I thought all Canadians were basically hockey-loving, pacifist, Americans that said ‘eh’ and had socialized healthcare.  Is there really a difference between Quebeckers and English-Canadians?

Quebec is radically set apart from the rest of Canada.  Recently, Stephen Harper (the Canadian Prime minister) even referred to Quebec as “a nation within a unified Canada.”

What are some specific examples?

Quebec is the least religious and most socialist Province in Canada, by far.  The percentage of evangelicals in English-Canada is around 13.5% while Quebec is near 0.5%. The roots of French-Quebeckers are French-Catholic while the roots of English-Canadians are English-Protestant.

It’s all about the presentation and taste for Quebeckers, not the quantity (I don’t think I’ve ever seen an all-you-can eat special in Quebec).  As a result, they are also much more fashion-conscious than the rest of N. America.  (When you think of Canadian hockey players with mullets, as a general rule, those are not Quebeckers).

If you had to describe Quebec in a word, what would it be? 

(The) Silent-Revolution

That’s three words 

Yes, but I hyphenated two (and the other was in parenthesis).

What is, or was, the Silent-Revolution? 

A generation ago, the Catholic Church held a death-grip on this Province. That power imploded to irrelevance in only one generation.  Massive cultural, religious, and economic upheaval—all in relative peace.  Silent… Revolution. However, nothing has risen to fill the giant Catholic void.

How was the Quebec Catholic church different from the American Catholic church? 

Quebecker misionaries spent 7 years in prison

The Catholic church had near despotic power one generation ago in Quebec.  Catholic priests entered local post offices and burned the mail of evangelical pastors, withheld communion from couples who decided six children was enough (thereby “sentencing them to hell”).  Evangelical missionaries were imprisoned for open-air evangelism.  Politicians were seen as mere servants of the Catholic clergy.  Priests banned entire towns from renting any facility to new Protestant churches.  Bible reading was banned, saying that if you tried you would go crazy. These were all common practices in Quebec a generation ago.

When was the current Evangelical movement established in Quebec? 

It was a long, uphill battle, marred by much intense persecution, until the current movement of evangelical churches was finally established in French Quebec in  the 1970’s.

What is it like today? 

Around 0.5% (according to the 2001 edition of Operation World).  This puts Quebec roughly on par with Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and France. But there are strong signs of life.  The Baptist Fellowship in Quebec (of which we have the privilege of working with), is blowing the doors open concerning  church planting:  Currently there are more than a dozen new churches being planted.

What is stimulating this church planting movement? 

1) Intentionally equipping church planters specifically for church planting (church planting curriculum/ resources/boot camps/etc); 2) working in teams 3) Mentoring church planters throughout the church plant; 4) Churches are working together.

That sounds great.  But what is your role in all of this? 

We are planting a church in the 135,000+ St. Jérôme region, as well as working with several church planting committees in the Montreal area.

Why do we still need missionaries in Quebec? 

I’ll give you three facts: 

1) Vietnam, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Kuwait, Belgium, France, Russia, Ukraine, have similar or higher rates of Evangelical believers than Quebec (Operation World 2001 edition).  Surprised?  Most people are.  Without minimizing these other pressing needs, there is much work to be done in Quebec.

2) 30% of Quebeckers live in towns with not one single evangelical witness of any kind. 

3) Quebeckers fit the definition of an unreached/leastreached people group (according to the Joshua project www.joshuaproject.net).

I’ve heard a lot about a crazy guy named Louis.  Who is he? 

Louis is my mentor, a seasoned veteran, a father of five, a former hater of English-speakers until God transformed his heart nearly 30 years ago, and is currently mentoring five pastors in Quebec (myself included). 

Former hater of English-speakers? 

He was part of a popular and sometimes violent French movement which desired to throw off their English-Canadian oppressors in the 70’s (though he personally did not do anything violent).  Since being radically transformed by Jesus 30 years ago though, Louis loves all peoples, especially English missionaries who brought the Gospel to Quebec. A powerful separatist movement for an independent Quebec Nation (though today it is pacifist), has much popular support even today.

I’ve heard Louis can be pretty off the wall when he’s not in the middle of ministry.

That’s one reason I love him so much.  He doesn’t take everything in life seriously, only the most important things.  I’ve never seen a pastor laugh as much, or cry as much, as Louis.  He is really the embodiment of Romans 12:15.

What does your mentoring relationship with Louis look like? 

Normally we meet once a week where we talk about life and ministry; making sure my priorities are in order.  He’s a huge encouragement.

How far is Louis’ church from where you are church planting? 

About 45 minutes, depending on traffic and your conscience.

Your conscience? 

The speed limit is 100km/h.  (Roughly 63mph.)

What about the new church plant?  Are you encouraged? 

We are very encouraged.  We are developing a core of disciple-makers and look to start evangelistic small groups in early 2007.  Two verses we are holding onto are Ezra 1:5 and Acts 18:9-10.  It is God who moves hearts liberating us to courageously proclaim the gospel.

How are Caleb and Constance Doing? 

Caleb is almost three, learning some English, building trains, loving books (not quite reading the words yet), and going nuts over dinosaurs.  Constance has about three knees on each leg, with at least two elbows, thanks to chubbiness.  She is sitting up and watching her big brother’s every move.

What are you struggling with right now? 

Falling asleep at night.  Recently, it’s like all the weight of the world falls on my shoulders at sundown.  Things like our need for financial support, whether or not our church planting strategy is going to work, people around us in difficulty.  I’ve very rarely worried before and am beginning to believe that my level of preoccupation is sinful, based on Jesus’ words in Matt. 6:25-34… That would be a prayer request.