Long-range Vision
Vision
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In thinking ahead we have agreed on a philosophy of growth. We have seen OTH
prosper in the environment of a growing congregation -- now congregations --
largely in a metropolitan setting. And we believe this has been advantageous
to the recruiting as well as the training of men. Our commitment at this
juncture is to keep on in this manner, focusing on men, and not emphasize seeking
them from other places essentially to “get more men.” Our vision would rather be
to multiply theological training locations in those population centers where churches
will eventually be established. In other words, OTH provides training for those in
eastern Ontario. With God’s blessing, we can pray and plan for the day when the
church in Toronto will be established and a center for training pastors can emerge
there as well. We believe this vision can be reproduced in cities across Canada so
that where our churches are established, there we will seek to train other men for
pastoral ministry. And the key to that vision is to train our present men to be
trainers of men within their congregations.
Therefore, we continue to ask God to raise up men for pastoral ministry where-ever we have congregations. We do not seek to see OTH take on large “institutional” proportions, but maintain its ability to see men of excellence trained for pastoral work. And that training will be maintained within the context of established, growing churches. Such is our vision for growth: multiply men in those environments where God is establishing new congregations and, as God permits, train future pastors there. |