Atlantic Connexion

Perth-Andover Wesleyan (David Hartlen) Celebrates A 180-Degree Transformation!

Meet Colleen.

Every number has a name.

Every name has a story.

She was a practicing Wiccan for 30+ years, but made a commitment to follow Jesus around three years ago. Dave shared, “Landed at our church with her husband. Started to have discipleship conversations (on going). And after watching one of the kids get baptized, wanted to take that step in her walk with Jesus too!” Praise God for this 180-degree transformation!

Atlantic District Ministerial (January 28-29) – Information regarding pre-purchase of meals at the Greg Mann Dining Commons @ Kingswood will be provided in the coming days – stay tuned!

Blacks Harbour Wesleyan (Ken Banks) shared the following in their New Year newsletter – it captured the spirit of how so many pastoral teams and church families felt about sharing the Christmas season together:

The pastoral staff and families would like to thank the congregation for the many Christmas cards, notes and gifts that were received during the Christmas season. We were blessed with the thoughtfulness and generosity of our people. We felt the love. Thank you!
What a joy it was to participate in our Christmas Eve service this year. The room was filled (around 110 people) with carols, joy and celebration. Jesus was lifted high and the good news proclaimed!

After 30 summers as Director of Caton’s Island, Dean Stephenson posted a heartwarming message on the camp’s Facebook page as he concluded service as our leader on the final day of 2025. CLICK HERE to read Dean’s comments with opportunity to post your own words of appreciation for all he and Carol have done over the past three decades.

The Beulah Camp & Conference Center (BCCC) and Caton’s Island Camp Board Sessions are pleased to announce the successful transition of the Director-Elect positions to Director, effective January 1, 2026. We welcome Director Wayne Clark (BCCC) and Director Ben Canney (Caton’s Island) to the Atlantic District leadership team!

Save the Date: January 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. (Atlantic Time) Zoom with Dr. Chris Adams to see the results of the Flourishing in Ministry wellbeing assessment.

What: Live presentation with Dr. Chris Adams, Biola University Executive Director of the Mental Health and the Church initiative at Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology, Biola University. Dr. Adams is one of the leading researchers on clergy well-being in America.

Review of the wellbeing results of the Flourishing in Ministry Assessment for Atlantic District pastors.
Presentation of areas we should focus on and strategies to improve personal and pastoral wellbeing.
Opportunity to ask Dr. Adams questions about wellbeing.

When: January 22, 2026 at 1:00pm Atlantic (12:00pm Eastern).
Who: All Atlantic District Pastors welcome!
The Zoom link will be available in next week’s Connexion.

CLICK HERE for more details and CLICK HERE for a poster to promo this three-week resource.

Bill C-218, the bill that would stop the expansion of MAiD for mental illness alone. Please pray for Canadians struggling with mental illness and for MPs to support Bill C-218. Call or email your local MP today to ask them to support Bill C-218. See the EFC’s one page guide for who to call and what you might say.

CLICK HERE for an EFC Zoom presentation on MAiD to a group of pastors in Alberta.

Thank God for the leadership of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC)! It was so helpful to join in the Affiliate Briefing in December which addressed developments with Bill C-9. While this does not directly impact our Maine churches, the possible loss of religious freedoms has potential to eventually ignite persecution of our district churches and leaders.

Director of Public Policy, Julia Beazley, and Senior policy Analyst Beth Heimstra have been providing timely and informative updates on efforts to influence Parliament Hill MP’s against the possible removal of a key good faith religious belief defence for those accused of hate-speech.

CLICK HERE for Good Faith Religious Defence talking points courtesy of the EFC. Bill C-9 is still before Parliament and this matter is worthy of your attention and the promotion of the EFC’s recommendations.

Mike MacNeil (Kings Pastor and former Kingswood University Professor) just published this substack post (CLICK HERE) worthy of your time.

One of the benefits of EFC Affiliate Membership (CLICK HERE to learn more) is access to occasional briefings regarding current federal legislation that impacts religious freedoms. I highly recommend your local church consider becoming an Affiliate.

This may sound odd, but in the book of Daniel, it never says that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego saw the Fourth Man in the fire. The king did. Sometimes you can’t even see how Jesus is carrying you through the trial but others around you do. Keep walking. The fire of God’s love will carry you through any fire you go through. (Brandon Robinson)
If we don’t pause and ask ourselves what we want to want, we will spend our lives focused on unhealthy aims defined for us by others and the worst parts of ourselves. (Kyle Eschenroeder)
God often defines success differently than we do. There are seasons when I was focused on growing the church and God was trying to grow me. (Dan Reiland)

SAVE THE DATE – April 17, 2026!

Kingswood University is thrilled to announce that Dr. John C. Maxwell is coming to Sussex, NB!

Join us for an unforgettable experience with world-renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell, right here on our campus.

April 17, 2026 — mark your calendar and bring your team!

Save the Date: April 17-18, 2026

XY Conference brings together men from all across the Atlantic region for a weekend of fun, food, and friendship. Hosted at Tidal Church, Moncton, NB. April 17-18, 2026.