Minister a former journalist
Brad Peters new minister at Murray Street Baptist Church
The first time Brad Peters wrote a scripture, his world changed.
He was a journalist at the time, taking part in a preaching class at this church in Niagara Falls. He was tasked with writing a sermon.
In the past, when Peters read scripture, it was just for him, never done with others in mind.
Penning that sermon was a turning point for the award-winning journalist.
“It opened up a whole, great world ... it just changed everything,” said Peters, 48.
He eventually left his journalism career to become a pastor and is now the minister of Murray Street Baptist Church.
Peters started the role Aug. 1, after leaving First Baptist Church in Niagara Falls. He served as pastor there for several years.
Growing up in Orono, Peters attended Catholic school. His family were “Christmas-Easter Catholics,” only going to church on holidays – unless his gramma was in town.
Peters went on to study journalism at Durham College, landing a job at a newspaper in Saskatchewan afterwards.
He eventually moved back to Ontario, working his way up to editor at The Niagara Falls Review.
In the meantime, Peters and his wife Michelle had started attending Thorold First Baptist Church. Peters was volunteering at the church, too, with jobs quickly being passed down by the pastor.
Realizing he didn’t have the theoretical background for some it, Peters enrolled in seminary.
Only later did he find out that was his pastor’s goal all along.
“He saw some things in me that I didn’t see at the time,” said Peters.
During his full-time divinity studies at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Peters continued to work as editor at The
Review. After classes, he’d rush back to Niagara Falls to put the paper together, finishing at midnight. Then he’ d study for the next day, hit the hay and repeat.
It wasn’ t until he finished his first year of studies that Peters sensed the calling. He discussed it with this wife and kids, Ceilidh and Noah, as well as friends and family.
“You don’ tent re into this lightly, especially mid-life,” said Peters, adding he was about 37 then.
Despite the major career change, his newsroom colleagues weren’t surprised when he delivered the news.
“I was always the Christian geek.”
While finishing his divinity studies, Peters was asked to serve as interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Niagara Falls. Nearly a year later, the church asked him to become the full-time pastor in 2011.
But he didn’t give up writing completely. Peters combined his love for media and the ministry by writing a faith column that ran in nine papers throughout the Niagara region. He also pens his sermons every week, writing it out by hand.
Peters said he was drawn to Murray Street because of their commitment to peace and social justice issues, which are close to his heart.
Going forward, Peters wants to continue the work of his congregation and get them even more involved in the community. Going beyond the walls of the chapel is the best way for churches to stay relevant today, he said.
To do that, churches have to change and adapt as communities do.
“The days of opening our door at 10 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. service and expecting the public to flood in are done – they died when they took
Leave it to Beaver off the air.” In Niagara Falls, Peter sand congregation members setup bar be- cues and kids activities in different areas of the city every week. They’ d get to know members of the community, going back later to host a sermon in the area.
“If we go first and get to know them, it changes the dynamic, conversation happens .”
Some might think that’s a progressive approach, but not Peters. He said that’s how churches started.
“They were in people’s homes over meals ... but we institutionalized and that slowly has caught up with us.”
Peters said he hopes to show that community that no one has the sole proprietorship on the truth.
“We’re just working together because that’s what Jesus does, he draws people together.”
NOTE: Murray Street Baptist Church is hosting a kick off gathering Sunday after its 10:30 a.m. worship. There’ ll be a free barbecue, games and a chance to meet the new pastor. It’s open to everyone.