By Pasteur Pedro Torres, Directeur Espoir Média Québec
Last Sabbath, my wife Susana and I had the privilege of visiting the small Adventist group in Gaspé, which meets regularly. This group, consisting of three families and a few isolated members, is growing and is expected to welcome new members in the coming months. It is supported by the Personal Minitries Department and the Vision 300 program, under the leadership of Pastor Sylvain Duval. We were also honored to be the first pastoral family to visit them since the group’s formation.
The journey took 10 hours each way, under difficult winter conditions. We drove through several snowstorms, and God’s providence was evident throughout our trip. Just after we passed a certain area, an avalanche occurred, blocking a retired couple for eight hours. We thanked God for His protection along the way.
The Adventist group in Gaspé currently has nine members: a family of four, a student from Cégep de Gaspé, and a brother who has been living alone in the region for 18 months. We gathered at his home, which he generously offers as a meeting place. This group was formed thanks to a coworker who connected several members searching for an Adventist community.
During our visit, we brought them a set of Il Est Écrit bookmarks to encourage their evangelism efforts. These tools will help them invite locals to discover the Adventist message through IEE broadcasts, which we confirmed are accessible in the area.
On Sabbath, I had the opportunity to lead Sabbath School and then share a message of encouragement, affirming that God had prepared their path in Gaspé. In the afternoon, I conducted a workshop on reaching postmodern Québécois with Bible studies. I also shared a Bible study guide I developed over 14 years, specifically designed for a postmodern and atheist audience. This resource will support their local mission efforts.
The group’s enthusiasm and motivation were truly inspiring. This visit reaffirmed the importance of the Conference’s support to ensure that this small flame continues to shine. We must remain committed to strengthening this emerging missionary work and expanding the Adventist presence in this uncharted region.
May God continue to bless this group and His work in Gaspésie!