Projects

We are working to acquire, preserve, publish, and digitize historically significant resources about Pentecostalism in the Canadian context, and we are seeking creative new opportunities for collaboration and education.

Acquisition

We work with copyright owners to secure permission for historic publications and out-of-print memoirs written by Canadian Pentecostal clergy and practitioners from the early 1900s to the early 2000s. So far, we have obtained permission to republish about thirty memoirs and are arranging further agreements to publish other significant historical documents on Canadian Pentecostalism.

We have secured permission to republish out-of-print memoirs by John Spillenaar, Jack West, George Upton, Roy Upton, Jean & Marion Bolton, Evelyn Forsey, George Derkatch, Donald Kauffman, and several others.

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Preservation

We work with archival partners to preserve physical and digital copies of materials in multiple secure locations. By entrusting them to institutions rather than individuals, we ensure these resources are safeguarded for the long term and remain accessible beyond the lifespan of their original owners.

As we secure copyright permissions for publishing, we also seek out materials of interest to denominational archives, such as the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Archives.

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Publication

We are actively working to publish out-of-print memoirs of approximately thirty Canadian Pentecostal clergy and practitioners. Our goal is to release softcover and digital versions in both Canadian English and Québécois French. So far, we have published one book in English, with another eleven in various stages of proofreading, typesetting, and graphic design. French translations follow the publication of the Canadian English editions.

These memoirs will appear in a series entitled Canadian Pentecostal Library Classics. The first title we republished was Wings of the Gospel: The Story of Canada’s Northland Missionary Pilot, Rev. John Spillenaar, which was originally published in 1976. A French edition is forthcoming.

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Front cover of Wings of the Gospel by John Spillenaar.

Back cover of Wings of the Gospel by John Spillenaar.

Front cover of French version of Wings of the Gospel by John Spillenaar.

Back cover of French version of Wings of the Gospel by John Spillenaar.

Digitization

We have several ongoing digitization projects, scanning books, journals, and papers into PDF format, usually one page at a time. We work only with items in the public domain or those for which we have received written permission. Many digitized items from the Canadian context will be added to an accessible online repository on global Pentecostalism, free for researchers and practitioners. Some digitization is carried out by our archival or institutional partners.

We are currently digitizing the complete collection of the Eastern Journal of Practical Theology, an academic journal published by Eastern Pentecostal Bible College (Peterborough, Ontario) from 1987 to 1998.

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Collaboration

We believe that working together is better than working alone, and seek creative ways to collaborate with potential partners. The Canadian Pentecostal Library was founded because we saw that many Pentecostal institutions value preserving their history, but often lack the time or resources to share it widely through publication or digitization. Our goal is not to replace existing services, but to support and expand the capacity of our partners by taking on some of this challenging and costly work. Our partners also strengthen our work by sharing their resources. We partner with Pentecostal denominations, districts, branches, camps, Bible schools, and other not-for-profit organizations across Canada, helping make their histories accessible to researchers, practitioners, and the public. Through collaboration, we ensure the story of Pentecostalism in Canada is preserved, shared, and remains accessible for generations.

We are currently collaborating on projects with the Western Ontario District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, the PAOC Archives, Braeside Camp, the Library and Research Committee of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, the Consortium of Pentecostal Archives, Master’s Pentecostal Seminary at Tyndale University (Toronto), the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada, Trossachs Gospel Camp, Master’s College and Seminary, Horizon College and Seminary, and the Mission Press Society (which publishes the Finnish-language Canadian-American Pentecostal newsletter entitled Todistaja).

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Education

Education is the primary purpose of the Canadian Pentecostal Library. All our efforts serve this mission. We work to educate the public about the contributions of Pentecostalism within Canada and of Canadian Pentecostals within the global context. We want Pentecostal adherents in Canada to know and understand their history, and non-Pentecostal Christians to value their unique contributions to Canadian Christianity. We support scholars in accessing historical materials to study, evaluate, and learn from the influence of Pentecostalism over time. We provide scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who effectively use historical materials to produce papers or presentations that advance the history of Canadian Pentecostalism. We ensure students and international scholars can easily access resources and incorporate the Canadian story into global analyses. To these ends, we work to make Pentecostal resources from the Canadian context widely available and accessible. We also contribute presentations, papers, articles, and projects by invitation.

We have recently assumed responsibility for the Barbara A. Johnston Memorial Award at Master’s Pentecostal Seminary in Toronto, Ontario. This annual award recognizes a student who demonstrates excellence in the scholarly pursuit of Pentecostal spirituality. Recent recipients include Patti Miller (2021), Jacinda Heather Robinson (2022), Fred Middel (2023), and Sandra Cortes Sanchez (2024).

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The story of Pentecostalism in Canada is unique and important.

You can help to preserve and share it.

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