ANC Blog

Everywhere we look, creation declares the glory of God. From towering mountains to delicate wildflowers, from star-studded skies to the quiet rustle of leaves in the breeze, the world around us is a masterpiece that points to a Creator who delights in beauty, order, and life. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” When we pause to truly see creation, we’re reminded of His greatness, creativity, and love.

Too often, we rush through our days without noticing the wonders around us. We miss the sunrise painting the sky with colour, the songs of birds greeting the morning, or the intricate design of a snowflake. But when we slow down and open our eyes, we realize that God has given us countless reminders of His presence and power. Creation invites us to worship—not just in church, but in every moment we witness His handiwork.

The beauty of creation also speaks to our own worth. Jesus taught that if God cares for the lilies of the field and the sparrows in the air, how much more does He care for us (Matthew 6:2630)? Nature is a daily reminder that we are seen and loved by a God who sustains all things.

In a world where so much feels chaotic, creation offers a sense of peace and stability. The sun rises every morning. Seasons come and go in their appointed times. These rhythms whisper to our souls that God is in control and His faithfulness endures.

So take time to step outside, breathe deeply, and marvel at the beauty of creation. Let it draw your heart to the One who made it all. Whether it’s a walk in the forest, sitting by a lake, or watching the clouds drift by, allow God to speak through the wonders He’s made—and let your heart respond in gratitude and awe.

It’s easy to think that strength means having it all together—never doubting, never failing, never showing weakness. We admire those who seem confident and unshakeable, and we pressure ourselves to do the same. But life has a way of revealing just how fragile we really are. Whether it’s a sudden illness, a broken relationship, financial struggles, or overwhelming anxiety, we all come face-to-face with our own limitations.

The amazing truth, though, is that it’s often in those moments of weakness that God does His greatest work in us. The apostle Paul understood this deeply when he wrote, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Instead of hiding his struggles, Paul chose to boast about them, because he knew that when he was weak, God’s strength could shine all the more clearly.

Our culture tells us to hide our flaws, but God invites us to bring them into the light. He doesn’t expect us to pretend we’re strong; He wants us to lean on Him. When we acknowledge our weakness, we open ourselves to His power, and we experience a kind of strength that doesn’t depend on our abilities or circumstances.

Finding strength in weakness doesn’t mean we stop trying or give up on growth. It means recognizing we can’t do it alone—and we don’t have to. It means letting others support us when we struggle and letting God’s grace carry us when our own strength runs out.

So if you’re feeling weak today, remember that it’s not the end of the story. God isn’t disappointed in your struggles; He’s present with you in them. He can use what feels like your greatest weakness to display His greatest strength. And in relying on Him, you’ll find a peace and resilience that the world can’t offer, and a hope that goes beyond your own limitations.

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging things we’re ever asked to do. When someone hurts us deeply, the pain can feel like a wound that never quite heals, no matter how much time passes. It’s natural to feel anger or even hatred toward those who have wronged us, and letting go of those feelings can seem impossible. After all, doesn’t forgiving them mean they’re getting away with what they did? Doesn’t it minimize the harm they caused?

The truth is, forgiveness isn’t about excusing someone’s actions or pretending everything is fine. It’s not about forgetting the pain or acting like we were never hurt. Instead, forgiveness is a choice to release bitterness and refuse to let anger control our hearts and minds. It’s an act of strength, not weakness, and it frees us from the poison of resentment that can consume our lives if we let it.

Forgiveness is also rarely a onetime decision. For many of us, it’s a process we have to revisit over and over, especially when memories of the hurt resurface. Some days, we might feel like we’ve moved on, only to find ourselves overwhelmed by anger or sadness the next. That doesn’t mean we’re failing; it means we’re human. Forgiveness takes time, prayer, and often the help of trusted friends or counsellors.

What’s more, forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation. There are times when relationships can’t or shouldn’t be restored, especially when someone is unrepentant or unsafe. Even then, forgiveness is about freeing ourselves from carrying the weight of someone else’s actions.

As Christians, we’re called to forgive as we’ve been forgiven (Colossians 3:13). Jesus showed us the ultimate example of forgiveness on the cross. We don’t forgive because it’s easy, or because the other person deserves it, but because God first forgave us. And in choosing to forgive, we open our hearts to healing and peace that can only come from Him.

Two weekends ago, our church family experienced a day we will never forget—a day overflowing with hope, joy, and the unmistakable presence of God. At our Plunge Baptism Event, we witnessed over 65 people publicly declare their faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized into new life!

From the moment the first volunteer arrived early in the morning until the last piece of equipment was packed away, the entire day was a testament to the beauty of God’s people coming together with one heart and one mission.

A Community United

Our hearts are full of gratitude for the eight ministries that worked seamlessly side by side to make this event possible. Children’s, youth, worship, hospitality, pastoral care, outreach, facilities, and prayer ministries each played a vital role. Their collaboration showed the power of unity in the Body of Christ—every ministry contributed, and every person mattered.

The 100 incredible volunteers who gave their time and energy embodied the servant-hearted love of Jesus. Some helped set up chairs and baptism stations, others greeted guests with warm smiles, prayed with those taking this life-changing step, or prepared refreshments to keep everyone energized. Each volunteer’s faithfulness was woven into the fabric of this beautiful day.

Perfect Weather, Perfect Spirit

We prayed for good weather, and God provided! The skies were clear, the sun was bright, and a soft breeze brought comfort throughout the afternoon. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation, but also carried a deep sense of peace. Children got to make posters celebrating the baptisms led by Pastor Julia.

Stories That Inspire

Every baptism represented a unique story of God’s grace at work—stories of freedom from addiction, healing of relationships, finding hope after seasons of despair, or simply a growing desire to follow Jesus with wholehearted devotion. As each person stepped into the water, their friends and family cheered, clapped, and sometimes wept tears of joy. Testimonies were shared, songs of worship rose into the air, and faith was ignited in the hearts of many who watched.

One highlight was seeing entire families baptized together—parents and children stepping into the water hand in hand, proclaiming Jesus as Lord of their lives. Moments like these reminded us that God’s love extends to every generation.

The Power of Together

Perhaps the most powerful part of the day was watching people from every background—different ages, ethnicities, and walks of life—come together in unity. There was no distinction between volunteer and guest, young and old, new believer and seasoned follower. For a few hours, we were simply one family, worshiping one Saviour, sharing one incredible moment.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

We believe baptism is just the beginning of the journey, and we are committed to walking alongside each person who took this bold step of faith. Our church family is excited to support them through discipleship, community, and prayer in the days ahead.

Thank you to every ministry, volunteer, and attendee who made this day possible. Your prayers, hard work, and love created an environment where the Holy Spirit moved powerfully. We truly could not have done it without you.

Most importantly, we thank God for His faithfulness. What a joy to see lives transformed, hope renewed, and hearts awakened to the love of Christ!

Let’s continue to celebrate what God has done, and let’s look forward with expectation for what He will do next in our church and community.

If you’ve spent any time in the Christian world, you’ve probably noticed the lines.
Lines between Baptists and Pentecostals. Between Anglicans and Evangelicals. Between the “traditional” and the “modern.” Sometimes it’s subtle, and sometimes it’s a bit more loud—but the divisions are real.

And yet, as different as our styles, doctrines, and traditions may be, Jesus prayed one very specific prayer before going to the cross:

> “That they may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” – John 17:21

Unity wasn’t a side note to Jesus. It was His prayer. So why is unity between denominations so important, even when we don’t agree on everything?

1. Because the Gospel is Bigger Than Our Preferences

We all have preferences—how we like to worship, how long a sermon should be, whether we take communion weekly or monthly. But the heart of Christianity isn’t found in the small details. It’s in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Different denominations emphasize different things, but most agree on the essentials:

Jesus is Lord.
Salvation comes through grace.
Scripture is God’s Word.

When we let these truths unite us, we show the world a clearer picture of what really matters.

2. Because Division Weakens Our Witness

Nothing confuses the world more than a church that preaches love but lives in disunity.

When we criticize each other, when we build walls instead of bridges, when we treat other churches like rivals instead of family—we’re missing the point. Unity doesn’t mean pretending our differences don’t exist. It means loving and honoring one another despite them. And that kind of love? It’s compelling. It’s powerful. It’s exactly what the world is desperate to see.

3. Because We Need Each Other

One denomination may be rich in deep liturgy. Another might be known for passionate worship. Another for strong biblical teaching. Another for relentless outreach.

We were never meant to live out our faith in isolation from one another. The Body of Christ is made up of many parts. No one church or tradition reflects the fullness of who God is. But together? We begin to show a fuller picture of His glory.

4. Because Unity Is a Witness to Jesus

When Jesus prayed for His followers to be one, He gave a reason:

> “…so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)

Unity doesn’t just make life easier—it makes the gospel believable. A unified church becomes living proof of a living Savior. It says, “Look what Jesus can do—even with broken people who don’t always agree.”

Final Thoughts

Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. We’re not all called to be the same. But we are called to walk in love, to listen humbly, and to put Christ at the center.

Imagine what could happen if churches in every denomination began cheering each other on. If pastors prayed together more than they competed. If congregations saw their neighbors not as threats but as teammates in the same mission.

The world is watching. Let’s give them something beautiful to see.
Let’s show them Jesus—together.

When I first became an intern at All Nations church, when I was 19, one of my assignments was to read and memorize 10 scripture verses. I scoffed, trying to figure out the need for even memorizing Bible verses. But I tried, i did a little bit of work, and then the test came. I had maybe 2 down pat, and the rest were a little bit more rough. As I’ve gotten older though, I realized some of the wisest Christians I know have memorized piles of Scripture. So, I decided to ask some of them how they have memorized so many verses and I’ve put pieces of their advice below. But first, why should we be memorizing verses?

1. It changes how you think.
Romans 12:2 reminds us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Scripture gives us new patterns of thinking—truth to replace lies, hope to combat fear, and perspective when life feels overwhelming.

2. It strengthens you in moments of weakness.
Jesus quoted Scripture when He was tempted in the wilderness. Not a commentary. Not a podcast. Scripture. When you’re struggling with anxiety, temptation, doubt, or discouragement, having verses hidden in your heart becomes a powerful weapon.

3. It helps you encourage others.
There’s something meaningful about being able to speak a word of truth into someone’s life—not from your own wisdom, but from God’s. Memorized Scripture allows you to be ready, whether in a coffee shop conversation or a late-night phone call, to bring comfort and direction.

4. It deepens your relationship with God.
When Scripture moves from being read to being remembered, it starts to form your inner dialogue. You begin to hear God’s voice not just in church or through sermons, but in the quiet of your own mind.

How Do You Memorize Scripture?

1. Make it part of your routine.
One person told me they attach a verse to a daily task—like brushing their teeth or making coffee. Every morning, that verse is in front of them until it sticks.

2. Use your phone as a tool.
Several people mentioned using Scripture memory apps like Verses, Bible Memory, or simply setting a verse as their lock screen. If you’re going to check your phone 100 times a day, you might as well use it to hide God’s Word in your heart.

3. Start small and stay consistent
Don’t feel like you need to memorize a whole chapter. Start with one verse a week. Write it on a sticky note. Repeat it out loud. Pray through it. And give yourself grace—it’s about soaking in God’s Word, not passing a test.

4. Put it to music.
A few people said they remember Scripture best through song. There are entire albums and playlists designed to help you memorize verses through melody. (Think Seeds Family Worship or Shane & Shane’s Psalms albums.)

Final Thought

I used to think Scripture memory was for kids in Sunday School or seminary students. But now I see it’s for all of us—for the everyday Christian trying to follow Jesus in a noisy, confusing world.

God’s Word was never meant to sit on a shelf or live only on an app. It was meant to live in us, to shape our hearts and steady our steps. So if you’ve never tried memorizing Scripture—or if, like me at 19, you’ve scoffed at it—maybe today is the day to try again.

Pick one verse. Write it out. Speak it often. And let it begin to take root.

It might just surprise you how much it will grow.

We are excited for our upcoming Plunge event. This baptism service brings together over a half dozen ministries in Sudbury to celebrate individuals taking the next step in their walk with Christ. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of baptism, drawing insights from the Bible to shed light on its transformative power.
Obedience to Christ’s Command: In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructed His disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” By embracing baptism, we demonstrate our commitment to follow Christ’s teachings and honour His command.
Identification with Christ’s Death and Resurrection: Romans 6:3-4 beautifully captures the essence of baptism: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Through baptism, we symbolically identify with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. As we are immersed in the water, our old self dies, and as we rise from the water, we experience a new life in Him.
Forgiveness of Sins and Spiritual Renewal: Acts 2:38 emphasizes the connection between repentance, baptism, and forgiveness: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Baptism serves as a profound moment of surrender and spiritual cleansing. It symbolizes our repentance and signifies the forgiveness of our sins. We are born anew, experiencing a spiritual renewal through God’s grace.
Unity within the Body of Christ: Galatians 3:27 beautifully illustrates the unifying nature of baptism: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Through baptism, we become part of the body of Christ, the global church. It’s an act that binds us together with fellow believers, providing an opportunity for communal growth, support, and joint participation in God’s mission.
Public Testimony and Witness: Baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation. It is a powerful testimony of our faith in Jesus and His work in our lives. By publicly declaring our commitment through baptism, we invite others to consider the life-changing message of the gospel. It becomes an opportunity to share the love and truth of Jesus with those around us.
Baptism is more than a mere religious ritual; it is a deeply significant step on our spiritual journey. By obeying Christ’s command, we identify with His death and resurrection, experience forgiveness and renewal, find unity within the body of Christ, and bear witness to the transforming power of God. Let us embrace the sacred waters of baptism, recognizing its profound impact on our lives as we embark on a path of faith and discipleship.
As Mark 16:16 reminds us, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” We encourage you to get baptized at this year’s Plunge event occurring on June 22 at 1pm at Moonlight Beach. This event has been going on for over a decade and sees churches from across the city come together to celebrate baptism.

We all face seasons when life feels heavy—when circumstances don’t go our way, when hope feels distant, and when it’s easier to retreat than press forward. In these moments, the question isn’t if hardship will come, but how we stay encouraged when it does. Whether you’re in the middle of a storm right now or walking beside someone who is, here are some ways to keep your heart anchored when life gets tough.

1. Remember the Truth, Not Just the Feelings
Feelings are real, but they’re not always reliable. They rise and fall with our circumstances, but truth remains steady. One of the most powerful things you can do in a hard season is to remind yourself of what’s true:
– You are not alone.
– You are loved.
– This moment is not forever.
– God is still at work, even when you can’t see it.
Keeping Scripture close—verses like Romans 8:28, Psalm 34:18, or Isaiah 41:10—can help realign your heart with God’s promises when everything else feels uncertain.

2. Talk to Someone You Trust
Hardship often makes us want to isolate, but healing often begins in connection. Reach out to a friend, pastor, mentor, or counselor. Say out loud what you’re going through. You don’t have to carry your burdens alone. Sometimes the simple act of being heard can lift the weight off your chest enough to breathe again.

3. Keep Showing Up in Small Ways
When everything feels overwhelming, focus on small acts of faithfulness. Eat a nourishing meal. Go for a walk. Say a short prayer. Read a few verses. Journal your thoughts. You don’t have to have all the answers or fix everything today. Just keep choosing small steps forward, one day at a time.

4. Look Back at What You’ve Already Overcome
Take a moment to reflect: What battles have you already walked through? What prayers has God already answered? Sometimes we need to remember how far we’ve come to find courage for where we’re going. Write it down. Celebrate it. God’s past faithfulness is fuel for today’s fight.

5. Be Honest With God
You don’t have to fake strength in front of the One who knows you best. The Psalms are filled with raw, honest prayers—cries of frustration, sadness, and hope. God invites us to bring it all to Him, unfiltered. He can handle your questions. Your doubts. Your weariness. Sometimes the most powerful prayer is just, “God, I need You.”

6. Hold On to Hope
Encouragement doesn’t always come from having the answers. Often, it comes from knowing this isn’t the end of the story. Hope isn’t blind optimism—it’s trusting that something good can still come from something hard. And with God, it always can.

Final Thought
Staying encouraged when life is hard isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about holding on to truth when emotions are loud, choosing connection when you want to isolate, and leaning into God’s presence when the future feels unclear. He hasn’t forgotten you. He walks with you. And even in the hardest seasons, there is always a reason to hope.

When we first hold our children in our arms, a thousand dreams rush through our minds—dreams of who they’ll become, what they’ll do, and how they’ll live.
It’s easy to think that successful parenting is about raising smart, kind, independent adults. And while independence is important, it’s not the ultimate goal. As Christian parents, the highest calling we have is to raise God-dependent adults—men and women who know how to lean on their Savior through every season of life.

Independence Isn’t the End Goal
Our world celebrates independence. We’re taught to stand on our own two feet, to make our own way, to be “self-made.” But Scripture tells a different story.
God didn’t create us to live independently from Him. He created us to walk in daily, dependent relationship with Him.
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
As parents, our greatest hope should be that our children don’t just learn to manage life on their own, but that they learn to trust and depend on God more deeply as they grow.

What Does Raising God-Dependent Adults Look Like?

• Teaching Them to Pray: 
From a young age, invite your kids into conversations with God. Let them see you pray about big decisions and little worries. Show them that prayer isn’t just a routine—it’s a real connection with a real God.
• Pointing Them to God’s Word: 
Life is full of questions and challenges. Instead of always providing the answers yourself, teach your children how to search God’s Word for wisdom. Help them see the Bible as the foundation for their lives, not just a Sunday habit.
• Modeling Humble Dependence: 
One of the most powerful things you can do is let your children see your own dependence on God. Let them see you repent, ask for help, lean on Him in weakness, and celebrate His faithfulness.
• Encouraging Trust Over Control
: As your children grow, you’ll face the temptation to tightly control their choices and shield them from every mistake. But part of raising God-dependent adults means learning to release them—to trust that the same God who holds you also holds them.
• Celebrating God’s Work in Their Lives
: Rather than measuring success by worldly achievements, celebrate moments of spiritual growth: when they choose kindness over popularity, faithfulness over convenience, or integrity over approval.

The Long View of Parenting
Raising God-dependent adults doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long, often slow, and sometimes painful process. There will be seasons of doubt, rebellion, and wandering. But God is patient, and He calls us to be patient too.
Remember: our role isn’t to be the hero of our children’s story. It’s to point them to the Hero—Jesus.
We won’t always get it right. We’ll make mistakes. But the good news is that even in our weakness, God is at work. He is the one who softens hearts, draws people to Himself, and completes the good work He begins (Philippians 1:6).

Final Encouragement
Parenting isn’t about raising children who are dependent on us forever. It’s about leading them to the One who will never leave them or forsake them.
It’s about preparing them to face a world of uncertainty with a Savior who is unshakable.
So take heart, parents. Your daily efforts to sow faith, truth, and love into your children’s lives matter more than you know.
Keep pointing them to Jesus—He is their firm foundation, and He is faithful to carry them all their days.

The Bible serves as God’s word for us to better connect with Him. Sometimes though, we don’t know where to start, or how to exactly study. This post will give tangible tips and strategies to better study what we’re reading.

Our first step is deciding what exactly we should be reading. If you’re brand new to reading the Bible, there are certainly no right answers, but there are certainly wrong answers (looking at you Revelations and Song of Solomon). The Bible is telling one BIG story, but it’s also comprised of smaller stories in 66 total Bible books by over 40 human authors. Think of the Bible like a river–all flowing in one direction. You don’t want to drop in completely midstream where the water is flowing fast and you have no idea what’s going on, but there are also a lot of easy places where the water slows and it’s a great time to hop in! Some great options include the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John), Romans, Psalms and Genesis! Another idea is using a Bible reading plan found at bible.com.

So now that we have where we’re gonna be reading, we gotta figure out how to study it. That is where we introduce a nice acronym called SOIAP. This acronym walks us through how to study a passage in that way.

Number 1 is S, which stands for Scripture. This is where you read the package. Now, I would actually recommend saying it aloud, it helps to truly process each word, but you could even use an audio bible to have it read to you too, it all depends on how you learn. Another cool thing that I’ve found is that writing an important verse or two helps me focus on each word individually and on the passage as a whole. It also helps me soak it in and meditate on it. And for those who have short attention spans […squirrel!] this really helps hone our focus on the task of studying Scripture instead of looking at the cobwebs in our bedrooms.

Next we have O, which represents observation. This is where you examine the text and write down what you notice. This means asking yourself questions like – what do you see in the verses that you’re reading? Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? Who is it written by? What seems interesting or unusual? These observations may start with the obvious (i.e., Jesus spent time with his disciples), but will gradually become deeper. This is also where you may write down questions that you have about the passage that you’re reading.

Number 3 is I for interpretation.Interpretation is super important, because Interpretation helps us get “unstuck” when we read a hard part of Scripture. Interpretation is asking: what does this Bible passage mean, particularly to the first audience? Although we can understand some of that by simply reading the passage, the correct interpretation won’t always come naturally. There are historical, cultural, and language barriers to us understanding what Bible passages meant to the first audience. We are not experts in Jewish or Roman or Greek history or culture. We are also not experts in the Bible’s original languages: Hebrew and Greek. Because of our lack of knowledge that we have as readers, we need to spend time on interpretation to figure out what the words we read in the Bible actually mean. How do we interpret? First we can look at the immediate Bible passage context. The verses or chapters before or after may give us more understanding. The Bible book as a whole will, too. But there are times where we will simply not know enough to understand and interpret properly. Bible dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, and commentaries are key to interpreting correctly. This does not mean “an article that you saw on Facebook,” but a studied, learned scholar of the languages and history. We also need to interpret the Bible passages based on the type of literature that particular passage is from. The Bible is made up of poetry, letter, narratives, and more. Just like you don’t interpret Shakespeare’s poetry the same way you interpret a text from your friend, you aren’t going to interpret Psalms the same way you interpret Galatians. This Bible Project video gives some excellent information about types of literature in the Bible.

The A stands for Application- this is when God’s Word becomes personal. We try here to apply God’s Word to our life in a practical way. What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my own personal life? What changes do I need to make? Is there an action that I need to take? If it’s an action, try to make it SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. This allows us to actually pull what’s going to help us change our lives for the better, or just be encouraged through our situation.

Finally, we have P for prayer. This is where we have the opportunity to pray about what we’ve learned from the passage and what God has put on our hearts. This could be praying for help to do what we’ve committed to apply to our lives, or thanking God for bringing something to our attention.

As you study the Bible further, you will learn your best way to study. Our prayer is that you would seek Christ and learn more about Him, studying the Word of God.