About

Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network is an affiliation of Christian leaders representing a broad range of churches, non-profit organizations, educational and government institutions, and businesses.

Grounded in a common faith, its aim is to encourage these organizations to work together and to support community needs.

History of the ACLN

The Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network (ACLN) began as the Abbotsford Ministerial Association. As pastors and church leaders gathered they had noticed that there were so many other Christian leaders so, under the guidance of Rick Porter from Seven Oaks, they decided to become the ACLN in the year 2000.

Since then the ACLN has hosted a number of initiatives of worshiping together, praying for the city, neighbourhood prayer walks, and missional initiatives like Love Abbotsford. One of the lasting legacies of ACLN was the formation of the Cyrus Centre, which was formed in the context of the relationships formed between Christian Leaders.

Throughout this time, the ACLN has also been hosting the Abbotsford Prayer Breakfast. Since, 1989 it has been gathering leaders from our city in prayer. It is always an encouragement to see a gathering of leaders from so many spaces in prayer for our city council, our first responders, our schools, and the people of the city we serve in.

In 2025 we spent the year exploring where God is calling us next and in surveying churches we heard an appetite for a ministerial as well as the continued work for all the Christian leaders in our city. We will continue in hosting events for all Christian leaders and the prayer breakfast and in addition to that, starting in 2026 we will be hosting a ministerial exclusively for the lead pastors in our city.

For more information on events for all leaders check out Christian Leaders page or the Prayer Breakfast.

For more information on the ministerial, check our Ministerial page.

Statement of Beliefs

We believe in one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God and is foundational for Christian faith and life.

We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human; that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died as a substitute for sinners, rose bodily from the dead, ascended to the Father, and will return in power and glory.

We believe that salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and that the Holy Spirit brings new life and transformation to those who trust in Him.

We believe the Holy Spirit indwells believers and empowers them to live lives marked by love, holiness, humility, and obedience to Christ.

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, and in eternal life for those who belong to Christ.

We believe in the spiritual unity of all true believers in Jesus Christ.

Leadership

The ACLN is composed of a leadership team that can be divided into three roles. The one oversees the vision and direction. Next, the Event’s team runs the events for all leaders including the luncheons and the prayer breakfast. Finally, the ministerial team helps to plan the ministerial lunches.