Ordination - Press Release
On the 27th October 2024 at First Baptist Church Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms once again broke down barriers in the ordination of two ministers from the United Kingdom.
Following the ordination of the first openly out and married lesbian minister, Arla Johnson in 2023, also at First Baptist Church Halifax, the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms[1] continues to demonstrate an expansive and dynamic theology and practice of the Kingdom of God.
Andrea King (Regents College, Oxford; Director of Safeguarding and Strategy, OneBodyOneFaith[2]), and Luke Dowding (Spurgeon’s College, London; King’s College London; CEO, OneBodyOneFaith) were ordained Baptist ministers on the 27th October, witnessed and affirmed by Christian leaders and clergy from across North America and Europe, as well their family, friends, members of First Baptist Church Halifax, and representatives from the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms.
Andrea and Luke, due to their sexuality and public position on LGBT+ relationships and LGBT+ safeguarding in the church, are unable to ordained and accredited in the Baptist Union of Great Britain. This landmark expression of God’s expansive love and inclusive call is the result of years of partnership and building relationships between the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms, OneBodyOneFaith, and a global partnership for progressive Baptists.
Revd Dr Rusty Edwards, Chair of the Credentialling Committee and Senior Minister at First Baptist Church Halifax had this to say about the service and its significance:
“In 1830, First Baptist Church Halifax sent two qualified clergy to Providence, Rhode Island in the United States for ordination by the First Baptist Church in America. 194 years later we are living into our story to receive Andrea and Luke, celebrate and affirm the Spirit’s work in their lives, and send them forward to keep living out the justice-love of Jesus. This ordination is part of a larger movement within the global Baptist family to live more fully into our heritage of liberty under the guidance of Jesus Christ.”
Revd Dr Clara Rushbrook, Co-Principal of Northern Baptist College, Manchester, UK, participated in both ordination councils for Andrea and Luke, and delivered the address during the ordinations service. Clara shared:
"I am deeply honoured to have been able to share in this historic ordination service today. Andrea and Luke are clearly and graciously living out their God-given calling as ministers of the gospel, despite the numerous barriers that have been put in their way. Their integrity, their commitment to justice and their heart for all who are marginalised, are testimony to their deep love of God and faith in Christ and a rich blessing to our global Baptist family and the wider kin-dom of God”.
Both Andrea and Luke will continue their ministry in their local contexts, whilst establishing new models of engagement to serve the Canadian Association of Baptist Freedoms, the global Baptist movement, and the Kingdom of God.
To express your interest in running a story on this significant occasion, or for more information please contact:
For the US and North America: rustyedwards@fbchalifax.ca
For Europe and broader global interest: luke@onebodyonefaith.org.uk
[1] The CABF is a Canada-wide fellowship composed of both individuals and Churches. They are Baptists freely seeking, living, sharing and celebrating justice, peace and love under the lordship of Christ. They encourage and support churches, pastors, and other individuals to understand and affirm Baptist freedoms as they express their faith.
[2] OneBodyOneFaith is an ecumenical Christian charity striving to enable LGBT+ Christians to thrive, not just survive. Since its founding in 1976 it has contributed to and led the charge on change that affirms and celebrates LGBT+ people across church traditions and denominations in the UK, and in recent years, around the world.
