Ontario Winter Summit 2026

In a world filled with the clamour of busyness, overflowing with the bustle of materialism, and in a creation groaning beneath the curse of sin, it can be difficult to catch our breath and find a quiet place to contemplate the true purpose and reason for why we were placed on this earth. We easily lose our perspective of God, ourselves and the truth. Even for the believer, questions like; “why am I here?” and “does it really all matter?” can still be present in our hearts and minds.

At the second annual FRC/HRC Winter Summit, around 50+ young men and women were blessed to be able to learn about the overarching theme of Scripture, and God’s amazing grace revealed to us through the covenant. Throughout the Bible, God’s love and forbearance for and with His covenant people is a continuous refrain, proclaimed through the Old Testament and echoed throughout the New Testament. Ezekiel 37:33 is just one of the many passages that points us to God’s covenant lovingkindness.

“Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.”

Throughout the weekend, we were able to learn a lot about Reformed covenant theology, and more importantly, about the God of the covenant.

The Winter Summit started on Friday evening at Reformed Book Services and Cafe 1517, where a live “Ask a Pastor” session took place in the lecture hall. Rev. Wagenaar and Rev. Vandermeyden answered questions on various topics including: justification by faith alone in Christ alone, baptism, and how to approach the Lord’s Supper. Saturday began with a time of prayer, singing and reading of Genesis 32:9-32, in which was highlighted the covenantal language Jacob uses to plead with God in his prayer before meeting Esau.

The morning sessions were led by Dr. Stephen Meyers, in which we were given an overview of the covenants God established with His servants throughout history, starting with the covenant of works with Adam, and moving through the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic covenants until Christ’s fulfillment of Genesis 3:15:

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

After lunch, Student Carsten Koopman addressed us on the practical implications of living out of the covenant, and how covenant theology should impact our preaching, teaching and evangelism. Saturday afternoon ended with a Q&A period, where the attendees were able to ask various questions based on the topics discussed throughout the day. After dinner, we gathered at Rehoboth Christian School for a time of fellowship, singing, and group discussion. The weekend wrapped up on Sunday afternoon after the morning service in St. George FRC, with soup and a sermon discussion.

Covenant theology offers a rich, full view of history. Instead of events appearing in a random and disconnected order; God’s plan and providence is laid out in full display through Scripture and His covenant work. The whole Bible weaves a seamless thread of meaning and purpose into our lives. We were created to glorify and worship our Creator. To understand what God is doing now in our lives and in His church, we need to understand what He has been doing all along. As sinners, we don’t recognize our need for a Saviour. Fallen man doesn’t know who God is, or what holiness is. God’s law and Word reveals to us who He is, and gives Him glory for His work of redemption.

 “He hath remembered His covenant for ever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations, which covenant He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac; and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:” (Psalm 105:8-10).

Our prayer is that God would work mightily in the hearts of each individual who attended the Winter Summit, and that throughout His church, God would bring His Word to bear in the lives of those still living apart from Him.

“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is His faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

You can find recordings of the Q&A sessions as well as the topics on Saturday over on our YouTube channel: Ontario Winter Summit 2026 Recordings.

Photo credits to Kranendonk Photography