Broadway Disciples United Church, Winnipeg

Broadway Disciples United Church (BDUC) 

Ministry Report to the All-Canada Convention 2026

“Walking in Step with the Holy Spirit: Hearing, Growing, Serving, and Becoming”

It is with hearts overflowing with gratitude that we present this ministry report from Broadway  Disciples United Church (BDUC). As we reflect upon this past season, we do not merely see calendar items, structural programs, or numerical totals—we behold the living evidence of God’s steadfast faithfulness and the dynamic movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of His people. 

Our guiding conviction has remained simple yet profound: the Church is not called merely to be busy for God, but to actively walk with God. Across every initiative, our single longing has been to tune our ears to His voice, yield to His direction, nurture the next generation, reach beyond our sanctuary walls, extend mercy to our neighbours, and create sacred spaces where lives are transformed by an encounter with Jesus Christ. 

Nurturing the Next Generation — Sunday School Ministry

The spiritual formation of our children remains at the very core of our calling. This year, our Sunday School Ministry stepped into a refreshed season, driven by a deep desire to anchor our young ones in the bedrock of Scripture—planting the Word of God deep within their hearts and trusting the Holy 

Spirit to bring it to fruitful life. To cultivate intentional discipleship, the ministry was reorganized into four distinct groups—Patience, Hope, Love, and Wisdom. Every Sunday, faithful adult volunteers carry out the sacred trust of discipling and caring for these precious lives. We are continually reminded that children are not merely the Church of tomorrow; they are a vital part of the Church today. Every story told, prayer offered, hymn sung, and word of encouragement spoken is a seed that the Holy Spirit can nurture for a lifetime. 

We are also overflowing with praise for the launch of a new Music Scholarship Program for PreTeens, generously funded by an anonymous benefactor. Through this avenue, our young people are discovering how to offer their artistic gifts back to God—not as performers seeking applause, but as young worshippers responding to His magnificent grace. 

Hearing God's Voice — Forming a Listening Church

A transformative highlight of our discipleship journey was the three-part “Hearing God's Voice” seminar series. Designed for youth, adults, and seniors alike, the series cultivated an atmosphere of spiritual attentiveness to help believers walk in deeper intimacy with the Lord. Participation was vibrant and steady, drawing 37 participants to our opening gathering and 36 in each subsequent session. 

The journey unfolded intentionally across three gatherings: 

• Session 1: The Essential Call — Exploring our fundamental need to recognize and listen to the voice of our Good Shepherd. 

• Session 2: Accept, Abide, and Act — Walking through the practical rhythm of accepting God’s invitation to draw near, abiding in His presence through stillness and attentiveness, and acting in joyful obedience when He speaks. 

• Session 3: Discernment & Truth — Equipping believers to test what they hear against the unshakeable truth of Scripture, the character of Christ, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit expressed through mature believers.
  

What emerged was far more than an educational seminar; it became a spiritual movement toward becoming a listening church—a body of believers who do not merely ask, “What should we do?” but first pause to pray, “Lord, what are You saying?”

In a culture crowded with noisy distractions, BDUC is committed to being a community that knows the Shepherd's voice, discerns His guidance, and steps forward with the courage to obey. 

Going Beyond Our Walls — Outreach Bible Study at Access Norwest

On March 21, 2026, our outward ministry marked a significant step forward with the launch of an Outreach Bible Study at Access Norwest, specifically connecting with the local Keewatin Zumba fellowship group. This initiative marked a vital shift in our missional heart: rather than waiting for our community to enter our building, we intentionally stepped out to meet people right where they were—building genuine friendships, sharing fellowship, and creating a warm space for the Gospel to be experienced. 

A total of 37 people gathered for the inaugural session, including four leaders from BDUC. Together, we shared in community singing, engaged in an interactive lesson comparing the life cycle of a butterfly to spiritual metamorphosis, and unpacked a message on “Growing in the Faith.”

The core message resonated deeply: faith is not a static decision, but a dynamic journey of growth. Participants were invited to move beyond initial belief into a life marked by spiritual maturity, emotional resilience, and Christlike grace. This ministry has opened a rich door for ongoing relationships and discipleship. For BDUC, it stands as a reminder that the Holy Spirit constantly sends the Church outward—to listen, serve, and radiate the transforming grace of Jesus beyond our four walls. 

Reaching Our Neighbours — Food Distribution Ministry

Our call to follow Jesus in word and deed has driven the expansion of our developing Food  Distribution Ministry. Spearheaded by the vision of our Women’s Group, BDUC has taken active steps toward serving as an official distribution point for neighbors facing food insecurity and homelessness. We are deeply grateful for our partnership with Harvest Manitoba, who has committed to supplying essential food items for this mission. 

Navigating health compliance, safety inspections, and pest-control protocols has required patience, yet we view these steps not as administrative hurdles, but as an act of sacred preparation and faithful stewardship. Before God places food into our hands to share, He is preparing our hearts to serve with excellence. Our prayer is that this center will become an oasis where human dignity is restored, authentic relationships are forged, prayers are lifted up, and the gentle compassion of Jesus is tangibly felt. 

Vacation Bible School 2026

Summer brought boundless joy with our annual Vacation Bible School, gathering 35 children and 54 dedicated volunteers (see VBS 2026 attached photo) for three high-energy days centred on the foundational truth: “God Has a Plan for My Life.”

In a world offering conflicting narratives about identity and worth, we proclaimed boldly to every child: 

• Your life is no accident. 

• Your future is filled with divine purpose. 

• Your identity is defined by your Creator.  

• God has an extraordinary plan for your life.

We rejoice seeing adult volunteers, youth mentors, and children come together, proving that discipling the next generation is the shared privilege and joy of the entire church family. 

Family Camp 2026 & Water Baptisms

That same powerful theme echoed through our Annual Family Camp at Camp Manitou, where 110 individuals gathered for two restorative days of worship, teaching, outdoor recreation, prayer, and deep fellowship (see Family Camp 2026 attached photo). Away from the pressures of daily routine, families were given space to rest and tune their hearts back to God. 

A glorious highlight of our time at Camp Manitou was witnessing 12 individuals step into the waters of baptism—publicly declaring their faith and commitment to follow Jesus Christ (see Water Baptism photo). As they emerged from the water, the presence of the Spirit was palpable, testifying that when we create space to seek God, He moves hearts toward surrender and new life.

“For when we sow in obedience, labour in love, and walk in step with the Holy Spirit, God brings the harvest in His appointed time.”

Our Prayer for the Journey Ahead.

As we gather alongside our extended family of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ across Canada, we give thanks not only for what God is doing at Broadway Disciples United Church, but for the beauty of the wider Body. Our prayer for the days ahead is that BDUC will ever remain a house of encounter, a sanctuary of belonging, a nursery of faith for children, a haven for the hurting, and a bold witness in our city. 

May we continue to sow faithfully, listen attentively, step out courageously, serve generously, and walk together in unity. 

And may everything we do point beyond ourselves to Jesus Christ. To Him alone be all the glory—for all He has done, all He is doing, and all He will yet accomplish among us. Amen.

Respectfully submitted with faith, joy, and gratitude to the All-Canada Convention 2026 by
Rev. Jeff Gatdula, Minister
Broadway Disciples United Church