Since 1969, Territorial Music School (TMS) has been a summer highlight for youth and young adults across Canada and Bermuda. This year, TMS returned to its home at the Jackson’s Point Retreat and Conference Centre in Georgina, Ont., after the program had been displaced during COVID. During the last week of August, young adults aged 16 to 30 gathered for music, worship, spiritual reflection and mentorship by faculty and special guests.

The theme of the week, guided by Bible guests Majors Beth and Dave Pearo, focused on the simple yet profound question, “Who am I?” Each day, participants uncovered answers rooted in God’s Word: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am in Christ. I am righteous. I am chosen. I am complete. I am beloved.” These truths were explored through Scripture and came alive in worship, rehearsals, late-night conversations, and in the laughter and fellowship at nightly patio parties.

Evenings were filled with joy and creativity, thanks to the Canada Bermuda youth team, who brought energy and imagination to every event. From silent discos to space and medieval themes, they gave students an opportunity to celebrate community together in fun and meaningful ways.

Several guests from diverse territories were present to enrich the streams of study. Gavin Lamplough from the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory led the band stream, Gavin Whitehouse, U.S.A. Eastern Territory, guided the vocal stream, and Victor Morales, also from U.S.A. Eastern Territory, inspired the worship stream. Their willingness to fully engage in camp life, sharing not only expertise but also encouragement, left a mark on students and faculty alike.

Highlights of the midweek program included the A Chorus’ powerful rendition of Soli Deo Gloria, arranged by Cliff Duren, and A Band’s moving performance of Holy Forever by Marcus Venables.

At the final festival, hosted at Scarborough Citadel in Toronto, every stream lifted their offering of praise. The Lam Band presented Inclusion (Paul Sharman), the Venables Band performed Forever, Amen (Marcus Venables), and the worship team sang Wind Meets Fire. The production stream worked behind the scenes to capture it all on live stream, ensuring the event reached people online.

On the closing day, Major Beth Pearo reminded delegates of the journey they had walked together: “When we began on Saturday night, I posed a question: Genesis tells us we are created in the image of God. As hard as it is to imagine sometimes, when we look in the mirror at the end of the day, stamped within us is the image of God. Why is it that some days we don’t look like him?” she said. “Sometimes it’s hard to see that image of God because of all the stuff that is being projected on to us from the world. But God invites us on this spiritual journey to discover who he has created us to be."

“By the end of TMS, the question ‘Who am I?’ was no longer left hanging. Each day we were reminded that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, in Christ, righteous, chosen, complete and beloved. In other words, stamped with the image of God,” says Marcus Venables, assistant territorial music and arts secretary. “So, coming home to Jackson’s was significant, but the deeper homecoming was spiritual. It was a return to who God created us to be—his image-bearers. That identity is not shaken by the world’s projections or circumstances. It is secure in Christ.”

As Venables notes, the music and arts ministries team works tirelessly each year to ensure that TMS is not just about excellence in music but about experiencing God’s presence. “This year we assembled an outstanding faculty of highly skilled musicians who dove headfirst into music and ministry,” Venables adds, “ensuring that nothing distracts from the greater purpose: that Christ be at the centre of it all.”

Watch the TMS mid-week program: 

Watch the Final Festival: