Watch Commissioning Service
65th ANNUAL COMMISSIONING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026
4:00pm – 6:30pm
Commissioning Supper
LOCATION CHANGE:
Sheldon L. Fountain Learning Commons
Registration Below
7:30pm
Commissioning Service
Wolfville Baptist Church
Annual John Gladstone Sermon by Rev. Dr. Harry Gardner
President Emeritus, Acadia Divinity College
The Baccalaureate Cap and Gown Service will take place on
Wednesday, May 13 at 10.00 a.m. in Manning Memorial Chapel
Convocation for the Faculty of Theology will take place on
Thursday, May 14 at 10:00am in Convocation Hall
Annual John Gladstone Sermon
Rev. Dr. Harry Gardner
President Emeritus, Acadia Divinity College
President Emeritus Dr. Harry G. Gardner is a native of the south shore of Nova Scotia, graduating from Dalhousie University (BA 1974), Acadia Divinity College (MDiv 1977) and from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California (DMin 1993). He has served as the minister of the Burlington-Victoria Harbour, Wilmot, and Liverpool-Brooklyn United Baptist Churches.
In 1986, he began work with the Home Mission Board of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and in 1989, became the Director of Home Missions and Church Planting. He served for eleven years as the Convention’s Executive Minister prior to coming to Acadia. In this role he was a member of the Boards of Acadia Divinity College, Crandall University (formerly Atlantic Baptist University) and Canadian Baptist Ministries. He has a keen interest in addressing issues of racism, integral mission as well as international relief and development.
In 2007, he was the President of the North American Baptist Fellowship, and between 2010 and 2015, he was one of twelve Vice Presidents of the Baptist World Alliance. He currently serves the BWA’s Commissions of Theological Education and Transformational Leadership. His international ministry experience has included leadership for pastoral conferences, preaching and teaching.
He served a six-year term (2012-2018) on the Board of Commissioners of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. In 2016, he was elected as the Board Chair for a two-year term.
Dr. Gardner served as President of Acadia Divinity College and Dean of Theology of Acadia University between January 2008 and June 2019. During this time, he also occupied the Abner J. Langley and Harold L. Mitton Chair of Church Leadership teaching in the areas of pastoral ministry, leadership, and spiritual formation. In recognition of his service, the Board of Trustees conferred upon him the honour of President Emeritus on November 4, 2021.
Between September 2020 and June 2025, he faithfully served the College as a part-time Consultant to the President in the area of Development.
In 2024, Dr. Gardner was invited by the Canadian Baptist Partners to become their inaugural National Convenor. In this significant role, he facilitates collaboration among the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, French Baptist Union, Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec, Canadian Baptists of Western Canada, Canadian Baptist Ministries, along with other key stakeholders and affiliates.
He and his wife, Gail, reside in Kentville. Their family includes two married children and four grandchildren. Personal interests include fun times with the grandchildren, travel, and music.
The Annual John Gladstone Sermon is named for the highly regarded Rev. Dr. John Gladstone, Senior Minister at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto, where he served between 1965 and 1991.