Committee on Foreign Missions—Short-Term Mission Opportunities

Short-term mission opportunities in Québec:

1. RENOVATION/CONSTRUCTION. Farel Reformed Theological Seminary (Laval, Québec, Canada) purchased a Catholic Church building two years ago which has been partially converted into a seminary, an apartment, an elementary school and a new church plant. Much more renovation work needs to be done. A group could easily spend a week or two helping with framing, drywall, painting, electrical and even roofing (the shingles have to be changed). Volunteer labor would be greatly appreciated.

Farel is located just north of Montreal in the city Laval. The community is very bilingual (French and English), and the administrators/professors are also bilingual. Montreal is a great place to visit and to experience first-hand the need for the light of Christ in a post-modern, hedonistic city.

If a group is interested, or if you want more details, please contact:

Philippe DeBlois, Director of Development
Farel Reformed Theological Seminary
790, 18e avenue
Laval, Québec H7R 4P3
CANADA
450-627-2555
info@farel.net
www.farel.net

2. EVANGELISM: English café. The Église réformée St-Marc (St. Mark Reformed Church) in Québec City would be glad to welcome a group to do evangelism in the parks or malls near our church by hosting a "Café anglais" (English café).

Only three per cent of the population of Québec City are anglophones (people whose mother tongue is English), and many of them are senior citizens. Many francophones (people whose mother tongue is French) like to practice the bit of English they know with real Anglophones, especially those of the generation X.

If you wish to participate in this mission project, your work will involve getting the permission of the owner of a café shop in a major mall or on a busy street to use 1-3 tables for the English Café. Through newspaper ads, posters or a verbal invite, you can invite passers-by to stop and sit down to chat in English about most any topic. (Obviously they should purchase their drinks from the café shop.)

During the conversation, you may have opportunities to talk about the Christian faith, the Protestant religion and to give your personal testimony. For instance, a Québecer may ask why you came to Québec to help him practice his English. The door is open to say that you came with a group from a Christian Protestant Church in order to help the Église réformée St-Marc in Québec City. The Québecer will most likely be interested to learn more, particularly since few know much about the Protestant church, and the Reformed or Presbyterian Church is almost completely unheard of. You can also offer the business card of Pastor Bernard Westerveld so that the visitor leaves with the basic information about the Église réformée St-Marc.

The bonus to this mission project is that Québec City is a great tourist destination. The summers are beautiful, mild and sunny. The winters are excellent for skiing and snowboarding. In addition to the evangelism, many sight-seeing and educational activities can fill the week. You may wish to combine this short term mission project with a personal vacation.

Requirements for the English Café:

• A love for the Lord and for those who are still strangers to the Kingdom of God.
• Member of an Orthodox Presbyterian congregation or of a sister denomination. (Please submit a letter of reference from your pastor or an elder of your session.)
• 18 years and older. (Since the target group is mature adults, we require young adult and adult participants who are mature, sensitive to cultural differences and able to give a clear gospel witness. Lord willing, we will develop another project for teen and young people participants.)
• At ease giving a Christian testimony and/or some experience in one-on-one evangelism.
• Ideally, a group of 3-8 individuals.

Financial requirements:

• Travel to and from Québec City. (Québec City is located nearly 3 hours northeast of Montréal, Canada, 12 hours northeast of Detroit, Michigan, or 12 hours north of New York City.)
• Lodging in Québec City. Unfortunately we do not have the facilities necessary nor a sufficient number of church families to host a mission group. Near by housing options include:

a) student residence of Laval University: 418-656-5632, www.ulaval.ca/sres
     - single room (1 single bed)—$150/week plus 15% tax
     - double room (2 single beds)—$175/week plus 15% tax
     - communal bathroom
     - communal kitchen (bring your own dishes, pots; no refrigerator)

b) YWCA: 855, ave. Holland, Québec. 418-683-2155
     - single room (1 single bed)—$40/night, tax included
     - double room (2 single beds)—$50/night, tax included
     - communal bathroom
     - communal kitchen (dishes, pots and refrigerator included)

c) camp grounds: Several camp grounds are located just outside of Québec City

• Transportation while staying in Québec City. If you have a car or van, it would be most convenient. However, city buses do connect Laval University, the YWCA and the location for the English Café. (Cost: $2.10 per bus ticket).
• Food costs. Laval University and the YWCA have common kitchens so that you can cook your own meals. There are also many restaurants in the area. (Estimated cost of a meal: $10-15.)
• Advertising the English Café in newspapers, flyers, etc. We ask that you contribute $200 per participant or $1,000 per group in order to cover advertising costs.

NOTE: All costs are estimates and given in Canadian funds.

For more information or to organize a group, contact:

Mr. Bernard Westerveld, Pastor
Église réformée St-Marc
844, rue de Contrecoeur
Ste-Foy (Québec) G1X 2X8
(418) 659-7943
westerveld.2@opc.org

NOTE: A printable copy of the "Application for Québec Short-Term Mission Program" is availabe by clicking here.