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A Brief History of the AGC
The AGC traces its beginnings to the early 1890s when a group of independent evangelical
churches became known as the Christian Workers' Church of Canada, under a charter
granted to Dr. P .W . Philpott, pastor of the Gospel Tabernacle in Hamilton, ON.
These churches were concerned about the growth of theological liberalism and in
1922 felt the need to unite with others who practised a simple biblical faith. In
1925, because other groups with contrasting doctrine and practice were using similar
names, a new charter under the name of Associated Gospel Churches was secured from
the Canadian government.
The need for a strong evangelical church association was evident from the number
of independent churches and missions which joined the AGC in the years that followed.
Although some early AGC churches sent out workers to begin new Sunday Schools, a
more aggressive church extension program did not come about until later. In 1940,
a group of western churches sought affiliation with the AGC and became the basis
of what is now known as the Canada West Region. The Quebec charter was registered by
our English ministry in 1944. With the new openness of the French population in
Quebec, the AGC and UFM International mission (now CrossWorld) joined hands to begin a French work
in Quebec in 1972.
A major restructuring of the AGC took place in 1989, to meet the needs of a widespread
and diverse nation, of a changing society and of a growing group of churches, while
still being true to our commitment to our historic distinctives. The changes grew
out of an explicit Statement of Purpose and Objectives contained in this Constitution.
In 2002 a further redefinition of our Purpose, Vision and Values was undertaken.
There was also a re-alignment of regions requiring a restructuring.
For more information, please contact the
AGC
office for a copy of our history book, "A Tree Well Planted", by Rev. Lauren
Redinger. The cost is $10 plus mailing costs.