The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada, also known as Christian Disciples, is a mainstream fellowship of churches, ministries and clergy in Canada.
===History===
The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) traces its beginnings to the formal organization of the Christian Church in 1804, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, under the leadership of Barton Warren Stone (1772-1844). The Stone movement later merged with the efforts of Thomas Campbell (1763-1844), and his son Alexander Campbell (1788-1866), to become the Restoration Movement that gave birth to the Churches of Christ (Non-Instrumental), the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Evangelical Christian Church, as a new group within the Restoration tradition was reorganizied in 2001.
===Central Office===
The Central Office of The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is 125 Lincoln Rd. #410, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2N9.
=== Leadership ===
* Dr. David Lavigne
* Rev. Douglas Anderson
* Rev. Gord Horsley
* Dr. Dave Hunter
* Dr. Gary Barkman
* Dr. Steve Smethers
* Rev. Cythnia Lavigne
===Purpose===
The church is named the "The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada - Christian Disciples" in the light of Paul's message in the gospel of Matthew 28:19:
: "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
The Canadian ECC has a commitment to restore the church to the New Testament pattern.
===Organization and Structure===
The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is headed by the General Superintendent. Provincial District Superintendents report to the General Superintendent and oversee the various activities that take place in their districts or regions. 
=== Ministries ===
The early participants in the Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) consisted of those who came away from a variety of fundamental, evangelical denominations, not in an attempt to reform any particular denomination, but rather in an effort to "restore" the "original" church according to the New Testament pattern. They believed that history was moving toward a spiritual climax where God's power will be poured out on the church. Restorationist promoters understood that this supernatural move could be the Lord's final move where the church will be endued with power to Christianize the world before Jesus returns. In order for this dominion pursuit to be realized, the Five-fold ministry expounded in Ephesians 4:11 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) needed to be commissioned by the Church and given to exercise their spiritual gifts and authority in the church of Jesus Christ.
=== Sacraments ===
The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) believes that Jesus Christ instituted two sacraments as instruments of His grace:
* Baptism is limited to those old enough to make a profession of faith, and is commonly administered by immersion
* The Lord's Supper is a weekly ordinance which is given to all believers in Christ. 
The washing of feet is also an ordinance that is practised by all Christians in obedience to Christ's commands found in the scriptures.
===Doctrine===
The Canadian ECC does not advocate extremism or fanaticism but does consider the Bible as authoritative. 
The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada's eleven Articles of Faith are considered to be their definitive doctrinal statement:
# The Bible as the written Word of God
# The virgin birth of Jesus
# The Deity of Christ
# The Person and work of the Holy Spirit
# The Trinity
# Salvation through the Atonement
# The guidance of our life through prayer
# The death and resurrection of Christ
# The return of the Saviour
# The resurrection of the redeemed and the lost
# The millennial Reign of Christ
The church does not advocate any other doctrine unless it "lines up and is consistent with the whole counsel of God's Word and does not engender fear or confusion." Ministers and clergy may hold other personal opinions or other Christian doctrinal beliefs, for example, pertaining to dress code, hair length, observations of days, and informal or formal worship.
===Training ===
In 1997, The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada started their ministerial training centre which was named the "School of Christian Ministry". In 2007, the school was renamed to Waterloo Bible College. The school operates in areas of Christian counselling, house churches, and church planting. The campus is in Waterloo, Ontario, the technology capital of Canada.
==Colleges & universities==
* Dayspring Christian University
* Canada Chinese Evangelical Seminary
* Waterloo Bible College
* Beyond the Walls Life Coach Insitute
* Caribbean Divinity University & Seminary
* Collegio de Formacian Theologica Ministerial
* Crossroads Bible College & Seminary
* Escuela Apostolica de Desarrolla Ministerial
* Forerunners Theological Institute
* H.O.P.E. Bible Institute
* Praise Bible College
* Saint James The Elder Theological Seminary
* Saint Jude's Seminary
* The Institute of Theology & Christian Therapy
* The Palm Tree Institute
* Zoe Life Theological College
==Quotes==
==Links==
* Official Website
 Christianity -> Denominations -> Protestantism
==See also==
* The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada
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Category:Denominations
Category:Canada