For over a decade, James Clarence served as a pastor in Calgary at a historic church that he had long admired for its vision to resource and empower the global Church. His tenure was anything but easy. “The first few years were chaos” James recalls. The church faced moral failures, significant financial struggles, and high staff turnover. “There were moments where I thought, ‘God, why am I here? Is it time to leave?’ But every time I prayed, the answer was the same: ‘Stay.’” It was during those early years that James learned the deep importance of enduring ministry. “God spoke to me about being someone who chooses to stay alongside the Church in Her weakness, he called me to serve the ‘weary mother.’” This image of “the weary mother” became a defining theme of his ministry, shaping his pastoral approach, solidifying his love for the Church as a whole, and strengthening his resolve to stay rooted in his local church context despite the pain and complexity of the season.

In time, as James’ church came under new leadership it began to experience renewal. The community became captivated by a deep desire to see people come to know Jesus and experience the power of the Holy Spirit. The church experienced growth across all discernible metrics and new leaders were being raised up. James celebrated these milestones, but a call to the “weary mother” panged deep in his soul. He felt a stirring in his spirit. “I asked God, ‘Is my work here finished? Do you still want me to stay?’”

The answer came in the form of an unexpected opportunity. At a denominational conference in early 2024, James learned about the desperate need for pastors in the Northwest Territories. “There were eight churches with buildings, parsonages, and infrastructure—but no pastors,” James recalls. “It was heartbreaking. These communities had sheep but no shepherds.”

Initially, the idea seemed far-fetched. James and his wife Karina loved their life in Calgary, surrounded by close friends and a thriving church community. However, as he began praying about the North, God started to speak. Night after night, he had vivid dreams of ministry in the Territories. “I’d wake up at 3 a.m., and it was like God was giving me a vision for what could be,” he says. “He kept saying, ‘This is the weary mother I want you to serve.’”

Conversations with Karina were pivotal. At first, she wasn’t convinced, with two young daughters at home, the prospect of moving to Canada’s North wasn’t appealing. “She told me she’d need an angel to appear at her bedside to agree to move to the North,” James laughs. But through prayer and discernment, Karina experienced what James calls “a peace that surpasses understanding.” Together, they laid out a series of checkpoints, seeking confirmation from trusted mentors, family, and their pastor. One by one, the doors opened, affirming their shared sense of calling.

The Pastorate played a crucial role in this transition. James was a part of the Church Leaders Incubator program, an initiative designed to equip pastors for ministry coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Incubator was a program aimed at empowering leaders like James with practical skills, spiritual resilience, and a strong support network. For James, this program was transformative. “The Pastorate gave me the tools to navigate the challenges of leading in a place like Yellowknife,” he shares. “But more than that, it gave me relationships with mentors and peers who truly understand what it means to pastor in difficult places.”

Adjusting to life in the North was challenging. Yellowknife’s harsh winters, long periods of darkness, and isolation from larger cities created a stark contrast to the life James had known. Yet, he and his family quickly saw the beauty of the North and the resilience of its people. “The needs here are immense,” James explains. “Trauma, addiction, and brokenness are prevalent, but so is the potential for God to move in transformative ways.” James began pouring his heart into the work. He focused on building relationships, discipling leaders, and fostering a sense of hope within the local church. He speaks often about the power of community and the need to invest deeply in people. “This isn’t about big programs or flashy ministry,” he says. “It’s about sitting at tables, breaking bread, and sharing life with people.”

Through his ministry in Yellowknife, James has seen glimpses of the renewal he believes God is bringing to Canada’s North. He dreams of a future where Indigenous leaders rise to pastor their own communities, where the Church becomes a place of healing and reconciliation, and where the Gospel reaches even the most remote corners of the Territories. “The North has often been overlooked,” he says. “But I believe it holds incredible potential. With God’s help, this region can become a beacon of hope for the rest of the nation.”

James continues to receive support through The Lead Pastors Fellowship, a core initiative of The Pastorate designed to foster spiritual vitality, community, and renewal among lead pastors across Canada. “Isolation is one of the greatest challenges for pastors in remote areas,” James explains. “Being part of The Lead Pastors Fellowship ensures I have a network of peers to lean on, share ideas with, and pray for.” This ongoing connection reflects The Pastorate’s commitment to equipping and sustaining leaders like James, ensuring they can flourish in the places God has called them to serve.

James Clarence, his wife Karina, and their three children live in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. He serves as the Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Pentecostal Church and is a participant in The Pastorate’s Lead Pastors Fellowship.

“The Pastorate didn’t just send us off to the North; they walked with us every step of the way,” James says. “That kind of support was invaluable. It felt like we weren’t doing this alone.”

In late 2024, James and Karina welcomed their third child, a son named Whitaker Rome Clarence. His arrival marks a new chapter for their family as they continue to settle into life and ministry in Yellowknife. For James, the journey north has been one of profound trust and obedience, and Whitaker’s birth serves as a reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness. As the Clarence family looks ahead, they remain steadfast in their commitment to building a vibrant, connected church community in the Northwest Territories, as James puts it, “The North may be cold and dark, but the light of Christ is shining here, and it’s only getting brighter.”

Supporting Pastors like James

Ministry in rural areas and smaller cities holds immense importance for the health of the Church in Canada. These communities often face unique challenges—such as geographic isolation, limited resources, and shifting cultural dynamics—making the presence of vibrant, Christ-centered churches vital. By investing in pastors from these regions, we help ensure that the Gospel reaches every corner of our nation, fostering resilience and faith in areas that are often overlooked but are integral to the fabric of the Church.

We invite you to join us in this important mission by giving to The Pastorate today. Your support helps equip pastors across Canada, ensuring the Gospel continues to transform lives in every corner of our nation.

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Answering the Call to Canada's North: James' Story

Supporting Pastors like James

Partnering for Renewal: Investing in the Future of the Church

Pastor, take courage.