December often signals the close of another year—a season of reflection when endings stir nostalgia and anticipation for what lies ahead. The months seem to have flown by; some moments brimmed with activity, others felt still, and the future remains uncertain. In this spirit of reflection, we sat down with Pastor Halsey Peat, lead pastor at Kanisa Fellowship, for an intimate conversation about the church’s journey over the past 12 months and its vision for the future. 
A Life Shaped by Faith
Born in Jamaica, raised in England, and now a global citizen who has lived in Bermuda and Canada, Pastor Peat embodies a rich tapestry of experiences. He is a leader, teacher, husband, father, grandfather, and counselor whose journey into ministry began at home, nurtured by a deeply religious family. His father was a Seventh Day Baptist preacher, and his mother a staunch Adventist. Spirituality and reverence for God were central to their way of life—values that shaped him until he felt a strong conviction to step into ministry.
What Drew You Into Ministry?
Pastor Peat admits his path was far from smooth sailing. With a laugh, he likens his experience to Jonah’s story—choosing another route only to end up where God needed him to be. Initially, his heart was set on a different career, but after encouragement from his siblings, he travelled to Jamaica to pursue ministry studies at West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University) in the late 1970s.
Returning to England in 1981, he planned to pursue a new field of study, which required a gap year before enrollment. During that waiting period, an unexpected opportunity arose: a temporary role teaching Physical Education (PE) at an Adventist school to cover for someone on emergency leave. He recalls reluctantly accepting the interview invitation because it clashed with his commitment to play soccer for his local team. Laughing at the memory, Pastor Peat acknowledges that his life is a testament to the saying: “People make plans, but God has the final say.”
Taking up the teaching role set in motion a new chapter. What began as a short-term assignment became deeply fulfilling as he mentored young students—a passion that remains central to his ministry today.
Stepping Into Purpose
Soon after, his responsibilities expanded beyond PE to other subjects, where he excelled. Colleagues noticed his pastoral gifts and encouraged him to consider serving a local church in exchange for a reduced teaching load. At first, he hesitated. “Sometimes it’s hard to see clearly what you will become,” he reflected. “We often believe life follows a straight path to purpose and fulfilment.” Comfortable in his teaching role, he had not envisioned himself as a pastor.
Yet, he accepted the challenge, stepping into ministry unsure of what lay ahead. God enabled him to thrive, and before long, he transitioned fully into pastoral leadership—a calling that has spanned decades, moving his family across regions, sharing the gospel, and bringing healing to broken hearts.
Fruits of the Ministry
Looking back, Pastor Peat marvels at how ministry became a journey of self-discovery. He learned to lean on God, approach opportunities with curiosity, and embrace lifelong learning. Committed to excellence, he deepened his understanding of theology, leadership, and community engagement.
Joining Kanisa Fellowship in its early days and returning to lead 20 years later is a powerful testament to his dedication. Many measure ministry success by congregation size, but Pastor Peat offers a different perspective: “The true measure is the spirituality of the church—the strength of prayer meetings and their attendance.” For him, an appetite for God is reflected in active engagement within the church and the wider community. Kanisa’s priority is to create spaces where people gather, worship, and grow together.
Earlier this year, the church implemented its strategic plan: Claim, Retain, Reclaim Souls for God’s Kingdom, emphasizing community-centred events such as the First Responders Barbecue and Street Feed. Throughout the year, Kanisa sustained vibrant programs—Youth Rally, Church in the Park, Homecoming Celebration, and Thanksgiving Graduation Service—welcoming guest ministers like Pastors Nicholas Patrick, In Pyo Hong, Kenneth Appiah-Kubi, Dennis Marshall, Allan Chichester, and Mirthell Mitchell.
Members actively contributed through teachings on safeguarding homes, fitness, conflict management, and service, among others. A highlight was the release of Voice of the Lord during Homecoming—an enriching song that blesses many in the church. Kanisa strives to be a space where everyone belongs. Pastor Peat affirms: “Every human being forges their identity through belonging.” From this foundation, the church cultivates other fruits—prayerful lives, genuine love for one another, and deep communion with God.
Do We Still Need the Church Today?
As our conversation turned to the relevance of the church in this millennium, Pastor Peat acknowledged the challenges ministries face. While church life may seem glamorous—reflected in polished posters and stunning architecture—behind the scenes, leaders and congregants often grapple with real challenges such as broken homes, strained marriages, illnesses, insecurities, and more.
Family ministry is close to his heart because every generation faces chaos and tragedy, often most devastating at home. His message is resolute: “The chaos of our world today cannot outweigh God’s ability to fulfill His promises,” citing one of his favourite text, Exodus 14:14. The church plays a vital role in equipping people with skills to navigate troubles and triumphs together.
Pastor Peat expressed heartfelt gratitude to Kanisa members for their generosity and unwavering commitment. Serving at Kanisa inspires him, as he witnesses the blessings of ministry in every interaction.
His vision is for everyone at Kanisa to embrace their identities as disciples of Christ, live out their lives as people filled with the Holy Spirit, and eagerly engage in God’s mission to make disciples. He sees Young Adults, Youths, Teens and Children playing important roles in fulfilling this vision, as they centre their lives in Jesus. As we step into 2026, he prays for leaders to strengthen the Pathfinder Ministry and for the church to continue fostering unity, discipleship, and deep communion with God and one another.
