Why seven churches will take Communion together this New Year

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Christians rightly put great emphasis on Christmas, but a growing community of Ottawa churches join together to praise God as the new year begins. Far more than another New Year’s Eve party, they see the Cross-over Prayer Vigil as an important witness to the city.

“This is something that most pastors immigrating here from Africa and developing countries are used to,” says Joseph Kiirya, Pastor of River Jordan Ministries. “They have large gatherings at the end of the year to cross into the new year in prayer. Part of the motivation behind this is that, traditionally, witches, wizards, and witchdoctors take advantage of the 31st to do voodoo in a lot of these countries.”

While the occult is much less prevalent in Canada, Kiirya says ethnic congregations have carried on the tradition and even expanded it here in Ottawa.

“Our particular interest is not just a tradition from back home. Our vision is to see this develop into a larger movement where the Body of Christ comes together in the city. I think it is a good witness when our neighbours and communities know that we came out to pray for them.”

Believers from different congregations, denominations, and cultures praise God together for His work over the past year. Photo courtesy of River Jordan Ministries.

On December 31, seven churches are gathering at Living Praise Ministries, in Nepean, to thank God for how He has worked in 2017 and to pray for His blessing over the year to come. The service starts at 10 p.m. with worship, testimonies of how God has moved, and thanksgiving prayers. At midnight, the gathering dedicates the coming year and celebrates Holy Communion as the united Body of Christ.

Kiirya says sharing Communion is an outward declaration that the congregations “are going to be together and have the presence of Christ with us through the new year. It starts us off well, in unity, praying into our ministries and the city. It’s a good feeling and I think it is a good witness.”

The service officially closes at 1 a.m., but whoever wants to can stay and share a full meal together, at no cost. Kiirya says the fellowship often lasts into the early hours of morning.

Although the tradition began among the ethnic pastors, it has grown to include other congregations.

“Ultimately Christ’s prayer is that we be one.”

“Ultimately Christ’s prayer is that we be one,” says Mark Redner. “[The Cross-over vigil] not only is bridging denominational lines, but cultural lines, as well. I think it is so important because the divides exist and they shouldn’t. I’m just happy to be part of embracing one another and celebrating each other, not just in word, but in action.”

Redner pastors The Oasis and last year brought his congregation all the way from Kinburn.

“It has challenged me as a fellow minister, the significance of crossing over together and doing that as a community,” he says.

“I pray this vision can capture the hearts of many pastors and ministries in town,” says Kiirya. “It’s a big thing when we are part of the wider Body of Christ.”