Canada Holy Work Update 2024

The current status of the churches in Canada:

 

 

 

 

Calgary Church

Calgary Church has grown significantly since 2017, with membership increasing from 60 to 111 as of this year. We’ve also seen a steady stream of truth-seeking friends regularly attending services, aiming to guide them towards baptism in Christ. This growth has prompted us to seek a larger chapel to support our expanding congregation and holy work.

With the growing membership, there has also been an increased number of children, which  has led to a shortage of Religious Education (RE) teachers. We are working to train more teachers and other workers like hymn leaders and pianists. 

Because of the growth in our church, this year’s AGM marked the first time we increased the number of our church council members from 5 to 7. With the increase in council members, we are still discovering our roles and responsibilities, working on how to divide up the work and collaborate more effectively. A larger congregation means that more resources are needed to help take care of the members here. We pray for the Lord to give us wisdom, patience, and strength.

Although members have stepped up to help where needed, we still often struggle to hold pastoral and training activities due to sharing our resident preacher with Edmonton Church and additionally with the IA/CCC.

This year’s theme, “Rebuilding the Wall,” has been central to our activities and was also the central theme in our Spring Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC). Our 2024 Spring ESSC began on a Friday afternoon, which was a first for us. Thank God, we saw strong participation despite members’ busy schedules. 

A youth camp was recently held to promote fellowship among the youth in Edmonton and Calgary Church. We hope to strengthen teamwork among the youths so they can take up the baton of leading the church in the near future.

 

Edmonton Church

Thank God, Edmonton church is growing with new truth seekers and members moving here. We currently have truth seekers from China, Canada, and Vietnam. Many have come because they were looking for churches that follow the Sabbath. We pray that they will continue to seek salvation and be baptized soon.

In the past few months, we have begun to form a formal evangelical team to help truth seekers specifically. We have also begun a married couple fellowship that meets once a quarter and a “Big Brothers Big Sisters” fellowship that runs at the same time (so that children have something to attend). The feedback for both events has been positive and enthusiastic.
 
Edmonton Church has been looking for a larger building. The current building does not have a kitchen, fellowship or classroom space. A Lutheran church was up for sale, and the congregation approved its purchase at the beginning of the year. Two other bidders made offers. Unfortunately, the Lutheran church decided to sell to one of their existing tenants for a lower price. Although this purchase was unsuccessful, our building committee continues looking for suitable properties. May God continue to guide us in this endeavor.

 

Vancouver Church & Burnaby Church

Vancouver and Burnaby Church have restarted family services in 2024; thank God for members willing to open their house for family service. Family service is important for members to fellowship in the word of God and a good opportunity to invite truth seeking friends.

Various training events were conducted jointly with Burnaby and Vancouver Church. Sermon speaker training was held on June 30. Hymn leader, pianist and usher training was held on July 21. Thank God for the willingness of members to support holy work–we all need to work together for the glory of the Lord Jesus. 

The second renovation phase continues at Burnaby Church. We have received the building permit from the City for the renovation of RE class rooms and two more showers for a total of three showers, enabling Burnaby to hold events such as student spiritual convocations.

 

Montreal House of Prayer

Montreal House of Prayer is located in a French-speaking area in Canada.  There are about 24 registered members, and about 14 members attend Sabbath service regularly.

There were 8 Montreal members and 4 Ottawa members who joined the East Region Youth Fellowship. Thank God, this was a particularly good fellowship opportunity for them. We were all very joyful to see each other. 

 

Toronto Church

There are about 300 active members in the Toronto church, and the number of people attending Sabbath services is about 160 to 180. The goal is to branch out soon.

In May, Toronto Church hosted a youth camp for the East Region youths. Thank and praise God, there were more than 80 participants from the East Region. The youths had a very wonderful fellowship, worshipping together through hymn singing and Bible studies, as well as attending team building activities. 

 

Kitchener/Waterloo House of Prayer

There are about 42 active members in Kitchener/Waterloo House of Prayer, and the number of people attending Sabbath services is about 40. Waterloo has many college student truth seeking friends who are important targets for our gospel ministry.

Kitchener/Waterloo House of Prayer has recently started a church wide sports activity after some Sabbath services. Thank God, it became a good opportunity for the young children to bond with the adults in church by playing sports. 

 

Ottawa Family Service Place

The Ottawa Family Service Place consists of three families, with a total of 8 members. On Sabbath, they mainly hold online services. During the bi-weekly pastoral visits, the preacher will participate in online services at the Montreal House of Prayer.

May God continue to guide the holy work in Canada. All glory be onto the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.