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The Quebec Reality. Many Worlds – 7 million people. Quebec in 2001. Population: 7.4 million Home language: French 6.1 million (89%) English .75 million (10%) Overall 0.5% evangelical North America’s largest unreached people group are Quebec’s 6,000,000 post-Catholic francophones.
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The Quebec Reality Many Worlds – 7 million people
Quebec in 2001 • Population: 7.4 million • Home language: • French 6.1 million (89%) • English .75 million (10%) • Overall 0.5% evangelical • North America’s largest unreached people group are Quebec’s 6,000,000 post-Catholic francophones.
Nominally Catholic Lorne Hunter, from Stats Canada, 1999 Yet… Catholic bishops estimate less than 1% of baptized Catholics are involved in parish life.
Evangelical History in Quebec Before 1970… about 100 French churches … hostile environment for evangelism Murray Heron, Footprints Across Quebec. Joshua Press, 1999
1970-1987: Season of Growth Membership in Three Major French Evangelical Denominations - Wes Peach, Transforming Our Nation p. 175, figure 17.
Protestant Churches in Quebec (1950 – 2000) Direction Chrétienne, TON, p. 235, and subsequent research
Mainline and Evangelical Components of Harvest Force Glenn Smith, TON, p. 248
Other “Harvest Fields”…. There are more university students per- capita in Montreal than in any city in North America.
Other “Harvest Fields”… • Residents of High-density, Multi-housing – rentals. Tend to be poor, female. • 46% … highest of any province • Traditional Family Waning, e.g. Common-Law relationships: 21% (Canadian average: 12%)
Other “Harvest Fields”… Cults e.g… Raelians New Age phenomenon Aberrant strains once rooted in Christianity
1997 2000 AnnualGrowth Alliance Chr. & Miss. 8 14 20% Ass. C. La Bible Parle 5 9 21.5% Ass. De Dieu Indep. 16 30 23.3% Eg. Bapt. Indep 6 12 26% Elim Fellowship 10 19 23.9% Non identifiees 22 46 27.9% Which French-language denominations are growing? Congregations
What do evangelical Francophones in Quebec need from God? • Passion for the lost and boldness to minister (Gary Connors) • God’s hand on the Church of Québec to give her power, courage, determination and a sense of urgency to get the job done. (Yvan Fournier) • Prayer and fresh faith for new revival • New leaders for, and from, the harvest
What do evangelical Francophones in Quebec need from rest of Canada? • We need to know that someone out there cares... and is willing to invest in prayer, and other partnerships. (David McCann, S. Army) • Financial assistance for translation of training materials or seminars. (Gary Connors, PAOC) • Partnering bodies for prayer and support – an “adopt-a-church” concept (Gary Connors) • We need missionaries prepared to commit to the "long haul". (David McCann) • Long term partnerships where the Canadian Church collaborates with Quebec in Church planting and leadership training. (Yvan Fournier, C&MA)