The Canadian Baptist journey in mission over 150 years is a testament of partnership and mutual support. Since 1874, Canadian Baptists have worked together in Godโs mission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to a broken world. In response to His love and grace, we have sought to be a faithful presence and witness to hope and healing through word and deed.
We invite you to journey with us as we embark on the next 150 years. Here, weโll examine each monthโs inspired words with insights that will take you further into our shared Baptist identity. Through podcasts, articles, resources, and more, weโll dive deep into what has shaped us in our mission as Canadian Baptists.
These reflections from 14 thought-leaders around the world, who have accompanied us along the journey, can be incorporated into devotions, church services, or prayer and discussions. You can share your own thoughts using our interactive tools as we Reflect Light on our past and explore all the possibilities of our future as Christ leads us.
CBMโs commitment to theological depth, moral vision, and thoughtfulness is a defining characteristic of our organization. We strive to captivate and inspire people as we incorporate this into everything we do. We seek to provide a theologically rich foundation for our efforts, particularly as we tackle issues and challenges of our modern society. As we continue on this path, we cherish the key themes that define our organization and strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Joy
Coming DECEMBER 2024
Transformation
Coming JANUARY 2025
Milestones in Mission
Travel through the history of our collective Canadian Baptist story.
#caba150
We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences as we celebrate 150 years together. You can contribute to the dialogue by using #caba150 on social media as well as follow along our historic journey here at CABA150.ca for more resources, events, and speakers.
Our partners at the Soura Baptist Church share their greetings and well wishes for our 150th anniversary!
#CABA150
Our partner Clark Theological College in India has joined the chorus of our special #CABA150 song, Be the Church, Sent Out!
In case you havenโt heard, itโs our 150th anniversary. Yours and mine, all of us as a Canadian Baptist family are celebrating this milestone of when the first Canadians missionaries were appointed to serve in India in 1874. This marks the beginning of Canadian Baptists serving together in global mission.
What a gift to be able to celebrate these special moments. We first give thanks to God for his faithful provision over a century and a half.
I hope as we celebrate this anniversary, we will remember that despite the disorienting times we find ourselves living now in Canada, with issues dividing us as believers, we will keep our eyes on Godโs mission, which is still the same as it was 150 years ago. He continues to use his gift to the world, the local church, to be his hands and feet and voice. As Canadian Baptists we continue to have the privilege of being a small part of his greater plan for all people to know and experience his love and redemption through our words and deeds.
So, for the next 150 years, letโs continue to have our eyes and hearts focused on his mission of restoring all things to himself as we together we seek to bring hope and healing through the good news of Jesus.
#CABA150 CBMin #TogetherInMission
Presence. Presence in the margins. Presence in the mainstream. Presence as comfort. Presence as challenge. Presence through weeping. Presence through anger. Presence in low places. Presence in high places. Presence everywhere. Presence as Jesus. The absence of absence.โ
โ
Learn how we, as the body of Christ, can emulate Christlike presence in this month`s #CABA150 blog.โ
โ
--โ
โ
Dr. Accad was born in Lebanon and lived through the 15 year-long civil war (1975-1990). He is a strong proponent of peacemaking and justice initiatives having spoken as a lecturer and organizational leader in these contexts including an online course with The Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. After completing his PhD at the University of Oxford, he returned to Lebanon in 2001. He is the Chief Academic Officer at ABTS and the Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at both ABTS and Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also the director of the Action Research Associates. He has published several works including articles and a book. As director of ABTSโ Institute of Middle East Studies in Lebanon, he noted that his life purpose is to โbring about positive transformation in thinking and practice between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East and beyond.โโ
Our partners at the Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda (AEBR) share their greetings and well wishes for our 150th anniversary!
#CABA150
Why does it seem that the poor are important to God? If Godโs mission is to save humanity by forgiving their sin and rebellion through Jesus Christ, why is there so much in the Bible about compassion and care of the poor, the broken, and those who live in the margins of society? โ
โ
Are they just ethical teachings and commands that should define society whenever possible, or is compassion fundamental to the Christian faith? Why is God so concerned about a broken world?โ
โ
Read more at the CABA150 blog (๐ in bio)
Canadian Baptists are BUILDERS! ๐จ
In August, we are exploring our legacy as builders throughout our 150-year history!
Dr. Gordon Heath takes us through some of CBMโs history as he examines what it means to be builders.
Early pioneers, like the Clarke sisters and Dr. R. Ben Gullison, established the ArogyaVaram Eye Hospital in India, transforming lives through medical care. From its inception in 1939, this hospital has restored sight to thousands, embodying a legacy of faith, service, and resilience.
Read the full blog at the link in our bio. ๐๐ฒ
#CABA150 #CBMin #TogetherInMission
Our partners in Rwanda have joined the chorus of our special #CABA150 song, Be the Church, Sent Out!
Why does it seem that the poor are important to God? If Godโs mission is to save humanity by forgiving their sin and rebellion through Jesus Christ, why is there so much in the Bible about compassion and care of the poor, the broken, and those who live in the margins of society? โ
โ
Are they just ethical teachings and commands that should define society whenever possible, or is compassion fundamental to the Christian faith? Why is God so concerned about a broken world?โ
โ
Read more at the CABA150 blog (๐ in bio)
Our partners at the African Christian Church & Schools (ACC&S) share their greetings and well wishes for our 150th anniversary!
#CABA150
This month, weโre celebrating 150 years by examining what it means to be BUILDERS ๐จ
Dr. Gordon L. Heath reflects on what it means to be builders by weaving together the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem with ArogyaVaram Eye Hospital in India.
Read or listen to the blog at the link in our bio ๐๐ฒ
#CABA150 #Builders #150Years #TogetherInMission
We had a fantastic time hosting a special #CABA150 lunch at Oasis this past weekend!
Chris Johnston, Regional Rep for Atlantic Canada shares: "Oasis was a great time to connect with partners from all over Atlantic Canada as we gathered to hear what God has been doing in our region. As Canadian Baptists celebrate 150 years together in mission, It was such an encouragement to be reminded of the breadth of Godโs people who unite around a common missionโto make His name known, in both Atlantic Canada and around the world!"
#TogetherInMission
Our partners in Togo have joined the chorus of our special #CABA150 song, Be the Church, Sent Out!
In todayโs Christian ministry landscape, partnership continues to be a โcallโ to offer hope to those engulfed in chaos, violence, injustice, and suffering.โ
โ
Meaningful partnerships occur when churches actively engage with these realities, rather than seek minimal participation with spotlight type rewards. โ
โ
It is easy to fall into superficial associations that are convenient and easy to access. These are often with entities that already have strong networks, resources, prominence, and existing capacity. โ
โ
True partnership is essential to people living in unsafe areas, difficult terrains, unhygienic conditions, and with limited resources, communication, and healthcare access. โ
โ
We must recall that Jesus was born into similar realities and uncertainties to dwell among the broken, transforming their lives.โ
โ
Read more at the CABA150 blog (๐ in bio)โ
โ
#CABA150 #Partnership #India #CBMin #150Years #BuildTheChurch #TogetherInMission #Church
First Cor 3:9 reads, โFor we are Godโs coworkers, working together; you are Godโs field, Godโs building.โโ
โ
Partnership is a topic of widespread interest across various aspects of life today. Within the context of Christianity, partnership finds its roots in the Greek noun, koinonia, often translated as โfellowshipโ but it also encompasses meanings of โparticipationโ or โpartnership.โ In Phil 1:5 (NRSV), Paul expresses gratitude to the congregation for their โpartnership in the gospelโ and in Phil 1:7 recognizes them as โpartners in Godโs grace.โ โ
โ
In contemporary Christian ministry, partnership typically involves a combination of local or denominational churches, church-based organizations, and NGOs connected to local churches. These partnerships aim to advance shared ministerial interests, goals, and priorities while building the Kingdom of God. Each partner plays distinct roles and functions, as beautifully articulated by Mother Teresa:โ
โ
โYou can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.โโ
โ
Keep reading at the CABA150 blog (๐ in bio)โ
โ
#CABA150 #Partnership #India #CBMin #150Years #BuildTheChurch #TogetherInMission #Church
Our partners in Nagaland, India have joined the chorus of our special #CABA150 song, Be the Church, Sent Out!
Our partners at FEBAC in South Sudan share their greetings and well wishes for our 150th anniversary!
#CABA150
Empowerment is more than a buzzwordโitโs about changing lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. From Jesusโ disciples to the inspiring work of William and Pearleen Oliver in Nova Scotia, true empowerment transforms individuals and communities. ๐ซถ
This month, Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins encourages us to continue challenging unjust systems, uplift marginalized voices, and live into the power God has given us.
Click the link in our bio to read the blog: ๐๐ฒ
#CABA150 #Empowerment #CABABlog #CBMin
Our partners at THIMAR in Lebanon have joined the chorus of our special #CABA150 song, Be the Church, Sent Out!
โWhen the Kingdom of God is present empowerment is for everybody.โ
This month on the #CABA150 blog, Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins shares stories of empowerment. She encourages us to continue challenging unjust systems, uplift marginalized voices, and live into the power God has given us.
Read or listen at the link ๐ in our bio.
CBMโs partners at the Baptist Church of Mizoram have joined the chorus of our special #CABA150 song, Be the Church, Sent Out!
General Secretary and CEO of the baptistworld Rev. Elijah Brown wishes CBM a happy 150th anniversary!
#CABA150
What does it mean to persevere? In the biblical context, the concept of perseverance is closely linked to the life of the Church and that of individual Christians facing all kinds of trials in their lives, as they witness to the coming of the Kingdom of God.โ
โ
This month, Rev. Dr. Kakule Molo, Honourary President of CBCA (DR Congo), encourages us to look to God as our source of strength through adversity, suffering, and uncertainty.โ
โ
Read more on the blog ๐๐ฒโ
โ
#CABA150 #Perseverance #TogetherInMission #CBMin
Our partners at Western Sumi Baptist Church Associations in India share their greetings and well wishes for our 150th anniversary!
#CABA150
