Certainly. We originated as a Church ministry in Toronto, Ontario, initially as St. Peter’s Tabernacle and evolved into York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization, a non-profit charitable Organization and recognized Religious Body in 1968. Currently acknowledged as a Religious Body (commonly known as a Denomination) within the province of Ontario, we possess the authority to instruct our faith, confer legally recognized Clergy credentials, and engage in governmental representation.

Throughout our history, we have maintained a modest physical presence in North York and among our affiliated ministries. In 2015, we extended our ministry’s influence by establishing a prominent online training presence. We have been registered as a not-for-profit charitable incorporation with Canada Business since 1962, and our official status as a Religious Body was attained in 1968 after thorough examination and due process by our governing bodies. We operate under the oversight of the Charitable Directorate and the Office of the Registrar General of Marriage, Birth, and Death, demonstrating our standing as a legitimate Religious Body (Denomination). Verification of our legitimacy can be obtained through any of these regulatory bodies.

Each credential issued by our Organization undergoes a rigorous period of scriptural study and assessment. Credentials are earned through a formal ceremony and are never distributed for monetary compensation or through mail services. 

The eligibility criteria for admission into the Ministry Ordination Program are as follows. Enrollment applications undergo individualized assessment, with a requisite emphasis on a comprehensive understanding of the Bible. The program’s objective is not merely to impart knowledge about God; rather, it necessitates a demonstration of the adept division of the word of Truth. Consequently, a commitment to achieving high grades indicative of comprehension and practical application is anticipated. All prospective candidates must satisfy the following stipulations to gain acceptance into this Program:

• Must be fully aligned with the York St. Peter’s Statement of Faith.
• Adherence to the PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN FAITH is essential
• A genuine calling to the ministry is a prerequisite.
• Regular attendance at a Church assembly is mandatory, substantiated by documentary evidence.
• A verifiable letter of recommendation from either your Pastor or an ordained Clergy is required.
• Being a repentant, born-again, spirit-led Christian is imperative.
• Demonstrating commendable Christian character is a fundamental expectation.
• Must be baptised by full immersion.
• A minimum age of 21, unless actively engaged in ministerial duties.
• Submission of a Vulnerable Sector Police Check is mandatory.
• Must have a personal computer with internet access. Video conferencing capabilities is essential.
• A commitment to rigorous study for a duration of 12 months is required.
• Must be able to participate in all scheduled onsite and online activites. 
• Financial capability to cover the costs of the Program is a prerequisite.

We are all entitled to our own beliefs however the criteria for acceptance into this program requires that you are fully in agreement with the York St. Peter’s Statement of Faith. We kindly request that you refrain from contacting us for the purpose of arguing, expressing complaints, or seeking exceptions in this regard.

If you find yourself in disagreement with our Statement of Faith, we respectfully advise against applying for study and credentials with our organization. We believe there are other entities better suited to meet your needs and beliefs. Thank you for your understanding.

First and foremost, it’s important to emphasize that an ordination certificate is not a prerequisite for ministering for Christ. However, obtaining ordination can significantly contribute to building trust and credibility, demonstrating your preparedness, examination, and approval for service in the Church.

The beauty of ministering for Christ is that it transcends the confines of a church building. Whether you are drawn to pulpit ministry, youth ministry, Bible study, Christian counseling, worship ministry, missions, evangelism, or community outreach, the possibilities are vast. There is a profound need for salvation in places like jails and hospital wards, and opportunities abound to promote Christian values, such as officiating Holy Matrimony.

You are not limited by time or place; the world needs God’s people everywhere, at all times. Your contributions, whether big or small, in any area that glorifies God, are not only valid but crucial. Your dedication to serving Christ holds the potential to bring about positive and transformative impacts. Embrace the diversity of opportunities, and let your service shine for the glory of God!

We strive to build a foundation of trust and integrity ensuring that Christian ministers are sincere, well-prepared, and safe to represent this organization, and the Gospel within the public sector. Here are steps that we take with each applicant:

1. Thorough Application Process:

   • We have a comprehensive application process that includes detailed personal and professional information, and personal references. 
   • We require ministers to sign a clear and detailed Statement of Faith, aligning with the principles and beliefs of this organization, therefore ensuring that they understand and adhere to this organization’s doctrinal positions.

2. We Request Background Checks:

   • A Vulnerable Sector Police Check is required of all individuals accepted into the Program. These checks ensure transparency and identify any potential problems. 

3. Pastoral Recommendations:

   • Applicants must provide a recommendation from their current or previous pastors, one emphasizing their character, commitment, and suitability for ministry. They are also asked to verify the applicants  past involvement and roles in church or ministry settings.

4. Interview Process:

   • A thorough interview is conducted with each applicant to assess their mindset, understanding of theology, commitment to Christian values, and to know their aspirations for ministry.

5. Educational Verification:  

• • We confirm the educational background of each applicant.

Code of Conduct:

1. • Each student must sign a comprehensive Code of Conduct outlining expected behaviors, ethical standards, and guidelines for public representation.

2. Regular Evaluation:

   • We conduct regular evaluations of students’ performance, behavior, Christian character and adherence to organizational standards. Any concerns are addressed promptly.

While we currently do not engage in Church planting, our focus lies in offering comprehensive study programs and legal credentials for ordination and marriage. It is our anticipation that those participating in the Ministry Ordination Program are individuals who feel a calling and likely have intentions to establish their independent ministries, either already in progress or part of their future plans.

Upon ordination, if your aspirations involve performing marriages in Ontario, we are pleased to share that York St. Peter’s can represent you to the Office of the Registrar General and appoint you to your own established ministry so that you may perform marriages in Ontario.

Absolutely. Diligence is paramount in this program. We look for a commitment to earnest effort and spiritual advancement among our students. The expectation is made clear: study to exhibit competence, and confidence, then proceed to fulfill the divine calling on your life. Irrespective of one’s familiarity with Bible theology, the essence of time, study, comprehension, and wisdom will always remain as goals to be achieved. An understanding of God’s Word is cultivated through dedicated study, which is a lifelong commitment for anyone devoted to serving as a person of God. It’s an ongoing journey, so considering the significance of 12 months in this context just becomes a matter of perspective.

Usually those who are not willing to put in the effort are not sincere in their intentions for Christ and are looking for something else. Those, whose motivation for joining is solely to gain a title, or officiate marriage ceremonies, must know that this will not align with the objectives of our ministry and we suggest you look elsewhere.

No, unfortunately you would not. York St. Peter’s represents Protestant Christianity. The Roman Catholic and Protestant Statements of Faith are not the same. While both groups hold the fundamental Christian beliefs such as the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and salvation through faith, there are significant theological differences between the two.

For example, Roman Catholics recognize the authority of the Pope as the head of the Church and believe in the importance of Sacraments, including baptism, the Eucharist, and confession. Protestants, on the other hand, reject the Pope’s authority and place a greater emphasis on individual interpretation of the Bible and justification by faith alone.

There are also differences in the beliefs regarding the role of Mary and the saints, purgatory, and the use of religious icons and symbols. Protestants call no man ‘Father’ but Roman Catholics do.  In the Roman Catholic Bible, the 2nd commandment is removed… the important one that states; 

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments.”   

..and the 10th commandment, well it was split in two to make up the 10.  We do not pray, worship or give reverence to images, to Mary or the Saints. We do not ask them to intercede for us to the Father. That was Jesus’ role.   John 16:26 gives us the confidence to approach the Father on our own. We observe 2 Sacraments, they observe 7. 

So overall, while there are some shared beliefs between Roman Catholics and Protestants, there are also significant theological differences that would cause contention between our Statements of Faith.  For that reason, we serve those within the Protestant Christian Faith. 

At York St. Peter’s we affirm God’s plan for marriage and sexual intimacy – that is one natural man to one natural woman, for life. Through the scriptures we understand that anything outside of this is not God’s plan for mankind, therefore we would not be able to elevate an individual of the LGBTQi++ community to ordination on the basis of creed. 

No you are not guaranteed to become an ordained minister. Ordination is not assured through payment alone. Similar to any educational program, successful completion of all requirements, coupled with an overall passing mark of 85%, is essential to attain ordination. The earning of ordination credentials is a merit-based process, and no exceptions can be made. Due to the gravity of dealing with people’s lives, it is imperative to guarantee competence and accuracy in Biblical teaching, preaching, and baptizing before conferring ordination.

If the course is not completed successfully, we cannot proceed with the ordination process. This approach ensures that those ordained through our program are well-prepared and qualified to fulfill their responsibilities with a sound understanding of their faith.

Numerous factors contribute to the popularity of our program, and among them are the following key reasons:

• Comprehensive Journey: Our program encompasses the entire process from the initial calling right to achieving ordination.
• Affordable Theological Study: We offer seminary-level theological study at an affordable price.
• Cost-Effective Tuition: The affordability of our tuition, coupled with a competitive payment plan, makes theological education more accessible to all.
• Seminary-Level Study: You will study from the same course pool that is used within the larger Christian universities and Theological seminaries.
• Personalized Support: Our dedicated facilitators personally know and care for each student by name, providing encouragement through words, actions, and prayer.
• Hybrid Learning: Allows for 80% of your study online, at your own pace as you work towards deadlines. You must only travel for scheduled practical workshops.
• Religious Body Affiliation: As a recognized Religious Body, individuals ordained through our program have the opportunity to apply for authorization to perform marriage in Ontario’

These aspects contribute to the appeal and effectiveness of the Ministry Ordination Program for those aspiring to pursue ministry.

You don’t necessarily require seminary attendance or a degree to lead someone to Christ, or even become an ordained minister and anyone suggesting otherwise may need to answer to God for conveying this misconception. According to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20, all believers are considered ministers, though some are distinctly called to leadership roles. By the way, only God can ordain. We, as mere humans can only recognize God’s ordained. If God has ordained you to minister, then you must minister… ordination certificate or not. What you must know is God’s Word, so you must study to show yourself approved, that you are rightfully dividing the Word of Truth.

Reflecting on Christ’s disciples, who lacked formal education or traditional ordination as we understand it today, can provide insight. In Acts 8 and 9, individuals immediately embraced salvation, repented, and became witnesses and ministers for the Lord, irrespective of how new they were in their faith. Nowhere in the scriptures does it state that extensive schooling, degrees, or ordination certificates are prerequisites for ministering for Christ. While diligent study is a truth that all Christians, especially those called to minister, should adhere to, man-made stipulations should not overshadow this foundational principle.

Encouragement is extended for believers to pursue studies at any available Theological Institute if able to but for those unable to do so, YSPEO offers accessible Bible study programs and offers legal credentials.

Jesus’ simple requirement in Matthew 4:19 to his disciples was to “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” For ordained ministers, engaging in lifelong scripture study remains a continual pursuit.

It would be thoughtless for us to credential individuals without conducting thorough due diligence. Possessing a diploma, certificate, or advanced degrees may indicate knowledge, but it doesn’t guarantee a personal relationship with our Father, nor the ability to apply biblical wisdom effectively in soul-winning endeavors. We have acknowledged some brilliant highly educated scholars who just shine for Christ, and also some who encounter challenges as they lack the guidance and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It’s essential to recognize that a person, despite extensive Bible knowledge and academic achievements, lacks true value if they don’t know God. Hence, York St. Peter’s places great importance on verifying that ordained students exhibit a clear, accurate understanding and practical application of the scriptures, coupled with a personal relationship with God and evident spiritual gifts. Successful completion of the entire program is a prerequisite before receiving an ordination certificate to ensure that our ordained ministers are well-equipped and genuinely connected to their faith.

Unfortunately, like any other learning Institution if you fail the course you will have to pay if you wish to take it again. 

No. We are not an ordination mill.  We believe in the teaching of 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’ Ordination certificates will not be issued by mail, nor for a fee. They will only be issued to those who have successfully completed the Ministry Ordination Program, and attend their scheduled ordination ceremony.

The Ministry Ordination Program has a 12 month curriculum that was designed to be a blessing to the Body of Christ and also to be an affordable and achievable goal for Christian Believers who wish to obey God’s commission to teach and preach the Gospel, spread the message of Salvation, and provide Outreach Ministry to ‘the least of these’. Each course module noticeably increasing in challenge as you progress. Based on Scripture, research, experience and faith, this curriculum brings students closer to knowing God through the knowledge of the Word and the wonder, and experience of God’s love. For those who struggle with the Scriptures the course content is comprehensive and a complete blessing. 

Courses relate to our personal, physical and spiritual lives, social and community issues along with other special applications of God’s Word. Once the Program is complete students will have learned how to apply these teachings to all aspects of their lives and their ministry. The learn how to  pass this knowledge on to others effectively. As this is Denominational training we do not offer credits or transcripts, diplomas or degrees. You will receive a Certificate of Ordination. This same curriculum that you will study is being used and approved for credit at many notable seminaries, so you can expect to have an equivalent learning experience.

The courses are self paced and you can anticipate at least 1hour of study per night. You will interact with facilitators and other students via discussion on the York St. Peter’s social network group. Some excellent Bible Study tools are made available to all students through the Logos 10 platform which offers many free courses by renown authors, commentaries, lectures, sermons, Bible and language translations, maps, photos and more. 

Courses require reading, practice and assessment along with video conference meetings. Study is significant and will challenge you. If you have no intention of studying the Scriptures this course is not for you.  Processes have been specifically designed to ensure that questions are answered honestly and from the heart to protect against plagiarism. Our curriculum is engaging, edifying and easy to understand, sufficient to have an individual ordained as a Christian Minister. You may see the course listing on the Program page of this website.

• A $300 application fee is required from applicants. If declined, this fee is promptly refunded. If accepted, the $300 application fee is deducted from the total tuition.
• Tuition for the Ministry Ordination Program is due in full upon acceptance. Alternatively, a payment plan is available upon request, allowing up to 10 equal payments. If the payment plan is dishonored twice, the full tuition amount is required to continue in the Program.
• Invoices are sent by the 20th of each consecutive month, with payment due by the 1st day of the upcoming month. A yearly payment schedule is provided upon enrollment.
• If there is difficulty making a payment on time, we appreciate notice at least 3 days before the due date for appropriate arrangements. Late payments without prior notification will incur a $40 late fee. After 14 days of non-payment, with no communication, a student will be suspended from the Program.
• We accept credit card payments through Paypal and Email Money Transfer. We do not accept cash, cheques, or money orders, whether in person or by mail.

Given that your ministry studies are conducted online and are predominantly self-paced, it remains your responsibility to ensure timely submission of assignments, irrespective of your location worldwide. Depending on your circumstances, the Director of Ordination Services may permit no more than a one-week absence in total. Our commitment to deadlines is unwavering, and any granted extensions must be honored with precision.

It’s crucial to emphasize that this program spans only 12 months, and we strongly recommend enrolling at a time when external commitments will not detract from your ability to fully dedicate yourself to your studies throughout the entire term.

80% of our Ministry Ordination Program can be accessed online however practical Workshops must be attended in person at our Toronto Church location. You must also be able to attend your Ordination Ceremony at our GTA Church location. With that being said, if you cannot travel to Toronto for the onsite portion then you will not be able to complete the Program. 

A detailed invoice is sent to all students each month stating what has been paid and what is owing. By the end of the Program your statement will show all fees paid and your remaining balance.  This statement is sufficient for income tax purposes. Your Tuition Fees Are Not  A Donation:  If you are looking to claim your course fees as a donation, this cannot be done as you have already received an advantage from the monies paid.

As a recognized Religious Body, we hold exclusive government privileges regarding the methodology of teaching our faith and credentialing ministers. Consequently, we do not engage in competition with, nor are we obligated to adhere to the standards imposed on other Christian learning institutions in Canada. While accreditation may be a consideration in the future, it is not currently a priority for us. Our primary focus is on imparting the Word of God, confident that His truth is comprehensive and substantial.

Upon successful completion of the program, each student will receive a condensed transcript, serving as official documentation and evidence of their theological studies. The Ordination Certificate, a testament to your dedication and approval by the Church, stands as our recommendation and suffices to confirm that you have undertaken a thorough study of the Word of God.