Challenges for Prayer

1 The Christian Church has become marginalized in Canadian society

2 Evangelical witness has generally declined through the 20th Century

a) Evangelicals represented 25% of the population in 1900, but less than 8% in 1989; this had risen, however, to 10.8% by 2000

b) Canadian Evangelicals are working together more effectively than in earlier years but are still too fragmented

c) There are positive signs. The newer evangelical groups are growing, using new structures and styles

3 Vision Canada, nurtured under the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, was launched by 40 denominations and agencies

4 The large number of Bible institutes, colleges and theological seminaries committed to a Biblical view of Scripture are fulfilling a major role in strengthening evangelical witness

5 French Canadians are 85% Catholic in culture, but a decreasing number of them (25%) ever attend mass

a) Increased receptivity amidst growing social and political change and instability

b) Quebec separatism, which is a potent political movement with unknown implications for Canada's future

c) The small, but growing, French-speaking Protestant missionary force

d) The growing prayer movement in Quebec that is bringing together believers from many denominations

e) Continued growth in fruitful fellowship between denominations

Geography

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Area 9,970,610 sq.km. The world's second largest country.

Population (2000) 31,146,639 +1.01%AGR

Capital Ottawa 1,085,000.

Peoples

British 31%; French 21%; Mixed origins 21%; Other European 13.4%; Asian 7.2%; Indigenous 2.8%; Afro-Caribbean 2%; Arab/Middle East 1%; Latin American 0.6%.

Literacy 99%. Official Languages English, French. All indigenous languages 76 (several are nearly extinct). Languages with Scriptures 6Bi 11NT 23por 12w.i.p.

Economy

One of the world's leading industrial nations, and a member of the 'G8' economic powers. HDI 0.932; 1^st/174. Public debt 92% of GNP. Income/person $19,020 (62% of USA).

Politics

A federal monarchy with parliamentary government.

Religion

Freedom of religion, but rapid secularization and pluralization are taking place at every level of society.

Churches in Canada

Missionaries from Canada

7,094 in 152 agencies to 180 countries.

Missionaries to Canada

453 in 56 agencies from 31 countries

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Internet Links