Canadian Field Conference 2001

Who has a God as great as our God
Deuteronomy 4:7

Friday, July 6, 2001

We opened our annual field conference with our theme song, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” Then the president of the Canadian Field, Br. Kanagarajah extended a warm welcome to all the churches represented at the conference and to all those who came from far countries to be with us.

Br. Ivo Ivonov, from Montreal spoke to us some encouraging words. He asked the congregation “what makes Christianity different from all other religions?” “What brought us here today?” It is our love for our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our present help in time of trouble. John 15:15. Jesus is the best friend that we could ever have. We are not promised a smooth way but that there will be trials and difficulties. Yet, God has promised deliverance from all sin. Worry is blind and cannot discern the future, yet Jesus has already prepared the future for us. The great Jehovah loves you. His arms are always open to accept you. Jesus has a wonderful plan for our lives. Trust Him.

Give your life completely to Him. Our Sabbath opening service was given by our visiting brother Joshua Martinez from Arlington, Virginia. We were happy and blessed to have Br. Joshua with us as well as his wife and mother. Br. Joshua spoke to us about Elijah – a man with great zeal for God. He was a man used by God to bring a message. The people of God had forsaken the Lord and therefore the Lord had said that no rain would come until He would say it would rain. This is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized we receive the early rain; the latter rain is when the church is faithful to God’s commandments.

We need to receive the early and the latter rain. Otherwise, we won’t be able to stand in the time of trouble. That is what Elijah had and therefore was able to stand before the king. At each conference we need to come closer to the Lord. The Lord is saying ‘change your ways’. We must become like an Elijah. Elijah served a living God inwardly and outwardly and may we do the same.

Sabbath, July 7, 2001

After our Sabbath School, conducted by Br. Enrol Fletcher, we entered the divine service. Br. Kanagarajah welcomed all to our conference again. The Scripture reading was taken from Hebrews 1:12 and followed by special songs. We were honoured to have our dear Br. Antonino Di Franca, the General Conference President, to give the divine service to us.

He brought many greetings from brothers and sisters all over the world.
Br. Di Franca spoke to us along the following lines: Human beings were created to be together with one another and with God. God wants to be near to each one of us. Yet, people today, have become estranged to God and a separation exists between us and Him. Sometimes it seems that God is not in our lives and it feels like we are left alone.

But God will never leave us. God is guiding His church. Demonstrating that we love each other reveals the relation that we have with God. Now is the time to improve our relationships. The Lord is knocking at our heart’s door. He is willing to take our hands and guide us. May we feel the Lord’s hands on us every day and every hour leading us, until we reach our eternal home – until we reach heaven. After lunch the Toronto Youth presented their program. Their theme was “forgiveness” and this was demonstrated to us through songs and short plays. God is praised and happy to hear young voices praising him.

We were delighted to have Br. Gary Foster visit us again from Kentucky, USA. Br. Foster was newly ordained as a minister at the American Union conference just the week before. He told us that we are in a war. The enemy we fight against is very real. Satan is intruding his presence everywhere. Evil angels are following us every moment. In The Great Controversy pg. 589 we are told that Satan has control of everyone who does not have the special protection of God. Yet, we have a big brother, Jesus Christ, who can fight our battles for us at every moment of every day that Satan is trying to attack us. Love is a power that we cannot resist. Satan will flee if he encounters a church filled with love. We need to start acting as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Br. Foster pleaded with the congregation that we would ‘stay close to Jesus’.

In the Missionary Meeting and Testimony period, held by Br. Timo Martin, the baptismal questions were asked of four dear souls that were preparing to take their stand for the Lord. They were sisters Shartery Garcia, Teresa Borrera, Fanny Ramirez and brother Kenny Urizar.

Afterwards we heard testimonies from several people which were an encouragement to each one of us. Br. Timo said to us that ‘We can praise God that we are here today’. Also, we were favoured by several special songs. Following dinner we heard a musical presentation by the Streetsville Youth. The theme was “The Triumphs of His Grace”. Through narration, Bible verses and song we heard about Jesus’ love, death and resurrection again where He triumphed over death so that we may have everlasting life. All of the Streetsville young people joined in at the end to sing “I have decided to follow Jesus.”

In the following meeting, held by Br. Antonino Di Franca, we were happy to have another dear soul to take his stand for Jesus. Sandrino Guerra decided to join God’s church and to be baptized the next day. Br. Di Franca spoke to us about how the reform began in a very difficult time. It was a time of war. The reformation suffered very much but lived out the victory. God is near to us. Are we able to find Jesus? False gods and the true God cannot exist together. We should have the same goal as God. Communion with God will draw Him near to us. Communion with God will bring forth fruit.
Jesus promised that He will be with us always. He is faithful in His promise. May we say, ‘Speak Lord, so that we can do Thy will.’

For our Sabbath closing meeting, Br. Evald Pedersen, said to us, ‘It is wonderful that we have a God as great as our God.’ We have a God that is love and takes care of us. Today’s conditions are like those that existed in Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, God has promised that as long as we are on His side, He will still be with us and will never forsake us. While we were enemies, Jesus died for us.

Sunday, July 8, 2001

On Sunday morning, all of heaven was smiling as Br. Kanagarajah baptized four precious souls in Lake Ontario. It was a time of great rejoicing for the entire congregation that were assembled. Back at the church Br. Kanagarajah gave words of admonishment and encouragement to the four souls that were baptized and the one sister who was accepted into the church. The right hand of fellowship to the SDA Reform Church was extended to each along with a Bible verse being read to them. Afterwards, each gave a testimony to praise God for His goodness and that they would remain faithful till the end.

Before closing the conference Br. Kanagarajah had a special announcement to make. Sister Rose Powell was introduced as a new Canadian Field Bible Worker. Sister Rose spoke on how the Lord had led her to come to this decision to work for Him. We need to pray for Sister Rose and her family that God may use her to further His message in these last days.

To close the conference we had many specials and farewell messages by the leaders and visiting ministers. We thank each one who participated for their encouragement and may God bless all who attended.

With the final hymn “God be with you till we meet again” the conference closed with a final blessing by Br. DiFranka. Throughout the conference we were privileged to have many special songs of praise. Let us all who attended this conference remain in the Spirit and share our experiences with others is my wish and prayer.
AMEN

(Conference summary –
written by the Canadian Field Secretary)