the free methodist church in canada
EPISODES
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Adam Kline, Director of Intercultural Missions, shares this week in anticipation of September 30th, our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day). Pastor Adam recently visited Wawota Free Methodist Church and spoke with Pastor Beverly Kay and Lima Nanai from Loko Koa Mission (Bring Back the Buffalo Project).
Free Methodist Connectionalism
Free Methodism has “connectionalism” at the heart of our self-understanding. We believe that our lives as followers of Jesus must be deeply and meaningfully connected with others who devote themselves to Him. Local churches are one expression of that—and, for pastors and leaders, our fall Ministers Conference is another vital experience to enhance our connection. To read more, please click here.
Leading with Prayer
Here is the link to the pdf referenced in the video: https://fmcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Leading-with-prayer-monthly-devotionals-links.pdf
It’s A Wrap…
Back To School Prayer
Back To School Prayer (by the National Prayer Team)
Dear Heavenly Father,
As children, youth and young adults return to school for another year of learning, we entrust them to Your loving care, guidance and protection. They are precious to us, and we are thankful that they are even more precious to You.
We pray for all those who teach, lead and support them. Give educators wisdom, patience, compassion and strength as they help their students grow in knowledge, understanding and character. May classrooms and campuses be places of discovery and creativity, where students are encouraged to explore the wonder of Your creation, develop the gifts You have given them, and grow into the people You have created them to be.
Be especially near to those who approach this new school year with uncertainty or fear. Comfort the child entering a classroom for the first time, the student beginning at a new school, the young adult leaving home, and the parent learning to let go. Give them courage for what is new, peace in moments of anxiety, and the assurance that You are always with them.
Be with everyone impacted by the back-to-school transition: children, youth, young adults, parents, teachers, administrators and support staff. Bless their relationships and their work. For those who know You as Lord and Saviour, may they be shining lights of Your goodness, grace and love wherever You have placed them.
Surround them with Your peace and protection. Guide them with Your wisdom. Give them kindness toward those who are lonely, courage to stand for what is right, perseverance when learning is difficult, and humility to ask for help when they need it.
May this school year be filled not only with growth in knowledge and understanding, but also with growth in faith, character and love.
We entrust this new school year to You, confident that wherever they go, You go with them.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
An additional prayer for students:
Dear Lord
Use my eyes to notice someone who needs a friend.
Open my ears to listen and learn.
Help my mind to discover new things.
Remind my heart that You are near when I am worried or afraid.
Help me to be kind, patient and loving to others.
Give me courage to do what is right.
Help me use the gifts You have given me.
And wherever I go today, help me shine Your light.
Amen.
Our team is back home now and reflecting on the time we spent together with our FM family in Sri Lanka. Thanks for all your prayers. If you would like to see more pictures from our time there visit our Flickr album. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD3cYb
Water baptism is a powerful thing! On Sunday, the lineup of baptismal candidates included converts from Hinduism, a woman who had been delivered from a demon, and several teens who have been raised in the church. Old and young, male and female, privileged and embattled, all came to the water for one reason. I never tire of seeing this dramatic enactment of dying with Christ and rising in resurrection life!
We are in the middle of long days of study and discussion on Free Methodist history, polity, and global expansion. It’s fun to see students grasping new things for the first time! We’ve had lively discussions on cross-cultural expressions of the gospel. The learning never ends!
Thanks for your prayers. Don’t stop now! We still have our Annual Meeting and more churches to visit.
Sri Lanka Trip
Paula Moriarity is part of the team that is getting ready to head out on the annual trip to Sri Lanka.
Wesley Acres Family Camp
This week, Bishop Linda is at Wesley Acres Campground in Bloomfield, ON.
Intercultural Youth Retreat – Continued
In my weekly Tuesday “Learning with Linda,” I love to spread good news about what God is doing in our movement across Canada. Last week, we got a quick look at the Intercultural Retreat happening in Montreal. This week we have the chance to learn more about how the week was experienced by dozens of teens, young adults, and leaders. A huge thank-you to Lindsay Noel and Adam Kline, who organized and co-led the event. Well done!
-Bishop Linda
“Our first two full days together saw new friendships form, many young leaders step up to guide us in prayer and worship, and a lot of intercultural sharing and study of scripture. As organizers, from the very first song, we were surprised and inspired to hear all voices united in praise and passion! And in our times of teaching there was serious engagement and a desire to know more!
Our last two full days were filled with exploration and testimony. We spent Thursday in downtown Montreal attending the YWAM Jubilee Conference where our young leaders were invited to pray in new ways and practice evangelism. We then took that invitation to the streets, walking and exploring the city and learning about the unique challenges of a Francophone mission field.
On our final day together we sang, we danced, we prayed over one another and expressed our immense gratitude for all the volunteers and organizers who made this retreat possible. Thank you all for your prayers and support…we are excited to see God continue to move through this next generation!”
-Adam Kline, Director of Intercultural Missions
Intercultural Youth Retreat
The 2026 Intercultural Youth Retreat has begun! Yesterday everyone arrived at Villa de Brome Retreat Centre (an hour east of Montreal). Many drove in from across Quebec and Ontario; others flew in from Calgary, Weyburn and Roblin. We have 50 youth and young adult participants and 10 leaders. We are 1st and 2nd generation newcomers to Canada, some of Indigenous heritage, and others of settler descent. We speak French, English, Creole, Kirundi, Swahili and are worshipping together in all these languages.
We are incredibly grateful for those churches and individuals who gave generously and helped us raise $15,000 to assist with the expenses – THANK YOU SO MUCH! And we ask you all to continue to pray for us each day this week. These young women and men have come to make memories and have an experience, but more importantly, to seek God, discern His call upon their lives, and encounter His presence through a mighty mosaic of culture, language and expression!
Thank you for praying, and for lifting up this next generation of leaders!
– Adam Kline, Director of Intercultural Missions
Family Camp at Arlington Beach
This week, Director of Ministerial Formation, Kevin Stenhouse, provides a glimpse into Family Camp at Arlington Beach Camp in SK.
Family Camp at Arlington Beach in Saskatchewan is underway! This year the theme is “Being a People of Change in an Age of Despair” and I’m speaking all week from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The camp offers two worship experiences every day: in the morning, the (incredibly!) energetic staff take the stage and set up the day’s activities for people of all ages, then, in the evening, a band made up of musicians from churches all across the province lead a beautiful worship service.
Probably the thing I’m most impressed by here is the family atmosphere. Actually, it’s more than an “atmosphere” – it’s really family! I see people from different churches spending time together laughing and playing games. I see families from the same church all camping together and sharing the mosquito repellant. And I see the joy of multi-generations – grandparents, parents, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren – continuing the tradition of camping at Arlington Beach. Wonderful!
– Kevin Stenhouse
Bishop Linda at Maple Grove
https://fmcic.ca/give/
Staff Engagement Day
This week for LWL Bishop Linda has invited Deva Ratnam, Senior Director of Finance and Operations, to share about our recent Staff Engagement Day.
“The FMCIC Ministry Centre held its Staff Engagement Day, with the theme of efficiency versus effectiveness — the difference between being busy and actually getting the right things done. The day opened with worship and prayer, which set the tone for everything that followed, then moved into the morning sessions. I lead an interactive activity where I walked everyone through Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand — a simple way to figure out what your real priorities are versus what’s just filling up your day. Bishop Linda followed with a framework for urgent versus important, one she’d first used with our teams in Sri Lanka, and that session got people talking honestly about where their time actually goes. Jervis closed out the morning with RACI, helping the team clarify who’s responsible and accountable when working together.
After lunch, everyone played a team-building game that had people laughing and moving around, a welcome break from sitting and listening, and a reminder that the team works better together when they’ve had some fun, too. The day wrapped up with a session on the tools used day-to-day (Salesforce, SharePoint, AI), and the NLT closed out by taking questions from staff. But honestly, what people will remember most is the game, the meal, and spending real time with teammates they don’t see enough of. That’s part of why this day matters: doing the work well isn’t just about systems and frameworks; it’s about looking after each other along the way.”
– Deva
Regenerating Togetherness — Again!
One 2026 initiative is to reconnect all those in the FMCIC who are directly involved in ministry with children, youth, and young adults–a really broad definition of “Next Gen” and an essential part of our call to disciple-making. Rev. Jay McIntyre is heading up the effort to bring people together online initially, for encouragement, sharing best ideas, and making plans for in-person gatherings in the future. Show up online tonight (Tuesday, June 23) to learn more about this from Jay and Rev. Kevin Stenhouse, Ministerial Formation Director. (click the graphic below for the video invitation)
At our Regional Gatherings, we shared a new video that highlights four of our churches and their ministries. “Unleashing Holy Freedom” introduced new names and faces, new ministries and places, for many across our movement. With the RG’s behind us, the premiere showings are done, so you’re free to watch it, share it, and even show it on the big screen at church! (Unleashing Holy Freedom video)
Regional Gathering Wrap Up!
We’ve just finished our eighth and final Regional Gathering for 2026. My heart is full, my memory bank overflowing with new connections and images of valuable time spent with so many people.
This past weekend, five members of the National Ministry Team shared in leading the Regional Gathering at Dryden FMC in Western Ontario. Our time was informal and warm; pastors and leaders from five churches reconnected with one another after a long time apart. Group sharing flowed freely as we considered what it might look like to have God “unleash holy freedom” among us. We are grateful to the Dryden FMC and Pastor Rosemary Legge for their gracious hospitality.
On the eight Sundays following the RG’s, several members of the National Ministry Team preached in nearby churches. This Sunday, four of us had the privilege of preaching in Western Ontario.
I’ve also been hosted in several pastors’ homes for overnight stays, which always deepens relationships. I think of the early church as described at the end of Acts 2—their connection centred on the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. “Breaking bread” may involve bagels or toast or even eggs and bacon with no bread at all, but fellowship around the breakfast table is sweet.
We chose a “full court press” for our 2026 Regional Gatherings (basketball is fresh in my mind!), which involved a lot of time, travel, and a big financial investment. Next year’s General Conference (April 15-18) will be one GRAND reunion instead of eight regional reunions. We’ll decide later what shape the 2028 Regional Gatherings should take. But for now, I’m celebrating our renewed sense of belonging, identity, and togetherness. I thank the Lord for the FMCIC and all our faithful pastors and members. May the Lord lead us into His preferred future for us. May we see holy freedom unleashed in our movement from one end of Canada to the other!
For access to more photos from the Northwestern Ontario Regional Gathering, please click here.
New Lead Pastors, Women In Leadership & Regional Gathering
Eight “new to the fold” pastors met at Northview Community Church in Regina for our annual New Lead Pastors Orientation hosted by the Ministerial Formation Department, along with Bishop Linda. This two-day event provided a great opportunity to share important denominational resources with these leaders and to hear from them what their spiritual formation looked like, how they came to pastor one of our churches and how we can best support them. We invite you to pray for these new pastors, the churches they lead and, indeed, for all the churches who are currently in transition and discerning who the Lord would have as shepherds of the flocks!
Towards the end of the New Lead Pastors Orientation, the Women in Leadership also began their annual in-person meeting at Northview in Regina. This team does important work as they challenge our movement to continue to “notice, name & nurture” all leaders, but, especially, women who are responding to the call of God on their lives. For more information on this team and all the available resources available to you on the subject of women in leadership, visit: https://fmcic.ca/task-forces/womeninleadership/.
We wrapped up our week with pastors representing four provinces and 13 churches assembling together for our 7th Regional Gathering at First FMC in Moose Jaw, SK. Powerful worship, deep prayer, honest conversations and times of welcome connection made this gathering extra special. Thank you to Pastor Barry and everyone at First FMC for the wonderful job hosting all of us.
Northwestern Ontario: we’re coming your way! Dryden FMC will host our last Regional Gathering for 2026 and it’s not to late to register to attend. Here’s the link: https://fmcic.ca/rg2026/
Kevin Stenhouse,
Director of Ministerial Formation
Eastern ON Regional Gathering
This past weekend we gathered together for our sixth Regional Gathering at Harrowsmith FMC. 207 joined us from 33 churches in Eastern Ontario. We were so thankful for the gracious hospitality of our Harrowsmith Church in their newly renovated sanctuary, and of course, providing lots of food and refreshments.
As we prayed prior to the gathering I had an image of God’s Spirit blowing across our country from Regional Gathering to Regional Gathering, bringing a fresh wind of excitement, hope, and renewal. As we threw the ‘catch box’ (a throwable mic) around the room, it was so encouraging to hear people share what they were hearing from God and how they thought our mission of “Unleashing Holy Freedom” could be seen in their communities.
It is always good to break bread together with new and old friends! I’d like to also thank the Canadian Bible Society for sponsoring all our gatherings which generously covered the cost for all the coffee breaks and meals and made gatherings free for everyone that attended. It certainly fit our theme of ‘Unleashing Holy Freedom’ and reminded us of how good our God is.
Sandy Crozier,
Generosity & Stewardship Director
GTA Regional Gathering
(Bishop Linda has invited Adam A. Kline, Director of Intercultural Missions & Church Health Coach, to share about the GTA Regional Gathering this past weekend.)
This past weekend was our fifth Regional Gathering. It was hosted by Kingsview FMC, and was our largest event so far this year! Over 150 people were in attendance, including the wonderful Kingsview volunteers and hospitality team, with 29 Free Methodist congregations represented. We were led in anointed times of praise by a worship team made up of musicians from a few different congregations; which reflected the unifying atmosphere and experience.
For some in attendance it was their first-ever Regional Gathering, and they were delighted to discover the interconnected history several congregations shared. For others it was their first denominational event in quite some time, and they were encouraged by the number of old acquaintances, as well as all the new faces. All of this contributed to the feeling that this was a “family reunion” of sorts. In looking back, we were able to celebrate how God had brought us all together, and in looking forward the promise of further collaboration as we explored the theme of “Unleashing Holy Freedom.”
For myself, as the Regional Coach for Central Ontario, I was deeply moved by the diversity of voices and the welcome extended to so many NextGen leaders. God is on the move, my friends, and the Free Methodist Church in Canada is uniquely blessed as we catch up with what Jesus is already doing in and through us!
Encounter Weekends
Like Moses at the burning bush, an encounter with God can realign our lives with His vision and purposes. Moses was alone in the wilderness tending sheep, yet God had a far greater calling for him. Earlier in life, Moses had tried to fulfill that calling in his own strength and timing, which ultimately led to exile. But at the burning bush, God met him, renewed his vision, and redirected his future. (To read further, please click here)
