REGENERATING TOGETHERNESS
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.
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.
