Yes it is.  We started in Toronto, Ontario in 1962 as St. Peter’s Tabernacle becoming incorporated as York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization  in 1968, a non-profit, charitable Organization and Religious Body. To date we are a recognized Christian Religious Body (aka Denomination) within Ontario and are authorized to teach that of our faith, to issue Clergy legally earned credentials, and government representation. We have always maintained a small presence within our affiliated ministries until establishing our online training presence in 2015. We are registered as a not-for-profit charitable incorporation with Canada Business, and are accountable to the Charitable Directorate and also The Office of the Registrar General of Marriage, Birth and Death as a Religious Body (Denomination).  Any of these will verify our legitimacy.

We are a Protestant Christian Governing Religious Body otherwise known as a Denomination. We are not of the Catholic faith and we do not operate as a conventional Sunday-morning congregation. Instead we conduct religious education, ordain ministers, provide ministerial oversight, organize worship and outreach, sponsor clergy to perform marriage, and hold religious ceremonies. Through the government of Canada, York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization has obtained the right to teach and ordain ministers in the Christian faith, qualifying them to provide services expected of ordained ministers such as officiating at weddings, baptisms, funerals, the Lord’s Supper, also to teach and preach, lead bible study groups, pastor congregations, evangelize and provide outreach services. 

We are Interdenominational. This means we will accept Believers who follow the true Biblical teachings of Jesus as found in the scriptures regardless of which Denomination they are from. The Canadian government requires that anyone receiving Authorization to Solemnize marriage must be a member in good standing of a Denomination. We are a Denomination and welcome those who are able to support this ministry to assist us in fulfilling our goal of spreading the message of Salvation.

Marriage registration is not automatic with ordination. In Canada, marriage registration is handled provincially, and in Ontario it must be approved and issued by the Office of the Registrar General. The office of the Registrar General’s office will only credentials for a minister based on York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization’s sponsorship.  We only sponsor eligible supporting members in good standing.

 A Supporting Member pays monthly membership fees which support the charitable and religious work of York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization, including ministry programs, outreach, administration, member resources, events, and the ongoing responsibilities required to operate as a recognized Religious Body. 

 As a Supporting Member sponsorship for marriage registration is optional and, where approved, is extended at no separate cost to eligible supporting members in good standing. You must be an ordained minister, and agree with our Statement of Faith, complete the Marriage Program, provide the required documents, and pay the required fees to be recognized as a Supporting Member in good standing.

If you meet the requirements by supporting this ministry you may opt in for sponsorship at no extra cost (York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization’s support for marriage registration). If approved by York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization, the application is then submitted for government review. Final approval does not come from York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization; it comes from the Office of the Registrar General.

We give everyone who enrolls full opportunity to study the material, with more than enough time granted to absorb the content. A minimum 80% grade is required to successfully complete the Program. 

If you do not complete the Program successfully and wish to retry you will have to enroll in the program again.

No. Each ministry that is affiliated with York St. Peter’s is sovereign and autonomous. We just offer you what you need in the way of training and credentials to further your ministry in a Biblical, legal and respectable manner. We do not get involved with financial, administrative, operational or moral issues within your Ministry. What we do require is that our supporting members adhere to our Organization’s rites, rituals and beliefs as outline in our Statement of Faith. All ministries are self –governing and responsible to the government of Ontario for their own federal and provincial undertakings as per the Constitutions and By-Laws governing this Denomination.

Unfortunately, you do not qualify to perform marriages in Ontario as an ordained Chaplain. The Office of the Registrar General requires that all applicants must provide an ordination certificate that states they are an Ordained Minister. 

Then we are not the Denomination for you. All members of York St. Peter’s are required to have an active Christian ministry, or be required to perform marriage for an active Christian ministry (with a letter of request). Ministry is the main prerequisite to perform marriage. 

Thank you for your desire to support York St. Peter’s. 

Although sponsorship coverage is optional it requires more than financial support. They also requires participation, reporting, accountability, and completion of annual requirements.

If you are unable to attend a required event, please let us know in advance. Where possible, York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization may provide an approved alternate requirement, such as a make-up session, written reflection, recorded review, or other form of participation. These alternatives must be approved by York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization and recorded through the proper reporting process.

We are grateful for your support and do not wish to turn anyone away. At the same time, we must remain fair, accountable, and consistent with all members. Sponsorship for registration is a supporting membership option extended freely to those to those who are able and willing to uphold the requirements connected to that status.

Well, that is definitely a noble thought. We are all Christians and loved by God equally so no one of us is any better than the other however, God has chosen some to lead His people. John 15:16 teaches;

‘You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you‘.

Matthew 22:14 teaches “For many are called, but few are chosen.” So your are actually NOT the same as the others. You have been called and chosen. Ministers of God, if you are called and chosen to lead out of many, you must let the world know who you are. A police officer has a uniform so we know his function, the same with a fireman, a baker, an astronaut, a doctor or nurse …  In the case of a crime, how would you know which person can uphold the law if everyone’s in plain clothes? Suppose you were told ‘the doctor is ready to see you’ and when you looked, everyone was in plain clothes. Who represents the hospital? 

At York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization we believe in Clergy attire to show that you represent God as a leader in His ministry. This is traditional to this Organization. We require that all members arrive at our events in simple Clergy attire (clergy collar) or any time they are in the Sanctuary with our membership. How you represent yourself within your own ministry is your own choice. Our ministers also hold Clergy Photo ID Cards that represent them in Clergy attire. Should Clergy attire cause a member to become arrogant, demand respect, or feel uncomfortable then  it’s recommended that they refrain from it, and seek the Cross.

No. York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization’s Clergy does not support same sex or trans-gender relationships or marriage. As a Christian Organization we would like to confirm our commitment to God and we have all confidence and faith in the Holy Bible’s teachings which we deem as His inspired, unfailing Word and Guidance. We believe that marriage is a very sacred and Holy union, ordained of God for the procreation of children (Gen. 1:28) and for the mutual love of a man and a woman who become one flesh. Although we do not perform same sex marriages we will continue to follow Jesus’ example to love and wholeheartedly welcome all individuals regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation yet we maintain that we are called to minister against all and every form of sin described to us in the Bible. We hope that all people may hear our message and be changed in physical and spiritual character and composition…into the knowledge and promise of Jesus Christ.

Yes, depending on which province you are applying to. There are many Religious Bodies in Ontario. Be sure to find one with a Statement of Faith that are the same as your beliefs. In Ontario you need to be a member in good standing of a Religious Body of that Province . This is a requirement by the Office of The Registrar General in order to receive Registration to Solemnize Marriage in Ontario. Here at York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization you cannot buy sponsorship or registration.  If you are recognized as a supporting member then your application for registration is optional and at offered at no cost, but must be applied for and approved by York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization.

There are some ministries that do not warrant a physical Church location or a congregation but what we look for is that you have an active ministry, a name and public address for the Office of the Registrar General to reference. Each application for sponsorship will be reviewed on it’s own merits. You must have a pastoral charge to YOUR own ministry. 

Following recommendation and application it can take from 4 – 8 weeks to receive your Registration number from the Office of the Registrar General although it is sometimes received sooner.  Applications to Solemnize Marriage in Ontario are approved and issued at the sole discretion of the Office of the Registrar General upon recommendation by any Denomination. 

Yes, you can receive a Pastoral Charge for that one day so that you can perform a wedding. Must be ordained with an active ministry. There is a fee for this temporary service.  Please email us at info@yorkstpeters.com for further information.