Dear Willowdale Family,
Recently I realized that I have now been privileged to pastor here at Willowdale for more than one hundred and twenty weeks—about two years and four months. Time passes quickly! That milestone reminded me of Noah, who faithfully proclaimed God’s message for one hundred and twenty years, calling people to prepare for the coming flood. While I certainly do not plan to preach for the next one hundred and twenty years, I am deeply convinced that God has entrusted us, as a church family, with an urgent mission for this season of our life together.
Our mission statement – “Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known”—captures the very reason our congregation exists at 535 Finch Avenue West. These words are more than a slogan; they define our purpose. As followers of Christ, we are called not only to grow in a personal relationship with Jesus, but also to actively share the good news of His love, His salvation, and His soon return. Everything we do as a church must move us toward these two goals: knowing Jesus more deeply and helping others come to know Him as well.
On Sabbath, February 28 at Willowdale, we introduced something new during both Sabbath School and the Divine Service. Under the theme “Sabbath School Alive” meeting “The Great Belong,” the focus was to strengthen our sense of mission and belonging as a church family. This initiative was prayerfully considered and supported by the pastoral team, the Board of Elders, the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department, and the Church Board. Throughout the process, we carefully listened to feedback and sought God’s guidance, trusting that He was leading us forward.
I am grateful for the support shown by many in our church family. At the same time, I sense that God is calling us to move more intentionally toward our mission to reach the lost. Mission is not optional for the believer; it is a natural result of experiencing the transforming grace of Christ. As we are reminded in Christ’s Object Lessons, “We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity. There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless and useless life. It is not possible for us to drift into heaven” (p. 279).
When we truly understand and embrace the gift of salvation, our hearts are moved to share it. The born-again believer naturally becomes both a follower and a missionary for Jesus.
My prayer is that the Willowdale congregation will fully embrace the mission God has entrusted to us—being empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit. May we grow together in knowing Jesus and, with renewed passion, make Jesus known in our community and beyond.
Maranatha,
Pastor Glenn DeSilva