Contragious Excitement on the East Coast

 

 

 

 

Atlantic Canada has a population of 2.5 million people with an average age of almost 43, the highest in Canada and the highest percentage of people over 65 in Canada. Half of the population lives in the 15 cities and large towns (over 16,000) spread throughout the region. The region could be considered churched but not evangelized.

The region is economically stable, has a sizable percentage of the workforce in seasonal markets, a good percentage of small businesses combined with a few large industries and a solid military presence. As in other parts of Canada, the cities are experiencing a more rapid population growth, to the detriment of smaller communities further from the urban centres.

The congregations that comprise Fellowship Atlantic have a unique strategic opportunity to reach the communities of Atlantic Canada with the Gospel of the Living Christ. It is unique because we are geographically based here—this is our primary mission field. It is strategic because we have networks to assist one another and because many of us have spent our lifetimes here—we recognize the cultural roots in our areas. We have an opportunity because we have the mandate and the power we need to do it.

Enthusiasm for Church Planting

There is a renewed interest of late by existing congregations to reach into nearby communities that don't yet have a vibrant evangelical witness, with intentional small groups or discussions about planting daughter works. These discussions and plans generate enthusiasm within these congregations as they pursue the mission to which God has called us—to go and make more disciples.

• In Halifax, NS, a ministry intern is employed to research two other nearby communities to assess the need, openness, potential partners and core area for near-term future church plants.
• In Sydney, Cape Breton, a congregation is seriously discussing near-term future planting activity in a nearby community.
• In Sackville, NB, a team has begun children's ministry in a nearby community with hopes of broader ministry in the near future.

 

Anticipation of God’s Blessing

What is most exciting to me in our Region is this thrill of seeing what God is doing and the sense of anticipation of what God will do—not that something is about to happen elsewhere, but what God is doing and will do here, among us! There is a contagious excitement about hearing a pastor describe the transformation of a life, a family, forever because a Mom or Dad, wife or husband encountered Jesus Christ. The spark ripples throughout the home, congregation and community as a result.

Please join with us in prayer for a move of the Spirit of God in this Region. Thank God with us for what he will accomplish.

 

About Glenn Goode

Glenn trusted Jesus as his Saviour as an eight year old boy in Chateauguay, QC, during a Vacation Bible School. Glenn says, “God used circumstances and a few key people over my teenage years to reveal more of the depth of his love given and sacrifice made so that I could be rescued, really live, and then live eternally. I yielded my life to serve Jesus at age 19 and am thankful for his patience in my continued slowness to translate knowledge of his mission and character into action and obedience.”

Glenn became the Regional Director of Fellowship Atlantic four years ago. He serves on a part-time basis and runs his own electrical engineering technology consulting company. Previously, he served 10 years as an Administrative Pastor at StoneRidge Fellowship in Lower Sackville, NS.  Glenn resides in Bedford, NS, with his wife Holly and four children, Erika (22), Rachel (20), Jacob (15) and Micah (13). Glenn and Holly celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this August.