President's Blog

I recently bumped into a young missionary in Québec who senses God’s call on his life to reach French Canadians for Christ. With only 0.8% of French Canadians self-identifying as evangelical Christian, Québec remains one of the most spiritually needy places on earth. I believe it is our duty to reach Canadians for Christ—I know you agree—and so, I hope you’ll join me in praying and strategizing to reach Canadians who happen to speak French.

Several weeks back I invited you to join me on my next Québec Vision Tour (July 18th blog, “The Spiritual Need is Staggering”) on October 17-19, 2022. You get yourself to Montréal and I care for your hotel, meal, and travel expenses, and for 48 hours will we visit several church plants. My hope is you and/or your local church will join a “7 x 7 = 1” partnership, i.e. 7 churches or individuals partnering for 7 years to establish 1 French church plant.

I still have room for my October 17-19, 2022 QVT—only about six spaces left. I need to hear from you on or before September 15, 2022 if you desire to join the team on October 17-19. Contact me at sjones@fellowship.ca if you have any questions. You drive, fly, or take the train to Montréal at your expense and I care for your expenses during the 48-hour tour.

Introducing Grant Nelson

Back to the young missionary to Québec. I asked Grant to briefly share his story—why he got involved in Québec and share in mission to reason French Canadians to Christ:

“When I graduated from university in 2015, my goal was to be a French Immersion teacher on Vancouver Island. Things have shifted a little bit in seven years which was mainly due to my summer plans after graduating. I knew that the Fellowship had connections with Québec so after going on the website I found a young adults program that fit my schedule perfectly. It allowed me to practice my French, grow in my faith, and share Jesus’ love with those I met.

“It was an impactful summer to say the least. So much so that I decided to come back the following summer (as I taught during the school year), and the following year, until finally in September 2019 God convinced me to move to Québec to serve the people there full-time. As a young adult, I had a lot of flexibility and heart for those in Canada who are disconnected from the Gospel. Québec was a great match! After doing an internship with Église Connexion, which is a few hours outside of Montréal, God put on my heart the needs of young people in the province. Instead of returning to the classroom, I decided to dive in as a missionary to serve as one of the leaders of the Academy (a young adults discipleship program that runs two days per week throughout the school year), and lend a hand at my local church with youth group and Sunday School. I am thankful for the opportunity to invest in the lives of young people and to see them understand the depths of the Gospel. I grew a lot in the summer of 2015 and it is a privilege now to give back. I hope and pray that this next generation of Quebeckers would choose to pursue Christ so that the Gospel might go forth to all the neighbourhoods of Québec and beyond.”

Thank you, Grant, for heeding God’s call on your life. You’re an encouragement for us all.

Remember, there is still room in the October 17-19, 2022 Québec Vision Tour. If interested, contact me today or before September 15, 2022.

There is also a Virtual QVT being offered on November 29, 2022 (1:00-2:45pm), a Zoom gathering where you meet with Sergei Li (Fellowship Francophone Coordinator) and a few of our Québec church planters. Contact Sergei (sli@fellowship.ca) or myself if interested.