When The Holy Spirit arrives

The THEO Trio overcomes and presents a powerful witness

HAMILTON, Ont. – It was the final sederunt of the 2025 General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and the important business had already been decided. Bags were packed and rooms were vacated. After three days of intensive meetings – 200 people in a lecture hall at MacMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario – everyone was eager to get home. Several commissioners had already departed early to catch flights.

In this final session of GA, it was largely housekeeping. One by one, committee convenors spoke and commissioners listened politely, but few took in all their words. The Committee to Confer with the Moderator, the Committee to Examine Records and finally the Committee on Terms of Reference and Committee on Courtesies and Loyal addresses – which consisted of several pages of thanks and acknowledgement to everyone from the local First Nations, the staff of the host university and all the way up to King of the commonwealth.

And then came the report of the Young Adult Representatives. This year, each of the 18 participants said a few words. Because this was no longer housekeeping, Commissioners perked their ears – but only a bit. The YARs were all youthful vigour and awkward charm, filled with thanks, niceties and pleasantries. Most were encouraging. “The PCC is still alive,” said one to applause. She ended her remarks with wisdom: “If we follow the Holy Spirit, we will always remain empowered by God’s love.”

The very next speaker began by noting that her words – and those of two of the next two speakers – would be spoken as a combined statement. “We are applying it to the three of us and not any other YAR members,” said Dora Daroczi of Calgary.

It had a hint of intrigue, so commissioners appeared to be listening; the background noise quieted slightly.

“I think that in a time of cultural confusion and moral relativism, the PCC must clearly and courageously reaffirm its commitment to the historic truths of the Gospel: the lordship of Jesus Christ, the reality of sin, the necessity of repentance, and the transforming power of God’s grace.”

Dora quoted directly from chapter 5 of Living Faith – a subordinate standard of the PCC. “The Bible is the standard of all doctrine by which we must test any word that comes to us from church, world, or inner experience.”

The stillness increased.

“I think that in a time of cultural confusion and moral relativism, the PCC must clearly and courageously reaffirm its commitment to the historic truths of the Gospel: the lordship of Jesus Christ, the reality of sin, the necessity of repentance, and the transforming power of God’s grace.”

She had everyone’s attention. Then the zinger.

“The three of us believe that the Church must proclaim the unchanging truth of Scripture rather than accommodate it to cultural trends.”

Dead silence.

She cited the Lord’s habit of rebuking the church, calling “the faithful to persevere, warn those who had strayed and promised blessings to those who remain steadfast.”

Repent. Sin no more. The wages of sin is death, she reminded. But tempered with love.

“Like the Israelites in the Old Testament, we’re surrounded by cultures, ideas, and values that seem thrilling in the moment. But if we’re not rooted in the solid foundation of the Word, we risk being swept away.”

“Truth and love are not opposites. In fact, they work together. In my opinion it is unloving not to share the truth of God’s word with the world that desperately needs it.”

Next, Anna Farlie of Nanaimo B.C.

“What is our generation and those even younger, desperately searching for?” It was something with which she had personally wrestled: “who I am, what matters and where I belong.” Without structure or boundaries and “something solid to stand on”, she felt worn down. “I always felt like I was drifting.”

“I know people who are desperately searching for truth in a world that offers only temporary answers through cultural trends and self-expression. Has the church too often told youth and young adults to find their identity in culture instead of in Jesus Christ?”

“The things I thought would fulfill me — whether that was success, acceptance, new ideas, or self-expression — couldn’t hold me up anymore. But when I had nothing left, God met me. He lit that frozen wick of hope within me, and I didn’t know it was still there. I had given up on myself. But He hadn’t.”

“Like the Israelites in the Old Testament, we’re surrounded by cultures, ideas, and values that seem thrilling in the moment. But if we’re not rooted in the solid foundation of the Word, we risk being swept away.”

Abigail McGuffin, of Windsor, Ont., then pointed to the future. “The Church is missing a vital opportunity to guide the next generation in finding their true identity in Jesus Christ. I know people who are desperately searching for truth in a world that offers only temporary answers through cultural trends and self-expression. Has the church too often told youth and young adults to find their identity in culture instead of in Jesus Christ?”

So how is the church doing – is it equipping them?

“Are we truly making disciples — followers of Jesus who are rooted in Scripture, growing in faith, and living transformed lives — or are we simply filling pews with people who show up on Sundays but are not being equipped to live as disciples throughout the week?”

Pay no heed to what culture demands, she said. What does Christ command?

Anna and Dora then moved and stood directly behind her.

“We pray that the PCC will never trade truth for relevance, but hold fast to Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever!”

“Thank you, and God bless you all!” the trio said in unison.

Some commissioners may have rolled their eyes. But many were shaken.

By comparison, the remaining YARs spoke in generalities, pointing to what they learned from the reports and various speakers. One offered a special shout out to their official advisor/handler and her advocacy. “Thank you, thank you. . . . We are grateful and honoured. . . . we stretch our wings” Perfunctory niceties, cordial and expected.

There were also some good insights and heartfelt wishes.

“May we all continue to walk forward with open hearts, grounded in Christ’s love and committed to building a church that reflects God’s justice, grace, compassion and love for all generations,” said one.

But it was the Trio’s words – as with every Gospel-based and Holy Spirit inspired message – that remained in the room. They hung in the air like invisible holy banners. It was deeply personal, brimming with timeless truth and gently chiding, but in a gentle and loving way. For many evangelicals the bold statements of faith and Gospel calls were the highlight of GA.

It was housekeeping – but of a vastly different kind. Rather than sweeping up the crumbs, this was a call for a deep cleaning. (See full text below.) Call them the THEO Trio – Traditional, Historic, Evangelical and Orthodox.

After the motion to adjourn and closing prayer, as commissioners were heading and small groups were hanging out, one of the commissioners approached the Trio.

“Thank you so much for speaking up,” he said. “Your report was really well done, and honestly, has been the most Biblical thing I’ve heard all week.”

But it almost didn’t happen the way it did.

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As with most of the YARs, Abigail, Anna and Dora were strangers when the group first gathered on Saturday. It was a full 24 hours prior to the opening sederunt and provided an advance opportunity for necessary orientation and ice breaking.

Human nature prompts us to seek allies in new settings. This is true for most demographics and cultures but especially for younger age groups. Directives and suggestions which raise eyebrows will prompt us to look one way and another to see others’ reactions. The invitation for YARs to display their pronouns of choice was one of them. Like the first few days of the school years in a new setting, we gravitate to a place of comfort and safety – or at least understanding. Bit by bit, the YARs formed alliances.

None of the THEO Trio knew exactly what to expect.

In terms of clashing with secular culture or with people with different theological outlooks, the Trio had varying degrees of experience. All three had post-secondary education. Dora, 24, was just starting her career as a teacher at the Calgary Catholic School District. Five years at a liberal secular university prepared her for almost anything. “I know what to look for.” Anna, 21, is studying theatre. Abigail, 20, has graduated from college and works at her home congregation in social media and production while awaiting the results of her board exam for Registered Massage Therapy.

Soon after arrival in Hamilton, Anna was having a conversation with one of the other female YARs. Abigail was listening in. “The other girl said something I really disagreed with,” Abigail recalled. “I kind of made a face and in that moment, Anna looked at me and smiled and I knew we had an understanding.” Later, during a break during the opening sederunt worship, held off site at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Hamilton, Anna and Abigail were talking. Dora joined the conversation. Ten minutes later, a bond was formed.

Prior to GA, all three of them had prayed that they would not be alone.

“I knew there would be issues,” said Anna. “Immediately, I began looking. Who shares my views?”

Added Abigail: “My entire church and youth group were praying that I would find someone.”

Most of the YARs pretty much stuck together during GA, although they often broke into small groups for meals and free time. When they did mix, theological differences were sometimes revealed.

“I was talking to another girl and when she said something I didn’t agree with, there was a smile from someone else, like we have the same understanding,” Anna recalled. In another chat, she said Dora overheard something and walked over and said, “You can’t twist the Bible to your truth.” A passionate 10-minute conversation resulted.

By midweek, there was a growing tension with a handful of other YARs. Nothing to write home about, but still notable. It was sparked by hot issues such as abortion and Israel/Hamas. Dora described it as “more of a cold separation. . . cold tension.” For the most part, the YARs got along. No fights were reported.

When the time came to prepare their report, the YARs were provided with six questions/prompts to guide them as they prepared their reports to Assembly. The Trio chose two: “what we believe the church needs to hear after attending and participating in GA” and “what we think the church is missing as it looks to the future.”

Most of the YARs were taken aback by the Trio’s first draft.

“There was surprise, shock,” said Dora. “Like, you’re actually going to say that?”

Opposition was mostly from three or four other female YARs, especially the younger ones who were still in high school. “They disagreed with us, but they weren’t able to say why,” said Anna.

Interestingly, it was the male YARs who were supportive of their right to say their piece, even if they did not agree with the content. “The dudes were like ‘Do what you want.’ “ Abigail said.

When it dawned on the critics that the Trio was not going to change the message or tone it down, they were asked to present it as the thoughts of the Trio alone, not the entire group.

The Trio say they were not the only ones who adhered to THEO truth. One other female YAR was privately in agreement but chose not to stand with them.

After they shared their first draft, a supportive pastor offered to fine-tune their report. Not to change the message, but to make it more palatable. The first draft contained statements about their generation, something many might take as a generalization and potentially closing their ears. So they were encouraged to put a personal spin on it.

“He told us he wanted people to hear us without being offended right off the bat,” said Abigail.

Added Dora: “The goal was to make us be heard, so we made it personal.”

Definitive statements were rewritten as “I statements.” The idea was that if you make it about your own experience, no one can take issue. Anna’s comments were especially personal. “I loved it – that’s why I didn’t want to shorten it. We needed every word, every comma, every period – everything in it. It was her experience. That way, no one can say I don’t agree with that because she lived it,” added Dora.

“People who hold these ideologies tend to hold onto their feelings and emotions,” said Anna. “We needed to speak to them in their own language by using personal experience – the only truth they cannot deny.”

The whole “speak the truth in love” concept overshadowed their thinking. Because they were fully aware of the negative images attached to those who adhere to orthodoxy, they strove to speak from the place of love.

A falsehood is the perception that virtually everyone in Generation Z adheres to progressive/liberal theology. Because that is what many commissioners were expecting, they wanted to show that diversity can be loving and respectful.

“If young people can do it, and stick together and make room open for each other, then so can the commissioners,” said Abigail.

Because all of the reports were uploaded to a shared drive, other YARs and advisers were able to read what the Trio wrote. That prompted some unsolicited advice about pronouns. Specifically, how about referring to the Holy Spirit as “she.”

“I had been praying for boldness. This opened a door. This is something I want to be part of. I want to fight for brothers and sisters and help the church return completely to the Word. . . Somehow, somewhere God can use me.”

The response was fairly quick: “No.”

Okay, so how about making it gender neutral?  “Uh, no.”

Pressure continued via online messaging. This continued right up until Thursday morning during the final sederunt. Minutes prior to the presentation they received a message suggesting their report was too long. The Trio got nervous.

“We were so worried if it wasn’t changed it would not be allowed and other YARs in the future would not get an opportunity to speak,” said Abigail.

So as all the housekeeping reports were being presented, they started to edit. For the first time all week, there was tension between the Trio. “We were slightly turning against each other,” said Dora, who suddenly felt an inexplicable disdain for public speaking – something uncharacteristic for an extrovert who loves the energy of being in front of students in a classroom.

Five minutes before they were to take the stage, they were spiritually attacked.

“Chaos” was how they described it. Tension, emotions, feelings of dread in the pits of their stomachs, miscommunication, and nervousness. It was classic spiritual warfare.

And then Abigail sent a text message to Anna and Dora: “Guys, I’m going to pray now.”

“So cool,” Dora recalled. Then she and Anna joined in, silently, bowing their heads in their seats.

They don’t remember what they even prayed for.

“There is revival coming in the church. I am already passionate; this has made me especially passionate that there are other young people who think the same way.”

“I heard the mess and the chaos and voices quiet down,” said Dora. The Holy Spirit showed up in all power and glory. After a minute, “the three of us felt stronger than ever.”

Anna said: “We felt the Spirit.” She did not know how to explain it. She just knew she had to declare it before they went up to speak: “God is with us; we shall not fail.”

Dora: “Yes, we shall not fail. I had to hear that.”

They had no words to fully describe the peace which descended when the Holy Spirit showed up. They just stood and delivered. While everyone was focused on the Trio, at least two commissioners aimed their phones and pressed record. Excerpts of their report were uploaded to social media within minutes of adjournment, then rapidly liked and shared.

“On my flight back home, I got a couple of messages from pastors, from Banff and all over Canada saying they were so thankful that we spoke the truth,” said Dora.

Added Abigail: “Even pastors more on the progressive side came up to us afterwards saying ‘That was very brave of you guys,’ even if they didn’t agree. They don’t often get YARs speaking out against the Presbyterian Church that often.”

A week after GA, they’ve had some time to take it all in. How did it change them?

Anna – “I had been praying for boldness. This opened a door. This is something I want to be part of. I want to fight for brothers and sisters and help the church return completely to the Word. . . Somehow, somewhere God can use me.”

Abigail – “There is revival coming in the church. I am already passionate; this has made me especially passionate that there are other young people who think the same way.” She’s feeling a call to discipleship: “I am going to continue working in youth ministry, even reaching out to people who don’t necessarily believe the way we do to say there is another option, guys.”

Dora – She’s had lots of experience standing up to professors and other students at a secular university. The spiritual attack just prior to the presentation followed by the prayer and the arrival of the Holy Spirit took it to another level she described as “very cool and super divine.” She felt encouraged after GA to adhere to the calling to spread God’s message and love in schools and shape the growing generations into God-fearing, transformative disciples. She points to Abigail’s words: “Our rising generation is starving for something real, for purpose, for identity, for truth.” God willing, Dora would like to be the one to point these children to Jesus, one class at a time.

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There are no words to adequately describe the feeling of knowing, in retrospect, that God’s hands were moving, guiding, protecting, perhaps testing and preparing. And then to experience the presence of The Holy Spirit.

The only word is awesome.

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See Speaking the truth in love for the complete text of the THEO Trio’s remarks