Dr. Rick Reed, President of Heritage College & Seminary, has spent many years mentoring pastors and teaching homiletics here at Heritage. During this time, he says that he came to the realization that helping preachers preach better is more than just teaching them how to prepare and present sermons. He came to see that there is a need to prepare preacher’s souls to proclaim God’s Word.

“I realized the need to help preachers face the heart-level tests that come to us as preachers,” says Dr. Reed. “These tests, though commonly experienced by preachers, are not commonly addressed.”

This is the heart behind Dr. Reed’s recently released book, The Heart of the Preacher. Throughout the book, Reed sets out to describe and pinpoint a number of tests of the preacher’s heart. He draws attention to a number of common struggles that face preachers today:  ambition, insecurity, criticism, comparison, laziness and a number of others.  The remaining chapters of the book are devoted to providing a number of pastoral and practical tips, aimed at helping preachers develop regular habits to protect their hearts to serve effectively.

Though there are many books and resources that help preachers work out the mechanics and structure their sermons clearly and from the text, The Heart of the Preacher takes a different approach by focusing on personal heart preparation and transformation.

Dr. Reed explains that the challenges faced by many preachers are awkward to acknowledge. Though this may be the case, he feels these struggles of the heart are important to address for the health of someone’s preaching ministry.

“The condition and character of a preacher’s heart plays a big part in the spiritual impact of the preacher’s sermon,” says Dr. Reed. “Since God tests the heart, as we read in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, we must be concerned with our heart preparation not just our sermon preparation.”

By highlighting struggles along with the proactive ways to fight these challenges, Dr. Reed hopes his book will be a resource that will help those in preaching ministries keep their hearts strong.

“My prayer is that preachers and teachers will read the book and have their hearts stretched and strengthened so they can better serve Christ’s Church as they proclaim God’s Word,” says Dr. Reed.

To order a copy for yourself or for a pastor you want to encourage, visit Amazon.ca or Heritage’s online bookstore at http://bit.ly/TheHeartofthePreacher-Bookstore.

During the seventeenth century, an influential movement formed out of Great Britain known as the Particular Baptists. Today, the impact of this group and its leaders can still be felt today in the evangelical world. One of its prominent leaders was a pastor by the name of Hanserd Knollys.

Dr. Barry Howson, Academic Dean of the Seminary and Professor of Theology at Heritage College and Seminary, in his new book Christ Exalted seeks to provide readers the opportunity to take a deep look into the thought, works and ministry of Knollys that he believes are a valuable asset for Christians and church leaders today.

“His works are important because most of them were practical and pastoral, seeking to help his readers in their walk with Christ,” says Dr. Howson.

Beginning his ministry as a minister in the Church of England, Knollys then became a congregationalist before coming in contact with the growing Calvinistic Baptist movement in London at the age of 44. Through this group, Knollys became persuaded that only believers should be baptized, and shortly after became one of the leading pastors in this movement’s London churches.

One of Knollys’ theological focuses was his serious focus on eschatological thought. Though this was a common field of study for many educated and respected theologians and pastors during this time period, Howson says it was important to include an essay on Knollys’ eschatological thought in Christ Exalted. He explains that the work of Knollys on this aspect of theology is not only a valuable example of the work during that time period but also reflects an important theological perspective for Christians to hold in desperate moments of life.

“We need to remember that Knollys wrote all of his eschatological works during the Restoration Period in England (1660-1689), when Baptists were facing persecution,” explains Dr. Howson. “It reminds us that in dark times we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and our eternal hope in Him.”

Through his pastoral works, Dr. Howson also says there is much to gain for church leaders today by reading the thought and teachings of Knollys. He explains that, even in the face of opposition, Knollys reflected a great concern for those he led; that they would be instructed in the truth of Christ and its practical application to the life of the believer and the church.  For Howson, this is an example of a pastoral heart that is worth reflecting on for pastors today.

“He was deeply concerned that all under his ministry by truly saved, and therefore, the gospel was front and centre in his preaching and writing ministry,” says Howson. “For these reasons, he is a great example of a pastor even for the twenty-first century.”

For more information on Christ Exalted or to purchase the book, please visit: http://bit.ly/ChristExaltedKnollys

During the month of November, there are two unique opportunities for people to learn more about Heritage College & Seminary.

Young people who are interested in experiencing life at the College are also invited to attend Heritage’s first Student Sampler of the season – being held from November 18 – 19. This two-day, free event is the best way to discover Heritage, connect with current students and see for yourself the value of studying at the College.

Students will get the chance to stay in our dorms for the night, participate in student events, join students for chapel, enjoy meals in the cafeteria and even sit in on Heritage classes while on campus.

Plus, visit us during our Student Sampler and you will have the opportunity to have your Application Fee waived for the 2020 -2021 academic year.

If you are looking for the opportunity to take a tour of campus, meet some of the faculty and experience our College and Seminary for yourself - you are encouraged to book a tour on DiscoverHeritage.ca.

To register for the Student Sampler or to book a tour, please visit discoverheritage.ca/tour.

For more information, please contact us at admissions@heritagecs.edu.

It was an evening of joyful reflection and celebration as alumni, staff and faculty from Central Baptist Seminary gathered for a special evening and dinner marking 70 years of the school.

Close to 100 of Central’s student body came to Heritage College & Seminary to reconnect with classmates, professors and lifelong friends on the evening of October 3^rd. The night was hosted by Dr. Stan Fowler, who currently serves as Professor Emeritus of Theological Studies at Heritage Theological Seminary and is the former President of Central Baptist Seminary.

The evening’s program focused on recounting the illustrious history of the Toronto-based seminary leading up to the merger between Central and London Baptist Bible College and Seminary in 1993 that birthed Heritage.  From stories of W. Gordon Brown and other staff and faculty, to remembering the seminary’s various locations in the area of Toronto, all in attendance enjoyed looking back and seeing how God worked in their lives and in the church through the ministry of Central.

Dr. Fowler also took the time during the evening to interview a few of the alumni and members of the Central community. All the way from Winnipeg, Manitoba, George Bell, a Central graduate of 1954, discussed his time at Central as a student, and after graduating serving as a pastor and as a President of the Seminary.

Those gathered also recognized the large contribution of Marina Coldwell, who graduated in 1977. She served for a number of years at Central in various roles and continues to serve at Heritage as a prayerful supporter and connection to alumni.

Jack Hannah, a Central graduate of 1967, reflected fondly on his time as a student at the seminary as Valedictorian of his class, while also talking about his time of service at Central as President and a board member.

As the evening came to a close, Dr. Fowler welcomed Dr. Rick Reed to the podium to share his thanks for the faithfulness and legacy of Central. Dr. Reed committed to continuing to build on that legacy by standing on the same values that were at the heart of the seminary and that they will continue to be at the forefront of Heritage’s vision.

Following the tradition of Central Baptist Seminary, the group stood to sing Great is Thy Faithfulness together – a hymn that will forever be connected with Central Baptist Seminary and its graduates.

It was a special evening of celebration of God’s provision and goodness to Heritage College & Seminary. On September 25th, the board of directors joined faculty, staff and members of the Heritage community gathered together to mark the official end of the College and Seminary’s financial debt.

“It is a historic day in the life of Heritage College & Seminary,” says Dr. Rick Reed, President of Heritage. “This is a great cause for praise and celebration, and we are grateful for the friends of Heritage who gave generously to demolish the debt.”

Around two years ago, the leadership and board of directors of Heritage College & Seminary set out in faith to service the existing debt held by the institution. The goal was to demolish the debt in order to financially enable Heritage to grow and continue equipping men and women for life and ministry.

Thanks to the generous support of the many donors and supporters who provided financially to this ambitious goal, Heritage will be officially free of the debt as of October 1st, 2019.

For Dr. Reed, this is a monumental moment in the history of Heritage College and Seminary that will allow the institution to grow in a sustainable manner and continue to train educate more people who will serve the Church across Canada and around the world.

“As I have been reflecting on this incredible story of God’s goodness and grace to Heritage, it hit me that the idea of paying off another’s debt is at the heart of our faith,” says Dr. Reed. “It’s why we give praise to God for His lavish grace; enabling Heritage to be debt-free and, better yet, through the sacrificial death of His Son, He has made a way for all of us who turn to Christ in repentance and faith to have the debt of our sin completely demolished.”

“That’s a reason to celebrate.”

To celebrate what God has done and continues to do at Heritage, members gathered for a special dinner to mark this historic end to Heritage’s debt. Students from the Music & Worship Studies department, led by Dr. Doug Thomson, performed a number of musical works during the evening followed by prayers, songs of worship and the ceremonial burning of the Heritage mortgage.