“We are re-enacting what our forefathers did.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Even with Canada Day behind us, the Church is actively celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary; and more than that the Church is rallying in cries for God to send revival.

On July 16, Ottawa’s International Pastors and Leaders Forum (IPLF) brought together an estimated 2,500 people for a three-hour worship celebration on Parliament Hill. The group reflected on Canada’s Christian heritage, noting the scripture engraved on Parliament.

“If our forefathers dedicated this nation to God many years ago, we’ve seen the benefit of that,” explains IPLF member Joseph Kiirya. “We’ve seen Canada rise up as a great nation in diplomacy, in immigration, and economically. We felt the best way to participate [in the 150 festivities] was to give thanks to God for keeping Canada over the last 150 years and to give thanks for Canada being a country that receives people from all parts of the world.”

The event, which was opened by Ottawa’s deputy mayor, reflected that diversity with African and Filipino choirs from IPLF-member churches. It also included immigrant speakers praying over Canada’s future, and that Canada would serve God.

A worship team with members from several IPLF churches celebrates Canada’s Christian heritage. Photo from Facebook.

“Unfortunately, today [Canada’s Christian heritage] is being lost and beginning to disappear,” says Kiirya. “We need to do our part, right now, and dedicate this nation to God for the next 150 years. We are re-enacting and reaffirming what our forefathers did.”

Kiirya says about 60 local churches were represented at the event, including many that are not part of the IPLF. Because of the response, he says, they plan to repeat the event next year on the first Sunday after Canada Day.

In the meantime, another local group is traveling by train across Canada, holding services in every province and praying that God would set Canada back on track with His plan.

Led by local pastor Mark Redner, the group is holding services in Gatineau, on July 25 and 26, and in Ottawa, on July 27 and 28.

“We are believing for a fresh move of God across our nation; for awakening and a harvest of souls into the kingdom of God,” Redner states. “Fifty years ago there was a theme that was slapped on our centennial: ‘Man and his world.’ We really want to see Christ and His kingdom in this season.”

“This is a time to regain the promises of God for Canada.”

Redner believes this is an important time because 150 years represents a triple Jubilee in the Bible.

“A jubilee is a time of cancelling debt and restoring lost inheritances,” he says. “We’ve fallen asleep and allowed Canada to get derailed from God’s purposes, but this is a time to regain the promises of God for Canada.”

Redner underscores that Christians are not meant to complain when their nation goes astray. He believes the Church needs to stand together and pursue the promises of God.

“We are challenging the people that all the words God has spoken over Canada are contingent on whether we will grab a hold of them and stand up.”

“We are seeing pastors who weren’t talking to each other now hugging each other.”

A key issue the On Track services address is Christian unity. In each meeting they have a corporate time of forgiving anyone who has hurt them and praying for reconciliation. It has led to some powerful restorations.

“We are seeing pastors who weren’t talking to each other for four years, now hugging each other at the meeting, and pastors apologizing to each other and seeing healing.”

Redner says groups have been inspired to continue meeting and praying together on a weekly or monthly basis to build unity.

“We need to come together and get past our differences. This isn’t about one denomination or one church; this is about one heart. This is about laying down our agendas for His agenda. If we all carry the heart of the Father, together, for the nation of Canada, we will be one.”

To find upcoming service times visit On Track or the IPLF websites.