Spring Presbytery Report
Summer 2023
Since the very early days of the Free Presbyterian witness in North America, ministers and elders have gathered for seasons of prayer. Technology has allowed for new opportunities as we now meet for prayer monthly via Zoom. While we value these occasions, we understand it is a privilege and a blessing to meet together in person. That privilege was enjoyed as ministers, elders, and their wives gathered in Toronto Free Presbyterian Church for the spring week of prayer and presbytery meeting, May 8–12, 2023.
I imagine that over the years there has been a consistency in the matters raised in prayer. There is the continual burden for the Lord to revive His church and to save souls. But prayers are also made for the Lord to extend the boundaries of the work, for the Lord to raise men for the preaching of the gospel and for the Lord to place men in the places of His choosing.
During the presbytery business there were several tangible expressions of answered prayer. Two men were examined and licensed to preach the gospel under the auspices of the Free Presbyterian Church of North America. Rev. Richard Craig has been laboring as pastor in Little London, Jamaica. At the same time, he has been taking a course of study assigned through Geneva Reformed Seminary. Having completed that course, he was duly licensed. Rev. Frank D’Addurno has completed his training in GRS and an internship with Toronto FPC. He has indicated his sense of the Lord’s call in his life to take on the work of ministry in Fredericton, New Brunswick and was licensed to that end. These men are answers to the prayers of previous years. There was also time to reflect on the call of Rev. Andrew Fitton to take on the pastorate of Cloverdale FPC. Lord willing, in a future issue of Current, he will share the wonderful providence of God in leading him to accept that call.
At the other end of ministerial training is Mr. Daniel Sima’an, a member of Toronto FPC. Daniel was accepted under care of presbytery for training. Again, we acknowledge the Lord of the harvest answering prayer and calling another laborer.
There was also an encouraging development in the work in Cordoba, Mexico. The Coram Deo church is pastored by Rev. Lalo Peña. The church petitioned presbytery to become a constituted church of the FPCNA. That petition was granted and the constitution service, along with Rev. Peña’s ordination, is scheduled for early July 2023.
Of note, Rev. Geoff Banister’s term as moderator came to an end. He has served with wisdom and dignity and members of presbytery expressed appreciation for his work over the past two years. Rev. Larry Saunders was elected as the new moderator and Rev. John Wagner as the deputy moderator.
The Lord’s blessing was known throughout the week. Those who preached did so with clarity and authority. The presence of two delegates from the Ulster presbytery, Revs. John Greer and John Armstrong was a great encouragement. The ladies also conveyed knowing help from the Lord during their seasons of prayer.
I cannot complete this report without acknowledging the tremendous hospitality provided by the Toronto church family. Delicious food was in constant supply and there were sweet times of fellowship around the table. Some men were not able to join in person and their absence was noted. They were able to take part in the meetings via Zoom and hopefully more can gather together when presbytery is next convened in Winston-Salem in October 2023.
Rev. Stephen Pollock | Clerk of Presbytery