BAPTIST THE CANADIAN
MAGAZINE 2026
AND THEN THEY PRAYED
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CONTENTS A JOURNEY OF DISCERNMENT AND UNITY
04
A LONG-AWAITED ANSWER
06
BUILD YOUR OWN ELEVATOR
08
WELCOMING THE MOST VULNERABLE
10
CHURCH ON THE ROCK: STARTED AND SUSTAINED IN PRAYER
14
200 YEARS OF FAITH & PRAYER
18
WHERE’S RON? MEET NEXUS
22
MORE THAN A WORSHIP TEAM
24
FAITHFUL THROUGH THE GENERATIONS
28
SEEKING GOD HIMSELF
32
WHEN THE WORLD CAME TO CANADA
36
BAPTISM REFLECTION
41
AND THEN THEY PRAYED
42
EVENTS AND GATHERINGS
44
3
A JOURNEY OF DISCERNMENT AND UNITY
By: Akinbiyi Psalmuel Bibilari | Egerton Street Baptist Church As a missionary, I believe one of my primary
Following prayerful consideration, the church
callings is to see the Kingdom of God expand and
warmly welcomed us and graciously allowed us
flourish. In March 2024, I sensed that my ministry
to begin meeting there.
assignment in Nova Scotia had come to an end. After a season of prayer and waiting on God, I
The love and acceptance we experienced made
became convinced that He was leading my family
a deep impression on us. My wife and I felt
and I to relocate to London, Ontario.
led to worship with the Egerton congregation during their morning service while continuing our
After arriving in London, we continued seeking
afternoon fellowship, The Father’s Love House.
God’s direction through prayer. I believed He
As we became more involved, I noticed some
was calling me to begin a new fellowship, so I
technical challenges during one service and
approached Egerton Street Baptist Church to
offered to assist with the sound and projection
request the use of their building for Sunday
systems, having previous experience in those
afternoon worship services.
areas. A week or two later, Rev. Stephen Jones surprised me by inviting me to preach at a Sunday morning service. That invitation was followed by another, and by the end of the year I was privileged to preach at a joint Christmas
A closing chapter of Egerton Baptist Church became the beginning of something new.
Carol service shared by Egerton and our church.
“God has breathed new life into the congregation.”
and other guest ministers.
From that point onward, I was included on the regular preaching roster alongside Rev. Stephen
Early the following year, the church leadership approached me about becoming the pastor. They expressed their conviction that God had brought me “for such a time as this.” My hesitation was that The Father’s Love House had already been established and registered, and I wanted to be certain of God’s direction. After much prayer and discernment, we agreed to bring the two congregations together in July 2025 as a trial.
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While the transition was not without challenges,
Church leaders once believed Egerton Street
it proved to be a positive step. In August, I
Baptist Church might close because it had been
accepted the role of part-time pastor, and all
in decline. Instead, God has breathed new life
tithes and offerings were directed to Egerton
into the congregation. Today, the church reflects
Street Baptist Church, although both ministries
the diversity of God’s Kingdom, welcoming
continued to maintain separate identities.
people from African, Caribbean, Asian, and many
Throughout this journey, Rev. Cid Latty has been
other cultural backgrounds. We have witnessed
an invaluable source of encouragement, wisdom,
lives transformed and heard testimonies of
and support. The church re-plant grant from
healing, employment opportunities, promotions,
CBOQ is also helping us to execute programs as
and spiritual growth. While some members
God inspires us.
have relocated because of these blessings, we trust God to continue bringing people who will
As the relationship between the two
encounter Christ and become part of His family.
congregations has grown, we have increasingly functioned as one family in worship, ministry,
We now believe God is leading us toward
and outreach. Differences in worship styles
becoming one fully united church with a single
and prayer expressions have required grace
name and identity. As we continue to seek His
and patience. Members of The Father’s Love
will through prayer and discernment, we remain
House generally prefer a more energetic style of
committed to following wherever He leads. Our
worship and expressive corporate prayer, while
encouragement to other churches considering
many long-time members value a quieter and
a similar journey is simple: seek God earnestly,
more traditional approach. Rather than allowing
listen carefully to His voice through discernment,
these differences to divide us, we have sought
and embrace His leading with humility, sincerity,
God’s wisdom together, prayerfully navigating
and faith. When God’s people faithfully discern
each challenge as it arises. Through it all, God
His direction, He is able to do far more than they
has remained faithful.
could have imagined.
5
A LONG-AWAITED ANSWER By: Rev. James Odedeyi | Ambassador Baptist Church
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24). Ambassador Baptist Church in Windsor celebrated 97 years in January 2026. By God’s divine providence, I was privileged to answer the call to serve as Pastor in February 2025. It has been a deeply meaningful and grace-filled experience, all to the glory of Jesus Christ. At one of our Wednesday night Bible studies on our series, The Miracles of Jesus, the facilitator asked that we share a testimony about an answer to a prayer that took time and patience to manifest. One of our seniors responded when it was her turn;
“We prayed for five years and five months for a pastor, and God finally gave us James. I was overcome with gratitude.”
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Although there were times where it had seemed that God had forgotten our little congregation, the waiting created a close bond amongst the congregants. In retrospect, God had laid Windsor on my heart while in Ghana late in 2023, as a possible place to raise my family. But there was no indication that I would lead a church here. What started with an application to a pastoral job posting, led to a roadblock. I was told there was no longer a need to fill this position as ongoing discussions were taking place with another candidate. Much to my surprise, in September 2024, I received a phone call asking if I was still available and if I was still interested in pursuing this opportunity. By October, the process had commenced. I started out as pulpit fill, met the Pastor Search Committee, and by November, was informed about the decision to be presented to the Church as a pastoral candidate. The vote was a unanimous, yes. The churches and pastors within and outside our Association had been praying for a pastor for Ambassador Baptist Church. What an answer to prayer it was. My encouragement to others is never give up on God’s faithfulness; wait on the Lord, and be of good courage (Psalm 27:14).
“I am humbled and honoured to have come on the wings of prayer. The experience was another reminder that God remains faithful.”
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BUILD YOUR OWN ELEVATOR By: Eliézer Magalhães President | The Task
So, I prayed. In praying, God brought Mark 2 to my mind. Four men carrying a paralytic to Jesus, a crowd between them and the door. Just as that missionary leader stood between me and a missionary vision. The four men did not go home. They tore open a roof and built what I like to call the first “evangelistic elevator” in history, an innovative idea that broke with the status quo and created a new way to place the paralytic before Christ. I would have to build one too.
The church is God’s gift to the world. God so
Resource limitations compelled me to be creative.
loved the world that He sent His only Son; Jesus
Over the past 18 years, I have helped establish
so loved the world that He sent His beloved
several “elevators” across Asia, Africa, and
church. As Jesus is the Word’s incarnation, so the
South America.
Church, as the body of Christ, must be the word’s embodiment. I am the son of Brazilian missionaries. My mother nursed me in the seminary classroom, and I like to think I was learning theology before I could speak. My parents planted churches in southern Brazil, then an unreached region, and church was
“During this period, I was blessed to see more than 2,700 new churches planted and 70,000 people baptized.”
wherever we had room. These churches ranged from small groups of 10 God called me to ministry, and after seminary,
or 20 to larger ones with over 200 members. All
I took my vision for planting churches in Asia to
started in homes, though not all stayed there.
a mission agency. A leader answered kindly but
Most areas lacked theological seminaries; the
plainly, “This is not for you. It will not work. You
only theological training they had was what we
are white, young, and without money. That field
provided. What they truly possessed were people
rejects white men, respects only the old, and
who listened to the Spirit’s voice and followed it.
demands money you do not have. Do something else.”
During a church-planting training in Asia, I noticed a simple man, invited solely to cook for us, who
He meant well, and about the odds, he may have
was quietly observing everything. At the end of
been right. But I had a calling. What I learned
the week, after hearing the training, he asked
through that leader is how easily any of us, even
whether he could start a church in his home, since
people of God, can resist or slow God’s work by
there weren’t any nearby. I told him that if God
keeping our eyes on the difficulties. Sometimes
was calling him, he should obey. Over the next
our years of experience can prevent us from
four years, he established seven house churches,
seeing things differently.
impacting more than 1,000 lives through baptism,
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proving that a simple man who responds to a
Two-thirds of the pastors who joined CBOQ
simple calling can make a significant difference.
in 2025 were born outside Canada. God has already sent the missionaries. What might it look
If we depend on large budgets to pay new
like to release them? No church is too small. A
pastors in full, to rent, or even to build new
congregation of twenty cannot fund a building,
temples to plant new churches, we will be
but it can host a household group in a living
profoundly limited. Any available house, party
room. A church with an aging sanctuary can
room in a building, office space, or even a bar
share it with an immigrant congregation and
would be a potential place for a church plant for
watch its life return. The gospel never changes,
the apostle Paul today. The gospel doesn’t require
but the vehicles carrying it must be as varied as
a formal temple; we are the temple.
the people we are sent to reach. Each is a roof
We need to build new “evangelistic elevators.”
waiting to be torn open. An elevator someone
We need to innovate.
must build.
Canada is not South Asia, or South America, and
It is easy for any of us, and I must guard my own
I do not write as a Canadian. But I have spent
heart here, to measure faithfulness by what we
part of this year in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova
maintain rather than whom we reach for Christ.
Scotia, and Quebec learning from pastors and
So, my prayer for CBOQ is that we should rise,
building church planting strategies. I have learned
and that a pastor reading this would look at
that Canada is undergoing rapid cultural change
his neighborhood and ask what path must be
as it welcomes people from all around the world.
opened.The paralytic rose because four friends
What some may call a threat is, for the Church, a
loved him enough to carry him. Ontario and
huge opportunity.
Quebec will rise when enough of us love them enough to do the same. Let’s build new elevators.
According to IRCC, between 2016 and 2026, considering only immigrants admitted for permanent residency, Ontario received just over 1,700,000 people from different nations. In Ontario alone, 500 different ethnicities live together. Some of them may enter our churches,
•
President, The Task (the-task.org) •
the necessary cost of bringing them to Jesus, they may never come.
In March 2026, CBOQ welcomed Eliézer Magalhães as a consultant in the area of planting and church re-planting. In this role, Eliezer is helping CBOQ explore new opportunities, support churches and cast a renewed vision for the future of planting and re-planting across the CBOQ family.
Regional Coordinator for the Maritimes – Union of French Baptist Churches
but most of them are like that paralytic, unable to move towards Jesus. If nobody cares and pays
Eliézer Magalhães, PhD
in Canada •
Church Planting Consultant - CBOQ
The Task is a mission organization that serves and nurtures churches so they can plant churches among unreached peoples. Eliézer Magalhães studied at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds a PhD in theology from the South African Theological Seminary. He is the author of six books, most recently “Rise Up and Walk: Turning a Paralytic World Upside Down.”
WELCOMING THE MOST VULNERABLE By: Kevin Long | Refugee Liaison | CBOQ
For over fifteen years, I have served as Refugee
Originally, I was asked to do two major roles as
Liaison for CBOQ in a volunteer capacity. I took
Refugee Liaison. One was to promote the work
on this role at the urging of Anne Woolger of
of the various Matthew Houses (MH), all of
Matthew House Toronto, after I had retired
which have a Baptist connection: MH Toronto,
from my teaching career. Prior to that, despite
MH Ottawa, MH Fort Erie and MH Windsor (and
living in rural eastern Ontario, I had done some
for a little while even Maison Mathieu Montreal).
volunteer work at Matthew House. I became
Matthew Houses serve by welcoming refugees
interested in that volunteer work one Sunday
who arrive to Canada and need a place to stay,
when I was in Toronto visiting Spring Garden
and help getting started on their application for
Baptist Church.
permanent residency.
There was a notice in the bulletin seeking
The other role was to be a support in the CBOQ
volunteers to help at a weekend getaway for
Refugee Sponsorship program. This program
refugees at Camp Kwasind, with the name of
brings refugees who are still overseas to settle
a woman to talk to. At the end of the service, I
in Canada. I maintain interest and connections
asked the woman in the pew beside me where I
with the Matthew House ministries, but over
might find the woman listed in the bulletin, and
the years my volunteer role has focused more
she said she could answer my questions herself
on the refugee sponsorship program at CBOQ.
since she was the
There is a growing
founding director
need and government
of Matthew House Toronto.
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“So, I have always maintained that when God placed me in a pew beside Anne Woolger, it really was my calling to help with refugee ministry.”
policies are always changing.
For the earlier years of my support to CBOQ, I had the joy of working with Carol Gouveia. CBOQ is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) with the Government of Canada, meaning that we can process refugee sponsorship on behalf of our churches. I attended many meetings in various parts of Canada, learned a great deal at those meetings and online, and became proficient at checking over applications. This helps avoid errors which slow down or cause applications to be returned for correction. I provided support as best I could to Carol, and with Carol’s excellent leadership we were able to keep the program humming along, with many refugee arrivals. So much has changed over the years to try to bring down a rather large backlog of cases around the world. Despite the challenges, the greatest joy comes when we see photos of a church warmly welcoming a refugee family at the airport or hear reports of a refugee successfully starting a new life and career in Canada. At CBOQ, we are privileged to have opportunities to extend God’s Kingdom by doing what we can to show His love to the most vulnerable in our world. May we continue to carry out this worthy calling!
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WELCOMING THE MOST VULNERABLE
REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP If your church is interested in refugee sponsorship, please contact sponsorship@baptist.ca. Kristina Gummatova now oversees the program for CBOQ. As a small Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) with a significantly reduced sponsorship allocation, we receive only a limited number of spaces each year and maintain a waiting list of interested churches. How CBOQ Refugee Sponsorship Works: •
Almost all refugees which CBOQ helps sponsor are ‘named’ refugees.
•
Someone will approach a CBOQ church to ask if the church would consider sponsoring a friend or relative in dire straits in some part of the world to relocate to Canada.
•
Refugee qualifications: »
The principal applicants must have left their country of origin.
»
They must have suffered some sort of persecution or rejection in their home country.
» •
It must be impossible for them to return there in safety and dignity.
The church sponsoring through CBOQ must raise the funds to support the refugee or family for the first year in Canada and must supply all the emotional support and guidance to help them adapt to life in this country.
•
A financial requirement must be met in order to provide for the family for one year. This will vary based on the family’s size and where they will live.
•
If accepted, they are rigorously interviewed and checked overseas, to make sure there is no criminality or reason they would not make good Canadian citizens.
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THEN
NOW
•
No limit on sponsorship applications.
•
Wait time was 5+ years for approval to
SAH and its financial and personnel
travel to Canada.
capacity to sponsor.
•
Hard-copy applications.
•
Government obtained all documentation
•
•
Capped depending on the size of the
Wait time is now 2-3 years for approval to travel to Canada.
from refugee.
•
Electronic applications.
•
Sponsoring Church obtains all documentation from refugee.
WAYS CHURCHES CAN HELP a rural setting that has been very successful in PRAY
refugee sponsorship.
For years, Canadians have generally been open and welcoming to refugees coming to
VOLUNTEER
our land. But sadly, we find that attitudes are
Volunteers are needed in many roles, from
hardening. Because we are in a troubled world
assisting with the cooking to spending time
and tighter economic circumstances, there is a
helping newcomers adjust to life in Canada. I
tendency to ‘blame the stranger’. We forget that
once took a refugee shopping for ‘long johns’
refugees commonly bring a strong work ethic
of all things. He came from a temperate part of
and contribute positively to our economy and
the world and had heard about the cold winters
society. We need to remember that our Lord
in Canada. He was looking forward to wearing
Jesus was once a refugee himself when He and
this article of clothing to help keep him warm!
his parents fled to Egypt to escape King Herod. We should pray for Canadian hearts to be fully
LEARN
open to refugee needs.
Educate yourself on the truths related to refugees, so you can share the true facts with
SPONSOR
others. There are many good resources, but
If your church does not have contacts with any
two I would recommend are:
known refugees, you can still sponsor through
•
evangelicalfellowship.ca - Search ‘refugee’
a special program with already government
on the site, and you will be taken to links to
approved refugees. Under this program the
a number of articles related to the church
cost to the church is less, refugees usually
and refugees. I recommend a document
arrive quickly, and we don’t need to use any
entitled ‘Welcome the Stranger’.
of the allocated spots. Urban churches are not
•
ccrweb.ca - The Canadian Council for
the only ones who can sponsor. Some refugees
Refugees continues to do excellent work
prefer to settle in small towns or in the country.
and has many resources in support
Gilmour Memorial Baptist Church, outside of
of refugees.
Peterborough, is a good example of a church in
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CHURCH ON THE ROCK: STARTED AND SUSTAINED IN PRAYER By: Quinten Shannon | CBOQ
In 1992, six Baptist churches came together
In 1996, Bill Horne asked whether there might
around a shared concern: how could they create
be an opportunity to create a church focused
meaningful ministry for young people when
specifically on young people. The possibility was
none of them had a youth pastor? Together,
exciting, but the answer was not an immediate
they pooled what they had and hired a recent
yes. Instead, they prayed about it.
McMaster Divinity College graduate, Rev. Dr. Dave Overholt.
In January 1997, Church on the Rock (COTR) was planted and welcomed into the Baptist
Soon, 20 young people were gathering for
convention. Over the next thirty years, the
Bible studies, evangelistic outreach and regular
church continued to grow and became a place
leadership training. They encountered Jesus
of salvation and ministry for thousands of
in new and meaningful ways, and eventually a
young people. Today, buses of local college and
monthly worship gathering formed. Within four
university students and a full nursery testify to a
years, it had grown to 700 people.
ministry that continues to reach the next generation.
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A CHURCH TAUGHT TO PRAY “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all
the property and prayed, asking God to provide.
kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind,
When he returned home, there was a message
be alert and always keep on praying for all the
waiting. A businessman from Oakville, who had
Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18, NIV)
brought young people to the youth cooperative, had heard about the property. Believing it was a
Necessity taught dependence. For years, with no
good piece of land, he asked whether the church
more than a dollar in its bank account, the church
needed help. With some nervousness, Pastor
prayed for the resources to meet its obligations.
Dave said they did.
Prayer is not reserved for crisis. It is a posture. Today, that posture is visible throughout the church: a prayer corner on Sundays, ministry prayer during worship and a monthly Prayer Summit. On the property, a prayer path and cabin provide places to withdraw and seek God.
“How much help?” “A lot.” The man offered $500,000. The seven acres were purchased outright.
No story demonstrates this dependence more than the story of the church’s land. For ten
The path toward a permanent worship space,
years, they prayed for property that could
however, has not been as straightforward. After
make a greater dream possible: summer camp.
thirteen years of roadblocks, studies, delays,
Seven acres became available on Upper James
municipal requirements and costly setbacks, the
Street. The land was zoned institutional and
congregation still meets in rented facilities. But
included an empty school that could be used
those challenges have not dampened their faith.
for offices and developed to include a larger worship space. After years of meeting in rented space at a local school in Hamilton, it seemed like an extraordinary opportunity. There was one problem. The asking price was $1.2 million, and they had no money. Nevertheless, they submitted an offer for half the asking price. Surprisingly, their bid succeeded. When the church explained its financial situation, the price was lowered to $600,000 and additional time was provided. With no equity, the church struggled to secure financing. Pastor Dave walked
“We are enthusiasm-rich, but resourcepoor,” Pastor Dave explains. “So we have to depend on prayer.” “That is one of the answers to prayer that defined our existence,” Pastor Dave recalls. “And it has given us faith in bigger things.” Pastor Dave explains, “One of the things that helped us was remembering the miracles of God from the past.”
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CHURCH ON THE ROCK: STARTED AND SUSTAINED IN PRAYER As plans for the property continued, another
One woman encountered the church through its
opportunity emerged. A community needs study
disc golf course. During one service, she made
identified affordable childcare as one of the
her way to the prayer corner, where a member
greatest local needs. The dream of a summer
prayed with her as she responded to Christ. In
camp now seemed even more meaningful, but the
the months that followed, she immersed herself
church needed more space.
in Scripture, read through the Bible and told others about her new peace in God. Her story
Church on the Rock approached neighbouring
brings together the larger story of Church on
landowners about purchasing a small portion
the Rock: land once prayed for became a means
of land for parking. After several years, the
of connecting with the community; connection
neighbours eventually offered COTR all 90 acres
became an invitation to worship; a culture of
adjoining its existing property. The cost was $1.9
prayer created a place to respond; and another
million. Once again, the opportunity exceeded the
person encountered Christ.
church’s resources. Once again, COTR prayed. When a final decision had to be made, a woman whose husband had passed away gave the church $1.2 million toward the purchase. With some mortgaging, including a mortgage from CBOQ, seven acres became ninety-seven. The church then started Camp Wild Rock, an outdoor adventure camp where, for five weeks each summer, 65 children participate alongside 35 teenagers who serve as leaders. The property provides space for soccer fields, a disc golf course, campfires and outdoor activities, while the cost is kept accessible. Children are cared for, teenagers are developed as leaders, relationships are formed and young people encounter the Gospel. Paul prayed that the church might “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” and “know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18–19, NIV). After thirty years, the desire to share the truth of this Scripture with Hamilton remains: that people would encounter Jesus, His love and the life found in Him.
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A STORY NOT FINISHED Prayers remain: to build a gymnasium and sanctuary despite limited resources, and to expand Camp Wild Rock as a place where the community can gather, belong and encounter Jesus. Pastor Dave says,
“At the heart of it all, we want people to meet Jesus and discover the life he brings.” The story is about more than answered prayers. It is also an invitation to trust God with the prayers that remain unanswered. The church’s confidence is that God hears His people as they surrender their desires to His. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14, NIV) Perhaps this is why C.S. Lewis wrote, “The prayer preceding all prayers is ‘May it be the real I who speaks. May it be the real Thou that I speak to.’” Prayer begins with coming honestly before God, not merely seeking His provision but seeking Him; not bending His will toward ours but surrendering ourselves to His.
200 YEARS OF
FAITH & PRAYER
Interview with Rev. Wendell Gibbs | First Baptist Church | Toronto By: Kristina Gummatova, Communication and Sponsorship Coordinator | CBOQ
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This year, First Baptist Church Toronto is celebrating its 200th anniversary. A historic Black church with roots in the Underground Railroad, First Baptist has been part of Toronto’s Black community for two centuries. We had the privilege of sitting down with its current pastor, Rev. Wendell Gibbs, to reflect on the role prayer has played throughout the church’s remarkable history. CBOQ: What do you believe has enabled First Baptist Toronto to remain a vibrant witness through 200 years of social, cultural, and demographic change?
Now, 200 years later, we understand what that means more than we did before. Rather than trying to compete or compare with others, we simply focus on Jesus—less on the culture, less on religion, and less on traditions. And because of this, we’re seeing people from all different walks of life come in. But we have kept our focus on why we were established as a church. Christ himself said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” In fact, we speak much more about the 2,000-year history of Jesus than we do about our own 200-year story.
Pastor Gibbs: Every season and every generation that has come, has brought changes. What has united everyone who came, whether immigrants, Canadians, Nova Scotians, Africans or West Indians, was a consistent faith. It’s accepting Christ as Saviour and living through that narrative amid the challenges, like that of racism, and all the other factors that plagued us in the early
“We are simply part of His story. Our history is about His story.”
stages. It’s about continuing to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
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200 YEARS OF FAITH AND PRAYER
CBOQ: How has prayer shaped First Baptist
I’m the 45th pastor here, but looking back, prayer
Toronto’s identity, ministry, and witness across
has always been an essential factor in sustaining
the generations?
us and bringing us to where we are today.
Pastor Gibbs: Prayer is the foundation of our
CBOQ: Are the prayer meetings well attended by
faith, I believe. Through all the struggles and ups
church members?
and downs, prayer is what has kept us together throughout the centuries since we
Pastor Gibbs: Yes, they are. When COVID came
were established.
and we shifted to an online prayer service, our numbers almost quadrupled. About 20% show up
So, we pray. Our elders pray every other week,
for prayer and Bible study on Wednesday nights,
we pray on Zoom together as a collective for our
which is about 40-50 people.
leadership and for our ministry, on Wednesday nights every week during prayer and Bible study.
We have a very engaging Bible study and prayer
We have seasons of prayer and fasting.
online. We can ask questions, and we can
We believe that, without prayer, we couldn’t
have commentaries and responses. Prayer and
survive. We rely on God’s guidance and provision
Bible study have become an important part of
for the ministry.
the ministry of late because we’ve driven this factor: it’s the Jesus modelling. We see people
“Prayer shapes us more than our programs, our plans, and everything else.”
gravitating much more now toward learning more about who Christ is. CBOQ: What stories, people, or defining moments from the church’s history continue to inspire the congregation today?
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Pastor Gibbs: I think it’s just the repeated recognition that we are one of the oldest Black institutions in Ontario, and one of the oldest churches in Canada. That alone is inspiring. To be part of something unique with a rich heritage. Then there are the stories of how we were birthed through the Underground Railroad and through 12 escapees who came from the U.S. to form a church in Toronto, despite all the challenges they faced, and how we have been sustained for 200 years to where we are today. Our founder is the most inspiring one: Reverend Christian Washington. He was appointed pastor in 1834. CBOQ: What lessons from First Baptist Toronto’s history might encourage other churches seeking to serve faithfully in their own communities? Pastor Gibbs: Well, the Word is faithful, remain faithful. And I always say, find a church where you can contribute. If there’s a place of belonging there, then maintain your faithfulness to God first and foremost, and He will find and fit you into the space and ministry you’re in, to serve to the best of your ability. If the church and the ministry demonstrate more of that model of Jesus, that authentic gospel, people tend to gravitate toward it and are more willing to serve with their gifts and talents. CBOQ: As you look toward the future, what hopes and prayers do you have for the next generation and the next chapter of First Baptist Toronto’s ministry? Pastor Gibbs: Well, we have a much greater focus now on the “now generation.” Over the last year, we have begun utilizing our youth and young adults in this current generation much more than before. By giving them an earlier start rather than waiting for the older folks to live out their time or pass on, specifically when it comes to technology.
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ONE STEP CLOSER TO GOD.
Thank you to all the leaders who invest in the next generation.
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MORE THAN A WORSHIP TEAM: FAITH, COMMUNITY AND WORSHIP IN MONTREAL
For many who attended CBOQ Assembly this
in every circumstance. We wanted to share more
year, one of the memorable moments of our time
of their story with the CBOQ family and learn how
together was worship led by a group of young
we can continue supporting them in prayer.
musicians from New Canadian Baptist Church (NCBC) in Montreal. They travelled from Montreal
New Canadian Baptist Church is primarily a Slavic
to serve our CBOQ family throughout Assembly.
community, with services offered in Russian and
But behind the music is a much bigger story. It
Ukrainian. Its ministry has become particularly
is a story of young leaders using their gifts to
important as Ukrainians have arrived in Canada
serve God, a church that welcomes newcomers
following the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The
to Canada, families separated by war, and a
church has worked intentionally to create a place
community learning what it means to worship God
where newcomers can find community, practical
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support and an introduction to Jesus and the
now developing monthly worship nights that will
Christian faith. When the war began, the church
invite the wider community to gather and
became actively involved in helping refugees
worship together.
find housing, employment and providing financial assistance. As more newcomers arrived, an
For the worship team, what happens on a stage is
information portal was developed to help connect
only one expression of worship.
people with the resources and support they needed to begin rebuilding their lives in Canada. Many of those newcomers have since made NCBC their church home.
“Worship is a life lived fully surrendered to God.”
While welcoming people is only part of the church’s ministry, NCBC is deeply committed to raising a generation that seeks after God’s heart.
They are intentionally challenging the idea that
One of its outreach ministries is Coffee House, an
gathering as Christians is something reserved
event designed to welcome people who may have
for Sundays. Throughout the week, members
little or no connection with a church. Tropinka,
of the community meet in small groups, discuss
the church’s camp ministry for teens and young
theology, pray, and remember God together.
people, welcomes many children who do not
That understanding of worship made this year’s
come from Christian families. In recent years,
Assembly theme, “And Then They Prayed,”
it has also provided Ukrainian children with an
particularly meaningful.
opportunity to experience summer camp, build relationships and learn about God. The church is
25
MORE THAN A WORSHIP TEAM
“The theme reminded me that worship is not just about the songs we sing but about turning our hearts towards God in every situation. As we led worship throughout the weekend, I was reminded that prayer is where we bring hopes, struggles, questions and gratitude to God.” - Anna Negodiuk
to come to Canada and begin building a new life. She was 20 years old. Today, Yeva continues to serve God through music while learning English to serve beyond her Slavic church community at other churches, conferences and gatherings such as CBOQ Assembly. Her father is a pastor in Ukraine and continues to lead his church. Despite the ongoing danger, he believes his calling is to remain and serve the people in his community. Yeva’s mother and five sisters are also actively involved in ministry. Their church continues to gather for worship and prayer, hold children’s
For Anna, seeing people from churches and
camps, help people who have lost homes and
backgrounds across CBOQ worshipping and
possessions, provide practical assistance within
praying together was particularly meaningful. Her
their community and continue sharing the hope of
Ukrainian heritage has also shaped the way she
the Gospel. “The church continues to grow every
understands worship. “Music and singing have
year,” Yeva shared. Her experience is not unique
always been a big part of our culture, so for me,
within the worship team, but their response
worship through music feels very natural and
continues to be prayer, worship and service.
personal,” she said. “Ukrainian history has also taught me about faith, perseverance and hope in difficult circumstances.” That connection between worship, prayer and perseverance is deeply personal for many members of the team. Yeva Boichenko, one of the team’s vocalists, came to Canada from Ukraine three years ago but her family remains there. Experiencing the war from its first days, her parents encouraged her
26
“Despite everything we have been through, we continue to trust God, serve Him, and believe that He has a purpose even in the midst of such difficult circumstances.” - Yeva Boichenko
For Anna Kuznetsovaya, leading worship while carrying these realities has given the words they sing even greater significance. “When you lead worship, you realize that you’re singing exactly what you and the people need right now,” she reflected. Worship becomes an act of remembering that circumstances do not change who God is. Perhaps that is one of the gifts this young worship team brought to Assembly. They didn’t simply bring music from Montreal. They brought their stories. Their families. Their culture. Their prayers. Their experiences of beginning again in Canada. Their concern for those still in Ukraine. And their conviction that worship belongs not only to the easy moments of life, but also to the difficult ones. When we asked the team how CBOQ churches could continue to support them, their first response was prayer. They asked us to pray: •
That their hearts remain humble and centred on God as they use their musical gifts.
•
That God would work through them and keep their ministry focused on Him rather than themselves.
•
For strong relationships, unity and love within the worship team.
•
For the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a clear vision for where God is leading them.
•
That God would raise up additional musicians to serve alongside them.
•
For the ministry and outreach of New Canadian Baptist Church.
•
For financial support and resources for instruments and worship equipment.
•
For their families and churches in Ukraine.
•
For those continuing to live and minister in the midst of war.
•
For the Ukrainian newcomers who are building new lives and finding community in Canada.
Their final message to the CBOQ family was simple: “Thank you so much for your support. May God bless you, and we hope to see you again soon!” As a Baptist family, we had the privilege of receiving their ministry at Assembly. Now we have another opportunity: to remember their names, know more of their story and continue to hold them, their church and their families in prayer.
UKRAINIAN TRANSLATION
FRENCH TRANSLATION
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FAITHFUL THROUGH THE GENERATIONS
CHINESE TRANSLATION
MANDARIN TRANSLATION
By: Cathy Millar | Associate Director of Communications | CBOQ Some stories cannot be told beginning with the person who holds the title today. You must go back, to the people who came before, the
“We are missionaries, local
decisions they made, and the years of prayer,
missionaries. We are sent by God
sacrifice and faithful ministry that created a
individually to different areas.”
foundation to build upon. For Reverend George Mah, our President of CBOQ and the first Chinese person to serve in this role, that story begins with his father, Reverend Peter Mah. I had the privilege recently of sitting down with both. I went in to talk about his new role and what this moment means for CBOQ. I could not really tell his story without first talking more about Rev. Peter Mah: a young man who came to Canada in 1972 to reunite with his parents and help care for them, with no way of knowing where God would eventually lead or the impact his ministry would have on the generations that followed. Rev. Peter Mah’s early ministry took him across campuses with Ambassadors for Christ in Canada, sharing the gospel with students, leading evangelistic meetings and discipling young people. The needs of his growing family and the
28
- Reverend Peter Mah
illness of his father caused him to reconsider
sacrifices, and what that sometimes meant for
what ministry might look like in a way that would
their family. As a child he wondered why anyone
allow him to continue serving God while also
would choose that kind of life.
being present for the family God had entrusted to his care. That decision led him back to pastoral
However, he saw something else in his father:
ministry. An opportunity arose to join Swatow
joy. Despite the demands of ministry, his father
Chinese Baptist Church, which he accepted. This
genuinely loved serving people. He had a “front
was his first pastoral position in Canada. Shortly
row seat” to his father’s life and ministry that
after, he went on to start the Logos family
made a lasting impression. With no intention to
of churches.
follow his dad’s footsteps, somewhere along the way, things began to change. Through his
His vision wasn’t to establish a church for Chinese
experience at the Baptist Leadership Educational
Christians. He wanted Logos to be a church that
Centre, he began to recognize and accept
looked outward and shared the gospel with the
God’s call on his own life. His brother would also
community around it. He described the people
become a pastor. Another generation of the Mah
of the church as “local missionaries,” sent by
family was entering ministry, although his own
God into their workplaces, neighbourhoods and
calling would not just be a continuation of
communities to make Christ known. More than
his father’s.
four decades later, it has grown to include several generations and distinct Cantonese, Mandarin,
When his father retired, he did not simply inherit
English and next-generation ministries, and the
his father’s church. Two pastors served between
growth of six Logos churches.
their tenures. At the time, he had been faithfully serving an English congregation. When the
What I appreciated was how comfortable he
senior leadership position became available, he
seemed with how his own role had changed. He
went through the church’s process and applied
had spent many years leading the church, but
for the role. He told me that some within the
didn’t need to continue being the person at the
congregation were looking for “Peter Mah 2.0.”
front. Since retiring, he has continued preaching,
After so many years under Rev. Peter Mah’s
teaching and mentoring pastors and ministry
leadership, some expected the next leader to lead
leaders, making himself available to people
in the same way, but that was not who God had
who seek his wisdom. But at Logos, he has
called him to be.
deliberately made room for those who came after him.
Instead, Rev. George Mah understood his role as something of a bridge: honour the people and
A Son Watching
traditions that had shaped Logos, while bringing
Reverend George Mah will tell you quite plainly
generations together to talk about where God
that becoming a pastor was not his childhood
might lead the church next. That is a careful
ambition. When asked, his answer was immediate.
balance in a culture where honouring elders and
“A hundred percent no,” he told me, laughing. He
respecting those who have gone before carries
remembered his father travelling from campus
such importance. He spoke openly about learning
to campus, working long hours and constantly
how to respect and honour the older generation,
responding to the needs of others. He saw the
29
FAITHFUL THROUGH THE GENERATIONS while finding his own voice and making sure
sake of saying CBOQ is diverse. He wants us
that he offers that same opportunity to the
to know one another. He talked about pastors
generations to come. Making room for a new
visiting churches different from their own, or
generation doesn’t require pushing another
seeing firsthand what ministry looks like in other
one aside.
cultural communities. He has experienced this himself and believes there is tremendous value
“We’re able to honour the older generation, but at the same time dream of what things can be and do it as a collective. It’s about us forging the future together.” - Rev. George Mah
in it. “Reading it is one thing,” he said, and he is right. “Walking through the doors of another church, meeting the people and seeing how God is at work gives us an understanding that we simply cannot get from a distance.” I know we need to recognize the significance of Rev. George Mah becoming the first Chinese President in CBOQ’s history. We absolutely should
As we talked, I learned about what he brings to
celebrate that. But being “the first” is only one
his role as President of CBOQ. The relationship
part of the story. He is more interested in what
between Logos and CBOQ goes back almost
his appointment might say about the CBOQ family
to the church’s beginning. Rev. Peter Mah
we are continuing to become. He wants people
remembers the generosity of Bethany
across CBOQ to see themselves as part of this
Baptist Church (Toronto), allowing the young
family and to know one another beyond our own
congregation to use its building in the afternoons.
churches and cultural communities. Now is the
Joining CBOQ became a natural next step, with
time to do this.
the support and assistance it provided to a new church being built largely by young people.
Near the end, he spoke for his hope as President: make better use of the diversity God has given us
Both men were also very candid about the fact
and not put limits around what God might do next.
that the relationship between Chinese churches
When the CBOQ family gathers, he hopes we hear
and the wider CBOQ family has not always been
what God is doing in our churches, learn from one
as strong as it could have been. In the Chinese
another and begin to imagine together what God
context, people often learn to work hard, rely
might still have in store.
upon one another and find solutions within their
communities become accustomed to doing things
“God is not finished with us. His story’s not done, and the best days are yet to come.” - Rev. George Mah
on their own. If communities do not reach out, it
There was something meaningful about hearing
becomes very easy for all of us to stay within our
him say that while sitting beside his father.
known circles.
Another generation carrying the work forward,
community. Those are significant strengths, but that self-sufficiency can also mean that
not by trying to become the generation before it,
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I found this interesting. The President of CBOQ
but by building on what was there and responding
isn’t interested in talking about diversity for the
to the people God has placed before them.
I am so grateful that I had been able to hear these two stories together. There is much to give thanks for in the ministry of Reverend Peter Mah and in the generations of Chinese pastors and churches that have served faithfully within CBOQ, sometimes without the wider CBOQ family fully knowing their stories. I ask that we pray for them, for Logos, our Chinese churches, and ourselves as a CBOQ family, that we continue to know one another better, honour those who came before us and make room for those God is calling to lead next. How can the CBOQ family pray? Pray for Rev. George Mah •
For Logos, as the culture around the church continues to change.
•
To remain bold in presenting the Gospel.
•
For the wisdom to recognize necessary changes to reach people effectively.
•
For leadership development, succession.
•
Balance and discernment.
•
How to faithfully steward the opportunities given.
•
As a husband and father, that those closest to him would see Christ reflected in his life.
Pray for Rev. Peter Mah •
For his physical health.
•
For his spiritual life as ministry takes on a different pace.
•
To be available to study Scripture, prepare sermons, mentor, and be available to those who need his counsel.
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Nurture a woman. Strengthen a church. Transform a community.
“SEEKING GOD HIMSELF” By: Cathy Millar | Associate Director of Communications | CBOQ I recently had the privilege of speaking with
said something that made me underline it in my
Reverend Bob McCarty from New Liskeard
notes, “We’re not just seeking things from God.
Baptist Church. At first, I assumed I knew what
We’re seeking God Himself.”
the story would be. Here was a congregation that had experienced several difficult years
In many ways, that one sentence captures the
of leadership changes, was searching once
journey New Liskeard Baptist Church has been
again for a pastor, and had called Rev. McCarty
on over the past year. What began as a church
out of retirement to guide the church through
praying for its next pastor became something
another season of uncertainty. Perseverance,
much deeper. It became a congregation
realities of ministry in Northern Ontario and the
discovering that prayer is not simply where we
challenges of a small congregation were
bring our requests before God. It is where He
certainly part of our conversation, but
quietly shapes the hearts of His people.
they were not what stayed with me long
Rev. McCarty has faithfully served New
after we had finished our chat. There
Liskeard Baptist Church for more than
was a moment when Rev. McCarty
thirty-three years. Like many pastors, he has celebrated seasons of growth and walked the congregation through seasons of loss.
32
Families have moved away, key leaders
pandemic hit, and then another transition.
have relocated, attendance rises and falls as
Despite facing health challenges, including
employment opportunities have drawn people
surgeries and ongoing medical concerns of his
to other communities. When he first accepted
own, Rev. McCarty stepped back into ministry
the call to New Liskeard, more than three
to fill the gap. He spoke with confidence
decades ago, he was told the church would
about God’s faithfulness for the people he has
probably close within two years. Instead, this
shepherded for so many years.
year the congregation is celebrating its 125th Anniversary, a testimony to God’s sustaining
As the church entered another season of
faithfulness through many generations.
uncertainty, Rev. McCarty sensed that what the congregation needed most was to pray. He developed a sixty-day devotional called Pray Without Ceasing, inviting the entire church to journey through the same Scriptures and prayers together. It was an idea that began changing the rhythm of everyday life. When the sixty days came to an end, the church didn’t return to business as usual. The people wanted to continue. Every Tuesday afternoon they gather to share and encourage one another in prayer. Over time, the congregation was no longer simply praying for God to solve their problems or provide the next pastor. They were learning to desire something deeper. They were learning to seek God Himself. It is so easy for us to approach God with a list of requests, asking Him to fix what is broken, open closed doors or answer difficult questions. Those prayers do matter because Scripture tell us to bring every concern to Him in prayer, but the people of New Liskeard Baptist began discovering that God’s greatest work was not simply preparing answers to prayer. He was preparing them. As Rev. McCarty continued the conversation,
After retiring, Rev. McCarty believed it was time
he shared that members of the church have
for someone else to lead the church into the
been challenged to learn the names of six
next chapter. Instead, a series of unexpected
households closest to their homes and begin
pastoral transitions followed, then the Covid
praying for each one.
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SEEKING GOD HIMSELF
Relationships with Rev. McCarty’s neighbours
for a pastor. Yet after spending time with Rev.
have become an opportunity to share
McCarty, those didn’t seem like the defining
Christmas baking, delivering fruit from his
characteristics of the church. What stood out
backyard and simply being present. One
instead was a congregation growing in trust,
neighbour had been deeply hurt by her past
learning to love their neighbours intentionally
experiences with the church. Rather than trying
and choosing hope over discouragement.
to convince her with words, Rev. McCarty
Those things are much harder to measure, but
has chosen the slower work of friendship.
perhaps they are the things that matter most.
Another young family has become the focus of intentional prayer, simply because someone
This year’s Assembly invited us to reflect on the
took the time to notice them.
theme, And Then They Prayed. We heard many stories of our CBOQ churches seeking God’s wisdom, guidance and direction. But these days, I will remind myself of one sentence that Rev. McCarty said that has remained with me as I reflect on that conversation, “We’re not just seeking things from God. We’re seeking God Himself.” The church is still praying for its next pastor. We continue to pray for Rev. McCarty as he navigates ongoing health challenges while faithfully serving the congregation he loves. There are still unanswered questions about the future, but perhaps that is the point.
This same spirit is evident in the church itself. Although many members are seniors, everyone
New Liskeard Baptist Church reminds us that
contributes what they can. Some rotate
prayer is not only about waiting for God to
through leading worship; others teach children
answer our requests. Sometimes, while we are
when families are present. Rev. McCarty
waiting, God is quietly doing His greatest work
described a congregation where everyone is
within us. As our conversation came to an end,
welcomed and people are received simply as
I thanked Rev. McCarty for sharing his story.
they are. Recently, a woman from Trinidad
Even now, I find myself returning to his words
began attending the church and quickly found
one last time.
friendship and belonging. All this paints the picture of a congregation living faithfulness in small acts of kindness. It would be easy to measure New Liskeard Baptist Church by what it lacks. It is a small congregation. Many of its members are seniors. It is still searching
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“We’re not just seeking things from God. We’re seeking God Himself.”
A Global Christmas
JOY
to – and from – the
WORLD
This Christmas, celebrate alongside the global Church.
Pray · Learn · Give Pray for and with Christians around the world. Learn from the stories and witness of the global Church. Give meaningful gifts that support locally led ministry.
Discover A Global Christmas cbmin.org/globalchristmas
WHEN THE WORLD CAME TO CANADA
Reflections from the 2026 Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering By: Cathy Millar | Associate Director of Communications | CBOQ
36
There is something very different about hearing
For Canadian Baptists, hosting the gathering
about the global Church and sitting in a room
was wonderful. It gave us the opportunity to
with it. This summer, more than 500 Baptist
welcome the world into our province, to share
leaders from 65 countries came to Toronto for
some of our own stories and leadership, and to
the 2026 Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering
listen. The gathering opened with Rev. Leanne
at Tyndale University. The Baptist World Alliance
Friesen, Jennifer Lau, Rev. Renée MacVicar and
(BWA) is a global network of Baptist conventions,
Rev. Clint Mix welcoming delegates together and
unions and churches, connecting Baptists around
offering a glimpse into Baptist life and ministry
the world for worship, fellowship, mission,
across Canada. Rev. Daniel Zacharias helped
advocacy and shared ministry. The annual
place the gathering within the Canadian context
gathering brings Baptist leaders from different
through a land acknowledgement and recognition
regions together to build relationships, learn from
of our continuing journey of reconciliation with
one another and consider the opportunities and
Indigenous Peoples.
challenges facing Baptists globally. Canadian Baptist churches also helped lead For one week, Canada had the privilege of
the gathering in worship throughout the week.
welcoming Baptists from around the world to
Mississauga City Baptist Church led worship
worship, pray, learn, share stories and spend time
on Monday and Thursday, First Baptist Church
together. The theme, “The Table of Christ: One
Toronto led on Tuesday, and Chad Pilon of Mount
Gospel, Many People,” was one that became more
Hamilton Baptist Church led acoustic worship on
meaningful as the week continued. Everywhere
Wednesday. Together, they helped create space
you looked there were different languages and
for Baptists from around the world to worship as
cultures, but a very clear sense of what brought
one global family.
everyone together: our shared love for Jesus.
WHEN THE WORLD CAME TO CANADA For CBOQ, one of the most significant moments
That same theme continued throughout the week.
came early in the week when our Executive
Another important Canadian moment came when
Minister, Rev. Leanne Friesen, brought the
Rev. Daniel Zacharias received the Denton and
opening message. Preaching from Matthew 26
Janice Lotz Human Rights Award for his work in
and the Last Supper, Leanne reflected on the
truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
disciples’ response when Jesus told them that
in Canada. Later in the gathering, Danny spoke
one of them would betray him. Their immediate
about what it really means to belong at the table
reaction was to ask, “Surely not I?” She used that
of Christ, challenging the assumption that unity
moment to talk about the ways we can distance
means becoming the same. Instead, he reminded
ourselves from difficult truths, especially when
those gathered that every person comes to the
they involve our own history. Speaking honestly
table carrying their culture, history, experiences
about Canada’s history, including Residential
and way of seeing the world, and that Christian
Schools, Leanne challenged us to move beyond
unity does not require those things to be erased
the instinct of saying “not us” and instead
or changed.
be willing to acknowledge “yes, us.” It was a challenging message, but an important one. The table of Christ is not a place we come to because we have everything right. We come because we need grace, and we come willing to be honest about where we have failed and where God may be calling us to change.
In a room filled with people from 65 countries, that message felt so relevant. One of the moments that stayed with me was hearing John 3:16 spoken throughout the room in many different languages. It was a verse I have known since childhood, but hearing it spoken that way gave it a different feel. The words were very familiar, but the voices were new. It captured the theme of the week better than almost anything else: one Gospel, many people. Throughout the gathering, we heard stories from places where ministry looks very different than it does for many of us in Canada. We heard from Ukrainian Baptists whose churches are caring for people living through war and displacement.
38
Many of you will remember the worship team
turn, and proclaiming the hope of Jesus in places
from Assembly who spoke from their heart about
where doing that comes with a real cost.
their loved ones who still live in Ukraine. We
Canadian Baptists also had a strong presence
heard from leaders in the Middle East serving
throughout the gathering. Canadian churches
churches and communities through conflict and
and musicians helped lead worship and Canadian
uncertainty. We heard about humanitarian relief,
leaders facilitated sessions and contributed to
vulnerable children, people with disabilities,
conversations throughout the week.
violence against women and girls, natural
Rev. Leanne Friesen also participated in a
disasters and communities facing poverty.
workshop on lament with Tom Tillman and Dana Podrianbinkina-Kaliytiene. Rather than focusing
These stories were about churches continuing to
on programs or strategy, it focused on prayer
serve, under difficult circumstances, and finding
and the importance of making room for grief,
ways to remain faithful in the communities where
questions, disappointment and pain. Each of the
God has placed them. Spending a week with
leaders had their own experiences with grief and
Baptists from around the world changes your
pain and shared raw feelings in the room that
perspective. You are reminded that the Church is
was truly a safe space to do so. The take-away
serving in places of war, responding to disasters,
from that session was that faith does not mean
caring for people who have nowhere else to
pretending everything is fine. Lament can be one of the ways we remain connected to God when answers do not come easily.
That honesty was one of the things I appreciated most about the week. There was much to celebrate, but there was also room for difficult conversations about reconciliation, war, injustice, suffering and the places where the Church has not always lived up to what we proclaim. There was no attempt to hide those difficult conversations. But each day we sat with people we didn’t know, we met new friends from around the world and some reconnected with those they hadn’t seen since the last BWA gathering.
39
WHEN THE WORLD CAME TO CANADA One regional gathering I attended had leaders discussing disaster response, ministry development and how different Baptist organizations could support one another more effectively. There were many practical ideas, but what stayed with me most was the recognition that no one should have to do ministry alone. We belong to one another. I think that is a message worth bringing home to CBOQ as well. Our churches across Ontario and Quebec are incredibly different. Some are large and some are small. Some are urban and others are rural. Some are growing, while others are in seasons of transition. The ministry needs are different, and the communities are different as well. We do not need to all look the same to belong to the same family, because our strength comes from being willing to learn from one another and to support our entire Baptist family. During the final session, Rev. Dr. Raphaël Anzenberger asked what happens when staying at the table becomes difficult. It is easy to talk about unity when everyone agrees. It is much harder when cultures, ministry approaches, theological perspectives and experiences are different. That is when the table becomes real. The question is not whether we are willing to
40
come to the table, but whether we are willing to remain there when doing that becomes hard. As the week came to an end and people began returning home, I kept thinking about what it meant for Canada to host this gathering. More than 500 Baptist leaders from 65 countries came here. That is impressive! For one week, we were reminded that our Baptist family is much bigger than we may realize. We were reminded that God is at work in places we may never see and that we have so much we can learn from each other. Unity does not mean sameness. The table of Christ has room for people whose stories, experiences and cultures are different from our own. Canada had the privilege of hosting the world this summer. I hope we continue to listen to what the world taught us while it was here. Now, we ask that you remember our Baptist family around the world in prayer.
BAPTISM REFLECTION
Christie Scobie | Mount Hamilton Baptist Church At the beginning of the year, I was baptized at Mount Hamilton Baptist Church along with my daughter and granddaughter. This meaningful step in my journey of faith provided me the opportunity to renew my relationship with Christ and publicly declare Him to be my Lord and Saviour. At first, I wasn’t sure I was ready for baptism. I didn’t, and still don’t, understand everything, but through prayer, God spoke to my heart. I can now see that God also spoke through my daughter and granddaughter in moving me along His path. Since my baptism, I have strongly felt the presence of Jesus and an increase in my faith, and I want to live a life that resembles more of what He wants me to do. I have witnessed all the great things God has done for me and the prayers He has answered. I now look up to the Holy Spirit in prayer for His continued guidance and trust that the new relationship with my church family will ensure I won’t be walking this journey on my own.
41
AND THEN THEY PRAYED Assembly 2026 brought the CBOQ family together at Brock University under the theme And Then They Prayed. Over three days, we explored how prayer shapes the life of our churches and guides the way we listen, discern and respond to God. Through worship, teaching, conversation and time spent together, we were challenged to consider what could happen when prayer shapes everything we do next. Throughout Assembly, something powerful unfolded as people prayed together and came alongside one another. These photographs capture only a glimpse of what happened in the room, but they tell a larger story of a family turning toward God together. We arrived carrying different hopes, questions and experiences. And then we prayed.
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EVENTS & GATHERINGS OCT 19-21 2026
CBOQ Pastors’ Retreat Best Western Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre | Take time to step away from the demands of ministry and invest in your own spiritual health and renewal. baptist.ca/event
OCT 19-21 2026
Next Gen Pastor’s Retreat Camp Kwasind Muskoka Lakes, ON | We have a special pastor’s gathering alongside our pastor’s retreat for our NextGen leaders, set in the beautiful surroundings of Camp Kwasind. baptist.ca/event
NOV 07 2026
Toronto Children’s
FEB 27 2027
Today’s Teens Conference
APR 5-7 2027
NCPO | Jacksons Point Conference
Hearing God’s Call: A special opportunity in 2027 baptist.ca/echo
An annual one-day conference for youth workers and student leaders.
and Convention Centre | New to CBOQ Pastors’ Orientation (NCPO) is a two-part orientation for new and new-to-CBOQ pastors. baptist.ca/NCPO
Join children’s and family ministry leaders from across Ontario and encouragement, and practical ministry training. OneChurch.to Treasurer’s Workshop This Online Workshop provides practical information and support for those serving in church financial leadership.
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ECHO
Ministry Conference
beyond for a day of inspiration,
NOV 27 2026
JAN 15-16 2027
APR to MAY 2027
Ascent Regional Retreats
JUN 3-5 2027
CBOQ ASSEMBLY 2027
Gatherings across Ontario for youth (grades 6-12) to engage with Jesus in a different way than back home. cboqyouth.ca/ascent
We are returning to Brock University in St. Catharines for one more year! baptist.ca/assembly
STAY CONNECTED: baptist.ca/events
5 International Blvd Etobicoke | ON | M9W 6H3 416-622-8600 info@baptist.ca