Call to Elect New Elders

It’s election time in Hamilton! 

In a couple of weeks, the City of Hamilton goes to the polls to cast our ballots for mayor, city councilors, and school trustees. Be sure to vote for our civic leaders!

But shortly after the municipal elections, we will be casting our votes for a set of spiritual leaders. On Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 11:40 AM, immediately following our regular worship service, we will be holding a congregational meeting to elect new ruling elders for New City Church, according to the provisions of the PCA Book of Church Order (BCO) 24-1. 

All communing members in good and regular standing are eligible to cast their ballots. Communing members are New City members who have made professions of faith and have been admitted to the Lord’s Table by the Session.

The election will proceed according to the provisions of BCO 24. The Book of Church Order is available publicly at https://www.pcaac.org/bco/.

So, who are the candidates? After a year-long period of nominations, training, and examinations, the Session voted last night to put forward three eligible candidates for election. The names of the three candidates are

Leon Burger

Jeremy Kruizinga

Filipe Fernandes

To be clear, you are not choosing one officer among three candidates. Rather, you are choosing all candidates who you think meet the qualifications of elders found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. So, if you think that Leon, Filipe, and Jeremy are all elder material, vote for all of them!

Much more information about these candidates will be shared in the days to come

Church, we read in Acts 1 and 6 that prayer was an essential part of choosing church leaders in the early church. So, we ask that you pray diligently for the three elder candidates, their families, and for your own hearts as we prepare for election day. To paraphrase the prayer of the early church in their choosing of Matthias, let us pray, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us whether you have chosen these men to assume the office of elder at New City” (cf. Acts 1:24-25).

Finally, we also wanted to let you know that two of our ruling elders have begun their year-long sabbaticals as of last night, namely Armen Svadjian and Varun Rana. Steve Geleynse, who was on sabbatical, has returned to active duty.

Church, let’s give thanks for these wonderful men who are being raised up, returning to serve, or resting for a while. The Lord Jesus is the head of the church and He is a good shepherd! 

Moses, on behalf of the New City Session