The first Pentecostal Camp Meeting in Canada at Moyer’s Bush in Stouffville, Ontario (1909). Attended by Pentecostal leaders from across Canada, the United States, and England. Hosted by Chairman A. G. Ward and the United Pentecostal Missions of Toronto.
First Pentecostal Camp Meeting in Canada 1909
Below is the first hand account (7 pages) of the first Pentecostal Camp Meeting in Canada held at Moyer’s Bush Mennonite Campground in Stouffville, Ontario in 1909 from the Confidence (UK) periodical.
It was here at the Camp Meeting that Chairman A. G. Ward attempted to formally organize the Pentecostal people in Canada according to the Pentecostal Missionary Union in England. However, Ellen Hebden of the East End Mission in Toronto prevented any form of organization as she believed it would limit the “free leading of the Holy Spirit.”
Over the next 10 years, the Canadian Pentecostal movement would grow exponentially across the nation, but, as G.A. Chambers stated, “every man was unto himself.” Finally, on May 19, 1919 in Ottawa, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada was charted and properly organized to credential pastors, strategically plant churches, and administrate global missions.
Between 1926-1932, the PAOC would organize into 7 geographical districts: Saskatchewan (1926), Western Ontario (1927), British Columbia & Yukon (1928), Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario (1928), Alberta & Northwest Territories (1929), Maritimes (1930), and Eastern Ontario & Quebec (1932).
