From August 2–4, 2024, many members and visitors from all across Canada and a few from United States and overseas, gathered at the Canadian Field headquarters for a spiritual feast at the annual Canadian Field Conference.
The theme was “Victory in Jesus.”
Brother Morris Lowe, the new Canadian Field President, welcomed everyone and gave the opening message. Only in Jesus can we have victory over sin in this life. You cannot fight my battle and I cannot fight yours. Jesus only has to fight our battles and gain the victory. If we look to ourselves, we see there is no hope of salvation, but if we immerse in Christ, there is no possibility of being lost. Victory is not in church membership, but in Christ alone.
Sometimes we are tempted to give up and quit, but no matter how many times we fail and fall down, we cannot give up. Those who come to Christ, He will never cast away. There is a guarantee of victory in Jesus. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Brother Joseph Suganob followed by presenting a message on, “Our Example in all Things.” “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:21–22. Jesus must be our example—no church leader or elder. The whole chapter is summarized in these verses. Jesus was, “a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.” Verse 4. And thus we are to be “lively stones.” Verse 5. Also, we are a, “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” Verse 9.
The question is, how do we survive in life? Our salvation has nothing to do with others. We must individually decide to cast away our fleshly lusts and idols, whatever they may be, and glorify God in thought, word, and deed. Also, regarding our relationship with the government, we must copy Jesus’ pattern. He stayed away from politics, but yet, counselled us to respect the government as long as there is no violation of our conscience. He remained silent in regards to politics. And finally, regarding social relationships, Jesus is our example as He was very social. We need to learn how to relate to people and make contacts. No man is an island. As we follow the example of Jesus, we will win the victory.
Following these words, Brother Errol Fletcher shared with us the theme, “Looking to Jesus.” “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22. He began by speaking about “fake news.” Today we have AI which can produce almost any news a person wants, even if it is fake. In this age of advancement, we hear people say, “This is my truth and that is yours.” If we believe that there is only one truth; only one foundation; one Saviour, we may be criticized by the world as being narrow minded—a cult. Pilate asked Jesus, “what is truth?” (John 18:38), but he did not wait for an answer. Jesus had spoken the truth, He had told the disciples the truth. Today the truth is that there is only one truth, and we must know what that truth is. That truth comes only from God.
In ancient times the heathen nations like Egypt had many gods, while Israel had only one. Is it easier to please multiple gods or just one? What distinguishes the true from the false? The true God can create. He created the heavens and the earth. Man may make a god out of wood and stone and worship it, yet the true Creator made man. It is not you doing the saving; you need a Saviour. Regardless of how you feel, if you believe that Jesus died and rose again and you look to Jesus, you will be saved. Today is the day of salvation. May we all open our hearts and be saved by looking to Jesus.
On Sabbath morning, our visiting minister from Jamaica, Brother George Gowie, shared with the congregation, the theme topic—“Victory in Jesus.” Everyone is fighting a battle and sometimes we do not know who we are fighting. Sometimes we are fighting the wrong battle and we lose. Victory means defeating the enemy. In reality the battle was won over 2000 years ago. Satan claims this earth as his own, and Jesus came to the “enemy camp” to claim the victory. God created man upright, but he lost it all when he sinned. Sin and death are twin brothers. Our mother, Eve, was deceived and therefore death was passed onto all, but thank God the story did not end there. Jesus came as a man to deliver us from sin. Through Jesus we have victory over sin and death. Jesus has power over death because He has power over sin. He came to Satan’s camp and bound him, so that we can have victory now—not tomorrow, but now. If you believe you are a sinner, you are on the right road. The Holy Spirit is working.
Victory is a gift and we must all accept it. When you are tempted, look to the devil and say, “I am not going to obey you today. I am on the side of Jesus.” No one wants to die, but if we are faithful we have been promised eternal life. We need to claim the promise of Jesus, not of material goods, but of eternal life. Victory over sin and death comes only from Jesus. Sin=death; righteousness=life. Victory over sin and death comes from Jesus. You can live a holy life daily. You can tell Satan to leave you alone because you have a friend in Jesus. Some think that Christianity is difficult, but it is easy in Christ. He won the battle for us. Be steadfast, hold on and do not move because your victory is in Jesus.
The health message is a very important part of the sanctification process and Brother Elder Hernandez spoke about Emotional Health and Spiritual Maturity. Some people think that showing emotions is weakness, but we read that Jesus got tired and slept; He also wept. Good mental health is vital in maintaining physical health. Studies have been done to show how placebos still produce positive results if there is good mental health. Sin has broken and bruised people. Many have gone through traumatic experiences that scar them for life. They have faced lack of love, praise or tenderness, have been abused, abandoned, or criticized. Can we be sanctified in this state? Yes, in Christ we can. He came to heal the brokenhearted and bruised. After Elijah had the mountain top experience on Mount Carmel, a woman threatened to kill him and he got worried and ran for his life. He then laid down, exhausted, under a juniper tree. This is when the therapy started.
First, the angel came and touched him. When a loved one is in distress, a touch can provide comfort and security. The angel then told Elijah to eat and drink. A good diet is essential for good mental health and healing. Finally we see that Elijah walked 40 days. Exercise is very important also for a sound mind. We also need regular rest every night and a full day of rest once every seven days. And on the other side, we need to work, especially doing good to others. Helping others improves our mood tremendously. “Before sin created the need, God had provided the remedy. Every soul that yields to temptation is wounded, bruised, by the adversary; but whenever there is sin, there is the Saviour. It is Christ’s work ‘to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, . . . to set at liberty them that are bruised.’ Luke 4:18.” –Education, p. 113
Brother Morris Lowe presented a very serious topic, one that we should all be careful to watch out for. His subject was, “The Snare of Satan.” “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16. We are all made of clay, and no one is perfect. Satan is not an easy foe—he is the prince of darkness. We wrestle the rulers of darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12). Satan studies each individual carefully and with his hosts of darkness they lay snares for us which look attractive and harmless. Thankfully heaven also knows us very well and will do all in its power to try to win us to salvation.
The tool that Satan uses the most is the tool of discouragement. There are many great men in the Bible who became discouraged at times—Moses, Jeremiah, Elijah. We feel like quitting. “I try my best, but I have no success.” Satan especially wants to attack the youth. Sometimes they feel they are wiser than their parents, but if they ignore their parent’s advice, they often make shipwreck of their lives. The only thing we have to fear is that of offending God and disregarding His law. To gain the victory over sin and Satan is to know his strategy. If we are ignorant of his devices we are at a great disadvantage.
Today we are on the borders of the heavenly Canaan and what Satan was able to do to tempt Ancient Israel when they were on the borders of earthly Canaan, he is tempting God’s people today. He hates those who are working at cross purposes with him. He is also especially targeting the leaders in the church. He has many snares that he uses, from appetite, an unforgiving heart, lack of prayer, cares of this life, and so on. He has something for everyone. If we are faithful, though, Satan cannot touch us. No matter what Satan tries to do, one word from the Lord will fell him. Never let Satan tempt you into thinking you have gone too far to come back. If you have made mistakes, run to Jesus and remain in Christ. You will then be assured of victory.
“Helping others overcome.” “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2. This is a very important subject when it comes to gaining victory in our spiritual life. This topic was presented by Brother Nicholas Anca. One of the surest ways we can gain the victory is by helping others, and we can never truly help anyone unless we have genuine love for them. Love is a principle, not a feeling. Jesus said, “This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 15:12. We not only need to have love, but we need to be strong in the faith if we wish to be able to help others. We need to love each other, but not in sin. We are to help others to overcome sin.
All of God’s children are called to be servants, whether they are leaders, workers, or lay members; we are all called to be servants to lost humanity. Loving others also includes forgiveness, regardless of how we have been treated. The purpose of the gospel is to help us overcome and to become perfect in Christ. Do not be afraid if you fall. Do not quit, do not give up, but get up. We are all social beings and the Lord has put us on this earth to help others on the way to salvation. No man lives for himself. As we help others, we ourselves will gain the victory in Christ.
Brother Victor Handiya shared a very important subject that should be the goal of every Christian, “New by His Spirit.” “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18. Everyone in the church has a duty to do missionary work. The Lord has called us to present the Three Angel’s Messages. When these messages are accepted and lived out, and we have a missionary spirit, we become new creatures in Christ. We must never let down the standards. Also, we must not just sit idly in church week after week with folded hands. “As the mind dwells upon Christ, the character is molded after the divine similitude. The thoughts are pervaded with a sense of His goodness, His love. We contemplate His character, and thus He is in all our thoughts. His love encloses us. If we gaze even a moment upon the sun in its meridian glory, when we turn away our eyes, the image of the sun will appear in everything upon which we look. Thus it is when we behold Jesus; everything we look upon reflects His image, the Sun of Righteousness. We cannot see anything else, or talk of anything else. His image is imprinted upon the eye of the soul, and affects every portion of our daily life, softening and subduing our whole nature. By beholding, we are conformed to the divine similitude, even the likeness of Christ. To all with whom we associate we reflect the bright and cheerful beams of His righteousness. We have become transformed in character; for heart, soul, mind, are irradiated by the reflection of Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us.” –The Faith I Live By, p. 150
Finally, to close out the conference, Brother George Gowie gave some final words of encouragement. The good news of the gospel is that through Jesus Christ you can turn away from your iniquities. There is forgiveness of sin in Christ. But we must be honest when we examine ourselves. We must see ourselves as sinners in need of salvation. How hard is it to say, “I am sorry, I am a sinner?” You cannot receive forgiveness through deception. If we confess and go to God as we are, He will forgive us.
Many times we want to tell God how good we are, like King Hezekiah, when he was told to put his house in order because he will die. He turned to the wall and wept and told the Lord all the good things he had done (2 Kings 20:3). If he was truly good, then why was he told to put his house in order? When we acknowledge ourselves as sinners we are seeing truth the first time. Be honest with the Lord. Jesus says, “I have known this for a long time, now you can find forgiveness through My blood.” You do not need to tell any man. Just tell Jesus. Trust Jesus. He will guide you when you are tempted and tried. Let us grow in the spirit and work while it is day. The night is coming when you cannot work. Be strong in the Lord. When you have Jesus, you have everything. We will win. We will gain the victory.
The highlight of the conference was being able to witness eight precious souls giving their lives to the Lord following His example in baptism. All heaven rejoiced with us on the shores of Lake Ontario. May their witness be an example for many more to follow in the future. Let us all do our part in going out into the highways and hedges to encourage souls to come into the fold of safety, so that one day they can also partake of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Amen.
Canadian Field Secretary
