North America Annual Coptic Clergy Seminar
August 2-4, 2010

H. H. Pope Shenouda III Establishing a Missionary Church in Toronto

Your Holiness Pope Shenouda III, your graces our honored fathers the Bishops, and the reverend fathers the hegomens and presbyters.

I’m indeed not worthy to be standing here today among my fathers and mentors who have always inspired my weakness through out my life and ministry.

I would like to briefly share with my fathers the work of God in the new multicultural missionary church which His Holiness Pope Shenouda III has established in Toronto to minister to diverse members in the body of Christ.

Indeed, I count my self privileged to be a contemporary of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, may the Lord preserve for us his life for many more years to come. During His Holiness’ reign on the throne of St. Mark, our beloved Coptic Orthodox Church has returned to the glories of the apostolic era and has spread from one end of the world to the other. The Coptic Orthodox Church is no longer just for Egyptians but parishioners from every nation, culture, tribe, and tongue are now proud to be part of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

His Holiness has embedded in all the Copts the love of mission and evangelism leading by example and personally encouraging all His Holiness’ children who labor in that field. Starting from naming the official Church magazine “Elkeraza” meaning “The Evangelism” to sending missionaries to Africa, North and South America, Asia, Australia and the Islands, we can see the footprints of His Holiness’ labor of love throughout the world. After all, our beloved Coptic Orthodox Church has always been a missionary church seeking the salvation of every soul through her unchanged Orthodox faith and doctrines.

His Holiness is also a visionary who sees with the eyes of faith the needs of his children all over the world and provides for them pastoral care as well as paternal love, care, and support. For this reason, the Coptic Church under the leadership of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III is currently one of the most celebrated and growing Churches in the world while maintaining her apostolic faith and Traditions. The Church has also continued to be culturally relevant to her children and focusing on multigenerational ministry and expansion through evangelism.

For many Copts immigrating to North America, the question always resonated in their minds: Why did God send us here? Surely they were seeking a better life, to enhance their career opportunities, or to freely worship God. Yet, in the past few years, more Copts have been called to evangelize right here in North America and to witness to their faith believing that the Orthodox Faith is so precious and should be shared with others.

For this reason, His Holiness saw the need to establish a church in Toronto which would mainly focus on mission and evangelism. In November 2007 St. Maurice & St. Verena Coptic Orthodox Church was founded. Ever since its inception, His Holiness has personally monitored its vision, mission, and growth. His Holiness has also delegated HG Bishop David to celebrate the inaugural Divine Liturgy, ordain deacons, consecrate a baptistery, and consecrate the holy vessels.  This multicultural congregation is currently home for Canadian members originating from 35 various nationalities. His Holiness has also been so gracious to meet with the congregation several times. On one occasion, His Holiness was greeted by 15 people from different ethnicities and in 10 different languages while just last week in Cleveland His holiness received a very diverse group of parishioners from the church representing five different continents who thanked His Holiness for establishing the church and spreading the true and unwavering faith of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

It was essential from the beginning of this ministry to establish its vision and mission to ensure the preaching, teaching, and passing of the true and unchanged Coptic Orthodox Faith, doctrines, and dogma.

Our Vision: A ministry of love, integration, and outreach

Our Mission at St. Maurice & St. Verena

• This ministry is for the glory of God the Father, His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit the Comforter.
• This is a Coptic Orthodox Church in its faith, doctrines, traditions, and teachings. It is under the direct leadership of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
• A faithful community to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, eager and enthusiastic to grow spiritually and to be a positive influence in its surroundings.
• A worshipping community which offers praise and glory to God.
• A multicultural church ministering to diverse members of the body of Christ from every nation, tongue, tribe, and language.
• Missionary in nature; spreading the Good News to the whole world.
• It is a place where no one stands alone.
• Focusing on the love of God through spiritual growth and also on the love of neighbour through community service and humanitarian work.

I would like to suggest five practical means where our Church could be ready for evangelism in the present time:
+ To realize that all churches are missionary in nature and if a church ceases to evangelize then it is in danger of ceasing to be a church.
+ The Divine Liturgy is the best means for evangelism and the traditions imbedded in it are the basis for proper Theology and sound Doctrine.
+ Using the ministry of invitation or “Relational Evangelism” to introduce people to our rich faith.
+ The need for the church to be present in the community outside the four walls of the church.
+ Using the available media to spread the faith such as His Holiness’ books, CDs, DVDs, TV programs, and the internet.

Your holiness, our fathers brought Coptic Orthodoxy to North America through immigration. Now, it’s our responsibility to bring North America to Coptic Orthodoxy through evangelism and mission.

I can truly witness to the true paternal care and love of His Holiness to all his children even to the least of them in the way that His Holiness like our Lord gives special attention and a personal touch to all those in need. Your Holiness, all your children look up to you for strength, inspiration, and mentorship while praying that the Lord grant you health, strength, and a long life.

Absolve me and pray for my weakness.
Your holiness’ son,
Fr. Pishoy Salama
St. Maurice and St. Verena Coptic Orthodox Church
Toronto, Canada