Eastern Canada Update
Distance does not separate us!
Joe Crummey, Lead Elder at The Meeting Place Church, Fredericton, New Brunswick, reports from the first Newfrontiers Elders and Wives gathering in Eastern Canada.
Historic and Apostolic. These are the words that best describe our time together in Owen Sound, Ontario in October 2010. Historic in that, for the first time, the Newfrontiers church leaders from all three churches in Eastern Canada were able to bridge the distance gap and meet together to build friendships, through prayer, worship, meals together and much laughter. Distance is a huge obstacle here in Canada as there are six time zones for over 6000 kilometres. The three churches represented at this gathering cover only two times zones, despite the fact that The Meeting Place Church in Fredericton, New Brunswick is an 18 hour, one-way drive to Owen Sound, Ontario!
 Trinity Christian Church in Owen Sound hosted the elders and wives of The Meeting Place Church in Fredericton, and leaders from The Kings Family Church in Oakville, Ontario. Jeremy and Ann Simpkins from Manchester, UK, along with Roger and Cheryl Bye from the Cumbria region, who work with Jeremy’s team in the North of the UK, helped lead and facilitate our weekend.
Of first importance was spending time together in Spirit-filled worship. Canada needs more New Testament Churches built on the Apostolic and Prophetic, rooted in Christ, and in real friendship with one another. Together we were refreshed in the Spirit’s presence as we shared our ‘God stories’, worshipped Him, and prophesied and encouraged one another.
From here, we moved on to hear how God is at work amongst us. Chris McLean from The Kings Family Church shared how they are in the process of starting a work in the Kitchener-Waterloo region of Ontario, one of the first new church plants we are looking to see God establish. We, from The Meeting Place Church, shared encouraging reports of sustained growth and expanding leadership, as God prepares us to stretch out into the Atlantic Canada region. David and Elaine Campbell from Trinity Christian Church (TCC) shared their excitement as the church enters a new phase of now being connected to our Newfrontiers family of churches, and how Jeremy’s input will assist them as they move forward into a season of growth and impact. With joy, we celebrated as TCC was officially welcomed into Newfrontiers on Sunday October 31st.
Many prophetic words were spoken amidst wonderful times of being still and vulnerable before God. We were stirred and encouraged as we acknowledged one another’s giftings and were able to see how we can help each other in the future. It was clear to see each church displaying health and vision like the New Testament churches in Jerusalem, Antioch and Ephesus.
Many challenges face us as we seek to work together to build churches that are grace-filled, Jesus-centred, Bible-believing and Holy Spirit-honouring. Many churches in Canada are very independent and liberal in doctrine as well as being closed to the Holy Spirit. Together we’re excited to be establishing trans-local ministries and playing our part in a new expression of Christianity in Eastern Canada and beyond.
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