Friday, August 5 & Sabbath, August 6, 2022

Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is pleased to invite you to our virtual Together with God Camp Meeting. Running Friday evening, August 5, and all-day Sabbath, August 6, it will be a chance to reflect on the awesomeness of God, His goodness toward us and our calling as His followers. As before, there will be separate streams for adults, youth and young adults. Children’s programming will be incorporated into the adult stream.

We are looking forward to Spirit-filled messages from the following speakers:

• Adults, Friday evening and Sabbath morning—Dr. Sung Kwon, Director, Master of Arts Leadership in Social Innovation & Associate Professor of Leadership, Andrews University;
• Sabbath evening ordination—Pastor Calvin Watkins, Vice President, Regional Liaison/Evangelism, North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church;
• Teens—Pastor Vanessa Hairston, Worship Pastor, Miami Temple; and
• Young adults—Pastor Aaron Dyer, Worship Pastor, New Life Fellowship, Andrews University

Some camp meeting highlights will include:

• Engaging presentations focusing on the theme “Together with God”;
• Musical items from a broad spectrum of individual musicians and groups;
• Exciting mission updates from different parts of the Conference;
• In-person segments for youth and young adults, including in-person small group discussions in regions following a virtual Sabbath School program and Sabbath afternoon outreach;
• Worship and fellowship with your Ontario Conference family and others;
• An ordination service;
• Spanish, French and ASL interpretation;
• Call-in numbers and Zoom rooms for seniors;
• And much more!

All programming will be accessible via Adventistontario.org (Zoom and YouTube links). You may also stream adult plenaries at Youtube.com/Adventistontario, and programming for teens and young adults at Youtube.com/Adventistontario, Youtube.com/Adventistyouthontario and on Zoom.

Called to Sit at the Feet of Jesus

“The cause of Christ needs careful, energetic workers. There is a whole field for the Marthas, with their zeal in active religious work. But let them first sit with Mary at the feet of Jesus.”
Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages

The above Ellen White quote was prominent on a screen in the hallway at the Called Pastoral Families convention held from June 19-22 in Lexington, KY. It was a tangible reminder that in the hustle and bustle of life, we need to take time to be filled with the Word and presence of God. We may not all be called to pastoral ministry, but we are all called to “connect like Jesus.” And we will only be able to share God’s love if we know God for ourselves—an overarching theme of the convention.

Several Ontario Conference pastors and leaders were blessed to attend in person. As a first-time attendee, I had no idea what to expect, but I left home re-energized for ministry. Through various seminars, I learned more about taking advantage of the online space for evangelism. I was also challenged in a social justice session that, just like Jesus was concerned about alleviating the causes of people’s suffering, we should also be. Finally, I was moved by morning and evening worship sessions incorporating TED talk-style presentations, profound testimonies, a top-notch praise team comprised of NAD pastors, history nuggets about unsung Adventist heroes by the incomparable Dr. George Knight (professor emeritus, church history, Andrews University) and more!

But most importantly, I was reminded that we are not alone in ministry. We don’t serve a God that created us, then left us to figure things out ourselves. As we connect with Him, He gives us the strength and wisdom to navigate ministry in murky waters. And He offers us co-labourers around the world. Working together, uplifting each other, we can make a bigger impact until He comes again.

Christelle Agboka, Communications director