It’s our pleasure to share with you several highlights from work conducted by the EFC’s three centres in the last 18 months
The CFPL in Ottawa brings biblical principles to bear on law and public policy, witnessing through constructive engagement in public life (TheEFC.ca/CFPL).
Prostitution/Sexual Exploitation: We engaged internationally on the violence and exploitation inherent in prostitution, with submissions to a UN Special Rapporteur and a UN committee reviewing discrimination against women.
Religious Freedom: We continued to advocate for conscience protection for doctors, with submissions to Alberta and Nova Scotia regulatory bodies. The CFPL raised concerns with a parliamentary committee that some Canada Summer Job grant applications were being screened on the basis of beliefs. We’re preparing a new tool to monitor anti-Christian incidents.
Protecting Kids Online: We advocated for the protection of children and youth online, with a new brochure and submissions to a parliamentary committee and to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. We also collaborated with Defend Dignity on a webinar series.
Euthanasia: We continued to press for a delay or repeal of MAiD for mental illness, with a submission to a parliamentary committee. We also raised concerns to a UN committee about MAiD’s impact on women with disabilities.
Online Harms/Hate Crimes: We prepared an overview of Bill C-63, known as the Online Harms Bill. The EFC supports changes to protect children online but has strong concerns about the bill’s provisions on hate crimes and hate speech.
The CMPI facilitates collaboration between EFC affiliates and partners to support ministries, denominations, educational institutions and congregations across Canada. CMPI finds innovative ways to respond to felt needs and challenges.
Abuse Awareness and Prevention Network: Comprised of reps from Karis Disability Services (formerly Christian Horizons), The Alliance (C&MA), Mennonite Central Committee, the Christian Reformed Church, Small Church Connections and the EFC, the network held its first conference Reducing the Risk in Toronto.
AbuseAwareness.net
Canadian Christian Women’s Network: Cathie Ostapchuk represented the EFC in Kenya at the WEA’s Women’s Commission where reps met from nine regions around world to develop a strategic plan.
TheEFC.ca/CCWCN
Our Common Calling: The EFC continued this partnership with The Canadian Centre for Christian Charities, Lausanne Movement Canada, and Christian Higher Education Canada.
OurCommonCalling.ca
Welcome Church: This initiative provides training and resources to help Canadian churches welcome newcomers to Canada. Welcome Church is now a ministry of the EFC after being launched by Our Common Calling in 2021. The Welcome Church database and map has grown to 100+ churches.
WelcomeChurch.ca
The CRCF conducts ministry research for our affiliates and in partnership with them to help frontline ministry workers make better informed decisions and to help those outside our movement understand us.
Women in the Canadian Evangelical Church study: The EFC and 13 EFC affiliates, with research conducted by the CRCF, have partnered to study how Christian women understand their role in their local church and the factors that influence participation. Literature review and ministry expert interview phases are complete. Interviews with 40 women about their experiences in local churches will begin soon. Research wraps in 2025 with a national survey followed by the public research report in 2026.
TheEFC.ca/Women-in-Church
Identifying Evangelicals: The CRCF and other researchers rely on the Christian Evangelical Scale to identify Evangelicals in public opinion polls. The CRCF team is planning and fundraising to host a consultation on revisions so that ours, and others’, representations about Evangelicals faithfully represents our movement in Canada.
How you have helped
Thank you for your prayers and your financial commitment to the work of the EFC and its three centres gathering Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus.
Also in this issue:
Study digs into the effects of social media, Training on reducing the risk of abuse, Scriptural teaching on six key issues, A word from EFC President David Guretzki