’s people honour His Word, rally around His mission, bringing their prayers, sacrificially offering resources; He does far more than we could ask or imagine. May we all—wherever we serve—be found faithful in building for eternity.
CBOQ churches have a long history of sponsoring and caring for refugee families from around the world. These families may be Christians being persecuted for their faith, displaced peoples from war-torn countries and conflict, or reunified of families that were separated while fleeing from danger. Over the past three years, CBOQ has worked with 17 churches to process 237 refugee spot submissions, and welcomed 115 refugees into our church communities. There are 106 refugee claims that are still in the review process.
Member churches work with CBOQ, an approved
We are unable to share photos and names of all our refugee friends mentioned in this article due to the risk of danger and persecution for the family and friends who remain in the home countries.
Sponsorship Agreement Holder with Immigration Canada, to raise funds and submit applications. It shouldn’t surprise you that our Atlantic and Western Conventions also are actively involved in Refugee Sponsorships within their regions. As Baptists, “we recognize that mission is not just evangelism, but also includes promotion of justice, social welfare, healing, education, and peace in the world. It is a holistic approach that expresses care for both the needs of the human soul and the social needs that affect all of life.”
Immanuel Baptist Church in Toronto has brought over Christian families who would have faced danger and death if they were made to return to their home countries. The Immanuel sponsored family has been taking courses, learning ESL, and gaining Canadian work experience. Their kids are enjoying school and speaking English fluently. They are thriving here surrounded by extended family and the Immanuel Church family. Many of our churches also sponsor refugees from other faith backgrounds, truly “welcoming the stranger” with Christian hospitality and love. Bromley Road and We Share Vision have been actively sponsoring Eritrean refugees, as they escape from forced labor, conscription, and violence. These refugees have risked their lives to flee their home country by foot, walking 10002000km to Ethiopia or Uganda. We receive many encouraging reports from We Share Vision, such as “The mom and daughter have settled well. They have a strong community of support including family members. The mom was able to register for ESL and took the Personal Support Worker course. She is fully employed now and her daughter is
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:40
Many of our sponsor churches help to reunite refugee
families by faithfully sponsoring each family unit after successful settlement of the arrived family members. Kanata brought over John, the brother of a settled refugee, and they supported John’s enrollment as a student at Algonquin College and then employment. At the end of the one year sponsorship commitment, John wrote to thank them.
“It’s one year now yaaayyy!!!. Honestly it has been an incredible journey filled with new experiences, challenges, and opportunities. Your assistance through advice, connections, or simply being there to lend an ear. All that are helping me settle into this wonderful country. Your kindness, I have been able to overcome challenges and pursue my dreams. Your support has not only provided for my needs but has also given me the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.
The church community has been a source of comfort and strength, providing me with a sense of belonging and a place where I can connect with others who share similar values and beliefs. Your guidance and prayers have been a source of inspiration. As I continue on my journey, I carry with me the lessons of compassion, generosity, and faith that you have instilled in me. I am truly blessed to have you in my life. God bless.”
We thank all our sponsor churches who have shown faithfulness, sacrifice, and love in caring for refugee families – Bethany Nepean, Brampton Community, Bromley Road, Eucharist, Fallingbrook Heights (Church at the Centre), Gilmour Memorial, Glen Acres, Immanuel Toronto, Kanata, Kingsway, Lorne Park, Martingrove, MacNeill, Slavic Evangelical, Spring Garden, We Share Vision, and Westview.
To support CBOQ’s refugee sponsorship program, you can donate by e-transfer to donation@baptist.ca and write refugee program in the memo box. Please reach out to sponsorship@baptist.ca if you are a CBOQ church interested in this ministry.
by Rev. Reuben Foncardas
On July 27, 2025, Stouffville Grace Baptist Church (SGBC) held a groundbreaking ceremony for its long-awaited new church building. By God’s grace, the congregation—now nearly 400 strong—secured the final plot of land zoned for church use in downtown Stouffville.
After years of prayer, SGBC has received Site Plan Approval and anticipates beginning construction this September, with hopes of celebrating their first worship service in the new facility by Christmas 2026.
by Nelson Chang Regional Associate, Church Life and Leadership, CBOQ
God is at work in the Inniswood Baptist Church family as they continue to rebuild after challenges in recent years. The congregation is placing a strong
SGBC is Stouffville’s first Chinese Baptist church and remains the only one in the downtown area. It serves the community with worship services in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
As part of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec family of churches, SGBC seeks prayer for the following items:
God’s provision as they raise $4M in the next nine months.
God’s favor as they apply for a loan with Scotia Bank for $8.3M.
God’s intervention so that the building permit will be issued early September.
God’s wisdom as they finalize a suitable contract management company to start construction on time.
God’s love to permeate in the church which will enhance their unity and spiritual vitality as members volunteer for church building project activities and related fundraising campaigns.
focus on church health, believing that healthy churches naturally grow and multiply. By equipping members with foundational discipleship skills, they aim to enlighten, deepen, and strengthen their people to walk closely with the Lord, serve Him faithfully, and share the gospel with those who have yet to believe.
Their building has become a hub for ministry and community connection, hosting a Christian daycare, seven other congregations, and various social and sports groups. These partnerships have opened doors for meaningful relationships and gospel opportunities.
This past year, Inniswood celebrated five baptisms, with two more scheduled before summer’s end. New neighbours are finding their way into the church family, and leaders are encouraging them to become members and step into areas of service. Looking ahead, the goal is to equip two to three new leaders by next spring.
As they enter their 51st year of ministry, Inniswood Baptist Church remains deeply grateful for God’s grace and is excited for what He has in store in the days ahead.
by Rev. Karen Wong Regional Associate, CBOQ
When a Christian friend told Timothy Chau’s mother about a summer camp at Montreal City West Baptist Church, she signed him up for Vacation Bible School (VBS), unknowingly bringing God’s blessings to their family. Timothy’s journey began as a wideeyed camper, where he sang songs, heard stories about Jesus, and formed meaningful relationships with new friends and mentors. These early connections had a lasting impact, shaping his faith and character.
At 13, he was no longer eligible as a camper. Motivated by the same love and guidance he once received, Timothy volunteered as a helper. “It’s tougher to be a VBS worker than a camper. I had to arrive much earlier to prepare the rooms, work hard behind the scenes, ensure the kids’ safety, and return home after everyone else left. But it’s all worth it!” Timothy shared. Mrs. Cris Kwok, the director of the children’s min-
istry, understands that mentorship is at the heart of church discipleship. Raising future leaders isn’t about quick fixes; it requires walking alongside them through every stage of life. As campers grow, the relationships that caring leaders build with the students create a strong foundation, inspiring them to live their lives for Jesus.
VBS stands as a powerful testament to the impact of connection across generations. With Timothy’s cheerful invitation, his parents became involved in church activities, including Sunday worship. Surprisingly, his grandparents were the first in the family to be baptized. This year, Timothy’s father was baptized during the Easter Sunday service. Once again, Timothy embraces the challenge of volunteering at VBS, where younger campers look up to him as a caring big brother. God is working wonders through the church’s ministries!
by Rev Cid Latty Regional Associate
As the Regional Associate for Western and Midwestern Ontario, I have had the privilege of witnessing incredible things happening in our churches. Our pastors continue to serve with unwavering faith and excellence, and our congregations remain committed to loving their communities with hope and healing. It is truly inspiring. No wonder the Apostle Paul confidently declared, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Today, God is actively working in His church, and to Him be all the glory. Let me share a few stories from churches that are seeing God at work and are overflowing with gratitude.
Rather than holding a traditional anniversary service, Tiverton Baptist Church felt led to celebrate their 170th anniversary by turning outward, toward their community. “We sensed God calling us to bring our celebration to the
people around us,” said Don Longmire, one of the lay pastors. The result was their first-ever Family Fun Fest in the local park, filled with food, crafts, games, and prizes for all ages. It was a joyful day where the community experienced God’s love firsthand, and new relationships were formed. For some, it was the first time they realized the church was there for them.
Once a struggling congregation (like so many during COVID), Dutton Baptist made a bold decision to run the Alpha Course as a tool for discipleship and outreach. Each week, participants shared a meal, watched a video, and engaged in meaningful discussions. Pastor Gerson Berthault reflected, “It was a blessing to see new people invited and welcomed. Through table conversations, believers grew in expressing their faith and sharing their journey with Christ. It created space for the Holy Spirit to move in people’s lives.”
The impact extended beyond the course as Sunday
by Rev. Carl Walters CBOQ Regional Associate, Central West
services became richer with prayer and testimonies, and fellowship after worship grew deeper over coffee, fruit, and snacks. “Our church has grown in unity and faith,” Pastor Gerson shared.
At a time when churches typically slow down, the Sunday after Resurrection Sunday, First Baptist Wallaceburg chose to step out in faith and host a healing service.
Pastor Brian Horrobin explained, “We invited people to come forward for prayer. We had three teams of three leaders, and after the sermon, the aisles filled with people seeking healing.” Around 30–40 individuals came forward to receive prayer and have hands laid on them. “To God be the glory!” Pastor Brian exclaimed. It is with joy that I say yes, God is at work among us. Where do you see Him moving in your life, church, and community?
Zion Baptist, a member of ARMBA (the Amherstburg Regular Missionary Baptist Association) in St Catharine’s, is led by Reverend Carvin Washington, who is 94 years old and has driven over from Niagara Falls New York, to St Catherine’s weekly to be their Pastor for nearly 30 years!
Zion Baptist meets in a small, older house where they worship and minister to the poor and marginalized of St Catherine’s. Their low income means that the church doesn’t have much, but they have a faithful core of people who attend and serve there.
This summer, they did an outreach in the park. To create interest and to bless others, Reverend Washington bought coins to give out that display the armour of God. The church had it’s service in the park and then gave out these coins to teach others about God and invite others to their church.
The outreach brought a few new people to the church. Everyone who comes to Zion Baptist is encouraged to use the gifts that they have: they now have a lady who plays the piano, and a gentleman who has been renovating their bathr oom with some much-needed repairs!
Please be praying for Zion Baptist that they would continue to be a beacon of hope and good news in their community.
After a powerful Assembly in 2025, we’re returning to Brock — and enhancing the experience from last year based on your feedback, and space to grow together.
Delegates
It was a delight to join you for Assembly 2025! I am excited to see what God will do in and through your churches!
In my presentations at Assembly, I suggested that the outlook for evangelical churches in Canada is not blue skies and peaceful waters. Indeed, data suggest stormy seas and strong winds blowing us toward secularity. Around 1950, two-thirds of Canadians claimed weekly attendance; now it’s around 10%. The percentage of Canadians who claim no religious affiliation (“nones”) have similarly increased to up to half of Canadians today. Many of these “nones” were formally Christians. In a climate where evangelizing is unpopular (even unCanadian), we see many more people becoming “nonverts” (those who disaffiliate from Christianity and become “nones”) than converts. What is causing this change?
I argued that these changes are all symptoms of a much deeper cultural change, which can be called the “inward turn”; Canadians reject external authority and embrace an internal locus of authority. Put simply, our culture promotes the message that you should not believe or do what external authorities—politicians, pastors, parents, doctors, teachers—tell you to do or believe, but what your heart tells you. You are your own authority. You have to find your own spiritual path. You have to be true to yourself, and follow what you feel inside. Parents and pastors, if you sense that you are losing your authority and people just don’t listen to you anymore, it’s because a person’s intuition is their authority. And inner authority is not just out there in secular society; my research shows that the majority of regular attendees in evangelical churches show signs of internal authority.
It makes sense that if everyone does what is “right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25), because their authority comes from within, then the orthodoxy and orthopraxy prescribed by religion will decline. We see this all around us—in our society, in our churches, in our
by Dr. Sam Reimer, PhD, Professor of Sociology at Crandall University
children, and maybe even in ourselves, if we are honest. We do and believe what “works for us.” We may disagree with what our denomination believes, or try to find alternate interpretations of biblical passages to fit our preferences. Polls show that three-quarters of Canadians agree that “my personal beliefs are more important than what is taught by any religion.”
But there is a problem with this idea of internal authority. If Canadians were really following the dictates of their own hearts, without any influence from external sources, then we would expect to see random, idiosyncratic beliefs and behaviors. That is, if everyone was truly finding their own path, based solely on internal authority, then joining churches would be as common as leaving them, and embracing religious authority would be as likely as not (unless one argues that humans by nature are not religious, which does not fit the historical evidence). But that is not what we see. What we do see is Canadians all going in the same basic direction, pulled by a powerful current away from churches and toward self-spirituality. Society is not neutral. It always prescribes. It is more like a river with a strong current than a lake.
My point is that when Canadians accept the notion of internal authority they are actually conforming to society. They are not acting independently, because their internal authority is shaped by external authorities, particularly media, schools, and businesses whose messaging has long been “be you” and “express yourself”. In other words, everyone succumbs to external authority. I am suggesting that if we can get people to understand that we are all shaped (not determined, but powerfully influenced) by external authorities, then the question becomes, how benevolent are your external authorities? Do algorithms love you? Does social media help you develop a healthy self? Then maybe we can introduce them to an external authority that is perfectly loving, always knows what’s best, and can show you the way to the abundant life (John 10:10).
CBOQ friends, the cultural winds and currents may forecast stormy weather for the evangelical church in Canada, but we have to remember that we serve One who calms storms. Unlike the disciples, let’s take our eyes off of the storm and focus on the one who is in the boat with us. And like the disciples, may we wonder anew, “Who is this man? That even the wind and the waves obey him?” (Mark 4:41).
