Why ICM?

Immigrants and refugees are coming to our ports in increasing numbers at the rate of about 300,000 per year. No doubt, you have seen the changing face of Canada. At the present time, over half of the people of Toronto(3 million) were born outside of Canada. There is not a city in Canada that does not feel the effects of this new wave of immigrants. These "strangers among us" are arriving from all over the globe, but mainly from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Among them are Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists but also secular peoples from Europe and China.

What an opportunity awaits the church in Canada to embrace these "new neighbours" with the love and compassion of Christ. Many individuals and congregations want to engage in outreach, but don't know where to begin or are reluctant to do so and need encouragement. This is where the ICM focus of Pioneers is an effective catalyst in helping the Canadian church engage the mission field on their doorstep. Most likely, some of these newcomers are your neighbours, colleagues at work, or people who serve you at Tim Hortons, pizza joints, or the gas bar.

Come join us in this strategic ministry. The Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization recently held in South Africa described this as "...participating in God's redemptive mission among people living outside of their place of origin."

Back to ICM page.