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The 2025 Ontario Conference Workers' Meeting, themed “Pentecost 2025: Preach It. Teach It. Live It!”, was held from September 21 to 23 at LIUNA Station in Hamilton. This beautifully restored 1930s railway station, renowned for its stunning architecture, provided an inspiring and professional setting for pastors, Bible workers, teachers, support staff, directors, and administrators, along with their families, to come together for worship, fellowship, and growth.

A Time for Reflection and Celebration

On Sunday, September 21, the evening kicked off with a captivating interactive theatre production titled “The Case of the Missing Value.” Workers and their families were drawn into a mystery experience, where they followed clues, examined visual cues, and listened to testimonies from the “suspects” who might be responsible for the missing element.

As the mystery unfolded, it became evident that what was “missing” was not an object, but authentic family worship. Families were encouraged to reflect on their worship practices at home and inspired to make them a daily priority. The “Back to the Altar” video was shown, reinforcing the call to revive family worship and recommit to intentional spiritual practices.

The workers and their families enjoyed a delightful banquet, creating a festive atmosphere for a meaningful evening of celebration and recognition. The program highlighted significant milestones from September 2024 to September 2025, including the introduction of newly hired workers, warm congratulations for newlyweds and new parents, heartfelt tributes to retirees, and special acknowledgment of employees who have faithfully served the Ontario Conference for 25 years or more.

Meanwhile, the children of the workers enjoyed a fun and educational experience during the banquet and over the following two days. Patricia Ferreira Lopez, the Director of Children’s Ministries, organized the “Seek and Share Jesus” program, featuring interactive worship, lively musical presentations, an exciting visit from Mad Science Hamilton, engaging games, and hands-on outreach activities. “It was a joyful and spiritually enriching experience for everyone,” Director Lopez shared.

A Time for Professional Growth and Recreation

Most of the plenary sessions for professional development occurred on Monday, September 22. During the morning devotional, Pastor Wesley Orieux, who serves the Smyrna and Toronto French Adventist churches, encouraged workers to embrace their calling as true disciples rather than simply being church members or employees of the conference.

Dr. Nestor Bruno, a mental health specialist, presented the connection between health and holiness, stating, "Without healing, there’s no holiness, and without sanity, there’s no sanctity." He encouraged all workers to “walk and work with God and experience the unforced rhythms of grace that Jesus is inviting us into.”

The next plenary speaker was Dr. Joseph Kidder, a professor of pastoral theology and discipleship at Andrews University. He emphasized the crucial role of interpersonal communication in effective ministry and in preventing member dropouts. Later that afternoon, Dr. Kidder returned to speak again, this time turning the workers’ attention to Jesus as the source of unlimited possibilities. With conviction, he declared, “If we really believe in Jesus, the best days are still ahead of us—because with Jesus, all things are possible!”

Ljubica Bibulović, the coordinator of the Ministerial Spouses Association, made a heartfelt appeal to “End It Now” if any form of abuse occurs in homes, schools, and churches. “We must provide a safe environment for children,” she emphasized.

Standing alongside her in this campaign was her beloved husband, Pastor Jakov Bibulović, the conference president. “Will you stand with us?” he asked with urgency and resolve. In response, everyone — from the administrators and directors to every worker—rose to their feet in solidarity, affirming their shared commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable. The moment was sealed with a special prayer offered by the president, marking a solemn dedication to the cause.

Dr. Erica Smith, the NAD Women’s Ministries Associate Director, was the next speaker to be introduced. Joining via Zoom, she discussed the issue of domestic violence, highlighting the story of one particular Adventist woman and presenting alarming statistics indicating that rates of abuse within Adventist homes can be higher than the national average in some cases. Patricia Lopez, the Children and Women’s Ministries Director, leads the Ontario “End It Now” team, encouraging Adventists to say “No” to violence.

Breakout sessions were organized for teachers, ministerial spouses, and pastors, including Bible workers and support staff. Dr. Shereen McFarlane, a registered marriage and family therapist, met with the teachers. Edith Missah-Habaradas, the Health and Prayer Ministries director, spoke with the ministerial spouses, while Dr. Kidder addressed the pastors.

On Monday evening, the time was spent winding down and focusing on physical health through fellowship and recreational activities at the Really Living Centre, which offered games such as basketball, table tennis, and more.

A Time for Planning and Action

Pastor Malik Smith and his praise and worship team have set the tone for each morning devotional. With everyone singing, it prepared them to hear God’s message. On Tuesday, September 23, Michelle Richards-Mignott, the teaching principal of the Ottawa Adventist School, highlighted the importance of Christian education in growing the church. She concluded with an appeal to “keep our lamps trimmed and burning, and ensure our children’s lamps are filled too.”

After the presentations on retirement and health benefits by Marilyn Pazitka and Jeremy O’Dell of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, the conference administrators provided important updates, including information about the 2026 camp meeting. Pastor Emile Maxi, Vice President for Administration, announced that the 2026 camp meetings will be held regionally. This decision was made due to the high costs associated with hosting the annual camp meeting at the International Centre. The Board of Directors approved this plan as a form of strategic financial stewardship, specifically to invest in developing existing camps for regional events. In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the region will be divided into three areas, each of which will hold its camp meeting at Camp New Lowell.

Virene Meikle, the Vice President for Finance, provided a brief financial report highlighting the evidence of God’s blessings and the faithfulness of His people in Ontario. Next was Pastor Bibulović, who strongly urged all workers to prioritize discipleship in their planning. Citing the Church Manual, he said, "Making disciples… is not optional; it is the essence of our last-day commission as Seventh-day Adventists." He also pointed out that the Ontario Conference is going to be a disciple-making conference.

Pastor Mansfield Edwards shared upcoming plans for churches near indigenous reserves to engage in Indigenous Ministry. These plans include distributing the book “Moccasin Trail to Heaven” in a manner similar to Amazon, as well as donating clothing. Additionally, skilled plumbers are being sought to support infrastructure work in Sioux Lookout, located in Northwestern Ontario.

As part of the Pentecost 2025 and Beyond initiative, approximately 500 individuals had been baptized by September 15, according to Pastor Sereivudh Ly, Director of Church Growth and Church Planting. While this milestone is encouraging, the mission is far from complete. There is a continued call to engage every member as one of God’s Ambassadors. Pastors are especially urged to equip and train their congregations in Total Member Involvement, ensuring that all believers are actively participating in the mission of the church.

The 2025 Workers’ Meeting concluded with a powerful and heartfelt charge from Pastor Jakov Bibulović. Drawing inspiration from Aquila and Priscilla—who faithfully mentored Apollos (Acts 18:26)—he urged every worker to become a disciple-maker, empowered by the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit still brings change in how we preach, teach, and live,” he affirmed. Pastor Bibulović closed with a stirring quote:

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”

It was truly a workers' meeting to remember—not for the elegance of the venue or the quality of the presentations, but for the powerful reminder that Pentecost can be just as real today as it was in the past. And because of that, we can preach it, teach it, and live it—all for the glory of God!

Pastor Edwin Martin

Director, Communications and Media Ministry