FiveKennys: A History Full of Hope in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Dartmouth one of Canada's oldest cities on the East coast.

This past weekend, Aaron spoke about the ministry of Canadian Baptists in Africa with congregations from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. We are grateful to the congregations of the Bethel Baptist and Stevens Road Baptist Churches for hosting these events.

On Sunday morning, as the congregation gathered at Stevens Road Baptist Church, I was struck by a sign painted at the front of the sanctuary "A History Full of Hope". As we have been talking about the hope of the church in Africa, it has been so rich to encounter the living hope of churches in Canada. Each congregation that we have connected with over the past three months has a unique story of how they are responding to the brokeness and needs of their communities with compassion and faith.

Dartmouth was settled in 1750, a year after neighbouring Halifax on the opposite side of the harbour. Baptist churches were first formed here 185 years ago. The Reverend Richard Preston, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1818 as a freed slave from Virginia, established the first black congregation in 1832. He would later form the African Baptist Association. Other baptist churches, such as First Baptist Dartmouth, were formed in 1843.

Each of these congregations gathered together with a common conviction that they, and their communities, would be a part of God's redemptive story. Together they have served both locally and globally as people of faith.

Canada is not free of the brokenness of poverty, conflict, or despair, but we are encouraged that across Canada congregations are moving out beyond the walls of their sanctuaries to bear witness to the hope of Christ in word and deed.

Aaron with Rev. John Smith and Rev. Vance Arbeau,

Bethel United Baptist Church, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Today, a vibrant community of churches make up the ecumenical people of Dartmouth. These churches are active in responding to the social and spiritual needs of their neighbours in tangible ways. From caring for shut-ins and the elderly to standing up for issues of social justice, churches are on the front line of bringing hope to the hopeless.

At the heart of the Gospel, we are called to approach the world of our time with hope. Ultimately, this is about responding to the unknown with faith rather than fear -- Holding in our hearts the transforming love and power of Christ.

Please use these links to learn more about the work of Canadian Baptist Ministries and the Canadian Baptist of Atlantic Canada.

Aaron with CBM alumni, Shirley Freckelton

It was a particular delight to meet, inperson, Shirley Freckelton. She had served with CBM for thirteen years in India, before she joined the first group of Canadian Baptist missionaries that came to work in Kenya with the African Christian Church and Schools throughout the 1970s. In Kenya, the legacy of Shirley's ministry continues to live on in the ACC&S Women in Action movement which she had given leadership.

Stevens Road Baptist Church

On Sunday morning, Aaron was hosted by Rev. Christopher Drew and the congregation of Stevens Road Baptist. It was exciting to see the diverse activities that the church is leading to bless the people of its community through intergenerational ministries.

Here are a few more pictures from this past weekend.