By Rev. Dale Rose, CBOQ President
As your incoming CBOQ President this year, it was a privilege for me to take part in our annual Assembly held at Brock University in St. Catherines from June 5-7. It seemed especially appropriate to be on a campus, considering our theme was “Sharpen Your Pencils,” based on Habakkuk 2:2: “Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.” During our time together, we saw a broad spectrum of the vision cast by our churches. They are each writing their own stories, and what amazing stories they tell!
I have served on the CBOQ board for eight years, and I have attended many assemblies. This one seemed the most fun and elicited great joy in my soul. It was wonderful to hear the buzz each day of our wider church family connecting with each other. We heard engaging stories from churches in our various associations: stories of co-vocational ministries where pastors work in both the church and community; lay preaching training opportunities; youth delegates who brought new life and energy to our gathering; members of our Quebec Association sharing about the unique aspects of ministry in that province. A meaningful moment for me was to hear a panel of young people talk about how they feel welcome and affirmed in their churches.
I don’t know if you ever look at the list of volunteers at the back of the Assembly business book. But it’s impressive. There were 236 volunteers in CBOQ last year. And that list doesn’t include everyone. If I were to sum up the 2025 Assembly in one word, it would be: “Amen!” Our worship team from Highland Baptist was outstanding. But at our Friday evening gathering, recordings of various choirs in our churches were shown, all singing the “Amen” choral benediction. It was the highlight for me. These were beautifully integrated by the worship team, and that moment was almost transcendent, and certainly holy. We truly felt the presence of Christ and his Spirit that night. It reminded us all of the apostle Paul’s words: “For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God.” I also say Amen and Amen.
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