As TEAM Canada workers Peter and Ruth (names changed) drive from their home to a nearby community center, they pass numerous apartment buildings and townhouses. Most of the families who live there are immigrants. They’ve left their countries of origin due to political unrest, trauma, and other difficulties. They’ve left family, friends, homes, jobs, and personal wealth behind. They search for peace, justice for the oppressed, and rest from fear and weariness.
And as they adjust to a new country and a new language, they are often very isolated from others around them. “The sad reality is most immigrants are never even invited inside a Canadian home,” says Ruth.
Peter and Ruth and their team try to change that reality. For the last nine years, the team, which includes workers from partner organizations as well as volunteers, has held English classes at the community center. Three days a week, over 60 students from more than 20 countries come together to learn English as well as to fellowship together and receive practical help in assimilating to a new normal.
Meeting Needs and Building Trust
That practical help may come in the form of procuring furniture, clothes, or dishes for newcomers, assistance with creating a resume and finding a job, or teaching people how to navigate Canadian laws and the medical system. As these tangible needs are met, relationships are built. “We invite them into our homes for meals and games,” Ruth shares. “We take them on hiking trips, picnics, outings, and out for coffee.”
This is particularly important in this type of ministry because most immigrants come to Canada from cultures that value hospitality. Conversely, Canadians do not typically prioritize hospitality and consequently many newcomers feel lonely and isolated. Inviting folks to various gatherings and outings allows the team to spend extended time hearing people’s stories, struggles, hopes, and dreams.
When she speaks about building friendships, Ruth’s heart for the people she serves is evident. “Hearing their stories, it’s easy to love them, and many have become close friends,” Ruth says. “We recognize the value of steady one-on-one relationships.”
The Ultimate Source of Help and Hope
From there, Peter and Ruth find that the Lord opens the doors for spiritual conversations. As people ask questions and express a desire to know more, TEAM Canada workers are there to provide those answers. Some of the ways people are drawn to learn more about the Gospel is through Bible studies, or through a viewing of the Jesus film.
“As they look to us for advice and sometimes comfort, we strive to point them to the Source of our help,” says Ruth. “We ask God to reveal those that are searching for Him. At some point they come to see that a life of faith is central to all our volunteers. I believe it is transparency and being genuine that builds trust.” She shares the story of a gentleman the team was working with who saw this Gospel witness firsthand. He told Ruth, “In my country, I never knew anyone who actually followed what they believed, but when I came here to your center, I saw it for the first time.”
God Does the Work
Ruth shares another ongoing triumph of the Gospel. One of the Bible study groups began to see more and more people coming from a particular Middle Eastern country. They met first in a home, then online during the height of Canada’s COVID restrictions. Once those limitations were lifted, the group met in a classroom at a local church. This led to questions about the church itself, and attendance continued to grow as people invited friends.
“We currently have about 35 people attending weekly for worship, Bible teaching, and a potluck supper,” says Ruth. “The group organized two large outreach events which were attended by over 200 people from this same country. Guests from these events have attended the Bible study and asked many questions. One man in the group leads new believers in a course about Christianity. Eight people recently completed the course, and three others are close to receiving Christ. At the beginning, we led the Bible studies in English, but now, the believers lead the Bible teaching and worship songs in their own language. We trust that God is raising up the first church in our city for this language group.”
While Peter and Ruth and their team remain faithful to the work, they recognize the truth of 1 Corinthians 3:7. “God does the spiritual work and brings spiritual fruit,” she explains. “Our desire is to lead people to respond to what God is inviting them to do, and to bring them into relationship with Him.”
To learn more about opportunities to serve with TEAM Canada, email team@teamcanada.org.
