The Rev. Jonathan Blanchard appointed to lead diocesan committee focused on supporting evangelism and mission across Algoma
The Diocese of Algoma is pleased to announce the appointment of The Rev. Jonathan Blanchard as Chair of the Diocese’s Evangelism Committee.
Jonathan serves as Incumbent of St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, and West Thunder Bay. Archbishop Anne Germond recently invited him to chair the committee and assist in guiding its work as it begins discerning priorities and opportunities for ministry across the diocese.
Archbishop Anne has expressed her gratitude for Jonathan’s willingness to serve and outlined one of the committee’s first areas of focus. “One of the first things I have asked the committee to consider is how we, as a diocese, fulfill the resolution passed at Synod 2025 to balance the diocesan budget and to ‘pray and fast’ as we work towards this end.”
Jonathan brings a lifelong connection to Christian mission to his new role. Born in Qalandarabad, Pakistan, he is the son of missionaries Dr. Robert Blanchard and Madeline Blanchard, who served for many years at BACH Christian Hospital through The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM).
Reflecting on his appointment, Jonathan spoke about the importance of reclaiming evangelism as the sharing of God’s good news. “It is my prayer that the Diocese can re-claim the mission given by Jesus: ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'”
He acknowledges that the language of evangelism can sometimes be misunderstood in contemporary culture. “Unfortunately the word ‘evangelism’ or ‘evangelical’ has taken on the baggage of radical and harmful ideology,” he said. “As chair of the Evangelism Committee, I desire to invite people into the family of God.”
Jonathan expressed the hope that the committee’s work will reflect the spirit of Isaiah’s vision: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.”
Committee members currently include Archbishop Anne Germond, The Rev. Jonathan Blanchard (Chair), Nancy Houghton, The Rev. Catherine Hazlitt, The Rev. Susan Montague-Koyle, and Oluwale Ogunlola.
Please join us in praying for Jonathan and all members of the Evangelism Committee as they begin this important work.
Photo: The Rev. Jonathan Blanchard.