Ontario Students Answer Love’s Call
Attendees of the 2026 ACF Institute Canada gathered on the Halifax Pier after completing outreach.
Adventist Christian Fellowship Institute Canada (ACFI Canada) brought students from across Canada to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a meaningful week of worship, fellowship, learning, and service. Centred around the theme “Here to Serve, Sent by Love,” the institute encouraged students to deepen their faith and reminded them of the calling God has placed on their lives as student leaders on their campuses.
Ontario native, Pastor Benjamin Feagan, led the daily morning plenaries and shared powerful messages focused on apologetics, faith, and discipleship. Throughout the week, he reminded students that truth is not dead and that faith still stands firm, even in a world filled with doubt and skepticism. His sessions challenged students to think deeply about their beliefs and equipped them with practical ways to “bridge the gap” while ministering to people from different religious backgrounds and Bible skeptics. His messages were honest, relevant, and encouraging, leaving many students inspired to stand confidently in their faith.
Pastor Carl Cunningham, ACFI Canada 2026 Keynote.
The daily evening plenary sessions were anchored by Pastor Carl Cunningham, associate chaplain at Burman Universiry, where he led studies throughout the book of Luke in messages such as “Help Is on the Way,” “By Any Means Necessary,” “If You See Something, Say Something,” “No Place Like Home,” “Use What You Got,” and “Pressed for Purpose.”
Ontario sent a delegation of 35 passionate and dynamic student leaders to take part in the institute experience. They were affirmed in the plenary sessions of whose they are through God’s faithfulness, and the importance of remaining committed to the mission God has called them to on their public campuses.
Veronica Leterov sharing smiles and hugs during the ACFI Canada 2026 outreach on the Halifax Pier.
It is no small feat, as the public campus is the largest unentered mission field within the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Hosting approximately 22 million students from across North America and around the world, it is a monumental task to live for Jesus in an environment for both scepticism and intrigue exist simultaneously.
Throughout the week, students attended workshops covering a wide range of topics related to leadership, ministry, and spiritual growth. Sessions focused on biblical leadership, becoming a centre of influence on campus, developing vision-oriented ministry, spiritual gifts and roles-based leadership, restoring hope through literacy, avoiding burnout, intentional ministry planning, and living a student life grounded in prayer.
Facilitators including Pastor Cyrill Millet III, Pastor Leah Jordache, Natasha Nithiarajan, Pastor Teddy Bagassien, Gladys S. Guerrero, and Vennassa Roper-Cunningham provided students with practical tools and meaningful conversations that they could bring back to their local ACF chapters.
Tyson McGann holding a ‘Free Hugs’ sign in Halifax.
On day 2, ACF chapters had the opportunity to apply for the Winifred-Stevens Foundation grant that, if approved, would support ministry initiatives on their campuses. This gave students the chance to dream big about new ways to reach their schools and communities through service and outreach.
Ontario ACF chapters at University of Windsor, McMaster University, University of Ottawa, and York University took part alongside 13 other ACF chapters across Canada in applying for the grant. Sincere thanks and appreciation were expressed to the Winifred-Stevens Foundation for their willingness to invest in student-led ministry and support young people who are passionate about sharing God’s love on their campuses.
A memorable moment of the week was day 3, when students went out into the Halifax community to live out the Institute theme, “Here to Serve, Sent by Love.” Students shared God’s love in simple but meaningful ways by singing, offering free prayer, giving compliments, and sharing hugs with members of the community. It was a beautiful reminder that ministry does not always require a stage; sometimes it is simply sharing kindness, compassion, and being present for others. Simon Msaigwa, President of the ACF chapter at Laurentian University in Sudbury shares,
“It was a great reminder that everyone needs love; we can be the people sharing love with those in need on our campuses!”
After divine service on Sabbath, students took part in a prayer walk around the university campus, praying over the school, the students, and future ministry opportunities. It was a special moment of reflection as students came together in prayer and worship. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m so glad I came,” remarks Mercy Ebifegha, member of the ACF chapter at York University.
Beyond the plenaries and workshops, one of the biggest blessings of the week was the opportunity for students to connect and fellowship with one another. Students from Ontario were able to build friendships not only within their own conference, but also with students from British Columbia, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Manitoba/Saskatchewan.
Students offering a hug to a tourist on the Halifax Pier.
Whether during meals, worship services, late-night conversations and games, or moments of laughter throughout the week, students were reminded that they are part of a larger community of young people across Canada who are passionate about serving God. Expressing immense joy, Mercy Ebifegha shares,
“This event reminded me that we are not alone because there are hundreds of students across Canada doing the same work on their campuses. We have each other for support.”
At the end of the week, we did the ACF Ontario tradition of exchanging “warm fuzzies,” which are heartfelt notes of encouragement written to one another.
As ACFI Canada 2026 came to an end, many students left Halifax feeling spiritually refreshed, encouraged, and inspired by the calling, that they are on their campuses, sent by love, there to serve, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, they may reach the campus, and change the world for Christ’s kingdom!
Adventist Christian Fellowship is the official public campus ministries department of the Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with 17 chapters covering 43 public college and university campuses across Ontario. Visit acfontario.ca if you, or someone you know, is interested in joining a chapter on their campus, supporting this ministry, or learning more about the work our students do on campus.