It’s Monday Again

Congratulations to the five newest Ordained Ministers in our Atlantic tribe! This Wednesday afternoon DBMD Chair Dale MacDonald (Woodstock) presented the following Ordinands to National Superintendent Steve Elliott who officiated the Act of Ordination on behalf of General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt:

• Rev. Katie Betts (Houlton)
• Rev. Seth Cooney (Kings West)
• Rev. Daniel (Natalie) Mansvelt (Hillside)
• Rev. Janice (Clifton) Queale (Journey)
• Rev. Karen (Vince) Robertson (West Head)

All those Ordained in 2020 & 2021 on Zoom because of pandemic restrictions will be invited to join the Class of 2022 at the Beulah Tabernacle on July 8, 2022. Ordination is the highest honour the Church bestows on any Believer and we are stronger together because of these who have joined our ranks!

Good things are happening in Truro! Luke Anderson (Connection) shared that the last Sunday of September had the highest attendance since his arrival in 2020 as Lead Pastor. There were 12 first-time attenders which included family for two baby dedications. The Connection family donated 31 turkeys (two freezers-full!) for a local chapter of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission managed by Kingswood alumnus, Matt Forrest. More than 50 Operation Christmas Child boxes were sent home to prepare for Samaritan’s Purse in the weeks ahead.

More than 2/3 of Atlantic churches completed the third session of Groundswell’s Mobilization Pipeline Cohort this week. 50+ leaders (clergy and lay) are engaged in this six-session fall experience to develop a contextual blueprint for each church with strategies to mobilize disciple-makers.This session focussed on best practices for training disciples in sharing their faith. A timely testimony from Shawn Craven & Kathryn Brooks (Havelock) celebrated the opportunity they had on Monday to lead a gentleman in Weymouth to Christ who had been a Jehovah’s Witness for many years – PTL!

AJ Thomas (Deep Water) shared in ministry this week at Kingswood University. Tuesday’s Chapel message was followed by a Pulse Day with words of wisdom for the journey of ministry ahead entitled, “Stuff Your Dad Would Tell You If Your Dad Was A Pastor!”

This week I enjoyed my monthly connection with the Northeastern DS group. This serves as my Pastor Cluster and is always a highlight. So grateful for Kingdom colleagues who “get it” and are always there to share both wisdom and encouragement. The fall Pastor Clusters are underway around the Atlantic region – if you are a Cluster Leader please let me know the next date you are meeting so I can be praying for your group that day.

Recently, Brad Eisan (Faith) shared a personal story and has given his blessing to use it to encourage you in your ministry. Without sharing personal details, Brad had opportunity to meaningfully connect with a couple in Ingomar who had been wounded years ago in a very negative experience with a pastor after coming to faith in Christ. This turned them against the Church and shortly after one of Brad’s recent interactions with them, they posted the pic (above left) on their Facebook – PTL! We never know the story God wants to write in the hearts of others as we faithfully sow seed.Brad’s sermon series this month is “Something Wicked” and tackles the ways Christians can beat the devil at his game of smoke and mirrors with our mistakes to drive us from God. We are so blessed for the countless ways our pastors are effectively serving in the context of His calling!

Joel Liechty (Education & Clergy Development) led an excellent session this week on behalf of Russ Gunsalus with the Called Journey Advisory Group. Encouraging progress is being made as the new competency-based credentialing system is being fine-tuned in preparation for vote at General Conference 2022.

Hats off to Dr. Nii Ayi who is serving as Chair of the planning team (which includes Sandra Moon & Dave Klob) in preparation for the second National Conference of The Wesleyan Church of Canada (TWCC) which will convene in Calgary in August 2023. Stay tuned for further updates from National Superintendent Steve Elliott.

And speaking of TWCC, National Multiplication Director Mark Parker posted the first edition of Between the Shorelines this week. This e-publication will share stories of multiplication and how you and your church can engage in this shared mission across our two districts. CLICK HERE to enjoy this first edition which features a daughter-church out of Cornerstone (Denn Guptill) with church planter Drew Owen. CLICK HERE to subscribe for this e-newsletter.

All Vice-Chairs received information (CLICK HERE) last month with ideas and resources to highlight appreciation for our pastors across the Atlantic region during the month of October. As Pastor B loves to say, “No one ever died from too much encouragement!”