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EFC Update Newsletter Oct. 28

28 October 2025

International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church 

On November 2, 2025 your church can join believers worldwide to pray for the estimated 200 million Christians facing persecution for their faith.  

The annual IDOP event is generally held on the first or second Sunday of November. Learn more about how to participate.  

EFC staff participate in global gathering

Canadians including EFC President David Guretzki are attending an event in South Korea that started yesterday. A general assembly of the World Evangelical Alliance is held every six years. "We’re trying to take the posture of asking, ‘What can we contribute?’ but also, ‘What can we learn?’" says Guretzki in a three-page overview of the event just published at FaithToday.ca.    

Secularizing Canada  

The positive contribution of faith communities in Canada is being challenged, writes columnist Bruce Clemenger. Read the full article in the Nov/Dec Faith Today.  

Subscribe for free to this bimonthly magazine published by the EFC to read more content exploring contemporary Canadian issues from a Christian perspective.  

WEA UN representative discusses diplomacy and faith

Gaetan Roy, World Evangelical Alliance Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, joined host Phil Wagler on the latest episode of the All Things Reconciled Podcast to discuss his experiences and wisdom gained from advocating with ambassadors and diplomats on behalf of the global Evangelical family. How should Christians be engaged in these complex political and polarized circles? Listen to Gaetan’s thoughts to learn about how to be an ambassador of hope and servant of Jesus wherever you are called.

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar

Nationwide, November, Together for Canada: An EFC Sunday for Prayer and Partnership in the Gospel

Kitchener, ON, Nov. 2, Don McNiven Speaking at Glencairn Church about MAiD

Calgary, AB, Nov. 4, Roger Helland Speaking at Apostolic Church of Pentecost on Spiritual Formation of the Leader

Calgary, AB, Nov. 5, Rick Hiemstra speaking at Calgary Connect Ministerial monthly luncheon – on The State of the Church in Canada

Additional Christian community calendar events

ELO Forum (ELO Network), Vancouver, Nov. 5 

Flourishing Together Teachers Conference (ACSI Eastern Canada), Waterloo, Ont., Nov. 6-7 

Negotiation and Difficult Conversations (Conrad Grebel), Waterloo, Ont., Nov. 6-7 

Chris Renzema in Concert (Redeemer), Ancaster, Ont., Nov. 7 

True Women Leaders Forum (Cathie Ostapchuk/Gather:Women), Mississauga, Nov. 7

Why Religion Went Obsolete, with Christian Smith (IRCSF), online, Nov. 7

One-Day Summit (Gather:Women), Mississauga, Nov. 8 

Ministry Leaders Renewal Retreat (FOTFC), East Braintree, Nov. 10; Nestleton, Nov. 15; Nov. 17; Priddis, Nov. 17

Engage Difference! Explore the Art of Intercultural Ministry (Canadian Council of Churches), Georgina, Nov. 10-14

Where Are You, God? Conference for Women (TGC), Oakville, Nov. 13-15

Cross-cultural Training and Mosque Tour (CCCOWE/LMT), Vancouver, Nov. 13 (training), Burnaby, Nov. 14 (visit)

Ottawa Ready to Respond Information Event (Love Ottawa), Ottawa, Nov. 15

Annual Charity & Not-for-Profit Law Webinar (Carters), online, Nov. 13

Practical Pathways to Community Integration for Every Church (Church Vitalization Canada), online, Nov. 13

After Alpha — What’s Next? (Alpha Canada), online, Nov. 13

Moving Forward in Faith (Resonate Global), Oakville, Nov. 14

ELO Forum (ELO Network), Toronto, Nov. 19

Pastors and Leaders Prayer Forum (BGEA Canada, ignite Prayer Canada), online, Nov. 19

Why Everyone Should Be Religious (Ross Douthas / Cardus), Ottawa, Nov. 20