WELCOME MESSAGE FROM DAVID WELLS, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT

“Beyond the Impossible!”

On behalf of the General Executive and my fellow Executive Officers, I welcome you to this unique General Conference as we meet online for a special business session on Thursday, April 21 online, and in a hybrid fashion on May 16 to 18, 2022, including onsite at Calvary Temple in Winnipeg, Man. We are very grateful for the sacrificial preparation and warm welcome offered by Superintendent Andrew Porterfield and our Manitoba/Northwest Ontario District, along with Pastor Bruce Martin, Jared Clarke and the team at Calvary Temple. Collaborating with our office working groups, they have made it possible to host a hybrid conference, including business sessions, which will allow us to care for the needed elections and resolutions. Some have been in process for four years.

My roots are on the Prairies. Prairie communities and people, including the original (Indigenous) peoples, and those who settled through the waves of migration over the years, have historically demonstrated a heartiness and hospitality in places that many would deem inhospitable due to their climate. Live in a land that can get as cold as -30, -40, or even -50 degrees Celsius and still find places that can be warm and hospitable? Come on, that seems impossible! But as cities like Winnipeg and communities spread across our host district testify, no—it is not.

In the face of challenging—even, at times, seemingly impossible—realities, our Lord promises to do above and beyond through us as we focus on His priorities:

• The Great Command, marked by spiritual renewal rooted in love for God, loving unity within God’s family, and love for neighbours.
• The Great Requirement, where justice, mercy and humility are expressed in every dimension of our lives, individually and corporately.
• The Great Commission, evidenced by a vital, multiplying, disciple-making movement, both in Canada and globally.

Through this conference, whether experienced onsite or online, we are believing that the Lord will impact us Spirit to spirit, heart to heart, and mind to mind in a way that will lead us to believe and act in a manner which demonstrates that nothing God calls us to do is impossible. To build warm, hospitable community on the prairies is impressive, but to build the kingdom of God in 2022 and beyond really does call us to partner with a miracle-working God.

Together at General Conference 2022, let us covenant to go “Beyond the Impossible” and experience all that God envisions for us.

Your brother in Jesus,

David Wells
General Superintendent of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM ANDREW PORTERFIELD, MANITOBA AND NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

Welcome to General Conference 2022, our first hybrid conference titled “Beyond the Impossible.” The Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario District is delighted to host you in Winnipeg and online. We look forward to being with those of you who can attend in person, and hope that you enjoy your time in Winnipeg. For those of you joining us online, we look forward to interacting electronically.

Winnipeg has a rich history as a central point in Canada. Situated at the meeting point of the Forks of the Red, Assiniboine and Seine River systems, our city’s story is of the meeting of people groups for trade and relationship building. Our welcome event is being held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights situated at the historic Forks. The museum is a spectacular facility with several galleries powerfully telling the stories of human rights events from many places, with particular attention paid to Canadian realities. As part of the event, you will enjoy touring some of the Museum. We have negotiated a discount so that you may return on a subsequent day and fully tour the Museum.

Conference sessions will be held at Calvary Temple. Calvary Temple is a keystone church in our Fellowship, having served the city for over 100 years. We are appreciative of Pastor Bruce Martin and the pastoral, technical, administrative and building teams who are so helpful in making General Conference happen.

I personally am very thankful that our General Officers have chosen to have as part of this conference a focus on the three greats: the Great Command, the Great Requirement and the Great Commission. These themes have always inspired my Christian life and continue to challenge me to be more like Jesus.

If you can schedule a day or two extra in Winnipeg, you will have opportunity to appreciate many cultural opportunities (art galleries, etc.), world class fishing on the Red River, a drive to see some of Canada’s largest and most innovative farms, beautiful beaches on Lake Winnipeg, and even a visit to beautiful Whiteshell Provincial Park. Kenora, Ontario, situated on the lovely Lake of the Woods, is just a two-hour drive away. You might even want to spend an evening at our beautiful ballpark and watch a Goldeyes game.

Jo-Ann and I, along with our District Officers Vern and Heidi Kratz, Dan and Nadine Murphy, and District Executive and administrative staff, are looking forward to hosting the Fellowship family. Please let us know if there are particular ways in which we can serve you as we enjoy General Conference together. May the Lord bless us as we seek Him together at General Conference 2022. Beyond the Impossible.

Looking forward to being together.

Andrew Porterfield