Ordination and commissioning are sacred ceremonies affirming God's calling of a person to ministry. It is rooted in the precedent set by Jesus when he called and appointed (ordained) the 12 apostles (see Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16, Matt. 10:1-4, John 15:16)

In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, ordination and commissioning is a rigorous process. It involves much prayer and a review of the person's ministry, character, and dedication to serving God's church and people. 

At this year's camp meeting, there will be pastors and teachers that will be affirmed in this special service. The Conference invites all members to a special evening program where we will celebrate and affirm the call God has placed on these pastors. 

Stay tuned to the OCN for updates on additional new elements and surprises awaiting attendees. 

Pastor Shawn Ellis
Director, Communications and Media

Can you smell them? They are everywhere right now! Beautiful, colourful, fresh blooms and gleaming greenery sit front and centre in every shop and garden centre. Pretty boxes of sweets and candles in pastel hues waiting to be purchased, wrapped or stuffed into a matching gift bag for one of the most precious individuals in many of our lives… our mothers.

This weekend, the restaurants will be full, and the vases will be filled and the women who are in a mothering role will be honoured, highlighted and cherished just as they rightly should be.

The picture that is painted through the media and commerce is warm and soft, nurturing and happy. Unfortunately, Mother’s Day can be a very difficult and triggering day for many women in varying stages of life. These women are carrying wounds that often ache or even reopen around this holiday, and mostly, they go by unnoticed … unseen and unheard, in quiet sorrow and deep longing for healing and restoration.

So on this Mother’s Day, to those women who are struggling silently and holding their breath until the day has passed, we want you to know that we see you, and Jesus sees you too. Please consider these Mother’s Day ‘promise presents’ as you navigate the coming weekend.

To the woman who has lost a child, from still birth to adulthood, God does not forget you, He has engraved you and your child in the palms of His hands. (Isaiah 49:15) He is close to the brokenhearted and will save your crushed spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

To the woman who has had multiple miscarriages or is struggling with infertility, remember that God is with you and wants to strengthen you and help you through this difficult time. (Isaiah 41:10)

To the woman who gave up a child for adoption or became separated from her child through unforeseen circumstances, trust and believe that there is a Father who will always be there and see their needs. ( Ephesians 1:4-5)

To the woman who has a child with a special need or has a daily relentless struggle that you don’t know how to cope with some days. Find refuge and strength in God; he will be an ever-present help, don’t be afraid; he is there for you. (Psalm 46:1-3)

To the woman who sees her children on a limited basis due to divorce or separation, do not be anxious, pray in every situation, and even though they may not be with you, God will be with them and give you peace that passes understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7)

And to the woman who has lost her own mother or has an estranged relationship with her, absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39), and He will give you strength in your soul. (Psalm 138:3)

And for those of us who are supporting and loving these women in gentleness as they walk this difficult valley, let us remember this: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Of all the gifts we can give this Mother’s Day, let us remember that the love and grace of Christ Jesus is the greatest we can truly share with one another.

For churches that wish to minister to struggling mothers, we offer an inspiring and healing workshop entitled "Momma's Wounds". For more information, email plopez@adventistontario.org or 
rweidner@adventistontario.org.

Patricia Ferreira Lopez
Director, Women’s Ministries Director

Several weeks ago, the London Seventh-day Adventist Church witnessed a profound celebration of faith and unity orchestrated by the Women’s Ministry. Under the visionary leadership of Sister Lo Richards, the congregation embarked on a spiritual journey themed “Ignite Your Prayer Life,” marking the International Women’s Day of Prayer.

The festivities commenced on Friday, with Sister Simone Shepherd, the Prayer Ministry director, delivering a compelling message that resonated with many’s hearts and set a reflective tone for the weekend ahead. Sabbath morning unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of participation from numerous church women, showcasing the collective spirit and dedication that define our community.
The day was further illuminated by the musical contributions of the “Women of Purpose,” whose performances added a layer of emotional depth and connection to the gathering. Sister Sarah Nyende’s stirring oration achieved the zenith of the worship experience, providing inspiration and solace to all present.

In the spirit of fellowship, the congregation then shared in a delightful potluck, a testament to the unity and love that permeates our church. The afternoon was adorned with a session led by Sister Debbie Hagley, focusing on the “Five Spiritual Benefits of Prayer.” This insightful discourse invited attendees to explore the multifaceted impact of prayer on the soul’s journey toward enlightenment and peace.

This remarkable weekend, we stood as a testament to the transformative power of prayer and the invaluable role of the Women’s Ministry in fostering an environment of support and spiritual growth. As our church in London continues to thrive, we are reminded of the incredible blessings bestowed upon us through the dedication and grace of this ministry.
We offer our deepest gratitude and praise to God for guiding these efforts, enriching our lives, and strengthening our faith. We dedicate all honour and glory to Him as we continue to walk in the light of His love and wisdom.

Dário G Ferreira
Lead Pastor at London Seventh-day Adventist Church

On the weekend of April 19-20, 2024, the Ruth Alpha Centauri Club had the opportunity to attend the Division-level Pathfinder Bible Experience in Greeley, Colorado, USA. The team consisted of 7 Pathfinders, 2 coaches, a director, and a supportive parent who made this life-changing trip by almost missing our 7 a.m. flight on April 19, 2024. We experienced our first miracle when God sent a flight attendant to check us quickly, which helped us get through security on time.

We attended the Friday Night Vespers at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. We enjoyed an uplifting praise and worship session and presentation.  Our souls were truly blessed. We were able to meet with our fellow Ontario team, the Bowmanville Archers, and share greetings and encouragement with Pastor Edwin Martin.

On Sabbath morning, we woke up to 2-3 inches of snow on our cars. Some of us had to wrap ourselves in blankets to keep warm from the car to the testing building. We were not prepared for snow this time of year; we had no winter jackets or snowshoes.  Who expected spring snow in April? Not us.

We were tested again when we learned at 8:30 a.m. that one of our team members would not be attending the competition due to an emergency. This devastated the team. They no longer felt like competing. A sense of doom and defeat hung over us.

We prayed and sought the help of our church family in prayer, then we were reminded of the story in Joshua 7 where Israel was defeated by Ai. We regrouped and consecrated ourselves to God, realizing He had not brought us this far to forsake us. The team took themselves out of the equation and gave the rest of the competition to God so that He could be glorified.

This reminded us that God always prepares us physically and spiritually to do His work; all we have to do is surrender to His will and leading.  The team showed courage, dedication and trust and was rewarded with third place.

The Pathfinder Bible Experience was truly an experience for the Ruth Alpha Centauri Pathfinders, who participated in this level for the first time. We had the opportunity to witness to many people as we travelled. People saw our uniform and asked who we were. We were happy to tell them about Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE), which encourages young people to study God's Word and meditate on it day and night.

We would like to thank the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, the Ontario Conference, and our church family, the Ruth Seventh-day Adventist Church, for helping us fund this adventure.

Georgia Perry
Director, Ruth Alpha Centauri Pathfinder Club

Here is the story about how our soup kitchen at Ottawa East Seventh-day Adventist Church became a community food bank supporting more than 80 families every month. Before March 2020, we would invite people to join us for a meal and some live music at our local recreational center. Though we were a small team, we enjoyed serving our friends in the Overbrook area in this way. In March 2020, when the pandemic struck, we had no choice but to shut down our soup kitchen. However, we couldn't ignore the great need present in our community. So, we created a food bank. Month by month, our food bank grew. Despite challenging economic times, our lack of experience, and a small team, we were able to start and have never stopped serving our community. This wouldn't be possible without the dedication, diligence, and discernment of our community services leader, Sister Edil Gordon.

Since then, God has provided many collaborations within and outside our church that have enhanced our service. In September 2020, Mission Ottawa, a social services organization for the homeless, chose our church as a drop-off point for hot lunches every Tuesday. One summer, we also started a vegetable garden, which allowed us to hand out affordable fresh vegetables to the community. Finally, our youth created a second-hand clothing collection centre to assist our food bank patrons. 

We not only help nourish the body, but we also feed the soul. With every bag of groceries, we provide a sweet packet containing treats and an enclosed card with handwritten verses from the Bible. We have also established a volunteer team that gets to know those waiting in line, answers their questions, and directs them to the appropriate people for Bible study.

We went from feeding 20-40 people weekly at a soup kitchen to handing out 80+ bags of groceries each month to families, singles, newcomers, and seniors. We are grateful for all the ways God provides for and continues to use us. We hope to continue this initiative for many years to come.

Brenda Maranga
Communication Secretary
Ottawa East Seventh-day Adventist Church