Author: ptrouborst

Summary of Stated Meeting: February 27, 2026

The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada was held at Grace Toronto Church, Ontario.

In attendance were 27 teaching elders, 19 ruling elders, and 7 candidates.

The Moderator, TE Lyndon Jost, called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM, and the Presbytery worshiped together with the Moderator presiding. The Moderator read from Luke 7:36-48 and shared a devotion.

Actions of the Presbytery*

– The Presbytery directed the Admin Committee to survey session clerks in order to determine what supports would aid session clerks in their work.

– The Presbytery authorized TE Ben Jolliffe to plan a retreat for wives of pastors to coincide with the Presbytery meeting in June 2026.

– The Presbytery approved Mr. Josiah Ling’s examination for ordination as Assistant Pastor at Christ Church Toronto and scheduled his ordination date for May 3, 2026.

– The Presbytery approved Rev. Agus Sadewa’s examination, transferring his credentials from the Indonesian Reformed Evangelical Church in Toronto to the Eastern Canada Presbytery, and approved the letter calling Rev. Agus Sadewa to serve as Pastor of the Indonesian Reformed Evangelical Church in Toronto.

– The Presbytery approved the Guide to the Complaint Process, presented by the Committee on Constitutional Business, and instructed the Admin Committee to add this to the list of resources on the ECP website.
The Presbytery also requested Sessions to identify church members who would be willing to serve in the role of counsel, representative or advocate for others.

– The Presbytery directed the Fraternal Relations and Christian Education committee to present a proposal at the next stated meeting for the Presbytery to make a commitment to formally support the Reformed House of Studies as an affiliate ministry.

– The Presbytery appointed commissioners to attend the 53rd General Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky.

– The Presbytery heard Ms. Saralyn Tyler’s report on the Eastern Canada Presbytery Children’s Ministry Network.

– The Presbytery approved the responses of five church Sessions to exceptions found in their records for 2024-2025.

– The next stated meeting of Presbytery was set for Friday, June 5, 2026, at Christ Church Toronto.

*not all actions of the presbytery are listed here for the sake of confidentiality

The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada was held at Christ Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In attendance were 22 teaching elders, 14 ruling elders, and 1 candidate.

The Moderator, TE Frank Garcia, called the meeting to order at 10:03 AM, and the Presbytery worshiped together with the Moderator presiding. The Moderator read from John 6:60-65 and shared a devotion.

Actions of the Presbytery*

– The Presbytery approved the letter calling TE Jim Poopalapillai to serve as Pastor of Bedford Presbyterian Church.

– The Presbytery designated TE Glenn Davis as honorably retired.

– The Presbytery increased the Stated Clerk stipend for 2026 by 2%, and directed the Administrative Committee to do an audit and review of hours involved for the Stated Clerk stipend and confirm the stipend is suitable.

– The Presbytery set the “partnership shares” (the contribution to the administrative fund from each particular church of the Eastern Canada Presbytery) at $35 per member or $30 per average adult attendee, whichever more fairly represents the congregation, with all receipts to be allocated as to $10/member or $8/average adult attendee to the Administrative Fund and $25/member or $22/average adult attendee to the Church Planting Fund.

– The Presbytery approved the disbursement of USD 500 from the Administrative Fund to the local Host Committee for the 53rd General Assembly.

– The Presbytery approved organizing a Diaconal Ministries Mini-Conference, to coincide with the Presbytery meeting in February 2026, and approved to financially support this conference with up to $2,500.

– The Presbytery accepted the petition from The Vine Presbyterian Church to organize, and approved the letter calling TE Kiernan Stringer as Senior Pastor, and the letter calling TE Jeffrey Hynds as Associate Pastor.

– The Presbytery encouraged TE Lyndon Jost to pursue conversations with like minded Korean churches who may be interested in joining the PCA.

– In his report on the work of the MNA committee, TE Ben Jolliffe featured two more priority cities for church planting: St John (NB) and Oshawa (ON).

– The Moderator invited TE Bill Radford to address the Presbytery, as it was his last Presbytery meeting before his resignation at the end of 2025.

– The Presbytery voted on 13 amendments to the BCO.

– TE Lyndon Jost was elected as the Presbytery Moderator for 2026. The Presbytery also elected new members to serve on the Presbytery committees.

– The next stated meeting of Presbytery was set for Friday, February 27, 2026, at Grace Toronto Church.

*not all actions of the presbytery are listed here for the sake of confidentiality

The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada was held at Christ Church, Toronto, Ontario.

In attendance were 25 teaching elders, 16 ruling elders, and 7 candidates.

The Moderator, TE Frank Garcia, called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM, and the Presbytery worshipped together with the Moderator presiding. The Moderator read from Exodus 32:25-29 and shared a devotion.

Actions of the Presbytery*

– The Stated Clerk informed the Presbytery that the church formerly known as “Grace West Mission Church” changed its name to The Vine Presbyterian Church on January 1, 2025.

– The Presbytery approved an amendment of Standing Rule 15, adding to the responsibilities of the Committee on Constitutional Business to prepare a briefing on proposed amendments to the Book of Church Order.

– The Presbytery marked TE Luke Bert on its roll as without call following his termination of employment with SEMBEQ.

– The Presbytery approved the letter calling TE Kevin Rogers to preach the Word of God outside the bounds of our Presbytery.

– The Presbytery authorized the Treasurer to spend up to $4,000 in order to incorporate the Presbytery of Eastern Canada.

– The Presbytery approved Mr. Kevin deJonge’s examination for ordination as Assistant Pastor at Grace Valley Dundas and scheduled his ordination date for July 27, 2025.

– The Presbytery approved Mr. Jim Poopalapillai’s examination for ordination as Assistant Pastor at Resurrection Church, Ottawa and scheduled his ordination date for June 15, 2025.

– The Presbytery approved the letter from the MNA committee calling TE Kingsley Lai to plant a church in Windsor, Ontario.

– In his report on the work of the MNA committee, TE Ben Jolliffe featured another priority city for planting: Montreal, Quebec.

– The Presbytery instructed the Committee on Constitutional Business to create a comprehensible step by step guide for member complaints.

– The Presbytery approved Mr. Charles Baik’s examination to come under care as a candidate for the gospel ministry.

– The next stated meeting of Presbytery was set for Friday, October 24, 2025, at Christ Church, Halifax.

*not all actions of the presbytery are listed here for the sake of confidentiality

The following prayer guides were presented at the February 28, 2025 Presbytery meeting by the MNA committee:
Prayer guides Sudbury and Charlottetown

The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada was held at Grace Toronto Church, Ontario.

In attendance were 26 teaching elders, 17 ruling elders, and 6 candidates.

The Moderator, TE Frank Garcia, called the meeting to order at 10:06 AM, and the Presbytery worshipped together with the Moderator presiding. The Moderator read from 1 John 2:1-2 and shared a devotion.

Actions of the Presbytery*

– The Presbytery approved three letters submitted by the congregation of Grace Toronto Church, calling TE Joe Choi, TE Tarak George and TE Kingsley Lai to serve as Associate Pastors of Grace Toronto Church.

– The Presbytery readjusted the allocation of the receipts of the “partnership shares”: 28% of the receipts to the Administrative Fund and 72% of the receipts to the Church Planting Fund.

– The Presbytery approved Mr. Simon Mischuk’s examination to come under care as a candidate for the gospel ministry.

– The Presbytery approved Mr. Kenneth Dam’s examination to come under care as a candidate for the gospel ministry.

– The Presbytery approved Rev. Daniel Kim’s examination, transferring his credentials from the Presbyterian Church in Korea to the Eastern Canada Presbytery, and approved the letter from the Session of New City Newmarket, calling Rev. Daniel Kim to serve as Assistant Pastor.

– In his report on the work of the MNA committee, TE Ben Jolliffe featured two cities for potential church planting: Sudbury, ON, and Charlottetown, PEI.

– The Presbytery approved a motion that the Candidates and Credentials Committee be instructed to hear the sermon preached as part of their examination procedures for licensure.

– The Presbytery approved the responses of four church Sessions to exceptions found in their records for 2023-2024.

– The Presbytery reviewed and approved draft responses to the GA concerning the exceptions from the minutes of 2023-2024.

– The Presbytery voted on proposed amendments to the Book of Church Order, sent down to all Presbyteries for voting by the 51th General Assembly.

– The Presbytery appointed commissioners to attend the 52nd General Assembly in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

– The next stated meeting of Presbytery was set for Friday, June 6, 2025, at Christ Church, Toronto.

*not all actions of the presbytery are listed here for the sake of confidentiality

The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada was held at Bedford Presbyterian Church, Nova Scotia.

In attendance were 27 teaching elders, 14 ruling elders, and 4 candidates.

The Moderator, TE Michael Chhangur, called the meeting to order at 10:04 AM, and the Presbytery worshipped together with the Moderator presiding. The Moderator read from Ephesians 2 and shared a devotion.

Actions of the Presbytery*

– The Presbytery merged the Maritimes C&C sub-committee and the Ontario and Quebec C&C sub-committee into one Candidates and Credentials committee.

– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Sherman Wong’s examination for ordination as Assistant Pastor at New City Church, Toronto.

– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Daniel Lee’s examination, licensing him to preach the gospel within the bounds of the Presbytery.

– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Jim Poopalapillai’s examination, licensing him to preach the gospel within the bounds of the Presbytery.

– Rev. David Chung and Rev. Charles Cook (Presbyterian Church of Canada) addressed the Presbytery and shared the situation of their congregations, which are seeking to withdraw from the Presbyterian Church of Canada.

– TE Ben Jolliffe presented the MNA Committee vision to double our Presbytery in size over the next ten years through church planting in each province in Eastern Canada.

– Rev. Randal Lankheet addressed the Presbytery on the need for a church plant in Mississauga.

– The Presbytery received reports from two mission churches: Grace Gatineau Mission Church and Grace West Mission Church.

– TE Lyndon Jost gave a report on the Reformed House of Studies at Wycliffe College.

– The Presbytery set the Stated Clerk stipend for 2025 at $8,400.

– The Presbytery set the “partnership shares” (the contribution to the administrative fund from each particular church of the Eastern Canada Presbytery) at $35 per member or $30 per average adult attendee, whichever more fairly represents the congregation, with all receipts to be allocated as to $10/member or $8/average adult attendee to the Administrative Fund and $25/member or $22/average adult attendee to the Church Planting Fund.

– The Administrative Committee presented their report containing the review of all session minutes from 2024. Sessions were directed to consider the exceptions noted and to bring a response to the Presbytery meeting in February 2025.

– TE Frank Garcia was elected as the Presbytery Moderator for 2025.

– The next stated meeting of Presbytery was set for Friday, February 28, 2025, at a location to be determined.

*not all actions of the presbytery are listed here for the sake of confidentiality

The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada was held at Calvin Christian Reformed Church (hosted by Resurrection Church Ottawa).

In attendance were 22 teaching elders, 11 ruling elders, and 6 candidates.

The Moderator, TE Michael Chhangur, called the meeting to order at 10:03 AM, and the Presbytery worshipped together with the Moderator presiding. The Moderator read 1 Peter 1:1-12 and led a meditation on the passage.

Actions of the Presbytery*

– The Presbytery approved a letter submitted by the congregation of Christ Church Toronto, calling TE Lyndon Jost to serve as Associate Pastor of Christ Church Toronto.

– The Presbytery approved a letter to government officials of Canada to petition them to protect the lives and welfare of minor children from the practice of surgical and medical gender reassignment.

– The Presbytery reviewed the year-to-date financial statements. A motion was passed to disburse an additional $500 USD to the 51st GA Host Committee.

– The Presbytery, via its Commission, judged that the session of a member church erred in how they handled the allegations against the Christian character of a member of their church.

– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Josiah Ling’s examination, licensing him to preach the gospel within the bounds of the Presbytery.

– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Kevin deJonge’s examination, licensing him to preach the gospel within the bounds of the Presbytery.

– The Presbytery approved a petition to establish Sojourn Community Church in Stoney Creek, Ontario, with TE Phil Tadros providing pastoral ministry.

– The Presbytery authorized the Candidates and Credentials Committee, under TE Gene Haas, to act as a Commission to examine Rev. Rick Barnes for licensure, and directed the Commission to present its minutes for review at the October stated meeting.

– TE Lyndon Jost gave a report on the Reformed House of Studies at Wycliffe College.

– The next stated meeting of Presbytery was set for Friday, October 25, 2024, at Bedford Presbyterian Church (Nova Scotia).

*not all actions of the presbytery are listed here for the sake of confidentiality

The stated clerk received the following communication from the PCA Committee on Discipleship Ministries about the help that the PCA NextGen Ministry can provide to equip student leaders that want to reach Middle and High School students for Christ:
PCA NextGen Ministry

The stated clerk received the following job description for an Associate Pastor of Family Ministry & Outreach from a sister church in Waukesha County, just west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
Job Description and Information

The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada was held at Grace Toronto Church.

In attendance were 19 teaching elders, 18 ruling elders, and 7 candidates.

The Moderator, TE Mike Chhangur, called the meeting to order at 10:06 AM, and the Presbytery worshipped together with the Moderator presiding. The Moderator read the letter of Paul to Titus from beginning to end.

Actions of the Presbytery*

– The Presbytery created a new committee, named the “Nominations Committee,” with the mandate to a) maintain the list of all committee members, b) review committee membership rosters to take inventory of experience, skills, and diversity, c) recommend to Presbytery appropriate candidates for officers, committee members, and General Assembly commissioners, d) recommend to Presbytery any improvements to the process for recruitment, nominations, and elections.

– In the communications report, the Stated Clerk reported receiving notice that a ruling elder from Resurrection Church (Ottawa, ON) had been deposed from office. In addition, the Stated Clerk presented the minutes from a congregational meeting of Sovereign Grace Church (River Denys, NS), in which the congregation voted to withdraw from the Presbytery of Eastern Canada.

– The Presbytery approved a letter submitted by the congregation of New City Church (Hamilton, ON), calling TE Moses Lee to serve as their    new Senior Pastor. The date for TE Lee’s installation was set for March 24, 2024.

– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Rex Law’s examination to come under care as a candidate for the gospel ministry.

– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Stephen Ahn’s examination for ordination.

– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Mark Hordyk’s examination for ordination.

– The Presbytery received reports from two mission churches: Grace Toronto Japanese Mission and Christ Church Halifax.

– It is the duty of the Presbytery to conduct an annual review of all minutes and records for every church session. Accordingly, the Presbytery reviewed the responses of six church Sessions to exceptions found in their records for 2022-2023.

– Each year the Presbytery submits all minutes and records to the General Assembly for review, and the Presbytery receives notice of exceptions flagged by GA. Accordingly, the Presbytery reviewed and approved draft responses to GA concerning the exceptions from the minutes of 2022.

– The Presbytery voted on proposed amendments to the Book of Church Order, sent down to all Presbyteries for voting by the 50th General Assembly.

– The Presbytery appointed commissioners to attend the 51st General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia.

– The next stated meeting of Presbytery was set for May 31 – June 1, 2024 in Ottawa.

*not all actions of the Presbytery are listed here for the sake of confidentiality