To Members and Friends of the FMCIC

The BOA is pleased to report that our Bishop Leadership Task Force has completed its work. We are fully satisfied that due process has been thoroughly followed. The group has been meeting weekly since mid-September, 2023 as they prayerfully and carefully worked through the process of bishop candidate selection. They received and evaluated over 30 nominations for bishop from members of General Conference. This led to a round of first-level interviews that was completed by mid-December. After diligent consideration of the results from those interviews, three nominees were moved forward to more comprehensive, second-level interviews. Prayerful discernment of the results of those interviews led to the selection of two nominees who are being presented as candidates for bishop.

The candidates for bishop are Rev. Dr. Linda Adams and Rev. Evan Garst. Both candidates are devoted followers of Christ with leadership gifting and experience and the BLTF is confident that either one could lead us into the next season with wisdom, passion and humility.  To answer a few questions that may spring to mind, here is some further information:

Rev. Dr. Linda Adams is Bishop Emerita of the FMCUSA, and resides in Holland Michigan. The BLTF assures us that they have looked into the eligibility and logistics of hiring someone from the USA, and that Rev. Adams will have her credentials transferred to the FMCIC if she is the successful candidate. If she is elected bishop, she will arrange residency in or near the greater Toronto area. 

Rev. Evan Garst is the pastor of UNA Free Methodist Church in Kitchener, Ontario. Rev. Garst was initially appointed to the BLTF but immediately stepped off the task force when he was nominated for bishop. He was not involved in the review and vetting of nominees. Rev. Garst’s formal education does not meet the minimum standard required by our bishop job description, but the BLTF was satisfied that his experience and continuing education course work give an acceptable equivalency. 

Please see the biographic documents and brief video statements from each candidate provided here.

An online vote will be held before the end of March to elect our new bishop. Please carefully consider both of these candidates and continue to pray with us for God’s wisdom and direction.