“It’s Time!” 

On behalf of the General Executive and my fellow Executive Officers, I welcome you to this first ever online General Conference. During this unprecedented season, let me express how grateful we are for the ways in which God is working through our Fellowship at this time of crisis—and great kingdom opportunity. “It’s Time” for the Spirit to lead us in fresh and creative ways to the future the Lord has for us.

We are so proud of our churches, ministries and leaders who have been showing great initiative and finding ways to communicate the good news of Jesus and be His caring hands and feet in these challenging times. We are so grateful for our global and Mission Canada workers, who are still serving Jesus faithfully, under sometimes great challenges.

Of note are the powerful prayer gatherings that have arisen during this season, called by local churches, districts, and even national and international movements. Many of us can testify of the encouragement we have received from participating in them. Thank God that, in a time of challenge, we have a Rock who is higher than us, and we can lean heavily on the Lord to continue to be at work in our lives, in our families, in our churches and ministries.

There is a lament in not being onsite in Halifax. There was this strong sense of the Lord’s guidance about how He was speaking to us, and the direction in which He’s been calling us. I will miss the opportunity to participate together face to face, having ears to hear what the Spirit would say.

Our Maritime District, Pastor Kevin Johnson, and his team had worked so hard to be prepared to welcome us. To those of you in the Maritimes, be assured that we love you and we continue to believe for great days in your provinces as you maintain your trust in the Lord for a great new day of vital churches, outreach and multiplication.

This online conference takes place on the 92nd anniversary of a key event in my family’s history. Ironically, it took place at Pier 21 in Halifax, N.S. On May 5, 1928, Jakob Thomsen-Dam and six members of the Nielsen family arrived on the “United States,” a Danish ship from the Scandinavian-American line. Landed immigrants from Denmark, they had decided it was time for a new season in their lives. Full of anticipation for the adventure that lay ahead of them, they boarded a CN train and headed for Western Canada. Early in 1930 Jakob married Marianne Nielsen in Dalum, Alberta. Their second daughter, my mother, Ruth Thomsen-Dam, was born in 1933. It has been my life-long joy to experience the family heritage established by these pioneers.

Similar to how my grandparents boldly launched into unchartered territory to create a new future, “It’s Time” for us as a Fellowship of churches, ministries and leaders to engage in fresh adventures of mission, rooted in lives of spirit and truth.

“It’s Time” – for missional fruitfulness—churches that are vital and creatively multiply.

“It’s Time” – for leadership that is spiritually alive and marked by integrity.

“It’s Time” – for truth-based ministries that make disciples.

“It’s Time” – to send called persons to Canada and the world in reimagined ways.

“It’s Time” – for the future, now—as we engage our shared challenge and commitment to make disciples and develop the leadership of children, youth, and young adults.

New days have a sense of continuity when combined with the knowledge, skills, and character of the past. My Bedstefar and Bedstemor brought all these to Canada and they contributed to the new life they enjoyed. But beyond what they had and knew, they chose to sacrificially move into the future that waited for them and those who would follow them. “It’s Time” for the Pentecostal family to boldly launch into the new adventures God has for us beyond 2020. What was considered “normal” does not exist any longer. In many ways, we come to our own Pier 21 with so much to be grateful for, but with so many new kingdom adventures to experience.

David Wells