Grace Fellowship Church Weekender
A 9Marks Weekender is a 3-day immersion into the inner workings of our church, designed for pastors, seminary students, and church leaders.
Our next Weekender is scheduled for March 12-14, 2027.
WHAT
Grace Fellowship Church is welcoming 60 pastors, elders, and church leaders from Friday morning through Sunday evening for an immersive learning experience as they participate in the life and function of our church, an elder-led, congregational, Baptist church committed to delighting in God, to the glory of God, for the good of all people.
As an attendee, you will have the chance to observe the weekly staff sermon preview, sit in on an Elders’ Meeting, attend a Members' Meeting, join us for our regular Sunday worship services, participate in breakout sessions, and have ample opportunity to meet other pastors from across Canada.
WHY
We encourage pastors and church leaders to attend because, just as every Timothy needs a Paul, so every church needs a model. “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 3:17; 4:9).
You may not implement or even agree with every last thing you see during your visit, but having this biblical model can help develop a more directed movement in the way you serve and lead in your local body. Then again, maybe you know where to go, but feel clueless about how to get there: “I know I want elders, but what do they do when they meet? I know I need to preach, but how do I go about preparing sermons week in and week out? I know the budget needs work, but I’m no accountant.”
The goal of the Weekender is to provide an environment in which leaders can observe and discuss the biblical and practical dynamics of nurturing love and holiness in a local church.
WHERE
The Weekender takes place in the west end of Toronto at:
Grace Fellowship Church, 28 Elmhurst Drive, Toronto, ON M9B 5Y4
WHEN
The Weekender takes place from Friday at 9:30 AM until Sunday at 8:00 PM. Each day is full, with short breaks between some sessions. Applicants are expected to participate in the entire schedule. We ask that you only apply if you are able to attend the entire Weekender, out of respect for our congregation who sacrifice their time and go out of their way to serve to make this weekend possible. If your application is accepted, please note that it is conditional upon your full participation in the schedule.
HOW
Food: We will provide your meals from lunch on Friday through dinner on Sunday. Lunch on Sunday will be served in our church members' homes.
Cost: The early bird cost to attend the Weekender is TBD. The cost for applicants on or after February 1, 2026 is TBD. This helps cover your meals as well as books and resources for the weekend. We understand some individuals will not be able to afford the full amount. If you need a portion of the registration cost covered, requests for scholarships can be submitted to weekender@gfcto.com.
Accommodations: We have limited space for billeters, available on an as-needed basis. You may contact us for a list of nearby hotels.
WHO
The Weekender is designed for men who are, or aspire to be, church leaders. This includes pastors, elders, deacons, lay leaders, interns, seminarians, and more.
Due to limited space, we ask that each church send no more than three men to any Weekender. Exceptions may be granted. Priority is given to applicants who have not attended a Weekender in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I come late on Friday?
We require full participation from all of our attendees. Each session builds off of the one before and it's critical that you are present for all of them. Out of respect for others who may benefit from our limited spots, we ask that you only apply if you can attend the entire Weekender.
What can I expect from the schedule?
Here is a sample itinerary:
Friday
9:15am Registration opens
10:00am Welcome & Introductions
11:00am Talk #2: Elder-led Congregationalism
12:00pm Small Groups
12:45pm Lunch
1:30pm Talk #1: A Word-Centred Ministry
2:30pm Service/Sermon Preview
4:00pm Break
4:30pm Small Groups
5:00pm Dinner
6:00pm Elders’ Meeting
Saturday
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Talk #3: Meaningful Membership
10:00am Break
10:15am Talk #4: Elder Qualifications & Responsibilities
11:15am Break
11:30am Small Groups
12:00pm Lunch
12:45pm Break
1:00pm Talk #5: Deacon Qualifications & Responsibilities
2:00pm Break
2:30pm Workshops
3:30pm Break
3:45pm Workshops
4:30pm Small Groups
5:00pm Dinner
5:45pm Talk #6: Church Discipline
Sunday,
9:15am Arrival
9:30am Prayer Meeting
10:00am Worship Service
12:00pm Lunch at Member's Homes (or Senior Pastor Lunch)
3:00pm Members’ Meeting
4:30pm Break
5:00pm GraceNight Service
6:00pm Break
6:30pm Dinner with Service Review & Weekender Evaluation
7:45pm Dismissal
Do you offer student discounts?
We are happy to offer a discount for seminary students at Heritage College & Seminary and Toronto Baptist Seminary. Please indicate your student status on your application. Heritage Alumni can also provide a discount code for past students.
Do you accept international applicants?
We are happy to consider all applicants. Please email weekender@gfcto.com with more details about your status. However, as our Weekender is catered to Canadian churches, it may be more useful for you to attend an International Intensive at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C..
May I bring my wife?
We generally discourage this as the schedule is extremely full and sessions are only open to the registered participants. If your family accompanies you, they are welcome to attend any of our church's public meetings on Sunday, but will not be able to be on-site Friday/Saturday or observe the private sessions on Sunday afternoon.
What should I bring?
Bring your questions, a Bible, and some extra packing space for lots of free books! We'll provide your meals and a binder full of resources.
When does registration open?
The application form will be posted on this page in the fall. We will inform you if your application was approved within a couple weeks.