Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1994

Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
Betty Saito

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is an association whose membership is comprised of evangelical denominations, local churches, para-church organizations, and individuals. As Canada's "Voice of Evangelicals", EFC ... publishes Faith Today magazine about the people, events and issues affecting evangelical life;

... conducts conferences and seminars on preaching, church growth and social issues;

. . . provides a network of Christian fellowship across denominational lines;

... represents evangelical beliefs and concerns to government and media;

... distributes 'National Alert' bulletins to prompt and aid evangelicals in their personal response to pressing national issues;

... offers a visible witness to the social concerns of the Gospel; and

... shares in ministry to the needy through worldwide relief, development and refugee sponsorship services.

It is my privilege to represent the Reformed Church in Canada on EFC's general council. We meet twice a year to receive reports from the various committees and task forces, and then to disseminate information and material to the churches and organizations we represent.

EFC has a television program on Vision TV, hosted by Executive Director Rev. Brian Stiller. Entitled Cross Currents, it can be seen on Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. EST, and is repeated Thursdays at 3:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. EST. Please check your local cable listings. Sundial, a quarterly bulletin, includes a Prayer Comer, which I will submit to Pioneer Christian Monthly, keeping in mind God's promise that'...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

An important arm of the EFC is World Relief Canada, which combines the efforts of evangelical churches (including RCC) in serving refugee groups internally displaced within their own country, or in a country of first asylum. "C is currently carrying out a total of 67 projects in 25 countries through its overseas church and indigenous agency partners. They are asking for volunteer local church representatives to become resource persons within their congregations. Please pray about your possible role in this important work.

"Prayer Summits Canada" sponsors four-day prayer summits for pastors, denominational leaders and other Christian workers. Let's encourage our pastors to take this time for praise, worship and spiritual refreshment with others in leadership roles.

The National Task Force on Evangelism, under their Vision 2000 Canada program, is preparing a four-phase initiative for 1995, entitled In Search of HIDDEN HEROES - Evidence that God is at Work. Denominations are distributing bulletin inserts to their churches, for submissions of "hidden heroes." A book will then be published, describing low-profile people who are making a high impact for the Kingdom.' Early next year, eight Regional Consultations on Evangelism will endeavour to look at how evangelism is taking place across Canada. These will be followed by a National Leadership Consultation on Evangelism, March 30-April 1, 1995, to deten-nine the direction which the church needs to take in evangelism during the last half of this decade. Then a national television special will be broadcast in May to present an overview of what God is doing through churches and ministries across Canada.

The National Task Force on the Family has produced excellent material for use by congregations in their ministry to families. This includes video-tapes, booklets, and a workbook that includes ideas for a 'Family Invitational' and a family ministry survey. Order forms are included in a mailing to RCC churches.

The Task Force on the Family asks us to highlight October 2nd as a day of prayer for family concerns. The date coincides with the 'Why Encounter's' national prayer rally.

The Social Action Commission has the onerous task of addressing the various social issues facing our nation. Aileen Van Ginkel included in her report that "We must take time to root ourselves communally in God's Word, and seek guidance in His Spirit as we respond to the oppressing social and political issues around us."

The SAC has published papers on euthanasia and homosexuality, and is working on a paper on the nature of marriage and the family. In 1993, EFC, along with the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops, successfully petitioned the Supreme Court to protect and affirm life; however, legislation is currently being considered which will allow doctor-assisted suicide. EFC is producing a video which will be sent to MPs (and the media on request), confronting them with the consequences of undermining the value of life.

I asked one of the staff members if evangelical Christians should leave the task of addressing social issues to members of the Social Action Commission and others who are given opportunities to make submissions to government authorities. The answer was "no - we need all the support we can get. The more people they hear from, the more credibility we have". So pray about it, do your homework, then phone or write your MP, MPP and/or pertinent government ministries; and, as Rev. Harold Korver said at our leadership conference last year, "Remember to sandwich the truth with grace".

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