The Rev. Canon Brian McVitty served in the Diocese of Toronto for 30 years at: St. Timothy‘s Agincourt, St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Pickering, and Trinity Church Barrie.
In the midst of that time he and his wife Diane took a leave of absence to teach at a Bible College in Kenya as part of a Diocesan partnership between the Canadian and Kenyan churches. They both taught at St Paul’s Kapsebet for a year. This experience kindled within them a passion for world missions and upon their return they led parish mission teams to Mexico, Guatemala and Panama.
While at St Paul’s on-the-Hill, they pioneered the Alpha course in Canada. Alpha proved to be a great way to advance spiritual growth and many people came to faith in Jesus. Through it many participants had a new experience of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Brian spoke at Alpha training conferences across Canada and in India.
After 30 years with the Diocese of Toronto they joined the Anglican Network in Canada and were the founding pastors of Celebration Church in Barrie. Through the Anglican Network they were partnered with a congregation in Cuba and assisted with clergy support and delivering much needed medicine to several congregations in Cuba.
After 41 years of full-time ministry they retired in 2020. Brian continues active as a part-time chaplain at the penitentiary in Penetanguishene. He also coordinates Global Missions for the Anglican Network in Canada and continues to support clergy and church planting in Cuba. A year ago Brian was one of the Canadian delegates to the Gafcon conference in Kigali Rwanda.
Brian and Diane have a son and grandson. They enjoy cycling in the summer and snowboarding in the winter. If you are passing through Barrie please stop in for a coffee.