Canada is a land of diversity, both in its vast landscapes and its rich cultural tapestry. Stretching across 9.98 million square kilometers, it is the second-largest country in the world by land area. Despite this immensity, its population is relatively modest—around 39 million people, similar to the size of California. Yet, within this landscape, there remains a significant gap when it comes to the spread of the gospel.

Canada’s vast expanse creates both a challenge and an opportunity for those called to mission. Many rural and urban areas lack gospel-centered churches, leaving entire communities without access to the hope and truth of Christ. Only about 10% of Canadians identify as Evangelical Christians, meaning the majority of the population remains unreached.

The Call to Montreal: A City in Need

Montreal, one of Canada’s most multicultural cities in the province of Quebec, is a prime example of both the challenge and the opportunity that exists in this country. The needs here are profound, and the potential for the Gospel is immense. Todd Dugard, an Acts 29 church planter in Ontario reflects, “people need Jesus here in Montreal just as much as they need Jesus in any other city in the world.”

The city’s diverse population, which includes many new Canadians from all over the world, provides a unique opportunity to share the gospel with people from various backgrounds and worldviews. Montreal is also home to a rich spiritual history, with a blend of secularism and religion that makes the work of the church both challenging and essential.

Restrictive zoning laws and limited real estate options for worship spaces are both significant obstacles to church planting in Quebec. With high costs and legal restrictions, it can be incredibly difficult to find a place where the community can gather to worship. Yet, in the face of these challenges, there is a growing movement to see churches planted and the gospel advanced in Montreal and beyond.

The Challenge of Size and Distance

Canada’s sheer size is a double-edged sword when it comes to reaching people with the gospel. The geography is vast, and the distances between cities and rural communities can be staggering. Travel is expensive, and in many cases, it is difficult to access certain areas, particularly in the northern territories and remote regions like Yukon. This makes church planting and evangelism a costly and logistical challenge.

Despite these obstacles, there is a deep sense of excitement and urgency for those who are called to serve in Canada. Pastor Todd Dugard shared, “When the opportunity to move here and be part of a growing community presented itself, we were really excited. It’s a unique place to plant, and we knew the potential was there.”

A Mission Field in Need of Workers

Canada’s spiritual landscape varies significantly from province to province. In places like Quebec, the church has often faced a difficult history with past wrongs that have created a complex relationship with Christianity. For many, the name of Jesus has been associated with harm rather than healing. In such a context, the church’s role is not just to preach the gospel, but also to demonstrate grace, forgiveness, and love in a way that breaks down misconceptions and heals past wounds.

At the same time, there is a growing sense of hope as new immigrants, who bring fresh perspectives and diverse worldviews, begin to hear and respond to the gospel. “For many, the concept of grace is entirely new and radically different from what they’ve encountered in their own religious or cultural traditions. And yet, it’s the very thing that draws them in.”

The Transforming Power of the Gospel

The power of the Gospel is undeniable, and stories of transformation are happening all over Canada. Acts 29 leaders and church planters are seeing lives changed as people come to understand who they are in Christ and what God’s intentions are for their lives. The impact doesn’t stop with the individual; it ripples out into the communities they’re part of, bringing transformation wherever it goes.

“People are beginning to see who they are in Christ,” says Brad Somers, an Acts 29 church planter at Pax North in Halifax Nova Scotia. “It begins to transform them, and then it trickles out into that community.” Whether through small groups, worship services, or acts of service, the gospel is slowly but surely taking root in places where it has never been before.

The Future of the Church in Canada

It’s clear that God is at work in Canada. Church plants are sprouting up in places that once seemed unreachable. More people are coming to faith. And the transformation of communities is happening one life at a time.

Church planters and ministry leaders are hopeful that, as more people respond to the call to serve and plant, the gospel will continue to spread throughout the country.

In a land that is both vast and diverse, the mission is clear: Canada needs the gospel. Together, we’re seeing faithful Acts 29 churches meeting needs and sharing gospel hope, transforming lives for the glory of Christ.