I am writing to invite you to this year’s edition of the Toronto Pastors Conference. I am thrilled to announce that Pastor Mike Bullmore will be our keynote speaker.
I met Mike last year at the Fort William Summer Bible Conference. I had heard of my brother before, but had not had opportunity to benefit from his ministry. Yet, within minutes of hearing him I felt an immediate kinship. Here was a man who believed and taught on the centrality of the Gospel and had thought hard about how to flesh that out in our local churches. I was corrected, helped, encouraged and emboldened by his ministry and I wanted the same for you!
Mike is a pastor’s pastor. He has taught at the academy (chair of homiletics and pastoral theology at Trinity International University), planted a church (Crossway Community Church) and leads a lovely family (his wife, Bev and their three young adults: Abigail, Madeline and Graham).
When I asked last year’s keynote preacher, Mark Dever, to comment on Mike’s suitability to teach us, he wrote:
“Mike Bullmore is a pastor who has both been instrumental in beginning a new congregation, and has faithfully pastored a congregation for years. He's not only taught preaching in the classroom, but he's mentored young preachers and pastors for years. I'm excited that pastors in Toronto will get the opportunity to enjoy Mike's humble wisdom and his careful, encouraging preaching.”
I couldn’t agree more!
I am also happy to have two more friends join us this year: Dan MacDonald and Robbie Symons.
All of these men will be teaching us under the banner of “Gospel Connections: Keeping the Death and Resurrection of Jesus at the Centre of Everything.” Mike will challenge us to make the Gospel function as the centre of our lives, as well as considering how the Gospel engages three areas of our calling: our character, labour and hope.
Dan, a faithful, creative, God-centered and humble church-planter with the PCA is going to tackle the concept of communicating a contextualized Gospel without compromising its message. I love what Dan is doing down on Britain St. in Toronto and want us to be challenged to think carefully about how our methods preach.
Robbie comes to us from Harvest Oakville. Not only do I thank the Lord for this brother’s faithful teaching and leadership, but Robbie is also a man of unique humility. As a leader of the Harvest “movement” in Canada, he embodies his assigned topic: Gospel Advance. I have asked Robbie to be as practical as possible in giving us ideas on how to get our church preaching Jesus all week long.
This past year I have been reading of the life of Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Part way through one of those biographies I realized that this was a man in the grip of the Gospel. Thus, I am hoping to inspire us from his example of a Gospel-centered ministry.
Add to this excellent preaching all the food, books, free books, free CD’s, singing, fellowship and prayer and I am certain your investment of two days will bear much fruit.
You can register now and get the early-bird discount until the end of April ($110). After that, the prices go up. Last year we drew close to capacity and we expect the same this year, so I encourage you to get your name in quick. Full-time students can register for only $55.
As always, we try to turn no one away because of cost. If you or someone you know could use some financial aid, please contact us at [torontopastors@gmail.com] and we will do all we can to get them in.
Looking forward to seeing you!
