Some time ago I was talking with a friend who pastors a church in this area and we discussed how much we enjoy what is being accomplished and modeled through Together for the Gospel. We talked about how we wish something like that could happen in Canada. And from there we realized that maybe, just maybe, it can happen. There are going to be plenty of Canadians attending Together for the Gospel and it seemed to us that it would be wise to try to gather them in one place, even if only for a few minutes.
And so the purpose of this post is to announce a small gathering by and for Canadians during Together for the Gospel (Louisville, Kentucky - April 15-17). This is a ministry of Grace Fellowship Church of Toronto and there are no expenses involved. It will be lead, at least initially, by my pastor Paul Martin and myself. We simply wish to invite all of the Canadians in attendance as well as anyone who has an interest in ministry in Canada, to meet with us for a short time after the day’s proceedings wrap up on the Wednesday of the conference.
We will be meeting in Room 112 at 9:30 PM on April 16 (or as soon as the day’s final session ends). This room is right within the convention center immediately below the main hall where the conference will be held. We know this will mark the end of a long day, so we will not keep you for long.
The purpose of this brief gathering will be to help network Canadian pastors and church leaders with a shared love of the Gospel as well to enable the flow of information on events and happenings between our churches. We do not wish to create another association or denomination or publication or anything of the sort and we are not formally associated with Together for the Gospel! Our goal is to help Canadian pastors network with each other at today’s event, as well as to begin a small website devoted to highlighting information of the Lord’s work that would be of interest across our country.
We will start by creating a database of names that will receive regular email updates as information is sent to us. We hope to allow your church to alert other like-minded Christians of events or needs as they arise.
If you are interested in attending, please mark the date and time on your calendar. If you’d like to ask questions, if you would like to let me know that you will be attending, or if you cannot attend but would like to be added to the email list, you can send me a note by clicking here. Meanwhile, please spread the word to anyone you know who will be at the conference and who may be interested in attending.
We hope to see you there!
Comments (17) »
1. Ian Clary
March 12, 2008
9:40 AM
This is a very good idea.
2. Tim Challies
March 12, 2008
9:57 AM
This is a very good idea.
Are you going to be there?
3. GUNNY HARTMAN
March 12, 2008
11:16 AM
All the way to Canada?
Take off, eh.
But it does sound like it has some real potential.
4. B. Minich
March 12, 2008
11:26 AM
This reminds me of one year at New Attitude (in Louisville, I think). Pat Szebel was our community group leader (leader of a group of 100-150 or so), and somehow he got us to go up in front of everyone and sing O Canada. This prompted singing of the Star Spangled Banner in response. It was pretty much done in fun, to do something unique at the conference. However, I still think O Canada is a decent tune. Not nearly as good as the Star Spangled Banner in my Yankee eyes, though a bit easier to sing.
5. Darryl
March 12, 2008
11:28 AM
Great idea, Tim. Hoping to be there.
6. Tim Challies
March 12, 2008
11:29 AM
Not nearly as good as the Star Spangled Banner in my Yankee eyes, though a bit easier to sing.
But you can’t beat singing “God keep our land.” That beats “O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming”
7. Pete
March 12, 2008
11:48 AM
Sounds awesome. We’ll c u there.
8. Van Edwards
March 12, 2008
12:03 PM
I’ll be at T4G, but I’m going to stay where they speak English. ;-)
TC: But you can’t beat singing “God keep our land.” That beats “O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming”
There’s nothing like a nice rampart. We need more of them, these days. I’m from Atlanta, and we sing, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the Braves.”
9. Tim Strickland
March 12, 2008
12:17 PM
Hi Tim,
Really glad you’re setting this up! I’ll be there. A little while back I created a site for Canadians going to T4G to talk about it. Here’s the link http://t4g08canucks.wordpress.com/. It’s a blog site but there’s only 1 post to give people the ability to network/comment. (also has a cool picture of an revived CP steam engine that I took in Revelstoke a couple of years ago!)
See you in Louisville,
Tim
10. Jim Vellenga
March 12, 2008
12:51 PM
Good idea. I won’t be there as I have one week of Study leave and I use it for the Banner of Truth Minister’s Conference. However, some way to network in Canada would be great.
11. Chris Kiagiri
March 12, 2008
1:31 PM
I wish someone would call a similar gathering at T4G for conference attendees from Africa.
12. Alex S. Leung
March 12, 2008
7:56 PM
We need a website that goes something like…. “Together for Canada” :)
Can’t wait til T4G!
13. Allen Mickle
March 12, 2008
10:48 PM
Tim,
I am unable to attend T4G but am totally interested in being a part of this in the future!
Blessings,
Allen
14. Georges
March 13, 2008
9:49 AM
I should be there. I think there will be at least a dozen or so french canadians like myself attending t4g. Do you think you’ll be able to have an announcement made at the Wednesday evening session just to remind us?
15. Terry Stauffer
March 14, 2008
9:38 AM
I went to T4G in ‘06 but am not able to go this time. I love the idea of connecting with other pastors and leaders.
We’re doing some “togethering” out West at the ReFocus Conference at Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C. Last year was the first year and the speakers included John Piper, Mark Driscoll and Bruce Ware. This year D. A. Carson, R. Kent Hughes and Bruce Ware will be speaking, among others. It’s not T4G, but a great place for Reformed-minded Canadians to get together nonetheless. It happens on (April 14-16).
16. Stefan
March 14, 2008
4:18 PM
Re Terry Stauffer’s comment:
ReFocus Canada is a conference on biblical preaching and leadership for Canadian pastors. (We also had J.I. Packer at our inaugural conference last year.) It’s not too late to register. For those who are interested, more details are available at the website:
http://www.willingdon.org/refocus
17. Brian Metz
March 14, 2008
6:43 PM
Tim,
Being Reformed and in youth ministry, I was wondering about getting a group of us together at T4G - how do you think I should go about getting the word out? I do not have a blog that is read, let alone well read -so just wondering what you would advise.