The community of Strathmore is located half an hour east of Calgary. The Strathmore Seventh-day Adventist Church was planted there in 2008. At the end of 2024, the congregation had 18 members. The church meets each Sabbath in rented worship space at the Lutheran Church.
For several years, Pastor Donald Wright had hoped and prayed that a Bible Worker could be placed in Strathmore. Thanks to a generous estate gift, the Alberta Conference was able to hire Pastor Joel Lucas da Silva as the Strathmore Bible Worker for one year. Working in conjunction with Pastor Ishamel Ali, our Rural Evangelism Coordinator, the congregation prayed earnestly and worked diligently in the community.
This past year, the church conducted several health seminars and other programs to help meet the needs of people in their community. Pastor Joel Lucas da Silva conducted Bible studies with dozens of interests in the Strathmore area. Many of these interests came from the “God’s Closet” program, Cooking classes, social media, and Lessons 4Living. Many church members gave freely of their time to run these ministries. Members of sister churches in the Calgary area also supported these ministries. Pastor Joel is especially grateful for the help of Fay Mullings. God worked through many church members to touch people’s hearts, and show the love of Christ to their neighbours.
The strategy for Pentecost 2025 was to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, serve the community, and conduct an evangelistic reaping event. Evangelist Bill Santos conducted two weeks of meetings in Strathmore at the end of October. Twenty pre-Adventist guests regularly attended those meetings. We praise the Lord that 19 of these individuals have been baptized! The 20th guest has also requested baptism! Pentecost 2025 has doubled the membership of the Strathmore Church!
Pastor Donlad Wright is very grateful for all the church members who came out and supported the meetings. Members from the Airdrie, Chestermere and Bridgeland Churches came faithfully to help the Strathmore members conduct this series. A singing evangelist by the name of Jacob Hunter came all the way from England! There were people who attended the meetings each night just to hear him sing!
On Sabbath, October 25, Crystal Lively was baptized along with her daughters Amelia and Aalayia. Having been raised around drugs and alcohol, Crystal experienced significant pain and trauma in her life. Her road to healing began four years ago. She testified, “God stayed with me through it all. He carried me when I couldn’t carry myself and turned my pain into strength.”
Early in 2025, Crystal met Pastor Joel at a program conducted by the Strathmore Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Joel began Bible studies with Crystal and her daughters. Recently Crystal shared this in her testimony… “How truly powerful these Bible studies have been in my life! Through them, I’ve come to understand more deeply who God is—His endless grace, His love, and His mercy. Learning His Word has opened my eyes and my heart in ways I never imagined. It has given me strength, peace, and purpose. I’m so thankful.”
We praise God for what He’s doing in the Strathmore Church! We’re so thankful for the faithful ministry of all the church members, and for the diligent efforts of Pastor Donald Wright, Pastor Joel Lucas da Silva, Pastor Ishmael Ali and Pastor Bill Santos!
Bible Worker, Joel da Silva with the candidates for baptism.
Bible study at the library.
During baptism
Pastor Bill Santos and Pastor Donald Wright
By Jeff Potts
President | Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventist
Photo credits: Joel da Silva
Bible Worker | Strathmore Seventh-day Adventist Church
