Story
The Atlantic Baptist Fellowship, the predecessor of the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms, was formed in 1971 by Baptist lay people and ministers who wanted to witness to historical Baptist principles and to be involved with non-Baptist communions in joint worship, social action and ecumenical discussions of the nature of the Church.
They wished to create a safe and welcoming environment in which Baptists could share all concerns and points of view without fear of being marginalized.
The CABF is not an executive body making policy, carrying out programs, or advocating positions. It is a welcoming fellowship with the following objectives:
To witness to the freedom implicit in the voluntary principle in religion, which is the essence of the traditional Baptist position;
To affirm and celebrate Baptist participation in, and witness to, the whole visible, catholic and evangelical church of Jesus Christ;
To promote peace and understanding amongst people of all faiths;
To provide a forum for the discussion of doctrinal and ethical questions, and social issues and policies in that spirit of tolerance and mutual respect, which issues from Christian love;
To bear witness to these objectives with and among Baptists in Atlantic Canada, as well as nationally and internationally;
To provide accreditation for clergy and chaplains;
To associate and co-operate with other like-minded organizations, such as the Atlantic Ecumenical Council, The Canadian Council of Churches, The Gathering of Baptists, and the Alliance of Baptists;
(Memorandum of Association)
Activities
In pursuit of its objectives, the CABF
- Publishes a Bulletin three times a year,
- Maintains a website, and
- Meets semiannually for worship, fellowship, and study of an issue of contemporary interest.
One of these meetings is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the other is the Rushton Lecture and Luncheon.
Annual General Meeting (Fall)
The Vincent Rushton Luncheon and Lecture (Spring)
ABF/CABF Presidents
| 1971 — Kendall Kenny | 1990 — Rev. Byron Corkum |
| 1972 — Jack Matthews | 1992 — Ed Colquhoun |
| 1974 — Ed Colquhoun | 1994 — Elaine Anne MacGregor |
| 1976 — Dr. Reginald ("Reg") Dunn | 1998 — Paul Burden |
| 1978 — Rev. Vincent Rushton | 2000 — Rev. John Boyd |
| 1979 — Rev. Willis Henderson | 2003 — Rev. Sheila Redden-Smith |
| 1980 — Rev. Don Jackson | 2004 — Rev. Andy Crowell |
| 1981 — Rev. John Boyd | 2006 — Rev. Dave Ogilvie |
| 1982 — Rev. Gordon Gower | 2009 — Rev. Jeff White |
| 1984 — Rev. Robert Matthews | 2011 — Rev. Dr. J. Daniel Gibson |
| 1986 — Gwendolyn Atherton | 2013 — Rev. John Tonks |
| 1988 — Rev. Dr. Roger Prentice | 2017 — Lee Nicholas-Pattillo |