Yes it is.  We started in Toronto, Ontario in 1962 as St. Peter’s Tabernacle becoming ibcorporated 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 Religious Body otherwise known as a Denomination. We are not of the Catholic faith. 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 assist us in fulfilling our goal of spreading the message of Salvation.

Things To Understand Before You Apply

Registered Religious Official is the title given to ordained Clergy when they are granted authorization to Solemnize Marriage in Ontario. It is one of the most sought after credentials for ordained Clergy in Ontario, and is intended to be an ADD-ON to an existing active ministry.

• • • York St. Peter’s cannot represent those who have no interest in furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or wish to obtain this privilege to establish a wedding business; in order to protect the sanctity of the Gospel as well as  uphold our values and integrity.
    • All applications to Solemnize Marriage in Ontario are approved and issued at the sole discretion of the Office of the Registrar General upon recommendation of York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization. 
    • Once The Marriage Program is successfully completed membership will be offered to you. 
    • Once you are a member York St. Peter’s will sponsor you to perform marriages in Ontario. Within 4 – 6 weeks you will be authorized by the government.  
    • Understand that we do not allow interfaith, Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, civil, atheist, LGBTQii+, or transgender marriages. God is involved in all marriages performed. If you need to do these then you must go elsewhere.

GET STARTED:

1. Ensure that you agree with our Statement of Faith
2. A verifiable ordination certificate is required. 
3. Applicant must be baptized by full immersion of their own free will. 
4. You must have an active ministry that is incorporated provincially or federally. If serving another ministry they must submit a Letter of Request on your behalf to perform marriage for their ministry congregation.
5. Provide a Vulnerable Sector Police Check with your application.
6. Lastly, you must be a member in good standing of an authorized Religious Body that will sponsor your application to perform marriage in Ontario. York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization is an authorized Religious Body.

Be very clear before you go any further…

York St. Peter’s is a membership based Organization and we expect those who join with us (regardless of their denomination or status) to commit to helping us fulfil our goals and objectives in the following manner;

1. Attend and and participate at each years online Pulpit Assessments
2. Attend  and participate at each years onsite Ordination Ceremony
3. Contribute one post per month to the YSP Social network.
4. Timely quarterly submission of financial contributions as agreed ($75/month).

The required time we ask of our members is less than 15 hours per year. We give ample notice of the dates for these events in order to make arrangements to attend. Simply, if you cannot uphold these commitments on the dates required, we ask you to move on and find another Religious Body more suitable to your needs. We cannot support those who do not support this ministry neither do we have tolerance for those who commit to membership requirements in order to gain credentials, but then fail to uphold them.

For Newly ordained MOP students who wish to perform marriage in Ontario will be assigned a 3 month pastoral charge to the YSP ministry following ordination and only upon request, so they are able to establish their new ministry with full credentials; however, they are still responsible to take the Marriage Program and uphold membership obligations. The pastoral charge will expire after 3 months following ordination and will be switched to their own independent ministry name at that time.

We give everyone who enrolls full opportunity to study the material, with more than enough time granted to absorb the content. A minimum 85% grade is required to successfully complete the Program. 

If you do not complete the Program successfully and wish to retry you will have to pay a discounted fee.

Absolutely not! 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. Your acceptance of membership with York St. Peter’s will confirm your agreement to our faith, goals and commitment to God. Following your Ordination or Registration we are confident that you will be able to manage your own ministry. We do not get involved with financial, administrative, operational or moral issues within your Ministry. What we do require is that our members adhere to our Organization’s rites, rituals and beliefs as outline in our Statement of Faith. For instance, teaching or praying in a name other than that of Jesus, worshiping idols, sprinkling rather than full immersion during a baptism, strange rituals during weddings such as spiritual chants, burning or sacrificing objects, performing same-sex marriages, these are some things that our Denomination does not support. All members are required to uphold their commitments to attend the annual Pulpit assessments and Ordination ceremony, as well as contribute to our social network once per month. We require a Church Ministry Report submission every 6 months to ensure you are continuing your Ministry in a manner in agreement to our Statement of Faith.  All Marriage Officers are accountable to YSPEO.  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.

Then we are not the Denomination for you. All members of York St. Peter’s are required to have an active Christian ministry. Marriage credentials are an addition to your acive ministry. Members must also commit to supporting this ministry’s two main events with their presence and participation (less than 10hrs per year). If you are not wiling to do so then we cannot take you into membership. 

Well then please, do not apply for membership with us. We are based in Toronto. From our members, we need financial support, and support with their presence and participation at the candidate assessments and ordination ceremonies. We ask for less than 10 hours of a members time each year. We cannot support members who cannot support us with their pledged finances or their presence. In this case we cannot help you and encourage you to seek membership elsewhere.

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 or demand respect it’s recommended that they take it off and seek the Cross.

No. York St. Peter’s Evangelistic Organization’s Clergy does not support same sex relationships or trans-gender 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.

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. York St. Peter’s will allow their own newly ordained Ministers to serve under the YSPEO ministry for 3 months following ordination while they receive registration. 

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. Please note that Registration is not an automatic inclusion with membership or the Marriage Workshop. You must meet eligibility requirements in order to apply and must be approved by the Office of the Registrar General. We do not guarantee approval however we have not yet had any members we represent declined for Registration during our 55 years as a Denomination. 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.

We do not want to be put in a position where we have to revoke anyone’s membership, but if your membership has been revoked for any reason you will be notified by email and in writing without refund. Know that all assignments, pastoral charges, and registrations will become null and void immediately. Membership and Registration have nothing to do with Ordination in this sense. Your ordination certificate will remain valid for the rest of your life even if your membership or registration is revoked. York St. Peter’s must report to The Office of The Registrar General truthfully. If you were registered to Solemnize Marriages in Ontario the Registrar General will be notified that your membership is no longer in good standing which will result in them cancelling your Registration immediately;

• Slanderous comments regarding the Gospel or inappropriate comments directed towards our Clergy or Administrative Staff, the Organization or other members.
• Unbecoming behavior at our meetings, workshops or special events.
• Displaying an argumentative spirit.
• Failure to complete renewal or submit your Church Ministry Report twice a year.
• Failure to honor your financial or attendance obligation to the Organization.
• Failure to observe and teach the Word of Jesus Christ and/or deviance from the Truth as written in the scriptures.
• Failure to uphold this Denominations policies, procedures and Statement of Faith
• Performing un-Godly or same-sex marriages.
• Ungodly character or engaging in criminal activities.
• Activities which put this Denomination at legal risk.
• Using any information specific to this Denomination including our name within your ministry correspondences or advertising without our consent.
• Misleading or misrepresenting statements regarding this Denomination.
• Instigating contention and/or confusion within this Organization.
• Failing to report a performed Marriage within 3 days of the union.
• Aggressively challenging our administrative policies, procedures and that of the Marriage Act.
• No communication over a reasonable period of time.

Please be clear on our payment policies.

All members are responsible for paying their Membership Fees on the dates arranged upon acceptance. Should there be any difficulty in honoring a payment on the required date (with exception of the first payment) the member must call us at least 3 days prior to their payment due date and we will be happy to make an arrangement for payment within the next 15 days. Communication is key! If the first day of the month has passed and no payment or arrangement has been made a $45 late fee will be added and the membership will be given a grace period of 10 more days to bring their account up to date. Following this grace period with non-payment or no communication the Course or Membership/Registration will be cancelled without further notification. Should the individual wish to be reinstated a new application will have to be completed adhering to the current prices and requirements. Upon acceptance a payment plan will not be available and the full annual payment must be made to be accepted into the Program or receive registration once again

Should any recurring payment be made late a second time with a year without at least 3 days notice, York St. Peter’s will require the entire remaining balance paid in order to remain in membership.

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 service.  Please email us at [email protected] for further information.