A night in Thistletown

A few years ago, I sat beside Ken Davis, pastor of Thistletown Baptist in Toronto, and whispered to him, “I love you, but you’re still wrong.”

Ken laughed. It was a strange way to say hello, but there was a little bit of truth there. Although we pastor churches in the same denomination on the same road, just seven kilometers apart, we could probably get in some interesting debates together.

Little does Ken know that I respect him more than I could ever disagree with him.

Last night, our two churches met at Thistletown to pray for the city. It’s a small step I know, but I came away very encouraged. Thistletown is in the middle of Rexdale, a great community whose name has been tarnished recently by shootings and gangs. Thistletown, led by Ken, has consistently shown a heart for the community, and it seemed the least we could do to join them and to pray for the city together.

I am just beginning to learn some of the things that this church has been doing for years.

Ken (who comments here regularly) has a sharp theological mind, a wit to match, a heart for the community and for justice, and loves spicy food just like me. His most glaring fault is that he dislikes boiled cabbage, and even thinks it was invented after the Fall. Nobody’s perfect.

But it was good to meet with some great people last night and realize that we are all in it together, and that maybe with God’s help we can learn from each other, and become what we should be in a city that could use a touch from God’s hand.