Category: Pressing Forward

Encouragement and counsel to spur each other on towards love and good deeds.

As 2025 ends, we want to pause and say thank you.

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

Thank you. Because of your prayers, generosity, and faithful support, this year has been one of meaningful impact, and powerful reminders that God is always at work; often through willing hands like yours.

Throughout the year, MCF focused on serving people, strengthening community, and sharing hope in practical ways. We’ve seen lives encouraged, needs met, and faith strengthened. Each activity, large or small, reflected our shared commitment to love God and serve others well.

We were saddened by the retirement of our President, Colonel (R) G. Potter but are blessed to have had his faithfulness and leadership keep us on the mission to bring the Gospel to the military community and their families. We are also especially grateful for the volunteers and leaders who gave their time and energy, often behind the scenes. Their faithfulness made moment of ministry possible. We also celebrate the partnerships we’ve built this year, allowing us to extend our reach and serve more effectively together.

Most of all, we’ve been reminded that impact isn’t measured only in numbers, but in stories; stories of hope restored, burdens shared, and people reminded they are not alone. These moments are the true highlights of our year. 

As we look ahead to the coming year, we do so with expectation and trust. We believe God has even more in store, and we are excited to continue this journey with you. Thank you for standing with MCF and helping make this work possible.

May the close of this year bring rest, gratitude, and renewed joy as we prepare for all that lies ahead.

With sincere thanks,The Executive of the Military Christian Fellowship of Canada

Veterans’ Tribute Luncheon

Posted on By MCF Office Manager

Ottawa Innercity Ministries (OIM) is holding its annual Veterans’ Tribute Luncheon on 31 October

at the Delta Hotel City Centre to honour our nation’s heroes and support the Innercity Veterans Outreach and Support (IVOS) program. 

This event is a great way to show your gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country, but circumstances have resulted in their being precariously housed or homeless. By attending, you’ll help OIM continue its mission of supporting at-risk and homeless Veterans in Ottawa. Your presence makes a real difference, directly funding essential services like our weekly drop-in, providing emergency support, and offering a sense of community to those for whom isolation and loneliness have become the norm. 

What to Expect at the Veterans’ Tribute Luncheon 

We’ve planned an inspiring and meaningful event. Here’s what you can look forward to: 

  • A Beautiful Venue:         We’ll gather at the stunning Delta Hotel. 
  • An address by:                The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans’ Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
  • An Inspiring Keynote:    The Honorable Doctor Andrew Leslie, Lieutenant General (Retired). 
  • A Catered Lunch:            Enjoy a delicious hot buffet lunch prepared by the Delta’s in-house caterer. We’ll also provide a separate and equally delicious meal for those with dietary restrictions. 
  • Learn About our Veterans Program: Discover more about our Innercity Veterans Outreach and Support (IVOS) program. This Ottawa-based initiative provides crucial assistance to Veterans from all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. You’ll learn how our dedicated staff and volunteers work to offer immediate support, including finding housing, providing a sense of community and a consistent, compassionate connection. 
  • A Moment of Remembrance: We will pay tribute to fallen soldiers with the playing of The Last Post and a moment of silence. 

Your Impact 

Your presence and generosity at the Veterans’ Tribute Luncheon will directly empower the veterans in our IVOS program. The funds we raise are vital for providing the resources they need, whether it’s a warm meal, crucial supplies, or simply the chance to find camaraderie in a safe and welcoming space. 

Event Details 

  • Date: October 31, 2025 
  • Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 
  • Location: Delta Hotel City Centre (101 Lyon St N.) 
  • Tickets: $60

Get Your Tickets Today!  OIM’s Veterans Tribute Luncheon – Canadahelps

Tickets are limited, so please secure your spot today to make sure you don’t miss out. 

Even if you can’t join us, you can still make a difference! Your donation can sponsor a Veteran, allowing them to attend this special event in your place.  For every $60 you donate, you’ll be giving a Veteran in need the opportunity to experience this wonderful lunch.

Thank you to our sponsors! 

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Willis College for being this year’s main sponsor. I also want to thank, the Commissionaires (Gold Level sponsor)  Ntangled State, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, and Space Strategy Consulting Ltd. for their sponsorship. Their support plays a pivotal role in helping make this event a success.  

Gerry Potter

Colonel (Retired)

Executive Director

What’s coming in the Greater Toronto Area

Posted on By MCF Office Manager

What: “Christianity Explored” – a video series and guided discussion through the Gospel of Mark, to explore the foundations of the Christian faith.  Christianity Explored

When: 1900-2100hrs (EST), Thursdays (Weekly, 2 October to 27 November 2025)

Where: Online! (Zoom). At least once during the course there will be a chance to meet for a meal and in-person discussion for those residing in the Greater Toronto Area.

Who: We are extending our invite out to all members of the military community. Active members (RegF/ResF/Public Servants) and spouses are welcomed to attend. 

Register Now!

Connect with Kevin at Secretary@themcf.ca on or before the deadline (25 September 2025).

Join us Online for the 2025 MCF Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Posted on By MCF Office Manager

We’re excited to invite you,  to this year’s AGM, which will once again be held online via Zoom—allowing us to connect without the need for travel.

Over the past few years, Zoom has proven to be an effective and reliable platform for engaging with our members across the country, and we look forward to using it again this year.

🗓 Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
📍 Location: Online via Zoom

To ensure a smooth experience, please register by 4:00 PM EST on Monday, August 11 by contacting our office administrator, Nicole. Zoom connection details will be emailed to all registered participants on Monday evening.

✅ Important:
Please make sure we have your correct email address so you can receive the Zoom link and join us without issues.

🙏 We hope that members and supporters of the MCF from coast to coast will be able to join us, regardless of time zone.

Voting Eligibility:
Only registered MCF members are eligible to vote during the AGM. However, everyone is welcome to attend. If you’re unsure of your membership status, please contact the office to confirm.

Your participation is deeply appreciated and plays a vital role in shaping the future of our community.

📢 More information will be shared in the coming weeks.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”

Blessings to you all. We look forward to gathering with you at the MCF AGM on August 12, 2025.

Prayer Team

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

Ecclesiastes 4:12 “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three stands will not be easily broken.”

We are recruiting front-line prayer warriors to fight against evil and the evil one. We seek believers to join us and pray for our serving and retired military members and their families. The only prerequisites are that you believe God hears our prayers and that you have prayed. Will you consider joining our team? 

What can be expected? The MCF prayer coordinator will send topics to pray about weekly. As requests come in, they will be shared with this team. The team will also connect on Zoom and pray on the first Sunday evening of each month. 

If interested, send your name and best email address (preferably not work email) to our MCF office at mcfoffice@themcf.ca. Shortly thereafter, the prayer coordinator will contact you. 

Our community needs prayer, and you can make a difference. 

Great Canadian Giving Challenge

Posted on By MCF Office Manager

We sincerely thank everyone who has partnered with us in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.  

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This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Great Canadian Giving Challenge*, and it’s bigger and better than ever! For every donation of $10 or more to any charity via CanadaHelps.org in June, you get one entry to win incredible adventure-themed prizes. CanadaHelps will also be awarding two prizes of $10,000 donations to two charities!

The Military Christian Fellowship of Canada is supported through people like you. Would you consider a one-time gift this June? Your support and prayers are invaluable in our mission to touch lives and share the love of Jesus.

Deployed-Podcast – “DP1”.

Posted on By MCF Office Manager

“Discussing faith, family, and work life as a Christian.” 

Allow me to introduce myself, Rick Campbell, pastor of Deployed Church, an online ministry of Oromocto Baptist Church.  This online ministry provides audio podcast for you to listen to at your convenience and encourage you in your faith.
 
The aim of these podcasts is to discuss faith, family, and work life as a Christian who is currently active or retired from the military.
 
The goal of these podcasts is to pass on the experiences of Christian military members and retirees to other members, their families and to the broader church family.
 
The topics we discuss are faith, family, and work. The experiences shared in these podcasts, will uplift, and strengthen you in your walk with Christ.
 
Recording are done in audio and then posted to the podcast platforms. (DP1 Deployed Podcast). Guests have the option of not using their name or using initials or a first name.

Do not hesitate to provide us with feedback or if you have any questions or comments about the podcast you can contact us at the MCF office

In Christ,
Rick Campbell
DP1 Deployed 

How should Christians in the CAF respond to and influence the cultural change that is reaching every aspect of our institution?

Posted on By MCF Office Manager

On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, join the discussion led by panel members who have, like all of us, found themselves facing the inevitable tension between recent cultural change initiatives and their faith in Jesus Christ.

Can we serve without compromising our faith? Can we truly love our non-Christian comrades? Is there still a place for Christians in the CAF?

There are no easy answers, but as Christians we know that where we need to look is to God and his word, as a community. This discussion will provide a chance to listen and ask questions as we all seek to serve faithfully.

To make the discussion available across the country, there will be 2 sessions on 6 Feb, the first from 1900-2030 EST followed by 1900-2030 MST. Feel free to join whichever one works best with your schedule.

The panel will be hosted by the Military Christian Fellowship and open to all members of the military Christian community who are asking these kinds of questions. It will be live on Discord.

Please contact the event coordinator, Andrew Haves through the MCF office for more information and to receive the link to Discord.

Coming March 2024

Posted on By MCF Office Manager

Again this year we will meet without having to physically travel to a specific location for our AGM. As we did in the past few years, we will be using the teleconferencing application called “ZOOM”. We have had great success with this application for connecting with our members and supporters.

Please contact our office for more details.

Only members of the Military Christian Fellowship of Canada will be given the right to vote at the AGM.

Stand-To!

Posted on By MCF President

Military Basic Training was a culture shock. Before, I was a student at university working part-time as a janitor in a seniors’ residence in Wolfville, NS. After two years, I had run out of funds and decided to apply to the military; after all, my dad was a former military pilot, and my brother was a serving aeronautical engineer.
 
Going on exercise was part of Basic Training, as it is part of the military experience in general. Part of the military exercise was a routine called “Stand-to.” The practice of “Stand-to” was a hold-over from WWI when at just before dawn and shortly after dusk, soldiers would stand by their trench with their weapons loaded and ready to fire in the event of an enemy attack, which routinely came at just before dawn or just after dusk. It was part of being ready.

Several months ago, I was on a course led by Dr. Steve Brown, which was entitled “Jesus Centred.” The course was named after the book that Dr. Brown wrote. To me, the book’s gist was about being ready to share and live the gospel in a non-permissive environment. A vital element of the course was focused on Luke 10:2
 
Dr. Brown emphasized that the number of “harvesters” was diminishing in Canada. I note that local churches and mission agencies are echoing the same message… Gospel messengers are fewer and fewer, and this is when the spread of secularism is increasing. Generally, the Canadian population, including the military community, has little to no information about who Jesus is or the opportunity for eternal life that is available only through Him. 
 
I shared with Dr. Brown the ministry of the MCF and our mission to bring the gospel to the military community. He was intrigued and asked how it was going. “Not very well,” I responded. Dr. Brown reminded me of Luke 10:2 when Jesus was sending out missionaries and explaining to them the dilemma that many were ready to hear the gospel, but there were too few messengers. Jesus’ solution was to pray for an increase in labourers. Dr. Brown told me he had set the alarm on his phone for 10:02 am every day when he prayed for labourers. This resonated with me, so I set the alarm on my phone for 10:02 am daily. I pray for three things:

  1. Lord, please spread Your gospel throughout the military community.
  2. Lord, please use the MCF as an instrument of your messaging.
  3. Lord, please use me as one of your harvesters.

This prayer takes me about one minute. 
 
Can you imagine if you were to join me at the same time and pray the same thing every day? Can you imagine if five, or 10 or 50 or 100 of us pray the same thing every day at the same time? I think that God would be moved to answer our requests.
 
Would you join me at 10:02 am every day to “Stand-to” and pray for these three requests? 
 
Are you with me?
 
Gerry Potter
Colonel (Ret’d)
President