OCN – Ontario Conference News – June 8, 2023 - Adventist Ontario Conference Website

Communications

Posted: June 8th, 2023

OCN – Ontario Conference News – June 8, 2023

Ontario Conference Elects Jakov Bibulović as President at 35th Constituency Meeting

Pastor Jakov Bibulović is the new president of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Delegates to the 35th Quinquennial Constituency Meeting, held on June 2 and 4, 2023, at the International Centre, Mississauga, voted 79% in favour to accept the nominating committee’s recommendation.

The vote occurred about an hour after the business session commenced on Friday afternoon, June 2.

Accepting the decision of the delegates President Bibulovic briefly spoke of his gratitude to God and to the delegates for the trust they placed in him. “We are in God’s hands,” he said. “We must place our trust in Him because Jesus is coming soon!”

He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Mansfield Edwards, as a visionary leader and said how much he enjoyed working with him and the treasurer as an administrative team.

Since late 2018, Bibulovic served as vice president for administration/executive secretary. He had been in his second term as Evangelism, Church Growth and Church Planting director when the board of directors asked him to replace David Schwinghammer as executive secretary.

Bibulovic first began pastoral ministry in Serbia, the land of his birth, before moving with his wife, Ljubica, and their daughter, Isabella, to Canada in 2001. Prior to being elected as a director in 2013, He served as pastor of the Toronto Yugoslavian Church for 11 years and then the Barrie Church for three years. .

New Four-Person Administrative Team

Delegates also voted for a new four-person administrative team, replacing the former three-person one. As vice presidents, Pastor Emile Maxi, Virene Miekle and Pastor Mansfield Edwards will join the president as officers.

Former Superintendent of Schools, Emile Maxi, takes on the role of vice president for administration/executive secretary. Virene Miekle continues in her role as vice president for finance/treasurer. Former president, Mansfield Edwards will serve as vice president for Evangelism and Outreach/Seniors Ministry/Indigenous Ministry.

Confusion over Voting Procedures

When Pastor Paul Llewellyn, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC) and chair of the Nominating Committee, introduced the committee’s initial report on Friday some of the 461 delegates present were confused. He explained that the report would be presented as a block of names. If there were any objections to any name, they were to be made against the block, not the individual name. He also stated that objections and referrals back to the committee should only be made if there was a serious matter such as a criminal record or a moral or ethical reason. Some delegates were clearly not pleased with this and said that they were being prohibited from exercising their right to object on other grounds. Others disagreed, saying that the Nominating Committee should be trusted since they had asked the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Some delegates raised other areas for discussion, often unrelated to the motion that was on the floor but related to the constituency meeting as a whole. Among these was the question of why the conference’s vision, values and goals had not first been presented. The delegate asked if the Nominating Committee had used these as the basis for selecting the right leaders. The chair was very gracious and allowed him and others to speak for a while before reminding them that they needed to speak to the motion.

Eventually, the chair agreed that he, along with Pastor Cyril Millett, executive secretary of the SDACC, would privately listen to all objectives and determine if a matter warranted being referred to the Nominating Committee. With that settled, discussion on the block continued before delegates voted on each individual name while he or she was outside the room.

The business was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 4

On Sunday, June 4, an additional 69 delegates registered, increasing attendance to 530 to resume business. Organisers had prepared for 761 eligible delegates.

The day began with a devotional message by Pastor Bonita J Shields, a vice president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

Pastor Mansfield presented the president’s report for the last time. Following, Pastor Bibulovic presented the secretary’s report before assuming the president’s chair, left vacant for him by Edwards.

Before business continued, Pastor Anthony Kern, spoke highly of Pastor Edward’s leadership and moved that delegates voted to express appreciation to him for his visionary and spiritual leadership.

The motion was overwhelmingly passed and delegates stood and enthusiastically applauded the former president.

Pastor Andre Anderson moved that the vision and goals be visible throughout constituency meetings so that all decisions regarding personnel are made and guided by them. Delegates approved the motion.

The confusion on Friday about the procedure continued and Pastor Millett carefully went through the General Conference rules of order. This helped delegates, many of whom were attending a constituency session for the first time, to understand the procedures.

Throughout the day, the Nominating Committee presented blocks of recommended names for election as directors. Delegates approved all names:

Adventurers/Pathfinders/Master Guides: Edwin Martin, Incumbent
Camp Ministries: Jason Perkins, Kingsway College staff, former principal of College Park Elementary School
Church Planting/Evangelism/Church Revitalization: Serevudh Ly, pastor, Mt Zion Filipino
Communications/Media: Shawn Ellis, associate pastor, Apple Creek
Family/Women’s/Men’s/Children’s Ministry: Elizabeth and Orlando Pule
Health/Prayer Ministries: Edith Missah-Habaradas, administrative assistant to the executive secretary
Ministerial Secretary: Frankie Lazarus, pastor, Toronto West
Associate Ministerial Secretary: To be voted by the board of directors
Ministries of Compassion: Andrew King, pastor, Downsview
Personal Ministries/Sabbath School: Joel Nembhard, pastor, Toronto Central
Prison Ministries Coordinator: To be voted by the board of directors
School of Evangelism Principal: To be voted by the board of directors
Stewardship/PARL: Anthony Reid, pastor, Mt. Gilead
Superintendent of Schools: Reynold Hazelwood, former director, Personal and Prison Ministries, School of Evangelism, Bibleinfo
Youth/Young Adults/ACF/Singles: John Scott, Incumbent (singles added)
Youth/Young Adults/ACF/Singles: In Pyo Hong (associate), pastor, Hamilton Mountain.

Delegates also approved the treasurer’s report and the administration’s strategic report. The meeting was extended by 30 minutes in order to hear the strategic report which also featured the vision and goals for the next five years.

Business concluded at 5:30 p.m.

Thousands Gladly Return to In-Person Camp Meeting in Ontario

“I think we’ve underestimated how many would return to an in-person camp meeting,” exclaimed Pastor Halsey Peat, camp meeting superintendent. “Clearly, seating for seven and a half thousand will not be enough!” His comment came shortly after Sabbath School when he noticed that there was standing room only in Hall 5 at the International Centre, Mississauga, on June 3, 2023.

As worshippers arrived at Ontario Conferences’ first in-person camp meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic ended, there was a sense of excitement to be together in vast numbers.

“I just love the energy of worshipping together,” said Maureen. “It’s just not the same at home watching on a screen. It’s so exciting to be part of something live and amazing as the worship experience at this camp meeting.”

“It was so lovely seeing the brethren again after being apart for so long,” added Ines. “I was so happy to see some of my friends from other Spanish churches. It’s been too long!”

However, it was not just about fellowship. It was about corporate worship, moving from isolated devotionals to worshipping and praising God with fellow believers from all across Ontario.

“We are here to sing and worship God together,” said Ruben, of worship team from the Espaço Novo Tempo congregation, as he led the congregation in singing, “I love You, Lord” to commence Sabbath School in Hall 5.

In Halls 3 and 4, where Youth, Young Adults, and Teens assembled, there was the same sense of joy of being able to worship together.

“The vibrant praise and worship led by Evans Mosomi was beautiful,” exclaimed Leonique, speaking of the worship in the young adults’ service. “And the congregation was completely engaged by the empowering Sabbath School discussion on the theme of hope.”

Camp Meeting 2023 was sandwiched between two days of Ontario’s 35th constituency meeting. At the conclusion of Sabbath School in Hall 5 Pastor Paul Llewellyn, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC), introduced the new administration that was voted on Friday, June 2.

News of the constituency meeting had spread quickly across Ontario so worshippers were not surprised to hear that Pastor Jakov Bibulovic had succeeded Pastor Mansfield Edwards as president. However, the congregation warmly applauded the announcement.

However, hearing a timely and relevant message from the preacher is a highlight for many who attend camp meetings. Pastor Ian Sweeney, a field secretary in the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists, delivered a sermon uplifting Jesus as the saviour. Designed to give assurance of salvation in Jesus, Sweeney said, “We’ve forgotten the who because we are interested in the how…focusing on the how becomes perilous to us…we have to re-focus on the who.”

In Hall 3, Pastor Massiel Davila-Ferrer, Burman University chaplain, speaking on the same theme, said, “There is grace and grace for us…and Jesus desires to be with us.”

Camp Meeting 2023 also featured the largest ordination service in at least 30 years. Eleven pastors were set aside for service during the 6:45 p.m. ordination service. Pastor Cyril Millett III, executive secretary of the SDACC, delivered a message, “Living Above the Snake Line” that will be long remembered. He made it clear that his message was not only intended for the eleven ordinands, Pastors Gabriel Achim, Steven Couto, Elvis Dumitru, John Echavez, Junior Garcia, Alexander Gietsel, Paul Jang, Harold Novac, Jermaine Parker, Dexter Smith, Ivan Uriegas but also to everyone present.

Of course, many will remember the varied and inspiring music in all sections of the camp meeting that allowed worshippers to experience a closer connection with God.

With such a successful return to an in-person camp meeting, conference administrators are hoping that those who watched the stream online will be inspired to attend in person next year. More importantly, those who have yet to return to in-person worship at their local church will now do so.

Introducing Shawn Ellis, Communications Director

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, during the 35th Constituency Meeting of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, delegates elected Pastor Shawn Ellis as Communications director. He replaces Pastor Halsey Peat, who served for seven months after the departure of Christelle Agboka to North American Division.

Before being called to ministry, Pastor Ellis led his own environmental consulting firm for over 20 years and preached national and international sermons winning souls for Jesus, using interactive multimedia presentations.

Since his call to ministry, Pastor Ellis has been active in the use of media both in the church and in the community. He developed a digital online strategy at Apple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he was an associate pastor before his election. He helped to migrate their streaming standard from last-gen 480 to HD. He also upgraded the audio system as part of a $150k equipment renovation which now includes a video wall. He has also created, written and produced the online program “Connect to Christ,” which helps to lead kids to Jesus. The program had been used internationally as well as by Ontario Conference for its first virtual camp meeting.

Pastor Ellis has also used media to preach to the community. He believes in promoting the gospel by making the Word simple by merging theology and technology to win souls for Jesus.

Ellis assumes his role immediately and takes responsibility for all conference communications.

CONFERENCE EVENTS/NEWS

CHURCH EVENTS

OTHER/MISCELLANEOUS

Office of Education - Current Job Opportunities
The following positions are currently available
with the Ontario Conference Office of Education:

Principal/Grades 6-8 Teacher for Adventist Christian Elementary School (London, Ontario)
High School Substitute Teachers for Crawford Adventist Academy (North York, Ontario - Secondary School)
Substitute Teachers (ongoing hiring) for Brampton, London, Mount Hope, Oshawa, Ottawa, Pickering, Toronto, and Windsor

Visit this link and select Ontario Conference for details on the above job postings with Ontario Conference Office of Education.

The ABC Christian Bookstore is seeking a committed Seventh-day Adventist church member to fill a part-time sales clerk position (20 hours per week).

Position Requirements:

Possess excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills;
Have the ability to work independently;
Have a working knowledge of office equipment and computer applications (Microsoft Office)

Interested candidates may send their cover letter and resume to Lila Oliveira at loliveira@adventistontario.org. Applications will be accepted until May 26, 2023. Only those individuals who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Opportunities at Kingsway College

Kingsway College, a growing Adventist boarding high school in Ontario, Canada is searching for dynamic teachers in Computer Science and Math instruction, one for History, Social Science and Social Studies, and two teachers for English as a Second Language. Each must have a passion for helping high school students learn.

Applications will be received until the positions are filled. The candidate must be currently able to work in Canada legally. Qualified candidates, please direct your resume to Lee Richards, President of Kingsway College at leerichards@kingsway.college. Please provide three references with their contact information.

For further details please go to:
https://www.kingsway.college/careers

Job Opportunity - Health and Wellness Manager

Forestview Retirement Residence is an elegant, 128-suite retirement home in North York that opened in early 2018. It is owned and operated by Advent Health Care Corporation – a not-for-profit charitable organization affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and led by a volunteer board of directors.

ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE:
Under the direction of the general manager, is responsible for the care of residents in accordance with the Philosophy, Objectives and Standards of the residence and acts as general manager back-up during the absence of the general manager.

NEWSLETTER

OCN – Ontario Conference News – June 8, 2023

Ontario Conference Elects Jakov Bibulović as President at 35th Constituency Meeting

Thousands Gladly Return to In-Person Camp Meeting in Ontario

Introducing Shawn Ellis, Communications Director