Longer Tables, Where Hope Gathered: Recap of Oasis 2026

From August 6 to 8, 663 people from across the CBAC family gathered at Acadia University for Oasis 2026, representing 143 churches. It was a beautiful reminder of the gift of gathering as a CBAC family, to connect, listen, care, and hope together.

Our Oasis theme, “Longer Tables: Where Hope Gathers”, invited us to reimagine how we share the good news today and how we invite people to our tables to explore Jesus. Throughout our days together, God met us around many kinds of tables in worship, around Scripture in preaching, through prayer, over meals, in workshops and conversations, and as we attended to our shared family business.

The New Minas Baptist Church Collective led us in passionate, Christ-centred worship, creating space for joyful praise, quiet reflection, prayer, and response. We prayed for one another, for our churches and leaders, for our ministry partners, and for God’s work in communities across Atlantic Canada and around the world. Some of the most meaningful moments happened when people took time to gather around one another to pray, carrying burdens together and asking the Spirit to renew courage, faith, and hope.

Each rally invited us to look again at the table of Jesus. Rev. Renée MacVicar, our CBAC Executive Minister, opened Oasis from John 21, calling us to love Jesus and invite others to the table, making room for others to encounter His grace. Rev. Dr. Mark Jefferson continued the theme with “Turning Over Our Tables,” challenging us to remove barriers that hinder God’s mission, and “Transformed by a Longer Table,” reminding us that an encounter with the risen Jesus changes our direction, restores us to fellowship, and brings faith alive. Watch and share the Oasis keynote messages here.

Oasis also gave us many opportunities to celebrate what God is doing among us. We heard from CBAC organizations and ministry partners, celebrating the good work God enables us to do together. Practical workshops equipped churches and leaders in areas including community engagement, welcoming newcomers, ministry with seniors, Indigenous perspectives, communication, human resources, and future-focused ministry.

And, of course, there were lots of conversations in hallways, over meals, at the family BBQ, during receptions, and between sessions. Pastors encouraged pastors. Church leaders exchanged ideas. Old friendships were renewed and new connections began. These moments are an important part of Oasis because we need one another. We are not called to pursue God’s mission alone.

Oasis also included the shared work of discernment and decision-making during our annual business meeting. A total of 443 registered delegates participated on behalf of their churches. Some of those conversations were complex and difficult, reminding us of the importance of continuing to listen carefully and walk together with faithfulness, humility, truth, and grace.

Oasis is valuable because it brings the CBAC family together, not in uniformity, but in unity around Jesus, His mission and our shared desire to see the hope of Jesus overflow into neighbourhoods across Atlantic Canada and beyond. Churches send delegates to help shape our shared life. Pastors and leaders come to be refreshed, equipped, encouraged, and reminded that they are not alone. Children, youth, volunteers, ministry partners, and church members all help us see the beauty of God’s people serving together across Atlantic Canada.

We left Oasis 2026 grateful for what God had done among us and challenged to carry it home. The longer table cannot remain only an Oasis theme. It must take shape in our churches, around our own tables, and in our neighbourhoods as we make room for others to encounter Jesus.

May God continue to fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that together we overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. May our churches become fountains of hope in every neighbourhood and may we keep pulling up another chair.

Oasis 2027 will take place August 5–7 at Crandall University. We hope your church, delegates, pastors, and ministry leaders will join us.