A Greenhouse for Central Canada

 Regions - FEB CENTRAL logo

 

 

 



The FEB Central Region (Ontario and English-speaking Quebec) is comprised of 270 churches reaching across a rural and urban span to a wide range of cultural backgrounds. This Region is in the process of implementing its new ministry plan adopted in 2010—to deliver resources to its churches that reflect the core values of Leadership Development, Church Planting and Church Health.

Exciting Strategic Changes

Along with having a new Regional director, FEB Central has already seen exciting, strategic changes. Here are just a few.

  • An aggressive Church Planting goal of seven new church plants per year - Tom Haines, the Church Planting Director, lives and breathes church planting. He reports that FEB Central has 13 churches three years old or younger. We’re thrilled to partner with associations like the Waterloo-Wellington Association and with churches like Forward Baptist Church in Cambridge, who recently have taken up the bold initiative to plant two daughter churches this year. James Bast (from Bethel, Fergus and Grand River Community, Elora ) will be planting in the Willow area of Guelph. Derik Fuller (from Faith, Oakville) will be planting in the Doon area of Kitchener.
  • An intensive Church Planting Greenhouse – In June, FEB Central Church Planting offered a brand new condensed boot-camp environment for new church planters called Church Planting Greenhouse.  Led by Tom Haines, new and potential church planters were exposed to intense training that moved them from the birth of a dream through the necessary components that would see that dream launched as a healthy church plant. Commenting on the Greenhouse, one participant said, “It transformed my thinking about church planting.”
  • The addition of a new Leadership Development Director – Godfrey Thorogood began this past fall. He is passionate about internships, leadership and equipping opportunities. Godfrey also coordinates our profiles and transitions resource and is a great complement to the team.
  • A new partnership with Heritage College and Seminary – We praise God for this deepened relationship. We are committed to affirming Heritage as our central pastor/leader training centre. Our pastors and local churches are key in providing guided ministry experience through full-time internships. Already for next spring, Heritage will be hosting our Regional Conference and The Gospel Coalition Conference! Also, plans are well underway to move our Regional office, which is currently up for sale, into the facilities of the school.
  • A recruitment of District Shepherds – Our desire is to find and release experienced pastors who can serve as area bishops and share the responsibility for care and church health. The Toronto Association (52 churches) has already approved ‘in principle’ this position, and Pastor Jack Hannah (Westney Heights) is another individual planning to serve in this capacity this fall.

Seeing God at Work

Of course, there’s no greater encouragement than to hear and see God at work first hand. Recently, FEB Central was involved in two powerful events.

Our Women’s Ministries Institute (Judy Cairns) graduated 13 women from their nine-month discipleship course. The lessons that the Lord has taught these women and the spiritual equipping they have received for the journey ahead will enrich our churches. Their minds have been renewed and lives have been transformed.

Our Jr. High Splashdown (Brian Simcoe, FebYouth) held at Bingaman’s Park in Kitchener, had over 500 in attendance. Herbie Kuhn, the voice of the Raptors, spoke. Twenty-five students professed faith in Jesus Christ! Again, we are moved by this display of the grace of God. We praise the Lord for the spiritual fruit that comes through our youth ministry.

The Challenges Ahead

The greatest challenges we have in our Region are fostering an ‘inter-dependent’ spirit among our churches and financially supporting this new ministry vision. We have introduced a suggested 3% of each church’s budget to go toward the Region’s support. Our board will be exploring other models of stewardship.

We Appreciate your Prayers

  • For the sale of our office and a smooth transition into Heritage,
  • For churches (currently 29) searching for a lead pastor,
  • and For the financial support of our Region.  

We find strength in the reality that our God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Eph. 3:20).

 

About Bob Flemming

People - Flemming, BobAlthough born in Montreal, his formative years were spent at Willowdale Baptist in Toronto. The combination of godly parents (Agnes and Ted) and pastors like Gord Stevens and Barry Duguid, resulted in an affirmation to serve the Lord vocationally.

He graduated from Central Baptist Seminary (now Heritage) and his wife Rhonda is from Calvary Baptist in Oshawa, ON. Before his transition to FEB Central, he pastored Springvale Baptist in Stouffville, ON, for 28 wonderful years.  Bob says, “Truly, God has used our Fellowship, in countless ways, to win and disciple me for Christ – what a privilege to serve in this capacity!”