Please note: these videos have been translated and dubbed with AI. We know that the translation is not perfect but we value accessibility and inclusion for our diverse body of churches.
Reference for the quoted Faith Today Article: Waking up to the pastor shortage
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Transcript:
Hey everyone — I’m giving you an update this month from a place that’s been really encouraging to my heart. Actually, just over the last 24 hours. I’m here at beautiful Barnabas Landing in British Columbia, wrapping up the culminating retreat for apprentices in the Church Hub pilot that we’ve been running the past 6 months across the country —
And I have to tell you, being in the room with these apprentices has been one of the highlights of my year. The hunger in the room is palpable. God is stirring people up all across Canada with a genuine desire to pursue him and his kingdom. And that’s not spin. I’m watching it happen in real time.
But first, I’m going to give you some context for why this matters to us so much. Rick Hiemstra and Faith Today would say that the attrition rate for pastors across Canada sits somewhere around just over 625 pastors per year — meaning that’s how many new leaders we need to develop just to break even. And when I talk with other evangelical denominations at educational institutions across Canada, we’re probably graduating — I recognize it’s somewhat subjective, but probably graduates somewhere around 300 leaders a year— conservatively. Maybe.
So the question I keep asking is — how does the Church in Canada survive if we’re losing leaders faster than we’re raising them up? Of course, the Lord is in control. That is our hope. He is our hope, and he is building his church. And that’s what I want to tell you. Something is happening!
And so this past year, we gathered 34 apprentices from across the country to journey together in relationship and in formation towards discerning God’s call and his formation towards vocational ministry into the years ahead.
And I have to be honest with you: heading into year two, we’re already feeling the weight of the incredible demand. The plan for the next year to grow from 34 to somewhere between 75 and 85 apprentices — from September 2026 through April 27th. But I want to share the trajectory of what it seems the Lord has us on: by this time next year, Lord willing, we’re looking at being around 150 apprentices. That’s a doubling again in two years time. It seems we are on a trajectory where we will have gone from 34 apprentices to over 150.
Friends, I want to say something carefully here — and I say it as much as a prayer request as anything else. We have thus far only presented are Called and Curious events to around 13 churches. Thirteen. Out of more than 400 churches across the country, let alone churches outside The Alliance that are also asking to participate with us. And their response has already pushed us on this trajectory to double. Likely, Lord willing, twice.
I’m praying about this. I’m sitting with it. but I want to share what I believe I’m sensing with you. I think the Lord may be inviting The Alliance Canada to be one of the primary movements on a trajectory to becoming the largest convener of those in pastoral formation across the entire country.
And I say that cautiously. and I say that humbly. But, I also say it because I think you need to be praying about this with me — together, we need to be joining together that God would continue to build and join and create this move of formation across our country — because if that’s where God is taking us, we want to be faithful to it.
Where we’re going requires all of us to be leaning in. The hunger is real. God is stirring people all across Canada with a genuine desire to to pursue him and his kingdom. And we barely knocked on the front door of our own churches yet.
So here’s what you need to know — if you or someone you know — is sensing that stirring is well: Very soon, our Alliance Canada website will be updated with full information on next year’s pathways. April 23rd, Chris Throness — our Director of Leader Formation — will host Zoom calls for churches and leaders and elders and apprentices who want to learn more. You can register for those calls on The Alliance Canada website. And on May 1st, Applications are going live and by the end of June they’re going to close.
But as you’ve already heard, the demand is large, so we’re gonna have more to share at Assembly. But if you’re sensing a nudge, a stirring, maybe even a call. Please check out the link on the website and pay attention to what Jesus is asking of you.
On another note, in just a few days, we’re launching a 42-day series on prayer as we lead up to our time together on General Assembly. You’ll find more information online. There’s going to be students, that are going to be help facilitating our times. And this is another way when we join together in corporate prayer, seeking Jesus and inviting him to lead and allowing us to respond to him as we gather and seek his face at General Assembly. So please take advantage of that as well.
Thirdly, registration for General Assembly is also still live, I think we’re at 6 to 700 already registered. There’s hundreds of students coming to the rally evening, so if you have not yet acknowledged and signed up your presence and your participation, please go to the website and do that. It’s going to be a great time together.
And now I want to share with you a story from the mission field specifically tied to Rock Point Alliance Church. And so I invite you to watch this with me.
Ngalik Bible Translation Video
Speaker 1 We never would have dreamed that this could be a part of our lives.
Speaker 1 Oh.
Speaker 1 The project started 60 years ago with Ed and Shirley Maxey. They were missionaries who went into Selima village in a remote region of Indonesia. The Maxeys learned their language and created a written form of it. They taught people literacy and began translating the Bible. It was very thrilling for Shirley to see them complete the New Testament, but she wasn't able to finish the Old Testament.
Speaker 1 The work was passed on to their son and daughter-in-law, Buzz and Myrna Maxey, who continued the translation. Altogether, the project took 60 years to complete, and we were able to be a part of that, which was a huge blessing.
We had been planning to spend time in Arizona working with Wycliffe Bible Translators, and then an email arrived from Myrna Maxey. She said she had been working alongside some national translators, and they had walked three or more days through the jungle to bring their translated work to her.
Speaker 1 They all sat on the kitchen floor and asked the question, “Who’s going to type this?” When I read that, something leaped in my heart. I wrote to Myrna right away and asked, “Could we type this here?” She responded immediately and said, “Absolutely—and let’s make it a whole church project.”
Speaker 1 In the bulletin, there was a mention of a possible project for keyboarders. I thought, this is something I can use my skill set for. At the time, I was working—but a couple of weeks later, I got laid off and went into early retirement. And I thought, “Do I get to do this?” Here we are on this side of the ocean, about to do something that will impact the other side of the ocean. I want to be a part of this.
As you can see behind me, there is a group of people busy typing. I’ve had the privilege of working with this great group and many others who have been actively participating in typing God’s Word in another language.
Speaker 2 Buzz and Myrna came to our church as a young married couple on their way to the mission field.
We’ve followed their ministry ever since. To now be involved in translating the Bible for the people they serve is pretty special.
Speaker 2 When I first started, I used my own computer at home for a while.
Speaker 3 Later, I was able to get ten computers free of charge from where I worked.
Speaker 1 Ray was our computer guy. Whenever we had technical issues, he was right there to help us.
We also wondered how we would get the material to us. As it turned out—just the way God works—a group of men from our church were going overseas. I found the leader and asked, “Would you be able to bring back a manuscript for us?”
Speaker 4 We didn’t realize what we were getting into. Buzz and Myrna had just built a new house in Papua and asked for help. They needed work done on their vehicle, which Hank handled since he’s a mechanic. They also needed a solar system.
Speaker 5 But by the end, we realized it was more than just a work trip—it was about bringing back original manuscripts of Scripture.
Speaker 4 These manuscripts were handwritten—about eight books of the Old Testament. It was a stack of paper this big and weighed over 40 pounds.
I felt it—it was an honor to be part of bringing back a portion of the Word of God. It was the most precious document I’ve ever handled.
Speaker 5 And when you think about the impact it would have later—it's incredible.
Speaker 1 We always started our day with prayer. That was important. We saw so many answers to prayer in the lives of those involved.
One memorable moment was Heather’s mom, who lived in a retirement center. She would pray all day on Mondays while we were working—praying for us, for one another, and for specific needs.
Speaker 3 That kind of community—it almost became like a small group.
Speaker 1 We had over 30 volunteers. God provided in every way, time and time again.
Speaker 7 The dedication of the Garlic Bible took place in two different locations. It was really the culmination of about 50 years of work.
Speaker 1 Watching the celebration and dedication service was very emotional.
Speaker 3 Heather and I wish we could have been there, but we weren’t able to go.
Speaker 1 When they brought out the boxes of Bibles, the people began wailing—a deep, guttural expression of joy. These Bibles will transcend generations, as they are read, shared, and passed on to children.
Speaker 7 Along the way, so much transformation happens. Even small portions of Scripture being translated and taught begin to change people. It shapes and transforms culture. It brings literacy.
The entire process brings both cultural and spiritual transformation—the holistic message of Jesus Christ.
Speaker 1 Missions is everywhere. There are many ways to be involved—starting with your local church.
Speaker 2 Many hands made this possible. I’m grateful to have been one of them.
Speaker 8 My gift is helping and serving. I’m not academic, but I like working with my hands.
Speaker 4 Finances can be an issue—but not for God.
Speaker 3 Take that first step. Go for it.
Speaker 1 God uses us no matter what. If you simply say, “I’m available,” He will open doors in amazing ways.
Speaker 2 Don’t count yourself out. Never say, “I couldn’t do it.” Many of us involved were retired.
Speaker 3 We’re still available.
You know, these days with the students here — many wrestling with the call to vocational ministry, others sensing God’s leading into the marketplace — we spent time in the story of Samuel. A young boy in the middle of the night hearing his name called. And Eli’s simple counsel: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:9)
And that phrase has stayed with me since we talked about it yesterday evening. Because wherever you find yourself today — it could be in difficulty and joy in the uncertainty of what comes next — I think that’s still the right posture for all of us, isn’t it? Not just these apprentices, not just our pastors. All of us.
And we are a people who are listening. And we are a people who respond to Jesus when he speaks — just like Eli’s instruction to Samuel. Our prayer would be corporately responding to Jesus when we would say, “Speak, Lord, your servants are listening.”
Have a great month everyone, and we’ll see you again very soon.