Explore the history of the Church in England, escorted by John Friesen & Dr Michael Haykin

The year 2025 marks 95 years of God’s faithfulness to MBC and its constituents in providing robust and impactful retreat, camp and conference experiences for His glory. The vision of MBC is to be a vibrant partner with the Church in growing resilient, biblically rooted families. We praise God for using this place to impact and strengthen families for 95 years and we pray that this will continue. Bible teaching has and continues to be the foundational tool of impact at MBC. We believe that the historical and future vibrancy of the Church is tied directly to its commitment to the truth of Scripture. This narrated tour of the ebb and flow of the Church in England and the subsequent impact on the global Church will be a great reminder of God’s faithfulness in building His Church.

We invite you to join us on a church history tour, visiting places like London, Cambridge, Bedford, Bath and the Cotswolds.  This tour offers a fascinating dive into the country’s spiritual and cultural past. In London, you will visit famous spots like Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral, where you’ll see centuries of history, art, and architecture. Cambridge, with its old colleges and chapels like King's College Chapel, gives off a peaceful, scholarly vibe, showing how much religious thought has influenced academia. In Bedford, you can learn about John Bunyan, the author of "The Pilgrim's Progress," and get a glimpse into the life of one of Christianity's key figures. Bath adds even more to the mix with the beautiful Bath Abbey and the Jane Austen Centre, where you can dive into the world of the beloved author in the city that inspired her. This tour isn’t just about seeing amazing historic sites; it’s about understanding how Christianity, scripture and literature have shaped English society. It's an unforgettable trip for anyone interested in history, spirituality, and culture!    

Click on each of the tabs below to learn more. There are limited spaces so connect with us to secure your spot today!


John Friesen, Chief Executive Officer, Muskoka Bible Centre              

John has a rich cultural heritage having been born in Mexico in the context of an Old Colony Mennonite community.  He is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and has extensive experience in the hospitality and tourism industry.  He has been leading kingdom ministry organizations for the past 24 years, specifically in the camp, conference and event aspects and is currently the CEO of Muskoka Bible Centre, providing leadership to its vision of growing resilient, biblically rooted families.  John sits on various ministry boards and has spoken and taught at many camp conferences throughout Canada, the USA and Latin America.

The Governor General of Canada recognized John’s commitment to service and advancement of the Christian faith when he was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal of Service in 2012. 

Both John and his wife Lisa thoroughly enjoy the day-to-day blessings of life with their 5 children (plus an amazing daughter-in-law) ranging in age from 21 to 32 years old.  John and Lisa are also proud grandparents of 3 year old Kisa Friesen!   

Dr Michael A.G. Azad Haykin, Professor of Church History

Prof. Michael A.G. Haykin serves as professor of church history at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and is the director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, which operates under the auspices of Southern Seminary. He is also on the core faculty of Heritage Seminary in Cambridge, ON, and holds a visiting professorship of history at Redeemer University, Ancaster, ON. He has a Th.D. in Church History from the University of Toronto and Wycliffe College (1982) and is the author of quite a number of books dealing with church history and the biographies of various Christians, especially from the British Isles.

He was born in England of Irish and Kurdish parents and emigrated with his family to Canada in the 1960s. He was converted to Christ in 1974, through the witness of Alison Lowe, the woman who became his wife in 1976, and the ministry of Stanley Avenue Baptist Church, Hamilton, ON.

He and his wife have two children. Michael and Alison are members of West Highland Baptist Church in Hamilton, ON, and he has led numerous tours of the British Isles and New England.