As you may know, the purpose of Campus for Christ is ‘to help change the world by turning lost students into Christ-centred labourers.’” As a ministry, we want to do everything in our power to give students multiple, attractive opportunities to come to faith. But ultimately, it is only God who produces changed lives.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:19, “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” Specifically, we want to mobilize not just two, but 2000 people to join with us in praying that we would see 500 students come to faith across Canada through our ministry this year. This is a huge goal – doubling what we saw this past year – and can only happen with God’s help. Two years ago in Ontario, staff and students prayed for a similar goal – asking God to lead 130 students to faith during the year (65 had come to faith from the previous year). As they pulled together to pray for that, God answered their prayers, and allowed them to see 143 students indicate decisions for Christ. We are asking God to do the same thing across the nation.
In particular, we want to ask God for a breakthrough in two areas that are typically very closed to the gospel – Quebecois (French-speaking Canadians) and Muslims.
To help make this happen, we have set up a prayer chain so that we can all pull together in prayer for the same things. Here is the link: http://prayerchain.campusforchr
We are asking people sign up for a 15 minute slot sometime during the week of Sept 3-7, and pray for the requests listed on the site. You are welcome to sign up for as many slots as you like, and we would love your help in inviting more friends to join us in this effort. Also, we are asking people to consider taking a meal, a day or the week to join us in a fast, as we beg God to change lives for His glory.
1 comment:
Whilst my 4:30am meanderings of the internet I stumbled across your blog.
First and foremost I want to outright say that I am not here with the intent to upset or put anyone down due to their religious beliefs. I merely would like to ask a few questions and point out some small inaccuracies.
Firstly, I have noticed that you want to make McGill your base of operations. Obviously being a Campus Crusade for Christ member that would make the most amount of sense. But I wonder why you're targeting the 'Quebecois' or the 'French speaking Canadians' as you call them. McGill is an English University in a very anglicized city. Yes, over 75% of the residents of Montreal speak french in their homes but the University students are coming from all over Canada, the United States and even overseas to attend this university. Surely, the majority would be English speaking. I'd also like to point out that the French speaking Canadians and the Quebecois are two very different groups. They may not like being associated with each other as not all French speaking Canadians are Quebecois. The Quebecois refers to a group of people who still believe in the sovereignty of Quebec and are mostly the younger generation from the FLQ crisis or the children of the people involved. Keep in mind that only 50% of the Quebec population voted for the independence of the Quebec in the last referendum meaning that possibly less than 50% of the population will still be referred to as the 'Quebecois'. Although Montreal is a city in Quebec I again point out that it is heavily anglicized and would therefore harbour fewer Quebecois and FLQ favoritisms than other cities. Also, the Quebecois (the ones that still entertain ideas of Quebecs sovereignty tend to be Catholic). My point to this argument is that you may want to change your mission to French speaking Canadians only instead of the Quebecois. You're more likely to find more open minds to your adventure that way.
I'd also like to point out that over 75% of the population of Montreal has already identified themselves as Roman Catholic while 6% identify themselves with known Christian Churches (United, Anglican etc). So I'd also like to point out that although you will find some conversions to your religion you may not find as many as you had originally hoped. I don't mean for this to discourage you but more as a pointer for you to grow from your original ideas and help you think of different places to spread your word throughout the city of Montreal. I'd be concerned about staying with mainstream media as your message may fall upon deaf ears.
I'd also like to wonder why your are targeting Muslims? Barely 3% of the population of Montreal is Muslim. I realize that as a Christian you believe that there is only one true God. But the Qur'an is based upon the story of Muhammad a man who was on a quest to find God. Some of the Prophets found within the Qur'an you may recognize from the Bible like Moses and Jesus. "Muslims do not believe that [Muhammad] was the creator of a new religion, but the restorer of the original, uncorrupted monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham and others..." (From the Wikipedia article on Muhammad). Muhammad was bringing his own version of the events to his people. And to tie it together Allah is actually the Arabic word for God. I'd like to know why you wish to convert a religion that is so similar to yours and one that could possibly exist to worship the same God.
I'd also like to point out that even Arabic speakers of Christian faith use the word 'Allah' to reference God, so it is not a word that is only used in the Muslim belief.
I realize that they way the Muslim's worship is different, and even their holy scriptures are different but I'd like to point out that even Christianity has two different version of events, the Old and New Testament. But I don't think that they should be your target in conversion. Historians and other educators believe that the God that Muhammad refers to and the God of Christianity are one and the same. I think maybe you should take that energy and redirect it to another outlet of your adventure, maybe trying to find another group that needs your help more. Or you could take that energy and use it to paint your group in a more positive light.
As a non-christian on campus I feel harassed by the Campus Crusade and I know I speak for many other students when I say this. I think you'll, again, be finding more people open to your adventure than before if you spend more time creating positive outlets and advertising for your group.
I hope I've made some sense to you and that you might find some help in my opinion. I don't expect you to take my opinion to heart, or any of it for that matter but I hope that I might have given you some extra direction in your mission.
That said I'd like to let you know that I don't disagree with what you're doing. I actually think it's a great idea. Although I don't have a religious affiliation I've seen the effects that one can have on someone's life. Especially someone who needs it. Many people, especially young adults lack structure in their daily lives, religion can offer that to them, it can also offer companionship and love. I've volunteered downtown Ottawa at a place you may know very well, the Mission. I've seen the change in the men once they find God and the kind of direction it gives them.
And for that, Rebecca, I applaud you. I think you're a very courageous young woman and I wish you the best of luck in Montreal and I hope that your prayers are answered (by whoever is doing the answering).
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